Browsing Tag

the Velvet Underground

Take a hit on The Glares’ latest mellowly mind-altering single, Cocaine Jane

Posted on 13 January 2024

If tracks could kill, we’d all be stone cold after The Glares’ latest single, Cocaine Jane; take a hit and get high on the nostalgically mellow melodies which prise influence from The Velvet Underground, The Rolling Stones, The Stone Roses, and the Stooges and shimmer through the affluence of pure unbridled soul filtered through a kaleidoscopic lens.

Even though the sonics conjure an altered state of mind more akin to an acid trip, the Edinburgh-based four-piece of twentysomethings succeeded in unleashing the best Columbian marching powder-themed single since Eric Clapton popularised the single, Cocaine, penned by J.J. Cale in 1976.

With plenty more releases in the pipeline for 2024 after the release of their sophomore single, there is ample scope for the success of The Glares. Their ability to sonically visualise a concept and submerge you in it so deeply you don’t care about coming up for air is unparalleled in the indie rock underground.

Cocaine Jane was officially released on December 1st and is now available to stream on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Icelandic alt-rock 5-piece Atomic Annie orchestrated a sonically frenetic hit with ‘What If?’

Posted on 26 June 2021

Atomic Annie’s latest scuzzed-up alt-rock track, ‘What If?’ matches the fervent chaos of Rage Against the Machine and exudes all of the salacious appeal of The Velvet Underground. The Icelandic 5-piece’s sonic twist on hard rock is easily one of the best Independent rock releases of 2021; the energy is enough to take the soundscape off this stratosphere.

With the level of sex appeal cranked up to 11 to match the dial on the over-driven fuzzy guitars that sear through arresting solos that make Slash sound sedate, this fuzz-rock anthem deserves to go viral.

Atomic Annie is clearly one of the most promising up and coming alt-rock outfits contributing to the airwaves in 2021. They’ve got the talent and finesse to appease the classic rock snobs and a veraciously eclectic feel to draw in any fans of that unparalleled feeling of hearing a sound for the first time and being welcomed to a brand-new tumultuous aural world.

Check out Atomic Annie on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Dropping Julia has dropped In the Clear: A Funk Rock and Neo-Soul classic

Posted on 15 April 2020
In the Clear by Dropping Julia

Five-piece band Dropping Julia based in Virginia have dropped their single ‘In the Clear’, infusing their Funk Rock and Neo-Soul sound.

Starting with that insanely funky riff on the guitar, adding in the high-pitched tone from the trumpet. Combining all these elements to give it that Funk sound that this band master so perfectly. The instrumentation starts off very smooth and quieter in volume, the overall style of the track is fairly calming and isn’t too in your face, even though it has the occasional Rock element that sways through it.

As it hits the middle the melody raises and the pitch begins to get louder and more overpowering as the sound through the trumpets stands out, The riffs tend to get heavier as the electric guitar has it’s moment to shine, giving it that Rock essence. The voice has an adenoidal tone to it, sometimes it’s quite raspy and in others it’s high-pitched, but the way they change their vocal ranges to suit the pace of the instrumentation is impressive.

If you’re into a bit of Funk Rock or you’re looking for new music to listen too, be sure to check this one out.

Go over to bandcamp to listen to Dropping Julia In the Clear now.

Review by Karley Myall

Annika Brown: Amanda Palmer Meets Steampunk (Only for The Brave)

Posted on 27 November 2017

Annika Brown’s Latest track Apocalypso is a theatrical spectacular. Nothing quite could prepare me for what was about to unfold over the next three minutes as I hit play on YouTube. It’s hard to pay attention to the actual sound of the track after watching the official music video in which she embraces Kate Bush style dramatics. I certainly won’t be forgetting what I’ve just heard in a long time.

Annika’s sound Is definitely an acquired taste, I’m not sure tracks such as Apocalypso will ever fair well in the mainstream, however she’s created an eclectic mix of sound which she imparts her Emily The Strange demeanour within. Even when she’s playing an acoustic guitar in the woods her unique charm is never dampened. . But that’s just part of it’s charm. Alternative music fans are in for a treat with this act. With operatic vocals, doom riddled melodies and classic piano backing track. There’s a hint of Victorian hysteria within her music, which she reincarnates through her Gothic Soprano vocals. The Same as can be heard with acts such as a Emilie Autumn and her signature Fantasy Rock styling.

Head on over to her website where you can keep up date with her musical ventures. Her latest album The Devils Story Book featuring Apocalypso is available to download or stream now!

 

The Cubby Creatures Release Trippy Track ‘Jesus Christ You’re Crazy’

Posted on 25 September 2017

It comes as no surprise to find that The Cubby Creatures hail from San Francisco, the city that was the focal point of the beatnik, hippy and psychedelic movements in the past. They seem to have somehow tapped into the ghosts of those broadminded musical experiments and used them as the basis for their own strange sonic adventures.

Jesus Christ You’re Crazy is a wonderful collection of trippy and sonorous vibes, soaring violins and chilled beats, sitting like a wonderful bridge between the psychedelic scene still happening in the back street clubs and underground venues of the city and the whale noises to be found just off of its coast. Their references are often literary, their scope unbounded and their music is like a stoned celestial choir. In my head this is exactly what San Francisco would sound like if its bricks and mortar could make music.