Father John Misty – God’s Favourite Customer
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Top Tracks: Caleb Kopta – Burning House
If it wasn’t for the difference in vocals, you could almost just close your eyes and get lost in ‘Burning House’ and be left thinking that it was a new track from Ryan Adams. Occupying that same perfect balance between honest, heartwarming Americana and expansive, ethereal indie rock, Pennsylvania based singer/songwriter Caleb Kopta simply excels with this new single. With its infectious hook, gorgeous melodies and lush instrumentation, this track is a must-hear for fans of The Killers, The War On Drugs and Matthew and the Atlas. Superbly well-crafted and effortlessly cool, this latest release following his debut EP Ghost seems set to be one of the standout singles of the summer. In ‘Burning House’ we find the embers of greatness all set to catch given the right opportunity. Caleb Kopta has hit upon a winning formula with this track, and if he can keep it up he’ll be a real one-to-watch very soon.
Interview: Skysketch
Photo by Serdar Genç
One of the best things about running a music blog is that feeling of finding something special. When you find a new artist that you love, when you hear a song or album that just blows you away, that’s one of the best feelings in the world and one that I’m lucky enough to experience on a regular basis. Turkish band Skysketch are the latest such discovery, with their stunning concept album Fox Wedding securing a place as one of the standout releases of the year. I chatted with the band to find out more about their brilliant debut record: Continue reading
Top Tracks: Brightwood Patriarch – Bow + Arrow
One of the best ways to discover new music in recent years has been through TV. Sometimes the most unassuming of shows can be harbouring hidden gems from up-and-coming artists. Soundtracks can make or break a scene, and this new song from New York band Brightwood Patriarch is perfect for the small screen. The introspective Americana of ‘Bow + Arrow’, from its pensive verses and anthemic chorus, to its fuzzy blues solo and closing refrain of “it’s not your fault”, is like an award-winning drama in and of itself. While we wait for TV producers to discover this gem, we’re lucky enough to experience the song on our own terms, and make our everyday lives seem that bit more cinematic and noteworthy. ‘Bow+ Arrow’ is the kind of song you listen to while staring out the window that makes you feel like you’re playing an important role, and that each challenge you face is just a part of a greater plan.
Album Review: Blanket – How To Let Go
Blanket – How To Let GoTop Tracks: Trope – Lambs
From the first dark and mysterious bass line of ‘Lambs’, immediately reminiscent of Tool, you know you’re in for one hell of a ride. With the latest single from their forthcoming debut album Eleutheromania, Canadian band Trope offer a master class in building tension. There’s so much energy longing for release here that you can feel it tingling away at your skin. Opening with a heavy stomp as the song reflects on the nature of bullying, the track soon turns a corner into more frenetic territory as it turns to face the topic of betrayal. The change in tone, from steadfast to suspicious, says a lot about how the people we trust most hold the most power over us, and we are left to trust them not to break us down. From the intricate yet powerful instrumentals to Diana Studenberg’s show-stopping vocals, this is a track that demands your full attention and is more than worthy of it.
Top Tracks: Noah Derksen – Nothing
With this latest single, exploring his own unique style of “contemplative folk”, Canadian singer/songwriter Noah Derksen reaches new levels of heartwarming innocence and charm. The gorgeous ‘Nothing’ is sure to be a wedding song for the ages, complete with Noah’s sublime vocals, a lush, comforting arrangement, and lyrics so sweet as to bring a tear to your eye. Often love songs can come across as cheesy, but this track can reach even the fiercest cynic like a single flower growing through a cracked pavement. A perfectly crafted ballad, it describes the greatest feeling of peace and contentment that someone can experience; that feeling of being with the one you love and knowing that it’s the only thing that matters. If that’s what love is then it’s safe to say that I love this song, as when it’s playing it’s like the rest of the world doesn’t exist.
Top Tracks: Arbour Season – Leaving Delaware
You don’t have to be the next Milton or Shakespeare to say something meaningful. Sometimes all it takes is a simple message told in a heartfelt way to leave a lasting impression. There are plenty of lines like that in ‘Leaving Delaware’, the new song from husband and wife duo Arbour Season, but it’s the line “there’s too many streetlights I’d like to see the stars” that most strikes a chord with me. Whether you take it literally and feel the wanderlust it induces, or see that same sentiment elsewhere as we’re being held back from living the life we want, I don’t doubt it will leave its mark on you. Great words work best though with great delivery, and on ‘Leaving Delaware’ you’re treated to some of the finest harmonies you’ll hear all year, and understated harmonica that feels as though it’s merely the breath of the wind as the very world itself plays along with this charming song.
Top Tracks: Luna Pines – Spring
They say that even within genres you generally dislike you can find exceptions that you love, and that’s true for both music fans and critics alike. I get sent no end of electronic music that I end up having to turn away, citing that it’s not something I enjoy. This new track from Luna Pines, formed by three Leeds based producers, is the exception to the rule. ‘Spring’, taken from their debut EP The House We Lived In out 1st June, uses the electronic elements alongside traditional instrumentation to craft a bewitching ambient soundscape. This song flows over you effortlessly as though it were made from the finest silk, and leaves you at peace adrift in the calm endless ocean of your thoughts. Poignant and perfectly produced, I urge all other doubters of electronic music to indulge in this track and experience the rare kind of beauty that it offers.
Spotlight!: NeoRomantics
On paper I shouldn’t like NeoRomantics’ new EP, but in reality this quartet from Tulsa, Oklahoma have proven to be one of the biggest surprises of the year. Though it has plenty of roots in contemporary indie, Homecoming also draws a lot of influence from noughties emo. I missed that phase growing up, and as such the music has never held any power over me, I’ve never felt a connection with it. In NeoRomantics I have finally found some understanding. Any band can pull together all the things you like and make a song you’d enjoy, not many bands can make you see music you never liked before in a new light.
The dreamy intro of ‘Gold Plated’ eases you into the release as though you’re drifting in on the back of a cloud, before launching into vocals both melodic and passionate. ‘Concentrated’ injects some energy with its emphatic drums and anthemic chorus, while ‘From Ella’s’ shows great light and shade between the dark guitar and bass interplay and the bright infectious melodies. The aptly titled ‘Issues’ sees the band at their lyrical best as they channel a mix of teen angst and more adult introspection, before a cathartic climax rounds off the record. Expressive and eclectic, poignant and polished, NeoRomantics are ones to watch and may be future trendsetter material.
Emo kids looking for a fresh fix, or indie fans looking to spread their horizons, should check out NeoRomantics’ new EP Homecoming out now.
Belwood Music 