Browsing Tag

rock

James Sebastian electrified rock n roll reverence in ‘Looking for a Sign’

Posted on 10 May 2024
James Sebastian

James Sebastian’s latest single, Looking for a Sign, erupts with the fervour of rock’s golden age, packing an electrifying punch that makes it clear he’s owning the proverbial stage. As a prodigal son of rock ‘n’ roll, Sebastian channels the spirit of iconic acts from The New York Dolls to The Strokes to The Beach Boys, yet his sound remains unapologetically rebellious and tantalisingly original.

Looking for a Sign insists you get swept up in its compelling hooks and Sebastian’s natural frontman charisma, reminiscent of a cult leader’s magnetism. This track roars through speakers with an energy so raw and a production so slick, that it’s akin to witnessing the exhilarating James Sebastian live experience.

Rather than attempting to reinvent the rock ‘n’ roll wheel, Sebastian tunes into a deep reverence for the genre, projecting it through a release that radiates defiance to its core. The track exemplifies liberation, embracing the craziest facets of one’s character and running wild with them. It’s a celebration of individuality, crafted with a keen awareness of rock’s historical context but driven by a modern, fierce pulse.

Looking for a Sign captures the essence of Sebastian’s growth as an artist—confident and poised to deliver high-energy performances that resonate across generations. His journey from vibrant live shows across the UK, including iconic venues like The Cavern and The Macbeth, to a burgeoning streaming presence, underscores a trajectory filled with promise and rock ‘n’ roll heart.

Looking for a Sign will be available to stream on all major platforms from May 10th via this link.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

El Greasy dawned a new era of sleaze with their industrialised slice of rock reverence, Whiskey

Posted on 8 May 2024

Now onto their third single, El Greasy is proving their capacity to carve out a pastiche-free niche with their sleazily revolutionised sonic signature. Forget the rock n roll you knew; this modernised slice of rock reverence exhibits a band that knows exactly where to push innovation into the production and revisit the past with debauched devil-may-care uninhibition; the kind of uninhibition gained from downing your favourite black label bottle.

The guitar lines are cut with all the raunch and swagger you could ever desire and the rhythm section knows exactly where to bend brutal volition in the modernised hit that uses corrosive industrial electronica to dawn a new era of dark, gritty and overamplified hedonistic rock.

With touches of Mike Patton’s maniacal vocal style working their way into the expansively sludged with stoner aesthetics 8-minute single that also proves El Greasy is equally at home while emulating the timbres of Highly Suspect, Whiskey is a chameleonically dynamic riot that pulls together audaciously enough to leave you questioning, how the fuck did they pull that off?

Whiskey started to pour on the airwaves on May 3rd; fill up your glass via Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Cambridge’s LAY / BYE ignited the modern rock scene with their expansive earwom, ACTIVE!

Posted on 6 May 2024

If any up-and-coming band can kick Royal Blood off their throne, it’s the Cambridge-hailing three-piece LAY / BYE with the polished hooks, fiery intensity, and unflinching resonance in their debut single, ACTIVE!

The debut holds no prisoners when holding the worst archetypes of the human experience to account; the flaying lyrics pick up more volition through the catchy delivery that forces you right into the electrifying nucleus of the single that stands as a testament to the trio’s ability to vindicate the masses.

After a Velvet Revolver-esque intro, the buzzsaw riffs and snarling basslines rip through the dynamic modern hard rock atmosphere honed by Robin Schmidt, known for his work with Nothing But Thieves, the 1975 and Sam Fender. The juxtaposition between the scathing energy within the rhythm section and the pop-pinched vocal hooks creates a dynamic strong enough to carry a rock revolution on its back.

The explosively expressive release is a sure sign of big things to come for LAY / BYE; their ability to fuse integrity with infectious earworm appeal is superlative.

Jump on the ACTIVE! hype by streaming the single on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Yur Mum – Duality: Unflinchingly Authentic Brazilian Punk Rock

Posted on 5 May 2024

I may be late jumping on Yur Mum’s scuzzy punk rock bandwagon, but after feeling how deep the unique angle to their visceral edge cuts while they played in support of The Battery Farm and witnessing how they can merit the title of their latest LP, Duality, I discovered a duo that’s criminal to sleep on.

The way their Brazilian roots pull through the complex fusion of frenetic percussive rhythms creating a thunderous heartbeat pulsating through rapid and intricate cadences against the snarled basslines incited a riot of distinctly augmented annihilation.

Affectingly authentic to the core and so much more than the sum of their synergistically dualistic parts, Yur Mum is destined for bigger stages; the intuition into each other’s pandemonic energy is evidenced in every antagonised aural atom of their sound.

Two of the standout singles from the duo’s latest album, Anhangá and Hands to the Sky encompass the versatility of the London-based Brazilian duo comprising Anelise Kunz (bass/vox) and Fabio Couto (drums).

Hands to the Sky goes heavy, low down and dirty, and infectiously kinetic with the grooves that leave the rhythmic pulses in a vice grip as the bass lines whip up hypersonic fury around Anelise’s rock reverent vocals. Anhangá hits even harder, orbiting around profane levels of distortion while Anelise uses the gratifyingly discordant noise as the playground for her chameleonically charismatic presence.

Stream and purchase the Duality LP on Bandcamp.

Follow Yur Mum on Instagram or hit their official website for more info.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

A New Jerusalem: Judas Goat & The Bellwether’s Arcane Anthem Against the Climate Crisis

Posted on 4 May 2024
There Is Always a Dawn by Judas Goat & the Bellwether

“There Is Always a Dawn” by Judas Goat & The Bellwether pours the ardour of the Neoclassical Romantic Era into a vessel of arcane folk-rock. In a similar vein as William Blake’s evocative poem, Jerusalem, which became an influential precipice for the duo to lyrically jump off, the duo’s aura reverberates around morality while keeping a finely tuned balance of rationality and emotion in the evocatively conjured performance which is a call to arms against the impending threat of ecological collapse, with religious iconography replacing the more direct climate-conscious conversations.

The power of the metaphor came into full force in this fiery protest of how we’ve put the noose around the neck of the environment all in the name of progress that will ultimately become our downfall. The duo, Sara Vian and Pete Vincent, crafted the ultimate clarion call to arms, wrapped in the trappings of folk reverence and light-handed production which corrodes none of the arcane performance. You can’t help but lose yourself in the existential introspection, which exemplifies why the duo have won accolades in The Climates Songwriting Competition.

There Is Always a Dawn hit Bandcamp on April 22 ahead of its release across all major platforms on May 8th.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Roaring Through History: Solemn Pledge’s Latest Rock Opera Salutes Marlene Dietrich

Posted on 2 May 2024

In a world frequently captured by the ephemeral allure of modern pop, Solemn Pledge’s latest single, Roaring Berlin, from their ninth rock opera concept album, is a formidable monument to enduring artistry. Maria Genevieve Elia and Michael Justin Lee, together as Solemn Pledge, dive deep into the historical decadence of Berlin, echoing the vibrant, tumultuous youth of German-born movie star and celebrated war hero, Marlene Dietrich.

Roaring Berlin is a narrative powerhouse draped in the rich, robust textures of hard rock and cabaret glamour. The single serves as an opening act to a saga that traverses the starlet’s passionate ambition and unyielding ardour, qualities mirrored in the duo’s vocal performance and musical composition. The track swells with cinematic choruses and soaring guitar solos, which adeptly encapsulate Dietrich’s lofty aspirations and the grandeur of her era.

Throughout, Solemn Pledge achieves a rare balance, infusing their sound with rock-striped opulence while avoiding the pitfalls of pretension. Each element—from the poignant lyrics to the meticulously crafted instrumental arrangements—resonates with the authenticity and complexity of Dietrich’s own life journey.

Solemn Pledge not only celebrates but also embodies the spirit of Marlene Dietrich, making “Roaring Berlin” an essential listen for fans of rock operas and compelling historical narratives.

Stream Roaring Berlin on YouTube now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

JD Kucharik rekindled the soul of blues rock with ‘Leavin After Midnight’

Posted on 30 April 2024

JD Kucharik deserves to be placed on the same pedestal as Santana after releasing his INCEPTION EP, featuring the standout single, Leavin After Midnight, which delivers a sound rich in vintage blues rock reverence.

Hit play and encounter a deft evocation of classic blues rock soul that JD Kucharik has meticulously honed over decades. The release is the epitome of aural alchemy; the otherworldly presence comes as a result of the arcane electricity of its instrumental arrangement with Kucharik’s commandingly charismatic vocal presence. The narrative woven through the tune—a story of a fugitive seeking transient solace—adds a compelling lyrical depth to the rich instrumental backdrop.

With a career spanning over 50 years, Kucharik’s roots in blues and rock are evident as he plays the B3 Hammond, piano, guitar, or drums. His approach to music remains steadfastly organic, eschewing auto-tune and computer-driven edits for real-time, hard-earned sound craftsmanship. His dedication to traditional recording methods ensures that each release, whether from his extensive archives or fresh from the studio, resonates with authenticity and passion.

Leavin After Midnight was released as part of JD Kucharik’s EP, INCEPTION, on April 20; stream the release on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Rich Freed – Peace of Mind: An Indie Pop Rock Liberation from Introspective Oblivion

Posted on 26 April 2024

Rich Freed’s latest single Peace of Mind is a compelling narrative of internal conflict, wrapped in the nostalgic warmth of 90s Britpop influences. His style, in this track, reminiscent of icons like Oasis and the Stone Roses, injects a potent mix of indie pop-rock and a bluesy undertone into the bustling modern music scene.

The track pulses with an augmented, atmospheric production that escalates until it bursts into exhilaration in the stadium-ready choruses. The rhythm carries the confident swagger of Britpop while infusing it with a fresh, intoxicating energy that seems to speak directly to the soul. It’s more than just an earworm; it’s an electrifyingly vindicating sonic exploration of the human condition.

Lyrically, Freed offers lines that listeners will want to etch into their memories as he muses on the universality of self-doubt and introspection, making it relatable on a fundamentally human level. Every verse delivers a tattoo-worthy mantra, backed by an aura of bluesy rock n’ roll that transforms this high-octane anthem into a cathartic experience.

For anyone who’s ever felt at odds with themselves, Rich Freed’s “Peace of Mind” offers not just solace but a liberating, rhythmic release. It’s an anthem for the introspective, for those who seek peace in the chaos of their own thoughts.

Peace of Mind will be available to stream on all major platforms, including YouTube, from April 26th.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Max Norton outshined the constellations in his latest expansive indie-rock release, Comet

Posted on 25 April 2024
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Max Norton catapulted onto the indie rock scene once again with his latest seminal single, ‘Comet’. The resounding echo of college radio days mingles the discordant charm of Sonic Youth with the raw punch of 60s garage rock. Each chorus hits with a barrage of anthemic hooks, delivering an impact so potent it feels like a blissful demise—there are far worse ways to go.

The triumph of ‘Comet’ lies not only in its sticky-sweet, charismatic vocals but also in its meticulous production. With minimalist touches that amplify rather than overshadow, the production allows Norton’s authentic talent to radiate. It’s as if he’s outshone every constellation, creating a vintage-toned earworm that rewards listeners with each serendipitous chord.

Behind the scenes, Max Norton’s rich experience as a multi-instrumentalist and his decade-long career as a professional drummer deeply inform this track. The euphoric tension built within the rhythmic framework of the release crescendos in choruses that are so compelling that they demand to be heard live.

Moreover, ‘Comet’ not only showcases Norton’s instrumental and vocal talents but also his unbridled romanticism and lyrical depth. This stellar slice of classic songwriting proves a masterful amalgam of his diverse influences, from Otis Redding to Courtney Barnett, making it an indispensable addition to any rock enthusiast’s playlist.

Check out the official video for Comet on YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

The overdriven alchemy in Three Mile Island’s Ride Your Luck unleashes sonic spirits.

Posted on 23 April 2024

With elements of dreamy indie and classic rock n roll as the cornerstones of their sonic signature in their latest seminal single, Ride Your Luck, the West Midland’s prodigal sons of innovation, Three Mile Island, found plenty of room between the stylistic pillars of influence to inject their own over-driven, time-defying, alchemy.

The haunting chorus, which incidentally replicates what Black Sabbath’s single Changes does to the soul, fused with vocals that are as locked and loaded with visceral dynamite as Chris Cornell’s, Rolling Stones-reminiscent lead guitar work and an underpinning aura of Primal Scream’s iconic release, Give Out But Don’t Give Up, culminates in a single that doesn’t only allow you to imagine what is possible when the intersections of rock are explored, it grips you with a soulful intensity that leaves an inexplicable mark.

If this is the future of rock, the genre is about to make one hell of a mainstream comeback.

Stream Ride Your Luck on Spotify now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast