Fleet Foxes – Crack-Up
Indie Folk
80%
Top Tracks: Tree – Hold My Hand
It’s easy to write a song that’s memorable, or bold, or exciting, but it’s rare to find a song that shows a sense of understanding. To take your own personal experiences and commit them to song in such a way that it forms a deep connection for people from all walks of life is no mean feat, but it’s something Tree have nailed with their new single. ‘Hold My Hand’, taken from their album The Bridge and The Mountain, tells a tale of overcoming adversity to find peace of mind and new opportunities, adorned with a backdrop of refined strings and wall-of-sound indie rock. With Tree listing Rush amongst their influences, it reminds me of ‘The Pass’ as it manages to somehow both sum up the feeling of being lost and alone, and find exactly the right words to provide comfort and reassurance.
Album Review: The Immediate – Manbuoy
The Immediate – ManbuoyTop Tracks: Bianca Rose – Hidden
Singer/songwriter Bianca Rose is back with the latest single from her debut album No Fear Here. ‘Hidden’, with its incredibly moving accompanying music video, speaks out about mental health and tells a tale about how difficult it can be to open up to others, even those that mean the world to us. Starting off as a delicate folk track before kicking off into a lush and expansive soul sound, it provides both gentle comfort and an uplifting message of hope. Sometimes an artist’s soul and character truly shine through when sharing something meaningful and personal, and this is a perfect example. This gorgeous song shares an important and heartfelt message that is sure to move you, and shows what a conscientious and compassionate songwriter Bianca really is.
Album Review: Royal Blood – How Did We Get So Dark?
Royal Blood – How Did We Get So Dark?Interview: The Lunar Year
Philadelphia band The Lunar Year has easily been one of my favourite new discoveries of 2017. Combining pensive and poignant piano ballads with raw indie rock, they made one hell of a first impression with their debut album Herodias. Having offered some of my personal highlights of the year, naturally I just had to find out more about the album. With her unique vocals and affecting lyricism, I was overjoyed to be able to chat with frontwoman Katie Burke about the new record: Continue reading
Album Review: Ratboys – GN
Ratboys – GNSpotlight!: Chapel Row
Hailing from Merthyr, South Wales, Chapel Row exhibit a kind of raw energy and pent-up frustration that defies expectations. Their gritty, no-nonsense rock is a sharp wake-up call from the mundanity of modern life, delivering the kind of passion that is all too often missing from the scene at the moment. Combining relatable teenage angst with musical talents beyond their years, these lads are on to a winner. ‘Lockdown’ is a hard-hitting rock masterclass that is sure to get your blood pumping. ‘She Knows’ with it’s big hooks reminds me of fellow Welsh band Catfish and the Bottlemen, while the intricate rhythm and anthemic chorus of ‘Cold’ makes for the perfect festival crowd-pleaser. Every so often you hear a band that ignites a fire in your heart and pumps pure electricity through your veins, and this is just such a band. Thoroughly intoxicating, and just the right level of rough around the edges, Chapel Row are one of the most thrilling bands in the UK right now, and with a bit of luck will have a big break on the cards in the near future.
Fans of Spring King, Yak, Catfish and the Bottlemen and The Amazons should check out their debut EP Lockdown.
Top Tracks: The Last Dinosaur – Grow
It’s sometimes easy to forget that while listening to music can provide great comfort and reassurance when times get tough, the same can also be said of creating it in the first place. Having lost his best friend in a tragic car crash in his youth, Jamie Cameron’s latest record is a powerful cathartic release after many years of pent-up pain and frustration. Taken from his upcoming album The Nothing out 7th July, the second record under his The Last Dinosaur moniker, ‘Grow’ is a bittersweet reflection on the fragile beauty of life. Combining gorgeous folk guitar melodies, an uplifting swell of strings, and a voice so breathy and delicate you fear it might get carried away on the breeze, it’s a song of unquestionable charm and beauty.
Top Tracks: Matt Koelsch – Perfectly Aligned
Ditching the confines of his office job in finance, singer/songwriter Matt Koelsch risked it all to follow his passion for music in LA. Judging by his latest single ‘Perfectly Aligned’ I’d say he made the right choice. Taken from his upcoming EP Thinking of You, the track is an ideal feel-good summer anthem. Fusing indie folk with striking splashes of brass, the song speaks of not conforming to expectations and refusing to measure yourself against others. Anyone with the guts to follow their heart gets a tick in my book, even more so those lucky few like Matt who have overcome every obstacle to achieve something to be proud of. We have here an uplifting hit from an inspiring up-and-coming musician; what’s not to love?
Belwood Music 