Browsing Tag

Soft Rock

Soak in the sonoroous soft rock soul of Sub Singles Club’s single, Friends Again

Posted on 2 July 2023

With choral indie guitar tones that croon as soulfully as the ethereal vocal lines which reach out from the reverb with a vice-like grip, the standout single, Friends Again, from Sub Singles Club’s debut EP, Desperately Seeking Closure, is a melancholic triumph.

The SoCal fourpiece was established in 2020 during the pandemic; the project gave them a sense of peace and sanity in uncertain times; clearly, that is exactly what their audience abstracts from their music too. Friends Again may be a bitter-sweet affair, but if you’re already on that wavelength, the sincerity in the soft indie rock score will devour you in its resonance.

Now signed to K4K Records, Sub Singles Club is planning on hitting the road in 2023 and touring with their discography, which will undoubtedly be a hit with fans of Courtney Barnett, Mitski and Angel Olsen.

Stream Friends Again on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Acoustic pop raconeteur Jack Holler disarms with the rugged charm in his single, The Foolsong

Posted on 8 January 2023

Acoustic pop raconteur Jack Holler won our hearts and minds while arresting our rhythmic pulses with his stripped-back acoustic single, The Foolsong. It’s just as humbly disarming as the title implies.

It’s always immediately obvious whether an artist aims for sincere expression or shoots for the lofty unattainability of perfection. Holler has clearly pitched a tent and started a fire in the former camp with this everyman-indie-folk-blues-pop serenade which traverses the very human inclination to become love’s fool once the fabled cherub locks and draws his arrows.

Between Glenn Hansard and Jack Johnson, you will find Holler’s ruggedly affectionate charm within The Foolsong. We can’t wait to hear the full LP from Holler and his band, who have been around since 2018, with their debut EP, Not Even Close, hitting the airwaves the same year.

The official music video for The Foolsong is available to stream on YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Reel Driver – Baby Let Go: Sticky-Sweet Soul-Awakening Indie Rock

Posted on 16 April 2020

Up and coming Indie Art Rock artist Reel Driver has made their debut with their captivating self-titled album and there’s little room to wonder why they’re already renowned as one of LA’s hottest breaking artists. Their expressive soulfully-rendered tracks ooze ingenuity and distinction.

While each of the singles contains an arsenal melodic hooks and soul-awakening choruses, the standout single is irrefutably Baby Let Go.

If you could imagine what it would sound like if The Verve, Angel Olsen, The Kinks, and Radiohead collaborated on a record, you’ll get a good idea of the sticky-sweet Indie Rock alchemy which Reel Driver has conjured in the enamouring sticky sweet progressive track.

You can check out Baby Let Go along with the rest of the album for yourselves by heading over to Spotify now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Moses Mikheyev – Somewhere in My Blood: Timelessly Mesmeric Indie Folk Rock

Posted on 23 March 2020

Any fans of Frightened Rabbit and the National will undoubtedly appreciate Moses Mikheyev’s modern stylistic approach to Indie Folk Rock in their latest single.

Their 5th single “Somewhere in My Blood” unapologetically bares their soul and invites you to get in touch with your own.

There’s the same timeless mesmerism as offered by pioneers such as Cohen, Waits, and Elliott Smith in Somewhere in My Blood. Yet, Moses Mikheyev endeavouring to pull the cathartically warm tones into the 21st century definitely paid off. As did the added tantalizing sensuous appeal.

The only thing uncomfortable about this track is the lump which will form in your throat as you drink in the humbly candid lyrics which sit synergistically against the porously reflective acoustic melodies.

You can listen to the romantically-rendered, resonantly captivating single for yourselves by heading over to Spotify now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

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Samana Rising – Another Day: Giving Soft-Rock a whole new meaning

Posted on 20 March 2020

From forming in 2016, Norway’s five-piece Rock band Samana Rising have just recently released their new track ‘’Another Day’’. Going by the sound of Blues Rock, it’s safe to say that this band knows how to make an insane track that makes you feel good when you listen and one that’ll be on repeat for sure.

Another Day is filled with many Rock elements, never swaying away from their revised Blues Rock sound. The electrifying guitar riffs, the hard hitting drum beats as well as the softly spoken vocals that come from vocalist Hanne Severtsen.

Samana Rising are a band that gives their audience something that’s thrilling and really targets that Rock essence, giving off this electrifying atmosphere that is so mesmerising to listen to, but in their own unique way. Keeping that same slow pace but gradually amping up the volume as the instrumentals begin to take a heavier turn.

There are many times throughout where the instrumentation has its  own time to shine with the insane electric riffs and the smooth drum beats, it all blends perfectly well together and it’ll be interesting to see what Samana Rising does next in their musical endeavours.

If you want to check out Samana Rising’s new track Another Day head on over to Spotify now.

Review by Karley Myall

BattleFlagg – Glastonbury (Is Waiting): Nostalgically Captivating Alt Rock

Posted on 25 February 2020
https://soundcloud.com/user-134436007/glastonbury-is-waiting?in=user-134436007/sets/blood-meridians-and-the-black

BattleFlagg’s debut EP “Blood Meridians and the Black Law” instantly pulled us into their intellectually-inspired sound. With instrumentals which will soak you in 90s Indie nostalgia and captivatingly sensitive vocals, the NYC-based artist’s sound is full of quintessential Rock n Roll charm.

The track which really caught our attention was “Glastonbury (Is Waiting)”. The track shares the same stadium-filling energy as the Stone Roses, the melodic guitar intricacies which you’d expect from Johnny Marr and there’s a slight hint of 70s American Punk Rock to ensure that BattleFlagg well and truly made the sound their own.

The production may be slightly Lo-Fi, but the artist’s ability to orchestrate unforgettable melodies is more than perceptible in Glastonbury (Is Waiting). It will allow you to remember a time when Glastonbury wasn’t the sell-out festival it is today.

You can check out Glastonbury (Is Waiting) along with the rest of BattleFlagg’s 2020 album for yourselves via SoundCloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Nick Sargentson – Possessive: Sticky-Sweet Blues Funk-laced Pop Rock

Posted on 22 February 2020
Nick Sargentson

Don’t be surprised if you feel your heart reposition itself in your throat as you’re wrapped up in the sticky sweet melodies in Nick Sargentson’s upcoming single “Possessive”.

Possessive is just one of the singles which feature on the Melbourne-based singer songwriter’s debut EP which is due for release on 20th March 2020.

If you can imagine Eddie Vedder’s seductive vocal evocative appeal mixed with nuanced vocal harmonics you’d expect from the likes of Adam Levine and Shawn Mendes, you’ll be able to get an idea of what’s on offer through Possessive.

The track simply oozes homegrown soul. Yet, despite the humble nature of the track, there’s a perceptible innovative talent which would more than justify an ego; the self-taught guitarist definitely didn’t hold back when it came to the riffs in Possessive.

You’ll have to wait a little longer before you can check out Possessive, in the meantime, you can check out the artist’s earlier releases via SoundCloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Scott Rocco – Ignited: Perpetually Timeless Indie Rock

Posted on 13 February 2020

Tracks such as “Ignited” by NYC-based Rock artist Scott Rocco will perpetually remain timeless. With melodies which seep just as much pure unadulterated soul as the resounding vocals, you’d have to be fairly dead inside not to get caught up in the tides of euphoria in Ignited.

Even though the vocals were transfixing, nothing left me quite as enamoured as hearing a guitarist with a nuanced style which sits in between that of James Dean Bradfield and Johnny Marr. In a feat of aural alchemy, Scott Rocco combined Marr’s jangly optimistic notes and the deep, tension-building licks which you’ll hear from James Dean Bradfield.

When you hit play, every single one of your rhythmic pulses will be in the command of this incredibly talented artist.

You can check out Ignited along with Scott Rocco’s earlier releases for yourselves by heading over to SoundCloud now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Taylor Chaffin – Take My Heart Home: Tentatively Sweet Soft Rock

Posted on 1 May 2018
Take My Heart Home by Taylor Chaffin

I was infinitely underprepared for how much I would love Taylor Chaffin’s latest track Take My Heart Home with its romantically 80’s vibe. I felt like I should have been watching Dazed and Confused as I listened to his nostalgically placed harmonies of the Indie rock ethereally unfold. The Atlanta Georgia based artist teamed up with a powerhouse of talented instrumentalists to create his sensational new single. The reverb of the track cuts through you like a knife as you’re left mesmerised by the soaring melodies and tentatively sweet guitar riffs around the keys.

Take My Heart Home may be a little bit of a guilty pleasure on my playlists, but either way, now I’ve been introduced to Taylor Chaffin’s pioneeringly beautiful sound his music will always have a place in my Soft Rock playlists.

You can download or stream Taylor Chaffin’s latest single Take My Heart Home which was released on April 17th, 2018 on BandCamp now and join me in the sweet anticipation of the release of his new EP ‘Century Lovers’ which will be due out May 31st, 2018

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Steve Obando – Babylon: A Pure Celebration of Island Flavoured Soft Rock Beat

Posted on 29 March 2018

With such palpable influences fluctuating through his sound Steve Obando has created a track which has the essences of at least a handful of icons within his latest debut track Babylon. Babylon will sound pretty familiar to fans of David Gray’s 2000 version of Babylon. David Gray’s version may have over 5 million hits on YouTube, but I have no doubt that Steve Obando’s sound will see him reaching even further thanks to his pioneering sound. His style is a beguiling mix of Pop, Folk, Soft Rock and a little bit of Jazz, which translates to sounding a bit like listening to Fleetwood Mac’s, Mumford and Son’s, and Gary Barlow all at the same time. The soulfully charismatically catchy lyrics bounce against his up-beat guitar hooks to create a sound of pure catharsis. Babylon is Steve Obando’s debut collaboration which is a pure celebration of his Southern Rock influences, orchestrated why compelling instrumentation.

You can check out Steve Obando’s frankly adorable official music video on YouTube

To buy the single, head on over to Steve Obando’s website.

Review by Amelia Vandergast