Browsing Tag

Art Rock

Escape the existentialism with Talketto’s latest single ‘Across the Table’

Posted on 1 March 2021

Brighton-based indie producer, Talketto’s latest single ‘Across the Table’ is an indulgent escape from existentialism; if you could imagine what it would sound like if Lou Reed collaborated with the Legendary Pink Dots, you’ll get a good idea of what is in store when you hit play.

The despondently hazy vocals come with a sardonic bite as they chomp down on the semi-psychedelic artfully impactful spacey synths which weave colourful progressions as Talketto delves deep into the agony and inconvenience of the human experience.

Across the Table truly deserves to be a staple to everyone’s ambient indie playlists. Talketto may think outside of archetypal boxes, but each of their soundscapes consume you through the sheer ingenuity.

Across the Table is now available to stream on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Set your alt 90s nostalgia alight with Highdiver’s sludgy feat of art-rock ‘Human Disaster’

Posted on 28 February 2021

American Horror Story taught us that all monsters are human, with the lead single from their latest album ‘Dual Control’, alt-rock artist, Highdiver are here to tell us that all disasters are human too.

With seductive bass grooves, cutting shoegaze guitars and adrenalizing percussion in the sludgy feat of art-rock, Highdiver simultaneously delivered a postcard from the alt 90s and a spacey introduction the future of hard rock.

If you could imagine what it would sound like if Deftones adopted Josh Homme as a vocalist and Thom Yorke as a producer, you’ll get an idea of what’s in store if you hit play on Human Disaster.

Human Disaster is available to stream via Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Christian Wannerwall – Be Free: Artfully Meditative Alt-Indie Folk

Posted on 21 February 2021

With solitude as a muse, Christian Wannerwall delves deeper into the human psyche than most artists when orchestrating his consolingly empathetic takes on indie alt-folk. Within the Gothenburg-based singer-songwriter’s lyricism, you’ll pull out meditative wisdom which allows you to connect to a less contrived and artificial reality than the one we’re sold on a daily basis.

Within the melodic complexity of his artfully textured indie folk single ‘Be Free’, a cathartic simplicity resounds. As Christian Wannerwall’s evocatively piercing vocals, which share the same poignant sting as the likes of Elliott Smith and Thom Yorke, meet the neo-classic piano-led melodies, you’ll succumb to the notion that freedom is a state of mind and find that the weight of existential dread has already lifted.

Be Free is now available to stream via Spotify. For your sanity’s sake, hit play.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Kyriakos Gabriel Varnava is set to release their artfully intimate indie ballad ‘Tonight’

Posted on 14 February 2021
Kyriakos Gabriel Varnava

‘Tonight’ is the latest single from Cyprus-based singer-songwriter, Kyriakos Gabriel Varnava, if you’ve felt like you’ve been left in isolation with disappointment and broken promises recently, you’re sure to find resonance in the artfully intimate indie single.

Tonight may have been their first ballad, but it exhibits an uninhibited songwriting style which doesn’t fail to draw you into the relatability of their music. It becomes so much more than just listening to one man’s account of suffering, through the lack of vocal and lyrical restraint, you experience a call for connection which allowing this single to run through answers.

Wistful emotion resounds within the glassy distorted classical guitar progressions, art-rock keys and Kyriakos Gabriel Varnava’s vocals which transition from low reverberant quiescence to arresting highs in turn with the progressive instrumentals.

Producer, Ant Tarrant, left a nuanced bedroom-indie feel to the soundscape, inviting you into the same room where the inspiration for Tonight struck. Tonight captures the loneliness of AM hours where all you have for company are empty promises. Any fans of Kaz Hawkins, RY X, Anathema and Radiohead will want Kyriakos Gabriel Varnava’s name on their radar – especially with the promise of a forthcoming debut EP.

Tonight will be available to stream on Spotify from March 6th, 2021.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Brian Perrone – Be This Way: Soul-Satingly Powerful Indie Folk Pop

Posted on 10 January 2021

If it has been a while since you’ve heard a truly authentic voice, fall into Detroit singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, Brian Perrone’s, moody alt-indie folk sophomore release, ‘Be This Way’.

If you could imagine the vocal stylings of Morrisey, Peter Murphy, Chris Isaacs and Elvis all melding over a piano-led art-rock instrumental arrangement, you’ll get an idea of what is in store when you hit play on this evocatively potent release.

The slight vocal vibrato ensures that the single resonates with as much raw emotion as it does with resolving aural comfort while the atypical progressions will leave you utterly transfixed. Quite honestly, Be This Way is up there with Elton John’s ‘Rocket Man’ and Cat Stevens’ ‘Wild World’ in terms of tracks which can leave you in a catatonic stupor with the sheer soul-driven power.

You can check out Be This Way for yourselves by heading over to SoundCloud now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

heyiloveyou has dropped their conceptually narrative Post Rock EP ‘Everybody’s Got 2 Sides’

Posted on 9 January 2021
https://heyiloveyou.bandcamp.com/album/everybodys-got-2-sides-ep-2020

If prizes were handed out for the most conceptually evocative release of 2020, it would go to Croatian Experimental Post Rock artist, heyiloveyou, for their 2-track EP ‘Everybody’s Got 2 Sides’.

It’s a nuanced nod to the multi-faceted nature of our personalities with Side One a depiction of melancholy-tinged contemplation and side two an experimental electronic rock traversing of intensely urgent despair. When I say ‘experimental’, I mean Fantomas-level experimental with caustic noise replacing lyrics but saying all that there is to say all the same.

With Okay, the artist paid ode to the agony of being told that you no longer matter through silence instead of words. The experimentally ambient track drives you through the sweaty shaky trepidation of realising that the love which held you together is being withdrawn to the tune of voicemail answering messages.

Needless to say, we’re all too excited to hear what kind of subversive alchemy heyiloveyou serves up next.

You can check out the latest release from heyiloveyou by heading over to Bandcamp.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Lyon Tide are set to make a stunning debut with their tender Indie Synth Pop track ‘Closure’

Posted on 5 January 2021

Birmingham, UK Pop-Rock artist, Lyon Tide are set to make their debut on January 1st, 2021 with their entrancingly affectionate synth-led track ‘Closure’. If Lyon Tide set the precedent for music in 2021, it could prove to be the most exciting year for music since 1991.

The sensual-through-its-tenderness track serves a beautiful reminder that closure doesn’t have to come from the person you’ve parted ways with. It can come through the resolving lyrics, such as those penned for Closure, which affirms that our deeply personal pain and amorous tribulations are pretty much universal.

Any fans of Radiohead will undoubtedly appreciate the synthy reverb-laden throbs which create the arrestive heartbeat of the single which will remind you of your capacity to feel. If you’re not left an emotional wasteland of ennui after 2020, that is.

You’ll be able to check out Closure via Spotify

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Mark Ramsey – January Rough Times: Tenderly Intimate Indie

Posted on 30 August 2020
https://ramsey.bandcamp.com/track/january-rough-times-2

Rhode Island Indie Alt Rock artist Mark Ramsey released their accordantly pensive single “January Rough Times” on August 21st and left us seriously bruised by the contrast of ethereally atmospheric instrumentals and their softly morose vocals gently finding synergy.

Is it blasphemy to say that Mark Ramsey’s semi-orchestral single may even be more viscerally captivating than Elliot Smith’s haunting singles? Probably, but I’d take the risk of a stoning to pay a fitting ode to the tender soundscape which becomes more intimate with every listen.

Every lyrical line draws you into the narrative deftly set up by Mark Ramsey. You’d have to entirely void of empathy not to be stung by poetic lyricism such as “You’re starting to sleep through the night, I’m starting to think that you missed the point and now there’s no telling what’s right but let’s not pretend it wasn’t your choice”.

January Rough Times is available to stream on all major platforms via this link.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

8udDha bl0od – SUm 0f the !x|xi gl17ch35 & 7h3 x!i 73ll7A!L 51gn5 0f 5p3c7R3 SARk0pH.:.rgU5

Posted on 4 July 2020
8udDha bl0od

Brighton-based experimental artist 8udDha bl0od has a tendency to leave us transfixed by their constantly evolving sound. With their upcoming release “SUm 0f the !x|xi gl17ch35 & 7h3 x!i 73ll7A!L 51gn5 0f 5p3c7R3 SARk0pH.:.rgU5” they’ve left us emotionally stung and aurally enamoured once more.

In their usual style, 8udDha bl0od ensured that the track carried an arsenal of curveballs which will throw you from the accordance you have settled into.

As the track kicks off, there’s something incredibly piercing about the artful tone and tempo despite the light textures and transcendent air which breathes around the slightly psychedelic progressions in the ethereally resolving soundscape.

Halfway through the 7-minute track, SUm 0f the !x|xi gl17ch35 & 7h3 x!i 73ll7A!L 51gn5 0f 5p3c7R3 SARk0pH.:.rgU5 takes an unexpected turn and veers in the direction of Lo-Fi Brit Pop which any fans of Blur will appreciate. But the evolutions in 8udDha bl0od’s track doesn’t end there. To fade out, 8udDha bl0od uses a haunting cinematic neo-noir outro which dissipates into the sound of rolling waves.

We needed no more proof that 8udDha bl0od was one of the most talented underground artists around in 2020, but with their latest single, he delivered yet another undeniable affirmation of his pioneeringly astounding talent.

SUm 0f the !x|xi gl17ch35 & 7h3 x!i 73ll7A!L 51gn5 0f 5p3c7R3 SARk0pH.:.rgU5 is due for release on July 5th. You’ll be able to check it out yourselves via SoundCloud from the date of the release.

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