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Spotlight Feature: Australian singer-songwriter, Ted, sang an insurgent indie-psych-folk lullaby in his latest single, Revolution Then

Posted on 17 November 2022

The Australian Indie-Folk singer-songwriter Ted’s latest single, Revolution Then, is definitive proof you catch more flies with honey than with vinegar.

The artfully quiescent call for sense to coalesce with postulation resonates like a semi-lucid lullaby, affirming enlightenment doesn’t always need to be synonymous with anger and despair. Sometimes, it is just enough to be on the right side of history.

While Elliott Smith’s records will always be there to soothe us in our darkest hours, he’s no longer here to transcribe humanity’s darkest hours. That crown has evidently fallen upon Ted, who is fearless in his quest to hold a mirror to the most tragic facets of our existence before reflecting them through his psych-tinged arrangements crafted in the mellifluous framework of his music, constructed by guitars, bass, drums, sax and keys – all recorded from his bedroom studio to feed us the intimacy we never knew we craved in these polarity-defined times.

“The song is loosely based on the French Revolution. I was inspired by some more recent political events which occurred in the US. I wanted to convey this in a way that was like telling an old story to a child, like in a nursery rhyme.”

Stream Revolution Then via Spotify.

Follow Ted on Instagram and TikTok.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Folk singer-songwriter Steve Andrews reached the pinnacle of feel-good music with ‘Climb Through a Rainbow’

Posted on 14 November 2022
Climb Through A Rainbow by Steve Andrews

When Steve Andrews, AKA the Bard of Ely, isn’t prising our eyes open to the disasters we create in our destructive-by-design lifestyles, playing Glastonbury or being lauded by the NME and Nicky Wire, he’s spilling soul across the airwaves through singles such as Climb Through a Rainbow.

With Pixies-Esque shimmering reverb and birdsong as the backdrop to his ardently animated acoustic guitar and unlimitedly happy vocals that bring alive the song that was inspired and composed in his friend’s nursery in Cardiff, it is impossible not to get swept up in the euphoric energy of the single.

Climb Through a Rainbow definitively proves you’re never too old to benefit from the simple pleasures of authentically feel-good music, which makes no bones about being on the silly side of wild. Honestly, I’ve got happy tears as I write this review. Nothing has touched my soul this much, ironically, since Nicky Wire’s solo album.

Stream and purchase Climb Through a Rainbow on Bandcamp now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

More Than Once: Fran Lusty found that light which appeared so beautifully on You Play Me Like a Song

Posted on 13 November 2022

With the 3rd single from her reverse piano style to be truly mesmerized by, Fran Lusty worries she has put off her new lover as her brave honesty won’t ever stop no matter what on You Play Me Like a Song.

Fran Lusty is a London, UK-based indie folk singer-songwriter who is fearlessly juggling the demands of a PhD in English Literature and music.

”As I was getting into a relationship, and having to face the fears and doubts that come with feeling extreme emotions for another individual. I was worried that they would play me like a song, on repeat, until they were bored of having me around.” ~ Fran Lusty

Delighting mightily, like the great ones do, Fran Lusty is absolutely incredible on You Play Me Like a Song. She is dynamite personified and shows the world her charmingly created vision with expert aplomb for even the fussiest ears.

You Play Me Like a Song from London, UK-based indie folk singer-songwriter Fran Lusty is one of the sweetest singles the world is likely to be blessed by this year. Sung so elegantly by a lovely human who just wants to love and be loved, this is a fine release which will leave many thinking deeper than ever.

When you feel the love with the right human, your heart shall let you know.

Listen up to this new single on Spotify and see more on IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Australian musician Peter Thomas-Warman drops fascinating new track Revolution Then

Posted on 11 November 2022

Searching for freedom and putting his heart on the sleeve for us all to be inspired by, Peter Thomas-Warman looks for the vital enlightenment that has been hiding away for too long on Revolution Then.

Peter Thomas-Warman is an Australian indie folk bedroom singer-songwriter and radiographer who projects his vocals rather sweetly.

Soaring so high and with so much love and care, Peter Thomas-Warman is that underground musician who assembles poetic-like stories to warm even the coldest veins back to life again. Revolution Then encapsulates the feelings of so many lost humans, who are searching for that empowering light.

Revolution Then from Australian indie folk bedroom singer-songwriter and radiographer Peter Thomas-Warman is an emotional roller coaster and shall surely massage your heart awake. Lyrically aware and with melodies that are made from actual experiences in life, this is the type of song to play when meditation is needed.

When it’s time to stand up for what is right, everything minor falls away forever.

Listen up to this new single on Spotify and see more on IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Peppler lulled us into optimistic gratitude with his dream folk serenade, Blessed

Posted on 9 November 2022

Creating ample anticipation for his upcoming dream folk album releasing in early 2023, the acoustic folk artist Peppler exposed his old soul in his lead single, Blessed.

Entwining the warm vintage tones of 60s and 70s folk with a modern signature dream pop sound that only Peppler can call his own, Blessed is effortlessly efficacious in beckoning you into the beguiling grace of the release. Which needed no more than accordant acoustic guitars, a harmonica and Peppler’s consolingly dulcet tones to lull you into gratified catharsis.

