Browsing Tag

David Bowie

OneNamedPeter explores the pleasure-pain connection in his artful cosmic pop single, Hurts

Posted on 4 March 2022

Ahead of the release of his fifth 100% DIY album, Hurts, the alt-indie British singer-songwriter, OneNamedPeter, has given us a teaser by letting us taste the cosmic pop textures in the bitter-sweet title single.

If you took Prince’s solos, Elliott Smith’s raw songwriting style, the dreamy chamber pop style of Daughter, the spacey gravity of Bowie and threw them into an aural cocktail with orchestral motifs to boot, it would pour just like the intoxicating soundscape, Hurts.

Nothing about the high-fidelity production feels less than professional. OneNamedPeter knows just how to conjure enough alchemy to wrap around his lyricism that explores the pleasure and pain connection.

Hurts is one of those tragically rare releases that you immediately know you’ll want to dive into time and time again. We’re stoked to hear how the LP ensues after the title-single set such a blissful and accordant tone.

Hurts will officially release on March 4th, 2022. You can check it out for yourselves by heading over to SoundCloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Matt DeAngelis takes us a ‘Mile Down the Road’ in his crooned spacey piano pop ballad

Posted on 2 March 2022

Southern New Jersey singer-songwriter, Matt DeAngelis, is fresh from the release of his eagerly anticipated EP, World I’m Comin’ for You’. Judging by the standout single, Mile Down the Road, he has already arrived.

By taking influence from David Bowie, Elton John and Billy Joel, the piano-led ballad carries the same style of absorbingly escapist narrative that wraps you up in the theatrically tinged emotion that effortlessly flows from DeAngelis’ timeless crooned pop timbre.

The jazzy instrumental interludes, orchestral strings and intricately clever piano motifs defiantly stand in the way of Mile Down the Road as resonating as just another cheesy show tune. This track is definitely for the audiophiles – as is the whole EP, how could we just stop at one track? The concluding single, Maybe I, makes it almost impossible believe that it was created by a 23-year-old singer-songwriter and released in 2022.

Check out Matt DeAngelis on his official website, Spotify, Facebook and Instagram.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Country hooks up with 70s cosmic pop in Marcus Liuzzi’s latest single, 2 Night Stand

Posted on 4 February 2022

Country meets 70s cosmic pop in the Massachusetts-hailing singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Marcus Liuzzi’s latest single, 2 Night Stand.

The deeply candid and narrative track spins the whiskey-soaked tale of a hook-up that left the hook firmly embedded itself far beyond the hungover sunrise. If there is any definitive proof that the loss of the object of our lust is as crushing as the loss of love, it is this humbly honest track. It wears its heart on the shimmering guitar progressions, Americana-influenced basslines, psychedelically warm keys, and the occasional orchestral sing motif.

There are hints of R.E.M. in the vocals that rest atop the country twang and influence from ELO, Bowie and the Beatles. Only an insanely talented artist could pull that off in such an endearing fashion. It is safe to say that we are pretty hooked.

You can get down with a 2 Night Stand for yourselves by heading over to Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Spotlight Feature: Psych Soul Food is Back on the Menu with Denim Dan’s Return to the Airwaves

Posted on 25 January 2022

The NYC psychedelically blessed folk-pop-rock powerhouse, Denim Dan, serenaded us with their seminal spacey album, No Guarantee, ahead of the release of their upcoming album, 3AM.

Each of the singles on the 2020 album, No Guarantee, provides the opportunity to shift the ennui and existentialism out of your worldview. To complement the psychedelic tones, the enlightened lyricism that was penned to hit the evocative spot by uplifting just as much as the transcending instrumental timbres.

After forming in the 90s, Denim Dan’s fusion of 60s pop and 70s rock has remained just as sweet in the 21st century. Instead of modernising their sound that carries reminiscences to The Beatles, Steely Dan, Bowie and Tom Petty, they’ve stayed true to cathartically resonant form.

Along with the release of their upcoming album, the nostalgia-inducing outfit are also set to release their tribute to Bob Dylan to coincide with the opening of the Bob Dylan Museum in Tulsa, OK. They are well worth a spot on your radar.

Denim Dan’s 2020 album, No Guarantee, is available to stream in full via Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Neil Armstrong has released his soulfully-rendered interstellar piano pop single, Moon.

Posted on 21 August 2021

Singer-songwriter Neil Armstrong first won us over with his cinematic folk exploration of Western movie culture through his single, Falling Man, in 2020. With his latest single, Moon, he’s gone interstellar.

The soulfully rendered piano pop single carries an expressive yet tender flamboyance that should be a hit with fans of Elton John, Bowie and ELO. Armstrong truly comes into his own through his huskily affectionate vocals and his lyrics that draw parallels between the cosmos and the connections we make with each other.

Neil Armstrong may be the only person in 2021 venturing into space that isn’t a total douche. Forget about the space race and immerse yourself in this passion-driven sweet serenade instead.

Moon officially released on August 21st; you can check it out for yourselves here.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Ride the sonic crescendos in Fuzz Skyler’s latest indie piano rock single ‘Recall’

Posted on 12 March 2021
Fuzz Skyler

Not only do international piano-rock powerhouse, Fuzz Skyler break the monocultural mould, but they also thrash against every restraint which rock artists need to break through to create a sound that is capable of taking your breath away.

Their latest earworm, ‘Recall’ is filthy enough to make your ear canal feel defiled as you listen to the salaciously-charged, theatrically charismatic vocals paired with vintage-inspired instrumentals which affirm, quite definitively, that modern rock isn’t ready to be buried just yet.

The sonic crescendos which nod toward the timeless styles of Bowie, Muse and Queen are simply unforgettable. Recall speaks to my soul in a language I never even knew I was fluent in.

Recall was released on February 19th. You can hear it by heading over to Soundcloud.

Keep up to date with Fuzz Skyler’s latest releases via Facebook.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Happy Birthday legend: KiKi Holli sings fitting tribute to the global icon David Bowie on cover of ‘Five Years’

Posted on 4 February 2021

KiKi Holli sends the world a real trip down memory lane with an excellent cover of the David Bowie classic ‘Five Years‘. She was asked to make this song as an installation project to benefit Libraries and has sent the world a music video, to truly remember.

Kirsten Holly Smith is an American singer-songwriter, actress and writer who has reinvented herself with a new music project called KiKi Holli. She is best-known as the creator of Forever Dusty, which is a stage musical based on the life of British pop star Dusty Springfield.

“David Bowie is a legendary inspiration for so many artists, myself included,” said KiKi Holli. “Even though this song was written almost 50 years ago, ‘Five Years‘ is prophetic for our current age. As always, Bowie was years ahead of his time.”

The real passion and belief on her glittered face and her incredible vocals are a blessing to our tired hearts. The story about the world dying is particularly ironic during this horrific pandemic. Her tender loving care to making this song is so paramount and she has made David Bowie proud here with a riveting performance that is off the top shelf.

‘Five Years‘ from KiKi Holli is a wonderfully flamboyant masterclass from an outstanding creative who has clearly put her heart and soul into this one. With the legend David Bowie sadly passing away just over five years ago, this is a terrific tribute to a man that is still such an inspiration to so many musicians all over the world.

This is a timeless classic that will always stand the test of time and with the talented KiKi making a gem like this, she has only strengthened this legendary song’s legacy.

See this electric throwback to the classic days of music with the lovable KiKi on her YouTube and see more on her Facebook. Support her on Patreon to get exclusive content.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Gentlemen’s Crow has released their psychologically thrilling experimental Indie single “You Were Never Really Here”

Posted on 15 August 2020

After a successful debut, Floridian Indie artist Gentlemen’s Crow released their romantically enrapturing single “You Were Never Really Here” on August 7th.

Gentlemen’s Crow seems to exude the level of cool which Alex Turner attempted with the latest Arctic Monkeys album. It’s effortless, it’s intellectual, it’s simply mesmerising. With infusions of Psych Blues nuances into the anthemically-charged soundscape, the choruses won’t fail to leave you adrenalized.

As for the lyrics and concept for the track, You Were Never Really Here is a testament to the talent, imagination and wit of the artist. It’s not every day that you encounter a single which offers both a psychological thriller and a fresh-new Indie sound. Gentlemen’s Crow is well worth putting on your radar.

You can check out You Were Never Really Here for yourselves by heading over to Spotify. For more info, you can head over to the artist’s official website.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

London’s The Curious fly sky high with daydreaming single about love: ‘’Always Want More’’

Posted on 18 May 2020

Even if you go, even if you know, I always want more. Wanting more from those special moments is always a tempting notion. It’s always tough to accept that you should enjoy what you get and nothing more. 

‘The Curious’ are a 4 Piece ALT Indie band from London on the rise with their positive lyrics and terrifically produced music- this is a professional outfit. 

You can see the band are influenced by artists such as Jimi Hendrix, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Johnny Marr, Blink 182, Arctic Monkeys and more. Their music is pure and likeable. Known for 2017’s breakout hit ‘’City Lights’’, the band are in top form here.

‘’Always Want More’’ is the follow up to March 2020’s fiery ‘’My Only’’- a song that gained some good traction in the UK. Let’s see how the band develops and they must be hungry to be on stage again, let it rip and show everyone what they are made out of.

Immerse yourself in more of ‘The Curious’ on their YouTube page.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Joe Astley’s latest release Anthem For The North – a feeling of belonging

Posted on 13 May 2020

“I will fight for you. I will fight for the North,” were the words of Daenerys Targaryen to John Snow (remember the scene?), and it’s apparently what Joe Astley is trying to achieve in his latest release Anthem For The North.

From Wigan, Greater Manchester, Joe Astley is a professional musician, singer-songwriter multi-instrumentalist and radio presenter, who demonstrates great pride in being a northerner in this cheerful tune rooted in folk music. Starting with a lively piano melody, a crunch guitar fills the sound to the likes of Oasis but with a more contemporary style that gifts folk music with a pleasing pop undertone.

His lyrics describe the charm of the North and its people – their power, their charisma, their strength – and how amazing it can feel to belong.

Thanks for this Anthem, Joe Astley! Just like the Starks used to say, I’m sure that the North will remember.

Give Anthem For The North a go on Youtube.

Review by Jim Esposito.