LISTENING TO… NORTHERN EXPOSURE

Brand new weekly feature reviewing some of our favourite new releases of the week

QUICKSAND – FLOODHOUNDS

Fuzzy layered guitars, striking offbeat rhythms and vigorously menacing melodies is only the tip of the iceberg with Floodhounds new single Quicksand.

The metaphorical Quicksand represents loosing control. Guitarist/vocalist Jack Flynn tells “Quicksand is all about the emotional turbulence of life’s journey, exploring resilience in the face of moving ‘two steps forwards another backwards’. Life rarely moves in a straight line but the song is about finding the determination to forge on regardless through unpredictable situations.” That ’emotional turbulence’ is captured flawlessly within the tracks make up. There’s always so much going on within Floodhounds music that it’s hard to comprehend this is the work of a mere three piece band.

Earlier this year the bands last single Psychosomatics secured them extensive radio play, playlist appearances and an increased following to match. There’s no doubt that Quicksand will have a similar impact.

ALL GRIEF NO SLEEP – SLIX

Our favourite Gourock five piece Slix have released their brand new single All Grief, No Sleep this week. It’s their first new release since their jingle jangle summer anthem Rewind dropped ahead of their TRNSMT debut back in July.

In their own words; “All Grief, No Sleep is a commentary on young life in a working-class town. This is a song for the late night early risers, weekend warriors, minimum wagers, booze binging hangover nursers and those in search of a escape“. The relatability of this track strikes hard for anybody who is trying to get by on the monotonous 9-5 and living paycheck to paycheck.

As always with Slix, the track is characterised by their catchy trademark choruses and rhythmic guitars. Composed with the simple intention to be sang back at them live, All Grief, No Sleep will only add to what is an already a solid set list at their upcoming sold out (in just 3 minutes) McChuills headliner in December.

PRAISE – BROOKE COMBE

By far one of the most exciting emerging artists from Scotland at the moment is Brooke Combe. With her immensely soulful tone, powerful tunes and inspiring attitude fuelled lyricism, Brooke delivers every time. New single Praise marks the singers first release since her SAY Award shortlisted debut Black Is The New Gold in April and is bigger than ever.

Opening with the empowering statement ‘I’m a Queen and I’m gonna say it proud’, Brooke says the new track is about regaining control. She says “I found myself in a situation where I started to feel almost like a puppet. Like I was being shaped into something I wasn’t and that just isn’t really who I am. I feel like it’s an all too familiar scenario, women in today’s society feeling pressured to toe the line. So here we are, demanding the praise and respect we deserve”.

Enriched in gospel, soul and guitar induced goodness, Brooke Combe secures her position as the Scotlands Indie Soul Queen.

GIVE ME A SIGN – THE RITZ

A brand new band trying to break the thriving UK music scene is Staffordshire based indie band The Ritz. Only formed at the beginning of 2023, the four piece indie rock n roll outfit have just released their second single Give Me A Sign. A track full of soaring energy, dynamic guitar licks and an abundance of rock n roll passion.

Full of breakthrough potential, Give Me A Sign is confident, loud and in your face with a familiar simplicity that bands such as Arctic Monkeys influenced a generation with. Their first single When I Need You Most was strong but this new track just hits harder. Given the success of the debut which saw play by BBC Introducing, making This Feelings Track of The Day and securing them their first This Feeling line up in Leeds next week.

For a band so fresh to the new indie scene, it’s an incredible follow up single. The Ritz are sure to make waves in 2024.

ABOUT LOVE – DEAD PONY

The forth new single in less than 6 months from Glasgow’s Dead Pony is the ferocious About Love. Far from it’s ballad implied title, About Love is a grungy anthemic guitar track full of usual Dead Pony intensity. A step away from the augmented reality concept they have so far been exploring in their singles from next year’s impending debut album, About Love is a more personal reflection.

Dead Pony front woman Anna Shields explains; About Love is a ballad of lost love. It’s a story of admiring someone and coming to the realisation that they aren’t the person who you thought they were. It’s frantically trying to piece together broken fragments of yourself and of them, to try and mend what is now lost. Sometimes trust can be fixed but other times it is broken for good. About Love tells the tale of growing up in love and the complications that arise when one of you changes.”

The distinguishable, dreamy verses are carried by the sweetness of Anna’s voice and rhythmic bassline. Crashing into an ominously melodic guitar driven chorus, About Love is spellbinding.