The unforgettable Phoenix, Arizona alt-rock outfit, LUXTHEREAL, is on cuttingly sharp new wave form once again with their latest single, She Said. Any fans of Psychedelic Furs and Echo and the Bunnymen will undoubtedly want to add the nostalgic-for-the-80s amalgam of new wave, power pop and art-rock to their playlists.
The soaring vocals add an ardent edge to the sample-driven music universe orchestrated by LUXTHEREAL to abstract us from our own existence defined by our mortal coil and existential dread. With guitars as atmospheric as the ones that ring across Lips Like Sugar between the riffs and guitar hooks that carry as much emotion as the strident vocal lines, She Said is aural escapism at its finest.
She Said was officially released on January 27th. Hear it on Spotify.
Written during those dark days of this horrific pandemic, Baby Brave drops a track so explosive it might cause slight burn marks to appear on our hearts tomorrow and this one is called BOMBATOMIC.
Baby Brave is a North Wales-based indie DIY new wave noise pop band who seems to naturally brings forth a delightfully exciting sound which shall magnify the world’s core.
Fused with a Kylie Minogue-like efficiency to sip on rather elegantly, Baby Brave lead us into better days on this striking new single to love forever. This is a soundtrack to those happier days, to bring back the rays and loosen away those stressful days.
BOMBATOMICfrom North Wales-based indie DIY Baby Brave is a summer track to get those smiles blaring for joy again. Rich in love and thrust, packed with loveable vocals, whilst getting us off that couch and into the sunny breeze again.
If you’re looking for a mood changer, this is the cure.
Get the vibes on YouTube and follow the IG page to get further access.
It is a bitter-sweet time for post-punk with most modern outfits becoming a parody of the pioneers by fixating on assimilating sonic texture over bringing the same substance that made us fall in love with the genre in the first place. Palais Ideal, consisting of John Edwards and Richard van Kruysdijk, who have previously collaborated with members of Wire, Bauhaus, Christian Death, Coil, Legendary Pink Dots and Swans, are the refreshingly existential antithesis.
The Netherlands-hailing duo’s seminal 2021 album, Negative Space, is an existential howl into the void where the façade of common sense, decency, and dignity existed. Every high-octane hook that draws you deeper into this manifesto of an LP resonates as an act of resistance.
With its Kessler-Esque guitars cutting through the caustic overflow of the vintage synths, the harbinger of an opening single, The Overseer, makes a meal out of your rhythmic pulses as the lyrics and vocals affirm that not every sane mind has been cowed into radio silence.
Results is a riotously electric post-punk indie earworm with enough anthemic power to minuscule the production on your dust scattered records paired with an intuitive mix of light and dark aural ephemera, the kind of balance that allowed the Smiths to reign indie supreme. Metaphorically, this maturation of the Sweet and Tender Hooligan has picked up plenty of vitriol since he declared that in the midst of life, we are in death, and rightly so. There is no abyss deep enough to absolve the sins committed through our collective lack of self-awareness.
With a Richey Edwards-style lyrical opener, “self-obsessed is so indulgent, why live in oblivion?”, Reject the Anaesthetic instantly became a paradoxically enlivening highlight. In contradiction to the demands of the title, the even-kilter guitars, melodic basslines and percussion that is tighter than the government’s welfare budget start to deliver the psych-tinged soporific aural medicine to prove just how easy it is to pacify people into suggestibility.
The Voice of Reason is so beautifully just that. Just when you think you have Palais Ideal pegged, the compassion starts to pour, coming from a well of unequivocal understanding for ultimate sucker-punching consolation.
Anything for a Thrill is a frenetic continuation of Reject the Anaesthetic, which strips the glamour right off the back of the libertine. It is gorgeously bold in its unapologeticness when holding people accountable for chasing highs after their dreams have disintegrated around their own self-destruction.
Concluding with the moody industrial post-punk Posthuman cry, Age of Intransigence, Negative Space fades to a final close and leaves you wondering how you are going to contribute to society beyond passivity, ego, insecurity and pedestrianism (on a good day). If Palais Ideal started a cult, I’d be the first in line with goat blood on my hands.
With that weighty sound that booms from the rooftops as they submerge into the shadows, VANTA wonders if this is indeed the end with their latest single that has you thinking deeply about your movements while all this carnage continues on ‘Count to Zero‘.
Fronted by Markus Saikkonen, VANTA is a Helsinki, Finland-based alt-rock 4-piece band who have that easy-to-hear-hunger flowing into their icy veins of creativity.
”VANTA plans to be a part of the new wave of Finnish rock music export and has their targets in the international market.” ~ VANTA
Burning up our imagination and taking us into a contemplative mood that we forgot existed, VANTA show us why they are one of the most exciting Scandinavian bands out there at the moment with another top-quality performance that is loaded with that realness we all need more of in this plastic world.
‘Count to Zero‘ from Helsinki, Finland-based alt-rock 4-piece band VANTA, is the kind of track that has you contemplating the end of time in this wild west type of world. With a tremendously stimulating aura that has freshly tipped vocals and honest lyrics that are matched with a stunning soundscape that only seems to get more and more intense as this track heats up. This is a riveting single that will catch your heart from falling and bring you into an enthralling place, that has you looking over the cliff to see what is about to transpire.
Hear this new single on Spotify and see more news on IG.
So many of the greatest songs have been written on hard and fast infatuation. The Schoolboys evaded all the usual tropes that have long since been outdated in their latest new-wave-meets-proto-punk single, Think About It.
If I told you the track itself was as sweet as the lyrics, “Isn’t this just what you asked for? I see you give up too fast, you should never walk away when there’s still something you want” would you even believe me?
The Schoolboys originally formed in 2021 as an alt-rock band in Reading, England, under the influence of the Strokes and the Smiths. Based on Think About It, the nostalgically-minded outfit had no trouble finding their own warmly overdriven sonic signature. Any fans of the Violent Femmes, Joy Division and Modest Mouse will undoubtedly want to pay attention.
Think About It is now available to stream on YouTube.
After an entrancing synth-driven prelude, the Phoenix-based alt-rock outfit LUXTHEREAL’s standout single, I Got You, grips you with the alchemy that pours from the cinematic cocktail of classic rock, new wave, and post-punk.
The dreamy and ethereal instrumental interludes wrap around the robust vocal timbre of Rachel Guilbault and the increments of classic rock that pull you back to the 80s while simultaneously immersing you in a brand-new sonic world, defined by its emotive gravitas and atmospheric magnetism. Any fans of Christian Death will undoubtedly want to make LUXTHEREAL a firm fixture of their playlists.
With a scuzzy punk rock viciousness that could only have ever come from NYC, New Rock City’s latest single, Da Ratman!, is a blackened bop-worthy hit that could single-handedly and simultaneously restart the New Romantic and Horror Punk scenes.
With no two singles from the duo ever the same, they keep their fanbase guessing what revivalist tones they will deliver next. Based on Da Ratman! It’s safe to say that they know just how to pull different stylistic elements together to energetically complement each other. It’s as hooky as any Misfits track, jangly as Johnny Marr’s licks and comes with devilishly macabre undertones in the same vein as The Creepshow. Da Ratman! is a firecracker of a track that no one will regret hitting play on.
Da Datman! Is now available to stream and purchase via Bandcamp.
Taken off their recent five-track release ‘Hard Feelings and Real Tears‘, Easy Jean kindly bless us with the final song off the new project with a nostalgic track called ‘Creating Gods‘.
Easy Jean is a promising new-wave/post-punk Fremantle, Western Australia-based indie band who are a new act in the local scene. Featuring an all-time assortment of world class musicians who make this something special, you feel like you are delving into the start of something rather excellent.
”Easy Jean was born a little over a year ago by core songwriters Cheree Dobra from Melbourne Dream Pop Band Bayou, Andy Hill from Electronic Act Ambidexter and Drew Wootton of The Panics. Add World Music legend Grace Barbe on Bass to the mix and Max Porotto on drums for a killer live show.” ~ Easy Jean
The sultry beat here is rather hauntingly beautiful, which compellingly captures your vivid imagination and has sensually classy vocals interwoven rather majestically at each turn. You feel her contemplative voice shine over the night-lit city outside – on a deeply thoughtful single which is full of absorbing corners – which takes you perfectly inside her wonderfully creative mind.
”A band born out of isolation” ~ Easy Jean
‘Creating Gods‘ from the effortless Australian new wave act Easy Jean, is a stunning song full of gloriously crisp vocals of the very highest order. With a simmering music video that is certainly reflective as you delve deeper into the song and feel like you need a step back – to truly think about your path – we are eased smoothly into a sterling effort from a quality band. This is the type of song to play when you need to have some quiet time alone, to look deeper in the dusty mirror in front of your tired eyes, and work out where you are indeed headed.
A truly fine effort, which will have you pondering your next move in this maze-filled world.
See the new music visuals on YouTube and find out more on the IG music fan page.
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.
DragonSoop sponsored bandThe Ronains show their quality once again on the proudly-sung remix of an absolute classic that shows the true love for their country on ‘Flower Of Scotland‘.
The Ronains is a powerfully constructed Clydebank, Scotland-based indie-rock band. They make that movie or series-type soundtrack, that has you feeling uplifted and ready to achieve what you know you can conquer.
After getting the much-needed blessing from The Corries’Ronnie Browne and as they got the proper licenses all sorted, this legendary song has been redone by this quality band and they certainly make this a terrific version all the way though. The hairs on the back of your back stand up to attention, you feel invigorated and ready for anything.
”The Ronains bring together a mixture of New Wave and Rock and Roll to form a unique live sound, and have enjoyed performing to packed venues across the country, including sold out shows from the O2 ABC, Glasgow to The Cavern Club, Liverpool, supporting the likes of Jake Bugg and Gerry Cinnamon along the way.” – The Ronains
‘Flower Of Scotland‘ from the magnificent Clydebank, Scotland-based indie rock act The Ronains, is the hair-raising story of rising upwards and pulling all that nation pride together as one, to counter-act the hostility and anger that is way too apparent in this unconnected world.
With tremendous vocals and a soundscape that echos through the mountains, this is a remix that certainly has made the original version from 1967 very proud.
Stream this top notch track on Spotify and support their journey via IG.
