Browsing Tag

Soul Rock

Flying Oceans lit up the Manchester music scene with their soul-stirring funk-rock fusion, Circles

Posted on 26 May 2022
Flying Oceans

The Manchester music scene became infinitely richer for the latest release from the funk-rock pioneers, Flying Oceans. If you can imagine what it would have sounded like if Incubus abstracted their plaintiveness and implanted unbridled soul, you will get an idea of the stirring alchemy that Circles delivered.

With the guitars consistently transitioning between roots-deep funk chops and jangly Marr-Esque rhythm and the seductively low basslines bringing just as much gravitas as Mr Bungle’s, Circles has all the makings of a playlist staple for anyone that wants to find a slice of aural solace in our disjointing times where it’s all but impossible to find rhyme or reason away from the airwaves.

Hear Flying Oceans’ latest single, Circles, here.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Malo Daniels gave indie Americana pop-rock a soul injection with ‘Waiting for Roses’

Posted on 15 February 2022

After the successful launch of his debut single, Down, Out and Up, in 2022, the singer-songwriter, Malo Daniels, proved that he was worthy of a place on listeners’ radars with the launch of his debut album, Waiting for Roses, which fuses pop, soul, rock and Americana – to swoon-worthy effect.

With a team of Nashville musicians behind him and acclaimed producer, Dallas Dudley, polishing the album, Waiting for Roses is a triumph of romanticism, sun-soaked talent and powerfully mature songwriting. The title single is as hooky as Faith by George Michael, as indulgently indie as Kurt Vile and as soulfully compelling as Prince’s sweetest serenades. With the warm over-driven guitars greeting the horn stabs and Daniels’ honeyed vocal timbre, you’d be hard-pressed finding a track that takes you higher than this unadulterated feat of romanticism and longingly panoramic expression.

Waiting for Roses is now available to stream via Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

HEwas give us a new, bang up-to-date take on a classic with ‘2 + 2 = ?’

Posted on 7 May 2021

Ok, so first things first; yes, this is a cover of Bob Seger’s classic anti-war song, from Seger’s ‘Ramblin, Gamblin Man’ album in 1968, at the height of the Vietnam war and as anti-war sentiment in the US was growing. It’s interesting to see how much, and yet how little, has changed in the intervening 53 years – anti-war feelings still run high, race-related civil rights issues still grace the news seemingly every day, and LGBT rights are still abused and debated daily.

Into that mix comes HEwas, singer, songwriter, activist and LGBT campaigner. Already a ‘million stream’ artist with his first two releases, ‘Lemon’ and ‘WHOLEthing’, which featured Grammy nominee Afroman. Now, with ‘2 + 2 = ?’, HEwas has taken that old Seger classic, with updated instrumentation but no change to the feel and groove of the original, making a perfect homage meets timely update to a pertinent and completely relevant song, to produce an utterly modern take on a song that’s as relevant today as it was fifty years ago.

You can hear ‘2 + 2 = ?’, and the rest of HEwas’ releases, on Spotify, and follow on Instagram.

Review by Alex Holmes

Andy John Jones has released their fiery feat of soul-rock ‘Closer’

Posted on 23 January 2021
Andy John Jones

If you’re sick of vapid rock n roll, melt into the ardent grooves of Andy John Jones’ latest funk-infused soul-rock serenade, ‘Closer’.

By channelling 70s-era Stones vibes while laying their affable soul down around bluesy hooks, Closer is the ultimate testament to the Birmingham-born artist’s talent when it comes to creating indulgent explorations of romantic frustration to timelessly enamouring tones.

The production may be smooth, but that didn’t stop plenty of lyrical grit entering the track which became an exposition of the danger of sex traps which ensnare us and keep us trapped in toxic dynamics. It’s tragically rare to hear ‘real talk’ when it comes to sex within lyricism, here’s to hoping that Andy John Jones starts a trend.

Closer is due for official release on January 22nd, you can check it out by heading over to their official website.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

M.O.S. 73 Project pays ode to 80s soul with their guitar-driven serenade ‘Don’t Speak to Me’

Posted on 16 January 2021

After a successful 2020 debut, Italian guitarist and compositor under the moniker of M.O.S. 73 Project released their third soul-infused indie rock single ‘Don’t Speak to Me’. The track title may set you up for confrontation and dejection, but it contrasts the amorous soundscape which carries the same passion as tracks by Seal, Beck and Billy Ocean.

With elements of old school rock and soul spilling from fresh talent, you’ll be simultaneously hit with nostalgia and awe at the virtuosic modernistic prowess which seems so effortlessly exuded by M.O.S. 73 Project.

If you don’t feel something when you hit play, you may be dead from the soul down.

You can check out M.O.S. 73 Project’s latest release via Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Ysabel Bain has released their soulfully commanding RnB single ‘Control’ (Feat. Afro Ori)

Posted on 25 November 2020
https://soundcloud.com/ysabelbain/control-1/s-6ZI12st25eG

‘Control’ commences with a beautifully delicate and twisting legato guitar line, at once both soulful and almost Country, and with a flourish that wouldn’t feel out of place in the ‘Young Guns’ soundtrack, before Ysabel Bain’s exquisite, tender-yet-smoky voice carries us into the soul of the first verse, rising with the cadence of the drums to a funky, soulful track. Characterised by the syncopated off-beat guitar and deep funk bass, ‘Control’ grooves and sashays its way out of the speakers, rising and falling between up-tempo R&B sexiness and that slower, perfectly flourished guitar-and-voice pairing.

And Bain really DOES have a voice; sonorous, mellow yet powerful, with the warmth of Gospel and Soul yet the raunchy edge of rock. Soaring and potent yet touching and beguiling all at once, ‘Control’ is the perfect taster for Ysabel Bain’s debut EP.

Filmed and recorded live at The Clarendon Centre, Ysabel’s “We Are” EP is available from the end of November. ‘Control’ is available on Soundcloud or via Ysabel’s Facebook page.

Review by Alex Holmes

Prepare for your soul to ascend with Zach Robinson’s ardently eclectic single “Change”

Posted on 17 October 2020

With Zach Robinson’s aural inspirations ranging from Rush to The Police to Red Hot Chilli Peppers to Billy Joel, you’ll get a serious hit of soulful nostalgia when you hit play on their standout single “Change” on their 2020 EP “Evolve”.

It kicks off with smooth seductive popping grooves before the Alt Rock elements start to dominate the soundscape and replace the funky ska rhythms with ardent licks of Rock which add an overwhelming amount of intensity to the track.

Change is a stunning release. The energy. The urgency. The passion. The talent. Each aspect combines to leave you feeling like your own soul has transcended when you get to the outro of this inherently stylistic mix.

You can check out Zach Robinson’s single out for yourselves by heading over to Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Takeaway Sessions – Funky Lemon: Funk-Driven Alt Rock

Posted on 4 January 2020

Mr Bungle fans will definitely want to turn their attention to the eccentrically Funk-driven feat of Alt Rock which is the latest release from up and coming artist Takeaway Sessions.

With “Funky Lemon” also carrying reminiscences to artists such as Frank Zappa, it’s an aural treat for anyone who appreciates nuanced music which doesn’t take itself all too seriously. With layers of upbeat Psych infused into the guitar-led groove-deep euphoric mix, Funky Lemon is an instantly uplifting hit. And Takeaway Sessions perceptibly didn’t hold back with how much soul they injected into the highly polished mix.

Funky Lemon may offer an array of aural nostalgias, but you’ve never quite heard a Funk revival like this one before.

You can check out the latest release from Takeaway Sessions by heading over to Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Jo-Ash – Humble Heart of Mine: Soul-Driven Rock

Posted on 1 March 2019

You’d be forgiven for believing that artists have lost the ability to pour Soul into the Rock genre. Thankfully, up and coming South London-based singer songwriter Jo-Ash has laced his indulgently high-octane upcoming single “Humble Heart of Mine” with plenty of unadulterated emotion. Right from the first verse, the accessibility which is brought through his harmonic vocals hits you, pulling you further into the guitar-led track incorporates plenty of intricate progressions. Switching from soaring Blues riffs to Funk-driven chords, Jo-Ash’s single serves it all up on a plate of anthemic alchemy. Just as the soundscape constantly and seamlessly changes, as do the striking vocals from Jo-Ash whose vocal strength, range and vitality is beyond compelling.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Indiana Heights Hit us With Their Soulfully Experimental Debut

Posted on 28 February 2019

While many artists like to limit the amount of soul which they pour into Rock soundscapes Indiana Heights is a refreshing exception. I mean, imagine how infectiously upbeat the Arctic Monkeys would be if they threw away their ‘cool’ pretence and hit you with nothing but anthemic soul? That’s exactly what you can expect from the debut single “Smooth Operator” from Indiana Heights. You only have to hit play to share in the same hype which the track was created with.

The single incorporates plenty of Jazz rhythm in the magnetically uplifting single; even though Jazz may not be the most accessible genre to most, Indiana Heights is the perfect introduction. You’ll hear the intricately immersive blues rhythms blend with the classically euphoric style of the Jazz instrumentals.

If your playlists are short of a feel-good hit you can check out Indiana Height’s latest single Smooth Operator for yourselves by heading over to YouTube now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast