Tag: Simon Says

Foreign Technology Album Full Of Big Beat Gems

Posted on by Simon Irvine

Foreign Technology Album Full Of Big Beat Gems

Electronic Music

Foreign Technology – Blue

 

It’s hard not to show a bit of favoritism when it comes to music from my hometown. And it’s not hard to justify – Brisbane has a rich musical heritage dating back to The Saints. There might just be something in the air, but there is something about the place that makes it fertile ground for music from a range of genres.

 

“Blue” is the first full-length album from Brisbane’s own Foreign Technology and it is another solid offering from the river city. A departure from his earlier Gary Numan inspired work, Blue sees Foreign Technology (aka Stephen Donohue) step into the world of big beat, plunging the listener into a sonic landscape that bears similarities to early Chemical Brothers. The opening track, “Beat-Ten” is a statement of intent – a mix of break beats and distorted bass lines that is designed to get the listener moving. The following seven tracks change up the pace, but the focus is always on big dance grooves. For me the standouts include the opening track, the acid-line catchiness of “Deeper” and the electro stylings of “Uprockt”.

 

Released on May 14 through Pink Dolphin Music, this is a superb album, full of big beat gems. Like I said, as a fellow Brisbanite, I might just be a little biased, but what can I do? I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this and I would highly recommend you take the time to do the same. I am not going to give my usual score out of five for this – rather…

 

Simon says listen to this album now.

LINKS

Album: https://pinkdolphinmusic.bandcamp.com/album/blue

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/foreigntechnology

Twitter: https://twitter.com/steptek?lang=en

 

Club Bombardier Release Blistering Diverse Standout EP Run Mofo

Foreign Technology Album Full Of Big Beat Gems

EnilSounds Release Peaceful Ambient Soft Electronic New Music

Posted on by Simon Irvine

EnilSounds Release Peaceful Ambient Soft Electronic New Music

Ambient Electronic Music

ENILSounds – The Eagle – Instrumental and Vocal Versions

This is a bit of a different review for me – I am actually reviewing two songs that are one. Hailing from Denmark, ENILSounds released her most recent track – The Eagle (Instrumental) on April 30. The instrumental, however, is a stripped back version of the original track, which was released in March. My words here speak to both – two tracks that are equally beautiful and indicative of a talent that has only improved over the years.

ENILSounds’ music is best described as a “soft electronica” – a mix of ambience, new age sounds, moving piano work and touches of synthesized sounds. Her gentle approach to production is best heard in the more recent instrumental version, where sounds appear and disappear, and where melancholy piano chords hint at a longing that may just be beyond reach. The earlier version takes this and adds a vocal performance that is simultaneously fragile and assured. It takes the track to new heights – demonstrating first class song-writing skills from an artist who has created a sound that is truly unique.

I would strongly recommend listening to these two tracks – perhaps starting with the instrumental before moving on to the vocal version. In this way, you will truly come to appreciate the craft on display. The Eagle (Instrumental) and The Eagle demonstrate why ENILSounds is an artist to watch out for.

 

Simon says 4.5 stars out of 5 for the instrumental and 5 out of 5 stars for the vocal version.

5 Stars

LINKS

Distrokid: https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/enilsounds/the-eagle

Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/line_munch-petersen

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MunchLine

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ENILSOUNDS

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/enilsounds/

EnilSounds Release Peaceful Ambient Soft Electronic New Music

 

EnilSounds Release Peaceful Ambient Soft Electronic New Music

 

Franz Kirmann and Roberto Grosso Beautifully Crafted Music

Posted on by Simon Irvine

Franz Kirmann and Roberto Grosso Beautifully Crafted Music

Electronic Music

Franz Kirmann and Roberto Grosso – Songe (from the In Waves EP)

 

Some music just needs to be heard. Some music is just so beautifully crafted that it would seem wrong for it not to reach the listeners that it so richly deserves. “Songe”, from the “In Waves” EP by French producer Franz Kirmann and Italian artist Roberto Grosso, is one such piece of music.

 

The track begins with a lush, ambient synth pad before adding a drum pulse and a simple melodic loop. Over the top of this is added a guitar figure that helps propel and develop the track. The addition of a bass and percussion towards the end of the track only serves to add additional layers of beauty to what is a carefully crafted song. The overall sound is grainy yet clear – cinematic yet personal. The overall impression is haunting yet peaceful.

 

I think I was wise to listen to this through headphones, as this is music that is made for repeated close listens. I highly recommend this track to anyone interested in music that gives more to its listeners than does the standard fare on radios around the world. “Songe” is the closing track of the “In Waves” EP and is out now through Days of Being Wild. Take some time to immerse yourself in its sounds – this is music that needs to be heard.

 

Simon says 5 out of 5 stars.

5 Stars

Franz Kirmann and Roberto Grosso Beautifully Crafted Music

 

Lalalow Sensory Deprivation Will Transport You Back

Posted on by Simon Irvine

Lalalow Sensory Deprivation Will Transport You Back

Lalalow

Lalalow – Sensory Deprivation

In the nineties, I spent a lot of time listening to female-fronted electronic acts such as Lamb, Single Gun Theory and Everything But The Girl – acts whose music was characterized by lush synths, fractured beats and ethereal vocals. I took comfort in the way these acts could produce sounds and songs that seemed to wash over me, allowing me to float away.

I was transported back to those times and those sounds when I listened to “Sensory Deprivation” by Lalalow. The Finnish electronic pop duo, consisting of Nina Jackson on vocals and keys and Tommy Laivamaa on guitar and bass have produced a hypnotic piece of chilled, downtempo pop here. The production is sparse and centers on lush synth pads, minimal drums and a bass phrase that serves to add momentum. Over the top of this sits Jackson’s vocals – whispered in places and haunting – reinforcing the themes of isolation and disconnection from reality that tie the lyrics together.

Like so many tracks recently, I am a little bit late to the party on this one. Released in February, chances are that you may have come across it already. However, if you haven’t, take some time to check it out. Lalalow has delivered something quiet special with “Sensory Deprivation” and you will be richly rewarded if you give it a listen.

 

Simon says 4.5 out of 5 stars.

4.5 Star Rating

Club Bombardier Release Blistering Diverse Standout EP Run Mofo

Posted on by Simon Irvine

Club Bombardier Release Blistering Diverse Standout EP Run Mofo

Punk Rock Band

Club Bombardier – Run Mofo (EP)

 

Hailing from Paris, Club Bombardier creates a brand of rock and roll that is complex yet simple, derivative yet original, and immediately appealing. Their latest EP, Run Mofo, released in February this year, shows off the range of diverse, yet complementary rock stylings.

 

“2nd Advice” kicks off proceedings, and here the three-piece deliver a blistering slice of punk-rock inspired, hard driven rock.  This is four to the floor rock coupled with catchy hooks. “Perpetual Movement” sees the band slow down the pace and introduce more angular grooves and defined choruses. The third track, “Praha” is a standout for me. Demonstrating the band’s debt to Britpop, the track occasionally gives hints of the whimsy that was ever-present in that genre. “Virtual Vortex” is another change of pace, and here we detect elements of the stoner rock jams evident on classic Kyuss albums. Following on from this comes “In Time”, the most “contemporary” sounding of the tracks and what might count as the EP’s ballad. The closing track, “Nothing Personal” kicks off with a wonderful, distorted bass groove, before settling into a sound reminiscent of the opener – lending a pleasing symmetry to the EP.

 

It’s rare to listen to an album or EP and immediately be taken in. Club Bombardier manages this here and they are to be congratulated for it. I should also mention that they have coupled a fine collection of tracks with a wonderfully evocative piece of cover art – a detail that I notice a number of otherwise fine artists sometimes forget.

 

Simon says 4.5 out of 5 stars.

4.5 Star Rating

Club Bombardier Release Blistering Diverse Standout EP Run Mofo

 

LINKS

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Clubbombardier

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCA_MZ6buPDc4i4cRfWp_1jA

Neonian Vaxxor EP Demonstrates A Solid Slice Of Electronic Music

Posted on by Simon Irvine

Neonian Vaxxor EP Demonstrates A Solid Slice Of Electronic Music

Vaxxor

Neonian – Vaxxor

It’s been a long while since I last wrote a review for Music Talks and it is a pleasure to be back. I want to kick off 2021 with a review of the Vaxxor EP from UK-based producer Neonian (aka Ian Sawyer). Hailing from Bath, England, Neonian cites his influences as New Order, Chemical Brothers and Orbital, amongst others, and it most certainly shows. I would add to the list 808 State, as the influence of that seminal act looms large here.

The title track kicks things off and I was immediately taken to a happy place.  Early 90s raves were a formative musical experience for me and the sounds on offer here – break beats, loops and bright synths – transported me back in time.  The following track begins with a colder, trance feel, but the housebreaks, samples and synths make another showing. Track three – Hypnic Jerk – dials back the pace, but the early 90s vibe keeps on. The closing track, Proof To Tower keeps the pace slow, but adds mysterious swirling synths to balance the fat bass tones and rapid-fire percussion that links Neonian’s sounds to more recent musical developments.

Released through WEATNU Records, this is a solid slice of electronic music, demonstrating a nice variety of grooves and ideas.  As a fan of 90s electronic music, this EP is right up my alley. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

 

Simon says 4 out of 5 stars.

4 Star Rating

 

SOCIAL LINKS

BANDCAMP: https://neonian-weatnurecords.bandcamp.com/album/vaxxor

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/neonianmusic

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/neonian1

WEATNU Records: Website – https://weatnurecords.com

Neonian Vaxxor EP Demonstrates A Solid Slice Of Electronic Music

BVSMV, A Lush Form of Electronic Music That’s Dreamy, Retro and Well Polished

Posted on by Simon Irvine

BVSMV, A Lush Form of Electronic Music That’s Dreamy, Retro and Well Polished

Synthwave Music

BVSMV – Escapism

Triplicate Records is on a roll recently – compilation albums Green Shift and Red Shift, along with releases from Beefus B, Suncastle and more have been consistently excellent. Released on September 4, “Escapism” by Milwaukee-based producer BVSMV, is yet another fine addition to the label’s catalogue.

 

Broadly best described as synthwave, BVSMV makes a lush form of electronic music that is dreamy, retro and well polished. From the wistful first bars of opening track “Daybreak”, through the neon-drenched nostalgia of “Quantum Variations”, to the shimmering synths of the closer, “System Testing”, this is an EP that is immediately listenable.

 

I must admit, that despite being a fan of most electronic music, the synthwave sound is one that I don’t generally pay much attention to. The pink, blue and black aesthetic and the repetition of sounds I first heard as the credits rolled in eighties action movies mostly leaves me cold. BVSMV moves beyond the formulas here though, adding more to the sound than I have heard before, and in so doing, manages to create something that is both familiar and new.

 

For these reasons, I suggest seeking this album out. Available now on Triplicate Records, “Escapism” is well worth your time.

Simon says 4.5 out of 5 stars.

4.5 Star Rating

LINKS TO BVSMV

Bandcamp: https://triplicaterecords.bandcamp.com/album/escapism

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/triplicaterecords

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/triplicate_recs

Twitter: https://twitter.com/bvsmv_music

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BVSMV

BVSMV, A Lush Form of Electronic Music That’s Dreamy, Retro and Well Polished

Catchy, Melodius Folk Music with Lyrics Of Substance from Brook Kelly

Posted on by Simon Irvine

catchy, melodius Folk Music with Lyrics Of Substance from Brook Kelly

Electronic Music

Brooke Kelly – Sun Gilded Clouds and the Angry Sea

I have said before that the music available in the world is best compared to an iceberg – what we hear on radio and in the charts is merely the tip – there is so much more to be found below the surface. All it takes is a small amount of effort to seek it out.

 

So it was that I discovered the wonderful EP, “Sun Gilded Clouds and the Angry Sea” by West Australian Artist, Brooke Kelly, whilst searching the artist-friendly platform that is Bandcamp. The music on offer here mixes alt-country, folk and elements of rock to produce a set of five tracks that demonstrate strong song-writing and superb production. Acoustic guitars and brushed drums form the backbone of the sound, and organs and cellos add subtle flourishes.

 

Over the top of this are catchy melodies, delicate harmonies and lyrics of substance – lyrics that seem to go to the heart of what it means to be human. Favorites for me were the introspection of “Getting Old” (“I’m getting old and so are you”) and the sweeping strings of the closing, title track.

 

So, to paraphrase the songwriter, “let us be cultured, cunning and wise” and support this artist. Dig deeper and be richly rewarded when you listen to “Sun Gilded Clouds and the Angry Sea” by Brooke Kelly.

Simon says 4.5 out of 5 stars.

4.5 Star Rating

LINKS TO BROOK KELLY

BANDCAMP: https://brookekelly.bandcamp.com/album/sun-gilded-clouds-and-the-angry-sea

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/solonesomemusic

Catchy, Melodius Folk Music with Lyrics Of Substance from Brook Kelly

Belial Pelegrim Releases New Electronic Album Masterpiece

Posted on by Simon Irvine

Belial Pelegrim Releases New Electronic Album Masterpiece

Belial Pelegrim – Fluorescent Mastodon Alliance

Do you ever get the feeling that some people just exist on a different level to the majority of us mere mortals? Are you ever left wondering how on earth some people are able to do what they do? These are the thoughts that always cross my mind when I listen to the music of Belial Pelegrim.

 

Hailing from the USA, Pelegrim makes some of the most sophisticated and thoughtful electronic music around. Not only that, but he is incredibly prolific – rarely a day goes by when he doesn’t release a new masterpiece (always accompanied by superb cover art) that demonstrates to the rest of us electronic producers how it is done.

 

On “Fluorescent Mastodon Alliance”, all of the elements that make Pelegrim’s music so exciting are on display. After the relatively “safe” start of “Travel By Thought”, the album moves from spooky fairground melodies in “An”, to orchestral dissonance in “Interlude” and on to “Latin”-style beats on “Wax”, before finishing with the big, chilled beats of “Unnatural Shadows”.

 

Linking the disparate styles is a production approach that would be schizophrenic in lesser hands – fractured/disintegrating beats mix with warped synthesizers and old radio (?) samples – orchestras meet funk grooves and choral flourishes. In Pelgrim’s hands though, these seemingly unrelated sounds mix to create a sound that is simultaneously dark and light, challenging and familiar and always engaging.

 

I was a bit late to the party on this – “Fluorescent Mastodon Alliance” was released on 28 August – but it is a case of better late than never. This is an album that deserves to be heard by all, and so…

Simon says 5 out of 5 stars.

5 Stars

LINKS TO BELIAL PELEGRIM

 

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/pelegrim

SOUNDCLOUD: https://soundcloud.com/belial-pelegrim

BANDCAMP: https://belialpelegrim.bandcamp.com/album/fluorescent-mastodon-alliance

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/belial.pelegrim

Belial Pelegrim Releases New Electronic Album Masterpiece

Electronic Synthwave For Your Mind and Soul from gribbles

Posted on by Simon Irvine

Electronic Synthwave For Your Mind and Soul from gribbles

Music Review

gribbles – The Requiem EP

Sad to say, I am a bit late to the party on this one. The Requiem EP, from UK-based producer gribbles (aka Graham Thorpe) was released on June 15th and represents an exploration of different electronic music styles across its four tracks.

 

Starting with the ambient-infused IDM of the title track, the EP sets a high musical bar. The second track, What Are the Media?, steps up to the mark, establishing a kind of synthwave-styled spy groove before adding an extended sample of Noam Chomsky. Hive is up next, and here Thorpe juxtaposes a circuit pulse and organ before adding a bass and keys reminiscent of those French purveyors of retro electronica, Air. The EP closes with the aptly titled Airwatching, an atmospheric piece of chillout music.

 

I am not going to suggest that this is music for everyone. I couldn’t see this being played at parties and on dance floors around the world. However, as a fan of the broad range of sounds and moods that electronic music has to offer, I was very impressed by this. It was food for my mind and soul.

 

Simon says 4.5 out of 5 stars.

4.5 Star Rating

 

 

 

gribbles

WEBSITE: http://gribbles.co.uk/

BANDCAMP: https://gribbles.bandcamp.com/album/requiem-e-p

Electronic Synthwave For Your Mind and Soul from gribbles

 

Electronic Synthwave For Your Mind and Soul from gribbles

The Rude Awakening Of Synthpop Style Making You Squeal!

Posted on by Simon Irvine

The Rude Awakening Of Synthpop Style Making You Squeal!

Music Review on Music Talks

The Rude Awakening – Squeal!

Formed in 2018, The Rude Awakening has been quick to make a mark on the independent electronic music scene. Hailing from the UK and consisting of Johnny Normal and Bridget Gray, The Rude Awakening have previously released a number of synthpop tracks for grown-ups including Emerald Dancer and Your Wetness Is My Weakness.

Squeal! Is the duo’s first full release of 2020 and represents a further refinement of their sound. Upbeat, saucy and infectious, Squeal! is a conversation between lovers best summed up in the chorus that serves as the track’s outro:

Tell me what you want and what you need and what you feel

Wrap your arms around me baby let me make you squeal

Along with the original radio mix, the single includes six remixes from Mr Strange, Patrik Kambo, Eminent, Mechanical Cabaret, Subject:2 and the Jan Doyle Band. Each offers its own unique take on the track – from the techno beginnings of the Patrick Kambo remix, to the crunching guitars of the Jan Doyle Band Armageddon remix and the beat monster that is the Mechanical Cabaret remix (my personal favourite).

Despite being around for roughly forty years now, synthpop is a genre that continues to grow and develop. The Rude Awakening is doing its own part to keep the style alive and interesting and Squeal!, due for release on 10th July, is further evidence that synthpop still has a lot to offer.

 

Simon says 4 out of 5 stars.

4 Star Rating

 

 

 

THE RUDE AWAKENING

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/rudeawakening69 

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/PinkDolphinMLtd

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/therudeawakeninguk

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/pinkdolphinmusic

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/therudeawakening69/

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/pinkdolphinmusic/

 

PRE-SAVE SQUEAL!

The Rude Awakening Of Synthpop Style Making You Squeal!

The Rude Awakening Of Synthpop Style Making You Squeal!

The Brisbane Metal Band That Will Blow You Away; Adriatic

Posted on by Simon Irvine

The Brisbane Metal Band That Will Blow You Away; Adriatic

Metal Music Review

Adriatic – Koreni

Let me start by saying that this is going to be a little longer than my regular reviews. With an album this complex and engaging and my personal bias for bands from own hometown of Brisbane, it would be wrong of me to pass over this release too quickly.

 

I first saw Adriatic play at the Back Room in Brisbane on a bill with some other local metal acts and they totally blew me away. Their intensity and live presence made me an instant fan and on that night I bought my first CD. So it was with excitement that I saw the band was releasing a new album. This is the first time in my life as a music reviewer that I have contacted a band directly and asked if I could review its work. Fortunately for me, Adriatic was only too obliging.

 

Koreni, due for release on 1st July, kicks off with the title track and what a track it is. Featuring Reni Bojilov of Bulgarian folk group, Zhiva Voda, Koreni (I) opens with a captivating Middle-Eastern-style vocal line before moving into intense slower metal groove that had me thinking of Rotting Christ and Igorrr. Falling Helplessly In A Dream featuring Simon R-W of Massic is up next and the band introduces the Meshuggah-style riffing and rhythmic complexity that sits at the heart of this album. This is evident in tracks such as Immerse, When Words Mean Nothing (which also contains hints of psychedelic rock in its opening) and Poison Me (II).

 

But it would be wrong to reduce Adriatic to a band that “only” does complex riffing. They are so much more than this, as is demonstrated in Poison Me (I), a ballad that starts with a juxtaposition of samples of a preacher begging his congregation for money and news of pedophile priests. The track then moves into a kind of rock ballad that wouldn’t be out of place on an Alice in Chains album. The nineties influences don’t stop there – Unbroken featuring Sami S reminded me in its tone and structure of earlier Helmet.  The other standout for me was Against All Odds featuring Jesse N of Regular Gonzales. I was wanting to say something intelligent and insightful about this track, but all that kept springing to mind was “f**king awesome”.

 

The album ends with Koreni (II) and the track reprises the Middle-Eastern vocals of the opening track, moving through an angular riff workout, before decaying into a wall of eroded noise – the perfect ending to a perfect album.

 

All I can saw in summary is this – if you are a fan of metal, BUY THIS ALBUM. There is not a weak track here and I know that I will have this on heavy rotation over the coming weeks. If I could give it more, I would, but for now…

 

Simon says 5 out of 5 stars

5 Stars

 

 

 

Koreni track listing:

  1. Koreni (I) ft. Reni Bojilov of Zhiva Voda
  2. Falling helplessly in a dream ft. Simon R-W of Massic
  3. Immerse
  4. When words mean nothing
  5. Against all odds ft. Jesse N of Regular Gonzales
  6. Poison me (I)
  7. Poison me (II)
  8. Unbroken ft. Sami S
  9. Delusion ft. Dwid Hellion of Integrity
  10. Koreni (II) ft. Reni Bojilov of Zhiva Voda

 

 PRE-SAVE  ADRIATIC

The Brisbane Metal Band That Will Blow You Away; Adriatic

The Brisbane Metal Band That Will Blow You Away; Adriatic

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ska Punk Band Spawn Energetic Remix by Nick Havey

Posted on by Simon Irvine

Ska Punk Band Spawn Energetic Remix by Nick Havey

Reggae Band

Spawn – Skallegro (Nicky Havey DnB Remix)

Just a week ago I was sitting at my friend’s house listening to some great tunes from the eighties. After a while we came to the same conclusion – one of the ingredients of some of that decades’ finest music that is just not heard enough anymore is the saxophone solo. So it was with delight that I heard the saxophone solo drop in the latter half of  the Nicky Havey DnB Remix of Skallegro by Spawn.

 

Hailing from the Netherlands, Spawn is a Ska Punk band that I first heard back in 2016 when they released their album, “Dance of the Lunatics”.  I fell in love with “Skarantino” from that album, which, as the name suggests, was a meeting of Tarantino/Dick Dale-style guitars and the frantic energy of ska. On this remix, that energy is taken to the next level by English Drum and bass producer, Nicky Havey. The coupling of Havey’s liquid drum and bass with Spawn’s reggae style rhythms and brass section makes for a superb mix. I found myself listening to this on repeat for a long while before I finally sat down to write this.

 

I hope that we hear more from this group and remixer. Whilst this is certainly a wonderful stand-alone track, it left me wanting to hear a whole album of more. Do yourself a favor and check out this track.

 

Simon says 5 out of 5 stars.

5 Stars

 

 

 

SPAWN

WEBSITE: https://spawnband.com/en/home/

https://nickyhavey.co.uk 

Ska Punk Band Spawn Energetic Remix by Nick Havey

Fused Release Another Slice Of Synth-Pop Magic

Vibe On This While in Lockdown Baby with Stick Up Boys

Posted on by Simon Irvine

Vibe On This While in Lockdown Baby with Stick Up Boys

New Electronic Music Release

Stick Up Boys – Lockdown Baby (James Black’s Nice With Ice Remix)

Vibe On This While in Lockdown Baby with Stick Up Boys

As soon as that old school piano track joined the beat, I was sold. The latest track from the Stick Up Boys, “Lockdown Baby” (due for release on July 14), immediately put me in a happy place – taking me back to a time in the early nineties when I was hell of a lot younger and most certainly more carefree.

Heralding from Brighton, UK, the Stick Up Boys is an anonymous music collective working in a range of electronic pop music styles. First releasing music in 2015, the group has recently set up their own label, “Stick Up Music”.

The vibe on this, their latest release, is upbeat – this is house music that not only harkens back to the early days of the genre, but that is also of the moment. “Be my lockdown baby” is not a refrain we would have heard in the pre-Covid 19 world. A wonderful deep bass underpins an infectious groove and light melodic flourishes round out the track for a pleasurable listening experience. This is happy music designed for not so happy times.

I enjoyed “Lockdown Baby” by the Stick Up Kids. I can see me giving it a spin again in the not too distant future when I need to forget the worries of the world and put a smile on my face.

 

Simon says 4 out of 5 stars.

4 Star Rating

 

 

 

STICK UP BOYS

WEBSITE: https://www.stickupboys.co.uk/

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/stickupboysuk/

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/stickupmusic 

YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLM7fqLZcmvCxFD4qfHCEbtT9utGV3Uwvh

Vibe On This While in Lockdown Baby with Stick Up Boys

Fused Release Another Slice Of Synth-Pop Magic

Uplifting Synth-Pop Mother Earth is Your All Star Motivator

Posted on by Simon Irvine

Uplifting Synth-Pop Mother Earth is Your All Star Motivator

Music Review

Kay Burden with All Star Motivator – Mother Earth (is Burning)

Uplifting Synth-Pop Mother Earth is Your All Star Motivator

Okay, so it’s something a little different this week. Mother Earth (Is Burning) – released back on May 8 – is collaboration from German singer/songwriter Kay Burden and British producer All Star Motivator. It is a synth-pop track about natural disasters and climate change and all profits raised from the track will be donated to Medicines Sans Frontiers.

 

This reason I say this is something different is because this isn’t a review as such. With All Star Motivator (aka Rich James) being my label boss (he is Pink Dolphin Music) and a regular collaborator, it would be disingenuous of me to pass this off as anything other than a full-fledged plug for a friend who is trying to raise money for a good cause.

 

That’s not to say that this isn’t a great song. Upbeat production is topped by Burden’s calm vocal delivery to make for an uplifting listen. On top of that, the original is accompanied by six other mixes. Finnish producer Some-E offers up a rippling dance mix. Screamershock turns the track into a slow cinematic build and Melodywhore and Jigsaw Sequence dish up epic and bubbly remixes respectively. The haunting, deep darkness of American producer Plike’s remix rounds out the remixes before the release ends with an extended original mix. This is a solid collection of tracks and worthy of your attention

 

So, Simon says buy some independent electronic music today and support a very worthy cause.

 

https://pinkdolphinmusic.bandcamp.com/album/mother-earth-is-burning

https://music.pinkdolphinmusic.com

Uplifting Synth-Pop Mother Earth is Your All Star Motivator

Fused Release Another Slice Of Synth-Pop Magic

Fused Release Another Slice Of Synth-Pop Magic

Posted on by Simon Irvine

Fused Release Another Slice Of Synth-Pop Magic

EDM

Fused – Never Let Me Go

Fused (aka Mark Kendrick) is well known to supporters of independent, electronic music. Hailing from England, Fused makes a brand of synthpop heavily influenced by fellow UK artists Depeche Mode and Gary Numan and characterized by superb production values.

 

“Never Let Me Go” is the eighth single from Fused – a mix of a track previously featured on the “V2” compilation album. Backed by two remixes (the Capitol Mix and the Beat Box Mix) and a further track, “Countdown Red”, “Never Let Me Down” sees Fused produce yet another slice of modern synthpop magic. Whilst the sounds harken back to the eighties, the production values place it firmly in the present. The sounds are big, the chorus is anthemic and an underlying darkness adds layers to the track that invite you to listen again.

 

I may be a little biased here (Mark remixed a track of mine last year), but I am genuinely impressed. This is music for music lovers – a pop song with gravitas. Available now for purchase digitally and on limited edition CD, “Never Let Me Go” is a must listen for all fans of electronic music.

 

Simon says 5 out of 5 stars.

5 Stars

 

http://www.fusedmusic.com

https://fusedmusic.bandcamp.com/album/never-let-me-go

https://www.twitter.com/fusedofficial

Fused Release Another Slice Of Synth-Pop Magic

Fused Release Another Slice Of Synth-Pop Magic

Nothing Beats Dancing in Your PJs with Great Dance Music

Posted on by Simon Irvine

Nothing Beats Dancing in Your PJs with Great Dance Music

Independent Dance Music

Mogi Wa Wa – The Amber Nectar EP

Nothing Beats Dancing in Your PJs with Great Dance Music

Is it just me or has this global lockdown seen you dancing around your house (or unit) in your pyjamas a whole lot more than is normally the case? There is something liberating about it – a kind of middle finger to this virus that has us all locked away from one another.

 

So, it was with a smile that I saw I would be reviewing a forthcoming release from the Deep Down Dirty label: I knew I would have a legitimate excuse to pursue what is quickly becoming a favorite lockdown activity. Due for release on April 21, The Amber Nectar EP from UK tech-house production duo, Mogi Wa Wa, does not disappoint, filled with catchy progressive dance tracks that are sure to please.

 

The title track opens proceedings, starting with a solid groove and slowly adding elements to build a fun, party vibe before wrapping up. The second track (and my personal fave), Feel Free, is infectious, with a vocal (“feel free to you’re your life, feel free to live with me”) that only adds to the delicious feel on offer. The closing track, New April, adds some tribal percussion before introducing an absolutely kicking bass line to establish a rock solid groove.

 

The Amber Nectar EP is a quality release that deserves to be heard. More importantly, it needs to be heard by your neighbors while you have a dance party of one in your lounge room. After all, it’s called house music for a reason.

 

Simon says 4 out of 5 stars.

4 Star Rating

PRE-ORDER

The Way Back Home, A Masterpiece from Hillary Capps

Twitter: https://twitter.com/mogiwawa

Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/mogi-wa-wa

 

The Way Back Home, A Masterpiece from Hillary Capps

Posted on by Simon Irvine

The Way Back Home, a Masterpiece from Hillary Capps

Indie Artist

Hillary Capps – The Way Back Home

The Way Back Home, A Masterpiece from Hillary Capps

It seems appropriate that after a hiatus from reviewing in which I have had to deal with deeply personal issues, that the first song I should review upon my return is the deeply personal and intimate “The Way Back Home” from New York singer-songwriter, Hillary Capps.

 

This song is a message of love designed for one person only. Over the top of a simple, strummed guitar, Capps sings to an unknown lover – “light my way back home so I can love you know now, every bit as much as I did then”. The lyrics impart a yearning for a relationship as it used to be “way back when” and looks forward to a rapprochement that might never come – “Hold me, keep me, don’t leave me when I’m gone”. The intimacy of the lyrics is perfectly reflected in the haunting vocals and understated production – only the cello interlude serves to embellish the (superb) acoustic minimalism of the production.

 

The title track from Capps’ forthcoming album, “The Way Back Home” is a masterpiece of understatement. To have this appear on my desk at this moment in my life was fortuitous, the lyrics reflecting some of the thoughts going through my mind in this difficult period of my life. Hillary Capps is a songwriter of note and “The Way Back Home” is a track that deserves to be heard by all.

 

Simon says 5 out of 5 stars.

5 Stars

SPOTIFY| BANDCAMP

The Way Back Home, A Masterpiece from Hillary Capps

WEBSITE:  https://www.hillarycapps.com/

 

 

New Indie Rock Music from East Of Zurich Band

Posted on by Simon Irvine

New Indie Rock Music from East Of Zurich Band

Indie Rock Band

EAST OF ZURICH – ‘ROLL OVER’

New Indie Rock Music from East Of Zurich Band

Indie rock is much beloved here in Brisbane, Australia. From Powderfinger and Regurgitator in the 90s, through to Violent Soho and Dune Rats now, this city has a soft spot for guitar-driven (melodic) rock music. So, I predict that the music of East of Zurich should go over well in their hometown and that the band’s latest single, “Roll Over”, should be a hit on 4ZZZ.

 

Comprising of Martin Brabec, David Simpendorfer, Nick Ng and Anthony Timbrell, East of Zurich’s brand of indie rock harkens back not only to the early 90s, but also to the garage band sounds of 80s Australian acts such as The Stems and Hoodoo Gurus. Indeed, Timbrell states that the lyrics for “Roll Over” were inspired by an idea to make a “rollicking surf song in the spirit of Hoodoo Gurus”.

The track is solid, a kind of medium-paced ballad overlaid with lush organ sounds, rounded off with earthy production values.

 

Listening to “Roll Over”, you would never guess that East of Zurich have only been playing together for the last 18 months. On the strength of this, one can only imagine how strong their songwriting will be in 18 months from now.

 

Due for release on 6th March.

 

Simon says 3.5 out of 5 stars.

Music Review Rating

UPCOMING SHOWS
Sunday March 22nd | The Milk Factory | Brisbane, QLD

New Indie Rock Music from East Of Zurich Band

WEBSITE:  https://eastofzurich.com/

 

 

Who is Tyra Jutai Going To Send Her Nudes To Now?

Posted on by Simon Irvine

Who is Tyra Jutai Going To Send Her Nudes To Now?

Indie Pop Artist

Tyra Jutai – Nudes

Who is Tyra Jutai Going To Send Her Nudes To Now?

“Who do I send my nudes to?” was never a line I thought I would find myself singing out aloud. Because I am old and out of shape, I have never even thought of uttering the words. But thanks to the instantly catchy refrain of “Nudes” by Toronto artist Tyra Jutai, I found myself doing exactly that upon my very first listen.

 

From her forthcoming EP, “Nudes” showcases the jazzy vocal style and quirky electronic pop of this talented singer and producer. Jutai takes elements of modern pop production and mixes them with a music box motif that sets the sound of this track apart. Over the top of this she sings to an ex – giving every hint that she still wants to be with him, before asking the question that forms the chorus – “Who do I send my nudes to?”

 

Jutai has a voice that is harkens back to a world of sultry torch singers and smoky basement bars. It is a voice I thoroughly enjoyed. Indeed, I really enjoyed this track – sassy, quirky and well-produced – I am just a little concerned I might find myself singing its ever-so catchy hook in inappropriate places (like on the bus!).

 

Simon says 4.5 out of 5 stars.

4.5 Star Rating

Who is Tyra Jutai Going To Send Her Nudes To Now?

 

Cabinet Of Millionaires Stop The Coup Slick Electro and Perfectly Timed