Browsing Tag

rock

Love Bug Junkie delivered an alchemic masterclass in vintage tonality with ‘Voodoo Woman’

Posted on 29 November 2023

Voodoo Woman, the latest single by North Carolina’s own Love Bug Junkie, is a bluesy rock revelation steeped in the allure of authentic Americana. As the track opens, listeners are immediately transported to a dimly lit juke joint, where the air is thick with the scent of smouldering incense and the promise of enchantment. The band, known for their emotionally charged and robust sound, has managed to bottle the alchemy of a voodoo priestess’ charm and pour it generously into their music.

The song is a masterclass in vintage tonality, with guitar riffs that cry out with the wisdom of the old spirits and a rhythm section that thumps in time with the heartbeat of the bayou. Love Bug Junkie’s vocal prowess is on full display, finding a haunting middle ground between the Prince of Darkness, Ozzy Osbourne, and the soul-penetrating timbre of Chris Cornell. It’s this unique blend that also conjures vibes reminiscent of My Morning Jacket during their It Still Moves era, yet the band infuses their own distinct essence into the mix.

Voodoo Woman is a sensory experience which taps into a raw, almost primal energy that is both captivating and inspiring. Their performance, whether live or recorded, showcases a love for music that transcends genre and era. With their eyes set on leaving an indelible mark on the music industry, Voodoo Woman serves as a powerful statement of intent from Love Bug Junkie. This band unites their audience in the shared space of rhythm and blues, with the promise of uniting people through the undeniable power of rock music.

Stream Voodoo Woman on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Take a soulfully psychedelic trip back to the 70s with DENIM DAN’s latest single, Guess I’ll Be Alright

Posted on 26 November 2023

“Guess I’ll Be Alright” from Denim Dan is a portal back to the smooth and rich tones of 70s rock and the vibrant psychedelic colours of 60s pop. While it marks a daring step in the band’s sound, it maintains the comforting and straightforward vocal style fans have come to adore from the outfit, which banded together in Boulder, Colorado, in 1996.

There’s an unmistakable soulfulness within the smoky layers of the music, with nods to Northern Soul and a subtle jazz influence that Denim Dan integrates seamlessly; the resulting sound is both nostalgic and fresh, an ambitious blend that pays homage to the past while forging its own path.

Following the international recognition with their sixth album, their seventh, Santa Maria’s Dome, from which Guess I’ll Be Alright is prised, resounds as a cultivated new beginning. A track which focuses on two friends trying to get the other over addiction could all too easily become a sombre sonic feat, but via the depth of the storytelling, the texturally upbeat musical backdrop and the signature vocals, which always portray melancholy as an option you need not take, Guess I’ll Be Alright is a realm of captivatingly uplifting intrigue.

Stream DENIM DAN’s latest album, Santa Maria’s Dome on all major platforms via this link.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Confusion Field spoke to the outliers with their interstellar synth and guitar-driven rock opera, Atom Child

Posted on 19 November 2023

‘Atom Child’ is the latest seismic shift in synth-rock from the prodigies of sonic futurism, who banded together to forge Confusion Field. If you ever wondered what Sisters of Mercy would sound like if they assembled lightyears in the future, hit play and wonder no more as you experience the quintessence of the Finnish progressive rock outfit, which was formed in 2017 by the seasoned musician and composer, Tomi Kankainen.

After embarking on a solo path following decades of playing bass and exploring various genres in local bands, Kankainen’s project blossomed into Confusion Field. The band’s debut, “Disconnection Complete,” emerged in 2021, which delved into the shadowy realms of depression.

Their upcoming second album, “Future Impact of Past Diversions,” which will be hot on the heels of Atom Child, promises a rich tapestry of musical escapism. I don’t know about you, but I’ll jump in any vessel I can take away from our blighted and imbittered social tapestry; their presentation of a progressively interstellar synth and guitar-driven rock opera is the perfect ticket.

Confusion Field’s dynamic fusion of progressive, pop, and metal influences, which harmonises the old with the new and the bright with the heavy, all underscored by a distinctive touch of Nordic melancholy will undoubtedly resonate with a broad spectrum of salvation-seeking alternatively inclined music fans. For your own sake, hit play.

Atom Child was officially released on October 6; stream it on YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Coyote Fire came in electrifyingly hot in their garage rock revival ‘Klepto’

Posted on 15 November 2023
Coyote Fire

Coyote Fire will steal the show with their latest electrifyingly hot garage rock revival, Klepto. Fuelled with the noisy nuances of grunge and reverent to the insurgency of rock n roll, the Chicago fourpiece became the sum of all parts while ticking every conceivable garage rock box with their ferociously infectious track that puts the devil on your shoulder and compels you to fall in line with the kleptomaniac tendency of the lyrical protagonist who makes no apologies before taking what they want. Starting with the track with a voice of contempt in the medium of a voicemail, the tongue in maniacal cheek energy doesn’t hang around before asserting itself in the riled with raucous flavour single.

The ensemble’s roots trace back to the former band of Louie Kertgen and Miguel Contreras, Yard Sale, which couldn’t endure the loss of their leading voice, Jimmy Dooley, who passed away in 2018. As the calendar pages turned, Louie and Miguel’s paths diverged, only to be rekindled when Louie traded his drumsticks for guitar strings, finding solace in six strings and a new beginning.

The spark reawakened; Louie dialled Miguel’s number with a proposition that set the stage for rebirth. They coaxed Austin Yurasek into the metamorphosis from guitarist to bassist, and his conviction to the cause was absolute, “The vision was clear, the purpose was calling, and I was all in,” he affirmed after the pitch of the idea. Yet, their symphony lacked its final note—a drummer. Enter Victor Aguirre, the percussive wizard whose hands could converse with any rhythm. Louie, through a twist of fate and a friend’s recommendation, sent Victor some rough cuts. Victor heard the call, and like a moth to a flame, was enchanted by the vision.

Coyote Fire isn’t about the vanity of uniqueness, the complexity of sound, or the chase for flawless execution. Their creed is to forge a visceral bond with their audience. If the crowd’s pulse matches the beat of their music, their mission is accomplished. They aim to weave an intimate tapestry of emotion, attitude, and raw power. Influenced by the likes of Jack White and The Black Keys, Louie adopted a philosophy where music serves as a bridge to the soul, a raw yet simple channel to convey their stories, and a performance that teleports the listener into the band’s collective consciousness.

Klepto will be officially released on November 15; stream it on Bandcamp and Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Gain the permission to live autonomously free with The Close’s 90s pop-rock single, Living It Right

Posted on 13 November 2023

With a nostalgically 90s pop-rock edge which cuts as deep as the hits from Jewel, Sheryl Crow, and Alanis Morrisette, The Close came close to perfect with the standout single, Living It Right, from their debut album, Orbit.

The debut LP pushed the introspective genre-bending outfit’s monthly listeners up to impressive heights. Now, over 36k listeners are repetitively tuning into their intricately airy melodies which transcend expectation and effortlessly share effervescent transcendence.

You’ll be torn between attempting to match the flawlessly magnetic timbres in the vocal delivery as they verse the virtues of living autonomously free and leaning into the mellifluous interplay of the ethereal synergy within the instrumental arrangements and harmonies.

Aside from the very obvious superlative song crafting which sets The Close apart, the outfit also finds distinction by employing each member as a lyricist, musician and lead vocalist, resulting in a dynamic discography, which dabbles in everything from Americana to contemporary folk to country. A commercial pop sensibility is one of the few constants within their euphonically unshackling collection of lyrically intimate releases.

Living It Right was officially released on October 27; stream it on Spotify with the rest of the Orbit LP.

Review by Amelia Vandergast  

Forgotten Tides have debuted their disarmingly compassionate post-punk-wrapped rock hit, Dark Thoughts

Posted on 12 November 2023

For their sophomore single, Dark Thoughts, the up-and-coming melodic rock trailblazers who came together to forge Forgotten Tides sharpened their instrumental and vocal hooks to ensure no one who becomes witness to the resonant reflections in the lyricism would come away unscathed from their ingenuity.

With atmospheric layers of post-punk draped over the stellar production, there’s a chill in the angular guitar lines, but there’s enough tonal dynamism and soul within the track to keep you warm as you’re enveloped by the compassion extended through the promise that as dark as days get, there will always be someone there to share their light.

From the first hit of Dark Thoughts came the affirmation that my mind will be continually turned back to the cogency and consolation from the alchemically innovative release which ended 2023 on a high note for the Aberdeen-hailing four-piece.

Forgotten Tides said:

“This rocky yet heartfelt song is a poignant reminder for anyone battling the shadows of depression. It gently whispers the comforting truth that, even in the darkest moments, there’s an unwavering circle of friends and family ready to embrace and uplift you. Dive into its soothing melodies and let the warmth of its message envelop your soul.”

Dark Thoughts was officially released on October 24; stream it on Spotify & YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

The Verge struck all the right raw, protestive and empowering chords in ‘Keep the Head Up’

Posted on 8 November 2023

If you fused the ferocity of Rage Against the Machine or Bikini Kill with the rhythmic pull of Guns n Roses and threw in augmented layers of down-and-dirty blues rock, you’d be left with a cocktail as aurally visceral as the seminal single, Keep the Head Up, from the underground’s most indomitable outfit, The Verge.

The Parisian powerhouse has been cranking up the overdrive on their guitars since 2014; since banding together they haven’t failed to establish themselves as an unmissable live act and an ensemble which knows exactly how to infuse that energy into their records.

With melodies and riffs that will tattoo themselves across your synapses from the first spin and the way the vocals pull you right into the core of their boisterously bluesy hits, their provoking emotional depth knows few bounds. In Keep the Head Up, they demonstrate their ability to strike the right raw, protestive, and empowering chords.

The official video for Keep the Head Up is available to stream on YouTube.

Keep up to date with the latest aural antics from The Verge by heading over to their official Facebook page.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

From the cockpit to the mosh pit, the fighter-pilot rock duo Fox 2 played it hard, dirty, and bluesy in their debut LP, Sidewinder

Posted on 5 November 2023
Sidewinder by Fox 2

When the members of the fighter-pilot rock duo, Fox 2, aren’t in cockpits, they’re starting mosh pits with their dirty, hard, and bluesy hits. Last November, the dualistic powerhouse debuted its first LP, Sidewinder, and staked the claim of being one of the hottest rock acts in Portland, Oregon.

Delve into the title single and you’ll be hypnotised by the adrenalised swaggy blues guitar bends in the reverent rock n roll hit, which melds modernist production styles and percussive assertion in the same veins of Royal Blood with classic blues rock cuts to orchestrate an era-spanning testament to their talent, cross-over appeal, and authenticity.

Sidewinder will be a tough record to follow, but something tells us that Fox 2 has plenty more innovative firepower to ignite an onslaught of ensnaring hits; watch this space and feel the heat.

Sidewinder is available to stream and purchase via Bandcamp.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Master Splinter – A Caustic Version: Mike Patton Spawned a Stoner-Rock Monster

Posted on 2 November 2023

If the Alice in Chains discography hit a little bit harder and attacked their song crafting with an infectious sense of facetiousness, their grungy tracks would roll with the same vitriolically zany punches as Master Splinter’s latest single, A Caustic Version, which also runs in the same Machiavellian vein as some of Mike Patton’s most maniacally unhinged tracks.

With the vocals taking on swathes of different guises to amplify the unpredictability of the hard rock hit, your speakers will be smoking the wildfire ignited by the Portland, Oregon-based outfit’s determination not to take themselves too seriously.

If you’re sick of the brooding narcissists who proliferate rock and metal scenes across the globe and want a taste of eccentrically elemental stoner rock ingenuity, sink your teeth into A Caustic Version

A Caustic Version was officially released on October 17th; stream it on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Visit the neon-lit metropolis with LockdAwg’s sticky-sweet alt-rock vignette, These Streets

Posted on 2 November 2023
https://spotify.link/6tqvKKE2bEb

With their latest self-released single, These Streets, the up-and-coming artist LockdAwg bridged the gap between acoustic pop-punk, synth-rock and classic rock to deliver an authentic heart-on-riff hit that is all too easy to succumb to the raw and intimate power of.

With every progression a revelation and a testament to the artist’s refusal to fall in line with other people’s expressive styles, the level of distinction is only as visceral as the potency of the emotion.

LockdAwg clearly has the vocal and instrumental talent and determination to make it in the industry; by honing the song structuring and instrumental layering to bolster the rhythmic cohesion and flow, their name will be up in lights as much as the metropolis explored in the synthesis of classic and experimental rock styles in no time.

These Streets was officially released on October 9th; stream it on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast