It’s not often you see a band undertake a meteoric rise anymore, so when a band like that comes around you feel the need to sit up and pay attention. Having amassed over a million streams just of their early demos, without any proper promotion, the buzz around this Scottish band is almost palpable. And having just performed at TRNSMT is sure to further fan the flames of this word of mouth phenomenon. Their first proper single ‘Seasons’ comes out all guns blazing, showing a determination to live up to the high standard they’re already set themselves. Big memorable riffs, a driving bass line, wonderfully expressive drums and hooks reminiscent of Catfish and the Bottlemen’s early work… what can I say besides that it’s one of the most accomplished indie tracks of 2018? It seems a forgone conclusion that The Snuts are Scotland’s next big band, the only question that remains is how big?
top tracks
Top Tracks: Passenger – Hell Or High Water
If the video of singer/songwriter extraordinaire Mike Rosenberg walking a lonely desert road wasn’t already a dead giveaway, this new track from Passenger breathes new life into his signature folk sound with a hearty dose of Americana. While the backdrop may be barren, ‘Hell Or High Water’ is undoubtedly full of life. Taken from his upcoming album Runaway, out 31st August, the song draws inspiration from the likes of Ryan Adams to craft a hook-heavy break-up ballad with a rich and fleshed out heartland feel. Recalling the inevitable overthinking that follows the end of a relationship, wondering where things went wrong and whether it was avoidable or simply meant to be, this track is up there with Passenger’s best. Offering airy Americana, a soft country twang and a sublime swell of strings, not to mention Mike’s unique vocals and relatable lyricism, ‘Hell Or High Water’ carries a universal appeal and is a welcome companion for one’s own search for answers.
Top Tracks: Alex Francis – Free
After being blown away by his track ‘All I’ve Got‘ last year, the incredible Alex Francis is back. His new single ‘Free’ shows a different, more soulful side to him, as it shares its message about not letting doubts hold you back from living the life you want. The lush instrumentation and flawless production brings this song to a whole other level. The superb bass tone really drives the song forward and the little tripped out R&B flourishes make the track shimmer like heat haze on the horizon on some golden summer’s day. There’s a lot of new elements to be found here, but it stays the same where it really counts. ‘Free’ still boasts Alex’s wonderfully powerful and versatile voice. and the same masterful hooks that you could just sit and listen to for hours. Slick, infectious and effortlessly cool, after this track I almost get the impression that Alex Francis can do no wrong.
Top Tracks: Deep.Sleep – Orange English Sun
We hear a lot about musical trends, but not so much about lyrical trends. I certainly feel however that there’s been a rise in nostalgia driven songs that recall the adventures, and misadventures, of youth. Most of these however deal with a longing for those days gone by, and lament at how soon things seem to change around us. The new single from Newcastle based indie pop quartet Deep.Sleep bucks the curve by simply revelling in the good times. Instead of bemoaning the fact that these happy memories are stuck in the past, ‘Orange English Sun’ carries the simple yet potent message that we should take heart in having been fortunate enough to have those experiences in the first place. The endearing and innocent lyricism, paired with the effervescent riffs and skittering drums, makes this love letter to youth the perfect summer anthem for anyone still young at heart.
Top Tracks: Scott Lloyd – Looking Out To Sea
Manchester based singer/songwriter Scott Lloyd is back, this time with his first release as a signed artist. His first new song since last year’s self-released EP In The Garden, ‘Looking Out To Sea’ feels like it distils much of what made his previous release great into just this one song. Steeped in nostalgia, the rich imagery at work here details Scott’s cherished memories of youth and the part they played in the long road that leads to the here and now, as well as to those memories that are still yet to be made. Scott’s vocals are at their most mature and assured yet, and the gorgeous rise and fall of the track carries with it an air of carefree romanticism. The euphoric brass of the track’s climax is a welcome surprise, and I look forward to hearing more of this elegant expanded sound. This promising artist has taken a big step forward and I’m interested to see where this road will lead next.
Top Tracks: Harrison Rimmer – Berlin
There’s a definite sense of the familiar within this latest single from Harrison Rimmer. Written thanks to a chance encounter while on tour in Germany and the ensuing sparks of attraction that followed, ‘Berlin’ is overflowing with radio-friendly pop melodies and skittering electronic beats. Marking a shift in style for this singer/songwriter, ‘Berlin’ has plenty in common with the kind of upbeat and immaculate earworms that populate any pop playlist worth its salt. Make no mistake though, there’s plenty here to make ‘Berlin’ stand out from the crowd. The most obvious of which is the simply astounding bass tone, as good as any you’re ever likely to hear, offering the track an accessible and irresistible groove. Looking beyond the rhythm, Harrison’s distinctive vocals have such a curious and indescribable quality to them here, which will leave you listening on repeat to try to unravel what makes his voice so unique. All considered, Harrison’s latest single offers his own intriguing personal twist on an infectious electropop sound.
Top Tracks: Pastis – On The Run
While we mostly focus on looking forwards and celebrating what’s new, we are still susceptible to moments where we long for the “good old days”. I for one miss the days of B sides, the days when bands would hide away some of their best tracks for only the most ardent of fans to find and make them into the music equivalent of cult classics. That spirit is alive and well with this brilliant new track from Helsinki based band Pastis. This particular B side is real A+ material. With ‘On The Run’ the band have channelled all their talents into a song that shows them at their very best. Combining the bright, bubbly melodies of mid-2000s indie with the scrappy, relentless energy and lo-fi philosophy of 70s punk, ‘On The Run’ manages to pack a wealth of great music into just a brief couple of minutes. This spirited little number is more than deserving of some time in the spotlight, as indeed are Pastis themselves.
Top Tracks: Cavern Company – Falling
I defy you to find a more upbeat and joyful track released this year than ‘Falling’. This latest single from Oklahoma based indie pop trio Cavern Company is like a radiant beacon of positive energy, abuzz with effervescent melodies and guilt-free pop sensibilities. The band citing Chic as their biggest influence goes a long way in explaining the potency of the infectious danceable groove, and the bright indie aesthetic at work on this track is sure to be a hit with fans of The 1975 and Clean Cut Kid. “Pop” music gets a bad rep, which is often self-inflicted, but it’s songs like this that remind you just how invigorating good pop music can be. Assuredly innocent and endearing as it captures the feeling of a new love blossoming, the distilled euphoria of ‘Falling’ makes it one of the most charming and accessible tracks of 2018.
Top Tracks: The Tin Pigeons – Always The Same
All you need is a few bright and upbeat guitar riffs and you pretty much have yourself an indie song. To make a great indie song though you need to throw a few other elements into the crucible in the hope of forming something that feels special. The Tin Pigeons have done just that on their new single ‘Always The Same’. The infectious groove that permeates the whole track, paired with the multitude of memorable hooks, just makes you feel ready to lose your inhibitions and let the music move through you. Speaking of a longing to break free and find some meaning and purpose, to which we can all relate, ‘Always The Same’ manages the rare feat of being a fun song with real meaning. The Tin Pigeons have imbued their own unique charm into this track, and this is one festival anthem that is sure to get crowds whipped up into a feel-good frenzy.
Top Tracks: .imp – Lifedreamer
‘Lifedreamer’ is a tale of two halves. This latest single from London-based artist James Hargreaves, aka .imp, opens with a bright and airy psychedelic sound that’s simply bursting with life and pulsates like some mystical aura. The hectic skittering drum beat may seem at odds with the otherwise dreamy atmosphere, but somehow the two elements really work well together. If you thought the opening of ‘Lifedreamer’ was vibrant then you’re in for a real treat when the triumphant horn sounds kick in. This uplifting section rings out like some hero’s welcome while ascending Olympus. The drums shift to keep pace, providing some of the best damn percussion I’ve heard all year, before the euphoric climax gives way to the final ethereal fade-out. It may have been written on morphine while recovering from surgery, but that’s nothing compared to the high that the song itself makes you feel.
Belwood Music 