Browsing Tag

power-pop

La Need Machine signed, sealed and delivered unsurmountable scintillation with their indie power pop hit, The Mountain

Posted on 9 September 2024

La Need Machine’s latest hit, The Mountain, is sharp enough to etch its melodies into the soul and sweet enough in its indie power pop proclivities to give you a sugar rush.

With roots deeply embedded in the fertile grounds of Seattle’s eclectic music scene, the band fuses the raw energy of new-wave punk with the introspective depth of indie rock and the soulful rhythms of Americana, resulting in a major indie paradigm shift that you will want to be a part of.

At the core of The Mountain are the emotionally ethereal vocal lines, crafted to strike at the heart in synergy with orchestral crescendos that allow the lyrics to come alive as a sonic narrative which you will want to read time and time again.

Behind the music, La Need Machine stands committed to making a social impact by channelling significant portions of their proceeds to causes like The Trevor Project and Doctors Without Borders. This blend of activism and artistry is reflective of their influences, drawing parallels with the societal contributions of bands like U2 and The Clash.

With members like Elise and Brian sharing lead vocals, supported by a full ensemble La Need Machine’s sound is as layered as their influences. From Eddie Cochran’s early rock to the defiant chords of Generation X, each influence stitches into The Mountain.

With over 15,000 Spotify listeners and climbing, La Need Machine isn’t just on the rise; they’re crafting a legacy that will prove to be as timeless as their sound; hit play and be a part of it.

The Mountain hit the airwaves on August 16th; stream the single on Spotify now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Robin Lewis space-dusted rock n roll with ‘Still the Same’

Posted on 31 August 2024

South Carolina’s prodigal rock n roll son, Robin Lewis, is a seasoned sonic architect who has cut his razor-sharp teeth through decades of fronting bands and exploring diverse genres. His discography may dip into rock, post-punk, and reggae, but his eclectic style never strays too far from the aural fingerprint he’s honed over the years.

In his latest single, Still the Same, Lewis filters Bowie’s space-dusted sonic signature through a rugged and raw rock lens. The brash guitar chords sweep through the lo-fi garage production like a tsunami as Lewis’ vocals charismatically take command of the single which embodies the overdriven soul of rock n roll.

If you kneel at the altar of rock, Still the Same is a more than worthy hit to get on your knees for. With swathes of distinctive production and distortion effects adding depth to the intricately mastered release, Still the Same wrestles the psyche into a vice-like grip which doesn’t relinquish until the outro which follows soaring rock virtuoso guitar solos.

Still the Same, taken from Robin Lewis’ Lost Mix Tape LP, is now available to stream on SoundCloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

70s Punk was Hooked by Power Pop in Twilight Avenue’s Seminal Release, Road Rage

Posted on 15 March 2024

Twilight Avenue, a band that embodies the spirit of unity and the thrill of discovery, has unleashed a potent force in their eponymous debut EP. At its heart lies ‘Road Rage‘, a track that bridges the gaps between proto-punk and power-pop and serves as a timeless anthem for the disenchanted.

This Southport-based quartet, comprising Myles Thompson, Alex Ormand, Kyle Chadwick, and George Fitton, has crafted a riotous production that echoes the punk ethos, breathing life into the rolling rhythms that are as fierce as the title suggests. For those yearning for a new punk-rock earworm, ‘Road Rage’ is a revelation.

With an endlessly energetic edge, Twilight Avenue pays homage to the 70s punk scene while infusing it with fresh fervour. The hard riffs, groovy beats, and alternating vox create a dynamic that is as infectious as it is efficacious. Hit play and get your fill of exhilaration.

Stream the debut EP from Twilight Avenue in full via Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Ana & Gene Interview: Crafting Harmonies and Breaking Boundaries

Posted on 17 February 2024

In an illuminating conversation with Ana & Gene, the dynamic duo behind the chart-topping hit ‘Narcissistic You’, we delve into the serendipitous beginnings of their partnership, born amidst the solitude of the pandemic and fostered through a shared passion for music and film.

Their journey is a testament to the power of collaboration, where spontaneous creativity and mutual respect for each other’s artistry have led to the birth of sensational tracks. As they discuss the genesis of their unique sound, a blend of retro and modern power pop, and their perspective on the evolving digital landscape of the music industry in 2024, Ana & Gene offer a glimpse into their creative process and future endeavours.

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It is safe to say you have both earned your respective stripes in the music industry, what initially brought you together? 

“The COVID-19 pandemic brought us together and we found each other over Facebook.  We started talking about both our careers in the entertainment world of music and film.  We found out that we had so much in common and we appreciated each other’s talents. Then we decided to get together and become a new hit duo sensation to wow the world.”

It’s clear that you both complement each other’s talent and style, but what has been the most gratifying part of the collaborative experience so far? 

“The fact that we just flow so well together while we are creating.  A good example is when Gene started to warm up to play one of our new songs “More Than My Best Friend”.  He stumbled upon some beautiful chords, then I jumped out of my chair and leaned in towards him while he was playing and I started to sing Uh-Oh Who Do You Love.  So that is how our other song was born.”

Your single, Narcissistic You, has become quite the phenomenon on the airwaves and has been in high rotation on radio stations; what do you believe the key to the success of the single was? 

“The key to the success of Narcissistic You comes from the unique way Ana wrote the lyrics and hooks.  She wanted the song to portray as much realism as possible.  Also, the way I played the rhythm helped construct the melody, it brought the song completely together.  But also, our Recording Engineer Joe Bonadonna and our other musicians called “The Scene” including Buddy Woods (Lead Guitar), Michael O’Connor (Bass Guitar), and Rob Lela (Drums), helped and contributed to making the song what it is today.”

We love the retro yet modernised power pop aesthetic of Narcissistic You; were there any bands or artists who influenced the sound? 

“Well, I always loved pop rock, pop punk, and rock music, artists like Green Day and All Time Low.  I always wanted to create my own unique pop rock/pop punk rock music.  So, I explained to Gene what I wanted and then he helped give me his rhythmic flair.”

As you like to keep some of the elements of your music traditional, we’d love to get your take on the music industry as it currently stands in 2024. Is it a digital land of opportunity or a paltry effigy of what it once was? 

“We believe that it is a digital land of opportunity as it currently stands for 2024.  Today’s music Industry isn’t like how it used to be.  But everything is always evolving, and the best bet is to always go with the flow.”

What’s next for Ana & Gene?

“Right now we are in the process of making a new single called “Giving You Love”.  It is a unique blend of Tropical, Pop and Country music.  Just so everyone knows, Gene and I like to create a vast variety of Genres for our fans to enjoy.  Aside from this new single, we are also working on a new EP.  And very shortly, we will be playing with our band The Scene at venues near you.”

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Stream Ana & Gene’s EP, Uh-Oh Who Do You Love on Spotify.

Interview by Amelia Vandergast

Ana & Gene scribed a modern love story with retro tones in their power-pop hit, Narcissistic You

Posted on 13 February 2024

Ana & Gene, the dynamic duo behind the fresh and invigorating EP, Uh-Oh Who Do You Love, have struck gold with their single Narcissistic You. The earworm is an infectious paradox through its synthesis of sticky-sweet retro power-pop and modern fusionist and lyrical touches.

The song is a masterclass in blending genres, contorting classic rock riffs into pop hooks without losing an ounce of their retro charm. Ana & Gene’s commitment to live elements in their recording process shines through, promising an electric replication of this energy in their live performances.

What sets ‘Narcissistic You’ apart is its playful yet piercing commentary on the modern lexicon and societal shifts. The lyrics cleverly weave in the increasing awareness of narcissism, striking a chord with contemporary listeners. The dual harmonies between Anastacia Bella and Gene Roberts are nothing short of magnetic. Their voices intertwine with a natural chemistry, elevating the song’s playful, tongue-in-cheek nature.

The track is a testament to Ana & Gene’s ability to craft music that appeals across generations. Their aim to reach audiences through radio, TV, commercials, film, and social media is not just ambitious but achievable with such a universally appealing sound.

Stream Narcissistic You with the rest of Ana & Gene’s 4-track EP, Uh-Oh Who Do You Love on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Teles electrified the indie rock scene with their power pop-hooked hit, Olivia

Posted on 30 January 2024

By fusing Manics-esque 90s Britpop with the high voltage energy of power pop and throwing some magnetic rock-licked indietronica synthetics into the electrifying mix which embodies Yorkshire’s indie rock spirit, Teles didn’t just hit the ground running with their latest single, Olivia, they blazed their dynamism right across it and scorched the earth with their exhilarated sonic signature.

You just can’t help getting swept up in the momentum as Olivia depicts the torment of seeing someone short-selling themselves in relationships, especially when the knife is twisted even deeper through a connection to the person who can’t see their value while looking past you. It’s a paragon of an indie rock anthem that is set to seal the outfit’s fate as trailblazers in the UK indie rock scene. It’s only a matter of time before they are as big as their sound. Your time is running out to see them in intimate venues; get on it.

Olivia will be available to stream from January 29th; stream the single on all major platforms via this link.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Horizons lose all meaning in the ennui of Hello London’s indie rock reinvention of pop-punk, Garden

Posted on 25 December 2023
Patterns by Hello London

How infectious can melancholy be? Hit play on the latest standout single, Garden, from the Buffalo-hailing indie songwriter Hello London (James Froese) and feel the earworm burying into your psyche.

Embodying the same lamenting energy that made I Miss You by Blink-182 a cult phenomenon while experimenting with a fusion of pop punk, power pop, jangle pop and 00s indie ensured that Garden is a modernised sonic sign of the disenfranchised times.

As we all mourn that the landscapes of our lives appear the same but no longer bring us the same sense of meaning, we can all find ourselves in the resonance of the work of the solo artist, who has remained prolific since his 2021 debut.

3 EPs, an LP and a series of shows across the Northeast opening for the likes of Crimson Riot, Sincere Engineer and Covey down, the only way is up for Hello London and his command over nostalgically reinvented melodic lines. With a new LP in the works and ready for release in 2024, everyone who never fully grew out of their emo phase will want to save a space for Hello London on their radar.

Garden is now available to stream and purchase on Bandcamp as part of the Patterns EP.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Rooftop Screamers metamorphosed nihilism into euphoria with their power pop hit, Dead in the Water

Posted on 23 December 2023

With angular echoes of Interpol-esque lines feeding into the palpitatingly anticipation-rife instrumental arrangement, the prelude and opening verse in Rooftop Screamers‘ latest single, Dead in the Water, throws you into the depth of the earworm headfirst before the subsequent verses veer from Placebo reminiscence to exuding the fervid electricity found within the Manic Street Preacher tracks that know exactly how to melodically ignite the soul.

It is a significant sonic shift from the sound Rooftop Screamers used to gain our attention earlier this year. They’ve left the dreaminess and romanticism of Another Life behind the anthemic 90s Britpop adrenaline, but you’ll still be enveloped by the scintillating synths as they add colour to the guitar lines which may as well have been riffed by James Dean Bradfield himself.

The track featuring Rob Daiker is an impossible-to-ignore attestation to the cultivated gravitas of the Portland-hailing award-winning singer-songwriter who alchemically metamorphosed nihilism into euphoria for superlative power pop catharsis.

Dead in the Water was officially released on December 15; stream it on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Diablofurs’ Vampires of Rome will sink its teeth into the heart of any power pop fans.

Posted on 21 October 2023

Imagine Sonic Youth came to fame on this side of the Atlantic, they displaced their distorted guitars with analogue synths, and punky power pop ran in the veins of Goo, and you will get an idea of what Diablofurs consummately concocted with the lead single, Vampires of Rome, from their forthcoming album, Welcome to the City of Fun.

The deeply affecting atmosphere in the verses of Vampires of Rome, which holds an alchemic candle to Echo and the Bunnymen, makes the crescendos even more sonically transcendent to experience. While just about anything with a hook gets labelled as an earworm in these lazy days of music journalism, the infectious appeal of Vampires of Rome is far too intoxicating to experience once. From the first shoegazey rings of euphonic bliss from the guitars in the intro to the Teenage Kicks-y energy when the track reaches its momentum, the nostalgic sense of fabled romanticism will sucker diehard romantics and those whose souls haven’t been stirred viscerally since the 80s.

After receiving critical acclaim from Vive Le Rock, being lauded and spun by 6 Music and BBC Introducing and performing unforgettable shows at Rebellion, the Nottingham-based outfit is set to take the scene by storm with their sophomore release.

Pre-order the sophomore LP, which is due for official release on October 27, from Rough Trade and ensure it sells out as fast as the debut album.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Get your teenage kicks from Sweetboy’s latest indie power-pop installation of nostalgia, Day in the Park

Posted on 14 October 2023

If you are looking for a new indie-pop outfit to get your teenage kicks from, or reminisce from kicks from yesteryear, get ready for the impact of Sweetboy’s latest single, Day in the Park.

After finding each other on Craigslist in 2018, the founding members, Anna Barnett and Jon Flores, put momentum into their dream of pursuing a music career; armed with classical piano training and a background in English Literature respectively, Sweetboy took the NYC scene by storm when they started to tour the live circuit and amass more members.

With the demureness of Debbie Harry, the vocal lines will draw you right into the nostalgic gravity of the release, which bolsters itself with soaring riffs between the cutting angular guitars and a solid backbeat that feeds you all the power pop furore you could ask for.

A Day in the Park is the first single to be released from the debut LP of the same title; if you like your vibrato vocals to be affecting and instrumentals infectious in their sticky-sweet retro glamour, save a space on your radar.

Day in the Park was officially released on September 22; stream it on SoundCloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast