Sad aesthetics and the struggle for individuality – ‘Pale Waves’ release new track ‘New Year’s Eve’

Pale Waves are proving that their ability to create vocally aesthetic music isn’t a fluke. New track ‘New Years Eve’ has a real 80’s vibe with a synth pop chorus that captures their special essence. It has to be said though that artistically the band seem to be crawling, whilst their new release has a great sad pop vibe the melodies are very similar to previous tracks the band have put out.

Repeating similar melodies and finding it hard not to be labelled as a rip off ‘The 1975’ mini me group, this song proves that Pale Waves need to keep pushing creatively to really grasp their own unique sound. It’s certainly clear that Matt Healy has had a big influence on the band after taking them under his wing and directing the music video for their previously released track ‘Television Romance.’ Hopefully the band can keep pushing to find their own sound in order to make their mark last. The way the bands going, even though they are only taking baby steps, they have the potential to be create a music aura people can’t get enough of.

‘Francobollo’ live at The Cookie, Leicester…

Eccentric Scandinavian pop punk group ‘Francbollo’ filled Leicester based venue The Cookie with their loud individual sound. Definitely a marmite band, the male group clad in denim playsuits, certainly looked at home at the intimate venue. Sporadic guitar lines and psychedelic piano patterns clashed with thrashing drums to create a song structure that certainly stood out to me.

Consistent humour and enthusiasm helped glue the band together few a couple of technical hiccups, but to be frank a band with this much enthusiasm and pure creativity are set for great things. To describe their sound, well, some of it’s good for surfing and some of it’s good for thrashing your arms and rocking out to. But in a nutshell their sound revolves entirely around a crazy, wild joy that is just reflects the bands charisma.

It’s also mirrored in the crowd that came out to support the bizarre band, fans went way out flaunting quirky attire and swaying to their favourite tunes. The Cookie was certainly the perfect venue for the upcoming band, giving them a special sense of intimacy with the small group of loyal followers that came out to support them. They certainly gave me a taste of a sound unfamiliar to my ears, and whilst their bold sound isn’t for everyone, I think I’ve become a lover of this marmite band.

To get a flavour of their sound check out tracks ‘Call the Breeze’ ‘Wonderful’ and ‘Kinky Lola.’

 

 

Joji defines hazy, mellow groove with new track ‘will he’

Lounge influenced soul track ‘will he’ places Japanese-Australian artist Joji amongst the greatest sad boy R&B artists. It’s hard to believe listening to the mellow, hazy groove of this track, that the musician was in fact better known within the Youtube community rather than in the music industry.Born, George Miller, Joji’s track ‘will he’ fixates on an ex lovers new man, the bitter lyrics ‘will you remember the taste of my lips?’ echoing his sentiments.

Sultry drum patterns and trickling piano, entwine with a longing voice which translates jealously, mourning and self loathing into a sound that’s warm, intimate and honestly human. Evoking a slightly uncomfortable feeling, the track is one of those that will bring a specific kind of midnight deep thought spiral.

A venture into the mind of Cosmo Pyke…

Cosmo Pyke’s five track debut EP is a smooth as melting butter. An introspective venture into the mind of a Peckham teen, the five tracks kick off with sultry ‘Wish You Were Gone’ dreamy ambient synths mixed with flowing guitar riffs make this track as calm as a summers day. The song is quite honestly the highlight of the album conjuring conflicting emotions from Pyke which can be felt through the songs hard hitting lyrics.

The talent that flows through Pyke is reflected in the uniqueness of ‘Chronic Sunshine’ this track sets him apart from big names of the genre like Mac Demarco or King Krule. It sets a path for the individual sound Cosmo Pyke wants to be known for. The track’s music video  takes you on a journey across Pyke’s hometown as he cycles around the town. Cosmo guides us through a day in the life, we see his friends, and a lot of dad clothes.

With other tracks ‘After School Club’ and ‘Social Sites’ holding emotionally packed vocals which Pyke delivers in a soulful almost jazz muse. His skills as a guitarist are also undeniable! It’s interesting to know that Cosmo Pyke actually shares his guitar teacher with King Krule.

The stand out of his EP is undoubtable, track ‘Great Dane’ has a real slow jazz groove, separating it’s sound from his other tracks and really highlighting where Pyke wants to be as an artist. Swapping his bike for a skateboard, Cosmo Pyke creates the perfect aesthetic in a visually stunning music video directed by Joshua Osborne.

 

King Krule finally emerges with ‘The Ooze’

After finally emerging from a groggy haze of writers block, Archy Marshall, known by his fans as King Krule is back on the scene. The twenty three year olds album The Ooze is a journey through Marshall’s own dense odyssey of a subconscious. Fleeting ideas, personal ideas all chewed up and spit out to create a gunk of impressionistic music.

A flourish of psychedelic jazz accompanying neo soul beats, the album takes a deep dive into Marshall’s personal struggles with insomnia and depression. Enlaced with a nod to his family life and distant cities and foreign tongues the disenchantment of his lyrics makes the album human.

It’s been nearly four years since the release of Marshall’s album ‘6 Feet Under The Moon,’ his debut release as King Krule. Since then he’s become the name of Underground London making a name for himself as a talented, misfit with a voice of gravely seduction.

Garden City Movement gently blur the boundaries of gender…

The quite, purposeful power of ‘Garden City Movements’ track ‘She’s So Untouchable’ is a little surprising. The hushed vocals are propped up by an undulating guitar lead immersed in a thumping base. The dance floor primed chorus, brings a crest of their usual gregarious style. Alongside their intimately cinematic music video, the trio create a modulated masterpiece. Silently highlighting the rise of androgyny and portraying gender in it’s most raw and beautiful light. Gently blurring the boundaries of gender and sexuality in their music video adds to the intrigue and truly stunning message of this track.

Lewis Capaldi releases new track ‘Fade’

The singer who wears his heart on his sleeve is readying his debut EP, Bloom for the 20th of October. Lewis Capaldi’s EP will feature the brilliant masterpieces ‘Bruises’ and ‘Lost on You.’ His latest release ‘Fade’ lives up to his soulful style.

Piano entwined with echoing vocals make this track spine tingling, drawing you in and keeping you hooked for the whole four minute track.

Capaldi’s emotion soaked voice carries this track, with his vocal cracks just adding to the pain and rawness of the song.

The track was co-written by Capaldi and Grammy award winner Malay (Frank Ocean, Sam Smith and Zayne Malik,) who also produced the track.

The track-listing for the ‘Bloom’ EP:
1. Fade
2. Bruises
3. Mercy
4. Lost On You

‘The 1975’s’ Matt Healey in the directors chair for ‘Pale Waves’ new video…

‘Television Romance’ is everything you could of expected from dark, glittery pop sensations ‘Pale Waves.’ The second single, which they release last month has been a complete crowd pleaser. Making crowds move when they sampled the new track for fans at Leeds & Reading Festival 2017.

They’ve now released a music video for the catchy track and have enlisted no other than ‘The 1975’s’ Matt Healey to sit in the directors chair. The music video is certainly one to take you back. To your Grandma’s House!

The band are set up in a flat which looks like it belongs to a quaint little old lady, trinkets and all. Matt Healey adds a nod to his own artistic design, making one of the rooms in the video neon pink, which only some of the biggest fans have spotted.

Pale Waves are set to tour next month, conquering venues as they take their tour from Birmingham to Brighton.

‘Confidence Man’s’ floor crowds with new single ‘Better Sit Down Boy.’

Confidence Man’s are flooring crowds all over the world with their contagious new single ‘Better Sit Down Boy.’ A similar concoction to their debut single ‘Boyfriend’ both tracks have a killer beat that will get you moving. The bands music is a mix of melodies skating over one another, hyperactive rhythms and a bass line that gives their music a real kick.

The Australian four piece, only it the music scene a year ago and whilst little is known about the group personally, the bands music speaks on behalf of them. Check out their new single ‘Better Sit Down Boy’ for a taste of the bands sound…

King Krule releases track of highly anticipated album ‘The Ooze’

Get excited! King Krule has announced this week that his new album ‘The Ooze’ will be out on the 13th of October. Today he has shared new song ‘Dum Surfer,’ along with it’s surreal macabre video. In the video Marshall fronts a band of the undead in a creepy underground diner.

‘The Ooze’ will also feature recently released track ‘Czech One’ which arrived with another surreal music video. This is Marshall’s first album since 2013 release ‘6 Feet Beneath The Moon’ and 2015 release ‘A New Place to Drown’ which he released under his own name.