Browsing Tag

The Verve

Leyton Thomas treaded water in the pool of pathology with the indie dream-pop etherealism in his latest single, ‘Screwcap Diet’

Posted on 7 March 2024

Leyton Thomas, with his latest single ‘Screwcap Diet‘, transcended the typical boundaries of indie dream pop. The Manchester-based solo artist skilfully merged influences from Mazzy Star to Sigur Ros, Radiohead to the Verve around his own authentically cultivated sonic signature.

The journey through the complex interplay of health, mindfulness, and the human condition stands out for its hauntingly beautiful guitar work, which weaves an ethereally melancholic narrative. The soft falsetto vocals add a layer of intimacy, making the exploration of our often-neglected appreciation for health all the more poignant. This song wrestles with the shadows of sickness, yet it’s not just about the struggle; it’s a revelation of the enlightenment found in moments of vulnerability.

Thomas’ artistic journey is marked by a fearless blending of genres, a testament to his courage and distinction as an artist. His previous work, including the hip-hop instrumental ‘I Forgot You At The Bottom of the Fridge‘, has already showcased his ability to resonate with a wide audience, amassing significant streams on Spotify. ‘Screwcap Diet’ is a continuation of this sonic exploration.

Thomas’ musical evolution is a narrative of constant reinvention. From his early days in London to his current place in the Manchester scene, his exposure to a diverse range of music has profoundly influenced his sound.

Leyton Thomas Said

“This release is – after a period of digital experimentation – a return to the melodic guitar music that I grew up with. Lyrically, it reflects a feeling that arguably every single human being experiences – that when you are ill, be it seriously ill or plagued with a common cold, everything superficial seems insignificant, and all you wish for is your health. It poses the question, who are we when we are left with just our mind and tired body?”

After being recorded in Leyton Thomas’ home studio and mixed by Will Levison, Screwcap Diet hit all major streaming platforms on February 27th.

Stream Screwcap Diet on Spotify.

Follow Leyton Thomas on Instagram.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Culture Bloom harmonised to the nines in their spectrally raw acoustic indie & alt-rock synthesis, Nightmare

Posted on 8 October 2023

‘Nightmare’ is the first synthesis of acoustic indie and alt-rock to spill from the debut EP, Aren’t You Proud?, from Denver Colorado’s most nostalgically euphonic drop-dead stunning duo, Culture Bloom.

If Placebo penned bitter-sweet symphonies in the same vein as The Verve and mainlined a little Death Cab for Cutie into that vein, the alt-90s melodiousness would hit with exactly the same force of impact as Nightmare.

The emotional weight carried within the harrowed and haunted layers of vocal harmonies as they collide with the stabbing guitar lines resonates as infinitely more than the sum of all parts, allowing Nightmare to stand as a testament to the song-crafting capacities of the duo that should be on every alt indie fan’s radar.

Stream Nightmare on Spotify and stay tuned for the EP release on October 20th.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

The UK orchestral folk duo River Knight is on melodious form in their sanctuary spilling single, Unsprung

Posted on 25 December 2022

The folk duo River Knight has been fairly quiet since their 2021 album, Grow. They are back on melodious form in their latest orchestral folk single, Unsprung, which borrows fractions of the melody to Take on Me, but with such a stunning orchestral string ensemble and hints of the Verve and 90s Britpop in the verses, who is complaining?

The earworm brings the ragged and rough timbres through the acoustic guitar strings and percussion while the smooth can be found in the gloss of the orchestral crescendos, which are as close to heaven as the impious are likely to get.

Each new progression is a brand-new opportunity to fall in love with the duo who banded together in 2017 as a form of therapy for Darren Knight after the tragic passing of his wife. Stone River was there for unwavering support and to offer the Ying to Knight’s songwriting Yang. The duo are well known on the London, Portsmouth and Southampton live circuit, but it’s only a matter of time before they take their international-level approach to indie folk rock to the status it beckons.

Unsprung officially released on December 16th. Catch it on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Modern Fools offer uniquely liberating resolve with their nuanced Indie hit “New Year”

Posted on 15 November 2020

If the state of modernity is sending you under, delve into the uniquely liberating Indie Rock hit “New Year” by Modern Fools.

While some are desperately waiting for 2020 to end as if that will be the end of our suffering, Modern Fools put an incredible spin on the naive narrative by offering absolving nihilism with lyrics such as “I don’t care what the new year brings” and “resolutions, they don’t mean shit”. That may sound depressive but letting go of any frantic desperation to see the world instantly fixed will do plenty of favours for your soul.

There’s a resounding sense of realism within the tonally sweet psych-laced feat of Indie Jangle Pop. They captured the mood, as well as the Verve, did in the 90s.

I have an infinite amount of admiration for Modern Fools and their ability to pour such mindful nuance into a track which addresses the state of our collective powerlessness.

You can check out the satirically-sweet official video to New Year by heading over to YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

GRAZE – Ven a Volar: A Viscerally Chilling Shoegaze Revival

Posted on 24 August 2020
https://graze1.bandcamp.com/track/ven-a-volar-2

Shoegaze fans who are always scouting for brand-new evolutions in the genre will find a smorgasbord of reverb-soaked authenticity in Pennsylvania-based artist GRAZE’s latest single.

Ven a Volar was released on August 11th, hit play and prepare for the cutting cold tones to tear through you. The slight vibrato on the Indie vocals gives the sonic soundscape a potently evocative sting while the complexity in the melodies will leave you utterly captivated as you try and navigate the walls of masterfully-orchestrated noise.

GRAZE may not be able to tour with this release, but I can imagine that when they can, they’ll leave the audience with chills.

You can stream or download Ven a Volar via Bandcamp, or you can check it out on YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Joey Sherman – PRETENDING: A Haunting Alt Folk Attack on Daily Monotony

Posted on 14 August 2020

If anyone’s looking for tips on how to orchestrate transfixing Alt Folk preludes, hit play on Joey Sherman’s single PRETENDING and grab a pen. From the first pensively picked notes, we were hooked.

After the ringing of an old school alarm clock which pretty much fills you with the I-don’t-want-to-go-to-work/school-dread, the raw, rugged and steady guitar notes lead you into a sombrely captivating soundscape which any fans of Bob Dylan will appreciate. It’s as haunting as it is stunning.

With the extended duration of PRETENDING, there’s plenty of room for absorbing instrumental solos which add just as much emotional depth to the single as the vocals and lyrics.

If you can relate to needing an escape, you’ll find plenty of resonance within PRETENDING which powerfully points out just how much energy is demanded of us in day to day life and how exhausting it can be.

You can check out Joey Sherman’s single PRETENDING via YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

The Escapades releases single Can’t Get Enough (Of Your Rock & Roll): Modernised Brit-Rock at it’s finest

Posted on 10 April 2020
https://soundcloud.com/user-667291691/cant-get-enough-of-your-rock-and-roll/s-pnv0v

Alternative Brit-Rock band The Escapades who’ve just released their single ’Can’t Get Enough (Of Your Rock & Roll)’ it’s noisy, it’s chaotic and one you must check out,

From the beginning to the end it’s loud and there is a lot going on, this band sure knows how to make a killer Rock hit. From the hard hits on the Cymbal, to the blaring electric guitar solos and then the raspy high-pitch vocals, so much energy and personality blasts through.

By surprise you’ll get the loud shrieks and the thunderous instrumentation, if you thought it was crazy before then you have to wait till the chorus, it’s so lively and would be such an insane piece to play live. It’s so exhilarating and really enjoyable to listen too.

The Escapades sure know how to make a rather tumultuous track and that definitely shows in this piece. We can’t wait to see what is next for them!

Check out The Escapades Can’t Get Enough (Of Your Rock & Roll) by heading over to SoundCloud, you can’t miss this one.

Review by Karley Myall

Warbly Jets release snarling anthem The Lowdown

Posted on 10 July 2017
LA’s Warbly Jets have been building buzz locally and nationally since the release of their debut single last November. In addition to being named an Artist to Watch by KCRW and earning praise from both LA Weekly and LA Record, they’ve also racked up spins on Beats1 and KROQ, caught the attention of Liam Gallagher’s Pretty Green (who used “Alive” as the official song of its SS17 line), and landed slots opening for acts like The Dandy Warhols, The Mystery Lights, and Night Beats.

Today, Warbly Jets share their second single, ” The Lowdown .” A snarling anthem meant to call out the music industry and its endless games, it’s the band’s way of saying that they’re here, and they’re here to stay. You can stream the new single where it premiered with Self-Titled Magazine or via Soundcloud .

“The Lowdown” was written last year, beginning with a backbeat and bass lick constructed by keyboardist Julien O’neill. From there, the band added guitars, vocals, and additional melodies, along with a heavy dose of confidence and a playfully brash attitude. Inspired by their own experiences with the music industry at large — specifically the empty promises of stardom and money, all while major labels go bankrupt pumping out heartless music — “The Lowdown” is Warbly Jets’ way of asserting that they got where they are on their own, and they’re not going to wait for anyone to give them the green light.

The band’s tour kicks off next week, as they head to China for their first shows outside of the US. See below for a full list of upcoming dates.

Warbly Jets on Tour :
7/14: Beijing, China @ Mao Live House
7/16: Shijiazhuang, China @ Hongtang Live House
7/19: ZhengZhou, China @ 7 Live House
7/21: Shanghai, China @ YuYinTang
7/23: HangZhou, China @ Mao Live House
7/26: Los Angeles, CA @ The Roxy Theatre
7/29: Salt Lake City, UT @ Diabolical Records
7/30: Denver, CO @ Lost Lake
8/2: Kansas City, MO @ Riot Room
8/3: Rock Island, IL @ RIBCO
8/4 – 8/5: Appleton, WI @ Mile of Music
8/6: Chicago, IL @ Schubas
8/8: Brooklyn, NY @ Baby’s All Right (Pond Magazine Presents)
8/9: Brooklyn, NY @ Baby’s All Right (Pond Magazine Presents)
8/10: Philadelphia, PA @ Kung Fu Necktie
8/11: Washington, D.C. @ DC9
8/15: Nashville, TN @ The Basement
8/19: Phoenix, AZ @ Valley Bar
8/20: San Diego, CA @ Soda Bar
9/5: London, ENG @ The Shacklewell Arms
9/12: London, ENG @ The Shacklewell Arms
9/19: London, ENG @ The Shacklewell Arms
9/25: London, ENG @ The Shacklewell Arms