From the in-your-face opening bass line, the debut single from Manchester quartet Cleargreen immediately grabs your attention. A band that can appreciate a great bass will always get my seal of approval. After that opening salvo, Cleargreen keep up the kind of high standard that very few bands ever reach in the first place with their first singles. There’s a lot going on in ‘Stargazed’, more so than your standard indie fare, sounding in some ways like the missing link between The Stone Roses and bands such as Blossoms and Catfish and the Bottlemen. Manchester has a rich and bountiful music history, and if Cleargreen continue down the path set by this superb first step then they’ll truly be a worthy addition to the city’s indie scene.
Author: James Fenney
Interview: Amber Run
Belwood favourites Amber Run have had one hell of a year. Their new album For A Moment, I Was Lost somehow surpassed their stunning debut with the greatest of ease, and secured them a place in my mind as the touchstone of gold standard indie rock. It saw them explore a more mature sound, and showcased the band firing on all cylinders. Following on from their incredible record, and in between their busy tour schedule, they’ve somehow found time to record a new acoustic EP. I had a quick chat to frontman Joe Keogh about the band’s whirlwind year: Continue reading
Album Review: Brand New – Science Fiction
Brand New – Science FictionTop Tracks: The Kondoors – Forgiveness
Sometimes the simplest songs can be the most powerful, partly because they rely on an artist’s ability to fill the empty space and in a sense create something from nothing. ‘Forgiveness’ is a perfect throwback to old-school soul in the vein of Otis Redding or Aretha Franklin, a time of larger-than-life voices and people putting every ounce of their being into each song. This sublime soulful duo have produced a track that could have been one of the Motown hit-factory’s biggest sellers in another life. Jess Greenfield & Gavin Conder’s heartwarming harmonies just make your hair stand on end. They simply don’t make them like this anymore, which makes songs like this all the more special. The Kondoors have rekindled the golden age of soul with stunning single, and I think we could all do with a bit of ‘Forgiveness’ to brighten our days.
Top Tracks: Cub Sport – O Lord
Right from the first few seconds wherein singer Tim Nelson’s voice is laid bare, before others join in to create superb soulful harmonies, ‘O Lord’ just stops you right in your tracks. Leaving you holding your breath and giving the song your full attention. The new single from Australian quartet Cub Sport, taken from their upcoming album BATS out 22nd September, was penned regarding the frontman’s coming out, and I’m sure it’s powerful personal message will resonate with listeners from all corners of the world. Speaking on a personal level as a vulnerable confession of love, and on a bigger scale as a call to the world for understanding and acceptance, this soulful track is about as raw, meaningful and passionate as pop music gets.
Album Review: Steven Wilson – To The Bone
Steven Wilson – To The BoneTop Tracks: VŌS – Tide
Following the success of their first release ‘Patience‘, charming electropop duo VŌS are back again with their latest single. With the gorgeous vocals of Dawn Moss stealing the spotlight, ‘Tide’ introduces some soulful R&B elements into the mix, alongside electronic elements reminiscent of Bon Iver. The chilled out vibes of its stripped back intro set a smooth and soothing atmosphere, with the subtle grooves of the latter half of the track building and enticing you to get your body moving, without you even realising it. Yet again VŌS have provided a perfect example of what electropop is all about, and remain amongst the best examples of the genre I’ve heard all year. Robin Pearkes and Dawn Moss are onto another winner with this one, and are well on their way to becoming Belwood favourites.
Top Tracks: Tommy Ashby – Passing Through
Sometimes it can be very difficult to review a track and articulate your thoughts. This is one of those occasions, for the simple reason that everything comes together so perfectly on ‘Passing Through’ that it becomes impossible to pick out particular reasons for loving it. I could go on about the way it builds from warm emotive folk into straight anthemic Americana, or the way it instills both a sense of wanderlust and a need to cling on to a love that’s fading, or the way the light and airy vocals dance atop the gorgeous instrumental atmosphere. With all of these statements however I’d feel like I was still doing the song a disservice, and missing out some other element that makes it great. Scottish singer/songwriter Tommy Ashby has nailed it with this track, plain and simple. See you in the ‘best of the year’ lists.
Top Tracks: Jaws of Love. – Love Me Like I’m Gone.
Side projects are a rare and curious delight. They often portray artists in a new light, showing their versatility as songwriters and giving a fresh glimpse into the person behind the music. Jaws of Love, the new project from Kelcey Ayer of Local Natives fame, has already produced some of the most heartwarming music I’ve heard this year. The exemplary folk of ‘Love Me Like I’m Gone’, with its gentle guitar, subtle cascading piano and Kelcey’s exquisite vocals, is perfect for fans of Ben Howard and early Bon Iver. Taken from the upcoming album Tasha Sits Close to the Piano, out 22nd September, it’s a superbly elegant and refined track, the kind that speaks to something within the quiet recesses of your soul. There’s no end of new folk music out there, so to say that this is one of the finest folk songs of the year should leave you in no doubt that Kelcey is on to something special.
Top Tracks: Dutch Party – Blade Runner
I don’t know if androids really do dream of electric sheep, but I know a catchy indie pop hit when I hear one. Combining chilled out guitar grooves and hints of 60s psychedelica, ‘Blade Runner’ is equal parts dreamy and danceable. Party by name, party by nature; this song keeps you coming back for more and gets you grooving a little more with each new listen. This immaculately produced track is a far cry from main man Ken Franklin’s humble origins working away in a secret little recording booth hidden away beneath the stairs. It’s a perfect playlist addition ready to soundtrack the rest of your summer, and should tide you over until Dutch Party release their new EP Combat Pop later this year.
