Something initially a little dreamy, calm yet fully-loaded with subtle detail – synths, light rhythms, keys, breathy vocals. Later on we’re confronted by a boldly energising peak. Montana duo BLVDS blend poetic pop songwriting with the rising energy and escapism of electronic dance and pop-punk, for their gentle to anthemic single Two Sides.
Pop Punk
Armed with a brand new single and a full-length album in the making, genre-fusing duo Royal She kindly stopped by to talk about the roots of their sound, their journey so far, and their plans creatively for the year ahead. Here’s the conversation in full.
Bryan Braning was inspired by his wife and daughters to write the songs of Rise Phoenix. The tracks read like poems in many ways, often abstract and provocative, rather than literal and detailed or following specific scenes. There’s a depth to the wonder of each song, and the music backs that up well.
Time for something consistently enjoyable but also completely at odds with expectation or the confines of genre. coke the bear presents a series of thoughtful contemplations and catchy hooks, throughout the emotionally loaded, genre-fusing and wildly engaging new album Snow Algebra.
To counter the influx of intimate, mellow Christmas ballads this year, iconic indie punk outfit King Of Cups take a contrary stance as ever, introducing a high-octane Christmas rock song that’s both lyrically and musically at odds with the vast majority.
There’s an intriguing vagueness to some of these lyrics, especially given the quiet mix, but always we’re gifted a satisfying hook resolve – a broader statement and light melody, to leave us with a strong sense of possibility and calm than anything else. Authenticity seems to be the driving force throughout the Come Along EP, and by employing that without concern, Scott Keesler has drifted down a road that’s entirely his own.
Captivating in the way that Brand New once were, these long-form lyrical trails follow precise but alternative melodies, slowly revealing the details of these heartfelt reflections and struggles – a variation from the more common writing style of ‘this and then that’.
Something a little creatively fearless now. Edinburgh alt-metal act Revelation 23 deliver a gothic rock explosion of poetic reflections, with the heavy fuzz and lighter haunting melodies of Sacrifice.
Complex artistic sculpting akin to the days when each single was a creative ode to a story and sense of intention. Jared Hara builds up the presence and depth of The Chase brilliantly, evolving from these dreamy trip hop beginnings of quietly whispered vocal melodies, to the full-throttle pace and weight of pop punk and new metal at its peak.
Neatly-packed as ten original tracks with a fiercely anthemic opener, With Friends & Imperfections is a classic rock album at its core, but offers a fresh leading character, an often hyper sense of pace, and a series of unexpected stories.
Modern pop punk with an anthemic rock backdrop lights up a series of deeply personal songs – Tipperary’s Pat Donnelly blends the upbeat and intimate, for his powerful new album Reading You Closely.
Essentially fusing genres with fearless commitment to the artistry of its idea, Drop depicts an electro-pop softness at first, but with a clear sense of rising anticipation. On occasion, the vocal passion rises so high that it seems fit to peak as a pop-punk anthemic explosion.