Capturing a sense of both mental instability and the sheer punk-rock outcry of rebellion, Daily Grind’s hook resounds somewhere between the likes of awakening and melancholic. The chorus is heartbreakingly and painfully relatable, not least of all for those who’ve sacrificed their dreams and freedoms just to make a cheque or pay rent.
Indie Rock
Most recently, Kivo Van Twist launched the single and video for Lay Down, capturing the energy and intentions of the band quite perfectly. From surf-rock hooks and grooves to alternative sentiments and lashings of personality, the performative wonder and musicality of Kivo Van Twist is gripping, and impressively unique.
From Sea Gods to the solo life, Bolton-born musician and rock artist Jack Flint captures a moment quite beautifully, with the raspy vocals, short lines and smooth, soulful riffs of Dirty Road.
Gentle lo-fi synth notes and the quiet strum of an acoustic guitar, an intimate vocal and writing style that feels diary-like in its tentative expression and longing. Chris Pannella delivers the closing song from his EP The Four Seasons of Her, and its a sleepy to euphoric and heartbroken story of love lost and fading passion.
Good songwriting stands tall, something authentic and well-built – a strong acoustic backdrop, a lush groove and lush vocals, a sense of meaning at its core. Wyoki delivers an alternative earworm on that front, with the strangely enthralling, imperfect but beautifully addictive Hotel.
Lush and hypnotic old-school trip hop vibes bring mellow ethereal mixing alongside organic guitar riffs and softly spoken melodies. Germany’s ATOMIC FRUIT capture a sense of alternative brilliance, in my view, with the humility and dark melodic stylings of Medicine.
Visa Anxiety are perhaps unexpectedly cool, somewhat quiet and uncertain, but ultimately uplifting in their careful contrasting of tentativeness and confidence. The band are playfully honest, interesting, and creatively rooted amidst the sounds that get things moving towards the end of a long week. I look forward to hearing more.
Big indie alternative vibes light up a strong riff and groove that naturally draws you in. NYC band Why Another capture creative structuring and mood beautifully, with the highs and lows of this deeply confronting, thoughtful and intimate yet colourful new single.
Introducing a bold and scathing look at the inescapable tsunami of tech-bro tycoons controlling the culture. UK alt-rock band The Hong Kong Dollars showcase the best of their passion and unity at the helm, with the mighty and unignorable single Kings & Queens.
Raw indie energy from a drummer and performer with a somewhat art-noir approach to alternative rock. Name This EP! is every bit as uncertain, confronting and vague as its title and opening track imply, the distorted riff and chaos of Not What You Expect setting the bar accordingly, with upfront vocals and rhythmic vocal loops that are impossible to ignore.
Keeping things catchy yet fiercely creative this week, Canadian rock band Wild Goose 55 get the chemistry just right, with the old-school indie groove, low-key personality and vocals, of an ultimately euphoric and gritty Fighter.
Self-penned as the pickleball anthem you never knew you needed, Andras Jones keeps things raw-indie-rock and catchy, with the intrusively joyous earworm Dink You In The Face.