Browsing Tag

Southampton

Tuto Tribe – Magnetize: A Samba Reggae Pop Symphony of Serotonin

Posted on 22 March 2024

Southampton’s Tuto Tribe, a five-piece, multi-national samba rock band, has crafted a stunning symphony of serotonin with their latest single, ‘Magnetize’. The samba reggae-pop song, the band’s first foray into English lyricism music, is a masterclass in blending world music with pop sensibilities.

The band, born in 2022 and led by the effervescent Brazilian, Tuto, draws from a diverse palette of influences, including Jorge Ben, The Doors, and Manu Chao. Their sound is a modern, bright Brazilian-inspired concoction, with catchy hooks and rhythms influenced by samba, rock, Jamaican music, and jazz.

The reggae rhythms in ‘Magnetize’ wrap around the pop hooks seamlessly, while the vocals, sincere and soulful, spill love and light by the smorgasbord. The single showcases Tuto Tribe’s infectiously sunny disposition, burning as bright as a supernova, refreshing your lust for life and highlighting the beauty within sexual connections. With ‘Magnetize’ as a playlist staple, slipping into a feel-good groove becomes effortless.

Every instrumental element in the arrangement breeds an atmosphere of organic euphoria. The horn stabs, intricately eclectic guitars, and jazzy percussive fills create the perfect platform for the impassioned soul in the vocals to breathe through.

Lyrically, ‘Magnetize’ is a lesson in musical purity, as pure as the act of making love itself. It’s a testament to the band’s ability to create a sound that is both unique and universally appealing; it is a holiday you never realised you were going on.

Magnetize was officially released on March 22nd; stream the single on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Stone Branches reached the pinnacle of intimately introspective indie rock with The Way Out

Posted on 4 August 2023

With angular indie guitars that will sucker punch the soul as viscerally as the ones crafted by Interpol and The Toxic Airborne Event, mixed with a Mogwai-esque ethereal atmosphere, the up-and-coming indie outfit, Stone Branches, is undeniable in their latest single, The Way Out.

The intricacies of the artfully intimate lead guitar work will speak volumes to anyone on the introspective side of the spectrum as the lyrics portray the value of hindsight and coming to terms with the past. The sporadic touch of twee indie twang to the reverberantly rich vocals brings a sense of purity to the melancholy that is superlatively laid out by the art-rock outfit that is currently being hailed as one of the most original live acts on the South Coast.

After releasing their debut EP, Mantra, in December 2022, the emotionally intelligent Southampton-hailing outfit has proven to be an unreckonable force in the local scene and far beyond after receiving airplay on BBC Introducing and reaching the Grand Finals of the Isle of Wight New Blood Competition against 5000 other artists.

The Way Out will officially drop on August 4th; hear it on SoundCloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Don’t Get Caught: Mykez 2Nation races towards the cash on Helpline (1-800)

Posted on 3 June 2023

On point throughout and sidestepping those slippery dominos which can burn hands like a fireplace, Mykez 2Nation gets that dough and drops a catchy track to veer deep inside the Helpline (1-800).

Mykez 2Nation is a Hayes, West London-born Southampton, UK-based indie rapper who has the rare ability to mix in elements of head-nodding afro beats, UK hip-hop and drill all at once.

Powered by B On Point Entertainment and thinking so logically and bringing the real crew along to sip on the success with him, Mykez 2Nation knocks over all competition and turns up the heat with a lyrically sizzling track which might get us bouncing like winning the lotto on Christmas.

Helpline (1-800) from the Southampton, UK-based indie hip-hop artist Mykez 2Nation is a thriving single which will put many into a much better mood than before. Flowing rather wonderfully and demonstrating his easy-to-hear skills, we are thrilled to the core by a song with real meaning in a strange world.

There is a fire in the belly here to heat up all frigid hearts, as we are taken swiftly into a lyrically cognizant single to spark up when the motivation levels dip lower than previously expected.

If you want something real, check out the YouTube link.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Lewis Shepperd sharpened the teeth of his alt-rock hooks for his latest single, Bite

Posted on 27 May 2023

Forget the latest single from Royal Blood; Southampton’s Lewis Shepperd is more highly suspect than, well… Highly Suspect in his bass riff-driven, grunged up, and modernistically garagey track, Bite.

Entwining melodicism in the same vein as Nirvana’s Heart-Shaped Box around the higher-octane elements of this spectrally sublime feat of more Emo than Placebo alt-rock resulted in a multi-faceted incarnation of accursed seduction.

The guttural vocal breakdown towards the outro is a stark contrast to the placid harbingering harmonies that led to the fierce middle-eight that could give Frank Carter a run for his money.

After recording and mixing Bite at home, it was none other than Pete Maher (Pixies, Linkin Park & The Rolling Stones), who mastered the monolithically sharp release that will impale you on the hooks.

Bite was officially released on May 25; stream it on Spotify, or check out the official video featuring model & actress Ola Johnson on YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

The Novatones bravely tackle the issues of modern day society with eager gusto on ‘Puppets’

Posted on 13 June 2022

With a fiery disposition that takes your whole mind into the savage issues of the world that need to be fixed before a blood-bath ensues all over the globe, The Novatones soar out of their comfort zone with a scintillating display of epic dimensions with, ‘Puppets‘.

The Novatones is a 4-piece Southampton, UK-based indie punk/Britpop band who makes that anthem rocking music that sends your whole body into natural delirium.

”Following rave reviews from live performances, we were offered a slot on the Hard Rock stage at the prestigious Isle of Wight Festival. Such was our impact that we have subsequently been invited back and asked to play the Big Top seven thousand capacity arena.” ~ The Novatones

Resonating with so much frustrated souls who are completely fed up with the way humanity is headed, The Novatones crank up the volume and power lift through the crowds as they urge us to unite in our goal to never give up the fight to save the world.

”Support slots for The Sex Pissed Dolls, Bruce Foxton (From the Jam) and The Spitfires followed as well as further festival invitations from Common People, Victorious and a headline slot at Sound of the Cotswolds.” ~ The Novatones

‘Puppets‘ from 4-piece Southampton, UK-based indie punk/Britpop band The Novatones is a rasping performance that is such a wake up call to us all. Sick of the blatant lies, the unnecessary pollution, the wretched hate and evil money-hungry decisions that have possibly decided the fate of humankind, this is a seriously high quality track that bats away the full toss that the whole globe is dealing with.

Sung with such a potent delivery that slams into the stumps of the selfish decision makers, this is a track that shows us that music really can make a difference.

See this hair-raising new single on YouTube and find out more on IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

The UK’s most promising name in trap Ocean Stokes affirmed his viral potential in his bitter-sweet earworm, Reason

Posted on 2 April 2022

Here to put Southampton, UK on the trap map is the up-and-coming trailblazer Ocean Stokes on his collaborative track with LC, Reason.

The hooky effect of Reason, especially on the smoothly distorted trap and harmonised vocals, was no happy production accident. Stokes knew how to get the hooks razor-sharp in his charismatically confessional hit that proves that romance isn’t dead; it’s just taken a brand-new walls-up form in 2022.

At 19 years old, Ocean Stokes is already proving that he’s got viral potential with his guitar loops, intricate piano melodies, trappy 808s and vulnerably unfuckwithable high-vibe vocal style.

The official video for Reason premiered on February 25th; you can check it out by heading over to YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Southampton’s Zen Juddhism knows that very little works out according to plan on ‘Get Along’ (feat. Pammie)

Posted on 19 February 2022

Puzzling as to why you just can’t get through to that person who keeps on pushing you away for no reason, Zen Juddhism rocks the startled speakers alive with some splendid guitar solos and catchy vocals with the new single, ‘Get Along‘ (feat. Pammie).

Zen Juddhism is a Southampton, UK based indie-rock designer collective that was formed by the songwriter/guitarist, Jude Ωne Eight.

”From a life spent listening to an array of folk, rock, metal, soul and pop acts, Jude wrote original songs for a rock album inspired by artists most prominent on his playlist at the time, such as Metric, Led Zeppelin, Garbage, Big Country, Fountains Of Wayne and TV On The Radio among others in the run-up to recording sessions in 2014 that became the debut eponymous ZEN JUDDHISM album.” ~ Zen Juddhism

Dispatching us into a thoughtful place to figure out what actually happened to get you into this mind-numbing place, Zen Juddhism is rather brilliant here with a groovy track that has you in the mood to turn up loud and with intent.

‘Get Along‘ (feat. Pammie) from Southampton, UK based indie-rock designer collective Zen Juddhism, is a speaker-shaking new single from a band who get it all right on this fiery new single all about being confused as you why you are getting pushed out for no reason. There are distinctive solos here that are utterly incredible and seem to hug your ears with the strings, as you flow into a whole new universe. Featuring lush vocals to get you into the mood to dance, this is a positively recommended new single to sing with all night long as you search for those all-important answers.

Listen up to this new single on Spotify and check out the IG page for more.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Break The Chains: River Knight knows that the time to escape is now on ‘Mystic Miles’ (feat. Ryan Glover)

Posted on 12 December 2021

With a knowing glance at the past that needs to be conquered with a new mindset into a happier world no matter how long it takes, River Knight takes a courageous journey to bring that light back so that it may beam brightly for the ones they care about on ‘Mystic Miles‘ (feat. Ryan Glover).

River Knight is an experienced Southampton, UK-based indie rock duo who have bonded over their true friendship and love for music, as they make that old school type of enlightening creations that instils so much hope in our lives.

”Formed in 2017, Darren Knight was writing songs as a form of therapy after the tragic passing of his wife and Stone River was there to support him. They continued writing, so they decided to call themselves a band and River Knight was born.” ~ River Knight

As they lead us into calmer waters from the horrific storms of before, River Knight paddles through with a confident gusto and lead us into a really likeable single that shall have you grasping the lighter to safely spark up into the air.

‘Mystic Miles‘ (feat. Ryan Glover) from the soulful Southampton, UK-based indie rock duo River Knight, is a chorus-heavy track that is filled with intricate guitar riffs and heartfelt vocals – that will leave your whole body feeling relieved again – after all the pain and suffering from the past two years. This is a track that will you have you swaying your whole body to the rhythm, as you turn up the volume and let this peaceful message of hope assist your fragile heartbeat function more harmoniously than before.

Listen to this new single on Spotify and see more stories on the IG page.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Things change in a split second: Mr Hidden Treasure drops inspirational story of grit and determination to conquer any obstacle on ‘How When Why What’

Posted on 4 January 2021

Mr Hidden Treasure is a man who’s life turned upside down last year in more ways than one and he shares his story of powering on via his new single ‘How When Why What‘.

Southampton-based producer, singer-songwriter, metal detecting fan, and widowed Dad, Aaron Kesby, has reinvented himself and goes by the artist name of Mr Hidden Treasure. He is a single father of four kids who unfortunately lost his loving partner to cancer last year and has dealt with this pandemic and looking after his kids alone. This is an inspiring movie-like story that shows how music can be a guiding light and take you out of the darkness to places you never thought existed.

The epic euphoric beat strides in and we are soon introduced to a hungry emcee that raps with a flow that is easy on the ear. This is a real artist that isn’t faking anything. He speaks on what he sees and hears, this is a man with a burning desire to make top music and always keep it real.

In a universe full of too many flashy posers, this is a welcome relief in a world that is locked down with no end in sight.

The man with a heart of gold, detected that he needed a distraction from the pain he felt inside and also to fill his heart with a new passion to make his kids and her proud. Mr Hidden Treasure has certainly achieved that on ‘How When Why What‘. The new journey has just begun.

Rest in peace Dolly. Aaron is looking after the kids and making incredible music that you would be so proud of.

Hear this passionate single on Soundcloud and follow his journey on IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Southampton artist Hail lays down cutting tones in her Alt Rock hit “A Stain in Time”

Posted on 24 June 2020
Hail

Fans of cutting Post-Punk tones and intense Alt-Rock aural furore will definitely want to immerse themselves in Southampton-based artist Hail’s latest single “A Stain in Time”.

The rhythmically serpentine hit will throw you right back to the roots of Rock n Roll. While the atmospheric production and the sheer amount of talent in the instrumental arrangement gives A Stain in Time plenty of commercial appeal.

If any artist could be thought of this generation’s Joan Jett, it’s Hail. Hail not only possesses the same absorbing energy as the iconic artist, but she also offers the same piercing pioneering allure as Joan Jett did when she first told us that she loved Rock n Roll in 1981.

A Stain in Time will be available to stream via Spotify upon its official release. In the meantime, you can check out Hail’s earlier releases.

Keep up to date with Hail’s latest releases via Facebook.

Review by Amelia Vandergast