Browsing Tag

West Midlands

The West Midlands era fusionists, Three Mile Island, triumphed once again in ‘Sidearm’s House of Games’

Posted on 19 February 2024

What do you get if you mix 70s rock with Americana and add a dash of brashy and swaggering 90s Britpop? Hit play on the latest single, Sidearm’s House of Games, from Three Mile Island and find out for yourselves.

The uniqueness of the sonic imprint is far from the only achievement in this minefield of indie rock hooks, which proves how tight the West Midlands-hailing prodigal sons are despite their influential differences – each element gets room to breathe and transcend into something completely new in the release that proves that time isn’t always linear; multiple eras can exist cohesively under the sonic duress of those talented enough to amalgamate them.

Having garnered attention on BBC Sounds and Planet Rock Radio, ‘Sidearm’s House of Games’ is a testament to the band’s skill in crafting songs that are not only enjoyable but also resonate with a deep understanding of rock’s evolving landscape. It’s a compelling addition to the indie rock genre, highlighting the band’s potential to leave a lasting impact.

Sidearm’s House of Games is now available to stream on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast  

Shrewsbury-based Hip hop royalty Ease the Artist rolled with the punches and has emerged victorious on ‘Talk’

Posted on 15 March 2022

After impressing us all with ‘Go Off‘, Ease the Artist returns with a bar-heavy track that will please fans who love it when emcees drop it real and never waiver with ‘Talk‘.

Ease the Artist is a Shrewsbury, UK-based indie Hip hop pioneer who has been away for a few years but is making a return so glorious that they will probably make a movie about him.

”A reflection of different genres, some Motown influence, early 2000 hip hop, R’n’B, Trapsoul. A real mix. We took a long time off from around 2011 & recently started releasing music again.” ~ Ease the Artist

Sparking up our imagination with a seriously excellent flow that reminds you of the greats, Ease the Artist might be underrated but is one of those artists that the underground knows all about. With a top-quality beat and smartly-created bars, this is an outstanding release that will have the real Hip hop heads grinning as they have just won the lotto.

‘Talk‘ from West Midlands, UK-based Hip hop legend Ease the Artist, is a quality track that is all about just going for it when others consume their minds with endless chatter and never bother with that all-important action. He has seen the world for what is it, been down and almost out, but has emerged stronger and is only heading to the top with his winning mentality which is so clear to hear. This is the type of track for anyone who has felt bogged down by others and who needs some vital inspiration, to keep on the path and to never give up. Ever.

Listen in to this new single on Spotify and see more via the Facebook music page.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Louie Miles ponders the past on his latest reflective single, ‘This Rain Is Just a Passing Note’

Posted on 12 February 2022

As he wonders why he is sinking deeper and so confused about why his situation is so strange as he gazes through the window for comfort, Louie Miles looks up into the sky and hopes for calmer days ahead with ‘This Rain Is Just a Passing Note‘.

Louie Miles is a Liverpool, UK-based indie alternative solo singer-songwriter and music producer who is inspired by legends such as Radiohead, as well as genres such as Jazz, Funk and Soul while making a mixture of music that is too varied to ever truly pinpoint.

There is something rather special about this young artist who seems to have an old soul, as Louie Miles leads us into a song that feels like it is from another generation altogether. His tone is soft but revealing, as he sends us a reevaluation of ourselves as we stand outside in the rain – to hopefully wash away those self-doubts – so that calmness and understanding may be more prevalent moving forward.

‘This Rain Is Just a Passing Note‘ from the West Midlands-born, Liverpool-based indie alternative solo artist/producer Louie Miles, sends our minds into a reflective state of pondering why everything flipped over upside down to have you in a bad place. With an eerie style that has you turning the volume up as you put yourself in his damp shoes, this is a cinematic-like track that sends you into a whole new galaxy-travelling world to find your true place that feels just right.

Listen to this new single on YouTube and see more via the IG page.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Keeping It Cooking: High-flying West Midlands rapper PR1NCEMUSIC has got another book ready on ‘Careful Now’

Posted on 21 November 2021

With his profoundly-awaited EP set for release on the 26th November 2021, PR1NCEMUSIC sounds like he is vigorously fed up with hearing local artists keeping on spewing the same stale nonsense via his intent-filled new single called ‘Careful Now‘.

PR1NCEMUSIC is a youthfully exciting 21-year-old West Midlands, UK-based indie hip-hop artist and self-produced bedroom mixer with an excellent invention running through his veins that is steeped deeply in his ravishing flows.

”After seeing radio and streaming success on his hit song “Young Kings Don’t Prosper” back in 2020, he looks to surpass his previous records with this boomy trap banger.” ~ PR1NCEMUSIC

PR1NCEMUSIC shows us why his name has been mentioned so much lately as a real UK artist to watch closely on ‘Careful Now‘. He displays some higher echelon techniques that shall easily shade most, with a fiery energy that dazzles the mic and grabs hold of the moment he cherishes in the limelight.

‘Careful Now‘ from the West Midlands, UK-based indie hip-hop solo artist PR1NCEMUSIC, is a thunderously portrayed movie soundtrack about keeping things alive in your valuable brain while others stay on the numb lane which is so out of tune. The crafty beat keeps you highly involved throughout and the smartly-pencilled flows certainly sharpen quickly, as he shows us where his head is at. The previous games are now officially over, as this is an artist who is ready to lead from the front.

Fill your hungry ears with so much goodness on Spotify and see more via the IG music page.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

You Can Do Anything: Inspiring UK rapper Sugarae urges us to live out these dreams on ‘Alive’

Posted on 15 November 2021

As he thoughtfully bestows his memoirs about grappling through life until he realized that he needed a mentality shift, Sugarae shows us that it is unquestionably conceivable to bust through any restrictions on ‘Alive‘.

Sugarae is a fast-rising West Midlands, UK-based indie hip-hop artist and music producer who raps with an evenly tinted flow that is destined for greatness.

”Brought up in a musical household where he found himself surrounded by a multitude of influences, Sugarae started out on the piano but quickly found himself obsessing over music production. Teaching himself to use FL Studio and Logic Pro with Youtube Tutorials, it wasn’t long before Sugarae was making professional beats for Grime Radio sets.” ~ Sugarae

There is a welcoming air of optimism from a self-confident man who has had to claw his way up the tree of life like a hungry kitty cat, who refuses to use up any more of those all-important nine lives. He raps with such a certain conviction and a must-hear attitude, that takes your alert mind into a positive place full of dreams that are attainable.

‘Alive‘ from the West Midlands, UK-based indie hip-hop solo artist and music producer Sugarae, shows us into a creative mind that has decided that anything is actually possible if you are focused enough. He leads us into a world that is filled with so much opportunity – if it is taken quickly and not wasted – with childish games that don’t lead you anywhere in life.

Hear this fine new track on Soundcloud and see more via the IG music page.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Pulling rabbits out the hat: Pr1ncemusic is less text and more ‘Magic Tricks’

Posted on 20 March 2021

Bringing his likable rap flow to easily breeze through the stagnant competition, Pr1ncemusic is full of mystifying intriguing on ‘Magic Tricks‘ via his latest sharply tuned new single that is full of hearts and spades.

Pr1ncemusic is an electrifying underground Worcester, West Midlands in the UK producer/rapper, who confidently bars up that shuffle-the-deck power hip-hop, that leads us into the wild world of the side-corner shadows.

He shows us what life is really like out there in the sketchy streets and dimly-lit back bars, where you have to look around twice, away from the television puppets that marshmallow your impressionable mind.

You can feel his UK drill and trap influences filter through the percolating beat that has your heart beating extra, his mysterious style is utterly tremendous and keeps you off your stale seat, as you wisely turn him up a bit more, to lather yourself into his sensational lyrical ability.

‘Magic Tricks‘ from the quality UK emcee Pr1ncemusic, is that late-at-night supreme track after a great night out with mates. The world is a tricky place sometimes and the way that he twists and wordplay’s himself here, is quite royal flush.

Stream this dope track on Spotify and see his visuals on IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

From college mates to making music during lockdown: Gardner Leonard drop new single that speaks out about sexual assault on ‘Mine’

Posted on 8 January 2021
https://youtu.be/q-GD0DQ3Dms

West Midlands based alt-rock duo Gardner Leonard tell it how it is on the emo rock ripper ‘Mine‘.

Daryl Gardner & Rhiannon Leonard combine to form a team that makes incredible music and has been inspired due to this horrible pandemic. After knowing each other from college days, Daryl approached Rhiannon and from there, the chemistry fused to a level that Walter White would be proud of. Taken off the upcoming ‘Milquetoast‘ album that is out on the 15th January, this is an emo roller coaster ride that shakes your skin off your bones.

They synergy is electric here like a Duracell battery as the power starts up and clicks your brain into action. The disappointment is so clear on the ears as she was once with him but it ended and he wanted her one more time even though she said no. This must of been a shocking feeling and is completely wrong and not what anyone in the world deserves. The feeling of being used like a piece of trash must be hard to bear and this is a guy who will have karma strike him down hard, the sooner the better.

Her voice is so honest and brave as the story unfolds and you feel her pain. The edgy guitar energy streams in as your heart drops a lot, wishing that no one ever has to deal with this ever again.

‘Mine‘ from West Midlands band Gardner Leonard is a true story that is brilliantly described and performed from a duo that mesh so perfectly together, their friendship and respect for each other is clear to see. Speaking up about about wrong things that shouldn’t ever happen might make you unpopular with some, but as long as you keep it real in life, real friends will always have your back.

Stream this hot new track right now on youtube and see more on FB and IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Footie, space and music combine: West Midlands Rockers Marquis Drive remind us to look at the positives on ‘Spaceman’

Posted on 2 December 2020

Signed to the Creation23 Label, the 7-Piece indie rockers Marquis Drive float into our hearts on the planetary journey that is ‘Spaceman’.

The vigorous entry gets you hot under the collar and a fresh fan might be needed to cool the air down. This is energetic stuff as the setup to the chorus is quite a listen, the marauding guitars fly in to swat all flies away with a force that is so electric and makes your heart skip a beat. The band that met at a local pub and share a massive love for football; once again show us their quality on this rip-roaring effort that will make the hungriest lion blush in delight.

With a year that has been characterized by mostly bad news, this is a refreshing song about with the future and what what it holds for humankind. Space travel is a topic that has been off our minds for a while but Elon Musk might have a new theme song here. Travelling up above has always fascinated humans and the aura is once again lifted to commend the great work that so many do to discover new things that will hopefully help future discoveries for many moons to follow.

The vocals are delivered with a punchy style that is often breathless and packed with a spectacular energy that is phenomenally sung. The 7-Piece outfit shred our anxiousness away with one of the best rock tracks this year. They are such a riveting listen and you just want to see them live and dance the rust away with a band that has so much going for them.

After being announced to perform at the epic Creation Festival 2021, things are coming together for Marquis Drive. Everyone does love a ‘Spaceman’ after all.

Stream the band here on Spotify and Soundcloud plus see their music adventure on IG & FB.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Trippy and striking: ‘Evidence’ from Miss Terious who is the rap game’s new kid on the block

Posted on 20 September 2020

Trippy and striking: ‘Evidence‘ from Miss Terious is the brand new song from this wildly intriguing and fascinating rapper who strolls into our ears on this awesome journey.

Miss Terious is a British born female rapper from the West Midlands. This is a part of her debut and she enters the UK rap scene with a unique mix of electronic and classical instruments for her alternative rap album. Speaking both English and Japanese, Miss Terious discusses topics such as abuse, mental health, and her separation with the ballet industry. With such a creative upbringing, you can see the skills on this fine young performer.

‘Evidence‘ from Miss Terious is a striking song, the sounds pierces your ears like you want music to. Her music is like none other, the uniqueness is bold, creative and exactly what the music scene needs. You feel like you are in a different place, your heart beats a bit faster as her vocals blow you away. She is a name to watch and will surely go from strength to strength, her talent is limitless, just like the movie. This is a UK artist who has just stepped up and wants us to take notice. Miss Terious is one of the most fascinating artists out there whose music, truly heals and makes you think.

Click here for the Soundcloud page.

Head through here for the Facebook link.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Hermosa Pier releases single Doing Fine: Infusing Pop and a whole load of Rock and Roll

Posted on 18 April 2020

‘Doing Fine’ the single released by Hermosa Pier, which comes from their upcoming EP ‘Words To Myself’ which will be released on the 27th April. Doing Fine infuses many Pop elements but also adds a bit of Rock and Roll, making this a perfect combination.

It’s a very slow pace track, to begin with, keeping that pace kind of drawn out for a good half of the song, having that acoustic guitar play a big part through the instrumentation.

When in the middle you’re taken by surprise as the volume begins to get louder and the riffs on the guitar are a lot noisier and crazy, as the piece carries on it intertwines with a slow pace and low vocals to more manic and high-pitched vocal ranges and it’s pretty incredible. Of course, having to mention the absolutely insane electric riff on the guitar that goes on for a few seconds that really brings that Rock element to it as the killer shreds take over.

It’s safe to say that the vocal ranges that come from this piece have power pulsing through them, not only that but a lot of pure energy that comes through the voice singing in a rather melodic way, always hitting the high-notes on key and having this rather mesmerising tone to the voice which hooks you in.

Definitely check out this one by Hermosa Pier, you won’t regret it!

Listen to Hermosa Pier Doing Fine by heading over to Spotify now.

 

Review by Karley Myall