While it is always best to believe in one’s self, a little help from others can be a great blessing. We need help, guidance and support if we ever hope to reach our full potential; this is the lesson singer/songwriter and West End star Alexis Gerred learned from his parents, and hopes to pass on to his own children in turn. The reassuring single ‘Sweet Angel’, taken from his forthcoming crowdfunded debut album, starts as an airy and uplifting ballad before kicking it up a notch with driving guitar and bass lines and expressive drum work. It’s Alexis’ powerful vocals however, and the heartwarming message that they share, that remain squarely in the spotlight where they belong. It’s a solid first step into this new stage of his career as he settles into the part he was born to play: himself.
top tracks
Top Tracks: BamBoo – Never Look Back
Songs that explode out of the blocks at full speed certainly have their moments, but they miss out on one of music’s greatest delights: the build. There’s something special about songs that change and grow, from a tiny fragile source into something majestic and imposing. This new track from Canadian indie band BamBoo is a fine example. It’s a fitting name; in nature bamboo is the fastest growing plant in the world, and here we experience such magnificent sounds arise from humble origins in just a few short minutes. ‘Never Look Back’, taken from their new EP Cheers, starts with simple guitar lines and shimmering synths, then delves into bright indie pop with a driving beat, before concluding with a cathartic climax. By the end, the sublime expressive drum work and soaring dream pop guitar lines feel all-encompassing, and the build up to that incredible feeling just makes it all the more potent and rewarding.
Top Tracks: Vinegar Mother – Moon Tomb
Not content to blur the lines between genres, Vinegar Mother go a step further and erase the lines entirely. ‘Moon Tomb’, taken from their upcoming debut PHASES out June 8th, is a law unto itself, a world where anything goes. There’s so much going on here that it will take you a couple of listens to soak it all in. With slick soulful vocals, tripped out psychedelic soundscapes, funky flourishes, jazzy piano, and even intricate math rock riffs, this wonderfully eclectic single hits you with everything in the band’s arsenal. It is one of those songs that seems to defy the laws of physics; you wonder how it’s possible to cram so much music into such a short space of time? With one of the most unique and diverse sounds I’ve heard in recent years, Vinegar Mother certainly have a lot to offer.
Top Tracks: Coralcrown – She is a Saint
There are many different approaches when it comes to indie music, but if you find yourself leaning towards slick and stylish performances with flawless refined production, then this is right up your street. This highly polished paragon of indie pop from Coralcrown, the new solo project from Luis Gotor, recalls the likes of Blossoms and Two Door Cinema Club with its potent one-two of bright riffs and retro synths. ‘She is a Saint’, taken from the new EP Birth, has all the hallmarks of an upbeat indie hit, but lurking just beneath the surface there is an abiding air of lust and longing to throw in some passion and a fresh gritty angle on proceedings. This disco-tinged track delivers from start to finish and will make worthy addition to the playlists of any fun-loving indie fans.
Top Tracks: Kit Kazar – Spell
As I write this the sun is out, the birds are singing and the flowers are in full bloom; spring has officially sprung. There’s new life everywhere you turn and it’s hard not to be caught up in the rush of it all. This is the song that your heart sings when you finally feel the sun again after a seemingly endless winter. This track from Kit Kazar, the new solo project from Beach Tiger’s Taylor McCleskey, is the perfect feel-good tune to bask in the joys of spring and daydream of the summer to come. ‘Spell’, taken from the new EP The Sun Has Seen It All Pt.1, simply exudes positive energy in all directions and recalls that bright and dreamy 60s pop sound at its very best. This carefree track is nothing short of irresistible, and is sure to inject a hearty dose of happiness into your day.
Top Tracks: Leon + the Fantastic – Grieving Friend of a Superman
Right from the off ‘Grieving Friend of a Superman’ offers hints of Bowie’s Blackstar. From the world-weary vocals and cryptic lyrics, to the retro synths and bizarre little nuances, this track from Leon’s forthcoming EP Let Me Cool (out 18th May) deals equally in both the foreign and the familiar. Odd enough to feel exciting and new, but maintaining convention just enough to keep you feeling at home in your new surreal surroundings. The stop motion video for the song, featuring an astronaut losing his grip on reality and suffering hallucinations in deep space, is one of the most fascinating videos of recent years. The real star of the show however is the captivating drum work, constantly pulling you in deeper and feeling like the lead instrument in a way that few acts ever manage to. “Fantastic” is a hard moniker to live up to, but on this track Leon and the band pull it off.
Top Tracks: The People The Poet – Kids on the Corner
Music can do a lot of wonderful things, and sometimes, by either a personal connection to some cherished memory or by wonderfully woven nostalgic lyricism, a song can take you back to simpler times. Such is the case with this new track from Welsh band The People The Poet, taken from their new album A Short Obsession With Time. Even if your childhood bears little resemblance to the misspent youth described in ‘Kids on the Corner’, its hard not to feel some kind of affinity with the sentiment: a longing to go back to those carefree days when the world seemed limitless and all your thoughts and feelings burned their brightest. This journey back to “the good old days” is one you will make time and again, as the emphatic drums, gorgeous piano coda and gritty vocals reminiscent of Bruce Springsteen and Bryan Adams make this a song you will keep coming back to for a good long while.
Top Tracks: RIVVRS – Let It Die
Mark my words, listening to just this one track is all you need to be completely sold on RIVVRS. Pressing play on ‘Let It Die’, the latest single from forthcoming album Cosmic Dream, is like a tall dark stranger walking into town in the wild west, with an air of mystique and the road-hardened stare of a man who’s seen too much. A track about knowing when to cut loose those who are dragging you down, and not dwelling on those who messed you around whom you’d be better off without, ‘Let It Die’ shares its potent and relatable message with such superb charm and character. With its heavy stomp, understated bluesy riffs, and those suave gritty vocals, this new song from Californian native Brandon Zahursky is a timeless slice of Americana that is not to be missed.
Top Tracks: Augustus James – The Hardest Part
Some genres are perfectly suited to a certain mood, but personally I see Americana as an erstwhile companion that’s always welcome whatever the occasion. Certainly a track such as ‘The Hardest Part’, taken from Augustus James’ debut EP Nora, would be equally at home while cruising down an open road with the sun streaming down, or while watching the rain against the window while you ponder your place in the world. While carrying all the beloved Americana hallmarks we’ve come to expect, the warm understated brass and soothing harmonies make this new track stand out from the crowd. ‘The Hardest Part’ is the kind of track that you can make memories to and can consider to be more than just music, but a lifelong friend.
Top Tracks: Charlotte Enegren – Same Old Joe
Tracks like ‘Same Old Joe’ are among the most difficult to write about, as when all the instruments are working together in perfect harmony it is difficult to pick out your favourite moments. On this new single from Swedish singer/songwriter Charlotte Enegren, taken from her upcoming debut EP Mirror Lights, all the instruments are on a sure and equal footing; from the expressive rhythm section, to the warm ambience of the brass, to the jazzy piano interlude. But all of these elements quite clearly need to be working together to stand any chance of matching the most impressive instrument of all: Charlotte’s astounding voice. An assured blend of jazz, soul and pop stylings, I’m sure you’ll agree it’s one of the most impressive and memorable vocal performances to have ever graced the site. With a voice like that, Charlotte’s potential for greatness knows no bounds.
Belwood Music 