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Mild Horses unleashed avant-garde chaos in his genre-defying electronica release, Eye of the Behemoth

Posted on 25 April 2024
Eye Of The Behemoth by Mild Horses

Mild Horses, the experimental brainchild of Matthew Leuw, previously known for his roles in various underground bands, including Norwich’s Crest and Brighton’s Coin-op, has returned with ‘Eye of the Behemoth’.

The single seizes the listener with its lo-fi synth melodies grounded on a solid backbeat, before erupting into a drum n bass rhythmic firestorm. Not merely content to rest here, it pushes the boundaries further with sharp horn stabs, marking a bold foray into avant-garde territory. As the track progresses, the intense energy momentarily retreats into more subdued, jazzy grooves that infuse the piece with psychedelic tranquillity, setting the stage for a climactic resurgence. The finale of this instrumental odyssey is a masterclass in musical composition—returning full circle with a powerful beat that perfectly encapsulates the track’s dynamic range.

‘Eye of the Behemoth’ is not just another experimental track; it is a statement of artistic integrity from Mild Horses. This single does exactly what it promises—immersing its audience in an artfully crafted storm of sound that resonates long after the last note fades. It’s an assertive piece that boldly declares Mild Horses’ niche in the eclectic landscape of contemporary music. For fans of genre-defying soundscapes, this release is an essential experience, offering both challenge and reward in its complex layers.

Stream and purchase Eye of the Behemoth ahead of its official release date of May 10th on Bandcamp.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

The Vouchers struck a raw nerve with the melodic malaise in their alt-post-punk seminal release, Dead History

Posted on 24 April 2024
OYEZ! by The Vouchers

The Vouchers’ standout single, Dead History, from their debut album OYEZ! doesn’t break the post-punk mould; it is a sublime continuation of the disorder initiated by Joy Divison, infused with the melodic malaise of Dinosaur Jr.

Driven by the creative synergy of Mark Langston, Tom Brown, and Matt Clifton, the three-piece intertwines satirical observational poetry with a distinctive North East twang, resulting in unapologetically raw, eloquently monochromatic chemistry.

Dead History captures the essence of The Vouchers’ distinct approach; the track is a sonic labyrinth where angular hooks meet the cold tonalities of an ennui-laden atmosphere, and sparse lyrics become poignant bursts of clarity. The minimalist lyricism of Dead History might initially seem understated, but every word hangs in the air of the release that ticks all the right post-punk boxes.

If you’re looking for a new indie band to get behind, you’ll need to keep the pace as The Vouchers make their inevitably rapid ascent.

Stream and purchase Dead History on Bandcamp.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Chill Hop meets RnB Dream Pop in Eth4n’s emotion-driven release, Daisy

Posted on 23 April 2024

Driven by emotion and experimental innovation, the standout single, Daisy, from Eth4n’s debut EP, Inerrata, is a hazily melodic installation of aural hypnosis that demands you submit to the catharsis from the first note.

With saturated in delay guitars giving the seminal release a vintage tape deck recording feel and the mellow electronic elements rounding out the RnB dream pop/chill hop hybrid instrumentals, Daisy unravels as an intoxicatingly artful release.

By borrowing the serene dream pop timbres of AIKA’s vocal harmonies, the bitter-sweet exploration of how affection gives us a temporary lust for life strikes all the right evocative chords, especially when Eth4n’s effect-laden pseudo-trap vocals enter the mix and inject swathes of dynamism into the vignette of tentative idiosyncratic affection.

The Australian-born, London-based experimentalist may pull inspiration from the likes of Frank Ocean and JPEGMafia, but rather than assimilating their styles, he runs with the influence into brand-new sonic territory that you’ll be compelled to join him in every time you need sanctuary.

Stream Eth4n’s Inerrata EP on Spotify now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Hyper-pop originator, KAWAII HOE, delivered hyper-surreal alchemy with their debut single, Kaleidoscope Love

Posted on 23 April 2024

KAWAII HOE’s debut single “Kaleidoscope Love” synthesises the future of hyperpop with layers of 8-bit nostalgia in a boundary-pushing production. With a backdrop that cuts across familiar trends, KAWAII HOE charted a course to untouched alt-pop territory; the sticky-sweet anthem uses a throbbing backbeat and heavy basslines to create a compelling contrast with the crystal clear, autotuned vocals that endlessly ascend into otherworldly euphony.

The single doesn’t merely add to the cacophony of generic love songs; KAWAII HOE transforms the quest for love into the epicentre of their narrative, presenting it with a purity and serenity that belies the intense musical undercurrents.

KAWAII HOE weaves together influences from icons like 100 gecs, Charli XCX, and Dorian Electra, creating a quirky and unapologetically experimental tapestry, stitched by hyper-surreal alchemy. We can’t wait to hear the next installation of ingenuity after this exceptionally promising debut.

Kaleidoscope Love was officially released on March 23rd; stream the release on all major platforms via this link.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

FCF’s U AND I is a dynamically exhilarant dancefloor catalyst

Posted on 21 April 2024

“U AND I” by FCF is a revolutionary dancefloor catalyst that ignited the sphere of alt-electronica and added intense anticipation around the producer’s upcoming LP.

The track launches with a tender progressive house pop prelude, where deep reverberating basslines and soulfully intoxicating vocal lines set the stage for the impending infectious aural oblivion to come. As the mix escalates, it transitions into a hypersonic entrancing hit that promises not just to bring listeners to the brink of euphoria but to climax with them through an exhilarating fusion of psytrance electronic layers and Spanish guitars. But don’t think the peak is reached here; before long, FCF introduces adrenalizing rap bars that evoke raw tribal energy, seamlessly interwoven with reprising female vocal harmonies. This blend is not just innovative; it’s evolutionary; while some artists are content with constructing floor fillers, FCF went one step further by dropping a track that could start a riot on even the most subdued dancefloor.

FCF, hailing from Lisbon and inspired by artists like Rosália and Travis Scott, has a proven track record of breaking boundaries in electronic music. His eclectic influence—ranging from techno and house to hip-hop and reggaeton—allows him to craft tracks that challenge the conventional frameworks of music production.

“U AND I” exemplifies FCF’s unparalleled ability to fuse fire, fervour, soul, and rhythmic magnetism into a coherent whole that resonates across diverse audiences.

U AND I was officially released on March 2nd; stream the single on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Ellie Irwin explored the agony of unmet expectations in her timeless folk single, Pill That Won’t Go Down

Posted on 20 April 2024

“Pill That Won’t Go Down” by Ellie Irwin is a heart-wrenching exposition of coming to terms with a breakup where it was impossible to meet expectations. The single explores the intersections between contemporary folk and the styles of Joni Mitchell and James Taylor while winding in elements of alt-country through the acoustic guitar strings.

This track doesn’t just strike a chord; it is enough to reshape your idea of contemporary relationships, where we’re as disposable as everything else in our throwaway economy, where novelty trumps loyalty, regardless of the memories you throw away, the scars you carve into souls, and the distrust you leave in the minds of people you allowed into your world only to show them the door out of it.

Ellie Irwin’s vocal performance efficaciously encapsulates the aura of melancholy without the emotions overbearing the delicately balanced performance that will stay with you long after the final lyrical reprise of ‘the pill that won’t go down’. For anyone who has been there before, Ellie offers not just solace but a cathartic release, her music acting as a mirror to the soul’s more sombre realities.

For fans of innovative, thought-provoking folk, Ellie Irwin offers a profound exploration of heartache and the human condition. Her music serves as a critical commentary on the disposable nature of modern relationships, delivered through a blend of singer-songwriter finesse that echoes the timeless classics, yet with a twist of rawness and originality.

Pill That Won’t Go Down was officially released on April 12th; stream the single on Spotify and Apple Music.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Drum n Bass entered into a new evocative era with Joy Doc’s All of Me

Posted on 19 April 2024
https://soundcloud.com/joydocdnb/joy-doc-all-of-me-master/s-UmM63gn67rf?si=a4dd89fb1def497ca20fc0ff28693304&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing

Joy Doc’s latest single, ‘All of Me‘, is a compelling showcase of her multifaceted talent as a drum and bass producer, vocalist, songwriter, DJ, and pianist. Hailing from London, Joy Doc has been carving a niche in the UK’s electronica scene, and this track is an undeniable testament to her superlative prowess.

The track commences with an ornate orchestral introduction, setting an evocative stage for what’s to come. As Joy Doc’s vocals enter, “Oh Lorde,” will be the first thing on your mind due to the striking resemblance and depth in her voice. These vocals, layered over the sound of hammered piano keys, create a hauntingly beautiful atmosphere, where you can contemplate the self-sacrifice of giving someone your whole essence only to transform into a shell of who you were before you surrendered yourself completely and knelt at the feet of romantic mercy.  The lyrics poignantly explore the transformation of self when consumed by love, painting a vivid picture of becoming a secondary character in one’s own love story.

The production, handled by Joy Doc herself, is flawlessly and meticulously crafted, ensuring that the listener is drawn in and remains captivated until the outro and then some; the crescendos of drum & bass momentum are tensile, perfectly timed to elevate the track’s emotional intensity.

Mixed and mastered by Jose De Mara, ‘All of Me’ is a declaration of Joy Doc’s potential to dominate the electronica landscape. Her previous accolades, including her debut E.P ‘Sunshine‘ and the recognition of her track ‘Been Here Before‘, are just the beginning.

All of Me will hit the airwaves on April 19th; stream the single on SoundCloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Stephen Waterhouse brought Broadway to the Airwaves with ‘Feeling Inside’

Posted on 15 April 2024

With hints of Bo Burnham’s INSIDE LP and serendipitously infectious lyricism, the debut intrinsically self-aware single, Feeling Inside, from Stephen Waterhouse is a testament to his cultivated songwriting stripes.

The balance of Lo-Fi bedroom pop intimacy and ornate orchestral elements allows the piano-driven single to unravel as an intensely distinctive musical theatre-adjacent triumph. Vulnerable enough to read as a diary entry, and striking enough to bring a touch of Broadway flair to the airwaves, the single is a revelation that leads to rapture when the orchestral crescendos swell in the soundscape and spill over into your soul.

Stephen Waterhouse’s vocals open a mesmerising juxtaposition within the production; rather than attempting to assimilate, he runs through with his earnestly sincere quasi-spoken word delivery which harmonises as the release builds in momentum.

The Royal Northern College of Music graduate, accomplished pianist and accompanist, and musical director may bring a classic touch to his work, but it doesn’t diminish the commercial cross-over appeal in Feeling Inside, which was released ahead of his 2024 EP which is being primed for a Spring/Summer release.

Feeling Inside was officially released on March 11th; stream the single on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Darius Marquis weaved RnB, Retro-Pop & Gospel into a Folklore Serenade with ‘Fairytales’

Posted on 15 April 2024

Like every good folk tale, Darius Marquis’ standout single, Fairytales, alters the mind through expansions of the imagination. The slick with soul and swathed with experimentation release exists between the borders of genres, exploring untrodden intersections of RnB, retro pop and gospel, allowing Fairytales to unravel as an exploratively sincere extension of candour.

Fairytales nuancedly exposits how stories shape our perceptions of the world while we’re too innocent to experience the unfair brutality of it only for those illusions to be shattered, one shot to the heart at a time. The Houston-based artist and producer charted these emotional themes with folk-esque eloquent ease, allowing the poetic fragments of introspection to flow throughout the hazy instrumental currents with melodious ease. With gospel infused into the grooves, the melodies endlessly ascend beneath Darius Marquis’ honeyed harmonies which bring luminescence to the most bitter-sweet facets of life.

If there was as much justice in the world as fairytales would have us believe, Marquis would be a #1 phenomenon.

Stream Fairytales on Spotify now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Spotlight Feature: Reverberations of Longing Linger in the Affecting Agony of Pinwheel Valley’s Single Reverie

Posted on 10 April 2024

Pinwheel Valley’s latest eclectically alt-indie single, Reverie, echoes a poignant symphony of emotional turmoil and tender confession. The bittersweet draught of love is the lead single from their eagerly anticipated Reverie EP, which heralds a significant evolution for the Canadian artist, formerly known as KAIS, now steering the ship of Pinwheel Valley through the waters of the indie music scene from their Mediterranean home base.

The melancholic mosaic of poetry, agony and rhythmic intuition is the first signal to be distributed via Levantine Music, it stands as a testament to how honed the artist’s sound has become in the absence of lyrical inhibition. Qais Khoury’s vocal delivery and melodic structuring evoke the spectrally affecting beauty of Jeff Buckley as Reverie traverses the complex emotional landscape with soul-stirring urgency and timeless poignancy.

The guitars, warm and overdriven, act as the perfect counterpoint to the raw lyrics, as the progressions journey through the valleys of longing and the peaks of despair. Pinwheel Valley masterfully conjures a world where every note and every word is steeped in emotional significance. The result is a track that does more than just resonate with the listener; it pierces the soul, leaving an indelible mark.

Khoury’s influences, ranging from Thom Yorke to Ben Howard, shimmer through in the song’s intricate fabric, but Reverie is unmistakably Pinwheel Valley’s own. As the band starts this new chapter, writing through their inexplicably alchemic signature, it is clear they have the potential to write the future of alt-indie.

Reverie is now available to stream on all major platforms, including Spotify.

Follow Pinwheel Valley on Facebook.

Review by Amelia Vandergast