Lyrically, Blessed optimistically reinforces the message that we are blessed within ourselves and that trust that it will all work out is never misplaced. It’s a simple message, but one worth reiterating, given our tendency to curse every downfall and diminish everything positive. Notably, artistically thriving within pure, simplistic minimalism is Peppler’s gift, one that he’s worked tirelessly to perfect after eight years of performing live and crafting albums with various projects.

Watch Blessed live from the G7 Recording Studio on YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

 

Andrew McCrorie-Shand drops a marvellous medieval fused soundtrack from motion picture Nobody Loves You and You Don’t Deserve to Exist with House of Asterion

Posted on 7 November 2022

With the official motion picture soundtrack for the recent movie Nobody Loves You and You Don’t Deserve to Exist, Andrew McCrorie-Shand returns with one of the more stirring songs anyone is likely to experience ever on House of Asterion.

Andrew McCrorie-Shand is a vastly experienced folk/prog rock artist, keyboardist and creative who loves enormous challenges and never backs down from making authentic pieces of art come to life.

After receiving a strange-but-rather-exciting brief from the accomplished director/writer Brett Gregory, Andrew McCrorie-Shand is quite outstanding on this fine new release that shall take many back to the old school. There is a flight-filled emotion here which is quite superb to consume, that feels real and with none of that unnecessary flash.

House of Asterion from the much-loved folk/prog rock artist Andrew McCrorie-Shand is a unique single that brings the distinctive Hurdy-gurdy back to life from the dusty cupboard. There is emotional in spades here and this feels important. Saturated with a rare quality to sip on gently like a fine wine which has been hidden away for a century, this is a world class music masterclass at your doorstep.

Hear this fine new single on Spotify and see more via IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Ancestral pain emanates in Million Pebble Beach’s latest beguilingly awakening Witches

Posted on 6 November 2022

In modern culture, witches are often painted with crooked noses and broomsticks beside them; Million Pebble Beach’s latest single, Witches, paints them as what they always were, women powerful enough to evoke enough fear to drive men to burn them at the stake.

That archaic form of misogyny has shifted with the ages but remains just as pertinent in our regression-tainted cultural tapestry. The deep ancestral pain emanates through this sombre yet juxtaposing uplifting single that shimmers with tonal and lyrical beguile as their strength and power is celebrated.

The Hertfordshire-based solo artist has made quite the name for herself with her cinematic and poetic piano oeuvre since 2018, which any fans of Mitski and Phoebe Bridgers will find playlist-worthy,

Witches is now available to stream on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

3rd Degree: Canadian folk act Borrowed Standards return with the foot-tapping track Boombox On My Knee

Posted on 6 November 2022

With a catchy release that shall be heard all over the neighborhood, Borrowed Standards aren’t giving up easily and shall do whatever it takes to be with that special lover on Boombox On My Knee.

Borrowed Standards aka Dylan Csincsa is a Manitoba, Canada-based indie experimental folk project who formulates that joyous music to dance with all night with a few cold ones.

Transporting us back to a time when something impressive had to occur to reach the happy road, Borrowed Standards have released a sterling song to play on repeat. Drenched in honesty and soaked in so much genuineness, with passionate vocals to keep us truly inspired.

Boombox On My Knee from Manitoba, Canada-based indie experimental folk Borrowed Standards is a single laden with so much creativity it shall make many smile. Showing us that love can be saved if two hearts may mend as one, just like it should be.

When you’re in love, anything is possible.

Listen up to this new single on Spotify and see more on the IG music page.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Honeyyycrush has unvelied her confessional piece of Southern Gothic Slowcore, Belly Empty

Posted on 4 November 2022
https://soundcloud.com/honeyyycrush/belly-empty/s-MuIWNMqXx86?in=honeyyycrush/sets/honeyyycrush-demos/s-5mJz94CLze8&si=c7945eabfed94be686e3c440ea981fc4&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing

Brooklyn-based Singer-songwriter, Honeyyycrush (Alexandra Antonopoulos) established herself as one of the most underrated artists of her generation with the launch of her hauntingly soul-stirring single, Belly Empty.

The dark Southern Gothic meets alt-pop single entwines shoegazey guitars with ritualistic percussion and, of course, the evocatively efficacious nature of her ephemeral vocal timbre that meanders with the grungy slowcore melodies.

By building Belly Empty into one of the most arresting crescendos I’ve heard in a long time after grippingly raw lyrical confessionalism which features a vulnerable reprise of “you don’t know me like I do”, this progressively beguiling single is one born of understood isolation and sheer innovation. We can’t wait to hear her forthcoming EP, Milk Teeth.

Belly Empty will officially release on November 4th. Check it out on SoundCloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Love Prevails in Mermaid Avenue’s Indie Alt-Country Single, Darkest Hour

Posted on 2 November 2022

Brisbane’s most amorous indie alt-country outfit, Mermaid Avenue, has testified to the redemptive propensities of love in their latest single, Darkest Hour, taken from their third album, which is due for release in 2023.

The crooned country twang with the heart-wrenchingly executed vibrato in the vocals beside the meandering blues of the guitars and flourishing piano motifs is a potent combination which amplifies the message in the uninhibitedly romantic lyricism to the nth degree.

What Mr Darcy is to literature, Mermaid Avenue is to the airwaves. Any fans of Trudy and the Romance will want to sink into the cinematic sincerity of this serenade time and time again. It’s not country as you’ve known it before; Mermaid Avenue could never be so assimilative in their autonomously scintillating style.

Darkest Hour is now available to stream via SoundCloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast