SUEDE - Don't Be Afraid If Nobody Loves You (Single Review)

90s legends Suede released the second single from their upcoming eighth studio album The Blue Hour last Friday and it’s a belter.

Don’t Be Afraid If Nobody Loves You sees the Londoners return to the glammed up but somewhat dark indie rock that has made them so successful over the years after string laden lead single The Invisibles. Richard Oakes’ lead guitar drives the song along at pace and Brett Anderson’s trademark falsetto is present and correct in the chorus. You get the impression that DBAINLY would be at home on either one of their most critically acclaimed albums, 1994’s Dog Man Star or Night Thoughts from two years ago.

Eight albums in and it seems that Suede’s creative juices are still flowing as well as ever. It’s a good omen for the new album The Blue Hour, which is available to pre order now ahead of it's release on 21st September.

Words by Danny Buckley

THE TWILIGHT SAD - I/m Not Here [Missing Face]: Single Review

 

 

‘Nobody Wants To Be Here & Nobody Wants To Leave’ released in 2014, was almost the last throw of the black dice for The Twilight Sad.  As fortune favours the brave, the album led to critical acclaim finally breaking through the wall.  The band haven’t looked back since.  Touring arenas with The Cure, and winning over all audiences in front of them with their sound of mope & glory.  Residing on post-rock royalty Mogwai’s record label, Rock Action. They make for perfect bedfellows.  With an unwavering intensity, The Twilight Sad are not just storm clouds, they bring the thunder and lightning with latest single ‘I/m Not Here (Missing Face)’.

Amongst the bleakness, there’s always been a fire raging in the heart of Scotland’s purveyors of doom laden indie.  Here they continue their reign of soul striking, miserabilist bliss.  James Graham’s unmistakable Glaswegian delivery acts as the prophetic voice of the plight and darkness surrounding, as the pounding rhythm builds to a cyclone of emotion.  The Twilight Sad are a dream, or perhaps nightmare come true.  Triumphant in the face of adversity with more sweat, guts and soul than any other band around, long may they continue their journey into the abyss.

 

 

 

Words by Ben Barry.

Gig Review: Bearheads/The Visitors/Bilk @ The Horn, St Albans

Bearheads started off with some powerful and heavy musical resonance which made my ears prick up instantly. The lead singer teased me every now and again with a real husk to his voice which I enjoyed. Although this wasn’t the case all the way through their set. Some songs resembled a young pop-punk band which isn’t really my cup of tea so their set finished and I was left a little confused as to whether I was a fan or not. They did bring a crowd however and they all seemed to lap up their vibes so maybe it was just me.                                                                    
                                                                                                                                                                                                      

The Visitors were up next, I have listened to this band previously and have been curious about how they sounded live ever since, and I can tell you, they did not disappoint me. They even threw in an Arctic Monkey’s cover which by the way wasn’t too shabby. You can tell these boys are influenced by the likes of the Arctic Monkeys, Oasis, Libertines etc. The front man brought a mature indie tone to the stage and he wore it well.

Bilk took the stage, three very young-looking lads but they brought some tight knit yet gritty riffs to St Albans that night. With hints of Jamie T and Ratboy and someone else I can’t quite put my finger on I was thoroughly taken back by clever and realistic lyrics being thrown at me. I wasn’t the only one who was enjoying it either, I think the guy jumping around with an England flag tied round his neck definitely having a great time.

 Sol Abrahams of Bilk

Words by Saffron Long.

Photo by Neil McCarty.

 

 

JUST EVERYWHERE - Paint (Single Review)

One of Manchester’s best kept secrets, singer-songwriter Paul Baird lets his imagination bubble take sail once again as Just Everywhere.  The delicate ‘Paint’ is a glimpse into the wonderland that will be ‘Light Side of the Raw, Just Everywhere’s second album due for release on 3rd August.  

Sharing the haze and sparkle of dream-poppers Beach Fossils and Happyness, ‘Paint’ is a tranquil gaze from above the chaos. Encouraging the listener’s own imagination to wander, until you’re living in your very own daydream.  So enjoy the serenity, enjoy its beauty, let your bubble drift amongst the clouds with Just Everywhere.

 

Words by Ben Barry.

INTERPOL - The Rover (Single Review)

 

Interpol’s debut album ‘Turn On The Bright Lights’ is quite rightly regarded as a seminal album. Released in 2002 during the New York explosion, the record had a razor sharped edge on their contemporaries.  Darker, cinematic and well, better.  Suited and booted, Interpol were the complete package, possessing staying-power. Second album ‘Antics’ only lent more weight to the bands reputation, giving them charting “hits”, ‘Slow Hands’ and ‘Evil’.  The years ahead witnessed the band stumble and become stifled.  Unable to grow and push their sound beyond its origins.  They remain a force live, with sets leaning heavily towards their two great early albums.

Enough of the history lesson, what of the new?  A first taste of what will be Interpol’s 6th album, Marauder; ‘The Rover’ breaks no new ground.  Another Interpol song for Interpol fans.  A little  rawer than we’re used to, it comes with some clout.  Perhaps victims of their own success, this single is a good excuse to tour and plunder the back-catalogue but little else.  Having witnessed ‘The Rover’ live, I can confirm it lends itself well to Interpol’s set. I wouldn’t want it taking the place of a loved tune though.

 

Words by Ben Barry.

 

 

TOM GRENNAN - Lighting Matches (Album Review)

There’s always a danger when a band or artist releases a string of singles before their first album that they may have “played their hand too early”, so to speak. A danger that their best work has already been heard to entice you into buying an album that is then filled with sub standard tracks. So it was with a little bit of trepidation that I spun Bedford boy Tom Grennan’s debut record Lighting Matches, having already heard 50% of the dozen songs on it. I needn’t have worried.

Opener Found What I’ve Been Looking For is one of those that has been out for a while but is a track that you can’t help but love. It’s anthemic, singalong qualities were soon picked up by Sky Sports for their Premier League football coverage and you can’t help feel that when the single was released last year was about the time Grennan really started to take off.

Royal Highness and the insanely catchy horn driven melodies of Barbed Wire (our full review of that single is here) continue the record in similar vein before the previously unheard on record Run in the Rain shows a more sensitive side to Grennan and one that will win him over just as many fans as some of his more upbeat singles. Grennan is on record as saying Aboard is his personal favourite song off the album and it’s certainly his best vocal performance, his voice bristling with a classic soulful confidence as he delivers a love song in his own likeable, everyman style, “if it’s cool then it’s cool, won’t fuck around no more”.

Title track Lighting Matches closes side A of the album in brilliant fashion, as Grennan belts out a rousing chorus over a simply beautiful string section and side B begins with the wonderful piano ballad Lucky Ones as the album drifts into more melancholy territory before kicking back in with the superbly upbeat single Sober. But it’s closing track Little By Little Love that stands out on this album for me. As Grennan chants “I saw my devil closing in, never thought I’d do such bad things” you realise he’s one of us. A working class lad who grew up wanting to be a footballer with the same misspent youth, same weaknesses and same vulnerabilities as the rest of us, and that’s what make this album all the more special. A lad from Bedford with an immense talent and an unbelievable work ethic is on his way to the top and that’s something we should all get behind.

The album is out now, and if you haven’t already bought it, do it now and let’s get it to the top of the charts. Tom Grennan is lighting matches, and is about to burn the whole gaff down.

Words by Danny Buckley.

Buy the album...

Brighter Days by B3AR (SINGLE REVIEW)

So I first discovered Myles Smith about 4 years ago in a pub in Luton as a 16 year old singer songwriter supporting local band Exit Black. At the time I could see the talent Myles had as he was finding his way musically. He is influenced by artists such as Jack Garrett, Saint Raymond and Ed Sheeran. The tone in his voice shows real maturity for such a young age and I can't wait to hear more from him individually and with his collaboration with Maurice Amour, B3AR. 

Here is the press release for the new track "Brighter Days" so go check out this perfect summer jam right now.

Myles Smith & Maurice Amour (Brandon Hargrave), better known as B3AR (pronounced ‘BEAR’) are an English, Alternative, Two-Piece, formed in South East England. Since their official formation in February 2017, the two have been extremely busy and have managed to produce and release a Debut EP all of which has been featured on ‘BBC introducing East Midlands’ via the support of local host Dean Jackson. In the brief time they have been going, B3AR has shown evidence of their drive and ambition of wanting to achieve in the industry. They have independently managed to accumulate over 150,000 streams within the first three months of being together, support the ‘Pigeon Detectives’ and ‘Little Comets’ at Nottingham’s most renowned venue ‘Rock City’. The duo has now taken a break as Myles has reached his final year in university and so is committed to completing his course. 

However, the pair have managed to produce 4 collaborative singles set for release in the next couple months. B3AR will return in 2019. 

The first single of the 4, was released on the 19^th June 2018, the song is titled 'Brighter Days' and was written and performed by 'Myles Smith' and 'Brandon Hargrave'.

The song was recorded at Studio 91; engineered/co-produced by Sam Winfield, known for his work with Amber Run, Fickle Friends, Bring me the horizon etc... The drums were recorded by Jimmy Naylor of 'The Pigeon Detectives'. 

Click the link below to listen

BRIGHTER DAYS BY B3AR