Browsing Tag

Welsh Rock

Dying Habit hit an evocative homerun with their hard-rock exposition on the complexity of the unconscious psyche in their latest single, Celestial

Posted on 13 March 2024

Dying Habit’s latest single, ‘Celestial’, from their upcoming LP ‘The Chaos of Silence‘, injects nuanced 90s Britpop sensibilities into the artful beguile of post-rock and the rancour of hard rock. Every night, our heads hit the pillows without questioning what we’re surrendering to; after the unveiling of this exposition on the complexity of the unconscious psyche, we may never think of the nocturnal ritual in the same way.

The Anglesey-based quartet, led by the emotive vocals of Nathan Jones, are palpably in their introspectively cerebral element with Celestial. After a saturated in delay intro, the grungy melody subtly nods to the likes of the Happy Mondays, setting a nostalgic tone, filtered through an innovative lens. As the track progresses, it transforms into a melodic hard-rock juggernaut, showcasing the band’s ability to seamlessly shift gears without losing the essence of their sound.

The guitar work is nothing short of chameleonic. From the angular, cold tones to the overdriven warmth, the guitar lines are a journey in themselves, perfectly complementing the dynamic range of Nathan’s vocals. The rhythm section, with Mark Jones on drums and Daniel Garner on bass, provides a solid backbone, ensuring that the track’s energy remains high without overshadowing its melodic core.

With ‘Celestial’, Dying Habit has not only hit an evocative home run but also set a high bar for their upcoming album. The track is a testament to the band’s growth and their ability to craft songs that are both intellectually stimulating and viscerally powerful.

Celestial was officially released on March 1st; stream the single on SoundCloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Allan Dawson gives us a roadmap back to our sanity with the humbling Rock release ‘Bubble’

Posted on 16 November 2020

While many are despairing about the state that 2020 has left the industry in, artists such as Allan Dawson have been orchestrating maps back to our sanity by offering unifying releases such as the lead single “Bubble” from their latest album “Reflections of Your Face”.

The Colwyn Bay, North Wales-based artist, producer and engineer independently wrote, recorded and mastered Reflections of Your Face during lockdown. It poignantly encompasses our shared yearning for better times, all the while, Allan Dawson utilises the ability to spin a kaleidoscopic colour wheel which paints the human psyche and the multifaceted struggles which will all need to endure while we’re still breathing. While some songwriters are able to exhibit a candid and raw feel with their lyrics, Allan Dawson uses intricate emotional detail to create soundscapes which are simultaneously inspiring and humbling.

Everything from the tone of Allan Dawson’s reflective vocals to the steady pace of the masterfully orchestrated Rock n Roll licks allows you to sink into the production with ease and allow the sonorous feel of the single to convince you that you’re not alone with your lockdown frustration. Even if you want to stick a butter knife in your lockdown companion’s ear, you’ll get the consolation that your embittered mood is one shared globally.

If you could imagine what Nick Cave would sound like if they adopted a more Classic Rock approach and found a resounding amount of compassion, you’ll get an idea of what is in store when you press play on this cathartically comforting release.

You can check out Allan Dawson’s single Bubble along with the rest of their lockdown-born album Reflections of Your Face via Spotify, SoundCloud and Bandcamp.

 

Review by Amelia Vandergast