Browsing Tag

70s Rock

Billy Sinclair has released his relatable retro rock track, ‘Gotta Get Away’.

Posted on 20 April 2021

Glasgow hailing solo artist Billy Sinclair shared a sentiment that we have all felt over the winter with his latest single Gotta Get Away. His retro rock vibes emanate the same rhythmic prowess as Springsteen, The Eagles and Generation Terrorists-era Manics; through the simplicity of his soulful sound, you will catch his folk influences that bleed through his intimate vocals and driving guitar riffs.

The clever repetition of the line ‘gotta get away’ increases the sense of desperation for escape, in the same way that the Doors’ single, People Are Strange, hammers home the sense of alienation.

Rarely do you encounter a single that is intimate and sonically powerful. But thanks to Billy Sinclair’s eclectic array of influence and non-assimilative approach to production and instrumentation, he’s offering something that no one else is; his unapologetic self.

Gotta Get Away is now available to stream via Spotify.

Follow Billy Sinclair via Facebook.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

 

Firebug has shown us the pinnacle of swampy modern blues rock with their latest single, ‘Run’.

Posted on 18 April 2021

Firebug has followed on from her 2018 album, ‘Wandering Soul’, with the highly anticipated single, ‘Run’. The Spectra Records-signed artist’s single was more than worth the wait for the international fans who were lucky enough to be captivated by her while sharing stages with Alice in Chains, Iggy Pop and Tom Morello.

The progressive single starts with plenty of vocal reminiscences to Beth Hart before the anthemic guitars, which possess a retro soulful furore akin to what you’d find if you dusted off a Holding Company record start to take hold.

With Chris Goss, producer for Foo Fighters, Arctic Monkeys & Queens of the Stone Age on board with production, there was little chance of Run falling flat. But plenty of the magic in the release radiates from the daring stylistic choices which merge folk-rock, blues, grunge and 70s rock with a psych desert rock twist.

The contrast between Juliette Tworsey’s vocals which exude nothing but pure soul and the swampy blues instrumentals will be a spiritual experience for anyone who still kneels at the altar of modern rock.

Run is now available to stream via Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

That Tasty Vintage: An Ocean Away crash wonderfully into our hearts with ‘Airwaves’

Posted on 30 March 2021

With that soaring summer sound that birds fly high to, An Ocean Away take our minds to the potential of today with the breeze-filled new single ‘Airwaves‘.

Absorbing England-based Neo 70’s alt-rock duo act An Ocean Away, stream into our soundscape waterfall of hope, with a sumptuous song that warms the earlobes, as it fills you up with a special taste that certainly satisfies the soul like a gourmet meal should.

Featuring a fascinating assortment of vintage guitars, synthesizers and multi-part harmony vocal sessions that will have you captivated, this is a music effort that has that old school charm that never seems to wear off, no matter how many washes its had.

This is the story of looking up and never down. There is so much to be positive about and if you can open up your mind, anything is really possible. The world has been stagnant but the journey now is all about going with the wind, taking it minute by minute, as you flow upwards for miles and miles, until you find that place you just know feels right when you arrive.

‘Airwaves‘ from English Neo-rock two-piece An Ocean Away, is a song that takes you back the good days of the 70’s, as they morph a sound that has that vintage feel that is a cozy listen, no matter what the surroundings are around you.

Stream this top quality single on Spotify and interact with them on IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Mark Millar sings the psych-tinged blues in the standout single from their sophomore album ‘Killer’

Posted on 7 March 2021

After honing-in on their craft in popular UK touring bands, Mark Millar finally made their debut in 2019 with the solo album ‘On the Journey’. Inspiration has been flowing ever since, leading to the release of their sophomore album, ‘Take Me to the River’, featuring the stunning spin on psych-tinged blues rock ‘Killer’.

Lofty blues guitars perfectly complement the 70s style rock vocals which bring a Jim Morrison kick to the soundscape which allows Mark Millar to humbly show his lifetime of experience perfecting blues bends.

You can practically hear vultures circling above the deserty full-bodied semi-orchestral instrumental arrangement which allows classical strings to pull off the intricate soulful progressions which will serenade you as much as the vocals.

You can check out Mark Millar’s album Take Me to the River via Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

The Leafs spliced classic rock with 90s Britpop in their latest single ‘Mr. Coffey’

Posted on 6 March 2021

Classic rock conservationists, The Leafs, dug up the roots of 70s rock and spliced them with elements of 90s Britpop in their latest single ‘Mr. Coffey’. With driving guitar tones as vintage as Keith Richards himself, the preservation of classic rock is safe in the deft hands of The Leafs – and so is the future of alt-rock.

With vocals which are sweet to the point of seduction, a psychedelic kick to the synthy euphoria-spilling instrumentals and tenderly romantic lyrics, you can expect your soul to be filled and your rhythmic pulses to be arrested while this earworm crawls in.

The Berlin-based artist may have only made their debut in 2020, but you’d be hard-pressed to find another 2021 release containing more commercial potential than Mr. Coffey. It’s an obsession-worthy track.

Mr. Coffey is now available to stream on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Andy John Jones has released their fiery feat of soul-rock ‘Closer’

Posted on 23 January 2021
Andy John Jones

If you’re sick of vapid rock n roll, melt into the ardent grooves of Andy John Jones’ latest funk-infused soul-rock serenade, ‘Closer’.

By channelling 70s-era Stones vibes while laying their affable soul down around bluesy hooks, Closer is the ultimate testament to the Birmingham-born artist’s talent when it comes to creating indulgent explorations of romantic frustration to timelessly enamouring tones.

The production may be smooth, but that didn’t stop plenty of lyrical grit entering the track which became an exposition of the danger of sex traps which ensnare us and keep us trapped in toxic dynamics. It’s tragically rare to hear ‘real talk’ when it comes to sex within lyricism, here’s to hoping that Andy John Jones starts a trend.

Closer is due for official release on January 22nd, you can check it out by heading over to their official website.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Scott Albert Johnson offers an invitation to transcend the 2020 chaos with their Americana Alt Folk single ‘Float’

Posted on 17 December 2020

Mississippi-hailing artist Scott Albert Johnson lays down old school bluesy soul in their latest single ‘Float’ which unfolds as a timelessly cathartic feat of Alt Folk Americana. I’ll never quite get used to hearing Covid times references in a track which sounds like Cohen could have released in the 70s, but I’ll remain eternally grateful for the resolve all the same.

It’s hard not to believe Scott Albert Johnson when he tells you that the clouds are going to break someday. For your sanity’s sake, add the celestially-produced, chorally-upraising single to your playlists.

You can check out the official music video to Float which was released on November 30th via YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

The Kleyla Family Band – Cursed: Spellbindingly Soul-Laden 70s-Inspired Pop Rock

Posted on 5 November 2020

The Kleyla Family Band – three siblings, one in-law, and ‘one friend’ – hail from Providence, Rhode Island; “Cursed” is a beautiful mix of classic rock, seventies country-influenced pop, and bluesy distorted guitar hooks, all underpinning the stunning, statuesque vocals of classically trained soprano Katie Klayla.

Scorching blues-rock guitar parts, searing vocal harmonies, and a rhythm section fully in the pocket, “Cursed” is equal parts Fleetwood Mac, Santana, Carole King, and Alison Krauss, at once modern and classic, soulful, heartfelt, and rocking.

Hear “Cursed” on Spotify; check out the Kleyla Family Band here.

Review by Alex Holmes

8udDha bl0od – HAppY 5AD: Pr!nce DjAng0 PURple fA!n of 3<35

Posted on 8 May 2020

8udDha bl0od is one of the most versatile artists we’ve encountered in 2020, with each new release they blow our minds a little more, and their recently released romantically nostalgic single “HAppY 5AD: Pr!nce DjAng0 PURple fA!n of 3<35” was no exception.

HAppY 5AD: Pr!nce DjAng0 PURple fA!n of 3<35 felt like an aural cuddle. Just why the blend of Progressive Synth Pop and 60s Psych was consoling I’m not all too sure, but the consciousness-devouring soundscape is extremely efficacious all the same. I have a feeling that any fans of ELO will definitely want to make HAppY 5AD: Pr!nce DjAng0 PURple fA!n of 3<35 a staple track on their playlists.

HAppY 5AD: Pr!nce DjAng0 PURple fA!n of 3<35 will be available for release along with the rest of the album from May 17th via SoundCloud. In the meantime, you can check out the artists myriad of dynamic releases.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Curtis Simmons – She Just Likes Champagne: Virtuosic 70s-Inspired Psych Blues Rock

Posted on 6 February 2020

Any fans of Psych-infused Indie Blues will undoubtedly want the UK-based artist Curtis Simmons on their radar.

After perfecting their virtuosic 70s-inspired talent working as a session musician for the likes of Polydor Records, Curtis started his own hypnotically rhythmic solo project and enlists the help of his band The Renegades to transform the live events into unmissable high-octane stage shows.

“She Just Likes Champagne” is just one of the standout singles which Curtis Simmons has released since their project started in 2014. Expect rolling serpentine rhythms, riffs which will make you feel as though your intestines have been rearranged through the tight winding intricacy and smoky Garage Rock vocals.

With artists such as Bowie, Rolling Stones, Costello and the Velvet Underground influencing their sound, it was never going to fall flat. But in She Just Likes Champagne, it’s more than perceptible that they’ve added their own nuanced flair to the 70s sound.

You can check out the official music video to She Just Likes Champagne for yourselves via YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast