Browsing Tag

New Wave Indie

Airi’s bring us the next chapter in fine Finnish rock with ‘Tranquilizing’

Posted on 31 March 2021

Finnish rock bands seem to have a certain something – H.I.M., The Rasmus, Lordi, and of course the leaders of the pack Hanoi Rocks – so there’s quite a pedigree for Airi’s to live up to here. And for the avoidance of doubt here, live up to it they do; speedy, poppy, bouncy indie-tinged rock in the style of maybe the Killers, with a lot of Lemonheads ‘It’s a Shame About Ray’, Blind Melon, Elastica, and the Candyskins chucked in. It’s that late ‘90s/early ‘00s vibe mildly jangly rock. It’s catchy, sparky, energetic, and it’s got a great hooky little chorus that absolutely sticks in your head.

Five singles and one EP down, ‘Tranquilizing’ is a perfect introduction to Airi’s catchy little rock attack; with a debut full album planned for early next year, things are looking bright for Finland’s Airi’s right now.

Hear ‘Tranquilizing’ on Spotify now; follow Airi’s on Facebook.

Review by Alex Holmes

Youth Antics grab ‘This Moment’ with some seriously catchy Indie New Wave glory

Posted on 26 January 2021

Poppy, upbeat, sparkling, jangly, and utterly, indecently catchy, ‘This Moment’ is the new single from Floridian quartet Youth Antics. Unabashedly retro yet bang up to date, wearing a bunch of 1980’s influences on its presumably pushed-up-suit-jacket sleeve, ‘This Moment’ is that rare beast of simultaneously ear-worm pop song and seriously credible indie-rock track.

Riding on the sunny, neon-and-dry-ice-loving tide of Depeche Mode, Duran Duran, The Cure, and their ilk, ‘This Moment’ is a proper New Wave track, trebly guitars to the fore, bouncy rhythm parts, and reverb-laden deep baritone vocals. Easily equally at home on any number of indie festival stages this summer as in a John Hughes or Daniel Waters film soundtrack, ‘This Moment’ is a genre-crossing, time-defying banger of a track; if ‘Ferris Bueller’s Day Off’ had a drunken night with ‘The Broken Hearts Gallery’ over cocktails and a couple of Blockbuster Video’s VHS finest, then ‘This Moment’ might well be the musical love-child outcome.

Listen to ‘This Moment’ on Spotify and follow Youth Antics on Instagram.

Review by Alex Holmes

Litters has unleashed the ultimate Indie feel-good hit with the sonically ensnaring single ‘Diamond Eyes’

Posted on 12 December 2020

Brisbane-based singer-songwriter, Litters, has unleashed their fiery New Wave Indie track ‘Diamond Eyes’. If you could imagine what it would sound like if Arcade Fire and Jack Johnson collaborated, you’ll get an idea of how Litters pulled off the perfect balance of sonic energy and tender intricacy.

With an enticing rhythmic command complete with angularly hypnotic guitar, a smorgasbord of influences stylistically banded together and a significant serving of authentic aural ingenuity, Diamond Eyes is about as efficacious as a blackhole when it comes to pulling you in.

Diamond Eyes isn’t just radio-ready, it should be topping the Indie charts.

You can check out Diamond Eyes for yourselves by heading over to SoundCloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Ride the New Wave Indie tides in Pretty Visitors’ single ‘Hollywood Tantrum’

Posted on 5 December 2020

From the first jangly tonally tropic note in Pretty Visitors latest single ‘Hollywood Tantrum’ which features on their AA release alongside ‘I Think My Life is Working Out’ you’ll instantly feel the endearing warmth which raises the temperature in the New Wave Indie Pop hit.

With a nuanced Jazz infusion, Hollywood Tantrum exceeds every expectation you have when delving into a new artist’s sound. Authenticity, check. Rhythmic magnetism, check. Soulfully-expressive lyrics, check. It may be a sticky-sweet track, but it was never in danger of resonating as saccharine thanks to the hint of vocal despondence which ensured that every hint of euphoria you feel is grounded in gritty reality.

The Essex-based trailblazers are undoubtedly one to watch.

You can check out the AA release via Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

8udDha bl0od – F3n1x 23r0 fx 13:42; 83ck5 luckY l0n3lY h3Ar75 fAn clUb bAnD

Posted on 20 April 2020
https://soundcloud.com/william-orpen/f3n1xfx

By now, we know not to have any expectations when hitting play on Brighton-based artist 8udDha bl0od’s tracks, but F3n1x 23r0 fx 13:42; 83ck5 luckY l0n3lY h3Ar75 fAn clUb bAnD was still quite the aural curveball.

Not only does it serve up a smorgasbord of genres but it also acts as an aural TARDIS which will ricochet you as far back as the 60s with a pit stop in the 70s, and you’ll pick up a few angsty 90s Alt Rock postcards while you’re on your way.

From grooving smoky Blues Rock to New Wave Indie, it’s all thrown into this mesmeric melting pot of sound. If you could imagine what it would sound like if The Legendary Pink Dots and The Stone Roses collaborated, you’ll get a good idea what’s in store when you hit play on this all-consuming rhythmically magnetic epic 8-minute track.

You can check out 8udDha bl0od’s single F3n1x 23r0 fx 13:42; 83ck5 luckY l0n3lY h3Ar75 fAn clUb bAnD for yourselves by heading over to SoundCloud now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Grant G Foster – Netflix and Chill: Nostalgically Striking New Wave Indie

Posted on 23 January 2020

“Netflix & Chill” invitations may not be the most romantic of proposals. But with their standout Alt Indie Pop single Grant G Foster was able to pull plenty of amorous passion out of the subject.

“Netflix & Chill is just one of the tracks you will find in the up and coming artist’s debut album “Everybody Hates Me”. The outstanding debut will throw you back to the era when The Smiths, Suede, Echo and the Bunnymen and the Cure were king.

With Johnny Marr-style sweet riffs which are tinged with nostalgia and leagues above the two-dimensional Jangle Pop commonly offered, each note was as transfixing as the last. Grant G Foster’s Indie Post-Punk style vocals also add plenty to the mix by infusing the soundscape with an enamouring amount of soul. And if you’re as aurally delicate as me, don’t be surprised if it feels like your heart has hit your throat.

I definitely never expected to say that about a song titled Netflix & Chill.

You can check out Netflix & Chill along with the rest of Grant G Foster’s debut album for yourselves via Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast