Browsing Tag

Nostalgia

ArkAngel47 flowed into the heart of memory in his alt-hip-hop track, nostalgia

ArkAngel47’s latest single, nostalgia, crashed into the alt-rap scene like a rogue wave, unapologetically dismantling the boundaries of the genre on February 8th. The raw, unfiltered plunge into the depths of memory, wrapped in a soundscape that defies easy categorisation, is an unconventional fusion that grips you from the first beat.

Imagine grime’s gritty pulse, new wave’s introspective echo, and alt-hip-hop’s rebellious spirit colliding around lyricism that balances candour and volition. Hit play and feel the push and pull of time as North West London’s grittiest poet waxes lyrical with melancholic wisdom. Nostalgia is beyond reminiscence; it is the dissection of the essence of the psychological phenomenon; an exposition of its sweet allure and sharp bite.

Musically, the track is a beast of its own making. The beats morph and twist before flooding into a melodious flow and glitching like a dream half-remembered as the backing vocals resonate as ethereal whispers from bygone days, adding layers of haunting depth to the track.

Mixed and mastered with the sharp ear of Kult Eviction at Kabin Studios, nostalgia is a testament to ArkAngel47’s raw talent and vision. With plenty more genre-fluid releases locked, loaded, and ready to drop throughout 2024, ArkAngel47 is one to watch.

Watch the official music video for nostalgia on YouTube, or add the single to your Spotify playlists.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

How ‘The Brit Fest’ Became a Tragic Sign of the Post-Brexit Live Music Industry

The Brit Fest

The announcement of The Brit Fest, the inaugural event celebrating “the best of British”, may have stoked excitement in music fans who don’t need much persuasion to partake in nostalgia, but beyond the surface of the line-up poster, the festival is a tragic symbol of post-Brexit Britain.

With its red, white, and blue iconography all over the festival posters and official website, the festival seems less a celebration and more a British funeral for festivals as we knew them. This event, set against the backdrop of a nation grappling with its identity and economic challenges post-Brexit, stands as a stark reminder of the changes sweeping across the UK.

Clinging to National Pride

In the wake of Brexit, the UK’s economy has taken a significant hit; a recently published report, which came to light in January 2024, revealed that the UK economy is now almost £140 billion smaller as a result of the majority of voters ticking ‘leave’ on their ballot papers following an obscurely deceiving pro-Brexit campaign. This economic downturn has left many Brits searching for a semblance of hope and assurance, clinging to national pride as their last lifeline. The Brit Fest, in this context, is more than just a festival; it’s a desperate grasp at the straws of national identity and pride, a way for people to reassure themselves that leaving the EU was a beneficial move and the democratic decision wasn’t the sole reason for the cost-of-living crisis that is gradually crippling us.

The Struggle of Festival Organisers

The challenges of post-Brexit Britain are not limited to the economy but extend to the cultural sector as well. UK festival organisers are facing a tough time as American headline acts are increasingly shunning UK festivals. This trend is a direct consequence of the economic and logistical complications brought about by Brexit, making the UK a less attractive destination for global artists. The Brit Fest, focusing on homegrown talent, is a response to this new reality, where international acts are harder to secure.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for celebrating and championing British artists, but this celebration of cultural alienation is a dystopic stretch too far in our era where everything is a culture war because we’ve got no culture (in the truest definition of the word) left to celebrate. The collective nationalistic flagellation is a worrying symptom of a society grasping at the echoes of a bygone era, mistaking loudness for substance and spectacle for depth. In this clamour, the true essence of artistry – the raw, unvarnished expression of the human condition – is drowned out by the cacophony of jingoistic fervour. It’s as if we’re in an amphitheatre, where the loudest cheer, not the most profound message, wins the day.

A Homage to Nostalgia

Despite its patriotic veneer, The Brit Fest is essentially a homage to nostalgia. Described by The Manc as “a pure throwback”, the festival mostly features a lineup of British artists from years gone by, evoking memories of a different era in British music. This focus on the past highlights a longing for a time before the complexities and uncertainties of the post-Brexit landscape. It’s a celebration of what was, perhaps, in an attempt to escape the realities of what is. If you want to learn more about why people are being drawn to nostalgia like moths to a flame, read our piece on the neurology of nostalgia and the price the music industry pays for it.

The Brit Fest is An Emblem of Stagnancy in the UK Music Industry

With Bonnie Tyler, Scouting for Girls, Kim Wilde, Heather Smalls, Starsailor, Toploader and Dodgy as the biggest acts on the bill at The Brit Fest, the festival poster proves what happens when the music industry becomes stagnant and refuses to let new bands rise to the top.

Even though music fans would be forgiven for thinking that there are no new bands worthy of securing headline festival slots, that is far from the case. The UK music scene is as vibrant and diverse as it has ever been – bands just can’t grab the same slices of global acclaim as their predecessors, and there are multiple reasons behind this depressing phenomenon.

Changes in the Music Industry

The music industry has undergone significant changes in the last few decades. The rise of streaming services and the decline of traditional album sales have altered how artists gain exposure and make money. This shift has impacted bands worldwide, but British bands, which traditionally relied heavily on album sales and extensive radio play, may find these changes particularly challenging.

Globalisation and Diversification of Music

With the advent of the internet and social media, the music market has become more globalized and diversified. Listeners have access to a vast array of music from all over the world, which means that competition is no longer local or even national but global. This increased competition can make it harder for any one group, including British bands, to dominate.

Cultural Shifts

In the past, British bands like The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, and later Oasis, were part of larger cultural movements that had significant international appeal. The cultural shifts of today might not be as conducive to bands playing a central role, or the movements themselves are more fragmented and diverse.

Economic and Logistical Challenges

For new bands, touring and getting exposure can be expensive and logistically challenging. This is particularly true in the post-Brexit era, where touring in Europe, a key market for British bands, has become more complicated and costly due to new regulations and visa requirements.

Media Focus

The media landscape has also changed, with a more fragmented audience and a shift towards reality TV, solo artists, and celebrity culture. Bands might not receive the same level of media attention as they did in the past, making it harder to gain widespread recognition.

Nostalgia and Comparison with the Past

There’s also a factor of nostalgia and the tendency to compare contemporary music unfavourably with the past. The British bands of the 60s, 70s, and 90s set a very high bar, and contemporary bands are often measured against these legends, which can overshadow their achievements.

In conclusion, The Brit Fest, with its nostalgic line-up and patriotic branding, stands as a symbol of the times – a post-Brexit Britain struggling to redefine its identity and place in the world. It’s a festival that is as much about music as it is about the collective psyche of a nation trying to find its footing in a new, uncertain era.

To learn more about how Brexit has impacted the music industry, read our statistical overview of the crushing blow of Brexit on the music industry.

Article by Amelia Vandergast

What Is Fake Or Real: London’s Ultrabloom drop hugely relatable phone-filled debut single Doomscrolling

https://open.spotify.com/track/7czT46gTapdKpUIRfHspNQ?si=610yvaB2SUGQRhJzAPs59Q&dd=1&nd=1

All about a story where the addictive phone is in control and the hours just fly by, Ultrabloom brings us into a new era of understanding and fuels all speakers with an elevating single which will make many think a bit deeper on Doomscrolling.

Ultrabloom is a 3-piece London, UK-based indie rock band who perform with radiating passion and crisp inventive energy to uplift any situation.

Singing about digital dilemmas with a backdrop of New Romantic nostalgia, Rachel, Matt & Marti (aka Ultrabloom) blend existential lyrics with vintage synths, rocky riffs, and soaring vocals infectiously creating the soundtrack to a quarter life crisis.” ~ Ultrabloom

With an uncanny knack for unwrapping the truth from the plastic bottles which cruelly pollute our innocent oceans, Ultrabloom might be the fresh start we all needed. Crisp in context and advancing our mindsets to what is actually happening, this is a rather entertaining story sung and performed with heightened belief.

Doomscrolling from London, UK-based indie rock band Ultrabloom is a breath of fresh air to help calm a suffocatingly intense world. Honest to the core and with lyrics which are intertwined deep into modern-day society, we find a cellphone-packed story which should enlighten many to take a little break from screen time.

Lighting up our imagination one scroll at a time, this is a hugely worthwhile first track from the loveable London crew Ultrabloom.

Turn this up on Spotify.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Italian-Ghanaian pianist BeccasMelodies keeps it rather mellow on the Playground

With so much serene beauty and a tranquil state of affairs to take us all back to school days, BeccasMelodies washes all the stress away with a youthful track to remember fun times with on Playground.

BeccasMelodies aka Rebekah Obeng is an Italian-Ghanaian pianist and music producer who makes timelessly calm classics to relax even the most stressed mind.

Her latest track “Playground” evokes a sense of nostalgia and innocence. It’s a place where people of all ages come together to play and have fun, and she wanted to capture that feeling in her music. The playground also symbolizes the idea of embracing childhood and letting go of adult responsibilities, which is a refreshing and powerful message.” ~ BeccasMelodies

Gliding rather freely and without anything flashy to get confused about, BeccasMelodies gets us away from a sleepy slumber and back into munching peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.

Playground from Italian-Ghanaian pianist and music producer BeccasMelodies is one of the more tranquil singles anyone is likely to release in 2023. Soaked into so much mellow vibrancy and taking us on a lo-fi dream to get engaged with, this is a rather memorable track to fuse tightly inside.

Listen up to this new single on Spotify. View more vibes on IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Bristol’s Dolly Doo just wants that one tender kiss to go so slow and seductive on ‘Medusa’

As she tries not to stare and let her heart open too far wide again and get let down like last time, Dolly Doo is quite sensational on this kiss-filled new single all about wanting to be close to that sweet crush on ‘Medusa‘.

Dolly Doo is a Bristol, UK-based indie alternative artist who has the kind of vocal ability and lyrical awareness that sends your imagination into a whole new galaxy.

Drawing on metaphors lyrically, Dolly Doo connects stories of the past with the present that evoke feelings of nostalgia, loss and heartbreak in a contemporary light.” ~ Dolly Doo

Sending her potential new lover a heartfelt message that is heard loud and clear, Dolly Doo is unquestionably immaculate with a wonderfully electric display that will catch your attention and have your tender lips tingling with anticipation.

Medusa‘ from Bristol, UK-based indie alternative artist Dolly Doo, is a superb single that is one of the most sensual gems you might hear all year. This is the message of wanting that one sweet kiss that might open up so many doors, to that romantic night that could change everything and cause sparks to fly all evening. With a sizzling vocalist on fire who seems to only be getting better after each release as her self-awareness grows – this is an ear-shaker beyond comprehension – that will possibly have you blushing as you dream about that passionate moment you have desired forever.

Listen to her wonderful new creation on Spotify and check out her stunning IG for more.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Holding Your Hand: Virginia-based country artist Noel Williams sends us incredible debut track ‘Never Letting Go’

As she gently closes her eyes and recollects when they were apart for a while and she didn’t like the feeling at all, Noel Williams knows that she is in such a happier place now and is ‘Never Letting Go’.

Noel Williams is a small town Amherst County, Virginia-based indie country artist who was formally in the Army and performs with a respectful nod to the ’90s.

She is a country artist through and through and been singing since she could speak-singing in churches and with various musical groups throughout her life.” ~ Noel Williams

With such a transfixing vocal ability that has you feeling so nostalgic as you remember holding hands with someone who makes your whole body glow with joy, Noel Williams is quite tremendously exquisite on her highly memorable debut single. As the air of contentment takes over rather quickly as she found her true love again, you feel that Noel will make use of this second chance to be with someone who was there the whole time.

Never Letting Go‘ from the Amherst County, Virginia-based indie country solo singer-songwriter Noel Williams, is one of those sweetly-made singles that you can’t help but turn all the way up to full volume. You sense that she is making up for a lost time in her music career but is in no rush – as she is self-aware enough to realize – that to be truly happy you need to be living in the moment, not the past.

Life is all about letting things flow anyway, as everything happens for a reason.

Listen to this truly special song on Spotify and see her socials on IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

UK Alt-Pop artist Eve Perrin showcases her immense talent with ”Nostalgia”

Eve Perrin is a fabulous singer-songwriter based in Leeds and Manchester in the UK. She is back with her latest single and this new song finds Eve in nostalgic mood with her ”Nostalgia” single.

Taken off the latest EP ”Hiatus”, ”Nostalgia” is a wonderfully crafted track for 2020. The vocals are smokey cool and I like the bounce and vibe of the creation. This is indie-pop soaked with a powerful style that makes you listen twice as it’s so nice for our tired brains sick of the depressing news.

The young alt-pop artist from the UK makes dreamy indie music with a R&B sprinkle to keep it all so fresh and so clean. Eve Perrin has the sound of the younger generation in the palm of her hands. She makes everything feel so safe and pure. Eve’s voice is effortless and I can’t stop dancing to her style. This is exactly was 2020 was shouting out for.

Stream the new single right here on the Spotify music channel.

Check out the Facebook page for more info and gig news.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen