Twisted Wheel - Black & Blue

Manchester’s Twisted Wheel are back with their new single ‘Black & Blue’. The four piece release their third album 'Satisfying The Ritual’ (20 March 2020).

With mental health continuing to be a huge issue in the UK and, Christmas being a time of heightened anxiety for so many, Twisted Wheel’s heartfelt rock n roll could should open hearts and minds.

Lyrically, it’s their best work to date. There is no grand rock ‘n’ roll gestures here. The everyday reference points get to tragic nature of this illness. The portrayal of self-destruction, in a manner which creeps up on people gradually, is both commendable and harrowing.

When rocks bombast and life’s harsh realities combine, the expectation is a watered down ballad. Whilst Twisted Wheel have injected Soundtrack of Our Lives’ ability to be sorrowful, they have maintained their dangerous sound.

The single is available to buy here.

Gill Landry - I Love You Too

Two-time Grammy award winning singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist GILL LANDRY returns with his new single, ‘I Love You Too’. The track is taken from Landry’s upcoming fifth solo studio album Skeleton At The Banquet and is accompanied by a stunning new video.

Originally from Louisiana, Landry released 4 critically acclaimed solo albums with guests such as Laura Marling, Brandi Carlile, and Klara Söderberg (First Aid Kit). Having recorded and toured with, the best, the quality of this single comes as no surprise.

Packed full of drama like the great Nick Cave singles (which is all of them), Landry tells the tale of a man who has lost a grip on his identity. The slide guitar and Landry’s deep languid drawl paint a vast and lonely canvass.

The success of Peaky Blinders and it’s use of music has meant that, it has kind of become a genre in its own right. So much so, it’s impossible not to picture Tommy Shelby in a moment of inebriation recalling his love and pain for Grace Burgess.

‘I Love You Too’ is out now. Skeleton At The Banquet will be released 24 January 2020 via Loose on LP, CD and digitally. Pre-order the album here.

*Image courtesy of Alex Page

Nada Surf - Something I Should Do

Nada Surf recently announced their ninth studio album ‘Never Not Together’ is due for release February 7th via City Slang. To kick things off, they have released ‘Something I Should Do’.

It has been, at times, a ridiculous decade. At others, desperately worrying. The echoes of the 1930s have been sleepwalking there back into societies around the world. As the far right’s identity becomes more prominent, progressive influence has diminished.

Progressive liberalism has continuously lost votes, turned on itself, and, fragmented. As this decade closes, the New York icons have scratched away at the surface at let some much-needed light in to guide us through. Free yourself from social media, show more empathy and immerse yourself in art all seem obvious, but, via Matthew Caws’s heavenly vocals, they become gospel.

His lyrics hold much weight, not because of any Strummer-esque sloganeering, but, via their humbleness and honesty. His finger is on the pulse of what the human condition is in 2019. Wanting space to breathe but longing to belong in a social media dominated world is a different animal to anything seen in the last century. However, being kind hasn’t changed, and Caws eloquently advocates much more of it on and offline.

After 10 years of Tory divide and conquer tactics, and Trump’s acceleration into the abyss, this single, a chink of light for a more caring future is expertly timed.  They have drawn warm, embracing, and intelligent battle lines. Let heartfelt reason lead us to enlightenment once more!

*Image courtesy of Annie Dressner

Lacuna Bloome - My Girl Is A Supernova

With the commercialism of Christmas in full flight, the arrival of Lacuna Bloome’s romantic ode ‘My Girl Is A Supernova’ is perfectly timed. Released Wednesday 11th December, let their innocence and love soundtrack your festive season.

Previously, they have been concerned with re-imagining The Stone Roses for the modern-day. The last single ‘Plastic’ expertly does just that! ‘My Girl Is A Supernova’ witnesses their first real departure from their Mancunican idols. Sam’s guitars, subtler and straying into dreampop allow for Niall’s purist and his joyously romantic lyrics to truly shine before a crushing Robert Smith circa ‘Disintegration’ solo.

One thing that does remain from their love Roses is, the bass player and drummer had their moment in the sun too. Noah's drumming is the true star of this single. Devastating and life-affirming amid frontman Niall's couplets, he heightens thoughts of meeting the “one” tenfold.

Meanwhile, Molly's bass playing has taken on Mani and Simone Marie's (Primal Scream) ability to effortlessly link everything together with kick-ass hooks.

With the pop music adventure of Johnny Marr, The Cure, and Pet Shop Boys added to their arsenal, Lacuna Bloome continues to prove they are the hottest unsigned band in the UK.

