EP REVIEW | The Baltic – Archipelago EP (Misra Records).

ARTIST: The Baltic

RELEASE: Archipelago

RELEASE DATE: 20/06/16

RECORD COMPANY: Misra Records 

Colorado based psychedelically charged four piece ‘The Baltic’ released their latest EP entitled ‘Archipelago’ to the masses back on the 20th June 2016 via Misra Records (under Sub Pop’s umbrella). Their sound expertly shimmies through experimental reverberating tones, laced with dream pop swirls, psychedelic sonic highs & melodious guitar progressions that seem to hang suspended within a blissfully ethereal musical bubble. The band are made up of Graham Epstein – drums/vocals, Adam Dankowski – guitars, Josh Kaplan – bass & Ari Kononov – guitars.

‘Archipelago’ is available to buy/download right now from: thebaltic.bandcamp.com/album/archipelago

READ ON –

 

Luscious ethereal tones float into earshot as the opening salvo’s of the ‘Archipelago’ EP are unfurled. Opening track ‘Turquoise’ permeates through an acid blotted landscape with its 60’s psychedelic edge as the hazy vocals are carefully added to the musical ether, accompanied by throbbing bass frequencies & a skittish percussive pattern. (As a side note; a musical doff of the cap has to go to the ‘Beatles’ on this opening track, as the verse progressions (which drag up way too many of their song titles to name off hand) are curiously reminiscent to the aforementioned band & although that may seem like a good comparison to some, for me, it kinda takes the shine off of those brilliantly executed shoegaze inspired chorus parts that make this opening track a tale of two halves as far as I’m concerned!) Up next, ‘Bloom’ breathes a more psych rock tinge to proceedings. It’s jam packed with experimental psychedelic twirls, faultless instrumentation and those vocalisations are stacked with melody.

‘San Francisco’ pulses beautifully arranged reverb drenched guitar lines, steadying drum patterns and addictively harmonious bass progressions with another impressive vocal performance that collectively produces what is the most dream pop orientated track on this entire release! Gone are the sonic experimentations & the 60’s revivalist tones, and whats left is a beautifully arranged track that is wholeheartedly relevant in todays revived dreampop/shoegaze scene.

The EP’s penultimate track entitled ‘Fortitude’ screams into the ether on a wave of glorious frequency laden noise as ‘The Baltic’ bring their shoegaze tendencies to bare for all to hear. It’s opening bars are layered with fuzzy reverberating guitars, throbbing baselines, shimmering tambourines and melodious vocals, reminiscent to those early UK based shoegaze stalwart’s ‘Ride’. It took a while but ‘The Baltic’ are finally allowing us to hear their gauzy side. This is my favourite track on the whole release and a solid recommendation from me. The albums closing piece is called ’72 Hours’. Shimmering tremulous guitar lines float into earshot and gracefully sweep you up, bringing you with them on a stunning hallucinogenic psych-gaze trip that expertly loops and arc’s through blissful layers of beautifully golden sonic frequencies, carefully following the throb of the infectious bass progressions & the hypnotic percussion as you meander through the musical ether. A fitting explosive ending to a slow burning but thoroughly enjoyable EP.

4/5

LINKS:

thebaltic.bandcamp.com

facebook.com/thebaltic/

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: 

Del Chaney has spent the last four years not only fronting popular experimental Irish Electronic duo Analogue Wave but also dedicating his time to uncovering the best artists in the unsigned or small independent label based shoegaze, ethereal dream pop, post punk, post rock & modern psych rock from all over the globe & reviewing them for this blog – The Primal Music Blog. He is also a contributing writer for The Sound Of Confusion. His other arm – Primal Radio – has gained considerable respect from bands and promoters alike since its conception in 2013 & has hepled him in actively promoting a genre of music that he is passionate about. Hailing from Dublin, Ireland, he is a keen Vinyl Collector, Tattoo Fan & all round good guy! He is a self confessed music freak & is never far away from a studio console or a turntable.

NEW SINGLE PREMIERE | A Shoreline Dream – Whirlwind.

