Browsing Tag

Indie Rock

I’m Way Too Scared Of Heights: Spray Allen need those soothing finger tips on the back to relax as they avoid ‘Sabotage’

Posted on 9 August 2021

Skillfully made at the legendary Sonic Ranch in Tornillo, Texas, Spray Allen open up the music sprinklers with one of their mind-blowing twenty-six tracks formed on the groovy soul-cleanser called ‘Sabotage‘.

Spray Allen are an exciting US-based indie four-piece supernatural desert-borne peyote rock band. They are a massively talented outfit who bring us a delicious taste of gritty music vibrations, that has your head nodding and your feet tapping in overwhelmed delight.

”Formed by Eric Wilson (Sublime) and Wade Youman (Unwritten Law), from the ashes of 2020’s chaos comes a new awareness of ourselves, and the birth of an unstoppable force.” ~ Spray Allen

You feel his excellent vocal delivery shine brightly with a brilliant band of the highest quality imaginable. There is such a likable rhythm here and you sense that they have so much ravenous hunger – as this is world class music which is perfect for those hazy summer festivals – while their relaxed demeanor sparks up a mellow energy field to munch on, which only seems to get better as the track progresses.

”Together they have delivered a monstrous 26 song behemoth destined to raise the consciousness of both the old weary traveler and the hybrid youth of today. In a nutshell, this band is part supergroup, part modern day Heaven’s Gate Cult, minus the human sacrifice and group suicide, although “Human sacrifice isn’t off the cards completely” says Youman, “we just haven’t found it to be necessary… yet. For now, all we need is love, wine, and each other.” ~ Spray Allen

‘Sabotage‘ from the pleasingly soulful four-piece US rock act Spray Allen, is that forget-everything anthem we all needed. After a rough time in the world, this is a heart-lifter as we look for the stars to guide us. Hopefully its not a mirage, as we all deserve a glass of wine and a decent nights sleep.

Hear this new track on Spotify and see more visuals on IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Never Say Goodbye: Swedish country-rock band Quicker are the party we needed with ‘Let Us Rock’

Posted on 6 August 2021

After their July 2021 hit called ‘Ready Now‘ that had our hearts healing from the slumber, Quicker bounce majestically into top gear with their latest quality guitar strumming-with-delight single to have us rising up again on ‘Let Us Rock‘.

Sälen, Dalarna, West Sweden-based indie rock act Quicker, have a definite country lathering to their music as they entertain us with a gushing soundtrack, which has your feet tapping in delight.

”Music, Love and life. Quicker is a project taking their influences from AOR and Country, with songs and lyrics sprung from experiences in every day life.” ~ Quicker

This is the story of when two people meet and quickly connect on the dance floor, as they smile sweetly and let the night unfold. There was so much sadness before, but things are better now and you both truly desire each other and don’t ever want to say goodbye.

With sensational vocals and a fine band who make you blush uncontrollably with all the lovely rock energy, this is a real gem that ups the temps with some gusto.

‘Let Us Rock‘ from Western Sweden village indie-rock/country act Quicker, is a joyful track that has us beaming like a bright light in the distance, as you see the party and run there. This is that sing-from-the-soul loving single which we needed, as everything will be alright again. Music truly can make everything better, away from the raging storms of before.

Stream this new single on Spotify and see more on the IG music page.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Stuck In The Mud: Paranoia Critical opens up the toasty oven with the haunting ‘Devil’s Platter’

Posted on 4 August 2021

Returning with his new single after the recent six-track release named ‘Found Footage‘, Paranoia Critical has our anxious bodies wondering deeply about the contents of the ‘Devil’s Platter‘.

American one-man indie-rock band Paranoia Critical, is an Addison Chapman-created music project. He makes a highly thought provoking mixture of ominous music creations, that unleashes a highly sinister element of dark energy, to have your whole body shaking with anticipation.

”The name “Paranoia Critical” comes from a term coined by Salvador Dalí, when he would induce himself into a hallucinogenic state of psychosis. This name represents the band well, as Chapman attempts to explore existential dread and dark subject matter through psychological lenses of music.” ~ Paranoia Critical

His knife-cutting vocals is a blood inducing affair, with a sharp blade cutting through the track to perfectly spine-chilling effect. The beat is highly menacing and utterly threatening to the core of your bones on each second here, as the petrol is added to the fire unwittingly, and the hungry demons are alive and well with devastating results.

