Centaur is the track, distinct as ever and continuing to strengthen the alternative rock and rap identity of an unmistakable HOLYMAMI. The song was inspired by the artists’ Sagittarius star sign, and acts as a personal ode to the symbol of the centaur. It’s an alter-ego, by all accounts, a declaration of self-expression that rings loud in everything from lyric to design to performance.
Rock
Reinventing the song that brought Miley Cyrus her very first Grammy, creative artist Svain completely reinvents the classic pop single Flowers, with this distorted and barely recognisable rock cover.
Their versatility and conviction is forever consistent, regardless of the mood or style of the music, and regardless of whether they’re taking on a political topic or something more imaginative and playful.
From intriguing verses of boldly distinct, crackling vocals and meandering bass, to the full-throttle intoxication of a soaring rock chorus, complete with equally striking guitar solo riffs, Lucious prides itself on this fierce musicality and groove united.
Troy Petty’s music always stands tall in its own right, the songs feel rooted amidst nostalgic rock but ultimately connect for their poetic contemplation and the quiet but clear passion brought to the stage. In this case, short yet effective outburst of volume and weight, distortion and change, elevate the progression and feeling of the song. And this is then contrasted by the gentler follow-up moments of melody and easy rhythm.
A personal favourite rock act from the UK scene this year – great songs, great sounds, great energy. If you get the chance to catch a live show – don’t miss out.
Devoted Welsh rockers Waterpistol are drawing in an increasing number of listeners right now. Their nostalgic style and original songwriting consistently blend laid-back vocals, catchy melodies, and infectious grooves, with structural songwriting that’s both satisfying and again links back to the psych rock era of the sixties.
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.
That’s the key these days, songwriting that balances the quirky and the commonplace, to engage and stand out all at once. It’s a simple psychedelic combination of musicality and playful, cat-like guitar sounds, but it all feeds into the beast that is Radioactive Cat. An angry celebration of sorts – one that will no doubt go down brilliantly at live shows.
The deciding factor is not always just my enjoyment of the track, sometimes it helps to note the response of others who hear it playing. My three-year-old son is not easy to please musically, but as I turned this one up loud, he ran into the room dancing, and openly declared it ‘his favourite song’. Strangely enough, it quickly became mine, too.
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.
The UK’s own Kath Moskvina, an indie-rock musician with a twist of electronic and cinematic design to her sound, stands tall on the strength of contemplative and grunge-like integrity and depth, throughout the engaging and impressively unique single Outsider.