Featuring the additional talents of JQ Musiq, Deltra Williams, Veda, and guitarist Lee (from Vince’s band Blank Mind), The Fall Before the Flood is a modern ode to biblical implications, and it seamlessly intertwines a variety of catchy hooks, with sublime vocals, lashings of personality, and stories that compel you to tune in more closely.
Music
The music rightfully feels like a relaxing theatrical ode to a story or physical presentation, a perfectly captured image of exactly what inspired the title, and that self-awareness and consistency helps the natural dynamic and playful evolution of Jester (two pianos) connect and engage with its audience, right the way through.
Organic summer vibes and expressive vocals bring through a low-key disco-funk kind of vibe, as multi-instrumentalist Tito Strange intertwines catchy riffs and soulful performative flair, for Crutch.
Ten original tracks, seamlessly incorporating aspects of old school, Gospel, RnB, and conscious contemporary rap. Jamal G impresses with clarity, dynamic and depth, throughout the heartfelt to anthemic original album Be Kind To Kids From The Ghetto.
Explosively fast-paced operatic metal meets with electronic design, Faith, and progressive storytelling – Arcane Sage captures the sense of epic adventure implied by the name, as we dive into the complex layers and performative passion of Celestial Desire.
An old-school intricate mix from techno and trance aficionado BLAND!, DEFCON ONE is a lo-fi and modest to intense original track, blending pure energetic escapism with a slowly evolving industrial landscape of rhythmic hits and warped, playful layers of synth and exploration.
Finely mixed chillout vibes that pour through the speakers at just the right array of angles – a bass-led groove and a musical simplicity and warmth that’s quick to soothe the mood – Storied Windows pair intricate design with soulful vocals, for the beautifully catchy Amaze Me.
Ellyott setts the vibe well for this late night admiration, a sense of bright lights on the horizon, a rightful edge of the unexpected in both the style and substance of the song. We search for meaning, or signs, and as such, we ride this wave of attempting to recognise the subtle and dreamy presence of Echoes In The Night.
An old-school bassline and synth combination sets the mood for a nostalgic boom-bap anthem, as Planet Burna carves out a conscious and clever set of bars and storytelling, for the iconic indie anthem Washed.
Openly a reminder that life is largely unexpected, The Whole Story is a celebration of the messy and hilarious realities that often take us by surprise. It’s also a strong introduction to the style and songwriting of Vermin & the Beachrat – an act with a swiftly expanding repertoire.
Always worthy of good quality speakers, volume, and a few minutes to spare – Effing and Blinding return on top once again, with their latest anthemic rock and roll offering Scab.
Stunning vocals, soulful and reverb-kissed, meet with live rhythmic fragments and a three-chord keys loop, as Marta Federici captures a clear sense of evocative swagger and mood, for Io Sceglierei Solo Me.