Browsing Tag

Indie Rock

Hover pierced the post-grunge veil with the visceralism nestled within ‘In My Head’

Posted on 28 December 2024
In My Head by Hover

The Cali fourpiece powerhouse, Hover, unchained the gates to the post-grunge pantheon with their seminal single, In My Head. The grungy indie anthem opens introspective floodgates over crunchy overdriven guitar chords; when the reprise of ‘in my head’ pours over the instrumentals, you can’t help but be reminded of the visceralism of Zombie by The Cranberries, yet Hover makes the mantric confession their own through the raw emotive power of the vocal delivery.

With hints of everything from grunge to indie rock to college radio rock to pop punk, and every element riling up the last, In My Head unravels as an anthem of catharsis for anyone who knows how much hostility can be bred within the confines of the mind. In My Head proves that Hover doesn’t just have the technical chops to ensure their recorded material carries immense emotional weight, they also have the ability to take weight from the listener as the burden of rumination is lifted.

The Coachella Valley hailing outfit is easily distinguished from the rest with their attitude-spiked melodic rock. Rather than merely layering fuzz-laden riffs, Hover let raw reflection spill from every sonic seam, adding a welcome blast of authenticity to alt-rock’s current landscape.

In My Head is now available to stream and purchase via Bandcamp.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Boston Flowers broke into the pantheon of indie supremacy with the hauntingly hook-rife hit, ‘Afterlife’

Posted on 22 December 2024

Softcore/alternative rock outfit Boston Flowers has returned with their latest single, Afterlife, balancing crunchy chords and heady concepts in a release that crackles with the same raw emotive intensity as Death Cab for Cutie’s haunting release, I Will Follow You Into the Dark.

Riding a pulsative anthemic backbeat, the tighter-than-a-straitjacket instrumentals act as an intravenous shot of adrenaline while the vocal performance invites deep reflection on life’s frailty. Each listen peels back another dimension of inventive detail, confirming that despite the stiff competition in Brooklyn’s indie scene, Boston Flowers has the potential to hold dominion over it.

Their new single builds on the introspective ground they broke with Soul Creature, Fever Dream, and Cancer Man, all of which probe life, death, and possible realms beyond. As vocalist/guitarist Sam Trestman explains, his decade in healthcare and a near-death experience fuels the Afterlife EP’s emphasis on life’s polarity and its revolving cycles of transformation.

Since making their mark with 2023’s Mondegreen, the band have stayed firmly devoted to melodic alt-rock and a softcore edge. They may namecheck The Strokes, Arctic Monkeys, and Tame Impala as their influences, yet everything you hear in the Boston Flowers is of the powerhouse’s own cerebrally affecting design.

Stream the official music video for Afterlife on YouTube now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

The Talking Hours cast the first stone in the indietronica blues-rock revolution with the swagger in their latest seminal release, Stop the Sound

Posted on 5 December 2024

The Talking Hours have returned as unrivalled pioneers of post-punk panache after a four-year airwaves hiatus with Stop the Sound, a track from their third LP, Transmissions to Missy. If you’ve ever wondered what The Black Keys would sound like if they traded in their vintage bluesy tones for indie hooks and Arcade Fire-style swagger, look no further.

Mauricio and Karie, the fierce force behind The Talking Hours, weave magnetic indie vocals through a dense fog of percussion and angular guitars that slice through the track with post-punk precision. The visceral rhythm and sharp riffs deliver jolts of energy while the vocals cut through, commanding attention with their arcane deliverances of deadpan drawls and euphonic harmony.

The way the duo push against the constrictions of sonic conformity by pairing rock, blues, and indie elements with electronic pulses amplifies the hypnotic gravity of Stop the Sound. You’ll come for the perfect equilibrium of style and substance, yet it is the emotive anatomy of Stop the Sound which allows it to establish itself as a playlist staple, with the same sense of magnetism as Editors and Interpol in spite of the abstract nature of the lyricism.

Stream The Talking Hours’ LP, Transmissions to Missy, in full via Spotify now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Todd Michael Chapman is the lyrical cheerleader everyone will want in their corner with ‘Celebrate It’

Posted on 2 December 2024

New York-born-and-raised singer-songwriter Todd Michael Chapman reached his uplifting zenith with his latest melodic Americana rock single, Celebrate It.

Covering the all-too-relatable phenomenon of chasing dreams and overcoming adversity for the promise of an emotional payoff and never finding any serotonin at the end of the endeavour, Chapman uses the single as an opportunity to remind his fans to reflect on their wins as much as their losses.

Joined by a female vocalist who effortlessly complements his stridently euphoria-painted harmonies, Celebrate It is enough to strip the weight of ennui right off your soul and rose tint the way you perceive your impact on the world.

The country-twanged classic rock melodies paired with Chapman acting as the lyrical cheerleader everyone will want in their corner transform Celebrate It into the ultimate anthem to slam through your speakers every time you need an intravenous shot of optimism.

Stream Celebrate It on Spotify now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Shadows and Light: Sarah Shafey’s Grunge Resurgence in ‘Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark’

Posted on 22 November 2024

In her standout single, ‘Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark,’ the award-winning Canadian-Egyptian artist Sarah Shafey conjured a maelstrom of emotion and sound, marking a bold new chapter in the legacy alt-rock.

Infused with a hypnotic etherealism seamlessly married to the raw, sludgy aesthetics of grunge, Shafey’s latest single finished what Wolf Alice started. Her singular sonic footprint blazes a trail for a stylised resurgence, one that sinks swathes of substance into style and is layered with sonic transitions from the ferocious growl of grunge to the futuristic shimmer of synth-driven indie rock.

Her latest album ‘The Paper Bag Princess’, from which Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark was taken, draws from the empowering narrative of Robert Munsch’s children’s book, infusing her music with a feminist ethos that puts her in Kathleen Hanna’s lyrical league while vocally allowing her harmonies to drip Shirley Manson-esque seduction.

Shafey’s approach to this album—an eight-song manifesto melding personal revelation with a ’90s grunge backdrop—signals a defiant overturning of outdated norms. As she navigates through a soundscape crafted with chugging guitars and ethereal synths, Shafey not only redefines her musical identity but also challenges the listener to embrace a narrative of strength and self-discovery.

Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark was officially released on November 15th; stream the single on SoundCloud now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

The Elegant Chasers is set to deliver a kaleidoscope of hope with their politically-charged Britpop-Grunge mash-up sophomore LP, To Live in Colour

Posted on 22 November 2024
The Elegant Chasers

The title track of To Live in Colour, the sophomore LP from The Elegant Chasers, is a vestige of sanctuary for those still searching for hope and resilience amid chaos.

As we sink ever deeper into a textbook definition of dystopia, the visceral fusion of grunge and Britpop, which rages with hook-rife rancour, is a livewire lifeline from an artist who has always sought solace in sound. With the hypersonically grungy hooks injecting adrenalised vindication into the mix, the one-man powerhouse beckons listeners into a tumult of nostalgia. Not to morosely reminisce on what is missed but to dare to fight against the backdrop of a disillusioned world after being reminded of the volition and connection we historically sourced from sonic redemption and calls to action.

Influenced by his own struggles, the track wrestles with darkness but refuses to succumb. The juxtaposition of anguish and upbeat, infectious melodies mirror the internal battle Maz faced growing up—bullying, trauma, and later, the hangover of rock ‘n’ roll’s recklessness.

With backing vocals from his daughters Penny and Phoebe and drums from the ever-present Lloyd “Keith Moon” Pritchard, the track taps into familial warmth and raw, gritty sound. Maz’s gift is to prove that while the world may be descending into madness, we can still choose to live in colour. The firestorm of sound that is To Live in Colour demands your attention and ensures you’ll never feel isolated in your apathy again.

The To Live in Colour LP will be available to stream on all major platforms, including Bandcamp, from December 6th. Connect with The Elegant Chasers on Instagram to stay up to date with news of the release.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Heed the confessionally celestial call of Seafarers’ latest hit indie chamber pop single, Televangelists

Posted on 2 November 2024

Seafarers, the innovative six-piece led by Matthew Herd, took ethereal indie chamber pop into a celestial realm with their latest single, ‘Televangelists’, which nestles into their third studio LP, Another State; the track envelops listeners in an arcane aura, inviting them to explore the band’s poetic universe.

Herd’s transition from solitary songwriting to a more collaborative approach shines through the mellifluous stream of lyrical parables that punctuate this release. The candidly poignant lines strike all the right chords with their perception-widening introspection and intimate confessions. Each lyric is an opportunity for connection, offering a profound glimpse into the psyche of a group that has drawn acclaim across the globe since its inception in 2018.

The seamless fusion of Florence and the Machine-esque indie rock and chamber pop creates a lush soundscape that amplifies the track’s thematic weight. Herd’s collaboration with extraordinary vocalist Elanor Moss, whom he credits with broadening his creative horizons, adds almost depth to the composition which is affecting on every conceivable level.

Televangelists is available to stream as part of Seafarers’ third LP, Another State, via Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Nothing But Silence turned up the post-punk heat with ‘Too Useful’

Posted on 29 October 2024

In their latest single, ‘Too Useful’, Chicago’s Nothing But Silence threads jangly new wave guitars around stark, monochromatic motifs of post-punk, all set within a dream-pop-esque production that feels like a psychedelic trip through a rhythmic mirage.

The bold tonal experimentation manifests a sonic experience that distorts and oscillates with trippy, tropical vibrations, creating an immersive soundscape that pulls you into its obscure kaleidoscope. Prepare to enter a semi-lucid dream state with Too Useful, which uses abstract lyricism to amplify the delirium of the record which stands as a bold declaration of the band’s unique identity in the alternative scene.

Imagine if Joy Division’s ‘Transmission’ was transmitted from a warmer, more vibrant parallel universe—that’s the innovative essence captured in ‘Too Useful’. The track is a stellar slice of rhythmic ingenuity that invites listeners to step into a different, more colourful side of post-punk, laced with a dreamy, wavy quality that keeps the genre alive and pulsating.

Too Useful hit the airwaves on October 18; stream the single on Spotify now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Loudness Wars unleashed heavy scuzz rock artillery with ‘Withered Flower’

Posted on 23 October 2024
Withered Flower by Loudness Wars

Loudness Wars made no apologies for turning up the decibels with their latest single, “Withered Flower.” The seasoned and striped alt-rock outfit plunges listeners into a sludged-up vortex where the textured growl of Deftones meets the cerebral drama of Muse, with a hint of Smashing Pumpkins’ melancholy woven through.

The innovative declaration in the guise of an alt-rock anthem sees Jerome, the Sri Lankan-born lead on guitars and vocals, crafting a soundscape where each strum feels like a pulse of raw emotional electricity. His voice, an artful contortion, sinks into the distortion that bleeds from the angular, cutting guitars. The anthemic hooks that ensue are nothing short of adrenaline for the soul, crafting a track that’s as unnerving as it is entrancing.

Rich, a guitarist turned bassist, brings a grounded ferocity to the mix. His transition from guitar to bass underpins the track with a depth that only a rhythmic savant could provide. Completing this trio, Ian, a lifelong drummer whose rhythmic instincts are as inherent as breathing, injects Withered Flower with a relentless beat that binds the track’s explosive components. His chemistry with Rich, rooted in their shared upbringing in Chesham, fuels the rhythmic backbone of this record with precision and wild abandon.

Together, they transform “Withered Flower”—a poignant meditation on decay—into a pulse-throbbing hit. The charismatically maniacal presence of Jerome’s vocals incites a riotous revival of alt-rock, proving that the outfit has heavy artillery to attack the senses and leave them cathartically affected.

Stream Withered Flower on Bandcamp now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast