I think all of us that grow up in the countryside have longing for city life somewhere deep down. The bright lights, the hustle and bustle, all the fresh ideas and interesting people, being a part of something greater than yourself. There are a million songs about hectic city life, but so few deal with the eventual burnout that comes to everyone at some point. A sensory overload hits sooner or later, and you suddenly see the lure of the quiet life you left behind and took for granted for so long. ‘Miss The Darker Nights’ captures that feeling perfectly. Boasting dreamy synths and wonderfully expressive bass tones, Stray Fossa’s new single is the kind of song you can just get lost in. Let it bring the captivating calm of the quiet life straight to you, soothing even the most frayed of nerves in the most madcap cityscapes.
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Top Tracks: Evening Darling – Schuyler Street
Belwood favourites Evening Darling are back with a brand new single. ‘Schuyler Street’ offers a new and refreshing twist, while still keeping the same endearing charm that made the finer points of last year’s eponymous debut album so unforgettable. Combining their finely crafted, hook-driven Americana with a dash of bright and airy synths, this latest offering is reminiscent of the more introspective side of The Killers. ‘Schuyler Street’ is made for late night drives, starlit scenes, and those moments where you can just get lost in silence with someone special. With an overall more mature and understated approach, and melodies that remind me of The National’s ‘Graceless’, it seems Evening Darling still have plenty of tricks up their sleeve. Roll on album number two!
Album Review: Steve Perry – Traces
Steve Perry – TracesTop Tracks: TesseracT – Juno
Though indie and folk usually make up most of the site, there are times we crave something a bit more ambitious and imposing. What better way to fulfil that need than with the latest single from TesseracT. Taken from their acclaimed new album Sonder, ‘Juno’ shows the bands incredible aptitude for both immense earth-shaking riffs and intricate technical wizardry. Daniel Tompkins’ vocals really shine here, weaving wonderful melodies into the track while still maintaining just enough aggression to get your blood pumping. Having the band stood beside raging suns in the accompanying video is the perfect metaphor to capture the scale and power of ‘Juno’. This track really stands out as some of their best work to date, and with this latest record the band have ascended to become one of the foremost progressive acts in the world right now.
Album Review: Gregory Alan Isakov – Evening Machines
Gregory Alan Isakov – Evening MachinesAlbum Review: Black Honey – Black Honey
Black Honey – Black HoneyTemple Sessions – Fiona Lee
We were joined for our latest acoustic session by brilliant up-and-coming singer/songwriter Fiona Lee. Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel for more content on the way soon.
Album Review: Coheed and Cambria – The Unheavenly Creatures
Coheed and Cambria – The Unheavenly Creatures
Progressive Rock | Alternative Rock
78%
Spotlight!: Jessie Munro
They say that necessity is the mother of invention, but when it comes to music it often seems like heartbreak is the mother of creativity. That familiar torrent of hurt, anger and confusion has given rise to some of the most moving pieces of music over the years, and offered an intimate glimpse into the artists behind them. The mark of heartbreak is clearly felt on the debut EP from Canadian artist Jessie Munro. On My Own feels connected in a way that few EPs ever really manage, proving to be greater than the sum of its parts. ‘If Your Eyes Could Talk’ has hints of Lianne La Havas, while the vintage groove of ‘Under Fire’ offers an upbeat twist on heartache that reminds me of Fleetwood Mac’s Rumours. The simple but powerful riffs bring a real edge to ‘I’d Like To’, while the stripped back jazz intro of ‘Patiently I Wait’ soon gives way to an emphatic climax that ends the release on a high. What all these songs have in common is a clear focus on honest and meaningful lyricism, and the most wonderfully expressive and memorable bass you will hear all year. Jessie’s music is an enticing cocktail, mixing equal measures of the golden age of singer songwriters, classic soul and jazz, and contemporary R&B.
Fans of Lianna La Havas, Samm Henshaw and Arlissa should check out Jessie Munro’s devut EP On My Own
Top Tracks: Layer Cake – Keep Me Awake
They say that not only good things take time, but they also come in small packages. Every rule has exceptions however, and sometimes good things happen can happen all at once. Recorded in just one take, ‘Keep Me Awake’ is a fine example. The part about small packages though, does still ring true here. This new single from Australian band Layer Cake packs all the bright riffs, infectious melodies and driving rhythm you’d expect from a first class indie hit, and concentrates it into just a couple of minutes, like a dense neutron star of indie rock splendour. The track conveys such energy and urgency that you soon find yourself under its spell, drawn in by a vibrant and animated aura that just excels in exuding positivity at every opportunity.
Belwood Music 