Browsing Tag

Manic Street Preachers

Future-pop fuses with Britpop in Footless Kicks’ debut single, E1 2AM

Posted on 10 November 2021
Footless Kicks

In the ultimate pop-rock crossover, London-based rock guitarist, producer and songwriter, Footless Kicks sent us back to the Britpop era with his debut single, E1 2AM. The devilishly clever single carries the same blissful tones as the Roses along with the driving momentum of JBD’s anthemically charged riffs in The Manic’s most soul-sating hits. Vocally, Footless Kicks truly came into his own. The solo artist’s gruffly soulful vocal timbre is complemented by the dynamic range of the guest female vocalist whose dreamy harmonies sit between Mazzy Star and My Bloody Valentine.

With more singles in the pipeline and the teasing of an album, any alt-90s fan will want Footless Kicks on their radar.

E1 2AM is due for official release on November 8th; you can catch it for yourselves on SoundCloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Dead Writers delivered an instant post-punk classic in their latest single, Among Spirits.

Posted on 29 October 2021

Staying true to their moniker, Dead Writers delivered poetry that scarcely feels of this century in their latest single, Among Spirits. If Oscar Wilde himself resurrected to write post-punk lyrics, they wouldn’t be as up to scratch as the arresting lexicon in this cutting track.

Right from the intro, the cavernous guitar notes hook you into the emotionally layered single that alchemically fuses melancholy with defiant bursts of energy that emulates the kind of euphoria that only those who have fought for it can truly understand.

When the chorus hits, Dead Writers prove that they have the rare ability to make morosity anthemic, and things get even sweeter in the instrumental interlude. Against the bitter-sweet piano melody, the guitars start to blazon the track with virtuosic rock n roll licks that feed Manic Street Preachers-Esque nuances into the mix.

Paradoxically, the vocals contain their suave indie-rock poise throughout the switch-ups between the evocative dark timbre that will be a hit with any fans of the Cure and the strident rock vocals that could easily fill a stadium. By all accounts, the London-based debonair powerhouse delivered an instant post-punk classic with Among Spirits.

The official video will premiere on October 29th; you can check it out for yourselves via YouTube.

Artist Links: Website, Facebook, Instagram. 

Review by Amelia Vandergast

That Hidden Promise – You Can Have the World: Captivatingly Sonic Alt Indie

Posted on 23 August 2020

Ahead of their debut album release, UK Alt Indie solo artist That Hidden Promise released their sonically anthemic single “You Can Have the World”. Be prepared for your preconceptions on Indie solo acts to be thrown out of the window when you hit play.

With nuances of 90s Britpop combined with soaring Post Punk guitar hooks, the single is as electric as it is accessible. Any fans of the Manic Street Preachers’ Holy Bible era will be as captivated by the guitar work as we were.

With a higher tempo than your average Indie hit, there’s an intensely momentous feel to You Can Have the World. Yet, none of the angular intricacies was lost from the Post-Punk style guitar progressions.

You can check out You Can Have the World via YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Rotaries – Smart Ones: Anthemically Charged, Melodically Sweet Alt Rock

Posted on 17 June 2020

With melodies which will stick to your synapses like superglue and overwhelming anthemic appeal, it’s safe to say that Rotaries’ new Indie Alt Rock single “Smart Ones” is a radio-ready hit.

Fans of Manic Street Preachers, Mansun, Stereophonics and Supergrass will definitely want to give the deftly-crafted single some attention.

The Portsmouth, UK-based rhythmically-gifted 5-piece band achieve their dynamic sound by borrowing influences from a multitude of genres and styles. From 60s Psych Pop to 90s Britpop, you’ll find all that and more in Smart Ones. It’s easily one of the most absorbing Rock hits from an up and coming artist we’ve heard this year.

The guitar riffs are sweet enough to send you to a higher plateau while there’s plenty of sweet accordances to soak up thanks to the vocals too.

You can check out Rotaries’ indulgently sweet single Smart Ones via Spotify now.

You can keep up to date with the latest releases from Rotaries via Facebook.

Review by Amelia Vandergast