Jeanette's lyrics are fun and carefree. She paints a picture of the perfect Christmas day with a sweet intimacy that makes you feel like you're sat right there in front of the tree.
Showing posts with label Pop. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Pop. Show all posts
18 December 2016
Jeanette Lynne - It's Gonna be a Good Christmas // Advent 18
A very 'real' Christmas song for you today, sang with a smile by a songwriter we can all relate to this time of year.
Jeanette's lyrics are fun and carefree. She paints a picture of the perfect Christmas day with a sweet intimacy that makes you feel like you're sat right there in front of the tree.
Jeanette's lyrics are fun and carefree. She paints a picture of the perfect Christmas day with a sweet intimacy that makes you feel like you're sat right there in front of the tree.
4 December 2016
Def Neon - Winter // Advent 4
I don't know about you but I'm loving our independent advent so far. There are some great tracks coming through and we've still got a belter of a line-up for the rest of the month. Here's Def Neon with their track Winter.
Winter is the penultimate track from this band's debut album. A combination of synth pop, rock and bassy electronica, this super energetic record has got something for everyone. The sound is solid, it's interesting and full and this track is a great representation. Check 'em out!
Winter is the penultimate track from this band's debut album. A combination of synth pop, rock and bassy electronica, this super energetic record has got something for everyone. The sound is solid, it's interesting and full and this track is a great representation. Check 'em out!
4 July 2016
All Female Rappers - Tamara Bubble // TOTD
Songs with a solid message are always the best, and I like this a lot.
Thought the backing vocals aren't always spot on, this track is one to admire!
1 July 2016
Conveyor - What a Low Heart // track of the day
What a Low Heart is a weird and wonderful track with lots of character.
It's progression and direction is incredibly stand out, it's intricate layers bring something new and exciting to the indie table!
29 June 2016
Victory Kicks - Get Blurred // LP Review
Victory Kicks release their sixth record since 2013. This lo-fi, pop rock LP combines catchy melodies with experimental effects and samples to create a strikingly independent sound like you've never heard before.
John Sibley, the man behind the songwriting, has already proven himself with some incredible past releases, so it's no wonder this album is so spot on.
Opening with a super lo-fi yet crisp short track, the tone is set beautifully for the rest of the album. Subtle layers of noise and sounds fill out the space to create a vibrant and rich atmosphere.
Theres's some pretty happy-go-lucky pop rock vibes coming from the first half of the album with punchy riffs that swing and piano melodies that interlock with the vocal lines (particularly in the second track 'You're a Flame'. Sound effects are a great touch, adding to the charm and character of the songs. But then in this track, we suddenly cut to an even more lo-fi, bedroom acoustic sounding little snippet, which disappears as quickly as it arrived. I like this experiment, it reappears throughout the album and keeps you on your toes.
Flowing effortlessly into the next track, there are some gorgeous rustily, noisy distortion sounds to start it off. I know it's probably not normal to call that kind of thing gorgeous but seriously, stick your headphones on and just let yourself be surrounded by it. It's just ace. Oh, and there's a pigeon in there too. Sound strange? I'm telling you, it works! Anyway when it all kicks in it turns all indie rock with some really pretty riffs.
Everything in this album sounds so raw and yet so... clean somehow. It's the perfect blend between lo-fi, homegrown edginess and and well mixed, well produced togetherness. It feels very humble and independent but also 'proper' if you know what I mean.
This independency means that there's no fear of experimenting, which has led to some really interesting sounds throughout the album. With a few songs featuring little acoustic sequences tagged onto the end contrasted with some noise infused sections, it's constantly turning sharp corners and taking new directions. But it always guides us right back to the familiar sound of a really good lyrically driven song with some pretty anthemic riffs (Fake Parade comes to mind). It's pretty damn clever.
I like it. It like it a lot. It has a lot of charm.
Far Away From Here, the penultimate track of the album, clocks in at less than two minutes long. But that doesn't stop it from feeling really inspiring and uplifting. It makes me wanna go places. And you know who is going places? Victory Kicks. Because this album is a masterpiece.
John Sibley, the man behind the songwriting, has already proven himself with some incredible past releases, so it's no wonder this album is so spot on.
Opening with a super lo-fi yet crisp short track, the tone is set beautifully for the rest of the album. Subtle layers of noise and sounds fill out the space to create a vibrant and rich atmosphere.
