Having sang in choirs and learned to play cello from an early age, London-based singer/songwriter Rebecca Raw channels her classical inspirations into a captivating contemporary sound. Her debut EP Deep Within maintains an emotive air of spirituality that persists throughout as she explores ethereal folk and uplifting indie pop. The EP’s signature song ‘Connection’ speaks of longing for deeper and more meaningful relationships rather than the all too often fleeting and emotionless interactions of the modern world. The acapella driven ‘Dust and Ashes’ sees Rebecca’s songwriting at it’s most curious and experimental, while ‘Freefall’ brings together modern indie pop with 80s power ballad vibes. Rebecca’s finest hour however is the aptly titled ‘Whisper Thin’, crafted around little more than a delicate piano and her own angelic vocals to produce one of the most breathtaking musical moments of the year. Rebecca Raw has produced a technically faultless and stylistically interesting first release, but far more important than that she has gifted the world with something that connects with you deep down; a quality all the more rare and precious.
Rebecca’s Deep Within EP is out now and is perfect for fans of The Glass Child, Billie Marten, The Swell Season and Julien Baker
It’s important within a band to have a strong bond, a deep connection of spirit and a sharing of ideas. It’s always been said that blood is thicker than water and few acts work in such perfect harmony as Miccoli, composed of twin brothers Alex and Adriano, and their sister Francesca. Weaving their voices together to craft a spellbinding display, an angelic chorus so rarely found in indie pop, they have produced one of the most promising EPs of the year. ‘Idle Stranger’ is a late night anthem to lead the way when you find yourself lost in life, while the slow burning ‘Undo’ show Miccoli’s ethereal harmonies at their best. The suitably bright and uplifting ‘Lights’ is a finely crafted hit in the making and the stripped back ‘Devices’ builds an intricate and fragile cathedral of sound from the sparsest of arrangements. This band of siblings have a clear idea of who they want to be, and if they carry on the legacy of their first EP then they are sure to win over new fans everywhere they go.
Ipswich born alternative rockers In My Disguise are more than they appear. If you’re looking for straight shooting, no-nonsense riffs then you’re in luck, but if you’re also one to dig deeper for those little subtleties then there is plenty here for you to enjoy. Either way, they can provide exactly what you’re looking for. With their debut EP Achromatic the band have picked up the mantle left by post-grunge bands of the late nineties and early noughties. ‘Alive’ boasts a heavy groove and a wondrous melodic bass interlude, while ‘Fear’ is at times reminiscent of Tool’s ‘Sober’ and shows the band at their lyrical peak. ‘Scattered Memories’ features some blistering guitar work to bring the EP to a close and the stripped back ‘Story’, the band’s best work thus far, shows a different side to In My Disguise. It makes a great change of pace and shows the kind of range the band have to offer. In My Disguise have made an assured start to their career with their first release and have secured a place as one of the most promising new bands on the scene.
Treading the line between the bright, upbeat melodies of indie rock, and the dark, determined vigour of alternative rock, we find Cambridgeshire based singer/songwriter Tom Lumley. With his debut EP he has carved out his own place, and is set to make his presence known in this hectic and overcrowded scene with his latest tracks. ‘Running From Our Lives’ builds from bluesy beginnings, into the kind of vivid melodies, driving rhythms and frantic solos that put bands like Holy Holy on our radar. ‘Tonight’ has the ideal riffs to get your blood pumping, the jaunty ‘Done My Time’ plays around with a laidback, summery vibe and ‘Open Your Eyes’ features some of the finest guitar work to be found anywhere in the UK’s indie scene right now. Tom still has a way to go, but these tracks still make a damn good first impression. In Tom Lumley we find an artist with a wealth of talent just awaiting that spark, that secret ingredient that will give him the edge and make as many people as possible sit up and pay attention. We have here a real diamond in the rough, and I for one can’t wait to see him shine.
It’s common knowledge that Manchester has a rich musical heritage that few places in the world can truly equal. It was the birthplace of countless legends and thankfully is still at the cutting edge, making some of the best new British music. TYPES are just the kind of band that sums up what makes Manchester so important. Meandering and experimental, yet intriguingly accessible, their new EP is the perfect microcosm of the sound that is dominating the UK’s underground scene, and it’s bands like this that will be leading the charge when it breaks into the mainstream. Lyrically it aims squarely at the establishment and our overly commercial modern world, but it’s the music, the band’s own unique brand of “post-post-punk”, that is the real show stopper here. Whether it’s the fragile, piano driven ‘Tropical’, the uplifting ambient coda of ‘K – Wave’, the hints of glitchy electronica in ‘It’s Like A Morgue In Here’, or the astonishing guitar work in their magnum opus ‘Mild Learning Difficulties’, it’s clear that we have here a band with a wealth of talent just waiting to be discovered.
An incalculable amount of new music passes through my headphones day in, day out; whether discovered on my own or found awaiting me in my inbox. With that in mind, it’s rare when a song comes along and genuinely blows me away. Such was my reaction when I first heard Ren’s sweeping folk single ‘The Coast’. The affecting melody, the sense of yearning and wanderlust; it’s the kind of song that speaks to a deep and tender part of our souls. His debut EP is just as moving as the track that first won my heart. The soulful little guitar solo that catches you off-guard at the end of ‘All That I Need’, the bittersweet, slow burning blues of ‘Late Night Drive’ and the rich imagery and loving nostalgia of ‘My Heart Belongs To Ireland’. All these achingly beautiful moments come together to create an unforgettable first release. Drawing inspiration from great singer/songwriters both classic and contemporary, Ren carves out his own little pedestal to make him stand out as a genuine artist. Ren is one of the most promising up-and-coming acts in the UK right now, with bigger and better things surely just over the horizon.
Belwood Music 