Browsing Tag

post rock

Vulpine break new ground with their experimental post-rock EP, Ventures.

Posted on 19 October 2021

Scotland’s most melodic alt-rock outfit, Vulpine, has released their genre-spanning debut EP, Ventures, which brings a rare sense of accessibility to math rock and plenty of solemnity and poise to emo pop-rock.

The best introduction to their atmospheric, progressively gripping songwriting style is the title track, which carries the evocative weight of Frightened Rabbit combined with the instrumental furore of Mogwai.

From an ambient prelude, an intricately immense storm kicks up in the instrumentals, taking you through gripping breakdowns and even sweeter crescendos that hit the climactic spot every time. As the consistently in-flux sonic palette switches up through the progressions, vocalist, Pete Fox, demonstrates the provoking range of his vocal power.

The Ventures EP released on October 1st. It is now available to stream and purchase on all major platforms via this link.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Hopes Avenue has released their viscerally raw post-hardcore sophomore track, Escape/Reality.

Posted on 6 October 2021

Hopes Avenue became one of Scotland’s most promising alt-rock outfits with the release of their viscerally raw post-hardcore sophomore single, Escape/Reality.

Given that we’re practically living in the world Charlie Brooker imagined for Black Mirror, the chillingly cold production of the familiar rock elements in Escape/Reality is oddly consoling. Their intrinsically melodic hardcore progressions carry the same evocative weight as Days to Remember, Rise Against, and Alkaline Trio as the sombrely high-octane vocals make sure that Escape/Reality hits as hard emotionally as it does sonically.

The insanely talented 4-piece powerhouse is one to watch; especially for fans of Bring Me the Horizon and Enter Shikari.

Escape/Reality is now available to stream on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Alt-Rock Pioneers Roulettes Have Released Their Racorously Cold Proto-Punk Single, Fading Sun

Posted on 24 September 2021

The Roulettes’ fourth single, Fading Sun, from their album, Demosphere, will be music to the ears of proto-punk, post-punk, garage rock and indie fans alike.

Straight off the bat, you’re plunged into a cold atmosphere orchestrated by throbbing basslines, harsh snares and rancorously overdriven guitars. Around the glitchy electronica, psych-rock tendencies start to flourish as the single unravels and warmth seeps into the mix through the vocals that carry the same enamouring appeal of Julian Casablancas (The Strokes).

The New Zealand-based duo’s album may have never seen a recording studio, but discernibly, that didn’t get in the way of the prodigal sons creating one of the most exciting alt-rock albums of 2021. Save room on your radar.

You can check out the official video for Fading Sun via YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Broken Nation: Seoul-based band Narotic bring the total truth package with ‘Nothing Has Changed’

Posted on 22 August 2021

Released off their latest twelve-track album with meaning called ‘KindA‘, Narotic are totally honest beyond the norm and bring us an eerie reminder us that ‘Nothing Has Changed‘.

Narotic is an indie post-rock/dream-pop/shoegaze band from Seoul, South Korea. They have a style of music which has you thinking deeper about the world, as you sense that things are not what they seem to many.

On a sparkle-filled ambiance which has you nodding your head to their unique soundscape that seems different to the rest – as they drive in melodic vocals that are clearly made with true introspection- shines through beautifully to capture your attention like a striking Polaroid, you will never forget.

This is the sincere story of knowing that something is quite off with the world as the milk is actually sour but so many still drink it, the kids are suffering and so many just ignore the real truth, hidden behind their phones of endless distraction.

‘Nothing Has Changed‘ from the rhythmically stimulating South Korean-based alt post-rock band Narotic, is a stunning display from a self-aware outfit who see the world from the ground right now. They hope that things may change for the better but see our precious planet falling apart at the seams, as violence, greed and desperation takes over, when peace and common sense should be the guiding light for us all to grow with.

Hear this fine new single on Spotify and see their journey on IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Never Again: New York power band Ghostwreck urge us to never give up on ‘Champagne’

Posted on 26 June 2021

Taken off their exciting project called ‘The City is Gone‘, Ghostwreck saunter in strongly with their latest riff-laden single that will have you turning up the volume to hear each second with ‘Champagne‘.

Ghostwreck is a thrilling four-piece New York City-based based collaboration of quality musicians who fuse post-rock, punk, metal, and other still-to-be-discovered genres into their ferocious sound. They make that striking soundscape that crashes into you like a powerful wave in the ocean, as it washes all the self-doubt off your body, and takes you to that safe shore again.

They have a pulsating sound that smashes through your veins, the vocals are strong and clear to hear, with a band that certainly puts all on the line, and this is high paced music at its best. You feel their determination and its so inspiring, as they blaze a fire right to our hearts to gain strength from.

‘Champagne‘ from the NYC four-piece act Ghostwreck, shows us a band on a mission to help us to never give up no matter what. Money seems to drive so many people but it really isn’t everything, as that true happiness is the key that unlocks all your desires. If you know where that elusive key is, grab it, show those who you truly love how to find it too, and never let it go.

Stream this new track on Spotify and check out their IG page for more.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

51st Avenue invites you to own your experiences of rejection with their alt-rock hit, ‘Don’t Want Me’.

Posted on 29 May 2021

With their latest single, Don’t Want Me, the Sydney-based 4-piece alt-rock pioneers 51st Avenue contend with heavy emotion through even heavier instrumentals. Their sound carries familiar elements of electronic pop, trap and post-rock, but 51st Avenue delivers them in a distinctive enough way that their sheer authenticity will blow you away just as much as the sound itself.

Soft and succinct verses with delicate female pop vocals are followed with tumultuously thrashing breakdowns that carry the same sense of chaos as you’ll find in Bring Me the Horizon’s sound. With the progressive structure of the single, you can’t help delving in over and over again. With every listen, the boldness of the lyrics becomes even more striking. No one likes to admit rejection, but 51st Avenue owns it in Don’t Want Me; the track allows you to consider that sometimes walking away from you is the best thing a person can do for you.

It comes as no surprise that 51st Avenue has already supported Start Your Own Cult, Cambridge, Young Lions and Hands Like Houses on tour. Although based on Don’t Want Me, it won’t be long until bands can boast about opening for 51st Avenue.

Don’t Want Me is available to stream on Spotify, or you can check out the music video via YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Alt indie newcomers 20-LD have unleashed their foreboding dark earworm, ‘Feel It Now’.

Posted on 21 May 2021

Alt-indie newcomers 20-LD have released yet another transfixing track onto the airwaves with the release of their latest single, ‘Feel It Now’. It comes with the same atmospheric chill as Joy Division, Covenant-style darkwave beats and static choppy guitar progressions that cut through the reverb that bleeds from the synth notes.

With a few psychotropic tones laced into the dark earworm under forebodingly magnetic vocals that will be a hit with any fans of the Editors, it’s safe to say that 20-LD’s sound holds as much distinction as it does commercial potential.

The optimism that rings through in the higher notes feels like the ultimate feat of defiance in this timely melancholic release that pulls sheer ingenuity out of the dark. We can’t wait to see where this lockdown-born artist takes their sound next.

Feel It Now is now available to stream via Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Georgetown grunge trio Tough on Fridays released their most relatable single yet with Cabin Fever.

Posted on 5 May 2021

Georgetown grunge trio Tough on Fridays has been on our radar since we heard their unforgettable 2018 single, ‘The Waywards’. With their latest single, Cabin Fever, their pop-punk edge has been stripped-back and replaced by doom-laden tones that will win over any fans of Porcupine Tree.

The gloomy, progressive anthem, complete with a thrashing rhythm section and angular cutting guitar notes that bring Shoegaze nuances into the mix, is a raw admission of the frustration experienced while locked away from normality.

What makes Cabin Fever so intense and cathartic is the realism of the angst. It was delivered in the same despondent way we’ve all been feeling over the past year.

Cabin Fever officially released on May 3rd; you can check it out for yourselves by visiting Tough on Fridays’ website.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Corin deliver us ‘The Moment Of Realization’

Posted on 25 April 2021
Moira by Corin

Deep, subtle instrumental backgrounds open ‘The Moment Of Realization’ by ambient artists Corin, gentle echoing guitar chords over the slow, mellow swell of keyboard parts, a repeating, descending motif of picked, chorused notes which then build slowly, drums and bass adding an extra colour to the palette, increasing dynamics until overdriven guitar kicks in around the four-minute mark, reprising the descending riff but with greater power and emphasis.

‘The Moment Of Realisation’ is taken from Corin’s debut, seven-track ep ‘Moira’, a progressive neo-classical journey from prologue through to ending, a soundscape journey through an instrumental landscape of shifting moods and tempos.

You can hear ‘The Moment Of Realisation’ on BandCamp; follow Corin on Facebook.

Review by Alex Holmes

Let your psyche go on a journey with Abandon the Fall’s instrumental alt-rock track, ‘October Sky’.

Posted on 2 April 2021

When Abandon the Fall appeared on our radar in 2019, we knew they’d be one to watch. Their latest EP may come without lyrics, but there has been no compromise to the evocatively charged nature of their Alt Rock soundscapes.

‘October Sky’ is just one of the progressive art-rock singles to feature on the 4-track release that will take you on a journey of the psyche as you follow the morosely-tinged melodies through their cutting progressions which leave trails of shimmering echo and reverb behind.

With over-driven guitars and coalescing with darkwave electronica, October Sky will hold plenty of appeal to any fans of 65daysofstatic and This Will Destroy You.

October Sky is now available to stream along with the rest of Abandon the Fall’s Infinite Seasons EP via Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast