Browsing Tag

Indie Band

AFTERDRIVE augmented introspection in their curve-transcending indie pop-rock hit, Stick Around

If you’re a sucker for catchy indie pop-rock hooks, evocatively sonorous vocal versatility, and complex layered arrangements, you’re going to want to save a space for the UK’s hottest breakthrough artist, AFTERDRIVE, on your radar. Their standout single, Stick Around, which augments melancholic introspection to anthemic stadium-filling levels, is a testament to the outfit’s ability to craft music with swathes of cross-over appeal.

Opening with choral, reverb-drenched guitar lines that hark back to the dreamy soundscapes of Slowdive, Stick Around immediately sets a tone of profound contemplation. This serene beginning soon gives way to a burst of energy as the song transitions into an electrifying chorus.

With the vocal performance bearing resemblance to the impassioned earnestness of Matty Healy, the single comes charged with emotional depth, which gives even more power to the uplifting and poignant melodies. Even though their music is perfect for live performances where their energy and charisma shine the brightest, Stick Around has all the makings of a playlist staple.

With over 30 gigs in 2023 and a growing presence in the festival circuit, AFTERDRIVE is clearly on an upward trajectory. Their music, as Connor Bennett of BBC aptly put it, is the start of something big. For those who yearn for music that combines the best of indie pop and rock, look no further than AFTERDRIVE’s latest offering.

Stick Around is available to stream on Spotify and all major streaming platforms.

Keep up to date with the latest releases from AFTERDRIVE via Facebook & Instagram.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

The Jesters borrowed from Pavement in their reinvention of the 90s DIY sound in ‘Magnet’

The standout single, Magnet, from The Jesters may have been released in the Summer of 2023, but it is the perfect hit to place on your playlists as we move into the new year with the underpinning themes of pining for personal reinvention that, on some level, we all know we’ll never achieve because the force of our habits is far too strong to resist.

The grungy pop-punk pierced aura of the track, which finds the middle ground between Fidlar, Pavement and Dinosaur Jr, was the perfect atmosphere to pour the self-disdain into to ensure it rings with relatable and rogue down-and-out blues. Veering away from self-pity and right into the inner trappings of the human condition that compels us to tread the hamster wheel as creatures of idiosyncratic convention enabled Magnet to unravel as every antihero’s feel-good hit.

When it comes to reinventing the DIY sounds of the ’80s and ’90s, few do it better than the Philadelphia four-piece, whose sound falls under the new wave retro alt-folk punk banner while spilling out into other nostalgic avenues to lead you to the sounds you adore via a route never taken before.

Magnet is available to stream with the rest of The Jesters’ three-track release, Mental Model, on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Turncoat Billy sang the worn-in blues in their latest indie single, Hand Me Downs

After enamouring us with their psychedelically vintage single, Kaleidoscope, the Tottenham-hailing prodigal sons of indie rock nostalgia, Turncoat Billy, are back on our radar once again with a definitively infectious sound that carries all of the feel-good grooves of a Ray Charles hit single.

The jaunty honkytonk piano keys stab their way through the theatrical flair of their brass-infused cosy new single, Hand Me Downs, which boasts swathes of 70s pop swagger and evidence that Turncoat Billy is no longer the band equivalent of the girl next door.

It is safe to say they’ve come into their stride, and wherever they go from here, we will be keen to follow, especially if their singles continue to run in the same quirkily romantic and self-deprecating vein as Hand Me Downs.

Hand Me Downs will officially release on August 14; stream it on SoundCloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Backyard Casino – Silver Tongue: UK Indie Rock Got Its Bite Back

Backyard Casino

Since their 2019 debut, Backyard Casino has been lauded for bringing their infamous live energy to their boisterously relatable indie rock releases; their latest single, Silver Tongue, due for release on August 26th, is no exception.

The cagey post-punk-tinged hit comes complete with Pete Doherty-Esque swaggy vocals and popping angular indie guitar melodies that pull their weight when crafting the hooks that take the anthemic energy to the nth degree.

If any new up-and-coming act has what it takes to rock a main stage festival crowd with turbulence last seen in the 90s, it is this indie powerhouse with their sneeringly clever lyricism, loveably rogue vocals and tight instrumentals. Get them on your radar.

Check out Backyard Casino on Facebook and Instagram.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Columbia harnesses the dystopic 2021 ennui in their latest indie-rock hit, Glory People.

https://soundcloud.app.goo.gl/hi39HJ1YjrvsKica7

Cardiff’s most visceral powerhouse, Columbia, created the ultimate embrace-the-chaos indie rock track with their latest single, Glory People. As sonically powerful as the high-octane psych-tinged rock hit is, that scarcely comes close to the stadium-filling energy that transpires through Columbia’s advocation of making the best of what we have.

So often, people get stuck in lament because their imagination can create better lives than the one reality puts before them; Columbia broke that negative feedback loop by serving the anthemic reminder that adversity isn’t the end of the world; it is a given. Just as the Stone Roses were a sign of the times, as are Columbia with their indie rock sound that aspires to unify through dystopic 2021 ennui.

Glory People was officially released on December 3rd, 2021. You can check it out for yourselves via SoundCloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

They were out of touch: Holding Poison move on after being the ‘Sitting Duck’ on excellent new alt-rock single

Holding Poison lay it all on the line via their unwavering and excellent new single, that will have your whole body shivering with excitement called ‘Sitting Duck‘.

London, UK-based indie alt-rock act Holding Poison, are one of those prodigious bands you listen to once in your life and never (ever) forget them. They push to the front of the line and show such undeniable quality on this gritty song, made with unadulterated fireworks, that sparks happily in your hungry-for-good-music brain.

This is the magnetic story about being with someone who isn’t in the same reality zone as you and you sadly fell short of their totally unfathomable expectations. They are so out of touch to the current world, that it boggles your mind and they are totally lost in their own mind. The sad thing is that you are now a sitting duck and feel let down, with only the pond to look at now to reflect, pondering life as you stare and realize that you won’t put yourself in this sticky situation again.

They rhythmically charge together like two batteries interlocking tightly, this is such a fiery effort from a new band in name, but old school in nature, as they power on to put those lonely hairs on the back of your neck, on full alert to this sonic soundscape of the very highest order.

Sitting Duck‘ from London’s alt-rock outfit Holding Poison, is a spellbinding performance that has you amazed and delighted you pressed play. They have unearthed a real gem here that is best served with a cuppa hot tea and the volume turned up on full.

Hear this hard-hitting rock track on Spotify and immerse yourself into their journey on IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Fast-rising Massachusetts band RoseR rock in with the truthfully awesome ‘Nice, Guy’

Fast-rising Massachusetts band RoseR rock in with the truthfully awesome ‘Nice, Guy‘ and this fantastic 5 piece act are back with a supremely memorable new single. This is for all those nice guys out there that are going for the wrong girl.

Lowell, Massachusetts is the home of this fiery band with an indie rock sound that is such a nice massage to the ears and has a vibe that is so fascinating. With lusty vocals that is backed up with a funky bass-line and lyrics that get to the message right away without fuss. You can feel the jazz, blues, and grunge influences here and this is a treat.

This is the story about how a nice guy can fall for the wrong girl. They are perfect for each other and there are so many laughs. The problem is that he loves her so much and she sees him as a friend. They flirt and joke around but deep inside she doesn’t realize that this is a guy that will care for her so much and be loyal. She doesn’t see it and he will be chasing this love for years and his heart will be broken unfortunately.

Nice, Guy‘ from the excellent Massachusetts band RoseR is a thunderous single that shows us their quality yet again. They show their experience and creativity to the max here and this is one of the most promising indie rock tunes you will hear in 2020.

Head through to the Spotify page.

Click here for the Facebook link.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Atlanta band Rujen are quite brilliant on reflective single ‘Tarot’

Rujen is a Indie-Psych Rock band from Atlanta and they return with a brilliant new single called ‘Tarot‘.

Tarot‘ from Rujen is an indie-neo-psychedelic rock mixture that makes even the best chef blush, They love to create vibrant, densely layered atmospheres of tones, textures, and introspective vocals that swell, echo, and distort with fierce synergy. This self-proclaimed statement is totally true. Not a band to give themselves too much of a big head, they instead make incredible music with heart.

This is all about not knowing what the future holds and life being a big game. There is thunder and lightning everywhere and you need to be on your toes. It’s your time now and this is about doing what is best to make this music dream happen.

I love the soundtrack here. The production is fantastic and I like the softly delivered vocals that keeps you cool and calm. The song is of such standard that this could be in a movie.

Tarot‘ from Rujen is a standout single full of road-trip wanderings that is encapsulated perfectly by this fine Atlanta band.

Click here for the Spotify page.

Head through to the Facebook page.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen