Browsing Tag

Alt Folk Rock

Oliver James Brooks synthesised contemporary sickness with the fever of the 70s in ‘Technologically Stoned.

Posted on 28 September 2023
https://bit.ly/OJB-TechnologicallyStoned-Video

To hold a mirror to the dystopic sickness of the day, the critically acclaimed Toronto singer-songwriter, Oliver James Brooks, lyrically narrated our iPhone co-dependency issues in stark contrast to the 70s fever of psych-folk timbres with his alt-folk-rock single, Technologically Stoned.

Illuminating the reality of the evolution of technology which is spurring the regression of society while orchestrating a lava lamp warm soundscape that consoles through the dusky hues couldn’t have been an easy feat; the resolving raconteur succeeded nonetheless.

The accompanying music video, shot on super 8mm film along the Humber River Valley, also acts as a compelling visual exposition of how the chokehold of our phones is blinding us to the natural beauty that is everywhere we turn. If any single is going to convince you to get your dopamine fix in a more organic way, it is Technologically Stoned; the organic and raw production leads by efficacious example.

Technologically Stoned was officially released on September 22; it will also feature in the artist’s third studio LP, A Little Long While, which will be available to stream on all major platforms from November 24.

Watch the official music video for Technologically Stone on YouTube now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

More Than Skies – Tomorrow Won’t Bother: Psychedelically Cinematic Angsty Folk Rock

Posted on 26 November 2020

More Than Skies is the project of New York singer-songwriter Adam James. With two EP’s and a self-released double-album since its inception in 2006, James now drops his new album, ‘Tomorrow Won’t Bother’, leading off with this, the title track.

Perhaps best described as mildly psychedelic-sounding angsty folk-rock, ‘Tomorrow Won’t Bother’ has a distinctly Beatles-y vibe to it, all beautiful wavering strings, strummed acoustic guitar, and a hugely classy piano-led intro, all held together by James’ effortless vocal. There’s a pizzicato element to the strings adding some percussive drive to the middle section, a charmingly ‘Leslie Cabinet’ dopplering tremolo effect to James’ voice, and that delicious piano intro and outro, all adding serious class to an already beautifully crafted and performed track. ‘Tomorrow Won’t Bother’ is the perfect taster.

Hear ‘Tomorrow Won’t Bother’ on Spotify; check out More Than Skies on Facebook.

Review by Alex Holmes

Desert Shade: “All For Nothing” – Classic Americana of the very best kind

Posted on 29 August 2020

Bringing the Classic Rock all the way from Annapolis, Maryland, comes Desert Shade. Describing themselves as ‘born out of necessity in the fall of 2019 to fulfil a headlining slot’, the band came from a scrabbled first headline set to a show that landed them on the Baltimore Soundstage just a few months later. Now, following a couple of early singles, they’re bringing their brand of Americana-influenced classic rock via this, from their forthcoming self-titled debut EP.

Awash of laid-back harmonica and tweedy Fender twang, meandering bass, and graced by a beautiful heavily wah-and-distorted lead-line from Nick M, ‘All For Nothing’ is a cigarette-lighters-at-the-ready burner in the style of ‘Someday Never Comes’ of ‘Forever Young’.

Quietly forceful and evocative without being schmalzy, ‘All For Nothing’ smoulders like the best of laid-back Neil Young, the Allman Brothers, Tom Petty, or the Grateful Dead.

You can check it out here.

Review by Alex Holmes

Alt Country Rock artist Siobhan Cotchin has released her nostalgically-inspired, stylistically-crafted Just the Way It Is

Posted on 26 July 2020

Once you get West Australian singer-songwriter Siobhan Cotchin on your radar, you’ll hit play on her tracks for the very same reasons you keep spinning iconic Alt Folk and Rock records.

Siobhan Cotchin may get her inspiration from the likes of Bob Dylan, but her ingenuity ensured that plenty of contemporary resonant appeal was instilled in her latest single Just the Way It Is.

With distorted crunching guitars behind her hauntingly visceral hard-hitting vocals, there’s a fresh intensity to the soundscape. It’s unpredictable, it’s evocatively seductive, and more importantly, it offers deeply connectable lyrics which will compel you to give the track repeat attention. Any fans of Angel Olsen definitely won’t hang around making Siobhan Cotchin a firm fixture to their playlists.

You can check out Just the Way It Is for yourselves by heading over to Spotify.

Her next single is due for release on September 12th. Follow the artist via Facebook to keep up to date with all new releases.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

8udDha bl0od – Song 1: Feverishly Sweet Alt Indie Folk

Posted on 17 May 2020
https://soundcloud.com/william-orpen/song-1/s-hOI5QGIWIyI

If it’s been a while since an Alt Indie track turned your soul to mush, delve into the jangly feverishly sweet melodies contained in Brighton-based artist 8udDha bl0od’s recently released single Song 1.

Any fans of Noah & the Whale will be equally as enamoured by the Song 1 as we were. It may be a little more frenzied and intricately turbulent than archetypal offerings of Indie, but that simply amplifies the charm which spills from the candidly humble lyrics which relay all too resonant romantic insecurity.

With each new release from 8udDha bl0od, their potential becomes increasingly more tangible. It’s safe to say that they’re the most creatively versatile artist we’ve ever had on our radar.

You can check out Song 1 for yourselves by heading over to SoundCloud now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

8udDha bl0od – W3Y3D: Progressively Dynamic Alt Rock

Posted on 17 May 2020
8udDha bl0od

W3Y3D is one of the most mesmerizingly intricate manifestations of 8udDha bl0od’s aural ingenuity we’ve heard so far. Their ability to accordantly merge such a dynamic array of nuances into one soundscape will never fail to astound us.

W3Y3D starts off with quiescent Neo-Classic-infused Alt Rock prelude before the mellifluous keys fall back in the soundscape and are overtaken by stronger elements of Grunge, Alt Folk, and Blues. As W3Y3D progresses, it shifts into a smoky feat of Rock n Roll with colourful tinges of psychedelia before closing as a stunning offering of Art Rock.

You’ll need to wait a little longer before you can listen to W3Y3D. In the meantime, head over to SoundCloud where you can catch their earlier releases.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Invoke the Nostalgia of Summer’s Past with Gloucester Road’s Acoustic Rock Single “Summer Song”

Posted on 28 April 2020

Summer may not be upon us yet, but up and coming artist Gloucester Road gave us plenty of time to fall in love with their Summer playlist staple “Summer Song”.

The intricately melodic acoustic Rock single will leave you endeared before you even get to the chorus. And just like every good Summer track should, Gloucester Road’s sublimely accordant single leaves you awash with nostalgia for summer’s past.

Their contemporary approach to Rock incorporates nuances of Alt Folk to add to the quintessential feel. While their epic solo would appease any Bruce Springsteen fans. Solos found in Acoustic Rock singles don’t come much more absorbing than the soaring notes you’ll hear in Summer Song. You can almost hear them reach a new plateau in the soundscape.

Summer Song is the first single to be released from the band’s third studio album. If Summer Song is anything to go by, you won’t want to miss out on the rest.

You can check out Summer Song for yourselves via Spotify or SoundCloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Indulge in the Indie Blues Rock Escapism Offered by Bazile Mills’ Single “Flying at Night”

Posted on 4 April 2020

With lyrical wit which could rival Nick Cave’s and a timelessly hypnotic rhythmic allure, Bazile Mills’ standout Indie Blues Rock single Flying at Night is a masterful feat of aural escapism which you’re going to want to delve into.

There may be plenty of odes paid to the roots of Rock n’ Roll, yet within the extended length of the progressive single, you’ll find plenty of affirmations that Bazile Mills’ ingenuity deserves space on the airwaves in 2020.

While the vocals offer soul and connectable passion, the tonally warm winding Americana instrumentals will leave even staunchest of audiophiles enamoured. The Blues guitar solos really are something else.

You can check out Flying at Night for yourselves via SoundCloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Veronica Malki – Habibti: Acoustically Magnetic Alt-Folk

Posted on 13 September 2018
To The Sound From The Bay by Veronica Malki

To describe Veronica Malki’s single Habibti as an emotional rollercoaster almost feels like an understatement. So, instead I’ll tell you that if you don’t feel something by the time the final verse fades out, you’re dead inside.

Usually, when it comes to Folk artists, the one thing that they are missing is power in their vocals, yet, it’s not until the momentum builds through the progressive track that you’re treated to the true strength and soul which is harnessed in Veronica Malki’s voice. The prelude starts with the progression of an acoustic guitar before the double bass is slowly, seamlessly weaved into the mix bringing so much brevity to the track, it’s almost guaranteed that your stomach will be left in knots.

You can check out Veronica Malki’s single out along with the rest of the album by heading over to Bandcamp from September 14th, 2018. But if you want a taste of what’s to come, you can sink your teeth into her acoustically angelic first album ‘Listening’ while you wait!

Review by Amelia Vandergast