The Mushroom Club – Afraid
Trippy psych sounds abound on February single Afraid from Glasgow based garage rock band The Mushroom Club.
Pales – Uppercut
Uppercut comes from French alt-rockers Pales latest EP, Crush. Both the title of the EP and single are appropriate adjectives to describe the sound of the band, the crushing intensity of the guitar riffs and the layering of vocals and instruments on the single coming together in a glorious melee and rising to a knockout crescendo
Self Esteem – 69
Perhaps not one to add to your workplace playlists, as Self Esteem celebrates every sexual position imaginable but draws the line at…. You guessed it. You can call me a prude if you want but there are a few in there that I’m not sure what they mean and I’m a bit reticent to search for them… Anyway, it’s another big tune from Self Esteem from her forthcoming album A Complicated Woman, and I’m stoked to have secured my Barrowland ticket for later in the year.
FAXIN – The Rich and the Poor
A raucous punk anthem the message of which should be obvious from the songs title, and in a bizarre twist of fate seems to resonate more than ever as the least socialist Labour hi weekend ever seem to be intent on increasing the gap between the rich and poor.
The Double Diamond Club – The Best Club Singer in South Wales
I’ve already alluded to The Double Diamond Club in this months round up, comparing them with The Armoires from across the Atlantic. Helen Love’s latest project with John MOuse continues to go from strength to strength as MOuse’s character aims to hit the highs of the clubs of South Wales im his Prince of Wales check suit.
Peter Murphy – Swoon
The king of goth follows up his superb Boy George collaboration Let the Flowers Grow with this pulsating groove of a single. Swoon comes from his upcoming album Silver Shade, with another single from the album, The Artroom Wonder, released in March.
Infamous Stiffs – No Static
The return of California punks Infamous Stiffs has them on top uncompromising form, adrenaline fuelled punk riffs and a ferocious vocal all underlined with a solid rhythm section.
Tyler Bryant and the Shakedown – Bloodshot Baby
Bloodshot Baby is a fuel-injected slice of straight down the line bluesy rock n roll, what’s not to love about this?
Tyler Bryant and the Shakedown
Alba Fury – This is Why
The first time I heard this I was convinced it was Mark from Girobabies on vocals, obviously it’s not but that in itself is a positive vindication of the sound of Alba Fury, This is Why has an ominous edge to it, the tone and mix of the guitar and bass, a solid backbeat and that vocal giving it that uneasy feel.
Upturned Boats – Pelicans
Upturned Boats continue to impress with Pelicans, a lyrical message of hope when all seems bleak blends perfectly with a charmingly upbeat rhythm, I stand by my assertions that music has the ability to help heal and get people through dark times, with the lyrics to this and The Loft’s recent single both ringing true in recent weeks.
Lacuna – Shelley
In my humble opinion this is Lacuna’s best release to date, a hypnotic melody with beguiling dual vocals quickly kicks up several gears into a frenetically irresistible refrain, the intensity of the music matched by the the rising potency and vigour of the vocals. Utterly addictive stuff. And the observant among you will recognise the singles cover star from one of these pages favourite bands…
RAYGUN – Pretty Face
I had a picture in my head as I listened to some of the riffs and melodys in Pretty, and now I can’t shake it. If you were to imagine if Nirvana got together with The Police you wouldn’t be far off the mark in terms of the strange partnership imprinted on my brain, and that’s not a bad thing.