*Image courtesy of @shotbybutch

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Death of Guitar Pop - Feeling Like a Right James Blunt

The time has come to cast your vote and make a real change. No, not the election (but please do vote). This Friday, Death of Guitar Pop release their Christmas single ‘Feeling Like A Right James Blunt at Christmas’. They have been killing it this past two years on the DIY scene, now, they are giving back with all proceeds going to mental health charity CALM.

Male suicide is still devastatingly high in the UK and, at Christmas time it hits a saddening peak. That said, this isn’t just some throwaway single for a good cause. This is the first Christmas classic since The Darkness’ ‘Christmas Time’ in 2003. It’s everything pop music should be, catchy, infectious and brings people together.

Lyrically, nothing will make you laugh more than this in 2019. Uncle Bet’s Lynx Africa sets and Uncle Trev’s racism are as comedic as they are melodic. As the brass soars, the backing choir-esque vocals bring home that warming feeling that, yes, we all buy into commercially but, when it comes from a humble and heartfelt place like this, it’s undeniable.

The fun doesn’t stop there though. The glorious parodies in the video of music video past are gut wrenchingly funny. Check out the video below, but, more importantly, buy it here:

https://smarturl.it/feelinglikejames?fbclid=IwAR2__P7JxQebofUzLtGphN0ImSL-5y1dBSn2mnrYeqzDAj1Pppj4Ugw4mCk

Theatre Royal - Turn From Sleep

One of Medway’s true greats, Theatre Royal, returned last week with ‘Incidental Friend’ (Vacilando 68 Recordings) the lead single from their new EP of the same name.

Today, we look at the second track from the EP ‘Turn From Sleep’. Another fine example of what should be considered mainstream. infectious heartfelt melodies shimmering in the winter sun. It’s what we all thought The La’s might have achieved had they held it together.

Combining the spritely acoustic guitars of the The Woodtentops classic ‘Good Thing’ with the shimmering warmth of The Stands’ ‘I Need You’, they once again breathe fresh life into the Medway and Paisley genres.

We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again, Theatre Royal don’t make bad songs! Be sure to check them out at the Lexington supporting their Medway brothers in arms The Claim, January 4th 2020.

DMA's - Silver

The surprise package of the decade, DMA’s return to sprinkle hope and sunshine on the dreary UK winter skylines once more. Their latest single ‘Silver’, released via Infectious Music, is the leadoff single to their upcoming third album.

No one can touch Thomas O’Dell’s right now. His soft but intensely emotive vocals cut through every ounce of election bullshit we’re fed at present. The story, an almost a modern take on Nick Hornby’s High Fidelity, looks back on a failed relationship and how they consume the male protagonist’s mind years later.

The torment within the lines ‘It’s funny that I think of you right now / Knowing all the years that turned to clouds’ is agonising. It will set minds racing to the one who got away immediately and questions of how it all slipped away will lurk painfully.

Thankfully, through the soaring closing stages, they offer a chink of light:

“How do I redefine
All my love for you
I guess I look to the sun with you
How do I realise”

Their que sera sera moment will drag you from unatoned realms to sun-drenched climates instantly.  

If there is a sweeter sound than The DMA’s, by all means, let us know, we bet you’re wrong!

Theatre Royal - Incidental Friend

One of Medway’s true greats, Theatre Royal, return today with their new single ‘Incidental Friend’. It’s the leadoff single from their upcoming 4 track EP, released 22nd November via Vacilando 68 Recordings.

It’s the first release since 2018’s spritely jangle pop double A-side release of ‘All For Forward’ and ‘Better Say Goodbye’. Jarring in comparison, as, gone are their archetypal Big Star melodies. However, the adopted slower pace serves them well. It’s a chance for front man Oliver Burgess to prove just how adorable his vocals are. Full of romance and idealism, you’ll be hard pressed not to think of your one true love has he sings ‘dreamt of the places we’d go / we walked in the untouched snow’.

The stripped back, almost bluesy affair brings to mind their Medway peers The Claim, who they will be supporting in January at the Lexington. It’s almost the perfect sonic for them. The sumptuous harmonica anchors them into their grey industrial landscapes which, in turn, allows the lyrical romanticism to escape further.

I you can’t wait for the January gig with The Claim, they will be supporting the legendary Woodentops at The Lexington 9th November.

MOSES – You Need L

London’s MOSES have returned today with their new single ‘You Need L’ via Anti-Fragile Music. Recorded at Garden Studios, they once more stepped into the recording booth with the legendary Gavin Monaghan.

If ever there was a band ready for a slot across mainstream airwaves, it was MOSES. Always scintillating and emotionally uplifting live, they have continually delivered the goods for 18 months. Now, on ‘You Need L’, they have delivered their most creatively daring single to date.

Lyrically, it’s so delicate, whilst all around them is warped psyche-punk mayhem. If ever there was a musical indictment of the times, this was it! In 2018, they put out the eye catching ‘River Thames’ and ‘Cause You Got Me’. Raucous and lovable indie-punk, nothing new, but right in a slot of high quality anthems to be loved. Here though, they’ve said “to hell with that” and made academy sized singles sound underground and deranged.  

Just as you expect a clichéd thrash of the guitars, they pivot away to pastures new. It’s more challenging and interesting than all of their previous infectious work. Prime example being the dystopian ‘oooooooohhhhhhhhhs’. It’s not as spiky as IDLES and not as Melodic as The DMA’s but, there’s a tightrope being walked here that deserves equal respect.

They round of another captivating year at the Water Rats (London) Friday 22nd November. Expect a warped frenzy of a party!

*Image courtesy of Ana Ban Ana

Gazelle - Have You Found Forever Now?

Leicester's Gazelle have been tearing through 2019 like a whirlwind. Their new single is no let-up either. 'Have You Found Forever Now?', recorded with the legendary Gavin Monaghan sees them build upon then intelligent working class lyrics and escapist rock n roll.

On their debut EP ' Young Blood', an army of influences (The Enemy, The Rifles, The Courteeners) outlined their outsider credentials. Whilst musically, 'Forever' remains in this mold, lyrically it takes Tom Clarke’s Lowry-esque depictions and Liam Fray’s emotive every-man styles to stride out beyond them both.

Musically, the rasping guitars of The Rifles and The Enemy remain in the early part: kicking and screaming their way to hearts and minds. However, the combination of Noel Gallagher's key changes, The Cure-esque solo and the raucous production of Suepergrass circa 'Life On Other Planets' breeds life into their sound.

Lyrically though, is where 'Forever' shines. Ryan Dunn has combined a Clarke and Weller sharpness with the universality of Gallagher, the wit of Damon Albarn and a huge splice of Ashcroft at his “fuck you” best.

The tension Dunn builds from images of internal hurricanes is palpable. In the mire of Brexit, the poor are being left behind, not buy Dunn! This romantic tale hits the brink (“can we turn it around”) and then fires them back into the sunset with the line “Don’t let go if you’ve found forever now”.

Britain has felt so shit, for so long, the modernised messages of ‘All You Need Is Love’ and ‘Live Forever’ will bring tears to your eyes. ‘Forever’ leaves you with the notion that nothing can stand in your way. Gazelle have hit a vein of form here that simply put, has to elevate them to big audiences, now!

Gerry Cinnamon – Sun Queen

The wait had been so long that, our thoughts turned to misapprehension regarding Gerry Cinnamon’s return. So, when ‘Sun Queen’ landed in our laps, it was with tense moment loading it up.

We needn’t have worried. Released 2 weeks ago via Little Runaway Records, the 34-year-old Glaswegian looks set to continue his miraculous journey to the hearts of these fair isles.

With pressure on to deliver, Cinnamon has delivered his most effortless pop song to date. The vocal hook of the chorus is as sumptuous as they come. The female protagonist dreaming of James Dean conjures sun kissed nostalgia that’s impossible not to fall in love with.

As with his debut, and especially his live shows, the glory of ‘Sun Queen’ lies within the heart of the man delivering it. The tag of ‘one of us’ has never been more relevant than with Cinnamon. His lyrics and melodies walk our streets. They daydream of escape, they romanticise summer and recapture teenage romances.

Welcome back Lord Protector of Britain’s soul!

Useless Cities – How To Feel

Self-professed miserabilists Useless Cities returned last month with their latest single ‘How To Feel’. Produced by Paul Tipler, (Placebo / The Horrors / Idlewild) they have taken their brand of indie to the next level.

Tom Argent has taken the destructive guitars of Shame’s debut album ‘Songs of Praise’ and given them room to breathe. This slower, more melodic approach moves away from Shame’s angst and, into a more pensive realm. Once Corneila Bent’s keys come into play, the beauty levels are significantly raised.

The duo repeat this pattern on vocal duty too. Argent has a fragility that’s sits between Tom Smith (Editors) and Ian Curtis. As he sings ‘it’s a nice dream’ about the start of a romance, you can’t help but feel he expects it to come crashing down. Then, like an angel, Bent glides in to sprinkle affection and restore the hope for this burgeoning relationship.

Be sure to check them out at Werkhaus (London) on the 14th November.

Eilis Frawley – Illusions

Berlin based percussionist Eilis Frawley (Party Fears & I Drew Blank) releases her debut single ‘Illusions’ from her forthcoming EP via Reckless Yes Records.

Bold and distinct from the off, Frawley has combined a unique blend of spoken word and the Avant Garde pop of Flying Lizzards and tUnE-yArDs. Despite the left field approach to music and production, Frawley has anchored her lyrics in the everyday.

She tackles the stresses of projecting our best selves on social media and simultaneously neglecting the nourishment of the soul. Better still, rather than offer clichés about living for the weekend, Frawley offers up a savage indictment of how over worked and pressured we are:

“One free evening and we ruin our livers to forget”

This is a rare piece of alt-pop. It’s accessible and weird simultaneously. It is absolutely ripe to freshen up BBC6 Music.

The Crooks – Nevermind

“I seem to get this feeling I just cant explain”

Chesterfield outfit The Crooks, fresh from selling out their This Feeling’s 13th birthday this past Saturday, release their new single ‘Nevermind’ on Friday.

In 1994, when Liam sang ‘you and I are gonna live forever’, the world changed. Ambition and escapism combined on Noel’s story of two best friends who ‘see things they’ll never see’. The universality of its message (plus the great melody) became all things to all people.

It was amazing time of hope and unity. Job security was a thing, pay rises could be earned. Unlike 2019! Having a job for longer than 12 months is a fucking achievement these days! Thank god, no, thank The Crooks for this single!

Despite being less personal than the heroes of Live Forever’s tale, it’s not less gallant. Defiantly drawing the line in the sand, they shall be pushed no further! Furthermore, when the guitars soar, they offer a helping hand off the canvas for everyone to stand up to the torrent of shit we’re being made to live through.  

Musically, Hurricane #1’s classic ’Step Into My World’ and Embrace’s ‘The Last Gas’ leaps of the page as this track triumphant builds. However, its within the all-inclusive clarion call where its beauty lays. As Jacko sings ‘remember things are easy, don’t get left behind’, it’s hard not to be overcome with emotion. Thoughts of friends, lovers, family will flash before your eyes on this truly defining moment for the band!

Their next gig is 2nd November, again for the brilliant folk of This Feeling, it is not to be missed!

The Raintree County - Lay In The Tall Grass

Leed’s hottest prospects The Raintree County are back with their third single ‘Lay In The Tall Grass’. With some killer This Feeling shows under their belt, can they transfer this confidence to the studio?

The previous two efforts have seen their influences laid bare. Enjoyable as they are, it’s here their own identity begins to stand up next to their heroes. The scouse rock n roll of The Real People remains but, they have a more measured approach. The sophisticated backing vocals demonstrate a band considering their every move, the results, a far more soulful sound enhancing their working class sounds.

As the closing psyche guitars swirl, the excitement of what this band could become grow steadfast. They have opened the doors for so many possibilities. Eight minute Andy Bell (Ride) guitar parts or Lee Mavers three-minute pop dittys could all emerge from this.

Despite the onset of winter, the future is blossoming for The Raintree County.

Argh Kid – Riot

Manchester’s Argh Kid has been one of the shining breakthroughs in 2019. Less than a week after they released their debut EP ‘Derelict Dreams’, he returned with the explosive single ‘Riot’.

The raw power of Public Enemy combines with the Beastie Boys outlaw instincts to provide well timed assassination of government. As the visceral production takes hold, just consider, in 2 months, an unelected leader has lost 6 votes, 2 court cases, stated no custom checks in NI, stated there will be custom checks in NI, sacked members of his party, and dithered on about Jason Donovan. What a time to be alive!

Thankfully, leadership comes in many forms. UK spoken word artist Dave Scott (aka Argh Kid) has stepped up to the plate. His distinctive Mancunian vocals adopt venom of Jason Williamson and aggro yet melodic tones of Tom Meighan circa ‘Club Foot’.

Meanwhile, all around him a bassline throbs to echo down the ages. The guttural hook is soul shaking and, as Scott decrees “don’t believe the shite”, a breed of patriotism you can be proud of emerges. Not the bloated lunch on expenses, Churchill wannabee guff of Mark Francois!

Put simply UK Hip Hop hasn’t felt this vital since the early work of Kano and Dizzee Rascal. It’s pure, its violent and it’s working class intelligence from the gut!

Café Spice – Open Door

Manchester’s Café Spice have returned with their third single ‘Open Door’ on 27th September. They have dates in London (The Old Church, Stoke Newington 30th November) and Manchester (Band on the Wall 10th December), gigs which are sure to sell out.  

‘Open Door’ is a tale of failed romance and moving on but, crucially, its delivered with rare honesty and integrity. The lyrics, from the opening line, come with a striking poignancy:

“My heart is full / My heart is heavy”

Immediately, the scenario of impending break up looms, the pit of your stomach will turn to knots!

Their previous single ‘Bn2’, showcased with aplomb, cliché is not part of their remit. There is not an ounce of triumphant closure on display. Like any aspect of life, there are no full stops. The end is clear, the pain is tangible, but the concept of “what’s next” is as freeing as it is daunting.  

Café Spice have delivered yet another outstanding single. New acts, attempting the complex, in this case trifecta harmonies, often show promise but are not fully formed. Much like First Aid Kit circa ‘The Lions Roar’, they are coming with fully formed pieces of emotive art.

The Velvet Hands – This Feeling

Fresh from supporting 2019’s all-conquering heroes Fontaines D.C. and the omnipresent Liam Gallagher, the Falmouth four-piece are back! Their new single ‘This Feeling’, is released on 27th September via Jam X Recordings.

If previous single 'Don't Be Good To Me' was a solid jab, 'This Feeling' is a massive right hook! The brazen NYC rock n roll of The Strokes collides with the Danish punks Iceage. The results, slice of pure devilment.

Despite the chaos, there are moments of pop majesty. The Howlin’ Pelle Almqvist meets Julian Casablancas back ‘n’ forth vocals recreate the Pete and Carl dynamic for a drunken night out in 2019.

Nevertheless, it’s the intensity that overshadows everything here. Pete Shelly may have left this mortal coil but, his soul lives strong and furious in the The Velvet Hands.  

There some moments of real pop majesty lurking within here. The early Libertines back n forth vocals being the cream of the crop. However, it’s the intensity of it all that overshadows everything. With the spirit and the joy of the Buzzcocks in their hearts, it’s to visualise the assault they put upon their kit in the studio.

Thousand Yard Stare – It Sparks!

When Thousand Yard Stare returned in 2015 at the 100 Club, no one could have foreseen the two fine Eps that followed. Such was their quality, most believed this was then riding off into the sunset on top.

The gigs kept coming though, and now, it’s coming full circle with another 100 Club date on October 3rd. To mark the occasion, they are releasing a new single 'It Sparks' via Stifled Aardvark Records.

Recorded at Raffer Studios in Kent (with Callum Rafftery), it continues in the vein of the Eps. Adopting new directions into their underdog spirit. The pomp and pomposity contained in the orchestral opening melts into House of Love via The Cult's guitars. It's a glorious pop music moment. 26 Seconds of vile Tory austerity disintegrates into menacing rock music.

It’s one thing to attack, it’s another to take people with you. In Stephen Barnes’ vocals, they have an instrument to do just that. They’re the musical equivalent of the Phil Kingston, the climate change protestor who sat upon a DLR train for his 83rd birthday. They carry a depth of love and selflessness you simply have to follow.

Barnes has always carried melody well but, this feels more like a performance. Throughout, he threatens a Johnny Rotten snarling violence but it never fully materialises. It’s pure drama, holing the listener in a state of excitement.

This is a notable point in TYS career. It might not be their best pop single, but it's definitely their most profound. With a new album in the offing, exciting times lay ahead.

Get Cape Wear Cape Fly! - The Unconventionals

After the triumphant return of Sam Duckwork’s moniker Get Cape Wear Cape Fly in 2018, the Southend troubadour is back with a one off single. ‘The Unconventionals’, written, recorded and put out in 24 hours is out now!

Musically, it has all the hallmarks of Get Cape's introspective pop music. The hope and critique of Billy Bragg is once more prevalent. However, sonically, this feels like a leap off moment for Duckworth. Whereas 2018 was reinvention of the hopeful Get Cape sound relevant to 2018, ‘The Unconventionals’ treads pastures[AM1]  new.

This is a single, lyrically embedded in the political mess of today. However, Duckworth’s guitars are less hopeful indie kid and more Wilco via New Orleans ray of sunshine. It’s a seed of proof that there is a way forward, the dross of Brexit will not be forever.