Tag: uk

New Video from Robert Sotelo

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Robert Sotelo will be releasing Celebrant in early November, and with that date approaching, there’s another new video to tease you into buying the LP. I love how it opens up with this muted glitch, evolving into a layered glitch and melodic pulse that drives the song’s tension. Then comes Sotelo, hanging his voice in that sort of darkened pop expanse, swirling with melody, bravado and hints of drama. The chorus hits on these playful notes, lifting the tune briefly. All that said, the song is about longing and protection with Robert saying the track is about feeling “overly paternal towards a parent,” which becomes increasingly difficult in the current climate. And just to say…I wish more people wrote pop tunes like this. Celebrant is out November 12th via Upset the Rhythm.

 

Penelope Isles Deliver Another Hit

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The Brighton based brother/sister songwriting duo Penelope Isles have long been a running favorite around the ATH offices, so naturally we are incredibly excited for their upcoming album. Hopefully you will share in our excitement with the band’s latest single entitled “Terrified” found below. For me, these new singles, and this new album, truly show a band growing into their sound with more pop sounds blended in with their already dreamy, sort of shoe gazy, indie rock vibe. This will likely be near the top of our year end lists.

Penelope Isles will release new album Which Way to Happy on November 5th via Bella Union. Pre-orders are live now.

Jessica’s Brother Share Finding Snowdrop Single

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The end of November will bring us the next Jessica’s Brother album, but on the way, perhaps we can enjoy this new single. This track has this sort communal psychedelia to it, which I’ll be honest, I wasn’t quite expecting. The song has this tendency to let the notes meander, going on a nice little musical walkabout, so to speak. It allows for the band, and their backing vocalists, to kind of create this sort of campfire seance, the sort of passionate performance where everyone, listener and musician, sinks into the fabric of the tune. Yet another reason to look forward to Just Rain, out November 26th via Fika Recordings.

Alternative Milks Share Shops

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Bristol based band Alternative Milks are relatively new to the music scene, but surely a group you will be hearing a ton more about this fall. Most of their music would fall into the genre of post-punk, though after a listen to this new single, “Shops”, you’ll see why the band sort of defies general classification. With an inspiration from punk, or post punk, Alternative Milks take the somewhat tired genre and offer these small hints of pop music and a little playfulness to really make the song enjoyable to all music lovers. You’ll find “Shops” to be a tad silly but also fun as hell.

Infectious New Single From Wasuremono

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Wiltshire based group Wasuremono released their catchy, dream pop inspired LP Let’s Talk Pt. 1 earlier this year, but surely you had to know a Pt. 2 was still in the works? Sure enough, the band has just announced the release of Let’s Talk Pt. 2 coming in January of next year via The Wilderness Records. Prior to the release this winter, Wasuremono dropped this new single entitled “Hi!” today and it’s already improving my overall mental state this morning. It’s a truly infectious bit of pop music with just enough quirk and silliness to keep it interesting and incredibly catchy.

Rural France Share Sling Yr Hook

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Fresh off the release of the killer “Stolen Beer,” Rural France return with the second single from their forthcoming RF record, and to no one’s surprise, it’s another fuzzy pop banger. Despite these heavy riffs, this song is pure pop through and through; it’s just bleeding melody all over your floor as it pours through your speakers. Honestly, this is some of the best no frills, solid pop rock n’ roll you’re going to hear this year. The chords ring in your ears in just the right spot, guitar solos cascade in quickly then fade away to reveal sneak peaks at the melodic underbelly, and every time you press play you’re going to wear a grin. RF will be released on October 29th via Meritorio Records.

Heavy Post-Punk From Talk Show

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We are midway through the week and I can feel myself slowly sort of dragging myself along to get through the day to day work week. If you’re in the same sort of slog, might I suggest you check out this fast paced new tune called “Underworld” from London based post-punk outfit Talk Show. I love how the track has this overall tension that can, ever so slightly, explode in short bursts but never really completely lets go of that pent up energy.

Talk Show will be releasing this new track on an EP entitled Touch the Ground coming out in 2022.

Sam Forrest Announces Aeroplane Days

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Feel like you need a mid-morning pick me up? Were you a fan of early Brendan Benson, or late Elliott Smith (I mean, we all were, right?)? Well, then join me in spending a bit of time with Sam Forrest, an English songwriter who just announce his latest record, Aeroplane Days. This tune’s got that driving stomp backing up a nice little strum, with Forrest taking up those wispy vocal notes. One of the reason’s I’ve been gravitating towards Sam’s stuff is that there’s definitely a solid blend between finer intimate moments between he and the listener, balance evenly by buoyant pop feels that pervade the record…as you can see here. If you dig, its out via Hidden Bay Records and Desert Mine on September 10.

Mirror Trash Release Faraway

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UK quartet Mirror Trash have made their way onto these pages before, and it’s high time we gave them another run with their striking new single, “Faraway.” The song features a minute of dreamy guitar meandering, wondering through the atmospheric universe. Those notes hang just on the edge of jangling, the way I like them. Then, these solemn vocals into the foray, almost disinterested, up until the chorus. There, you get this little attitude adjustment that should certainly charm as the guitars take back the lead and shimmer into the foreground. The band are slated to release a new EP early next year, and this is our first sneak peak at what’s ahead!

Treeboy & Arc Announce New EP

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If anything good came out of Covid lockdowns, it has to be the slew of new music artists created during their long time stuck at home. Leeds based Treeboy & Arc were one of those busy groups during quarantine, having managed to record an entire EP of new material. The new extended player, Life Preserver, includes four new tracks of material with this lead single, “Role Models”, streaming prior to the full August 6th EP release date. I love how the track pushes what we might consider post-punk tendencies but with a more restrained approach to give it a very Devo meets Idles feel. I think you’ll enjoy it.

Life Preserver will be available on cassette and for digital download on August 6th. Pre-orders are live now.

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