Browsing Tag

Fleet Foxes

Matt’s Keys borrowed from Fleet Foxes in his trip around the human condition, I Won’t Forget

Posted on 8 September 2023
https://soundcloud.com/mattskeys-396096472/i-wont-forget-1?si=40faf228b7da4f4ea30de1086103897b&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing

Whether we like to admit it or not, one of our most pervasive fears is being forgotten and our impact on people’s worlds being ephemeral, if you can relate, you will resonate with the latest star-roving pop hit from Matt’s Keys.

With a featuring vocal artist adding her beguiling harmonies over the pop rock keyboardist’s perpetually poignant keyboard melodies, I Won’t Forget is an uninhibitedly sweet score, orchestrated to lead your emotions to extremes as the lyrics gravitate around the highs and lows of the human condition. From our hopes and fears to our naïve dreams and bitter-sweet regrets, it is all encompassed in the stunning single which reminisces with the sonic style of Fleet Foxes, while delivering panoramically filmic gravitas. It is tracks like I Won’t Forget that prove how interconnected we all are by the commonality in our experiences, despite the rise in individualism. If that isn’t the definition of aural gold, it damn well should be.

I Won’t Forget was officially released on August 31; stream it on SoundCloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Sleep Walking Animals have released their post-punk infused folk single, ‘Dance Laura Dance’

Posted on 26 May 2021

Folk and indie post-punk collide in the latest single released by the alt-rock luminaries, Sleep Walking Animals. Refreshingly, reminiscence to contemporary folk chart-topping artists are there, but Sleep Walking Animals didn’t allow them to dominate their organically progressive single.

In the same way that Frightened Rabbit’s music was darkened by an inexplicable despondence, Sleep Walking Animals’ latest single gives that multi-faceted sense of emotion, making the euphoria-bleeding choruses so much sweeter.

With cutting post-punk tones spilling from the basslines behind the steady, momentum-building, choral guitars, Sleep Walking Animals created the perfect platform for the richly harmonic imploring vocals that reach out with enough finesse to reassure you that Sleep Walking Animals have exactly what it takes to be the next big name in indie.

The Manchester/London residing artists may be relatively fresh from their inception, but they’re already proving they’re one to watch.

Dance Laura Dance released on May 21st; you can check it out for yourselves by heading over to SoundCloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Gavin Murphy releases single Into Temptation

Posted on 24 April 2020

Artist Gavin Murphy has released ‘Into Temptation’, an Indie Rock piece filled with funk instrumentation and soothing vocals.

From the funky riff on the guitar, to the slow beat on the drum, creating this super laid back rhythm and keeping each element at the same slow pace.

Gavin’s adenoidal vocals are what makes this piece one to listen too, he has such a mellow tone that is both low and gentle as he keeps everything to the same volume, which is a lot lower then it would normally be in an Indie Pop piece, as well as having the high-pitch vocals that sway in and out.

Be sure to check this one out, the perfect Indie Pop for all those that are a fan of this specific genre.

Head on over to Spotify to listen to Gavin Murphy’s single Into Temptation.

Review by Karley Myall

Accidental Allies Create The Perfect Union With Adorable Fever


Posted on 30 October 2017

What you really think Accidental Allies are all about depends upon which thread you pick at first. Start one end and they are a synth-pop act doing a spot of avant gardening, start somewhere else and they are an acoustic act building electronic platforms underneath deft, classical guitar lines. Others might think of them more as a dance band heading off into more progressive territory, or a soul band having embraced a futuristic vision of what the genre might become.

The reality is that they are all of those things or none of them, they might be a wide-ranging eclectic mix or a very singular roadmap towards their own musical destination. Not that it really matters, it is only when you try to write things down, to turn music into words that you come up against the limitations of language. Until they invent the right words to properly describe what is going on here you will just have to access their world via your ears and imagination. It is a world of interesting musical choices, mercurial stylistic blends, genre hopping and genre splicing, why would you try to capture that in word form?

Check Out Chris Avetta’s Haunting Indie-Folk Track “Sway”

Posted on 15 October 2017

Chris Avetta is a singer and songwriter with a passion for haunting indie-folk melodies. Her recent track, Sway, makes me think of artists such as Fleet Foxes or First Aid Kit, just to mention a few. Her sound is versatile, direct and forward-thinking, often showcasing a really unique personality and an ability to create outstanding arrangements starting from the sheer simplicity of the core elements in a song.

Sway is a perfect example of that: the arrangement is relatively sparse, but there are many incredible production characteristics that really add space and texture to the mix. For instance, the stunning reverb tones really do a great job at adding textures and depth to the track.

 

The Woodshedders Indie Roots Release ‘Talisman’

Posted on 10 September 2017

The Woodshedders is a band whose formula falls somewhere in between the energetic edge of rock music and the intimacy of folk. Their recent album release, Talisman, makes me think of the work of artists such as Fleet Foxes or My Morning Jacket: their atmospheres are bright and mellow, yet the song has a spark to it, bursting with warmth and vibe.

“Diamond Rings” blinks an eye to Celtic folk, while “House On Fire” has an amazing big band blues sound that almost reminds me of the mighty Rolling Stones! These are only two of my favorite tracks on the album.

The arrangement of these songs is particularly amazing because it balances a more traditional approach with something more unique and experimental. The vocal sound, for example, never falls short and sits on top of the mix beautifully, with a silky smooth tones. The drums are airy, yet energetic and present, truly cutting through the song and allowing the overall tone to really gel together. This song clocks in at 5 minutes, and its structure is refreshingly dynamic, taking the listener along for an amazing ride and making for a very compelling musical journey.

“Diamond Rings” blinks an eye to Celtic folk, while “House On Fire” has an amazing big band blues sound that almost reminds me of the mighty Rolling Stones!

 

Check out Ethan Cole’s Unmistakable Vocals On ‘Supermoon Eclipse’

Posted on 8 September 2017

Ethan Cole is quickly building a great reputation for himself within the local music scene and beyond due to his earnest sound and passionate approach. His music blurs the barriers between genres such as country, folk and indie-pop, while his unmistakable vocals reign over the songs arrangements seamlessly.

On his recent release, Supermoon Eclipse, Ethan set out to create a charming sonic tapestry where great melodies blend in with stunning harmonies and upbeat energy in equal doses. This is one of those songs that couple listeners to stick around and pay attention from start to finish, due to the sheer power of the arrangement and the unique strength of the musicianship displayed within the track.

This song echoes the work of artists such as Wilco, Ryan Adams or Fleet Foxes, going for a simple, yet lush and far-reaching sound.

 

Ilustrada releases indie-folk track ‘Wide Eyed Tigress’

Posted on 17 August 2017

Illustrada is a project with a very understated and intimate way to combine indie-folk with pop. Their recent single, Wide Eyed Tigress, is a track that blends in lush shoegaze textures with earnest folky guitars and beautiful vocals that remind me of the work of artists such as The Tallest Man On Earth, Ben Howard or Fleet Foxes, just to mention but a few. While the acoustics strum gently, electric guitars create beautiful textures that make me think of the work of artists such as Sigur Ros.

The arrangement of this song is simple and not too cluttered, yet the tune has a rich and deep sound, full of beautiful ambiance. The vocals are present, seamlessly cutting through the mix without overpowering. Wide Eyed Tigress certainly stands out for its simplicity: the song is elegant, classy and understated: this simple formula goes a long way, serving the project well. I love the playfulness of this song, as well as it’s sweet and delicate overtones.