This is War – Mona Lisa

Liverpool’s This Is War are embarking on a single release a month in 2022. Their 4th instalment released in April was ‘Mona Lisa’.

Like all three previous singles, their rhythm section is on point. Grooving like The Beatles circa ‘Rubber Soul’ with the fierceness of Dr. Feelgood. The beat and mod instincts infiltrate the licks and bass hooks to make this 2022’s coolest record of the year. While everything is sounding slick, frontman Paul Carden finds a soulful rage, almost despair to launch his powerhouse vocals. It takes the record from cool to vital!

It is though, the solo where the true greatness of this record resides. It’s a glorious update on the ‘Taxman’ and ‘Pretty Green’ style/ In fact, the one thing it misses are those exact reference points. It’s as though Mick Jones wanted to rewrite the guitar parts of both songs in his indomitable style. 

This Is War have, so far produced 5 fine singles. They seem to be able to turn their hand to all eras of counterculture and find a new take on them. Here’s to the next 6 singles!

The K’s – Hometown

The Earlstown quartet returned recently with their new single ‘Hometown’ to support their near sell-out tour. Formed in the wake of watching The Jam, they have been tearing it up on the underground and in support slots. Could this be their breakout moment?

Hissing with hope, ‘Hometown’ roars its way to the hearts and minds of music lovers once more. The joyous rebellion of Slade and the everyman appeal of The Courteeners lurk but, this is the sound of the band entering their pomp. They’ve been defining their identity through aggressive but caring and humble tales and, now, they’ve hit upon the most accessible single to date.

Slade’s unifying debauchery hooks up with the Phonics early tales of local boys and big-time drinkers to ignite The K’s inevitable rise to main stages. Like The Simpsons or Scorsese, they walk the tightrope of underground art and mainstream appeal with an effortless. From Breslin’s stadium-sized riffs to Boyle’s poetic fury, this band with fierce polemic looks to unite the world.

On paper, as the protagonist “empty’s all his wages / Into the pockets of the boys he hated / When he was at school”, you’d be forgiven for feeling exasperated. However, The K’s have The Rifles and The Jam’s skill of making aggression and the downtrodden sounding lovingly Goliath to the point that, you’d throw yourself into the trenches for the character to fight alongside him.

Politically, this country is bankrupt. Liars, cheats and the inept fill the top 2 seats. The apathy towards them is yet more depressing still. The K’s are not Billy Bragg. They’re not standing dialectically opposed to them. However, what their brand of rock ‘n’ roll does is, breathe life into moribund souls. They put under the skin of those who are bored and down. They’re going to escape their woes; will you follow them into the light?

*Image courtesy of Songbird PR

This Is War – Ecstasy

Liverpool’s This Is War are back again with their new single ‘Ecstasy’, which follows the Clash-inspired ‘Nightclub’ from last month. Can they keep their fine run going?

Bewitching vocals at times, drawing from Jim Morrison whilst drummer Martyn Leah smashes on through to the other side with his ferocious and apocalyptic drumming.

Through Andy Williams’ bass, a throttling sense of entrapment clouds the mind. Holding you in a state of purgatory until frontman Paul Carden and guitarist Johnny Roberts relieve the pressure. Carden turn’s on the soul power in the closing moments with nods to Tom Meighan on ‘Fire’ and Roberts’ guitars are the touch paper to something far bigger than their means.

Their last four songs have all offered something different, all something irrepressible. There is a growing sense that, their upcoming album could pull together something far-reaching but with chest-beating power.

Cleargreen – Messiah

Manchester’s Cleargreen were in the ascendency before the pandemic. They were wowing This Feeling audiences across the UK on the ‘Big In 2019 tour’. Many had attempted to blend Oasis and The Roses, they were only true successors.

Then the pandemic hit. Nothing. Not a peep. Many, us included, feared another working-class talent had fallen by the wayside due to financial pressures.

Then, from nowhere, the second coming. A fitting term for the new single ‘Messiah’ on many levels. On previous singles ‘People’ and ‘Gone’, there was a sense of hunger, a desire to grab life by the horns and make it better for themselves. It was, unequivocally exhilarating. ‘Messiah’ is a different animal.

If the Roses hadn’t been hit with a lawsuit after ‘Fools Gold’, this surely would have been their next single. Mike Wilcock embodies Reni’s flair on the drums whilst lead guitarist Josh Haworth takes the roll of Squire’s funked-up Hendrix licks. Not only does Haworth adopt this role, but he’s also achieved what mid-90s Squire couldn’t be concise. ‘Messiah’ is condensed into less than three minutes, redefining what a psychedelic single can be.

Pre-pandemic, anthems like ‘People’ and ‘Stargazed’ were littered with dazzling moments on the guitar. They were always offset by frontman Ali Staley. He had a great skill to let the audience into their genius through his everyman appeal. That spirit remains but, overriding this is a defiance and righteousness that wasn’t present before. The pandemic hit us all hard, now Staley is here to lead the fightback for the people with his newfound snarl.

For many, the last two years feel lost to a sense of nothingness. In Cleargreen’s case, it’s been totally worth it. They have come back in the mood for success but, moreover, more talented than ever!

Berries – Wall of Noise

London trio returned earlier this month with their new single ‘Wall of Noise’. Recorded and mixed by Antony Smith at Big Smith Studio it was released on the iconic Xtra Mile Recordings label.

Image and artwork courtesy of Sonic PR

‘Wall of Noise’ bravely tackles mental health issues. It poignantly portrays the nagging voices and the exhaustive cerebral fog this brings about:

“The wall of noise / Threatens to leak all the things we don't see / Distorted voice /Blink and it's gone but for now it lives on.”

Rather than just serving up platitudes to raise awareness, they have taken aim at us all who do so:

“Conversations inflate / Spread it on sure / But don't leave it here / As it may interfere / Because we wait / Patient irate / Unsociably perfectly placed”

Their pain and fury are set to a gloriously destructive set of Bugeye basslines and Cribs-esque licks and the righteousness of Liines. It continually threatens to explode, the perfect soundtrack to those who are suffering. When it does erupt, the solo takes on the angst of Sleater Kinney, the power of The Breeders with Yeah Yeah Yeah’s “fuck you” attitude.

Their debut album is expected for release this summer. Here are their live dates:

Mexican Dogs – She Cries Blues

After supporting Jamie Webster on his sold-out tour, Liverpudlian rockers Mexican Dogs are back with their new single ‘She Cries Blues’. Produced once more by Andy Fernihough, it was recorded at Liverpool’s 3rd Planet Studios.

‘She Cries Blues’ is available on the Bandcamp.

There is, seemingly a lot at play here. However, it is never confusing, only desperate for your attention which, it will inevitably grab! The soul power of Shed Seven’s great comeback ‘Room In My House’ is met with nodes of disco and truly scintillating glam rock guitars to make it an instant hit.

Frontman and lead guitarist Gary Wilcox star continues to burn bright. His guitars have the prowess of The Black keys and the rock ‘n’ roll desperation of Soundtrack of Our Lives in the early stages. It is though, in the closing stages where he unleashes a siege mentality with the gargantuan strut of The Datsuns ‘Harmonic Generator’ and vitality of 22-20s. Meanwhile, vocally, he slots in-between Marc Bolan and Peter Hays (BRMC) to produce his best work to date.

Click the image for tickets to their live dates:

Skylights – Outlaw

Artwork by Paul Evans. Courtesy of 42’s Records.

Off the back of sold-out shows in their home cities of York and Leeds, Skylights are back with their third single ‘Outlaw’. Released last Friday via 42’s Records, it was recorded (&mixed) by John Greatewood and will feature on their upcoming debut album ‘What You Are’.

The Instantaneous energy of The Clash and the dark power of The Cult roar into life. Nodes of glam rock and Happy Mondays wobble psyche-guitars lurk with intent to lift this ode to Aberdeen fans.

It’s a stark contrast to the windswept Feeder-inspired anthem ‘Darkness Falls’ and the colossal spiralling guitars of ‘Enemies’.

*Image courtesy of Mark Tighe & 42’s Records.

The evidence is stark, ‘What You Are’ is shaping up to be the underdog album of the year!

Click the image below for tickets totheir upcoming gigs:

JWP Paris – Electric Candle Light

Fresh from their Leave The Capital tour, JW Paris are back with their new single ‘Electric Candle Light’. Recorded at Buffalo Studios. It was produced by Kula Shaker cohort JB Pilon and released last Friday via Blagger Records.

‘Electric Candle Light’ is a tale of nostalgia and yearning for better days but, is musically rooted in the present wave of punk! Danny Collins’ twisted and deranged guitars look to The Kecks with hints of Shame to conjure a future of lawlessness which, oddly is incredibly appealing. The nihilistic psychedelia combines with the resounding hook akin to Sleeper’s classic ‘Inbetweener’ to make it truly irrepressible.

The Blade Runner scenery is enhanced by Collins and Forde’s vocals as they inject raw aggression into the joy of James McGovern (The Murder Capital) and add a snarling immediacy to Opus Kink’s Angus Rogers.

Intense, yes, but it’s riddled with great pop sensibilities. The soft vocals before the climactic end, the big bluesy riffs, and, the incredible synth solo all serve as a reminder of what alt-pop can be.

As powerful as PJ Harvey and as unhinged as The Fall, JW Paris will surely wow crowds on tour with The Skinner Brothers.

*Image courtesy of C24Photography

Thousand yard Stare - Measures

After the success of their comeback album ‘The Panglossian Momentum’, fans may have feared that Thousand Yard Stare had said everything they needed to. Fortunately, the hunger remains as they return with new single ‘Measures’. It’s part of a run of four singles to be released via their Bandcamp page.

The harder edges of ‘Heimlich Manoeuvre’ and ‘Action Stations’ return on this tale of principles and the struggles to maintain them. The volatile riffs are continually threatening to boil over, the perfect accompaniment as Stephen Barnes outlines the joy in taking a stance and then the tension to hold the line.

‘Measures’ has a great directness, bullish but never throttling. It’s also imbibed with the carefree spirit of ‘Version of Me’. It serves to reawaken their younger angst in the opening stanza:

“It’s the measures that you take to define you / It’s the measures when you tie up loose ends / It’s the measures that you take to align you / It’s the pleasure in the message it sends.”

As the song roars to a close, clutching the early years of the band close to the heart become more joyous with the lyrics “It doesn’t matter how you arrive here / Just be sure that you are here at the end / It doesn’t matter how you arrive here / Take pleasure in the message it sends”. Their sage advice to new generations of punks doubles up as a reassuring to the elders who may have lost their way.

Since the ‘Deep Dreaming /Stargazing’ double EP return, they have not rested on former glories. The hallmarks remain but, the sprinkling of Grandaddy synths and the ferocious wall of sound continue to push Slough band on.

Long may it continue.

Gazelle – Magic Carpet Ride

Leicester’s Gazelle have returned with a brand new single ‘Magic Carpet Ride’. Recorded at Hope Mill Recording Studios, Manchester, it was produced by Matt Cotterill and the video features the iconic Danielle Watson (Trev, This Is England).

Their last material was released back in 2019 ad it saw them on blistering form. ‘Guilt Trip Gun’ was death-defying and ‘Finger on the Trigger’ was social commentary destined for big stages. If There was a criticism, it was their lane that remained full throttle which masked their great lyrics too often.

Upon return, the bombast and relentless flow remain but, now they spliced with the glory of Spencer David Group’s ‘Keep On Running’ and the affection of The Isley Brothers. The romance of 60s Motown is put through the prism of gritty UK life and, with lysergic Johnny Marr guitar licks lurking, has found a fuller sonic which will inevitably launch them towards bigger audiences.

Gazelle head out on tour next month. Click the image for tickets:

This Is War - Nightclub

Liverpool’s This Is War returned yesterday with their new single ‘Nightclub. It follows last year’s anthems ‘Autumn Savage Rose’ and ‘Sugar’. Can it match their standard?

In a similar vein to ‘Autumn Savage Rose’, it’s in your face from the off without being particularly explosive. The riff has The Clash’s ‘Should I Stay or Should I Go’s stop-start style which, is taken for a walk on the wild side by bassist Andy Williams. His bassline takes the sexed-up disco-punk of The Slits ‘Heard It Through The Grapevine’ to the edge of Yeah Yeah Yeah’s power.

Frontman Paul Carden steps back from the bombast of the previous two singles to deliver a great Rod circa The Faces vocal for the most part. Carden moves from Rod to the beguiling psyche howl of Jim Morrison which allows for Roberts’ remarkable solo. Roberts finds a way to make Cream sound like a post-punk band.

Everything about this record screams danger. The kind tentative souls yearn for. The ilk of which, once you’re sucked in, you’re never leaving!

Niall Logue - Kestrel

The frontman of Lacuna Bloome has made his first foray into a solo project. ‘Kestrel’ was written and recorded in his bedroom with close friends Alex (also the producer) and Chris Butcher.

It must be some bedroom because this Is one hell of a polished ode to James Taylor’s ‘Carolina in My Mind’. Sumptuous but aching guitar licks of Jackson Browne guitars marry with Taylor’s classic tale of homesickness. Logue imparts less isolation and more a need to hit the reset button.

Through acoustic guitars and production, Logue manages to bring in the depth of The National. The reflective orchestration of ‘About Today’ and the catch 22 spirit of ‘Bloodbuzz Ohio’ elegantly sway as Logue’s sweet but defiant vocals gravitate towards something truly special.  

Stepping out of the shadow of Lacuna Bloome, to fans would have been a difficult prospect. Their five singles were scintillating affairs. Here, Logue has dialled back the youthful exuberance but delivered something equally sublime.

*Image courtesy of Alex Butcher

The Office For Personal Development - You Are In Control

The Bexhill massive are back with their new single ‘You Are In Control’. Led by Director Trevor Deeble, can they match their previous electronic pop triumphs?

You can buy the single on their Bandcamp page.

Deeble’s vocals take a striking resemblance to Neil Tennant. Never parody, always classy pastiche, his vocals switch from angelic to wry, to an overlord passing on millennia of wisdom to baying subjects.

As a collective, they are walking on clouds such are the levels of bliss. Out and out pop keys are met with Hot Chip beats and early 90s rave breakdowns reel in people from all walks of life. Then, exploding into life is the screeching but euphoric synths beckoning you to the promised land.

Through all the joy comes Deeble’s wise lyrics. All the hopes and dreams that spurn from bugged-out 4am conversations have been clarified in this awe-inspiring message.

Their triumphs are going from good to great with a meteoric rise.

Catch them live here:

Hastings Fat Tuesday Festival - March 1st

The Social, London - March 22nd

The Utopiates - Devolution

London’s Utopiates will release their hugely anticipated debut album later this year. Starting their party in 2022 Is a new single ‘Devolution’. To date, their remarkable output has been recorded from frontman Dan Popplewell’s bedroom. Now recording at Leeds Nave Studios with producer Andy Hawkins, they have a chance to expand what is, an already colossal sound.

The Utopiates catalogue is available from their Bandcamp page.

Clearly unphased by the step into a more professional arena, they bring their love of house music to the fore. Trippy acid house drums fall and climb alongside a ‘Cannonball’ (Breeders) bassline to lay the foundations for Ed Godshaw’s brilliantly blissful keys.

On previous material, their fine rhythm section has allowed Popplewell’s indie-soul vocals soul to soar and guitarist Josh Redding to find new ways to make John Squire the past. Here, in a Bobby Gillespie show of creativity first, they step back. Popplewell’s ability to refrain gives everything more snap and, crucially, allows for a collective spirit to prosper.

Similarly, Redding’s guitar work has been spiralling psychedelic magic from the rock gods Squire and Hendrix. Barely featuring here, he drops in with enriching hooks to kneed everything together, and then, when you think the archetypal blast is coming, he meanders in like Marr with a feather-light touch.

The Utopiates have a great sense of community as a band. Among their fans and peers, they soak it all in and are there for the ride, not the destination. This single is yet more proof of that. A delicate house number which, live, who knows where they could take it on bigger stages with better light shows. Distinctively theirs it offers avenues for collaboration on remixes. Visions of Graeme Park taken it to Hacienda heights or Jagz Kooner dragging into furious despair, it just has to happen, right?

Astrid – Through The Darkness of Your Life

Childhood friends Willie Campbell and Charlie Clark are back with new Astrid material. Written with Paul Quinn (Teenage Fanclub/Soup Dragons) and James ‘Cliffy’ Clifford (Cosmic Rough Riders), the 90s pioneers release ‘Through The Darkness of Your Life’ via No Big Deal Music.

Image & artwork courtesy of Sonic PR

Similar to the fantastic new Boo Radleys single, this targets past experiences as key learnings to moving forwards. As the hazy guitars swirl, Clark finds hope and progress through his more troubling days.

The spritely psychedelia of Alfa 9’s underrated classic ‘My Sweet Movida’ chimes with The Pretty Things classicism and the pop sensibilities of The Coral as the band proves they still have the magic. Campbell and Clark’s harmonies hark back to the warming immediacy of Pretty Things ‘Don’t Bring Me Down’.

Rather than the obligatory west coast solo for this type of record, Astrid keeps it tight with a Beatles-esque stomp. It keeps the party atmosphere of The Stands alive and is all the better for it.

ASTRID - 2022 UK TOUR DATES - Buy tickets here
February 11th ,The Voodoo Rooms, Edinburgh
February 12th Tolbooth, Stirling 
February 13th Eden Court, Inverness

The Shop Window – Lighthouse

This Image courtesy of Beth Arzy & the band.

Fresh from 2021’s acclaimed debut album ‘The State of Being Human’, Maidstone’s The Shop Window are back their new single ‘Lighthouse’. It will be digitally self-released on 4th February.

They haven’t missed a beat since their last trip to the studio. Rays of light shoot across horizons in homage to Teenage Fanclub and The Mock Turtles. Spritely licks and effortless jangles bring the warmth of C86 to 2022 on this romantic meander.

The elegant and breezy sonic is the perfect companion to songwriter Carl Mann’s discourse; his wife. This passionate ode highlights her calming and nourishing effect on his soul.

Despite the topics’ protagonist, it is Mann’s vocals (backed by Simon ‘Syd’ Oxlee) that shine brightest. He takes the ethereal beauty of Mark Gardener and the forlorn ache of Massage’s Andrew Romano to conjure something truly spellbinding.

Released a week before Valentine’s Day, Mann has made us all up our efforts for present buying now! Check back on the 4th Feb to watch

*Banner image courtesy of Darren Stokes & the band.

Live Dates
19th March - 33 Oldham St, Manchester - with Arcade State & Jay Tennant

Guerilla Toss – Cannibal Capital

New York's quintet Guerilla Toss are back with a new single ‘Cannibal Capital’. Taken from their upcoming album ‘Famously Alive’, which is released March 25th via the iconic Sub Pop.

The album is available for pre-order here https://megamart.subpop.com/products/guerilla-toss_famously-alive

A riot of cut and paste travelling through hyperspace arrives not at Alderaan but at the edge of greatness. MBV’s fuzz, MGMT’s vastness, and Passion Pit’s pop instincts combine on this glorious assault on the senses.

Singer (and lyricist) Kassie Carlson hovers above the mayhem like a psychedelic butterfly, just drifting from glitch to glitch carefree. All the while, dealing with the mental struggle of the pandemic with a grace worthy of Thom Yorke’s ‘Eraser’.

*Image courtesy of Ebru Yildiz & Sub Pop.

MOSES – Happy Birthday Payday

London’s MOSES have released their new single ‘Happy Birthday Payday’ via Space & I Records. Taken from their upcoming second album, it was recorded at Magic Garden Studios and produced by long-time partner Gavin Monaghan.

Image & artwork courtesy of Artbeat Promotions & Matei Parascan.

Right out of the gate the early rock ‘n’ roll of The Beatles is pummelled with the Stooges intensity. There’s a brashness and looseness a la Longpigs and 60ft Dolls creeping into their playing which allows frontman Victor Moses to play with his lyrical delivery more.

The rejection of a 9 to 5 life comes round for every generation. However, Victor’s sardonic take steers clear of cliché and will have Ryan Jarman and Alan Donohoe applauding from on high.

They’re in a sweet spot where they are us and we are them. Financial struggles are rife with inflation but, who really cares about the working classes in the arts? Not many! Without MOSES lyrical insights, the arts will continue to be plagued by the middle and upper classes. It’s not reverse snobbery; the struggle just has to be real.

This has the hallmarks of Blur coming of age on ‘Modern Life Is Rubbish’. This is the sound of a band in tune with its people. Does a band impart empathy better than MOSES? Probably not!

They will be on tour in February:

22 Liverpool, The Jacaranda

23 Leeds, The Vinyl Whistle

25 Bristol , The Crofters Rights

Ticket links at https://mosesofficial.com

Frank Turner – A Wave Across A Bay

Punk-folk stalwart Frank Turner is back with a new single ‘A Wave Across A Bay’. It’s taken from his upcoming ninth studio album ‘FTHC’ released on February 11th via Xtra Mile Recordings & Polydor. ‘A Wave Across A Bay’ was born out of a lucid dream that featured his dear departed friend Scott Hutchison. The single is out now and all proceeds are going to the charity Tiny Changes, a mental health organisation set up in Scott’s memory.

Check out the acoustic version here.

Frank Turner’s songwriting has always had an honest, brutal at times. Whether it be the troublesome journey with his dad (happily restored now) on ‘Father’s Day’ and ‘Redemption’ or the Amy break up songs, Turner has worn his heart on his sleeve.

Despite this, few could have expected the openness of his latest single. With the discourse so tragic, a rage-filled punk anthem would have been acceptable right? Not for Turner! Stepping away from his bread and butter to combine spoken word, angelic vocals, and ethereal production, if that’s not paying homage to his friend and Frightened Rabbit, we don’t know what is.

It would be forgivable to trot out clichés of love and loss lyrically. Turner’s creativity and furthermore, adoration for his friend have not allowed it. At times he becomes his friend, at others, he offers up a level of understanding to his plight that is a triumph of the human spirit.

The Mural was painted by Michael Corr in Glasglow with his wife and daughter who walked by wanting to help. http://www.michaelcorrartist.co.uk/

For so long, we, like thousands of others, have followed Turner into battle fists aloft. Even his gentler moments are embedded with a punk spirit that acts as a moral compass. The sonic departure from this offers a sense of reflection on love, life, and regret akin to the beauty of Thom Yorke’s writing on ‘The Bends’.

The struggles that lockdown brought upon so many are well documented. As an artist, Turner had a reason for being ripped away from him. It must have brought his own struggles. The level of generosity in his art, made at a time of personal strife, about the loss of a loved one, is a truly remarkable creative gesture.

Frank’s new album will be released on 11th February and is available for pre-order here https://store.frank-turner.com/

The Boo Radleys – Keep On With Falling

After the mesmerising comeback EP ‘A Full Syringe and Memories of You’ and ill heath anthem ‘You and Me’ in 2021, The Boo Radleys are back once again. Their new single ‘Keep On With Falling’ is the lead from their upcoming seventh album of the same name (released March 11th).

Image and artwork courtesy of Perspective Communications.

The EP and single witnessed Sice has been in a confessional and defiant mode. ‘Keep On With Falling’ continues in this vein as he seeks meaning through life’s biggest failures. On this ode to himself, he extracts the wisdom to carry on at the juncture most would fold under the weight of collapse:

“When you fall, it will follow, it will shine, it will bite,
And you'll see all the windows that have closed up on your life”

Sice’s vocals hit their angelic nineties peak without missing a beat. No more prevalent than on the delicious layers of backing vocals. So good are his pop instincts here that, Ian Brodie and will be pirouetting with glee.

Layer upon layer of pop-driven backing vocals is added building a definition of alternative bubblegum pop so good that, Lightning Seeds and The Go Go’s looking on in awe.

Not content with being a great indie jangle, the trio introduces elements of Electronic ‘s ‘Some Distant Memory’ and more notably, Nile Rodgers’ guitars. The Chic solos chime with the synths like sunshine on still water, so simple, so pure, and yet so far out of reach of most bands. Not since the Style Council has something English sounded this sun-kissed and funked up!

Form is temporary, class is permanent.

*The album is available for pre-order from the band’s website https://www.thebooradleys.com/