Freak sets out to be declamatory and certain, with human guitars and a questing vocal performance. There’s something of Simon Le Bon’s melodic choice about the whole affair; a New Romantic sense of panache amidst the grooving to help set the 21st century alight!
Alternative
Out of the depths of artistry and human thought, out from behind the bright colours and the iPhones and the ‘neverminds’, the UK’s own musical wizard that is Dizraeli re-emerges from his creative cave.
A three piece of guitar, bass and drums comes powering out of the traps here. It’s a fizzy capture, washes of cymbals and some heavy riffing on guitar creating a robust, muscular backdrop for some vocals with attitude.
Occupying the ground between Julian Cope during his Fried period and then the snarl and belligerent punky attitude of John Lydon, the lead vocal punches hard on the track Someone You Know. It then wanders into something more wistful and lyrically more exploratory on Waste of Time. There’s an ever-present natural vibrato when the vocal is more relaxed. But melodically, the vocals are making some very deliberate dissonant choices which reek of swagger and confidence and an overall looseness to proceedings which is genuinely original in the current climate.
Someone You Know also boasts interesting rhythm and arrangement choices. ‘Your expectations are too much,’ posits the singer. But they are actually served pretty well, thanks, with some smart arrangement chops which retain the interest well. These include a wandering exploratory guitar solo part and, in particular, a proper diversion into new territory just before the track’s conclusion, when a bridge part suddenly offers a sonic treat before resolving beautifully into a meaty post-chorus riff and the song abruptly concludes.
Waste of Time is more of a workout dynamically, with some questing guitar riffs adding a mystical air to the mix and the vocal gets to explore more tones, at times coming across like Gary Numan in terms of word-chewing delivery.
‘Waves crashing over waves,’ gets repeated in an intense repeating pattern in an exciting bridge part which again makes a welcome impression just before the song’s conclusion. It’s exciting and unexpected and really delivers.
A shot in the arm lyrically and in terms of attitude and energy, Microcosm’s EP is a breath of fresh air.
ITCH are a band you’re going to want to scratch again and again. Fearlessly inventive and full of vim and vigour, musical nous and style. Go for it!
I try to show people there is always more than one perspective on the same thing. And there can be more than one feeling at stake at the same time. You can simultaneously love & hate someone, even though it’s contradictory & confuses you.
The song leads with contemporary references that help ignite a whole new era of songwriting that holds close to relationship turmoil but makes it all the more relevant to a modern audience.
Not for the faint of heart, Puke & Barf live up to their name with these visuals. Defiantly a step in a more distinctive and musically satisfying (no pun intended) direction for the creative duo.
Enter Oluse, an artist who couldn’t care less what the genre expects musically, but who rolls with the punches in his own creatively free and surprisingly captivating manner.
Lounge Act Jam return with an indie-rock-infused, grunge-soaked yet rhythmically uplifting new single – the lyrically minimalist but conceptually quick to the point When The River Flows.
Whether you were once swept away on the raw rock passion of bands like Pearl Jam or Audioslave, or you’re simply a contemporary rock fan who craves that fine balance between melody & grit – the opening moments of Seventh Sea, and indeed the rest of the track as it entrancingly pours through, make for a quickly engaging, increasingly addictive audio experience.
Manchester’s Plato are quick to impress with this distinctly emotional and creatively fascinating new song. Showcasing a touch of influence from the likes of Half Moon Run, the band drive with uniquely interesting lyrics, organic and expressive musicianship, and stunning vocals.
Everything from the narrative, to the music and vocals has been meticulously crafted to enhance the storytelling in an invigoratingly novel way. It’s a triumphant beginning and one that makes me excited for things to come.