Ireland and Northern England unite for an anthemic explosion of raw punk energy and outright uplifting rock rowdiness. DEAD RAZE are based in the mighty Liverpool, and their single Feeling tackles the ever familiar fear of failure that all too often stops us dead in our tracks.
Music
Progressive, haunting metal with fiercely cinematic sound play, expressive guitars, and theatrical, unsettling vocals. Insipidus capture something uniquely story like, with the immersive project Nearest Dusk.
Sometimes a track just works, a sound just gets to you, and its purpose is satisfied. As I Speak counter the intensity and weight of hard rock and grunge, with the delicacy and poetic introspection of singer-songwriter expression.
UK pop-punk is refreshing in itself, but here we get a fast-paced and catchy guitar riff at the forefront, vocals born to perform in this way, and a hugely anthemic earworm of a hook. Say Less blend nostalgia and character quite seamlessly, for the simple and infectious single Go To Hell.
Building up for a brighter and harmonised pre-chorus, the song highlights the quiet vocal nuance of Silje Steine, as we join the artist for this reflective sense of wondering about loneliness and isolation; desperately dreaming and desiring something more.
Letting creativity take the wheel, producer and artist 2heart2crash presents an 8-track album of entirely unexpected, colourful and compelling original works, for the simply named but complexly crafted 22.
Real indie reverb and riffs for days, vocals that are beautifully alluring, pairing moments of bold passion and softness throughout – Feral Family have that independent energy and confidence to gift the music scene something outstanding this year.
Reflecting on the ache of isolation or feeling like an outsider, Germany’s Tim Vicis delivers a catchy, melancholic new vibe, with the ethereal pop stylings and evocative, wave-like tune of Allein unter Vielen.
Great musical arrangements set the bar well, then we need a little depth of topic, an interesting voice, and a melody that engages and even satisfies. Borovsky puts the building blocks in place for all of this, with the unique writing, long-form expressions, ideas and personality, of A Leap In The Dark.
Vocally unique and recognisable, there’s a raw and distinct tone and character to the sound of ILIA’s voice, and this heavy metal arrangement from the band adds something completely unexpected to the existing anthemic power of Halsey’s original song.
Stunning – simple and honest music, the kind of recording that captures your attention softly and with humility, and the kind of songwriting that feels not designed to draw focus to the performer, but towards a feeling or moment, a series of thoughts; an ambience and mood.
Organic and honest songwriting, live recordings to match – a singer-songwriter authenticity that’s needed in these times. Gregor Vagner brings the melody and music to move you, with the hopeful tune, acoustic groove, and outer-layered meandering electric guitar, of Rosemary.