Browsing Tag

Wales

In The Papers: Cardiff’s The Vanities wonders if we will see the future on Private Army

Posted on 14 March 2023

Swerving away from their usual sound with an epically performed orchestral affair to hold hands in hope with, The Vanities strike the clocks of our moral code with a rather special effort which is due for release on 31st March, Private Army.

The Vanities is a Cardiff, Wales-based 90s-fused grungey-like 80s synth/electro-pop/rock outfit that only ceases to amaze the underground with its tailored-for-excellence sound.

After impressing all listeners with previous marvels Dropping A Bomb, London and Hollywood Hills, The Vanities simmer deeply about the ravaging wars and the scarcely believable actions of humankind.

Sung with genuine care to the state of play in the world and bringing us such a different experience, shows us their astute brilliance and all-around authenticity in a seemingly fake world.

Private Army from the excellently projected Cardiff, Wales-based band The Vanities is a quite spectacular song which deserves all the love in the world. There is a leader-like mentality on offer and soaring melodies to get lost inside. Breathless throughout and giving humanity a message to hear at full volume, this is proper music for the soul alright.

Listen up closer on Soundcloud.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Doing All The Talking: Lloyd Jerwood grows tired of the meaningless words on Out Loud!

Posted on 11 February 2023

Produced by Martin Luke Brown (Victoria Canal, Lizzy McAlpine, Dylan) and veering into a grittier direction, Lloyd Jerwood shows us the new version in all its glory with the superbly delivered Out Loud!

Lloyd Jerwood is a Wales/London-based indie pop singer-songwriter who fuses all souls together with an authentic blend of pure bliss.

“The song is about someone who’s hurting the people around them because they can’t face the truth and, in this particular situation, not being able to see that they’re the only person they’re kidding.” ~ Lloyd Jerwood

Rising his soul away from the doubts and hollow words which can only cause heartache, Lloyd Jerwood slides his name into our precious hearts with a rather special execution to remember.

Enlightening all the way through and struck with real relevance, this is a monumental display to bathe in briskly, with that bath water steaming hot to ease the stress away.

Out Loud! from Wales/London-based indie pop singer-songwriter Lloyd Jerwood is a dynamic statement track about the frustrations which can cause disappointment, anger and total confusion if not mentally processed. Sung with a transcendent aura which will heal many wounds from the harsh climates of recent times romantically, this is a single the world needs to hear right now.

Hear this fine song on Spotify. View more on IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Step Into The Neon Light: Alli Gemini skyrockets to the greatest heights possible on Wings

Posted on 1 February 2023
Songs from the Heart by Alli Gemini

Taken from her splendidly authentic debut 5-track EP Songs from the Heart, the kind Welsh angel Alli Gemini helps us to stay young forever on the exquisite new single to heal all sad souls with on Wings.

Alli Gemini is a Crickhowell, Wales-based indie pop singer-songwriter/actor who has the kind of mesmerizing beauty intertwined into her spirit which will heal all gloomy eyes.

”This track was inspired about a dancer that is unable to dance finally dances again. It is about anyone that has a dream.” ~ Alli Gemini

Showing us the inner power of a dream possible if believed in enough, Alli Gemini projects our thoughts towards a happier perspective on this ear-opening soundtrack to never giving up. Sung so elegantly and showered with so much to ponder, this is a rather important single which is so relatable.

Wings from Crickhowell, Wales-based indie pop singer-songwriter Alli Gemini is a truly glorious song from an incredibly kind heart who has reminded us what pure intentions sound like. Her vocals seem to ease the pain and soothe the soul from the harshness of current-day reality.

Listen up to this lovely new single on Bandcamp. See more news on IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Give Em Every That I Need: Death Cult Electric looks for the girl with the kaleidoscope eyes on Lucifer in the Sky with Diamonds

Posted on 23 December 2022

With thunderous energy which might rattle many eardrums into full alertness, Death Cult Electric swarm all speakers and leaves a little sting to deal with too on their venomous new single Lucifer in the Sky with Diamonds.

Death Cult Electric is a Cardiff, Wales-based indie alternative rock band who are known for their appealingly aggressive live shows which shall elevate the soul into a euphoric place.

”The vocals chaotically scream and boast outlandish yet incomphrensible proclamations to the backdrop of fuzzed-out guitars that sound mad with power. Never has something sounded so anti-establishment as it does corporately evil.” ~ Death Cult Electric

Roaring through with that Welsh passion and excellent spundscape to get lost inside, Death Cult Electric must be one of the most thrilling bands in the UK right now. They are that good.

Lucifer in the Sky with Diamonds from Cardiff, Wales-based indie alternative rock band Death Cult Electric is one of those rare moments when a song truly delivers. Smashing walls down and never letting up for a second, as we float rather quickly into what is possible in life if there is enough intensity involved.

Hear this fine new single on Spotify. See more via IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Frakard – Slate: Play It Loud, See It Live

Posted on 11 November 2022
Frakard

Cardiff’s loudest and tightest alt-rock trio Frakard went into frenetic overdrive with their latest single, Slate. With their respective influences counting Architects, Soundgarden and Steely Dan, Slate is a melting pot of familiarity fed through stylistic raucous swagger.

Sonic appeal aside, Slate truly comes into its own through its witty questioning of our relationship with nostalgia, the nihilism that comes with age and the ever-pervasive climate change fear. If you’re anything like me and you’re sick of lyricists that scrape the bottom of the IQ barrel when penning their lyrical hooks, you will be a Frakard fanatic by the time this anthemic juggernaut of a release that comes with an arsenal of razor-sharp lyrical lines hits the outro.

Slate will officially release on November 11th. Check it out on Spotify and scope out Frakard on their official website.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

In the Caribbean With the Prince | Siôr Boyesen

Posted on 10 November 2022

Scrolling through social media, we’ve all seen the meme about travel – an old Mark Twain quote which reads “Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness…” I think we could add that travel is also fatal to a lack of colour in an artist’s creative palette, where new sounds and sights inspire you to create fresh works upon your return. This was certainly the case with Siôr Boyesen, a UK citizen travelling to the Caribbean who composed the amazingly energetic “Prince of the Favela” (both a song and the title of an EP).

Let’s talk about the title song which opens with sparse drums before going full force into a horn-driven Latin swing beat. The vocals are deeply rhythmic, and border somewhere between rap and recitative poetry. Boyesen’s lyrical style is very classically cool – like if we updated Cab Caloway to 2022 it might sound something like this. There’s sung backup vocals (most likely Boysen himself) which adds a texture I just can’t imagine the song lacking – this is some top-rate production. The horn solo appearing around the 2:30 mark sounds like it could have been lifted right from “Sketches of Spain.”

Fans of neo-swing or electronic jazz will feel right at home with “Prince of the Favela.” It’s sexy, dance-driven, and very hip. It’s nice to know that the artistic culture of the Caribbean continues to inspire musicians and creators from around the world and I have a feeling that Boyesen’s EP will be just as popular there as it is in his native UK.

Check out the track on Spotify.

Always Save Me Your Worst: Nine Lives surges through with intent on Crystal Ball

Posted on 4 November 2022
ASMR - EP by Nine Lives

Taken off the razor sharp new 4-track release with authority to charge up power-stations for weeks called ASMR – EP, Nine Lives takes us right through the noise and into something previously inconceivable on the drum-breaking new track, Crystal Ball.

Nine Lives is a Cardiff, Wales-based indie garage-rock band who sinks their teeth into every track they assemble and tear through the seams with nail-biting effect.

”Raucous, fuzz-laden riffs over big beats and a healthy dose of mayhem.” ~ Nine Lives

Thrilling the entire galaxy with a special single to enlighten the minds of many, Nine Lives move with cat-like precision and shall get your heart bouncing with delight.

Crystal Ball from Cardiff, Wales-based indie garage-rock band Nine Lives is a massive reminder that finding those frigid seas within the soul of someone is a scary proposition. Saucing our ears with so much to certainly treasure and heartily remember, this is a hefty single which will open our eyes and get those feet moving again.