‘Devil’s Platter‘ by the USA-based one-man indie-rock band Paranoia Critical, is a one-eye-always-opened track that will certainly scare many into the bottom of their couches, like a scary movie does. The vocals are striking and hard to hear at times, which only adds fuel to the temptation bonfire to turn up the voltage even more.

This is a spooky single that has your pulses racing off the tracks and into the dirt, as you look around with some deep breaths needed – to keep your soul calm again – after the horror-type movie soundtrack on display here.

Hear this volcano-lit single on Spotify.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Owen Hamlin gives us the Green Light in his debut garage rock single.

Posted on 1 August 2021

‘Green Light’ is the melodic psych-pop-tinged debut single from the breaking garage rock artist Owen Hamlin; any fans of The Strokes, The Kooks and The Libertines will want to experience the vintage tones for themselves.

With the inventive use of the wah pedal, we can guarantee that the guitar solos in Green Light hit like no other. Owen Hamlin’s use of brash and kaleidoscopic textures resulted in a soundscape that is as scuzzy as it is soulful.

With his debut album Right as Rain in the pipeline, you will want to save space for Hamlin on your radar.

Green Light is now available to stream on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Am I Here On My Own: Inspiring Reading band Third Lung urge us to stick together tightly on their excellent ‘What Is a Life?’

Posted on 1 August 2021

After smartly forming the much-anticipated LODDFEST (on Saturday 18th September 2021) with the awesome folks at THE LODDON BREWERY, Third Lung drops their third single of the year which urges us to join together and get back into the live music rhythm on ‘What Is a Life?‘.

Third Lung is a well-respected Reading, England-based four-piece indie-rock band with a terrific sound which seems to wash all your worries away into the distance. They make that meaningful music with such real introspection into issues which are actually important.

Their wondrous heart-beating sound can be compared to a few other bands but they are the most relevant one around in the UK currently. It feels like they are really building an impressively resilient castle that will never ever be conquered – no matter what the world says – as they perform for more than themselves. They seem to be able to lift you up no matter what your day is telling you to do – and the soundscape is absolutely scrumptious – just like a tasty cold drink after a salty swim in the sand-filled sea.

”Song of 2021 so far.” ~ Tom Bright

This is the story about coming closer again and making sure that those you truly care about are there right now, no matter what has happened before. After many gigs and festivals lost, the live music scene all over the world has been decimated and this feels like a way to change the current tide of doom.

‘What Is a Life?‘ from the top quality Reading, England indie rockers Third Lung, is a true classic single in every sense of the word. Their stunning vocals, carefully crafted lyrics and blush-heavy sound, has all the makings of a real gem for our tired hearts. After so much time away from each other, this feels like a sensational single we can all jump up and down to, hug closely to, and make new friends with. This really is one of the best tracks of the year so far without doubt, as it is one of those memorable songs you feel deep in your beating heart, packed full of pure joy and love.

Music really does heal all worries away.

Stream their new single on Spotify and see more on IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

The Anthem For Unity: Michael Loonan calls for acceptance and unity from all with ‘Celebrate This Life’

Posted on 29 July 2021

Featuring the mightily skilled drumming of Noah Levy, Michael Loonan asks us to heal up quickly so we can build a much better tomorrow on his latest single called ‘Celebrate This Life‘.

Michael Loonan is a highly experienced Saint Paul, Minnesota-based indie pop/rock singer-songwriter and is also a supremely talented multi-instrumentalist. He has a calm aura about him, and transmits this wonderful beacon of hope peacefully in his music writing, and the results are a toasty ear-warmer to say the least.

“I actually wrote this song several years ago, but it seems fitting for the world now, as we’re emerging from a pandemic and moving toward better unity each day”. ~ Michael Loonan

With some terrific guitar riffs and mellow feel-good energy, this is a star-gazing creation which has you taking a big breath of relaxation, as you take some time to appreciate what you have. His vocals illuminate through the clouds above and calls for us to find a beach and gather around, to get on the same wavelength again, so we can work much together in the future.

”Loonan has been involved in the Minnesota music scene for decades; he was the renowned ‘Loony Bin Band’ on The Mischke Broadcast and has performed on the same bill with Smokey Robinson, NRBQ and Badfinger.” ~ Michael Loonan

‘Celebrate This Life‘ from the Saint Paul, Minnesota-based solo musician Michael Loonan, heartily shows us a kind man who only wants to promote life in the best version possible. We have had so many worries lately and have been trying hard to carry them on our breaking shoulders – the huge boulders of stress have become too much – and its time to put them down.

Unity and peace is something special that we all need, and its really is possible if we all believe enough.

Stream this exciting new single on Soundcloud and see more on the IG music page.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

I Know What That’s Worth: Alabama act Salvo have us enraptured on ‘The Most Evil Person on The Face of the Earth’

Posted on 27 July 2021

Formally known as the electric punk act named ‘Pain‘, Salvo did life for a while and have come back to warm our hearts again with their exciting new track named ‘The Most Evil Person on The Face of the Earth‘.

Salvo are a Birmingham, Alabama-based indie rock band. They make that classic sounding music that is a pleasure to your ears and has a musical theater-type energy attached to leave you so captivated.

”Many of the band members of Salvo used to be in Pain, who released four albums and toured heavily in the ’90’s, earning a nationwide fan-base that remains gleefully loyal. Pain produced videos, recorded for Cartoon Network, had their songs included in television soundtracks, and worked relentlessly as one of the most unique pop-punk bands to come out of the post-grunge era. After a much-needed hiatus, most of Pain has returned as Salvo.” ~ Salvo

This is the story about being a highly mean person who has no good vibes for the world after being let down before, which is matched with an abundance of sensational soundscapes which has you feeling you are in a different world, that lifts the roof off your day. The have so much buoyant charm on this fast paced single, which will surely leave you breathless at times.

‘The Most Evil Person on The Face of the Earth‘ from the vibrant Birmingham, Alabama-based indie rock band Salvo, is a thoroughly riveting performance that has you feeling like they are so hungry to return to their glory days. You sense their high octane levels which contains a punchy attitude, that steams through your speakers and gives you a toasty high five. This is such an entertaining track, which takes you to another level of delight.

Stream this new single on Spotify and see more on the IG music page.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Birmingham’s most raucous indie punk rock luminaries Mild Headache have dropped their latest single, ‘Near Me.

Posted on 16 July 2021

Any fans of sticky-sweet vocal hooks and chaotic indie rock instrumentals will want to delve right into the latest release from the Birmingham-based raucous luminaries Mild Headache.

‘Near Me’ is a rhythmically fierce white-knuckle ride through ensnaring alt-indie elements, softened by the playful earworm potential of the anthem which is far reminiscent of the tones you’d hear from across the pond.

The last thing we needed was another indie-pop-rock assimilating act; Mild Headache put the unoriginal to shame. They have exactly what it takes to ascend in the ranks with Cabbage, SHAME, Gender Roles and Hot Milk and hit the same heights. If you get a chance to see them live, take it.

Near Me is now available to stream on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Dying Pharaohs – Lost in the Dark: Neo-Psychedelic Synth Rock

Posted on 14 July 2021
https://soundcloud.com/dyingpharaohs/lostinthedark

‘Lost in the Dark’ is the latest dusky feat of neo-psychedelic synth-rock from one of San Jose’s most prodigal outfits, Dying Pharaohs. If the Editors dropped acid and experienced a spiritual awakening, we’re sure the aural results would mimic Lost in the Dark which drips with post-punk cool and is sweetened by the almost hypnogogic vocals.

The angular indie guitars around the trip-hop beats and glassy synths are beyond anything I’ve heard from the psych scene or the pools of darkwave tracks that hit the airwaves. Let the goths and hippies unite through the compassionate kaleidoscope of monochromatic tones.

Lost in the Dark is now available to stream via SoundCloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

London’s prodigal son John Lion returns with his latest indie rock hit, ‘The Sun is Up’

Posted on 7 July 2021

London-based singer-songwriter John Lion has followed on from his lockdown debut with the stellar slice of alt-rock, The Sun is Up.

With a slight post-punk snarl to the vocals that find themselves in between the stylings of Cornell and Gallagher along with the definitively British jangle pop indie guitars that are laced with Seattle-style-sludge, The Sun is Up is a fiercely energetic revival of the alt-90s, we can’t wait to hear more. You fall into the scuzzed-up, cutting track, instrumental hook, line and sinker.

The Sun is Up is now available to stream via YouTube.

Follow John Lion via Instagram.

Review by Amelia Vandergast