Theres's some pretty happy-go-lucky pop rock vibes coming from the first half of the album with punchy riffs that swing and piano melodies that interlock with the vocal lines (particularly in the second track 'You're a Flame'. Sound effects are a great touch, adding to the charm and character of the songs. But then in this track, we suddenly cut to an even more lo-fi, bedroom acoustic sounding little snippet, which disappears as quickly as it arrived. I like this experiment, it reappears throughout the album and keeps you on your toes.
Flowing effortlessly into the next track, there are some gorgeous rustily, noisy distortion sounds to start it off. I know it's probably not normal to call that kind of thing gorgeous but seriously, stick your headphones on and just let yourself be surrounded by it. It's just ace. Oh, and there's a pigeon in there too. Sound strange? I'm telling you, it works! Anyway when it all kicks in it turns all indie rock with some really pretty riffs.
Everything in this album sounds so raw and yet so... clean somehow. It's the perfect blend between lo-fi, homegrown edginess and and well mixed, well produced togetherness. It feels very humble and independent but also 'proper' if you know what I mean.
This independency means that there's no fear of experimenting, which has led to some really interesting sounds throughout the album. With a few songs featuring little acoustic sequences tagged onto the end contrasted with some noise infused sections, it's constantly turning sharp corners and taking new directions. But it always guides us right back to the familiar sound of a really good lyrically driven song with some pretty anthemic riffs (Fake Parade comes to mind). It's pretty damn clever.
I like it. It like it a lot. It has a lot of charm.
Far Away From Here, the penultimate track of the album, clocks in at less than two minutes long. But that doesn't stop it from feeling really inspiring and uplifting. It makes me wanna go places. And you know who is going places? Victory Kicks. Because this album is a masterpiece.
26 June 2016
Climbing Trees - Borders // Released 8th July
Climbing Trees have been kicking up a storm in their hometown of Wales. Turning heads wherever they go, including the likes of Huw Stephens (BBC Radio 1), and now they're making quite the name for themselves worldwide too! Amy listens to their forthcoming album Borders.
This band really doesn't mess around and as the first track kicks in with an explosive opening, the warm vocals, complimentary guitar licks, interesting bass lines and groovy drum beats had me hooked on first listen. The catchy chorus feels incredibly wide in sound, inviting a full round of voices to belt "it feels like home!" I can just imagine it now: stadium concert, fans going crazy. Yeah?
So as I was listening to the first couple of tracks on this album I thought "cool, so they're a good indie band". Oh how generic and inappropriate that statement was to describe the incredible journey that this album takes you on. Bare with me and I'll explain!
The second track Lost introduces the gospel-like element in their sound. It's quite subtle, which is clever because later on in the album this is gonna become a big deal. I just love how carefully crafted this album is as a whole. While each track works well on its own, they really come together to create a well rounded experience.
Anyway back to the track. Big vocal harmonies in the lead up to the choruses build up the sound from the stripped back verses, which place emphasis on the fuzzy bass lines. And I'm always a fan of fuzzy bass lines! I like how the piano cuts through between vocal lines as and when it's needed. It's little things like this that complete a song.
Set in Stone comes straight in with a quick "bam bam!" (that's the technical term). Really nice sounding acoustic guitar fills out the space in the background and it sounds proper good - none of that plugged in acoustic crap. (I have somewhat strong feelings towards how well an acoustic guitar is recorded, so good job lads)
This band really doesn't mess around and as the first track kicks in with an explosive opening, the warm vocals, complimentary guitar licks, interesting bass lines and groovy drum beats had me hooked on first listen. The catchy chorus feels incredibly wide in sound, inviting a full round of voices to belt "it feels like home!" I can just imagine it now: stadium concert, fans going crazy. Yeah?
So as I was listening to the first couple of tracks on this album I thought "cool, so they're a good indie band". Oh how generic and inappropriate that statement was to describe the incredible journey that this album takes you on. Bare with me and I'll explain!
The second track Lost introduces the gospel-like element in their sound. It's quite subtle, which is clever because later on in the album this is gonna become a big deal. I just love how carefully crafted this album is as a whole. While each track works well on its own, they really come together to create a well rounded experience.
Anyway back to the track. Big vocal harmonies in the lead up to the choruses build up the sound from the stripped back verses, which place emphasis on the fuzzy bass lines. And I'm always a fan of fuzzy bass lines! I like how the piano cuts through between vocal lines as and when it's needed. It's little things like this that complete a song.
Set in Stone comes straight in with a quick "bam bam!" (that's the technical term). Really nice sounding acoustic guitar fills out the space in the background and it sounds proper good - none of that plugged in acoustic crap. (I have somewhat strong feelings towards how well an acoustic guitar is recorded, so good job lads)
Though lyrics sometimes find themselves straying into cliché areas (which crops up across the album) they're super singalongable, granting easy popularity. I look forward to seeing the albums reception following it's release!