When you finally get away from the evil, you may resume your life for the better again.

Open your ears on Bandcamp and check out their social moves on IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Soul of Steel: Welsh singer-songwriter Freyja Elsy shows us where that change is within on Golden Hour

Posted on 30 October 2022

Returning with her much-anticipated 3rd single, Freyja Elsy hopes for the relief to continue on the excellent new single to gain inspiration from called Golden Hour.

Freyja Elsy is a Cardiff, Wales-based indie-pop singer-songwriter and composer who makes music from her cosy home studio which is filled with her warm genuineness.

”These transformations can be met with positivity for a new beginning or a fear of stepping out into the unknown.” ~ Freyja Elsy

Conquering that relentless fear and overcoming everything to only go forward, Freyja Elsy is quite sensational on this beautiful single to play loud when you need to hear something undoubtedly pure again.

Golden Hour from Cardiff, Wales-based indie-pop singer-songwriter Freyja Elsy is an exceptionally memorable soundtrack which will take you on a magnificently crisp ride through into a whole new world of possibilities. Sung with a wonderful passion and delightful vocals, this is a fine track for the soul.

Listen up to this new single on Spotify and see the progression via her IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Freya Wolf knows that she is looking for more than a meaningless one-night stand on ‘Just Another Day’

Posted on 2 May 2022

Released with the world-class assistance of Remote Highway Music, Freya Wolf glistens rather brightly on her brilliant new release all about knowing your worth when others just greedily want you for themselves on, ‘Just Another Day‘.

Freya Wolf is a South Wales-born, Somerset, UK-based classically-trained pianist/singer-songwriter who is inspired by travel and the late great Nina Simone.

”Freya writes and co-writes her own material including her first two singles ”This Man is Mine” and “Meet Me at 8” both of which she co-wrote with U.S. Songwriter’s Hall of Fame member Ross Hemsworth.” ~ Freya Wolf

Showing us her present mindset that has evolved from the past and takes us on a voyage that so many need to hear on full volume, Freya Wolf sends a loud message to all those who don’t want to start something memorable with her. This is a motivated woman who is only here to dance the night away, as she pushes away the hungry men who just want her valuable energy for themselves.

”A taste for the fantastical and magical, the weird and wonderful. My life is my book, and I’m still filling the pages‘. ~ Freya Wolf

‘Just Another Day‘ by the fantastic Welsh artist Freya Wolf, is a track that shows us a strong soul who has seen and heard all the players before. She can see the games before they have even started on this let-down-my-hair gem that will have you grooving with delight. With a fabulous soundtrack of jazzy-soul melodies and that sassy smooth vocal ability that has made her known all over the world, this is a trip down memory lane for those who love that timeless sounding music that will last forever.

Hear this new release on Spotify and see more of her travels on Twitter.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Looking At You: Sensational Cardiff band The Vanities are at their explosive best with ‘Dropping A Bomb’

Posted on 21 December 2021

Dropping A Bomb from The Vanities on Vimeo.

After remedying our sad souls with their last release anointed ‘London‘, The Vanities spark up our imagination with their groovy new single that has you listening as close as possible with ‘Dropping A Bomb‘.

The Vanities is a high-spirited Cardiff, Wales-based 90s-inspired grunge and 80s synth/electro-pop/rock band who have undoubtedly been on the lips of many UK music fans due to their exhilarating releases recently.

Taken off their brand new 11-track album ‘2001‘ that is their first full release since emerging from their hiatus, you feel that The Vanities are somehow only getting better and better. There is a real hunger in their eyes as this rest from the spotlight has only fueled them up to reach dizzy heights, as they leave us completely impressed by the supreme quality of their wondrous creation here.

‘Dropping A Bomb‘ from the terrific Welsh electro-rock/pop duo The Vanities is one of the more luminous videos you will encounter in 2021. This a track to sing loud and proud with as you immerse yourself into such a riveting experience filled with bright lights and a soundtrack that deserves lots of love. They make the type of music that has your heart in a spin, as you urge that lover to stick with you no matter what.

Turn this up on Vimeo and follow their tracks on FB.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen