Balado

Hailing from Glasgow, Balado are a five-piece consisting of Jamie Finnegan (vocals), Mark Devlin (lead guitar), Peter Houston (rhythm guitar), Connor McGrane (bass guitar), and Jack Tayor (drums).

Let’s check out their two songs to date:

The Buffalo

The early glam-punk swagger of Miles Kane oozes from frontman Finnegan His vocals wrap themselves around the ‘Lord Don’t Slow Me Down’ stomp with a perfect snarl and infectiousness combo. It’s a welcoming roar but, one fraught with danger, dare you to follow?

Lifting it above the aforementioned Oasis single are the effortless guitars. The angular aggression of Wilko Johnson’s Dr. Feelgood days threatens to boil over at all points. When it does, rather than nihilistically destruct like a lot of punk records, it steers towards the togetherness of Noel and the finesse of Shambolics to conjure a brash but unifying terrain.

The Shakes are leading a riotous charge to the top as they reimagine rock ‘n’ roll for 2022. ‘The Buffalo’ has fired a flare high to stake their claim too. If they could unite for a tour, then breath-taking destruction and lifelong memories would lay in its wake.

Wasting Away

‘Wasting Away is their latest single, released earlier this March.

It fizzes into 4th gear with a lo-fi wall of sound and rumbling drums a la Grant Marsh (The Rifles) and holds you in a rock ‘n’ roll stasis. You know the outcome is one of two things. Destructive eruption or sumptuous solo. They opt for the latter and Devlin doesn’t disappoint.

His resounding riffs draw you in and before he kisses a sun-drenched horizon with the solo. He’s taken the power of Carl Barat’s and polished the hard edges with the enriching but still edgy work of Bill Ryder Jones and David McDonnell.  

This Is War

Liverpool’s This Is War are made up of Paul Carden (vocals), Jonny Roberts (lead guitar), Mike Mullard (rhythm guitar & backing vocals), Martyn Leah (drums), and Andy Williams (bass Guitar).

Carden, will be familiar to many as the ex-frontman of cult noughties favourites The Black Velvets. Last Autumn they kicked things off with ‘Sugar’ and, in January, they released the second single ‘Autumn Savage Rose’. We take a look at both:

Autumn Savage Rose

The bluesy rock ‘n’ roll glamour of Stereophonics hooks up with Kent’s cult heroes Springtide Calvary to produce a stomping gem. The jagged edges of The Jam, The Libertines, and Razorlight circa ‘Rip It Up’ ignite into a euphoric boozy climax.

Frontman Cardern, drawing from Rod in the Faces and London’s forgotten heroes Dogs Johnny Coo, has the innate ability to unite all and sundry. His melodic growl creates a fire-breathing ecstasy that demands you follow him into battle.

Sugar

The immediacy of the guitar licks is incredible. Dogs’ ‘London Bridge’ and The Rifles’ ‘She’s Got Standards’ are brought to life once more. However, there’s a melancholy pervading ‘Sugar’. Carden, adopting a Tom Smith (Editors) meets the aforementioned Cooke, finds the desperation that all great rock ‘n’ roll has. His humble roar is the sound of frenzied fingers clawing at the dirt. Downtrodden but never out of the fight, This Is War are your new sound of defiance!

Mexican Dogs

Images courtesy of Sonic PR

Liverpool’s Mexican Dogs affronted by Bribes singer Gary Wilcox. Backing him up are Carl Rooney (drums), and Sonny Winder Rodgers (bass).

Currently, out on tour supporting Liverpool’s chosen one Jamie Webster, it’s inevitable they will return home beloved.

We take a look at what they have been up to:

Run, Run, Run

The dirt of BRMC and the sexiness of T-Rex are met with the filth Sabbath and hooks of The Black Keys. It is inevitable their guttural face-melting licks will be in front of huge stages before 2022 is over.

You and I

Slower in build but no less epic. The magic of The Black Keys circa ‘El Camino’ leads the verses towards the hell-raising Datsuns-esque solo. Yet again, Wilcox acts as a point of difference vocally. His falsetto adds sweetness and vulnerability to cut through the behemoth guitars. Although different in sonic, he has the ability of George Harrison and Liam Gallagher to melt hearts whilst chaos ensues

Mexican Dogs headline the Arts Club Theatre in Liverpool Friday 25th February. Click the image to buy tickets:

Moa Moa

Moa Moa are a five-piece from South London. Assembled alongside singer and producer James Ratcliffe are Dan Byrne, Connor James, Sophie Parkes, and Matt Taylor.

They have already released a single via the mighty Speedy Wunderground (see ‘Coltan Candy’ below) label and garnered interest from radio giants John Kennedy (Radio X) and Steve Lamacq (6Music).

We take a look at what they were up to in 2021.

*Image courtesy of https://www.practisemusic.co.uk/

Drive

A trippy MGMT electronica via indie number to set the senses ablaze post-lockdown. A wry take on the world-changing post-pandemic takes the hooks of Yeasayer for a spin to the baggy era on what has to be 2021’s best groove. The immediacy of the record is astonishing, brought to life mainly by the cascading drums designed to melt the mind.

Coltan Candy

The title refers to the mineral that’s ruthlessly mined in Africa for the benefit of electronics in western civilisation. Singer Ratcliffe details the greed of the west and morbidly, the inability ordinary folk can do about it.

Despite the seriousness of the polemic, their infectious neo-psyche hooks are undeterred. Keyboardist and guitarist Connor James unite short Moon Duo via Tame Impala blasts of the guitar alongside the bubblegum synths to usher in their world of technicolour. Lifting it to another level are Ratcliffe’s vocals which nestle in between Andrew Wells Van Wyngarden (MGMT) and Joe Newman (Alt-j).

Office for Personal Development

Office for Personal Development is not so much an introduction of new music, but more a reset for one Britain’s finest songwriters of the past decade. Trevor Moss will be known by many for his beautiful harmonies with his wife Hannah.

Under the guise of ODP, Trevor utlises his birth surname Deeble. In doing so, he has returned to his love of electronica and pop. Melodies were ten a penny for him with the acoustic guitar so, to make the leap towards his roots of pop and Eurovision seems only natural. After recent spins from John Kennedy’s Xposure and BBC Introducing, a move that is clearly paying off.

The band are made up of Trevor Deeble (Director), Bellza Moore (Office Junior), and Del Querns (Head of IT) and they have the best band website the world has ever seen. FACT!

Take Me Back

Originally recorded over ten years ago when Moss was a Fine-Art student at Goldsmiths, OPD have worked this up to 2022’s first great pop record.

The togetherness of Hot Chip circa ‘Melody of Love’ blends effortlessly with the Pet Shop Boys penchant for genius. It has the elegance of Alison Goldfrapp strolling to the dancefloor with just a hint of Bicep and Orbital’s infectious wonk adventure.

Hold On

When Oasis burst onto the scene, cover songs like ‘I Am The Walrus’ and especially ‘Cum On Feel The Noise’ helped establish their identity and narrative. OPD’s cover of the Wilson Phillips smash sets out a similar stall. announcing them unashamedly pop.

Not looking to reinvent the classic, they subtly add their bedroom electronica aid singalong towards Giorgio Moroder. Their stall set out magnificently, now we await the number one to topple Bryan Adams 16 weeks.

Ruvellas

Images courtesy of https://www.gjpromotions.uk/

Ruvellas are a five-piece outfit from Dundee. They’ve been catching the eye this past 12 months supporting the likes of Shambolics, The Snuts, and The Dunts. They consist of Lewis O’Farrell (lead guitar), Matthew ‘Maddie’ Short (rhythm guitar), Ben Gowans (bass), and Aiden Stuart (vocals).

Still The Same

Angelic indie-pop made by mates for mates. Drenched in togetherness, it stumbles and swaggers the streets arm in arm. It takes the vibrancy of Foals, the urgency of Maccabees, and elegantly nudges them to the Adidas samba lover with its life-affirming guitar solo.

At the End of the Day

Taking a ‘Slide Away’ for a lo-fi walk. O’Farrell and Maddie tap into Noel’s quest for escape with such skill, it defies their fledgling years. Their ability to inject a sense of haziness takes their Oasis solo to the outskirts of Richard Hawley’s psyche work on ‘Standing at the Sky’s Edge’, the results, intoxicating!

Frontman Aiden has a Liam ‘Slide Away’ quality also. He drags something oppressed being towards the light. He imbues an uprising spirit of this new generation of rock ‘n roll. A sense that life, forlorn as it has been for so long, is now been taken by the scruff of the neck.

Megan Wyn

Megan Wyn is a teenage singer-songwriter from Anglesey in Wales. She has been harnessing her reputation with stunning cover versions on her Youtube of DMA’s, Wolf Alice, and Blossoms.

In 2021, having featured on the brilliant Brits & Pieces 2 compilation, she was then a-listed on BBC Radio Wales with her debut single ‘Polaroid’. We take a look at why.

Polaroid

Musically, Stevie Knicks and Patti Smith’s rock classicism permeates the lyrics and the music. Naysayers may deride “another one” but, when it’s this good, it’s bedding down along aside the greats not punching up.

This tale of romantic woe is astonishingly polished for anyone, let alone a teenager. Wyn builds an incredulous amount of defiance as the driving guitars howl alongside her stern but empathetic vocals.

Megan has just played This Feeling’s Big In 2022 and will be supporting Cast’s John Power in March in Scunthorpe and The Skinner Brothers in Cardiff on March 17th.

Robin Ashcroft

Hailing from Castlemilk, Glasgow, Robin Ashcroft is a 17-year-old with the world at her feet. The sound, the look, and the attitude, it all appears to be there.

With a slot on This Feeling’s Big In 2022 coming up, we take a look at the debut single which caused so many to take notice.

I Luv U

This is Stereophonics at their melodic best. The ability to combine left of mainstream rock music with the a more polished Mary Chain licks is a touch of genius.

Ashcroft’s country-tinged vocals carry this anthem towards pop classics. Good. We all need a lift and rock music needs a new success story!

Glass Raspberry

The South Lanarkshire and Glasgow (via Hungary) quartet have been making waves of late with their brand of gothic rock ‘n’ roll. They are made up of Rebecca Burns (vocals, guitar, & synth), Michael Farrell (bass guitar & synth). Paul Curran (guitar, synth, & backing vocals), and Tamas Peto (drums).

 Let’s take a look at what they got up to in 2021:

The Final Call

With the synths of Twist Helix and the distressing licks worthy of early New Order and The Cure, Glass Raspberry announce themselves as serious songwriters with a depth of vision few can match.

Burns’ sublime vocals carve a way through murky landscapes as a gesture of hope. Life’s pressing battles to fade into the ether as her soul-cum-ethereal tone grows in stature.

I See You

What begins as solid rock number, crashes into life a third of the way in. Haunting vocals and death-defying drums act as a hyperspace jump to The Cure-inspired set of guitars. Utterly drool-worthy licks are met with a devastating Desperate Journalist bassline in the closing stages. The eruption of noise further cementing this as a colossal fire breathing single!

 Glass Raspberry are playing part of This Feeling’s #Bigin2022 Saturday 21st January.

Second Thoughts

The five-piece from Hitchin in Hertfordshire are made up of Jude Mcreath (vocals & rhythm guitar), Ben Campbell (vocals & lead guitar), Georgia Vermeiren (bass), and David Addison (drums).

Their debut EP ‘Stay Hydrated’ was self-released back in 2019 to critical and fan acclaim alike. Let’s take a look at two singles from 2021:

Joyrider

Much like The Goa Express, they have a vibrancy and carefree youthfulness which makes their sonic sound part of a coming of age journey. They are kissed with Woah’s laid-back coolness and the infectious pop of Belle & Sebastien on this single.

As their jagged indie edges fade into an adrenaline-filled rumble, their infectious sound and attitude become euphoric.

Nicotine Stains

Produced by 1975’s Ross McDonald they find a sweet spot for their indie-punk magic. Nestling between the playfulness of Sports Team and the drool of Chapel Club

Irrepressible guitars are anchored with vocal morbidity. This musical entrapment tantalises you with a release, but, rather than the obvious solo release, they found expertly, exquisitely, and elegantly deliver a forlorn but hopeful solo. The perfect accompaniment for the protagonist’s dreams of moving on.

Second Thoughts join The Lanes for This Feeling’s #Bigin2022 gig at The Water Rats

The Lanes

There are bands who meet at uni, at work, in The Smiths’ case, out of utter necessity. All are valid. However, there is something more romantic about those who meet at school like The Lanes. Hailing from Norwich, they are made up of Myron Endean (bass), Alfie Bowles (vocals/guitar), Max Allen (lead guitar), and Harry Jones (drums).

*Images courtesy of Liam Watts (@1deltagram on Instagram)

There’s A Locked Up Safe

The emotive songwriting of The K’s and Blossoms is given Marr’s infectious forlorn licks to create a powerfully hushed single.

Examining the modern struggles of mental health of the younger generation couldn’t be more apt in 2022. Locked up, coming of age rituals denied, grades demonised by the press, the signal was clear, the establishment didn’t give a fuck about them. What The Lanes have done here is provide much-needed empathy and furthermore, a beacon of hope!

Take The Hint

The pop sensibilities of Blossoms soar to the surface on this great single. Great verses are eclipsed with melodic choruses from the heavens. What prevents this from being parody is the anguish embedded in the lyrics where a sense of doom hovers above the tentative optimism of the protagonist.

The Lanes are part of This Feeling’s Big in 2022. Be sure to catch them at Water Rats.

Vega Rally

Hailing from the Midlands, Vega Rally is a self-produced solo artist signed to Spirit of Spike Island. He’ll be heading out on tour (dates below) with his label mates Afflecks Palace and Pastel this summer.

To date, he has only released one single, ‘Infinity 93’. There’s no escaping it, the grooves of The Stone Roses’ ‘Waterfall’ are out for all to see. The respectful homage takes the classic into modern-day remix territory with its trippy rave-cum-baggy funk of the second half.

Lyrically, inspired by Brown, Gallagher, and Clarke he offers up something utterly vital for this generation! They have desire ingrained into their essence much like the Pistols, Roses and Oasis did! The opening gambit of ‘I, I can do, everything, that I like to / today is all mine’ acts as a beacon of hope to those trapped in school, suburbs, work anything where the soul needs setting free. A point that Rally makes in the closing euphoric moments:

“Can you feel me / anyone at all”

The effortlessness of the grooves here will ensure Ian Brown stomps and shoulder rolls will invade dancefloors once more.

*Image courtesy of Vega Rally and Spirit of Spike Island

Helve

Hailing from South London, Helve are an experimenting indie five-piece. Having met at college in Croydon, they have gone on to be championed by John Kennedy (Radio X).

Let’s check out what they have been up to:

Snakes and Ladders

Dark science-fiction soundscapes collide with lo-fi Mogwai guitars and an impending sense of Armageddon! At points, they tantalise you with lush riffs and accessible vocals before just pivoting to new planes.

It’s challenging but always rewarding. Twisting from the lowlight licks of The XX to the underrated electronic folk of Buswell, and climaxing with a soul-crushing crescendo of brass., this is the sound of a band with the ability and the willingness to try anything.

As yet unreleased, you can enjoy a snippet of the song from their New Cross Inn gig last year.

Cabin Fever

You can buy the single here.

With the renowned producer Harri Chambers (Bess Atwell & Yard Act) at the helm, the band continues their Lo-fi indie jazz adventures.

With the 4am brushstrokes of Massive Attack and Portishead and savage self-reflection within the lyrics, they display a creative courage way beyond their years. The lyrics, border on character assignation and, who can honestly say hasn’t had that period during lockdown? The trepidation of the narrative is enhanced immeasurably with the lush nods to Mogwai and Mercury Rev.

*Image courtesy of Rocklands TV

The Goa Express

Manchester-based The Goa Express are set to release ‘Second Time’ via Ra Ra Rok Records on the 18th of June. It follows their raucous indie anthem ‘Be My Friend’, can they maintain their form?

Like a Sparrow flittering from tree to tree, they pick the best parts of so many greats and have conjured a sure top 5 single of the summer. The effortless of Teenage Fanclub float on with the love-drenched oddities of Mull Historical Society and the romance of Psychedelic Furs.

There is something so charming about this record. A tale of youthful naivety and the endless repeating of mistakes should be laden with regret but, they manage to dust themselves down and carefree explore the next adventure.

This joyous coming of age journey has an eloquence way beyond its years. It can only form a youthful but, is fully appreciative of the freedom that affords it. With daily spins from Lammo, it will be garnering lifelong fans by the day!

The Utopiates

The North London outfit were formed during lockdown. That alone is a message of hope that only an old person planting a tree for future generations can top. They consist of Dan Popplewell (vocals/guitar), Ed Godshaw (keys), Josh Redding (lead guitar), Luke Nottingham (bass), and Joe Jeffreys (drums).

Within a year, they’ve garnered attention from Lammo and are set to line up Shiiine On’s summer party in July and, on June 25th, they will release a new EP. For now, we focus on their last single ‘Only Human’

Usually, we would take a look at a few songs to highlight what a band’s humble beginnings are striving for. The Utopiates, however, are a different animal. Their last single ‘Only Human’ is a moment to saviour.

It’s the stop everything moment! ‘Only Human’ has that power! It’s reminded the world what rock ‘n’ roll can be. EVERYTHING! Guitar music needed this song. Not since Fat White Family has it really done anything new. Somehow, they have Depeche Mode’s darkness and Marr’s expressiveness firing alongside soul music vocals and razor-sharp lyrics.

They’ve taken the good work of Big Image (formerly Ivory Wave) to another universe.  The funk and grooves of New Fast Automatic Daffodils’ classic ‘Big’ is injected with the hope of Electronic to conjure new realms for rocks explosiveness to traverse.

That is to say nothing of the guitar solo itself. It’s Prince via The Mondays. It’s mesmerising, it’s destructive, its escapist, it’s nihilistic. It’s a world power launching the nukes. It’s incredulous!

The Utopiates have landed and, bow down to their invasion!

The Voyd

Sunderland four-piece The Voyd have been garnering praise from This Feeling and Gigslutz during lockdown. Let’s check out what they have been up to:

(Images courtesy of Eyez Media)

Get Away

“I am not the one you want / I am not the one you want  / but my dear, let’s get far away from here”

Unrequited love has never sounded this great. The sheer ecstasy of this chorus is astonishing considering the rejection at play.  Every indie lad has been Simon Thomas to Carly Di Mato and here, their anthem for those hilariously tragic days resides.

Guitar licks from the escapist dreams of Gazelle and The Rifles’ are delivered with perfection on this rasping anthem.

Be There

Punch the air, punch it hard and punch it repeatedly! It’s the only way to pay homage to the crashing drums. Not since Frankie Wilde decreed “bang those drums like you’d bang your sister” have they sounded so good! Sheer destructive brilliance!

There’s an energy to the guitars here which drops you into the heart of a night out. Electricity surges through them and will send you spiralling out of control!

Tiny Dyno

Bristol’s Tiny Dyno have released their third single ‘Imperfectly Perfect’. Produced by Tom Kuras and engineered by Massive Attack collaborator Robot Club, it’s taken from their forthcoming EP.

It’s a journey of self-discovery, from low self-worth and heartache to new horizons via the most divine indie-synth pop. Along the way, Emily Gardiner forays into her past and the self-doubt it mustered:

“my head was filled with scraps of thinking you were mine / I still don’t know the truth / I never will”

Rather than take the obvious route of the gut-wrenching pain this would cause, Gardiner burrows beautifully into the uncertainty people are so often left with post-breakup. It lends an originality sub-genre of songwriting and, accompanied by the synth drive Spector pop, conjures a match made in heaven.

Tiny Dyno’s EP is due out later this year and, on this early Madonna meets La Roux effort, is one to look out for.

*Image courtesy of Becka Smith

 So Far Away

They followed this single with ‘So Far Away’. The desperation, the longing for normality, to be among what you love is laid bare with astonishing power. What begins with the sparkle of Giorgio Moroder, taps into Johnny Marr’s ability to search for meaningful progress The guitar licks are few and far between but, each pulls at the heartstrings with aplomb.

Gardiner’s vocals are begging for more attention. Effortless, accessible, and unique, she forging a heavenly path all mortals should follow. Like Marr, Tiny Dyno are not content with writing just another indie song. The injection of bombast adds an ambition and rock ‘n’ roll quest for glory that few seem comfortable with in 2021. Free from brash clichés, it adds to their integrity tenfold.

With gigs glistening on the horizon now. Tiny Dyno are a band destined to light up stages once more.

The Outcharms

The Outcharms are a four-piece hailing from Doncaster. They consist of Curtis Cooper (lead vocals/rhythm guitar), Ross Fowler (lead guitar), Matthew Barron (bass guitar), and Shay Evans-Booth (drums).

*Image courtesy of Dominic C Walsh (https://www.instagram.com/dominiccwalsh/)

Let’s take a look at what they have been up to.

To Be Young and In Love

There are two starring elements of this song. The angelic jangling guitars and the lyrics. The former saunter like the greatest daydream The La’s never had.

Meanwhile, as the sonic glistens, a conversation unfolds to revel in. One character is beset by shyness, the other, the cool carefree mate we all need to get us taking chances and living life to the full. Let the positivity at play here steer you to June 21st!

(Who’s Making You) Smile?

What begins as an homage to 00s indie-rock rapidly leaves town and searches for something new. In a similar vein to Stanleys, they poetically meander their streets looking for life and love. It is, however, their defiance that sets them apart. The restart of guitars and spoken word ignites the spark that the crashing drums and the Roses’ psyche touches send flickering to the heavens.

The Rosadocs

Sheffield four-piece The Rosadocs consist of Keelan Graney (vocals/guitar), Joe Egan (guitar), Adam Sleight (bass), Callum Raynor (drums).

They have been releasing singles since 2017, supported The Sherlocks and played the Oakwell halftime show (Barsnley FC) half time show. Some say, it’s bigger than the Superbowl show!

Let’s take a look at some of their previous singles:

Run Away Instead

Ever imagined what The View and The Enemy made into one band would sound like? Well, wonder no more. The View’s hiss and The Enemy’s heart combine on this enigmatic anthem.

Vocally, Graney takes the vulnerability of Kyle Falconer and the colossal fire of Tom Clarke and death defying tale of romance and living forever!

No.54

Their debut single spells out what life is all about:

“who cares when you’ve got your mates”

This gang mentality filters through everything they have done since and, it lends their sound a unification that will undoubtedly ignite love-fuelled riots when gigs restart.

The jangle of ‘Mardy Bum’ meets the joyous spirit of ‘House Party at Boothy’s’ for a pint with the integrity of The Enemy’s lyrics.

Although heavily indebted to the greats of the 00s, a humbleness pervades this 00s homage which makes it infectious and adorable.

Say Something

The intro to The Walkman’s ‘The Rat’ catches fire and, from the flames, rises a joyous blend of Twisted Wheel’s ‘Lucy the Castle’ and ‘You Stole the Sun’.

What sets this apart from the aforementioned is its heart. A ginormous love filled heart! This is rock ‘n’ roll for the new generation. Smarter and more socially aware than any previous, they offer a helping hand to anyone and everyone who is struggling. All the while, they never lose site escapist dreams and selling out huge gigs. No one is veer writing this band off as “lad rock”. Too pure, too caring and too great!

Afflecks Palace

Afflecks Palace are a four-piece hailing from Manchester. Named after the northern quarter, they’ve recently finished recording their debut album with John Davis (Primal Scream, & Arctic Monkeys).

Whilst we all wait on tenterhooks for the album release, we take a look at their work to date:

Forever Young

The energy of early Maccabees takes a hazy Real Estate ride on this shimmering psyche-cum-indie gem.

The combination of Foals circa ‘Total Life Forever’ with Kurt Vile’s stoner licks is as dreamy as it comes and, had breathed new life into the indie-psyche scene.

Pink Skies

Festivals will come alive to the vibrant colours of this great pop song. The vocal hooks of Blossoms align themselves with the gentle psyche of DMA’s via the bubblegum pop of ear Roses.

The sumptuous wah-wah guitars will transport minds back to great summer breaks in this period of no immediate future.

The chorus of “long summer dreams / closer than they’ve ever been” is unlike any other in recent times. Rock ‘n’ roll is often about one person’s escape but, here, they’ve, conjured the sound of friends escaping to sunnier climates. This unique heart-warming creation has enough to keep souls hopeful until the vaccines are finished.

We Can be the Avalanche

Indie and psyche combining with the most delicate of brushes to paint the most vivid of pictures. Taking the immediacy of Two Door Cinema Club to the dreamscapes of Noel Gallagher they create a modern-day take on The Byrds which is divine!

*Image courtesy of Spirit of Spike Island