LISTENING TO…
BUMPER EDITION OF OUR FAVOURITE BRAND NEW RELEASES FEATURING THE SNUTS, SILVI, SUGARSTONE, JOSEPHINE SILLARS, BABY SAID, BARRA JOHN, LYDIA ROWLANDS, THE KAVES AND ALEX SPENCER
JOSEPHINE SILLARS – OH FUCK
Accomplished dreamy singer songwriter Josephine Sillars has this month delivered one of her best collaboratives to date with her three track EP Someone Else’s Break Up. Teaming with Leeds based Loughlin (aka Jay Taylor), Someone Else’s Break Up pushes the limits of Sillars creativity with Oh Fuck being an mesmerising stand out track.
Of the three songs, Oh Fuck didn’t generate the same momentum as single Stuck In Horror (Literally Anything) which features a literal cameo audio appearance from Michael Sheen. What Oh Fuck lacks in celebrity credit makes up in heart clenching intensity.
Hauntingly simple, the stripped back appeal of Josephine and her keys is something to indulge in. Delicate yet intense, Oh Fuck gradually builds to climatic high that is frankly worthy of some of the best in the mainstream chart. The dreamy discordant synth backdrop is simply mesmerising and I swear once you listen to this track once then you will have to return for more.
THE SNUTS – NPC
The third single from The Snuts incoming third studio album is the instantaneously catchy NPC. Following in the recent footsteps of Dreams and Gloria, new track NPC see’s the number one best selling West Lothian band secure their place amongst the best of the UK indie scene.
Having stepped away from their Parlophone record deal earlier this year, The Snuts have taken back creative control and since establishing Happy Artist Records where they will release the impending album number 3. As deeply passionate and thought provoking as Burn The Empire was, it’s a welcome return to see The Snuts reclaim their feel good energy again. Each song so far from this upcoming album is drenched in singalong potential.
Getting straight to the point, NPC kicks in with frontman Jack’s unmistakable lyricism. Fast paced with a rythmetic punch, The Snuts don’t hold back with their elocution. A song about switching off from mundane reality, the lyrics reference many modern lifestyle commodities. But it’s the hook laden chorus which is immediately memorable. ‘Life’s a bitch, flick the switch, I just check out’. This will go down thunderously live.
THE KAVES – PREVALENT
The Glasgow based rock quartet have released their follow up to this summer highly acclaimed Soul with the magnetic new single Prevalent. Soul, which received notable air play from BBC Radio London and John Kennedy’s Xposure (Radio X) set the bands precedence high. Thankfully, Prevalent excels that expectation.
In their own words;
Prevalent is an ode to the fakers, to those who see more value in being liked as opposed to following their own path.
THE KAVES
Coming in straight away with a distinct guitar riff intro, the unmistakable warming rock tone of lead singer Dave swiftly takes ownership of the track. It’s exciting. Guitar driven hard rock with a firm melodic base, the track is mapped beautifully and the bridge breakdown towards the end adds a sense of intrigue that is hard to ignore. I love this track and would love to hear how it erupts in a live setting in the near future.
BARRA JONES – STANLEY
A debut single making it’s way on to the playlist this week is the poignant Stanley from Dublin born Barra Jones. The former Hearts footballer and Orlando Bloom body double (yes really) has turned his hand to songwriting and frankly, he is pretty good at it. Following the release of a live EP last year, Barra makes a fresh introduction with a track which explores the emotional turmoil of “losing a child, before they are born.”
As raw as the tracks inspiration, the instrumental piano entrance sets the song’s ambience early on. A spine tingling melancholy intensified by the vulnerability of Barra’s lyrics; I never got to hold you after a long wait. As the track builds the emotions only heighten with the added string accompaniment coming in around the half way mark complimenting Barra’s strong vocals. Despite the heartbreaking theme, the final composition is ultimately comforting.
Shaped by Americana and modern folk, Barra John could be comparable to the likes Tom Waits, Billy Joel or Eric Clapton. A tall order for a debut, but this artist has clearly been working on and developing his craft long before he hit the record button. Featuring both Colm Mac Con Iomaire (The Frames, Kíla) and Anna Houston (Mike Scott, Steve Wickham, No Crows) on the recording, Stanley is set for a visual reimagining when the video – directed by Paul Gallagher – is unveiled over the coming weeks.
ALEX SPENCER – WAITING FOR THE CHANGE
If you haven’t crossed path’s with Manchester teen Alex Spencer yet, then I assure you that by this time next year you will have. This month has so far saw the young lad release his debut five track EP One Step Forward (10/11), supported Jamie Webster on the conclusive night of his sold out UK tour at Manchester’s O2 Victoria Warehouse (18/11) and this Friday (24/11) will headline a hometown celebration at the city’s Deaf Institute. Amongst all of that, he also premiered his latest single from that EP with the sensational Waiting For The Change.
Potentially the biggest single yet for Alex, Waiting For The Change is sure to go down a storm live. Full of sophistication, style and swag, Waiting For A Change captures little gems from various indie generations. The opening few notes have a twinge of Stone Roses rhythm and the confidently delivered vocals are fitting with that of the famous Manchester indie scene. Lyrically, Alex is definitely well beyond his years and articulates his message passionately. “They’ll find out ways to keep us out, the masters sowing seeds of doubt“. Sometimes when the verses are so punchy, the chorus can be a let down but the complete opposite happens. The key changes works well in distinguishing the two, leaving you anticipating it’s return throughout the song.
A fine example of the continuously thriving local music scene, Alex slots right into place alongside his famous peers. With the backing of the Modern Sky label there is huge potential ahead for this fresh face singer/songwriter.
SILVI – WE’RE ALL FALLING
A familiar voice making it’s way on to this weeks radar is Scottish songstress Silvi with her final effort of 2023 – We’re All Falling. Only recording and releasing music since 2020, Silvi has since went on to deliver compellingly passionate, heartfelt and often lustful tracks with each release offering something fresh every time. Following on from the intense rock ballad Don’t Wanna Love Again and empowering pop anthem Possessed, new track We’re All Falling strips Silvi and her mighty voice right back down to basics.
Written at a time where Silvi personally felt low, isolated and vulnerable, We Are Falling captures that emotional state so close to the bone. The soft somber guitar is an entire mood within itself. The same simple melody loops in the backdrop as if it’s just part of the basic foundations which allow Silvi’s lusty vocals to carry the song all the way. Starting in as soft and somber as the guitar melody, the vocal delivery continues to build, showcasing the vast range of her capabilities. This is where Silvi’s unique talents really shine through. She doesn’t need heavy production to shine, her voice is so beautifully powerful that it carries itself.
Having smashed some bucket list goals this year already, We Are Falling is an introspective opportunity for, not just Silvi but anybody listening, to reflect on how far they have come and ideal way to bring an eventful 2023 to a close.
SUGARSTONE – HOSTILE
Synth Punk newbies Sugarstone have this month released their second EP Terrible Tendencies. The Manchester four piece, known for their high energy and electric stage presence, have seen support from Clash magazine and track of the week credits from BBC Introducing and 6 Music. Having played support slots to the likes of Kid Kapichi, Calva Louise and Witch Fever, the Cyber-punk quartet have gained serious traction since the release of their first EP SUCKER in October last year. The new three track EP appears to be following suit with third and final track Hostile worming it’s way into our eardrums and our playlist.
Hostile by name and by nature, this 4 minute, fuzz heavy track has an inimical industrial ambience as established by bands such as Nine Inch Nails and Tool. Ambiguously kicking in, at first Hostile feels more 80’s synth pop. Lyrically it flows seamlessly in time with the offbeat rhythm across the early verses until reaching a crashing chorus which transforms the track into an industrial guitar laden haze. A spellbinding contrast which reflects the diversity of Sugarstone.
Not the Sugarstone you expect, but the Sugarstone you never knew you needed. I’m not quite sure what I expected having never listened to these guys before now, however, it is definitely the Sugarstone I needed. Dirty, loud and seriously chuggy, I can’t wait to hear more from this Manchester band.
BABY SAID – FIGHT
Another debut release making it’s way into this weeks playlist is the first single from teen Italian/Punjabi Sisters Baby Said. Currently recording their forthcoming album with some of the biggest writing and producing names in the UK, their first release – Fight, introduces the duo as a dynamic pop punk pair ready to take on the UK rock scene.
Upbeat and full of spicy attitude, Fight is the pairs perfectly delivered response to chauvinistic opinion that rock music is a man’s game.
“Our song ‘FIGHT’ is about all the times that we were gigging as our cover band
Jess (Baby Said) on Fight
when some groups of men didn’t believe that we could play before we even started and didn’t
believe that we were actually playing live, which led to us having to stop our set and prove
ourselves to them. The lyrics ‘we’re just gonna roll our eyes’ and ‘we don’t run from a fight’ are our
blunt retaliation to this and show that we won’t let anyone stop us from doing what we love
I love the full on feminist punk ethos in this debut track from Baby Said. Heavy distorted guitars and fast paced beats against the rhythmic rap inspired vocals works really well. Having taking their name from a song their favourite band Maneskin, events come full circle as the sisters have recently been signed to the band’s live booking agent. Expect to see much more of these two in 2024.
LYDIA ROWLANDS – THE NAME THAT THEY GAVE US
The final addition to this week’s BUMPER edition of Listening To is the latest release from Liverpool hang out, Lydia Rowlands. Lydia – who last released new music at the tail end of the summer – released their deeply personal new single The Name That They Gave Us this week. Originally written for a musical theatre production, Lydia reimagined the orchestration to transform the song to The Names That They Gave Us heard now.
“This song is my way of showing love to my sixteen-year-old self and being proud of where I am now” tells Lydia on their latest release. It’s a beautiful piece of music, delicately wrapped in vulnerability and shaped by real lived passion. The string accompaniment is the real showstopper here. Adding layers of emotion, the entire orchestration is beautifully crafted.
With credits including performing at this years Liverpool’s Soundcity and at the Eurovision Party in The Park, Lydia is making a deep impression locally. Written by Lydia, Alfredo Reed and Joseph Sage, The Names That They Gave Us is one of best tracks from Lydia yet.
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