But then we have got some really nice lyrical work in the chilled out song Amber, with a lovely guitar line and touching melody on the piano. "There was amber in the dusty earth" I like it. This is a particular stand out track for the album - at least for me anyway.
The next track Caesar opens with a really atmospheric drone. This is already another stand out track and it hasn't even started yet. Then when it all kicks in it gets super intense and super dramatic. This five and a half minute instrumental track features strings, awesome guitar work and earth shattering vocals from the band members. Epic. This is where the album starts to get really good.
Coda is another instrumental that speaks volumes, with beautiful interlocking melodies between the keys and guitar. I love the harmony in the voices as they build up until they start singing that single repeated vocal line that comes in towards the end: "Pick up the pieces and go". This is where that gospel element I mentioned earlier becomes a big centre focus. And I absolutely love it! Also, cool Morse Code effects, that's a nice touch.
I love voices. I love the sound they make when you get a load of passionate singers in one room to just go for it. I love the sound they make in big reverberant halls. These guys harness that in a more controlled and well produced, well crafted manor. And it sounds bloody brilliant. I also like music when people mean it, you know? And these guys mean it. I like it.
The album strips right back for Heading South with a simple combination of vocals and piano. I like the rawness, I like the understated piano playing and the fact that it's very lyrically driven. I also like the subtle strings that fill out the sound and the introduction of harmonies on stand out lines. They really complete the song. And then those big vocals that have become the signature sound for Climbing Trees come in. Drums and guitar build it right up to an epic wide sound. It gets pretty intense. Incredibly moving.
So after that crazy experience, the final track, Borders, fades in with slow drum roles and chilled guitar. As a listener, it's a well deserved relaxing moment. But then there's driving piano and a build up to a full brass and strings sound that just totally completes the album.
It's an incredible ending to a well-formed LP that really takes you places, keeps you on the edge of your seat and yet also somehow feels appropriate for simple, easy listening. These guys have done well to find the right balance here and I thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
But then we have got some really nice lyrical work in the chilled out song Amber, with a lovely guitar line and touching melody on the piano. "There was amber in the dusty earth" I like it. This is a particular stand out track for the album - at least for me anyway.
The next track Caesar opens with a really atmospheric drone. This is already another stand out track and it hasn't even started yet. Then when it all kicks in it gets super intense and super dramatic. This five and a half minute instrumental track features strings, awesome guitar work and earth shattering vocals from the band members. Epic. This is where the album starts to get really good.
Coda is another instrumental that speaks volumes, with beautiful interlocking melodies between the keys and guitar. I love the harmony in the voices as they build up until they start singing that single repeated vocal line that comes in towards the end: "Pick up the pieces and go". This is where that gospel element I mentioned earlier becomes a big centre focus. And I absolutely love it! Also, cool Morse Code effects, that's a nice touch.
I love voices. I love the sound they make when you get a load of passionate singers in one room to just go for it. I love the sound they make in big reverberant halls. These guys harness that in a more controlled and well produced, well crafted manor. And it sounds bloody brilliant. I also like music when people mean it, you know? And these guys mean it. I like it.
The album strips right back for Heading South with a simple combination of vocals and piano. I like the rawness, I like the understated piano playing and the fact that it's very lyrically driven. I also like the subtle strings that fill out the sound and the introduction of harmonies on stand out lines. They really complete the song. And then those big vocals that have become the signature sound for Climbing Trees come in. Drums and guitar build it right up to an epic wide sound. It gets pretty intense. Incredibly moving.
So after that crazy experience, the final track, Borders, fades in with slow drum roles and chilled guitar. As a listener, it's a well deserved relaxing moment. But then there's driving piano and a build up to a full brass and strings sound that just totally completes the album.
It's an incredible ending to a well-formed LP that really takes you places, keeps you on the edge of your seat and yet also somehow feels appropriate for simple, easy listening. These guys have done well to find the right balance here and I thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
18 June 2016
Adam Stafford - Taser Revelations // Album Review
Adam Stafford is an incredibly talented artist with a real ear for rhythm and melody. He builds his songs with interlocking layers and exciting tones to create a completely original sound.
Awesome stuff.
17 June 2016
Venkman - Kakorrhaphiophobia // EP review
Fancy a bit of super groovy, incredibly well produced, catchy and uplifting music? Listen to this!
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