Colorado based duo ‘A Shoreline Dream’ have been best described as ‘progressive shoegaze’. They combine lush sampled textures, wall of sound dynamics, and vocals layered like a synth, similar in vein to bands such as Ride, Slowdive and Sigur Rós. The band are Ryan Policky – vocals/guitar/keys/bass/programming & Erik Jeffries – guitar.  ‘Whirlwind’ is the third single from their ever-evolving new record, which is being released song by song before its completion and will eventually culminate into the bands first ever vinyl release. This latest single gets its official release on September 2nd 2016 and will be available to buy/download from: ashorelinedream.bandcamp.com

READ ON –

 

‘Whirlwind’ is a driving sonic surge of glorious dark energy. The instrumentation pulses & swirls as it circumnavigates those hard hitting vocalisations, infectiously dragging swathes of impressive atmospheric reverb with it to pummel the senses. There’s also a subtle but refreshing hue of old-school post-punk swirling within the sonic maelstrom, reminiscent at times to Bauhaus, Joy Division & The Sisters Of Mercy.

Recommended! 

LINKS:

ashorelinedream.bandcamp.com

latenightweeknight.com

facebook.com/ashorelinedream

ALBUM REVIEW | Sexores – Red Rooms.

ARTIST: Sexores

RELEASE: Red Rooms

RELEASE DATE: 17/07/16

RECORD COMPANY: Coypu Records.

Following on from their stunning full length album release entitled ‘Historias de Frió’ back in 2104, the brilliant Barcelona based darkwave outfit ‘Sexores’ have returned with a blissful six track release entitled ‘Red Rooms’. With an intriguing sound thats full of noisy ambient swirls, ethereal vocalisations and dark repetitive percussive arrangements all gloriously intertwined with soaring walls of layered reverberating guitars, ‘Sexores’ have the ability paint stunning sonic pictures with their music. The band are made up of Emilia Bahamonde – vocals/guitar/programming & David Yépez – drums/programming with various touring members and guest musicians (including Alexander Kretov of UMMAGMA fame) appearing on the album. ‘Red Rooms’ was released back on the 17th July 2016 via Coypu Records and is available to buy/download on various formats right now from: sexores.bandcamp.com

READ ON –

 

Ethereal vocals coupled with a wall hazily layered guitars announces the arrival of track one ‘Sasebo’ and we’re instantly pulled into a beautiful world of sneaking drum patterns, underlying synth swells and hypnotically cascading piano progressions. The vocals are simply mesmerising as they cut through the swirling instrumentation and instil a gentle calmness over proceedings. Up next, ‘Sea Of Trees’ is a classic slice of beautifully arranged dream pop thats centred around a cascading synth line, a repetitive drum pattern and another blissful vocal performance courtesy of Emilia Bahamonde. ‘Me And The Void’ saunters into earshot riding an explosive drum pattern, dark throbbing bass frequencies and synth swells to die for. Emilia’s vocals shine as they pulse wave after wave of golden hued frequencies through the controlled reverberation and on into the maelstrom of fuzzy tempestuous guitar lines.

‘U.S.S.R Girls’ leans more into the realm of dark electronica with its sequenced synth progressions and repetitive drum patterns whilst the albums penultimate track, the impressive ‘Daywalkers’ instantly flatters with its floating boy/girl vocal attack, courtesy of Emilia & Alex Kretov (Ummagma), coupled with those beautifully arranged synth lines & its glorious instrumentation breaks. The album closes out with the highly atmospheric instrumental piece – ‘Loner’. A dark & foreboding reverberating drone opens proceedings before we’re treated to a slow, repetitive drum pattern and stuttering piano stabs. ‘Loner’ sounds like it belongs on a late 70’s sci-fi soundtrack as it deftly meanders through ambient sonic peaks and throughs, never losing its edge and all the while building slowly into a stunning cacophony of blissful atmospheric noise.

A fitting end to an absolutely stunning album!

4/5

LINKS:

sexores.bandcamp.com

facebook.com/sxrsxrs

twitter.com/sexores

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: 

Del Chaney has spent the last four years not only fronting popular Irish Electronic duo Analogue Wave but also dedicating his time to uncovering the best artists in the Unsigned or Small Independent Label based Shoegaze, DreamPop, PostPunk, PostRock & PsychRock genre’s of music from all over the globe & reviewing them for this blog – The Primal Music Blog. He is also a contributing writer for The Sound Of Confusion. His other arm – Primal Radio – has gained considerable respect from bands and promoters alike since its conception in 2013 & has hepled him in actively promoting a genre of music that he is passionate about. Hailing from Dublin, Ireland, he is a keen Vinyl Collector, Tattoo Fan & all round good guy! He is a self confessed music freak & is never far away from a studio console or a turntable.

EP REVIEW | Sidechick – Home Recordings.

ARTIST: Sidechick

RELEASE: Home Recordings

RELEASE DATE: 13/05/16

RECORD COMPANY: Unsigned

Released to the masses back on the 13th May 2016, ‘Home Recordings’ are the tentative first steps by a band who create stunning musical soundscapes that are heavily steeped in melodically astute, fuzzy alt-gaze promise. ‘Sidechick’ are a Texas based trio made up of Stephen McElwee – Guitar & Vocals, Austin Yates – Drums & Kelvin Givens – Bass and their debut three track release is available to buy/download right now from: sidechick.bandcamp.com

READ ON –

 

‘Home Recordings’ unfurls with excellent ‘Prisms’, a two minute plus instrumental masterpiece thats filled with golden hued guitar lines, steadying percussion and throbbing bass frequencies. The band give very little away on this opening piece as the tension builds, forcing glorious reverberating swirls into the sonic ether and pulsing fuzzy layered guitar squall through shimmering hazy frequencies. ‘Prisms’ soon burns out and courses headlong into track two, the blistering ‘Dimensions’, and its not long before we’re introduced to a droning guitar line that drags the listener into the impending explosive drum patterns, heavily tracked by fuzzy throbbing bass lines and screaming feedback laden guitars. The vocals here are sublime and they sit on top of the instrumentation like some sonic demigod vying for populous attention. ‘Dimensions’ is probably my favourite track on this entire release and worthy of your attention!

The EP’s closing track is a brilliantly melodious affair. ‘Mercury’ rocks on a thoroughly addictive lead lick that explodes through the chorus breaks whilst carefully balancing on a bedrock of pounding drums and hypnotically layered reverberating guitars. Another stunning vocal track adds atmosphere as it pierces the protective reverb induced bubble and soars into the sonic ether with aplomb. A fitting end to an interesting first outing from ‘Sidechick’.

Ones to watch!

3/5

LINKS:

sidechick.bandcamp.com

facebook.com/sidechickband

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Del Chaney has spent the last four years not only fronting popular Irish Electronic duo Analogue Wave but also dedicating his time to uncovering the best artists in the Unsigned or Small Independent Label based Shoegaze, DreamPop, PostPunk, PostRock & PsychRock genre’s of music from all over the globe & reviewing them for this blog – The Primal Music Blog. He is also a contributing writer for The Sound Of Confusion. His other arm – Primal Radio – has gained considerable respect from bands and promoters alike since its conception in 2013 & has hepled him in actively promoting a genre of music that he is passionate about. Hailing from Dublin, Ireland, he is a keen Vinyl Collector, Tattoo Fan & all round good guy! He is a self confessed music freak & is never far away from a studio console or a turntable.

NEW SINGLE PREMIERE | Sketch Jets – Where We Will Be.

Following on from their stunning April 2016 single ‘For A While’, Sydney based alt-shoegaze four piece ‘Sketch Jets’ have unleashed a beautiful single entitled ‘Where We Will Be’. The band have a distinctive sound that weaves in and out of blissful shoegaze with aplomb. They are made up of Lachlan – Guitar, Tom – Bass, Vocals, Hugh – Vocals & Adam – Drums and this latest single is available to buy/download right now from: sketchjets.bandcamp.com

 

‘Where We Will Be’ surfs into earshot on soaring reverberating guitar squall as the percussive attack hold fast to terra firma. The bass lines throb as they circumnavigate the hazy melody driven vocal lines, all the while instilling a feeling of ethereal joy! It’s Simply stunning!

LINKS:

facebook.com/sketchjets/

sketchjets.bandcamp.com

NEW SINGLE PREMIERE | Flocks – Man.

Formed in early 2013, noisy shoegaze trio ‘Flocks’ have been holed up rehearsing in Bayswater in the outer eastern suburbs of Melbourne. Three years and five drummers later they are ready to unleash their debut record to the masses. ‘Man’ is the first single to be lifted from the aforementioned debut and it was released back on July 4th 2016. The single is available to buy/download right now from: flocksrecordings.bandcamp.com

 

‘Man’ is a noisy jaunt through melancholic vocal lines, layered reverberating guitar progressions, melodic bass frequencies and steadying drum patterns. ‘Flocks’ have magnificent fuzzy shoegaze qualities that are there for all to see and are ones to watch going forward. 

Recommended! 

LINKS:

flocksrecordings.bandcamp.com

facebook.com/flocksmelb/

NEW VIDEO PREMIERE | Tús Nua – Matches.

Croatian based all girl post-gazing trio ‘Tús Nua’ have unleashed a stunning new video to accompany their recently released single ‘Matches’, lifted off their forthcoming full length album ‘Dimensions Exist’. If you haven’t heard about these girls yet, ‘Tús Nua’ formed in 2014 & are currently based in Zagreb. They self-released their debut EP entitled ‘Existence’ in April 2015 and are currently recording their first full length LP which should be out by the end of the year. The band are made up of Jordi Ilić, Jelena Božić and Matea Milevoj with Lucija Potočnik playing bass for studio purposes. This latest single is available to buy/download from: www.tus-nua.bandcamp.com

‘Matches’ swoons on stunning shoegazing atmospherics as its harmonious vocal track floats through the sonic ether on a swirling foundation of addictive lead guitar licks and undulating synth lines. Its steadying percussive attack holds everything in place, gracefully leading the listener into explosive tempestuous finale thats filled to the brim with dreamy post-rock promise!

Recommended!

LINKS:

tus-nua.bandcamp.com

facebook.com/tusnuaofficial/

twitter.com/tusnuaofficial

NEW SINGLE PREMIERE | Elemantra – Peach Fuzz.

New York based alt-shoegazers ‘Elemantra’ released a brand new two track single entitled ‘Peach Fuzz’ back on the 10th July 2016. This latest track is lifted from their recently released sophomore album ‘Foreign Breath’.  The band are made up of Justin W – Guitar, Vocals, Keyboards, 6 String Bass, Brent B – Guitar, Nick B – Bass & Jonah – Drums and you can get your hands on ‘Peach Fuzz’ plus the new album right now from elemantraband.bandcamp.com

 

‘Peach Fuzz’ is swift, sharp, shock of melodically brilliant alternative shoegaze with intricate instrumentation and those instantly addictive vocal lines ….

Recommended listening! 

LINKS:

elemantraband.bandcamp.com

facebook.com/Elemantra 

NEW SINGLE PREMIERE | Children Of Leir – Shades.

 

Leicester & Hamburg based dark experimental psych gazers ‘Children of Leir’ have unleashed a gargantuan sonic behemoth in the form of their latest single, the brilliant ‘Shades’.  The track is a cover version of the Lee Hazlewood song of the same name and it doesn’t disappoint. It’s also the first single to be lifted from their forthcoming new album which is penned in for release on the August 25th 2016. ‘Shades’ is only available to buy/download from: childrenofleir.bandcamp.com

 

‘Shades’ is a dark fuzzy ball of glistening sonic energy that drones as it skips along its designated path, deliciously perched upon a skittish bed of motorik-driven percussive patterns. The swirling mass of reverberating noise carefully circumnavigates that addictive duel vocal attack as those organ crescendo’s tease and the hypnotically charged instrumentation instils both giddying excitement & atmospheric trepidation all at once. 

Brilliant!

LINKS:

childrenofleir.bandcamp.com

facebook.com/childrenofleir/

NEW SINGLE PREMIERE | Heals – Myselves (FFWD Records).

Indonesian based dreamy shoegazing five piece ‘Heals’ have unleashed their second immense single & its accompanying video entitled ‘Myselves’ via the very impressive Indonesian based independent record label FFWD Records. The band are due to float their debut album this October and we’re eagerly awaiting its release. ‘Myselves’ is available to buy/download right now via iTunes 

‘Myselves’ is a driving melodic ball of gloriously addictive golden frequencies that melodically skip through reverberating instrumentation and soaring layered vocal lines. This is recommended listening from a band who deserve your attention!

LINKS:

ffwdrecords.com

facebook.com/healsmusic/

soundcloud.com/ffwdrecords