Nostalgic pop-punk vocals and cultural references fire up the old-school appeal and uplift of SOMETHING UR NOT’s latest surf-rock single.
Surf Rock
Dreamy surf-rock guitar sounds and raspy vocals light up a kind of summertime joy and celebration – mikey6strings unites musicianship and songwriting expertise, for the smooth and catchy Best Friends.
Soft rock to shoegaze stylings with a surfer-esque sense of joyful possibility – these are the bright and beautiful qualities that light up the otherwise contemplative but calming lyrical sentiments of Longplayer’s latest single I Saw You Turning Around.
Ukrainian artist and multi-instrumentalist Kondo wa Kondo, having relocated to America, found creative inspiration in the depths of nostalgia and missing something like home. In searching for the right word to explain these feelings, this struggle to adapt and accept such new surroundings, appeared to fit well under the Welsh word ‘Hiraeth’. The idea is a deep sense of longing for a place that no longer exists or can no longer be reached.
Largely optimistic but also mildly evocative during those resolving sentiments of no longer being together, there’s a roller-coaster effect to the progression of Blue Lagoon, dashes of grit and joy carefully alternating throughout a colourful and ultimately quite anthemic mix.
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.
Dreamy jazz-kissed pop and rock with a refreshing twist of artistic delicacy at the helm – Miami creatives Nuclear Monkey capture a likable set of grooves and reflections, with their softly uplifting new album Hello Again.
Our protagonist sings with emotional strain about loneliness and the struggle to adapt to the fast-pace of life, but meanwhile this ethereal back and forth of the chords and these light drums, the reverb-kissed guitar pouring through like waves of optimism, creates an unassuming safe space – within which these thoughts can really connect.
The opener Call Me, from the four-track EP For You, depicts a mildly gritty shoegaze tone, and presents an array of voices and melodies that draw inspiration from the likes of Redbone as much so as Hip Hop and RnB crossovers from way back when.
Drawing attention with a name that’s both emotively intriguing and mildly reminiscent of an infamous eighties movie, The Gloomies further their appeal with ease, as the intoxicating and ambient surf rock layers and ideas of Cave rain down.
Introducing a welcomed exploration of the solo realm, Campfire Sigh’s own Grant Jesse Prosser launches a complex and colourful debut album, in the form of the wonderful Temporal Autumn.
Time Machine is the kind of project that really lifts you out of your lull. Get thus collection in your headphones and start walking – just set the pace and go, keep going. See where the music takes you.