Browsing Tag

UK singer songwriter

Wading Through the In-Between: The Dilettante’s ‘Someone’ Bleeds Melancholy with Avant-Garde Soul

Posted on 30 September 2024
The Life and Times of.... by The Dilettante

The Dilettante, the enigmatic persona of David Hirst, has delivered a stunningly emotive sonic exploration with his debut LP, The Life and Times of….

The album’s standout single, Someone, traverses the turbulent undercurrent of indie folk melancholy, aching with the raw vulnerability that echoes the likes of Frightened Rabbit. The gentle intro sets a melancholic tone that bristles with candour before distorted and synthesised vocal harmonies flood in. This off-kilter twist weaves a sense of dissonance through the track, establishing The Dilettante as a veritable troubadour of avant-garde indie.

There’s immense comfort to be found in the chord progressions of Someone, which gives permission to embrace the full force of your emotions, if only for 4:55 minutes before you slip back under the ‘I’m fine’ façade.

With ‘Someone’, The Dilettante invites listeners into the most introspective corridors of his existential psyche, a space where anxiety, self-doubt, and the quiet battle for self-acceptance reign supreme.

The Life and Times of…. is not a record of extremes but of the struggle to navigate life’s liminal spaces where outliers emotionally linger. If you constantly find yourselves on the fringes, don’t hesitate to hit play.

Stream and download the debut LP from The Dilettante on Bandcamp now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Robin Shaw borrowed from Bright Eyes in his acoustic indie single, Bus 2 Nowhere

Posted on 16 September 2024

From the first effervescent notes of the acoustic guitar chord progressions in Robin Shaw’s latest single ‘Bus 2 Nowhere (Acoustic Version)’, your soul sets alight and your senses scintillate to the timbre of the euphonically rugged rhythms. Equally sweet are Shaw’s folk-leaning indie pop vocals, which synergise with the summery melodies.

As a true troubadour to the diehard romantics, Shaw knows exactly how to pull you into his panoramic narrative of infatuation that rings with hints of 00s indie pop nostalgia. If you’re a big fan of bands in the vein of Bright Eyes and The Shins, you’ll be downright sycophantic for ‘Bus 2 Nowhere’.

Before making waves in the music industry, Robin started off as a street dancer at age 16, which included appearances on Britain’s Got Talent. He established himself as a singer-songwriter after an audition in Soho, and began his career with Regent Street Artists, eventually moving to work independently. Now, he records across a variety of studios in West/Central London with his producer, Chris Hall.

Robin Shaw has been a hit with music lovers and critics alike after his tracks have been transmitted on BBC Introducing Norfolk and Suffolk, South Devon Sounds, Islington Radio, Watford VIBE FM as well as reaching Global stations in Ireland, Ohio, Toronto, Helsinki, Canberra, Los Angeles and many more.

With his new release, he’s one step closer to sealing his fate as one of the most accoladed singer-songwriters of his generation.

Stream the Acoustic Version of Bus 2 Nowhere on Spotify now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Ami Leigh salved the souls of the romantically jaded with her pop-rock anthem, You’ll Find the One 

Posted on 8 September 2024

‘You’ll Find the One’ is undoubtedly an expression everyone has heard in their darkest hours of romantic despair; yet, with her latest single which carries that mantra, the chameleonic singer-songwriter Ami Leigh augmented the consolation with soul-infused, rock-licked conviction.

By carrying the same artful visceralism as The Last Dinner Party in the pop-rock crescendos which drench the anthem in 80s nostalgia and entwining the high-octane elements with tender echoes of introspective 90s indie pop, You’ll Find the One will leave your heartstrings in knots while liberating you from anxiety and assumption you will die alone without another soul to call home.

You’ll Find the One may be a sonic departure from the artist’s previous hits, but with the same sense of affecting soul running through the veins of the single, it is yet another attestation to Ami Leigh’s ability to unify and heal through sound.

You’ll Find the One hit the airwaves on August 23rd; stream the single on Spotify and YouTube now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Spotlight Feature: Bradley Peck extolled the virtue of living in the moment in the vibe-driven jangle pop-punk earworm, the most of tonight

Posted on 6 September 2024
Bradley Peck

Bradley Peck has once again proven his versatility and flair for tapping into the zeitgeist with his latest single, the most of tonight. Shifting gears from his earlier stylings, the Southend-On-Sea solo artist ventured over unchartered pop-punk territory to deliver an irresistibly infectious synthesis of euphoria and introspection.

In collaboration with Roman Styx, who mixed and mastered the track, Peck balanced genre-bending innovation with catchy quintessential pop-punk energy to strike the ultimate equilibrium. The earworm pulls you into its upbeat, vibe-driven universe with the jangle-pop guitar melodies which give the track an indie edge while the pop-punk undercurrent pulsates energy into the meticulously adrenalizing summer anthem.

Peck’s vocals, which never come close to slipping away from harmonised euphony, even in the sharp Blink-182 reminiscent cadences in the verses, become the ultimate vessel for advocation of seizing the day as they simultaneously evoke nostalgia for hedonistic days gone by and allow you to look through the rose-tinted glasses of youthful abandon.

Whether single transports you to the carefree days of youth or a recent memory worth holding onto, there’s no escaping the feel-good momentum perpetuated in the release that is all hooks and no breaks.

Bradley Peck Said

“I wanted to make a chill summer track that makes the listener feel young again; something everyone can relate to and feel some nostalgia with. The idea came to me after sinking a few, sitting back, looking at the night sky, and thinking how lucky we are to exist in this epoch. I wanted to convey that living in the moment is what life is all about; when the track started pulling together, I found myself experimenting with a brand-new genre for me. I’m so excited for this song to hit the airwaves!” 

the most of tonight will be available to stream on all major platforms from September 6th. Find your preferred way to listen and connect with Bradley Peck via this link.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Bask in the euphoric rays of Ami Leigh’s 80s synth pop allegory of love, You Give Me Such a Feeling

Posted on 22 June 2024

Trying to predict Ami Leigh’s next move is as futile as mapping out a dreamscape; the County Durham-based singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist’s perpetually fluid sonic signature is always in flux. Her latest single, You Give Me Such a Feeling, captures the chameleonic songstress at her most unflinchingly amorous.

While her discography may already be an arsenal of hits that play with light and shade, with some tracks that linger in the darkness before locking into the warmth of heartfelt sentiment, You Give Me Such a Feeling swims in ethereal dream pop bliss, leaving you under no illusion of the sincerity of the release.

The Cure’s influence echoes in the opening guitar lines, before the lush with 80s synth-pop nostalgia melodies ebb and flow beneath Ami Leigh’s tender-to-the-heartstrings harmonies. As soon as you slip into the serene escapism of You Give Me Such a Feeling, it will be hard to know where your emotions end and Ami Leigh’s start.

Instead of relying on the British weather to bring sun-soaked serotonin, make this single a playlist staple and get your fill of iridescent euphoria.

You Give Me Such a Feeling was officially released on June 14; stream the single on Spotify and YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Revel in the melancholic petrichor of Ludvik Langholm’s intimate lo-fi pop single, Empty Parking Lot

Posted on 13 May 2024

In Ludvik Langholm’s latest single, Empty Parking Lot, the intimacy of indie pop meets the raw elements of nature to create an aching auditory experience, born from the torment of introspection.

The Leeds, UK-based Norwegian artist plunges listeners into a stormy emotional landscape that mirrors the turbulent weather it sonically captures. Crafted with the lo-fi charm of bedroom pop, Empty Parking Lot occupies a stylistic nexus akin to Neutral Milk Hotel’s artistry and Mitski’s expressive depth. The track’s lush, ethereal textures and deliberate distortions evoke the sensation of a warped tape deck, producing hauntingly personal aesthetics.

Drawing from a rich tapestry of influences, including his queer and neurodiverse perspectives, Langholm layers instrumental and vocal melodies that convey complex emotional states. The song’s narrative explores the challenge of supporting a friend through difficulty, balancing the act of giving space with the desire to offer comfort. The incorporation of rain sounds and the rhythmic swiping of windscreen wipers immerse the listener in the scene, deepening the connection to the song’s themes.

As Empty Parking Lot builds to its close, the eerie harmony of layered modulated voices takes centre stage, embodying the haunting aftermath of loss. In this track, Ludvik Langholm successfully captures the essence of vulnerability and the poignant beauty of human connection.

Ludvik Langholm released Empty Parking Lot on May 2nd; stream the single on YouTube now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Lizzie Hill put all her emotions on the line in ‘Dirty Laundry’

Posted on 4 March 2024

If you never got over t.A.T.u.’s hit single, All the Things She Said, Lizzie Hill’s latest single, Dirty Laundry, which uses oscillating synth lines and delicately evocative vocals in the same vein, has all the makings of your new favourite perennial pop earworm.

Blending the etherealism of dream pop with the hooks of a synthpop anthem, Dirty Laundry lays it all out on the line in the intimately electrifying production, which proves that the Cornwall-residing singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist’s talents belie her years.

As the lyrics relay a relatable vignette of how friendships can turn sour in a sequence of imbittering progressions, Lizzie Hill projects swathes of morose emotion in her perfectly pitched vocal lines while ensuring Dirty Laundry remains a soulfully euphonic anthem of liberation from the toxic ties that bind you to people determined to diminish your self-worth.

It’s a stunningly creative and affectingly cathartic release through and through and a clear sign that the singer-songwriter has exactly what it takes to dominate the pop domain in 2024.

Dirty Laundry will be officially released on March 1st; stream the single on all major platforms via this link.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Ami Leigh darkened Americana’s Door with the Luxe Beguile in Her Ground-breaking Single, Foretold ft Neil Gibson

Posted on 3 March 2024

Ami Leigh, hailing from County Durham, UK, has long been an aurally beguiling chameleon. Her latest single, Foretold, marks a striking foray into country rock, infused with the essence of Portishead and the chill of rock-licked post-punk.

Foretold is a poignant narrative of doomed love regaled through Leigh’s crystalline vocal lines. Her voice, imbued with soulful clarity, weaves through the hauntingly reimagined Americana soundscape, creating a contrast that is both striking and harmonious. The cold, instrumental chill she introduces strips the genre of its traditional warmth, yet the ensuing guitar solos ignite a familiar country rock fire. This juxtaposition is Leigh’s genius, offering a fresh, yet respectful nod to her influences, ranging from The Cure to Pink Floyd.

Neil Gibson’s contribution cannot be overlooked. His guitar work echoes the emotional turbulence of the song’s narrative while elevating the release and adding layers of complexity and familiarity, ensuring Americana aficionados won’t feel lost in the artfully arcane textures. Foretold doesn’t just belong to the country rock genre; it expands it.

If you have ever endured a relationship fated to meet an ugly demise and come out the other side imbittered by your own naivety, expect Foretold to hit hard as the guitars shimmer and the harmonies bring you to rapture.

Watch the official music video for Ami Leigh’s latest single on YouTube, add it to your Spotify playlists, or purchase the track on Apple Music.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Jack Cade – The Glitter Around Your Eyes: Achingly Affecting Americana

Posted on 21 February 2024
Bewilderland by Jack Cade and the Everyday Sinners

If you always turn to Cohen, Waits and Nick Cave for sonic solace, redirect your quest for sanctity toward Jack Cade’s folk-meets-alt-country LP, Bewilderland.

His gruff baritone notes against Helen Muggeridge’s glassy-with-soul harmonies create a heart-wrenchingly sentimental dynamic in the standout single, The Glitter Around Your Eyes. Like all of the most affecting love songs, the alchemic feat of Americana lyrically locks into the minute details of affection to elucidate how deep in the veins the affection runs.

Around the bluesy guitar bends, honkytonk piano keys that give the track a touch of the 70s and the roots-wrapped tones as a courtesy of the slide guitar, the two vocalists portray a hesitant yet fervent testament of passion which reaches the epitome of compelling. Slow dance to it, cry your heart out to it as you mourn lost loves, or make it a playlist staple; whatever you do, don’t pass up on this timelessly touching serenade from the UK-hailing conduit of candour.

The Glitter Around Your Eyes was officially released on January 26th; stream the single and Jack Cade’s seminal LP, Bewilderland, on Bandcamp.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Jayacus rose from the ‘Wreckage’ in his indie folk-punk debut

Posted on 26 October 2023

With all the magnetism, poetry, and soul of an acoustic B-side by the Manic Street Preachers and all the brashy folk-punk intimacy of Neutral Milk Hotel, Wreckage is a deeply affecting debut from the UK-based indie folk singer-songwriter, Jayacus.

After living a life of loss, alienation, and despair, Jayacus has finally come into his artistic stride with Wreckage which shares the message of resilience and hope while delivering an affirmation that as long as you are still breathing, you have reason to keep your dreams alive and pursuing what ignites your passion.

Following a stint in hospital, Jayacus picked up his guitar and recorded Wreckage in his bedroom; here’s to hoping the sophomore release is already in the works.

Wreckage was officially released on October 20; stream it on all major platforms via this link.

Review by Amelia Vandergast