Browsing Tag

Indie Pop Rock

Observe the 93rd – punchy, potent, power-pop with new single ‘TRL’

Posted on 25 June 2021
Observe the 93rd

Based in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, Observe The 93rd make a hell of a racket for a duo; that’s intended as a compliment, both vocalist/guitarist Derek Henry and drummer Dylan Zepp making some formidably good alt-rock power-pop noise. ‘TRL’ opens with a picked guitar line that’s kinda reminiscent of Blink 182’s ‘Adam’s Song’ or ‘I Miss You’, gently reverb-ed and turned up front and centre in the mix, before the track smacks you in the face like a badly-landed kick-flip; yeah, it’s got that ‘skater-punk’ feel in parts, a little of Simple Plan or Good Charlotte, but there’s an extra bit of heaviosity to the guitars, too, along with a Calling-like SERIOUSLY pop -driven, hook-laden catchiness to the chorus that works its way into your head really, really easily and then refuses to ever leave again.

It’s an absolute belter of a tune. You can check out Observe the 93rd on YouTube or here.

Review by Alex Holmes

Ferris shares affectionate coming-of-age anxiety with his latest indie pop-rock earworm, ‘growing up with u’.

Posted on 23 June 2021

Ferris’ colourful melodies and cutting lyricism have already seen his feisty take on indie pop-rock go viral. After racking up over 1-million streams with his, quite literally, infectious single, Zombie, he’s unleashed his sticky-sweet summer pop anthem, growing up with u, which discernibly deserves to go viral too.

His latest single explores the anxiety that kicks in when youth starts to slip away, and our tendency to look around for affectionate ways to stay grounded. It’s a stellar track. In every conceivable way. The commercial potential is resounding, but more impressively, the way Ferris embraces his authenticity and utilises his pop-punk attitude brings a stark sincerity to growing up with u. The candid and sporadically abrasive lyrics that construct sharp lyrical hooks take this radio-ready indie-pop jam to the next level.

The Miami-based artist and model has exactly what it takes to become a household name. Get him on your radar before he does.

Ferris’ latest single is now available to stream via Spotify.

Connect with Ferris via Instagram.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Finley Clark explores growing pains in her latest bitter-sweet alt-pop track, ‘Lessons from a Great Cult Leader’.

Posted on 5 June 2021
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PPx0eseiYWE

With her latest single, ‘Lessons from a Great Cult Leader’, Finley Clark paid ode to her greatest lyrical inspiration, Bob Dylan, in collaboration with guitarist Alex Bunghez and producer Stefan Paraschiv. The lyrics tell a coming-of-age story that explores rights of passages and paths to maturity; instrumentally, the bitter-sweet melodies capture the innocence and ecstasy of youth along with the growing pains that eventually kick in when we leave our naivety behind.

With the fiery rockabilly guitar solos, Lessons from a Great Cult Leader is blazoned with some serious rock stripes; with Finley’s effect-laden vocals and the dancey beats, you’ll be thrown right back to 90s Britpop. Any fans of Garbage, The Cardigans and the Cranberries will definitely want to experience this authentically infectious track for themselves.

Lessons from a Great Cult Leader released on May 24th; you can check it out for yourselves by heading over to YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Make Rachael Wood’s latest single, Be Mine, your summer pop-rock playlist staple

Posted on 21 May 2021
Rachael Wood

‘Be Mine’ is the latest pop-rock earworm released by up and coming artist Rachael Wood, she may have only made her debut during the 2020 lockdown, but her sound readily oozes sonic finesse.

After the Paramore and Pale Waves-Esque choruses, Rachael Wood finds space to exhibit the versatility of her style through Slash-style soaring guitar solos that won’t fail to leave you arrested as you appreciate the bluesy sleazy grit in the otherwise sticky sweet-soundscape.

With her distinctive voice bringing an intimate indie feel to the release paired with the powerful melodic hooks, Be Mine is a radio-ready track that easily sets itself apart from the rest.

You can check out Be Mine via Spotify; for more ways to listen, head over to her official website.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

There’s quite literally ‘No End’ to the talents of Quite Vice

Posted on 26 April 2021

Catchy, hooky, easy-singalong-y (is that a word?), ‘No End’ – from debut album ‘Bedrock’ – is airy, dance-y shimmering electronic (as distinct from electro-) pop that sticks in your head from the first line of the first verse and refuses to leave again for a significantly long time.

If we say ‘a funky Lightning Seeds with maybe a touch of the Bluetones’, maybe even adding the song-writing perfection of Paul Heaton and the Beautiful South, you’ll immediately get the ball-park we’re in here; that instantly recognisable yet utterly fresh summery feel of irresistible, well-crafted timeless pop. That’s not to downplay it – it takes a disproportionate amount of skill to create something that sounds as effortless and easy-going as ‘No End’, with an instant familiarity that makes it sound both exciting and up-to-date and as comforting as a visit from an old friend, all at once.

Stylistically, the synths bring an obvious electronic vibe here – Daft Punk spring to mind – but there’s also heavy funk, disco, and 70’s pop influences, the Nile Rodgers staccato guitar and old-school Rhodes piano parts adding to the groove and loungey, nu-disco feel. Quite Vice might have just written the first perfect pop song of Summer 2021.

You can hear ‘No End’ on Spotify, and follow Quite Vice here or on Facebook.

Review by Alex Holmes

 

The Blooms have released their hallucinatory pop-rock serenade, ‘Daydreaming’.

Posted on 19 April 2021

The Blooms have shown us the pinnacle of contemporary pop-rock with ‘Daydreaming’, the standout single from their debut EP, ‘Something’s Changed’, which hit the airwaves March 14th.

The Croatian artist consistently exhibits the versatility of their style from release to release; with Daydreaming, they submerge you into an artfully intense soundscape that allows you to swim through the infusion of soft tonal hues while keeling the adrenalizing baselines which mimic a frantic heartbeat. It’s a swoon-worthy feat of pop-rock that gives you little option in surrendering your consciousness entirely and being vocally serenaded.

Daydreaming is now available to stream via Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Rebel Kicks takes the existential weight off with their indie pop-rock track, ‘Floating’.

Posted on 14 April 2021

There’s no better breeding ground for power pop than NYC, as proven by the latest release, ‘Floating’, by Rebel Kicks. With similarities to evocative pop-rock outfits such as The Calling and Lifehouse, the brother-fronted duo welcomes you into a familiar soundscape before setting themselves apart with their angular indie jangle-pop guitar notes and the sincerity in their optimism.

Rebel Kicks’ tour plans may have been crushed by the pandemic, but they still endeavoured to lead their listeners to a brighter perspective after recognising the dangers of internal reflection. In short, Floating is an invitation to cut through the noise and reserve energy for positivity. It’s an invitation that you don’t get much of an option in accepting thanks to the infectious positivity.

Floating is now available to stream via SoundCloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Tom Tikka & The Missing Hubcaps try to ‘Turn Back The Time’.

Posted on 4 March 2021

Tom Tikka is no stranger to the recording studio; a youthful solo deal with Olarin Musiikki in Finland, nine years and three albums with SonyBMG as the band Carmen Gray, and Josie Award nominations with the FBP Records signees The Impersonators, is a pretty solid recording career by anyone’s yardstick, but that hasn’t stopped Tom releasing three critically acclaimed EPs with new band the Missing Hubcaps.

‘Turn Back The Time’ is the first of six tracks from the ‘That’s What Winston Churchill Said’ EP, a collection of vaguely AOR-driven rock tracks with great pop sensibilities and an eye on hook-writing and catchy choruses. There’s some excellent overdriven guitar work, a nod to alt-rock and touches of storytelling songwriting a la Crowded House and INXS, alongside some nice bluesy licks interplaying with Tikka’s occasionally falsetto vocal delivery. It’s a great track, and a perfect introduction to the EP; you don’t get to make music for as long, in as many incarnations, as Tom Tikka without having something a little bit special, and that experience and originality comes across very strongly on ‘Turn Back The Time’.

Check out ‘Turn Back The Time’ on Spotify, or from Tom Tikka & The Missing Hubcaps website.

Review by Alex Holmes

Michael Barrow & The Tourists – Clover: Sonically Strident Alt Indie Rock

Posted on 25 February 2021
Michael Barrow & The Tourists

Since making their debut in 2018, Indie Rock trailblazers, Michael Barrow & The Tourists have proven that they’ve got exactly what it takes to be the next iconic indie outfit. After amassing millions of streams garnering a hysteria-level of hype with their compassionately soulful earworms, it’s easy to see that as just the beginning. Especially on the basis of the first track to be released from their forthcoming album ‘Clover’.

After a tender prelude which pays nuanced odes to post punk, the title-single picks up the pace until it is as sonically strident as it is soulfully sincere. With relatable and exposing lyrics such as ‘I’m afraid I won’t get hurt this time’, and ‘heartbreak starts to feel like home’, Michael Barrow & The Tourists capture the fear of vulnerability and the necessity of it to navigate modern dating. It’s perception-shiftingly beautiful.

You can check out Clover for yourselves by heading over to Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

 

VIDA NOA – Wild Woman: a cliché-free emboldening celebration of femininity

Posted on 22 February 2021

Fans of Stevie Nicks won’t struggle to find the same appeal in the latest single to be released by trailblazing singer-songwriter, VIDA NOA.

Wild Woman is a cliché-free celebration of femininity. The single rings with the same empowering sentiment as Bikini Kill’s ‘Rebel Girl’ and resounds as VIDA NOA’s panoramic vocals work with uplifting guitar progressions which drip-feed euphoria with every bended bluesy note.

Wild Woman is a perfect slice of radio-ready Americana pop-rock which would attract you to the front of a festival crowd like a moth to a flame.

Wild Woman is available to stream via Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast