Browsing Tag

Newcastle

SQUARMS – Consequences feat John Dole: Dynamically Divergent Electronic Hip Hop

Newcastle, UK’s most promising Alt Electronica trailblazers SQUARMS’ latest single ‘Consequences’ is a dynamic DIY celebration of the UK underground. With groovingly sharp hooks which will lacerate you with 90s Pop nostalgia amongst elements of Indie Dreampop and gritty Hip Hop, Consequences is a smorgasbord of culture and style.

With every progression, there’s a new unpredictable evolution in the artist’s limitlessly expressive and intimate sound which borrows elements from the past to bridge the gaps between Hip Hop and Electronica scenes.

Newcastle’s aural contributions may frequently be overlooked, but tracks as eclectically indulgent as Consequences are hard to ignore.

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

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Home studio goodness: Australia’s Eastrn Social transports us into a different world on the indie-electronica sizzler ‘Sound So Clear’

This is the splendid solo project of producer/songwriter Liam Gray called Eastrn Social and the earthy electronic waves drift in like a sneaky side-wash on ‘Sound So Clear‘. The bursting beat is such an intrigue and teases us to dip our toes into the seas of the unknown.

You close your eyes tightly to visualize the dreamy alt-pop transparent sounds that are a blessing to our eyes and his gasping voice floats inside your soul so beautifully. The relaxed electronica has you in a temporary gaze that is such a pleasurable experience in current times as the ambiance blesses the anxious speakers inside us.

The Newcastle, New South Wales native draws you in like a fine pencil with a music artwork that keeps your body moving in rhythm. This is a song all about meeting in the middle to get the full picture is portrayed here, as sometimes we can drift apart so quickly and get lost on the dark ocean of life. What was so easy before can sometimes become so hard and complicated. To truly work together in life or love, each relationship needs work and compassion for the flow to stream just right.

Australian home studio producer and singer-songwriter Eastrn Social has a fantastic formula that races in like a Daniel Ricciardo fastest lap. This is a musician that is different from the rest of the musicians out there and the intricately created authentic sounds transfix you into wanting more. ‘Sound So Clear’ is exactly what is on the label and this pure energy is like a crisp summer’s day in the ocean seas.

Stream this brand new release on Spotify and see more on Twitter and IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Australian emcee Dawn Laird dusts off the mic in style on excellent ‘Doreen’

Doreen‘ is the new moody classic Hip Hop release from Dawn Laird as she impresses on this fab 10 track full album.

Newcastle emcee Dawn Laird has been a staple of the Australian music scene for the last 5 years, with countless supports, radio slots and features. This is now her time to shine.

Doreen‘ is named after Dawn’s grandmother who sadly passed away a couple of years ago. Dawn Laird, dedicates this release to someone whose unconditional love is the reason she still in this world, due to the massive impact that she made.

The album is unapologetically Dawn, a larger than life personality with no punches being pulled. She doesn’t dance around topics such as sexism, weightism or her experiences in Hip Hop and life in general.

She wrote and recorded a lot of the tracks on ‘Doreen‘ during a time when she moved from Newcastle to the mid north coast to be closer to her grandmother. She’d gone into an aged care facility and Dawn wanted to be there for her. She was the kind of person who wanted to speak up but seldom did. She didn’t do a lot of pushing back or advocating for herself which meant the world wrote all over her in many ways. She believed in kindness over everything but that was often taken advantage of or mistaken for weakness. Rightly or wrongly, it never changed her belief that people were fundamentally good.

It’s taken a long time for Dawn to learn how to stick up for herself and other marginalised people in a meaningful and unapologetic way. ‘Doreen‘ is fundamentally a body of work about identity, courage, pushing back, catharsis, making space and transcending fear. ‘Look Nan, I can do courage now!’. – Dawn Laird

This is such a sad but inspiring story. The music matches the story and the lyricism is of a high standard with beautiful beats.

Doreen‘ from Dawn Laird is quality and my favourite song is by far ‘Days Like These‘. The lyrics are deep and I love how the song builds and builds, yes.. this is such good Hip Hop. In a genre that is so saturated, this has me smiling and also shedding tears for this artist’s loss. However, from loss we learn and the strength from the lost loved one is there for you to look after, you just have to grab it and never let go, maintaining your honesty throughout.

Doreen is so proud of you right now Dawn, please carry on your journey and helping others learn how to stick up for themselves, Please don’t let the cold world freeze you up, your kindness is really strength.

Click here for the Spotify link.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Australia’s Megan Core sends us mental health conversation starter with ‘Caffeine Fix’

Caffeine Fix‘ from Megan Core is the brand new single from the talented young singer-songwriter.

Megan Core is an Australian artist who writes honest and relatable folk-rock with an earthy feel. This down to earth singer-songwriter with a mellow style, makes the year a bit better with this fantastic song. This is her 3rd ever release and you can really feel her growing maturity.

Her last single ‘Lost In Mayfield’ was released a few weeks ago and is pretty personal and based around her love for Newcastle and the special people who can make a place feel like home. With new music out, this must be such an exciting time from the likable musician who is growing after each song. Her authenticity shining through is the most impressive part and there is no flexing here.

Caffeine Fix‘ from Megan Core is a lovely song, full of beauty and incredible vocals. The Australian singer flies high with her indie-folk melodies that makes you want to smile and think of things in a positive mindset despite the topic. Speaking with your close ones and making sure they are ok is so vital. This started after Megan couldn’t play for a while due to a broken finger and is such a blessing. Even if coffee makes this fab singer a bit anxious, she will do it to check in on friends.

Click here for the Spotify link.

Head to the Facebook page.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Young singer-songwriter ` is in self-reflective mood on ”You Don’t See In Me What I See In You”

Luke Porter is a young singer-songwriter from Newcastle upon Tyne in the UK. He is a fine artist and is here with his song called ”You Don’t See In Me What I See In You”.

This is a perfect song for a reflective night in as this is a quite a sad topic. You want to be with someone special and you care about them so much. There is one massive issue. You like them more than they like you. This is a always a sticky situation. You wonder if things will ever work or if you should just move on? This is the problem you will have or will they fall in love with you?

You Don’t See In Me What I See In You” is full of indie-folk vibes that are so purely sung from Luke Porter. The Newcastle native sings through his soul and this is something special. This young artist is only getting his name out and this is a musician that is on his way all the way to the top. The lyrics are honest and the music strikes a chord in the heart.

Stream this fab new track here on Spotify.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Newcastle Rockers Indoor Kids leave no doubt to their brilliance with ”Down”

Ah yes. This is such a quality sound and they are going places. Indoor Kids have a powerful style with incredible production and the band executes the sound like no other.

Down” is just over 5 minutes and you can’t get enough. Newcastle natives Indoor Kids take us into the unknown with breath-taking precision and rock 2020 into shape with 80’s style music that is timelessly crafted for this lost generation. Get off your phone and turn this up until your speakers shake into shape.

The start of the song is a bit haunting and then we are told to settle down. The band are in control here and they are taking us into another world like Neo in The Matrix. They have built up for this moment and each member knows exactly what they need to do. This is the Champions League final and the boys are lining up for that Free Kick. My body shakes as I anticipate the next build and listen even closer. It’s not often that a band has me jamming like this. Always ready for the fight. This is an act that is breaking through to the very top and they are going to put on one heck of a show.

Taken off new album ”The Great Outdoors, Pt. 1”, ”Down” is a powerfully fused anthem and sits comfortably seated in the front row of majestic music releases from 2020.

Head to the band’s Spotify page to get this single in your head all day.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Badmind have released their Live Acoustic version of Work Me

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1eQkqFjmjt0

Up and coming duo Badmind have dropped the Live Acoustic to their original piece ‘Work Me’ this Pop infused piece is one to check out.

Stripped back, hearing the vocal as they’re without all the added in effects, giving the listeners that real live atmosphere. The vocals are insane, the way it’s sung is done so effortlessly, it’s just the way the voice comes out and instantly flows in such a mesmerising way, having that adenoidal style to the tone. It’s sung at such a low-pitched slow pace, adding in so much variety to the way the voice sounds.

The instrumentation is pretty simple, using the catchy essence of the clasp on the electric guitar riffs to give it that little bit of edginess. Hearing just how well the vocals and the guitar intertwine together is so intriguing to listen too.

Be sure to check out the original piece as well as their other track Badmind, you won’t want to miss out on these two!

Listen to Badmind Work Me (Live Session) by heading over to YouTube now.

Review by Karley Myall

The Escapades releases single Can’t Get Enough (Of Your Rock & Roll): Modernised Brit-Rock at it’s finest

https://soundcloud.com/user-667291691/cant-get-enough-of-your-rock-and-roll/s-pnv0v

Alternative Brit-Rock band The Escapades who’ve just released their single ’Can’t Get Enough (Of Your Rock & Roll)’ it’s noisy, it’s chaotic and one you must check out,

From the beginning to the end it’s loud and there is a lot going on, this band sure knows how to make a killer Rock hit. From the hard hits on the Cymbal, to the blaring electric guitar solos and then the raspy high-pitch vocals, so much energy and personality blasts through.

By surprise you’ll get the loud shrieks and the thunderous instrumentation, if you thought it was crazy before then you have to wait till the chorus, it’s so lively and would be such an insane piece to play live. It’s so exhilarating and really enjoyable to listen too.

The Escapades sure know how to make a rather tumultuous track and that definitely shows in this piece. We can’t wait to see what is next for them!

Check out The Escapades Can’t Get Enough (Of Your Rock & Roll) by heading over to SoundCloud, you can’t miss this one.

Review by Karley Myall