Browsing Tag

Surf Pop

Rock your way into another dimension with Steve Schuster’s psychonautic passport to the 60s, Sassafras Supersonic

Steve Schuster

Steve Schuster’s single, Sassafras Supersonic, taken from his LP, Permanently High, is a vibrant homage to 60s pop & rock, which rides the surf waves as smoothly as the Beach Boys to create a harmonised to the nines nostalgic nod to the era.

Every 60s psychonaut will find familiar comfort in its release, which also radiates the kaleidoscopic colour and charm of The Beatles. However, Schuster doesn’t merely replicate; he innovates, transcending cross-Atlantic appeal with the zany lyrics which invite listeners on a cosmic trip across constellations and into another dimension.

The sticky-sweet explosion of expression, filtered through infectiously honeyed 60s pop-rock progressions, ensures that there’s charisma in every chord and the soul of the track reverberates viscerally enough that your mind will be open to the idea that if this world is just an illusion, imagination is the only passport needed.

Schuster, an award-winning songwriter with a career spanning several decades, showcased his prowess in blending classic rock influences with contemporary flair in this transfixing temporal gateway. His latest album promises a similar journey of emotional and thematic exploration. Recorded with meticulous dedication and the multifaceted talents of producer Mike Pascarella, it’s set to resonate with fans old and new.

Stream the Permanently High LP via Steve Schuster’s official website from May 1st.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Surfs Up in DM Street’s 60s Pop Rock Sonic Serotonin Supply, Taxi Ride

Providing a soundtrack you will want to twist and jive to, the first single, Taxi Ride, from the forthcoming LP Summer Songs for the Mustard Ear, from the 60s-inspired indie artist DM Street is a surf-rock-meets-psych-pop dream.

No fans of the Beach Boys, The Kinks, The Monkees and The Beatles will be immune to the disarming charm of Taxi Ride, which comes with an optimal pinch of roguish tongue-in-cheek swagger around the serious talent that contorted the colourful sun-soaked melodies.

If you’ve had your fill of ego and pretence-driven rock, Taki Ride will all too gladly transport you to a more altruistic aural destination; with this hit on your playlists, your uber trips will never be the same again.

Taxi Ride is available to stream on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

NOODLE ARMS cling to autonomy on the surf rock waves in ‘Don’t Tell Me I Can’t Be Me’

If Pixies had spent more time in the Cali sun with the Beach Boys, Doolittle would have undoubtedly unfurled with the surfy grooves and psych-pop harmonies found in the latest single, Don’t Tell Me I Can’t Be Me from the Tel Aviv-based outfit, NOODLE ARMS.

The alt-indie pioneers founded in 2014, before morphing through a myriad of line-up changes and monikers before settling on this solid powerhouse of surf-rockers. On the basis of their latest release, it is safe to say that they’ve found the winning formula. Reminiscences aside, this sun-bleached call for respect over idiosyncratic autonomy wiggles right into the soul and sets up camp.

Don’t Tell Me I Can’t Be Me is now available to stream on YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

MiLES. serves sun-kissed soul in his genre-bending single, ‘Wherever it Is’.

MiLES.

MiLES.’ latest genre-bending single, Wherever it Is, dug its heels right into the roots of soul, borrowed a few surf rock tones and revived timeless, dreamy, jazzy-sun-kissed melodies on synths, guitars and drums.

To say that the single is just as experimental as Mr Bungle’s album, California, wouldn’t be a stretch but the straight from the soul crooning on offer here will undoubtedly be a hit with any fans of Frank Ocean, Tyler, the Creator and Steve Lacy.

Making this single infinitely more impressive, the singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer only picked up a guitar for the first time in August 2020; the distinction in the mellifluous progressions may try to convince you otherwise.

MiLES.’ latest single is due for release on May 28th; you can hear it for yourselves here.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

 

Bones & Bukenya – SHE: Restoratively Oceanic Alt Indie Folk

Bones & Bukenya

Bones & Bukenya are set to drop their stunningly masterful Alt-Indie Folk Pop single “SHE” on September 25th.

Transfixingly hypnotic Hawaiian surf rhythms introduce the track and bring the catharsis, when you find yourself in the midst of the harmonically timeless production, you’ll also find that you’re consumed by the restoratively oceanic single which stands as a testament to Bones & Bukenya’s authenticity.

Even sweeter than the stylistically soulful vibes that they were able to orchestrate through pairing their dual vocals with the mellifluous instrumentals are the lyrics which pay ode to women who know their value and shine with the confidence they exude.

Despite the quiescent tranquil air to SHE, it’s an incredibly powerful record that you’ll definitely want to give repeat attention.

You can check out SHE via the artist’s official Facebook page from the date of release

Review by Amelia Vandergast