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.
Alt Rock
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.
A song for the people, World War Infinity reacts to the authoritarianism that threatens our freedom, and reflects upon the ongoing destruction of progress – the ruling class’s greed and thirst for power. It’s a song of despair, but it’s rooted in hope, and that positive angle is ultimately what resounds, as we roll through these hugely impassioned moments of all-together-now chorus.
It’s an exciting, dark and engaging listen, and every time those quiet moments take hold, the wait for the drop is immense, and the hook ultimately pierces through with a perfectly captured vibrancy and passion.
UK alt-rock band Dissolved Girl continue to blend the atmospheric and intense, with their fifth single release, the brilliantly complex and nostalgic Granite State.
Featuring the perfect balance of slick, distorted riffs, high energy, the roar and melody combined to create pure impact, BLOOD DRIPS leads with an hypnotic level of rising anticipation, following whispered, grunge-like vocals through tuneful verses, towards the full rock explosion of an instrumental drop.
Why this title? What connects these ideas and feelings? There’s so much to unpack, and yet at the same time, the cinematic presence and performative charm of the project lets the music simply engage with and entertain its listener. In short, Pertinax is stunning, and impressively free in its artistic and playful creativity.
Organic, live, psychedelic indie-rock sets a strong groove, while gentle vocals and complex, captivating original lyrics paint stories impressively original and genuine. New York rockers The Grasping Straws hold authenticity in high regard, with the dreamy riffs, fresh melodies, thoughtful musings and brilliantly framed ideas of Shapes.
Fellow Mancunians The Alicias carve out a refreshingly organic and energised lane, as their brand new EP What In Me Is Dark? intertwines conceptual depth with nostalgic alt-rock passion and power.
Hugely immersive rock production lets the evocative metal tones of Death is Calling set an unignorable vibe. Deflecting Ghosts bring a uniquely intentional style and sentiment to the realm, with this impactful and subtly genre-fusing original.
McKay are an act upholding the realness and talent of organic, man-made bands and songwriting, at a time when we need that more than ever. They write youthfully fearless, thoughtful and intelligent lyrics, with fresh melodies and blissfully harmonised performances, and for all of these reasons, they’re a personal favourite act from the past couple of years, and Casino is incredibly special as an original project.
Star-crossed lovers recapture their truth in a post-apocalyptic world. Empty Spaces celebrates Margarita’s fascination with fantasy and folklore, whilst delivering an original story and song that proves fearlessly artistic. The song releases in unison with the Japanese festival of the stars, Tanabata.