Browsing Tag

My Bloody Valentine

Belfast’s deafeningly ethereal shoegazers, Virgins, have launched their fever dream of an EP, transmit a little heaven.

Posted on 14 October 2022

October 14th, 2022, was a good day for shoegaze fans with the launch of the debut EP, transmit a little heaven, from the Belfast-based shoegazers Virgins. The up-and-coming trailblazers preach from the Smashing Pumpkins school of riffy ethereal dream pop, with colourful nods to Ride and the swirling choral textures of MBV.

In the title single, the crafters of sonic spectres simultaneously stayed true to the golden era of shoegaze with the signature lush reverb-wrapped walls of guitars and stayed true to their own authenticity through the cuttingly angular synaesthesia-inducing tonal hues that redact any hint of assimilation. The effortlessly outreaching vocals of Rebecca Dow that sting with emotion keep the lexicon clear just above the hazy euphonic guitars from Michael Smyth. The aural chemistry is more than palpable.

Listen to Virgins’ debut EP, released via Blowtorch Records, on Bandcamp & Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Robert Jameson delivered cosmic pop catharsis in his latest single, Stay Awhile

Posted on 28 September 2022
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xTtuBbBRp0E

Taken from his first full-length album, Robert Jameson’s seminal dream pop single, Stay Awhile, is sure to appease any fans of My Bloody Valentine and Slowdive. But this colourful burst of sonic bliss, which comes with psychedelic hints of The Zombies, takes a slightly jazzier trip back to the alt-90s.

The signature bleeding vocals are there, but the cosmic pop factor is heightened in the complex time signatures of the warm synths and jazzy piano keys. His composition skills that allow the layers to envelop you in all of their kaleidoscopic magnetism certainly make it easy to Stay Awhile. Rarely do I hear a lead single and feel inclined to indulge in the album from a previously unknown artist, but Robert Jameson’s affable innovation makes it all too tempting.

Stay Awhile was officially released on September 21st. Check out the visualiser on YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Shoegaze thrashes against No-Wave in Mild Horses’ standout single Failing Upwards.

Posted on 24 September 2021
Ignorance To Enlightenment And Back Again by Mild Horses

If your 90s Shoegaze records aren’t quite hitting the same these days, introduce yourselves to Slowdive’s noisier cousin, the London-based solo artist, Mild Horses.

The standout single, Failing Upwards, from their debut album, Ignorance to Enlightenment and Back Again, is comparable to a cocktail of the most indulgent elements of the Pixies, My Bloody Valentine and Interpol.

Listen intently, and you will get to keep hold of the sway-worthy bitter-sweet melodies that resound around the harsher no-wave elements that adrenalize the mix without ever chipping away at the ethereal soul of the release. Towards the outro, Mild Horses builds a wall of noise in his own psychedelically sonic style, making Failing Upwards all but impossible to forget.

Failing Upwards is now available to stream and purchase on Bandcamp.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Superflush deliver a bitter-sweet romantic kick with their Alt Indie debut single ‘Answer’

Posted on 19 December 2020

Californian Alt-Indie trio Superflush have made their 2020 debut with the stunningly hazy Shoegaze single ‘Answer’, expect plenty more than just another My Bloody Valentine or Slowdive derivative as Superflush weave their way right across the tonal palette.

With a progressive feel to the ode to the Alt 90s sound, the dreamy melodies synergise with the lucid vocals which come with a bitter-sweet romantic kick. Everyone from fans of Radiohead to fans of Porcupine Tree will want to jump on this authentically crafted, served straight from the soul feat of Alt-Indie. As far as debuts go, they don’t come much more promising than this.

You can check out Answer for yourselves by heading over to Spotify now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Sky Changes – New Shoes: An Instantly Engorging Melting Pot of Art Rock, Dream Pop and Shoegaze

Posted on 13 July 2020

From the first angular notes in the latest track “New Shoes” from Chicago Alt-Rock outfit Sky Changes, we were hooked. Their unique amalgamation of Art Rock, Dream Pop and Indie Shoegaze will leave fans of Radiohead and Slowdive alike enamoured.

Not only did the dreamy soundscape allow Sky Changes to assert their distinction and ingenuity on the airwaves. New Shoes is also an instantly engorging melodic masterpiece where every evolution will leave you with an even more potent dose of awe.

With every progression, the tight yet chorally accordant instrumentals seem to gain intricacy and amass alchemy while the hazily-blissful vocals remain a beguilingly soft constant. The muted vocals magnetically draw you deeper into the track to extract the meaning behind the New Shoes metaphor.

It isn’t every day we hear such a fresh revival of Alt 90s sounds. We’d recommend getting Sky Changes on your radar sooner than later.

You can check out Sky Changes’ latest single for yourselves by heading over to SoundCloud or Spotify now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Manian Van Hacker – Real Love: Pounding Post Punk

Posted on 31 December 2017

Post Punk isn’t Post Punk unless the sound completely shatters your soul, the wild screeching of the guitar that features in this track submerges you into the murky resonant depths of this track.

Creating the perfect Post Punk track is no easy venture to set out upon, yet Harrisburg, US based musician Manian Van Hacker has created a tentatively tasteful mixed that captivates you from the second the muted guitars kick in which lead you into the sweetest symphony that has been put out in 2017.

Real Love is the ultimate anti-love song that is a necessity to any playlist, with vocals that match the quiescent magnetism of Alice in Chains singer Layne Stanley it’s hard not to be subdued into his contemptuous melody.

For any fans of My Bloody Valentine, Slowdive, Editors and Interpol, you’re going to want to check out the immersive debut track from Manian Van Hacker.

The new EP ‘Pilot Error’ is due for release on January 19th, 2018, until then, check out the sensational new single from Manian Van Hacker via SoundCloud:

https://soundcloud.com/manianvhacker/real-love-single?in=manianvhacker/sets/pilot-error-ep-focus-listening/s-1bXmw

To keep up to date with his new releases follow the enviably talented musician via Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/mvhmusic/

Annika Brown: Amanda Palmer Meets Steampunk (Only for The Brave)

Posted on 27 November 2017

Annika Brown’s Latest track Apocalypso is a theatrical spectacular. Nothing quite could prepare me for what was about to unfold over the next three minutes as I hit play on YouTube. It’s hard to pay attention to the actual sound of the track after watching the official music video in which she embraces Kate Bush style dramatics. I certainly won’t be forgetting what I’ve just heard in a long time.

Annika’s sound Is definitely an acquired taste, I’m not sure tracks such as Apocalypso will ever fair well in the mainstream, however she’s created an eclectic mix of sound which she imparts her Emily The Strange demeanour within. Even when she’s playing an acoustic guitar in the woods her unique charm is never dampened. . But that’s just part of it’s charm. Alternative music fans are in for a treat with this act. With operatic vocals, doom riddled melodies and classic piano backing track. There’s a hint of Victorian hysteria within her music, which she reincarnates through her Gothic Soprano vocals. The Same as can be heard with acts such as a Emilie Autumn and her signature Fantasy Rock styling.

Head on over to her website where you can keep up date with her musical ventures. Her latest album The Devils Story Book featuring Apocalypso is available to download or stream now!

 

Deep Sea Peach Tree – Clue: It Will Swallow You Whole

Posted on 21 November 2017
Vaguely Navy by Deep Sea Peach Tree

I saw the name, and fell in love before I even heard a note of their music. Their ambient Shoegaze sound riddled with alternative indie jazz & indie pop is the most sensational sound since Cigarettes After Sex. Shoegaze will always have an undeniably special place in my record collection with the likes of My Bloody Valentine, SWANS, and Slowdive.

The New York based trio have captured a quiescent sound through their new track Clue which is just one of the glorious sounds on their latest release Vaguely Navy. Every inch of their presence is poetic, they’re one of the most beautiful collective of musicians I’ve ever encountered. As you’d expect from a Shoegaze track Its ambient melody pulls at the heart strings whilst the heavy reverberation of the inexplicably played guitar fuels you with the sound of their powerful momentum that’s almost orchestral. Lead singer Kristof Denis keeps the soul of the enigmatic genre alive over the incandescent guitars and eerie melodies that have the power to swallow you whole.

Their Single Clue is available to play or download via the Bandcamp link below:

https://deepseapeachtree.bandcamp.com/track/clue

Follow the band’s musical ventures on their Facebook site

https://www.facebook.com/DEEPSEAPEACHTREE/

Fleeting Foxes Release “Fleeting Foxes” Something For All Rock Fans

Posted on 9 October 2017

If there’s one word that can describe what some people out of rock music, it’s the word “big.” While a grounded punk jam or acoustic ballad are nice touches for more intimate settings, rock music remains forever changed by generations of bands who understood that by producing enormous soundscapes with their work, they were able to take their messages to another level. The advent of Arena Rock and groups like the Who and U2 knew how to create infinite spaces that to this day are transferred through headphones. Current torchbearers of this tradition include the Foxfires.

Fleeting Foxes is a track that calls for freedom from within. Appropriately, everything from the jangling guitars to the thunderous drums feel like they’ve been unleashed from a typical rock instrument in a garage to a force of nature. Vocals and bass join along as elements that maintain clarity and structure despite projecting to meet their companions in a mix that doesn’t feel crowded by any means, but instead feels full. The Foxfires have an inspiring sound and Fleeting Foxes will leave you wanting as much more as you can get. This track is truly something for rock fans of all ilks to behold.

-Paul Weyer

A&R Factory Present: Volkova Sisters

Posted on 17 May 2016
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Borrowing their name from characters in William Gibson’s cyperpunk masterpiece, Pattern Recognition, the London based Volkova Sisters was formed in 2009 in Budapest. The “sisters”Gergely Kovacs, Daniel Sandor and Dalma Berger found each other through a shared passion for dark and melancholic 80’s new-wave music. They vowed to create their own visions, inspired by the shimmering distortions of My Bloody Valentine, combined with the dreamy landscapes of Cocteau Twins or European cold-wave, but with a sharper emphasis on industrial pop – and adding their own unique twists of depth, breath, beauty and dynamism. In Volkova Sisters, European East and West meet and merge in moving sonic trips to the North…

In 2011, Volkova Sisters went off to tour the US with their first EP, Venus Robot – they performed at SXSW, Whiskey Go Go, the Viper Room and illegal warehouse parties in LA. They had their EP debut show in East London’s The Drop, opened for Lamb in Budapest and had gigs at some of the coolest music festivals in the East Block.

Their second EP, Hope (2012), was conceived during the time when the band’s native Hungary started making international headlines for the wrong reasons – unrest, poverty, radicalization… Overcoming the challenges of the world by creating something new from nothing was and is always the greatest source for hope.
Hope –which premiered online on Electronic Beats- was supported by a number of signature videos. Many of the songs from this record were featured in the 2014 Cannes “Un Certain Regard Prize”-winning Hungarian film White God.

Their third EP, Holiday came out in the summer of 2015 with 4 brand new songs, putting down a signpost about what to expect from their first upcoming album.

Volkova Sister’s debut album, Blood Shapes This Faith ( Due summer / autumn 2016 ) is a summary of their 4 year journey together as a band and songwriter commune. The soundscape is lush, organic, noisy with dark and drifty melodies and guitars, guiding the listener through their twisted picturesque world of melancholic landscapes. Bianco is taken from the forthcoming album.

Release party gig – The Macbeth, Hoxton, London, 18th May.