Fightmilk - Contender

London’s Fightmilk released their second album ‘Contender’ via Reckless Yes Records back in May. It followed the acclaimed punk-pop offering ‘Not With That Attitude’, could it stack up?

Images courtesy of Reckless Yes Records.

In 2020, they set tongues wagging with two astonishing singles ‘I’m Starting To Think You Don’t Even Want to go to Space’ and ‘If You Had Sister’. With Pulp’s ‘Do You Remember The First Time’ in its heart, examined those who continually make excuses for not saving the world. Witty and incisive lyrics are met with Feeder’s indie-rock immediacy on this explosive anthem! ‘If You Had Sister’ is a more sombre animal. Singer Lily Rae’s vocals ache with melancholy as toxic masculinity is explored. Lead guitarist Alex’s solo is a fine accompaniment to this troublesome anthem. The eruption of noise and fuzz exemplifies the pain and confusion of the protagonist with exemplary integrity.

To achieve classic album status, the album tracks running in tandem must also strive for greatness. ‘Banger #4’, ‘You Are Not The Universe’ and ‘Cool Cool Girl’ have said tracks. ‘Banger #4’ does exactly what it says on the tin! The guitars fizz with punk’s uniting spirit whilst Rae summons a fury to marvel at. For a generation given nothing but blamed for everything, Rae is their cultural leader. Defiant and blessed with stadium-sized punk sloganeering Frank Turner would die for:

“there’s more to life / than getting it right / you’re gonna be alright”

Their courage and belief in themselves and, furthermore, this generation, is a middle finger salute to the narrow-minded and, pick me up the downtrodden.

‘You Are Not The Universe’ is a stomping adventure to soundtrack a million coming of age stories. Ironically, they juxtapose this with a letter to a younger self to be more appreciative. Nevertheless, it remains a chest-beating, fall to the floor wild storm that demands your love. The melodic genius of Rae as she decrees “had ideas above my station / firing fury out into the dark” feels less advisory and more clarion call. Meanwhile, ‘Cool Cool Girl’, with the shimmering licks of Ash, eloquently and hilariously sarcastically, examines female bands become something they’re not:

“I’m interesting and I’m clever/ I’m always be a contender because I’m not like other girls”

It is though, in the closing stages where something truly magical occurs. Rae’s impassioned delivery showcases a raw power which, offers a blueprint to the outsiders, the underdogs, and the written-off on how to raise souls and save lives:

“I’m into wrestling / I’m clever / I’m always be bartender / because I’m not like other girls”

Among the punk anthems sits ‘Girls Don’t Want To Have Fun’. A Johnny Marr meets The Killers track to echo through eternity. Rae summons the heart of Kirsty McColl and the angelic torture of ‎Dolores O'Riordan on the reincarnation of ‘There Is A Light That Never Goes Out’. Beauty and sorrow collide in the orchestration and delicate guitar licks but, it’s Rae’s lyrics that provide the pin-drop moment:

“when we talk about dying it feels like a pipe dream”

Forget about Morrissey!

This album is nothing short of a triumph. It will bash your soul, break your heart and patch you up mentally, emotionally, and intellectually better than ever! In every sense a contender, especially for album of the year.

Lucigenic – Still Breathing

Manchester supergroup Lucigenic are back with their second single ‘Still Breathing’. Produced by legendary producer Mike Bennett (The Fall / Fat White Family / Ian Brown), ‘Still Breathing’ was engineered at Farheath Studios with Angus Wallace and features dual drumming from Dave Barbarossa (Bow Wow Wow, Republica) and Simon Wolstencroft (The Fall/Ian Brown). 

Back in February, lockdown was taking a stranglehold on the nation’s soul. Lucigenic put the powerfully ethereal single ‘Hope’. A stunning release of tension via singer Lucy Wyatt’s Mark Greaveny-esque vocals.

This time out, the pedal has hit the metal! Aggressive ‘Raw Power’ guitars are met by Wyatt’s colossal Patti Smith vocals. Reinventing the wheel is not on the menu. but is a firm reminder that the wheel can be a force more than cheap fame.

Their exasperation at social media “heroes” is never embittered, nor do they ever yearn for yesteryear like the hapless hacks of GB News. Moreover, ‘Rocks’, Cigarettes and Alcohol’ and ‘21st Century Boy’ are beefed up and renewed for a new breed of defiance and grafting cultural icon.

