Artistically representing the moments of departure from the comforts of home and safety, Fractured Path explores the shadows that close in around the group, the heavy weight of the Ring’s presence, and the unravelling of inner conflict.
Singles
For fans of spiritual or etheric music, SilentButSpiritual delivers a masterful fusion of mantra-like vocals and meditative music, with cinematic textures and details building up towards a modest bass and beat combination that’s profoundly hypnotic.
Erris has seen considerable success with her original songs, with many appearing in top 100 UK charts. This success, and the strength and broad appeal of her music, is largely thanks to a childhood spent studying music, and years of singing in a choir and a band. Erris has also released a book of songs and poems, and is currently working on her album, with a seasonal single planned for December, entitled Merry Christmas to You Darling.
Cardiff indie pop dup The Vanities join forces this season with award-winning songwriter Kaysha Louvain, for a sharp and sultry 80’s venture that’s as nostalgic as it is smart, and unignorably catchy.
It’s a song about hidden wisdom, loyalty, honesty, but it’s complex – not linear but meandering between various thoughts and feelings. The music and lyrics alike walk you through this hallway of introspection, and it’s catchy, uplifting, and confronting.
Indie pop with a hopeful groove and contrasting darkness on display lyrically – Cam Row delivers a gentle but impassioned and captivating pop-rock gem, with the therapeutic escapism and confrontation of Shoulderman.
Great production, ambient and soulful, hard-hitting – a crisp representation of classic dance-pop and EDM, but with something ethereal and modern to toy with at the forefront. tori bell delivers a catchy low-key anthem, with bad good.
The wonder of a poetic folk song, modern in concept, traditional but soulful in set-up. Grace Honeywell captures a feeling and a moment with seamless expression and hope, for the stunning Time Finds A Way.
Superb tone, heavy rock smoothly captured – a new metal take with a twist of grunge, indie, post-punk. Jessica (Fucking) James gifts iconic vocals, to the infectious and timeless alt-metal anthem No Such Thing.
Cross-cultural jazz-fusion with a lush piano pattern at the forefront – TC.KYLIE blends influence from Japanese acid jazz and retro-gamer tones, for the colourful instrumental piece Rebirth.
Initially appealing for its Tim Minchin-esque vocal lead, The Earthquake’s Daughter soon becomes both an earworm and an alternative indie hit that’s lyrically refreshing. Ghost Rebel Club have a likeable sound, but in this case, it’s their snappy and alluring songwriting that really sets them apart.
Stylistically, Friendship Commanders have their own thing going on entirely here. The songwriting, for me, tips its hat to the likes of Pearl Jam, for its depth and reflection, its meandering melodies – that meeting of the unpredictable and the satisfying. Again though, there’s something clearly their own about these lyrics, and the way they’re performed.