Cascading voices, changes in tempo, stories that intrigue and bleed truth into the space – alongside moments that simply make you want to dance your troubles away. It’s a fascinating, enjoyable and rewarding album, from a band who consistently keep listeners on their toes, and whom prove both surprising and entertaining, through the talent, versatility, and depth of this album.
Rock
NYC punk, ska and metal label knifetwister records are working hard at raising the voices of indie musicians and bands across the local scene. Their devotion to talent, originality, passion and focus is unwavering, and their commitment to elevating the small but substantial names of our time is second to none.
A fresh twist of performative flair, a slick riff, and a simple ode to Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band. Ramblin’ Gamblin’ Man is a catchy nod to the indie rock style of acts like The Hives, only with a twist of something all the more old-school in that rock and roll hook.
Standing tall on a great sense of groove, carefully blending a strong acoustic riff, organic musicianship and funky rhythms – a spacious and soulful, catchy mix, with a clear sense of evocative depth at its core. Exit12 highlight the wonder and beauty of their uniquely genre-fusing and immensely impressive album Condition: Human, with the perfectly distinct, engaging and frankly euphoric Known.
Whiskey In The Jar is the band’s latest single, a creatively fresh take on the classic Irish hit from Thin Lizzy, with equally retro visual effects to further reinforce that old-school escapism. The video employs yesteryear effects and colours, as well as clips of the array of bands who’ve previously covered the iconic song in both the studio and on stage.
Sublime vocal power and fluidity guides an impassioned and skilful group of musicians, through fascinating stories and songs both complex and satisfying, for fans of anything from power metal to pop rock and cinematic, orchestral music. These arrangements and performances are stacked high with genuine talent and an unrelenting sense of shared spirit, and with work ethic and ability seamlessly combined, Alterium are well on their way to carving out an unmissable new pathway in modern power metal.
Award-winning songwriter and musician Sean Martin fronts the brilliantly unique genre-fusing indie rock act The Quarantined, delivering this summer an incredibly original story and set-up, for the passionate and powerful Skeleton Chair.
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.
Ambient old school synths and the starkly contrasted weight of rock guitar riffs and vocals. The SKB’s deliver a divine fusion of rock and roll energy and poetic modern wonder, for mildly psychedlic anthem Dust In The Light.
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.
Noting fragments of speech from the likes of Martin Luther King Jr. and JFK, Told You So is a bold and beautiful remedy for disconnection. It cries out with gritty realism and passion, on behalf of any and all who’ve felt disconnected or left behind during these trying modern times. It’s a song for the activists, the truth seekers, those who fight for justice, and it speaks volumes for those who are tired of being silenced.