Wave upon wave of guitar licks thrust themselves at you like gunfire. It’s an onslaught like no other. Then, when all is lost, comes the ecstatic backing vocals to usher in Mark Refoy’s (Spiritualized/Spacemen 3) scintillating solo. With the spirit of ‘Easy Rider’ and the face-melting genius of Death Valley Girls in his heart, he has summoned the devil for a night out on the town!

This is an astonishing change of direction from ‘Hope’. One can only imagine where this supergroup is going next. What ‘Still Breathing’ proves is, it’s a must-listen destination.

Desperate Journalist – Maximum Sorrow

Last month, London’s Desperate Journalist released their fourth LP ‘Maximum Sorrow’. Released via Fierce Panda, it was self-produced and engineered by Rollo Smallcombe at Crouch End Studios.

Having made the conscious decision to not repeat the rock-pop classic ‘In Search of the Miraculous’, could they reinvent themselves without losing way?

Previous singles ‘Fault’ and ‘Personality Girlfriend’ (among others) put bass player Simon Drowner front and centre. A destructive rage permeates his playing for almost the entirety of the album. The former throbs with a disdain we’ve all felt to those who abandoned leadership in the past eighteen months. On the latter, a punky-disco stomp akin to Bugeye shakes. All the while, singer Jo Bevan’s incredible ability to carry polemic via a gripping narrative reaches new heights. The closing stages adopt Idlewild’s ‘In Remote Part / Scottish Fiction’ complex cacophony of spoken word and guitars but, with a devastating psychedelic annihilation!

It is though, on ‘Utopia’, ‘Fine In The Family’ and ‘Was It Worth It?’ where they nail their new sound. ‘Utopia’ delivers the risk and reward Wolf Alice couldn’t land on their third album. The hints of shoegaze bring about an emotional to proceedings and thus, Bevan’s ethereal vocals beckon, almost summon you into the unknown. ‘Fine in the Family’ is the polar opposite sonically. Tapping into the violence of Asylums’ ‘Napalm Bubblegum’ as Drowner’s bass yet again taps a thunderous vein of form. Meanwhile, ‘Was It Worth It?’ with perhaps a lyrical nod to The Waterboys, strides out to their sorrowful heartlands with a brutal intensity not even The Chameleons could match. The protagonist, an anguished soul lost in a city of darkness with hope dissipating becomes the perfect parable for lockdown:

“they’re all endless roads / On a dismal island”

You can buy the record on their Bandcamp page.

Just when ferocity borders on the all-consuming, they provide a momentary release on ‘Poison Pen’ and ‘Victim’. ‘Poison Pen’, with its ecstatic immediacy and venomous lyrics, creates a polemic and defiance legions would follow. ‘Victim’, a torturous tale of repression and depression is lit up by guitars that could glisten in a thunderstorm. Bevan is faultless. Angelic to punk in an instant, a vocal talent at the peak of her powers

Four albums in, the creative well shows no signs of drying up. Basslines akin to wrecking balls and vocals from the gods, they have nodded at the majesty of ‘Miraculous…’ and said an amicable farewell. An album written in lockdown had the potential to be a lacklustre album from the tour bus; insular and lacking intelligent exploration. Not here, not Desperate Journalist. Every word vitriol, torment, and bile is despatched with wit, intelligence, and charm.

*Image and artwork courtesy of Fierce Panda Records.

Shade – Test of Time

Manchester’s Shade recently returned with their new single ‘Test of Time’ (Fear Records). Produced by Gavin Monaghan, the band has been going from strength to strength featuring on Mark Radcliffe’s Live From The Edge TV show. Can they keep their rock ‘n’ roll train chugging onwards?

Images courtesy of Anthony Jones

The haunting Cult-esque opening escalates quickly into another animal. The gear change is rapid, almost jarring but scintillating. Rock ‘n’ roll should be urgent and desperate which, this acceleration provides in abundance.

On ‘Jump Into Heaven’, they took a tumultuous love affair and made it sound like a stadium anthem. With their fingernails in the dirt, they battle the relationships darkness with unbridled defiance:

“We won’t leave / Rely on one another / Forever we will climb”

There is a raw power on these last two singles akin to the fire of a ‘Acquiesce’ or ‘Motown Junk’. They strain every sinew to be heard and, via their everyman dreams and tales of clinging on, soon they will be.

It’s inevitable.

Moses – That’s Who You Are

Images courtesy of Mike Radulescu

London’s MOSES have followed their innovative single ‘Move On’ with ‘That’s Who You Are’. Produced yet again with the legendary Gavin Monaghan at Magic Garden Studios.

MOSES frontman Victor Moses has, for some time, had an ability to produce poetry that befits a punky underdog spirit. They’ve gone beyond this now. It’s triumphant, heartfelt, and full of characters and narrative thousands will line up behind to follow!

The courage of ‘Cause You Got Me’ remains but now, confidence and universality are rushing through their sound. MOSES are shackle-free and unafraid to take creative risks. From the gentle opening to the closing 70s rock riffs or the wall of sound, this is a single packed with charm and energy that daytime radio playlists cannot ignore.

As gigs reopen, we defy you not to cling to his insatiable delivery of “Wait Out / Wait Out / The Storm will be over”.

They will be going out on tour later this month:

21/08 London The Grace (14+)

03/09 Birmingham Sunflower Lounge (16+)

09/09 Brighton Prince Albert 18/09 Manchester Gullivers

25/09 Leeds Lending Room

06/11 London Ghost Road Fest

Ticket links; https://mosesofficial.com/

Mark Morriss: 229, London

Bluetones frontman returned to London last weekend to be the jewel in the crown of the Shiiine On summer party at 229. A gig with Mark Morriss is more than just a mesh of solo tracks and Bluetones classics. With a little charm and a lot of style, he’ll reel in the unbelievers, quieten the talkers and enthrall the diehard fans.

Those unaware of his solo career are reeled in with ‘Rimini’. The stripped-back acoustic version loses none of its ability to convey the loss of certainty and civility “that” vote brought in 2016. Despair has never sounded this good!

His muse has clearly been undeterred by lockdown on the new song ‘Madeline’. A darker tinged number showcased more strings to his bow. Then, on ‘Sick Again’, he exudes vibrancy and bombast that his 90s fame can only look on at in awe.

The Bluetones always had an ability to open the deepest of wounds. When Morriss strips their classics back, in this form the fervour skyrockets! The opening couplet of Bluetonic “When I am sad and weary / When all my hope is gone” will undoubtedly, transported many to the glory of 96. However, with covid still looking on from the abyss, recent traumas also flood the senses.

‘Learning To Fly’ opener ‘Talking To Clarry’ was given a glorious outing. As his vocals hit the achingly beautiful climax of “communication is blurred / I can’t understand a word”, we raised a wry smile. The Shiiine On festival has grown into a small family over the years. People from all over the UK have forged friendships at their festivals because one is never a stranger when you love the same band.

If like us, this is not enough Morriss, The Bluetones kick off the Star Shaped tour this Friday with Sleeper!

The Utopiates: 229, London

North London’s The Utopiates were second on the bill for the Shiiine On Summer Party at 229 this past Saturday. After wowing fans and critics alike with their EP ‘Anywhere But Here’, could they deliver on the big stage?

Despite technical issues, they grooved their way to the hearts and minds of the Shiiine On faithful. Former single, ‘Only Human’ lit up the room like a bush fire. Josh Redding’s guitars spiralled with such intensity alongside Dan Popplewell’s vocals to conjure, the embers are still burning bright five days on.

On ‘Antidote’, they found unity and power demands the UK’s attention, immediately. It soared above the clouds but crucially, always felt within reach. This kind of songwriting combined with this magical delivery will take them to the main stages of festivals and, thousand along to see them.

This is not a one-man band by any means but, at times Redding’s guitars drew the focus like no other of recent times. On ‘Anywhere But Here’ Popplewell’s acoustic guitar and Ed Godshaw’s keys laid the groundwork for his Squire-esque majesty.

In ‘Love Salvation’ they have set closer for life. Anthemic and euphoric, it had that mid-paced beauty that pulled a group of strangers together as one. Tripping along like Primal Scream, swaggering like Mondays, they’ve tapped into a golden age of love-seekers and found a way to make it sound fresh.

A truly astonishing performance from a band only formed in lockdown. It’s easy to see why The Pigeon Detectives have added them as support at the Forum this autumn. 

*Image courtesy of Shiiine On legend Louise Deveraux

The Shakes: 229, London

This Image provided by the band.

The Self-described “London-Liverpool Express” The Shakes opened Shiiine On’s summer party this past Saturday at London’s 229.

Openers they might have been but, they played to and owned this crowd like a band at the peak of their powers. Oozing charm and style, they grabbed this opportunity as if their life depended on it and, frankly, nothing is better than desperate rock ‘n’ roll!

In between the glorious noise and confusion was ‘I’m Your Man’. It’s a sumptuous ode with nods to Liverpool legends The Bandits. With the beauty of Zutons and The Coral and the devilment of the Buff Medways and The Libertines, they have unearthed a classic to wave the flag of good ship Albion once more.

In closing stages, they take a good set to a great set. ‘Change Isn’t’ and ‘Strange Sorry Officer’ bust open creative avenues which allow their mod instincts and love of ‘Definitely Maybe’ to collide. It’s debauched, firesome, and begging to be worshiped.

The Shakes may be in the early days but, on this showing, not for long. The confidence is irrepressible. True icons in the making!

*Banner image courtesy of Shiiine On.

Rooskin: Chinnerys, Southend

Southend’s Rooskin played their hometown venue Chinnery’s this past Friday in support of fellow local band The Waterfalls. Having been away for 19months, and with a big crowd in, could they deliver?

At times, Rooskin transcended music. Maybe it’s the long wait for gigs but, their brand of hazy love songs and sunny climates was the warming embrace Southend needed. ‘Donnie’ drifted across the coastline to thaw even the coldest souls with its infectious joy. Like all special songs, it began to take on new meaning via its lyrics:

“I’ve been looking for love / in all the wrong places / it’s been tearing me up and I’m sick of waiting”

The poor life choices and dangerous crutches society have leaned on to get through the lockdown flood to the surface. However, the effortless guitars and glory of the vocals ushered the room back to positive planes.

Upcoming single ‘Eloise’ (released 20th August), got its first airing and, did not disappoint. A sense of hope permeated the room. As they sing of the West Coast, a spirit powerfully forms and feelings that all is not lost and never give up filled hearts once again.

Rooskin’s laid-back nebulous is given an injection on set closer ‘Goldfish’. The added bombast brought about a clarity and future for all to follow them off stage with. Dreams and schemes among the young crowd were almost tangible as their licks and harmonies soared upon the horizon.

Music lovers will always discuss why certain bands don’t make it. Unlucky, the look, charisma, etc. In Rooskin’s case, there’s nothing to talk about. They look like a gang, bonded together by in-jokes, love, and desire. There’s a wit to their between-song patter that forges more love with the crowd. They have all the indefinable qualities to go with sublime alt-pop melodies. You simply cannot deny this band!

Ocean Colour Scene: Dreamland, Margate

Saturday 24th July, the first gig back, should have begun with uncontrollable excitement. It didn’t. Is this safe? Should we be here? Trust in science was the only thing the brain could summon to urge me to go.  

Strolling into Dreamland, the knots in the stomach remained. Despite a few surging to the front for Black Grape, a clear sense of trepidation prevailed.

And then.

The rush of ‘Riverboat Song’s intro surged through the veins like never before. The psychedelic blues were greeted with an overspill of love. Eighteen months of pain ebbed away into Albion’s ether as Simon’s flawless vocals echoed across the coastline and Steve’s guitars shimmered upon the sunset!

The joyous “if I walk, if I walk, if I walk” reminds everyone of what they’d missed. The collective love of a crowd joining forces with artists. A chance to belong, to hug a stranger in sheer delight once again!

‘Second Hand Car’ and ‘Get Blown Away’, at any time, can plunge the emotions to despairing depths. After everything, you could have heard a pin drop and during Craddock’s mesmerising solo on the former. ‘Get Blown Away’, sent shudders through anyone with pain lingering in their hearts. All that might have been flashed before the eyes and loss swelled in the hearts. For four minutes, tears touched checks, fists punched the air, and lyrics were sung with death-defying defiance. The human spirit alongside British rock ‘n’ roll is a fucking a triumph!

OCS, with no ego and beautiful humility, guided us back to a feeling of hope. What started out with uncertainty ended up being an adventure of our own!

The Utopiates - Anywhere But Here

North London outfit The Utopiates are back with their debut EP ‘Anywhere But Here’. To date, they have been nothing short of spectacular, can they maintain their form?

On their previous single ‘Only Human’, they delved into the past to paint their futures. This tried and tested method is on display once more. However, there’s an overriding sense of unity permeating the EP which takes it to new horizons.

You can buy the EP on their Bandcamp page.

‘Love Salvation’ is blessed with the soul of Puressence and Chris Helme’s infectious simplicity. As Dan Popplewell decrees “this trip is love”, images of Gareth Southgate’s England bringing harmony to a troubled nation flood the mind. All the while, Josh Redding’s guitars tap into the heart and psyche of Liam “Skin’ Tyson (Cast/Robert Plant) as they blast love into the sky. So effortless and hypnotic, they almost make Cast and Space Monkeys brand of joy redundant on this ‘Sympathy for the Devil’ meets the Mondays and Electronic meandering masterpiece

Title track ‘Anywhere But Here’ is heavily indebted to the grooves of ‘Wrote For Luck’ and the warped genius of Flowered Up. However, the menace in Popplewell’s vocals cut through to create a unique punk-cum-soul take on the baggy sound. Then, taking everything to higher planes are Redding’s guitars. Full of Mark Day’s debauchery and Squire’s ‘Second Coming’ and ‘Do It Yourself’ expansive magnificence, they climb towards the heavens like a guiding light.

Whilst the majesty dissipates somewhat on ‘The Getaway’, there is something truly laudable about its accessibility. The gentle hum of the Cure and shoegaze guitars and Popplewell’s dazzling Miles Kane vocals call upon all not just an indie niche. They can lure pop lovers towards something more meaningful and, reacquaint music obsessives with the pop that started their journey.

This EP "is love, it belongs to us and it’s the only thing worth living for.“

Shambolics – Dreams, Schemes, & Young Teams

Fife’s Shambolics are back with a new single, ‘Dreams, Schemes, & Young Teams’. Recorded at 7 West Studios and Eggman studios, it was produced by Chris Marshall (Gerry Cinnamon & The Dunts).

Image and artwork courtesy of Sonic PR

So free and easy it makes The View’s ‘Superstar Tradesman’ seem like ‘The Holy Bible’. The sumptuous drums demand your best Motown moves whilst the guitars take the energy of ‘There She Goes’ and jangle of Belle & Sebastien for a debauched waltz.

This is more than just great jingle-jangle guitars though. It’s a clarion call to hope! As the infectious lyrics, “we’re gonna take on the world” resounds, images of teenagers coalescing to hatch dreams. Not since The Enemy’s debut album has youthful polemic been this invigorating.

Bristling with energy, it’s a smile across a grey landscape and a nod upon a rundown town centre, things are going to be alright. Like Tom Clarke, songwriting duo Darren Forbes and Lewis Macdonald challenge the listener as much as they encourage:

“Are you chasing every one of your dreams”

If us mortals are honest, no, probably not. So, call your best friend, form a band, reform a band, lace up the boots, whatever it takes, get out there and make it happen! Fuck covid. Fuck lockdown. Fuck the Tories. No one is going to hand us the Britain we deserve. It’s time to saddle up and make it happen!

Easily Shambolics best single to date. So cinematic with its narrative. It encapsulates the release of Paul Nicholls sprinting through South Bermondsey in Nick Love’s classic ‘Goodbye Charlie Bright’. Gritty, escapist brilliance!

Andrew Cushin – Memories

Image and artwork courtesy of Sonic PR

Newcastle starlet Andrew Cushin has returned with the new single ‘Memories’. Released alongside a great merch bundle, Cushin attempts to continue his meteoric rise.

It’s not too overstated to say Cushin is the heir to Noel’s throne. His ability to conjure a sense of belonging is first-rate. Where Noel always seems to be at the limit of his vocals (great as they are), Cushin has an effortless power that surpasses his former producer.

This is Cushin’s most accomplished tune to date. His love affair with Richard Ashcroft shines bright as the acoustic guitars bristle with hope whilst Nick McCabe’s little nuggets of gilder flitter in and out of view. Together, they summon huge levels of affection and empathy on this tale of defiance.

The nod to booze and blocking out the pain is fleeting but, gut-wrenching. Cushin, in one soul powerhouse couplet, gets to the heart of the common man’s fallibility in the modern world:

 “what is a man / what can he do”

The haunting backing vocals (by Cushin) of ‘days pass me by’ ram home the lost soul looking for his place achingly but, expertly.

Cushin has skipped his apprenticeship and gone straight to masterful. The more backing he gets in the studio will surely bring bigger and better results for the songsmith. To do it all, virtually, without live interactions is not just remarkable, it’s a triumph of the human spirit!

The Crooks - I Wonder

To date, the Chesterfield outfit have been delivering huge Oasis anthems or furious psychedelia with dark working class lyrics to cut through the glory of the sonic. On the last outing ‘Frankie’, the three began to merge, so, what will the new single ‘I Wonder’ bring?

The merger has been signed, sealed, and delivered! Previously, their aching to belong kept them on the outside looking in. Although lyrically, that yearning for more remains, musically, they have entered the eye of the storm.

Generations should awake to this song and ignite their dreams once more. It races around humble streets like the Roses’ ‘She Bangs The Drums’, a sense that anything is possible every morning oozes from its pores. The psyche guitars glisten on the gloomiest of days and beckon the people to set their souls free.

Their guitar parts have always been freeing. Whether it’s the emotive power of ‘She Walks Alone’ or, the soaring Hurricane #1 licks of ‘Nevermind’, the anticipation of huge release beckons and then blows you away. Now, they have Squire’s desire to spiral and Marr’s ability to thrill.

Despite the freeing nature, they too have been trapped inside their heads of late:

“I sit and wonder of what might have been”

The fallibility of the mind, even for our heroes, laid bare for us to emphasise with but, heroes they are and a guiding light they beam down upon us:

“Free fall deeply in your mind and let in spin / break the door and join me now”

There’s much talk of Oasis’ impending Knebworth documentary at present. One of the truly great moments of working class glory. However, it doesn’t have to be the last. Oasis-mania should have bitten the dust by now! With the scintillating guitars of The Crooks and, frontman Jacko’s innate ability to evoke empathy and togetherness, rock ‘n’ roll is coming home, again!

Blab – Eton Mess

After stealing the show at Get Cape Wear Cape Fly’s Half Moon weekender, Southend’s Blab has been busy writing punk anthems for a new generation in ‘Casual Sex’ and ‘R.I.P’.  She is back once more with the new single ‘Eton Mess’ via Asylums Cool Thing Records.

Featuring the aforementioned mentor Get Cape as producer (and backing vocals), Blab has stepped up the vitriol as she laments the Tories. Sure, whatever, everyone does it, right? Not this well though!

The guitars fire out nastier and dirtier than The Libertines’ ‘Vertigo’ alongside the brutal infectious hooks of The Buzzcocks and Stiff Little Fingers. Like Pete and Carl’s writing style, there’s a lot of heart to the song. However, these are not the heady days of ‘Up The Bracket’. Racism, homophobia, and fatal incompetence are brushed aside as jokes or, if dare questioned, are ridiculed for not being patriotic enough. Blab expertly taps into the rage that far too few of us wake with every day about this government.

With disdain in her heart and a guitar on her shoulder, punk has been reawakened, reimagined and, put her in a class of her own mt lord!

*Image courtesy of Cool Thing Records.

Murderers – Tape One

Manchester’s Murderers is the nom de plume for Luke Thompson. The ex-physicist, now game developer, began his musical journey to re-recreate the live circuit he loved and missed so dearly in the past year.

Image & artwork by Sam Tygier. Courtesy of Puffer Fish PR.

No one can recreate the live scene on record. Not fully. Thompson though has relayed his cinematic majesty. ‘Save Yourself’ is destined for the said big screen. Colossal in sound and clear in purpose, Thompson defines the inciting incident has laid out the quest and now, our hero must traverse his demons both physically and mentally, ‘Save Yourself’ is the emotive art to the spine-tingling montage accompanying it. The drama he deploys is tantalising close to watching a gripping film. Does the hero make it? Does he save the day? Well, the glory pervading ‘Man Made’ suggests yes and yes.

On ‘Made Man’, things get truly mega. The human spirit has been tested beyond what most thought possible this year. Thompson relays its frailties and, in doing so, what truly makes it great. Flawed, and fatigued but never out. Hope lives on in a new Spring or child’s first steps. For ’Made Man’ it comes in the form of a man-mountain of a synthetic soul record.

Defiant and determined but wavering on the edge. Thompson stands on the edge of the world, staring into the abyss. It stared back and encroached by the second. No matter, Thompson lays out his mortality and marches forwards to say ‘so fucking what’:

 “it’s not a victory march / you will forget my name”

A resplendent trip to the 80s via the White Lies, Editors, and Spielberg’s masterpiece ‘Ready Player One’. This is as cinematic as an EP can be.

BOI – Ribidires

Welsh outfit BOI have released their latest single ‘Ribidires’. It is taken from their eagerly anticipated debut album 'Coron O Chwinc' which comes out on 25th June via Welsh label Recordiau Crwn.

Image & artwork courtesy of Beast PR

Many may be familiar with Osian Gwynedd (keys) and Rhodri Siôn (lead vocals) work with Beganifs & Big Leaves during the 90s and 00s. Cult heroes on the Welsh circuit, they supported Super Furry Animals and Catatonia alongside several studio albums.

Their latest project BOI sees them in top form. ‘Ribidires’ combines the acoustic lullabies of Badly Drawn Boy with the psyche pop Gruff Rhys’ solo career. Not content with just rehashing the aforementioned, they twist and turn the melody to conjure moments of doubt and darkness. The essence of doubt in those cute pop moments is what sets this pop song apart from most.

The psyche licks are akin to shards of technicolour lighting bolts being sent down by a Don Letts or Lammo DJ set. Heartfelt and challenging, they shower you with alt-pop you never knew you wanted. It won’t be long until BOI’s fresh sound becomes a cherished one!

The Institutes – I Just Can’t Keep Myself From Loving You

Coventry dreamers, The Institutes, release their new single ‘I Just Can’t Keep Myself From Loving You’ this Friday (11th June). Released via 42’s Records, it will be premiered tomorrow (10th) on This Feeling and then again on Lammo’s 6Music Recommends show.

Image and artwork provided by 42’s Records

Fifteen years ago, this kind of track would have trickled into view with a hazy solo. In today’s society, who has the time? Wasting no time, they dial up the love on the sumptuous guitars. So powerful is the feeling of love, it begs the question, who or what is the protagonist in love with?

A feeling this strong defies the instant serotonin release of the music and becomes a darker, possibly unrequited, or worse still, substance-related urge.

No matter the imbalance of character, musically, they omit a feeling that only DMA’s can match at present. Even the lowliest of spirits could be bogged down by its buoyancy. As singer Zappa Currie sings “take my breath away”, the otherworldly joy of Ride shimmers upon the horizon. All the while, Andy Hall’s guitars (along with Currie’s) take the infectious romance of Lucas Crowther (The Rifles) to more far-out dimensions!

Covid permitting, this tracks destiny is sundown at multiple festivals this summer! Check back Friday morning to revel in its glory.

Desperate Journalist – Fault

London's four-piece Desperate Journalist are back with their new single ‘Fault’, the lead-off track from their upcoming fourth studio album ‘Maximum Sorrow’ (out July 2nd Fierce Panda Records).

Image & Artwork courtesy of Fierce Panda

Bass player Simon Drowner has struck gold with his basslines upon return. Recorded solely in lockdown, Drowner has tapped into a caged animal mindset. Thrashing around with rage and destruction desperately seeking an avenue for the angst!

Set to the shifting chorus of “it’s no one’s fault / then it’s everyone’s fault”, the past year of miscommunication and lack of leadership bubbles up to the throat in bile form. Singer Jo Bevan, reels you in with an ethereal beauty before you have time to notice the volatility simmering below the surface. A glorious precursor to the political reckoning the majority of the UK has yet to admit It needs.

No one does relationship songwriting like Desperate Journalist. Smudged eyeliner, trampled souls, and the search for meaning are their raison d'etre. With the utmost integrity, they impart yet more life-affirming lyrics for the lost.

In 2019, they hit near perfection on ‘In Search of the Miraculous’. In 2021, they appear to have expanded their horizons and look set to go beyond!

Columbia – Where Did It All Go?

Liverpool's Columbia returned in May with their debut music video for “Where Did It All Go?'. It follows the death-defying single 'This Life' and looks set to light up stages sooner rather than later.

There's a temptation for fledgling bands to overplay their hand on a slow-building epic. For Columbia however, they've straddled a tightrope of The Verve and Oasis with an effortless that is irresistible. The optimism of the acoustic guitars and the soft Scouse vocals step out of the shadows, humbly but assured.

Before long, frontman Alex Sheppo lets his vocals growl whilst all around him rock 'n' roll ecstasy unfurls. Sheppo leads them to the promised land but, then guitarists Jay Sweeney (lead guitar), Tom Comer (rhythm guitar) transcend music altogether. The guitar licks and solos have hints of Craddock, Gallagher, and McCabe but, their spiraling brilliance owes no one nothing.

Together, Columbia have not only found their sound, but they've also found a nation's. One that needs a release from lockdown and my, haven’t they provided it!