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Sheffield

Harri Larkin mainlined affectionate adrenaline into their pop-punk-hooked summer anthem, Dopamine

Posted on 26 May 2023

After discovering the immense talent that lingers in the larynx (it is a powerhouse in itself) of Harri Larkin through her Christmas collaboration with Sam Scherdel, we couldn’t wait to get stuck into her three-piece band’s latest single, Dopamine.

Drunk on affection-derived highs and vexed by the subsequent aftermath of anxious uncertainty, Sheffield’s hottest DIY alternative outfit pierced the funk-grooved rhythms with catchy enough to be cosmic pop-punk hooks. The summer staple that achieves elevated status through the infusion of indie guitars and demurely jazzy vocal lines that sultrily lead you into the choruses would be paralysing if they weren’t so galvanising.

After John Kennedy (Radio X) chose Harri Larkin out of 1578 other applicants to headline the BBC Introducing Library Stage at Tramlines, recording their single, Bonfire Toffee, for BBC Introducing Live in 2022 and the track was included in BBC Introducing Sheffield’s Top 50 Tracks of the Year countdown, there is no doubt in our minds that Harri Larkin will be moving on to even greater things.

Stream Dopamine, which hit the airwaves on May 26 on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

 

Sheffield’s answer to Springsteen, Sam Scherdel, was born to soar in his latest single, Balloon

Posted on 6 March 2023

After the delicately spacey live rendition of Boy Who Fell to Earth, Sheffield’s hottest act since Arctic Monkeys, Sam Scherdel, is back on anthemic form in his latest single, Balloon, recorded between Doncaster in the UK and Nashville in the states. The former recording location may not be synonymous with the same artistic glamour as the latter, but the Yorkshire roots of the highly acclaimed singer-songwriter are a substantial part of his roguishly relatable appeal.

Lyrically he never aims to uphold the image of infallibility; his whole-hearted die-hard romanticism has left scars across his discography; tracing them allows you to track what it means to be unapologetically human. Bold indie-rock anthems were barely beyond Sam Scherdel’s sonic repertoire before, but the Springsteen-ESQUE maverick spirit runs deep in the progressively enthralling veins of Balloon.

From ornate orchestral swells to ardent horn stabs to frenetic R.E.M.-reminiscent vocal pacing disrupting Scherdel’s signature gruff rock n roll harmonies, the tensile nature of the fluctuating panache of Balloon is bound to uplift even the most world-weary. Even though there’s a fair amount of ambiguity in the lyrics, the underlying melancholic concept gravitating around the intense desire to escape the fray of your own mind hammers home in a profoundly poignant way.

Pairing such visceral pain with instrumentals to rival the wholesome sanctuary in the latest Manic Street Preachers album created a playlist staple I will need little convincing to return to.

Balloon officially released on March 3rd. Hear it on Spotify and YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Sam Scherdel narrated the descent of the ‘BOY WHO FELL TO EARTH’ in his artful indie-folk piano ballad

Posted on 6 January 2023
Sam Scherdel

2022 saw a cascade of hit singles from the superlatively talented indie singer-songwriter Sam Scherdel; to round off a perfect year, he eked new melancholy from Fairytale of New York with Harri Larkin. If there was any cultural justice in the UK, it would have made it to number one.

Now he’s starting 2023 with a bitter-sweet bang with the release of his live recorded single, BOY WHO FELL TO EARTH. It shares a few of the sombre tones of his Christmas release, but this emotionally layered piano ballad, complete with orchestral strings, stemmed from his own compassion-gifted mind.

As much as we adored the indie anthems, this folky turn that gives a more intimate view into a mindset that resonates with the contemporary atmosphere of collective ennui is just as seminal.

The live recording efficaciously captures every ounce of vulnerability pouring from the vocals that inhibit nothing to deliver a sincerely profound experience. Between the artfulness of Radiohead’s High and Dry and the hammering keys of Elton John’s Rocket Man rests this tender sonic narration of the boy who fell to earth. Prepare to be viscerally disarmed.

BOY WHO FELL TO EARTH will be available to stream and download on all platforms from January 6th via this link.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

I Know Your Secrets: Sheffield heavy rollers Rosehill dominate all listeners on Shed Your Skin

Posted on 4 December 2022

Slicing through the speakers with a knife-like sharpness and endless energy, Rosehill might destroy many eardrums with ravenously bone-tingling aplomb on Shed Your Skin.

Rosehill is a Sheffield, UK-based indie melodic hardcore band who has a truly ear-splitting sound to be rather mesmerized by on each track.

Barging down the door and not bothering with any keys, Rosehill is such an impressive act and seems to wake up all sleepy souls. Their sound is loud but never too much and seems to blanket all previous anxiousness like a skilled doctor would. This is in your fact stuff, you see. Ferocious to the core and never on standby, we find a single to be truly inspired by.

Shed Your Skin from Sheffield, UK-based indie alternative melodic hardcore band Rosehill is a robust performance which might start a mosh pit no matter the weather. Taking our sweaty hands and joining as one, this is a heavy track to snack on mightily while it’s raining outside.

Listen up to this fine single on Spotify. See more news on the IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Sam Scherdel knows that the love is flowing rather wonderfully on, ‘Don’t Really Like You’

Posted on 7 May 2022

Sensing that he has fallen head over heels for someone who makes his spirit shake like no other, Sam Scherdel can’t believe that these feelings are so strong as he has just learnt their name and the sparks are flying on the hot new track, ‘Don’t Really Like You’.

Sam Scherdel is a Doncaster/Sheffield, UK-based indie electro-pop/rock solo artist who makes that anthem-sounding music to take your mind away from any troubles you are facing.

”Having had a 5-year hiatus from releasing music he has been working with Aidan Thomson (Alvarez Kings/Steelworks Studios) on new material and returns with a much more mature sound and polished approach.” ~ Sam Scherdel

Singing with that fresh style that shows us his reinvigoration after a break to replenish his music energies, Sam Scherdel is on top form with a supercharged-with-romance single from an artist who is decisive on this ear-pleaser.

‘Don’t Really Like You‘ from Doncaster/Sheffield, UK-based indie electro-pop/rock solo artist Sam Scherdel is a ravishing release that shall take you into a steamy picture that is new, but packed with that cheeky love that is only going to blossom. With crisp vocals and a sizzling atmosphere that sends you into a state of excitement, this is a track that shall get you into a happy place of hope.

Love should be simple after all, and without any complications.

Listen up to this wonderful new effort on Spotify and see more on the IG page.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

On My Own: Szopa shows us strikingly into those evenings all alone on ‘Lore’

Posted on 24 August 2021

With his second album ‘Vital Organs‘ on the way in early 2022, Szopa drops a juicy electronica-filled trip-hop masterpiece with the drum-packed beats of mysterious intrigue with ‘Lore‘.

Damian Malecki aka Szopa, is a Polish-born Sheffield, UK-based post-punk/dark wave musician, audio visual artist and nature lover. He fuses a blend of innovative music creations which has your mind in a real state of excitement, as you feel that this is an artist who looks deeper at life than most.

”In his music, Szopa attempts to explore and highlight the dark, sinister thoughts that hide behind our words and actions, with an array of orchestral sounds, tribal drums and electronic loops. Being on the autism spectrum, Szopa’s music draws attention to complex, internal processes and a feeling of alienation.” ~ Szopa

Like a true storyteller, he skillfully wraps us in quickly before unearthing a truly sumptuously explosive track which captures your varied mood rather quickly. He has a terrific style full of wondrous fascination – which always seems to be totally imaginative beyond the norm – and with that utmost conviction of his smartly penned process.

‘Lore‘ from the Sheffield, UK-based dark wave/post-punk musician Szopa, is the story of finding the strength inside to venture outside in this rather odd world again. Those lonely nights alone have taken their toil and you are looking for more, as you stretch your imagination and work out what you do indeed crave, to awaken your sleepy senses.

Made with a fantastic beat with soothing vocals on a breathtaking beat, this is a absorbing track which will have you thinking of the vast possibilities out there in beautiful nature.

Hear this fine new track on Spotify and see more via the IG music channel.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

In The Darkness: SAINTES urge us to hold our souls as some devilish characters are ‘Out To Get It All’

Posted on 21 August 2021

As they intertwine their different interests and stimulating skill sets onto one spicy team to represent the true underdogs, SAINTES bite hungrily into our shocked earbuds and deliver a real plug-and-play winner with ‘Out To Get It All‘.

SAINTES is a fiery three-piece Yorkshire, UK-based indie glam-rock band who certainly have that extra intriguing edge. They are a highly motivated outfit, with something to prove as they belt out tracks strewn with real life stories, and that forthright attitude that is so often lacking in this illusion-filled world.

”SAINTES were born over the Covid lockdowns and have only recently started gigging but hit the scene hard with 5 gigs over the Tramlines Fringe festival in Sheffield and have secured support slots for the likes of God Damn, Cam Cole and Tempestt.” ~ SAINTES

For a fairly new band you have to be mightily impressed with their devastatingly explosive sound to the rafters – which is textured with supremely confident vocals – that has you riveted with a thunderbolt to the heart, which is a real gem to savor after a dark year. This is the type of underground track that has your tantalizing body so intrigued, as they bring us a breathtaking single to swim deeply into to.

‘Out To Get It All‘ from the stylishly-dressed with that gritty Yorkshire glam-rocker sound called SAINTES, is that truthful message that we all need to know about. So many evil souls are out there to grab all the treasure for themselves even if they don’t need it. Keeping your mind alive to that fact is vitally important – as you stay innocent and marvelously excited for the small things which matter – that actually set you free in the long run.

Hear this new single on Spotify and see more on IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

My Soul Is Not for Sale: High-tempo Sheffield band Lina and the Lions passionately urge us to look up for guidance on ‘The Sky Beneath Our Feet’

Posted on 16 August 2021

Roaring in hungrily with the stunning 6th single release from their upcoming studio album ‘Second Nature‘, Lina and the Lions bite ravenously through the bones of our surprised speakers on the cinematic new single ‘The Sky Beneath Our Feet‘.

Lina and the Lions is a new studio-born alt-rock- new wave band from Sheffield, England. They make that be-brave and empower yourself to succeed type of music soundscape, which is such a sterling listen on every level imaginable.

“We wanted every song to have the potential to be someones’ personal anthem for hope, fearlessness and self belief. When we were kids we all had this extraordinary bravery that allowed us to dream.” ~ Lina and the Lions

Led heroically by Israeli-born singer-songwriter Lina Lane, this is a pure pop edge, mixed with a stupendous alt-rock cutting board of tasty treats. Her vocal ability takes you to places you know you should be – as you urge yourself to break away from whatever is holding you back – as you find that perfect connection of the mind, so you may reach your true potential.

”Second Nature was born in the depths of chaos amid the worst year of modern times. Trapped, hopeless, locked down. The difficult situation we all found ourselves in led Lina and the Lions to question their purpose, and the purpose of their music.” ~ Lina and the Lions

‘The Sky Beneath Our Feet‘ from the sensational Sheffield, England-based alt-rock new wave act Lina and the Lions, is a passionate gem of a single. The inspiring message has you feeling so inspired to break away from the norm. With electric vocals which sparks up your attention into action – this is a fantastic release that certainly has an important purpose – to assist us in revitalizing our tired souls.

Looking up is the only way to truly find your path, as looking down only drags you down into the mud of no evolution.

See this fabulous new music video on YouTube and see more on the IG channel.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

On A Road To Change: Aorta Project soothes our worries with the intoxicating electronic single ‘Wounded Warrior’

Posted on 18 April 2021
Wounded Warrior by aortaproject

As you feel like you are stepping into a hallucinatory world of mysterious forces, Aorta Project puts your senses into another level of surprise with the new single called ‘Wounded Warrior‘.

Aorta Project is an absorbing dark alt-electronica act led by Houston, Texas composer, multi-instrumentalist, and producer Steven Sheffield. He creatively meshes that reflective music, which has you thinking much deeper than before.

Fans of Deadmau5 and Jon Hopkins will be especially pleased here as the backdrop filters in with a fresh backwash-feeling like the oceans salt water potion — to cleanse you from the toxins of yesterday — as the incredible ingenuity is quite striking, as it somehow leaves your imagination alive with ideas like never before.

This is the true message of taking time to heal if you have dealt with something traumatic. You need to have a chat with yourself to improve within — as you are the only one that can really make it happen — not anyone else.

The female-led vocals has you in another world, as the atmospheric beat lathers your mind with peaceful energy, where there was trauma and heartache before.

”A catalyst for catharsis, Aorta Project transforms our darkest moments into transcendent epiphanies of self expression and reflection.” – Aorta Project

‘Wounded Warrior‘ from the terrifically stimulating Texas-based dark alt-electronica Aorta Project, shows us into a state of mind that can pulsate like a hallucinogenic mood to the other side, as you find yourself again and make that change that you know is needed.

If you want it enough, its never too late to change lanes and drive into a better life.

Hear this stunning new single on Bandcamp and see more visuals on IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Flowing through the streets: Sheffield band The Verdis go through the motions of life on quality new single ‘Bus Stop Blues’

Posted on 15 February 2021

With their headphones on loud to block out the noise and the trusty skateboard under foot, The Verdis cruise through the tricky streets with the reflective gem ‘Bus Stop Blues‘.

Laid-back Sheffield, England four-piece act The Verdis, are an impressive indie alt-folk band who fuse together that easy-on-the-ear music, that calms your beating heart and puts you into a mellow zone, to get through your day without getting involved in any unnecessary drama.

His effortless voice takes you into the world that is has changed so much, the usually-thriving streets are quieter and without the life they had before. The main aim is to get to where you need to go without missing the bus to work, the same old journey is the only way to survive right now and the band thrill the ears with a sound that has your feet stomping, as you smile knowingly to a song that you can relate to.

‘Bus Stop Blues‘ from mellow Sheffield indie folk band The Verdis, is a real sign to the currently cloudy times, as we all try to get through the day and avoid human contact as much as possible. Their authentic gaze-like soundscape is a pleasurable listen, the soulful style is a meaningful escape and you feel thoughtful inside their music that is an enjoyable ride through the cobbled and obstacle-filled roads of 2021.

Hear this terrific single here on Spotify, see the video here on YouTube and find out more via IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen