Browsing Tag

Alt Blues

Leifer brought the James Dean appeal to indie blues pop with their latest single ‘Say You’re Mine’

Posted on 17 February 2021

Leifer may be just one of the artists bringing blues into the mainstream by packaging it into sweet accessible alt-indie soundscapes, but the amorously archaic kick behind the grooves in his latest single, ‘Say You’re Mine’ hit like no other.

I’m not even sure if James Dean himself could have proclaimed to be as smooth as this melodically-crafted, funk-layered feat of deeply sensual neo-soul. The sense of intimacy seems to breathe through the polished production which finds the perfect balance between modernity and aural nostalgia. If you can imagine what the male equivalent to Amy Winehouse would sound like, you can get an idea of what is in store once you hit play.

Say You’re Mine is available to stream on all major platforms via this link.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Orange Animal – Here I See: Soulfully Compelling Semi-Orchestral Alt Rock

Posted on 26 July 2020

Here I See is the latest single to be released from US Alt-Rock artist Orange Animal. Their visceral combination of Blues, Rock and Folk in Here I See offers the kind of sound which the word ‘phenomenal’ should be reserved for.

The energy and the atmosphere allow you to almost forget that you’re listening to what started out as a melody and some lyrics. Their ingenuity brings rare intensity to the aural experience which won’t fail to leave you arrested. You lock into the resonance which spills from the all too compelling, low, gravelly vocals and the angular precision of the guitar notes as they lead the way through the semi-orchestral single.

It’s as stylistic and as contemporary as what you’d expect to hear from the likes of the National, but the roots of each of the genres which were weaved into the evocative mix are still audible. In short, I can’t see any Rock-inclined music fan being unimpressed with Here I See.

If you’re aurally sensitive, be prepared to feel a little bruised by this soulfully compelling melodic masterpiece.

You can check out Orange Animal’s single for yourselves by heading over to Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Vargen – It’s All Over Now, Baby Blue: A Solace-Spilling Rework of Bob Dylan’s Timeless Hit

Posted on 9 April 2020

Swedish Blues Folk Duo Vargen’s release of Love / Leave – 11 Songs of Bob Dylan couldn’t have been released at a better time. We’re all in need of a little escapism right now. And the timelessly consoling tones are just as solace-spilling and escapism-aiding as they were at the time of Bob Dylan’s original releases.

The tenderly emotive reimagining works bring the raw soul back to life, yet, Vargen have put their own ensnaring Bluesy spin on the soundscapes. While each track is as mesmerizingly cathartic as the last, It’s All Over Now, Baby Blue is the perfect introduction to Vargen’s boundlessly fervent style. The dual vocals harmonise over the effortlessly mellifluous warmly ethereal instrumentals to create succinct melodies which almost allow you to feel like you’re swimming in sepia.

There was no forgetting Vargen after the chills they left us with after hearing their single From Stockholm to L.A. We’re immeasurably gratified for their return with the 11 track album.

You can check out Vargen’s stunning tribute to Bob Dylan yourselves by heading over to Spotify now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Big Soda – Open Wound: Soul-Fizzingly Sweet Psych Jazz Pop

Posted on 24 March 2020

We found it all too easy to become enamoured by Big Soda’s latest Psych Jazz Pop single Open Wound. It wouldn’t be out of place in a David Lynch soundtrack. But abstract ingenuity isn’t the only incentive to hit play. Big Soda makes it impossible not to be endeared by the effervescent charm which has been instilled into the mix.

The dreamy, melodic, genre-mashing progressions in Open Wound paired with Big Soda’s playfully soulful crooning allowed the track to unfold with a sublime soul-fizzing adorable appeal.

The track may not have been orchestrated with adorability in mind. Yet, that’s just what gives Open Wound its organic adorable magnetism. Expect a sure enough serving of improvised aural catharsis when you hit play.

You can check out Open Wound along with earlier releases from Big Soda for yourselves by heading over to Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Christopher Alexander Has Made Their Debut with the Tonally Transfixing EP “Eavesdropper at the Delphi”

Posted on 31 January 2020
https://open.spotify.com/track/3ZwtHgiD5wmrmPljrrWAHZ

If music grips me based on tonality alone, I know I’ve just stumbled across an aural gem which will be impossible to forget. Which is exactly what happened when I hit play on the debut Psychedelic Americana Folk EP from Christopher Alexander.

“Eavesdropper at the Delphi” is much more than your assimilative ode to the past. While each single is a hazily indulgent trip, the first track “Midnight Mountain Climber” throws you right into Christopher Alexander’s devilishly hypnotic sound.

Expect teasing progressions, sublime serpentine rhythms and alchemy conjured through the playful shimmering tones of the organ and the deep Blues guitar licks which allow you to taste the friction.

I’m quite glad that the first time I dove into the arcane magic of the EP no one was witness to the multiple jaw-drop moments. Discovering Christopher Alexander’s sound left little room for decorum. The vocals add yet another incredible dynamic. There’s a slightly ominous air to them which amplifies the magnetic pull of the soundscapes in a way which leaves you endeared to the artist. But also, you’ll be left wondering if they do voodoo in their spare time.

You can check out Christopher Alexander’s EP for yourselves via Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

The Mellifluous Alt Blues Rock Powerhouse Cowboy Diplomacy Are Back with Their Latest Single “Bad Man”

Posted on 2 November 2019

There was no forgetting Cowboy Diplomacy after they explosively burst onto our radars with their raucous Blues Rock single “The Get Down” this summer.

And we’re more than happy to see that they’ve poured more of their authentic Alt Southern Blues Rock sound onto the airwaves with “Bad Man”. There may be plenty of gritty, grimy imagery contained within the single, but the instrumental arrangement carves out a succinctly fluid soundscape.

The music industry suffers from a collective apathy when it comes to hitting play on new artists. Which is totally understandable, frequently, music asks for your attention and gives little in return. But that most definitely isn’t the case with Bad Man, through the perfectly polished layers of Blues you’ll be treated to a potent dose of cathartic aural escapism.

The Austin-based mellifluous powerhouse seems to be in the habit of creating smooth, jazzy, soulful tonalities through energetically rhythmic tracks, it’s going to be incredibly exciting to hear what comes next.

You can check out Cowboy Diplomacy’s latest single Bad Man for yourselves by heading over to SoundCloud now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast