Starting to write this article on Lyena, i've put on the set they played last week at HOT BOX as part of the Independent Venue Week Festivities. Instantly mesmerised, it could be that fuzzy bass sound. The tight drumming, maybe singer/guitarist Omar shout-singing with full angst while playing his Japanese Fender Jaguar. Or a combination of all three.
From the opening bass riff and thumping drums, 'Tell Me Tina', the latest release from The Juice, catches our attention immediately. The vocals are a revelation; fast paced, tuneful and with a mature tone - a sound of urgency, the sound of a band getting things off their chest.
Vice Killer are a new band. So new, that they have only been together for six months. Formed in the summer of 2020, the County Durham quartet didn't hang around recording and releasing their debut single, 'Commonplace'.
No Vacancies frontman Will McGarrie has one of those rock voices. Incredibly strong yet soulful, his vocal is what shines on 'Without You' the latest release from the Manchester quartet.
The mark of a great song is often when it grabs you by the scruff of the neck with its opening chords. This is the case with 'Too Good Too Soon', the latest release from London's The Divisions.
By Alyce Ruby
In the early days of Our Sound Music we ran a voting competition to find 'The Best New Band In Britain' which The Underclass promptly won. With an Army of supporters, the band are one of the most effective and active on social media.
By Paul Laird
Geordie dream-gaze trio Butterjunk have treated us to a four track EP named ‘Normalised’. The first track ‘Little Alien’ has an immediate quality to it. A dreamy and evocative chord structure gives way to a tender, heart felt vocal that has a Jarvis Cocker tone to it, without the dry delivery. It is perhaps in need of more words and less music, however that criticism doesn’t take away from this being a song of brilliance. ‘In A Motion’ is equally encapsulating. A total pop love song. ‘Melter’ is more mainstream indie but still maintains that melancholy edge while final track ‘Woodside’ is a more dreary affair however one constant remains through this EP - it invites you to listen to the lyrics intently. An amazing release that is required listening. The ‘Normalised’ EP is our Single Of The Week (I know, that doesn’t make sense). Stream here.
BY ROBIN MUMFORD OF THE INDIE PLUG
Taken from her amazing album 'At Home' (read our review here), Georgie has released a new music video for her poignant song, 'Simple Things'.
SLOWRIDE recently released their debut single ‘I Feel Like You’, a synth laden indie pop instant classic. The song was produced by Rob Slater (Ellie Goulding) and the production here is what sets the song apart from contemporaries. ‘I Feel Like You’ has a straight in the vein injection of synth pop - followed by a strong melody and a hook filled chorus.
