Evening Darling – Evening Darling
Americana
74%
Top Tracks: Simon Baum – Bridges
I think we can all agree that the world is a pretty scary place right now. It’s in these dark and uncertain times that we most need a voice of reassurance and solidarity. London-based singer/songwriter Simon Baum provides just that with his new single ‘Bridges’. It shares a message of how we need to embrace the things we have in common rather than shower scorn on our differences; that the only way you can fight the hate in this world is through love. As the saying goes, ‘speak up even if your voice shakes’, and somehow the sparse folky arrangement and Simon’s fragile and vulnerable vocals give so much more meaning to the song. Equally a personal message of hope, and a plea to all of humanity to change, it is a lullaby to a scarred and divided world.
Album Review: Cydemind – Erosion
Cydemind – ErosionSpotlight!: James Taplin
Photo by Mark Loraine
Some styles never go out of fashion. The Blues will never die so long as there are talented and passionate artists around to carry on the legacy; artists like James Taplin. With a big voice and an even bigger heart, he captures the classic tried and tested sound of the deep south and performs with an easy-going rapport that’s hard not to love. With songs like ‘Dragging My Feet’, the title track from his self-released debut EP, ‘Just One Rule’ and ‘Antidepressant Blues’ he sounds like there is an old soul within, trying to live on in stories from days long past. When he’s not channeling the spirit of some delta blues legend, his live performances show a different side to his talents. Thriving in front of an eager crowd, he can also perfectly capture the folk troubadour vibe of artists such as James Taylor and Cat Stevens. Mastering just one of these styles is more than enough to make him worth your time, mastering both means he is the perfect choice for our latest Spotlight artist. Anyone fond of folk or bewitched by the blues is sure to be swiftly won over by this up-and-coming singer/songwriter.
Fans of Dan Owen, Foy Vance, Rag’n’Bone Man, Seasick Steve and Gavin James should check him out!
Album Review: Ed Wood Jr – The Home Electrical
Ed Wood Jr – The Home ElectricalAlbum Review: Father John Misty – Pure Comedy
Father John Misty – Pure ComedyTop Tracks: Marquis Malanga – Active Naive
Belwood Music is proud to premiere the new video from Swiss band Marquis Malanga. Formerly known as Kamikaze, ‘Active Naive’ is the band’s latest single under their new moniker. Combining tasteful electronica, futuristic soul and plenty of early 80s era David Bowie, the track is perfect for fans of Jungle, Algiers, Alabama Shakes and the new Childish Gambino. The trippy accompanying music video, from director Tatum Rush, is the perfect match for the funky bass and slick guitar tones. It’s rare to find a song so well suited for both chilling out, and getting the party atmosphere going. This track is just such a refreshing collection of sounds that refuses to be pinned down by labels and appeals to a wide selection of musical desires within your mind.
Top Tracks: Joe Innes & The Cavalcade – Moscow
When we look back at some of the most memorable and moving music, it is often something very raw and personal, or it carries a deeper message about the world we live in. It’s rare however to find an artist that can bring both aspects together. Singer/songwriter Joe Innes, and his lovingly curated band The Cavalcade, fits perfectly in the centre of that Venn diagram with his own unique brand of ‘Post-Brexit Indie’. His music interweaves his own life experiences with observations of the current state of the world. ‘Moscow’, taken from the upcoming album Foreign Domestic Policy out 26th May, juxtaposes a tale of lost love with the West’s uneasy relationship with Russia, with a sound that is equal parts indie rocker and folk troubadour.
Album Review: Cattle & Cane – Mirrors
Cattle & Cane – MirrorsInterview: Chronologist
I must confess that whenever I’m not listening to one of the numerous and wonderful submissions that the site receives, I’m often busy exploring the world of prog rock and prog metal. With the incomparable complexity of the music and the grandiose concepts, there is simply nothing else to rival it in terms of ambition and technical skill. Chronologist, a new band on the scene from Austin, Texas, are proving to be a promising up-and-coming addition to the genre. I spoke with their drummer Zach Sacco about their debut album Cartographer: Continue reading
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