This week our three guest reviewers take on another five new tracks and give them a spin through the headphones before they then air their opinion on each.
This week's panel: Leigh Duncan, radio plugger at The Lost Agency; Jacob Ball, guitarist with emerging alt-psych band Grim Fiction; Little Indie contributor Leah Raymond.
THE MORNING - FIGURE IT OUT
London four-piece purveyors of indie pop release 'Figure It Out' on March 17. Formed in 2016, they have received critical acclaim from the likes of Blur’s Alex James and Tom Odell. This track voices frustrations at the relationship routine via a raw, energetic and catchy indie sound.
Leigh Duncan: After it all kicks in after about the five-second mark, I knew I was gonna get on board with this track. Infectiously catchy, could well imagine it being a crowd favourite at a festival. Guitar sound is perfectly suited and I really like the overall pace of it. 4/5
Jacob Ball: The warm fuzzy bass sound is great, and there’s a cool Wavves-esque guitar lick in there, but didn’t blow me away as a whole song. Not bad, but not special. 3/5
Leah Raymond: It's pacey, can see some dancing going on when played live. It's got a light touch, but isn't something I could listen to again. 2.5/5
Total score: 9.5/15
SAFE TO SWIM - STRUGGLING
Brighton quartet unveil their debut single. There’s a touch of grunge amidst the synths and guitars, with plenty of sea-fresh soaring hooks and catchy youthfulness.
LD: Bit of a sucker for this kind of sound anyway, but this is still a very accomplished track. Really catchy hook with small hints of 90s emo, it sounds well produced. Overall a strong debut. I look forward to hearing more. 4.5/5
JB: Loads of cool stuff going on here, great vocal effect (very California) and the synths really fan the sound out. Not my personal cup of tea that much, but will be big with the Peace/Foals audience. 3/5
LR: Like this much better. Like the singer's voice. Debut single? Not bad at all. 3.5/5
Total score: 11/15
QTY - DRESS/UNDRESS
The New York garage rockers follow debut single ‘Rodeo’ with Dan Lardner and Alex Niemetz's second single ‘Dress/Undress’ out on April 28 via Dirty Hit, and taken from their debut album (produced by Suede guitarist Bernard Butler) due for release later this year. The title of the track being a “metaphor for what comes between dressing in the morning and undressing at night.”
LD: This one is definitely a grower. Wasn’t overly enamoured first time around, but after a few more listens it got better and I found myself tapping along. Still think it’s missing a little something, but it’s enjoyable. 3.5/5
JB: Backing vocals are the standout on this song, very cleverly done and appear in all the right places. Melody is cool and the production is excellent. Reminds me a bit of Iggy. 4/5
LR: Typical American flavour here. Leigh is right, it's one that does grow on you. 4/5
Total score: 11.5/15
HUSKY LOOPS - TEMPO
There's a debut EP out next month, but prior to that theLondon three-piece pyll out a riff-heavy, raucous new single, which in the band’s own words, is: “a song about running out of excuses and time, recorded live to capture the band’s live energy.”
LD: Can appreciate them doing something different, but it just doesn’t do anything for me at all. Bit too abrasive in some parts and a bit bland in others. 2/5
JB: Badass from the start. The staggered drum beat and rolling bass create a killer groove. Demented guitars swirl and space effects take off before the bludgeoning chorus kicks in. Like QOTSA being beamed in from Mars. Would highly recommend. 5/5
LR: Really like the neat intro - for 20 seconds, then rather wished it would stop! Parts are enjoyable, others irritating. 3/5
Total score: 10/15
PSYENCE - COLD BLOODED KILLER
Stoke psych rockers make their return with the release of EP 'A New Dawn' - out March 1 on their own imprint Beyond The Sun Records - of which this is lead track. Blurring the lines between 60' Americana, garage rock and psychedelia.
LD: Really big sound on this one; guitars, drums and bass all sound great, and despite the amount of reverb, nothing really gets lost in the mix. The riff really drives the track and is a memorable one. Musically, however, it’s not really my thing and feel it drags on a touch too long, but it’s a solid offering. 3/5
JB: A strange tune. The verses are psych rock at its best, with a dreamy melody over drifting guitars, but then the main riff of the song is just too ‘Deep south-country’ to go with the earlier lucid vibe. 3/5
LR: Bit too much rock and not enough psych for me. They got some nice riffs going on though. 3/5
Total score: 9/15
LR: Typical American flavour here. Leigh is right, it's one that does grow on you. 4/5
Total score: 11.5/15
HUSKY LOOPS - TEMPO
There's a debut EP out next month, but prior to that theLondon three-piece pyll out a riff-heavy, raucous new single, which in the band’s own words, is: “a song about running out of excuses and time, recorded live to capture the band’s live energy.”
LD: Can appreciate them doing something different, but it just doesn’t do anything for me at all. Bit too abrasive in some parts and a bit bland in others. 2/5
JB: Badass from the start. The staggered drum beat and rolling bass create a killer groove. Demented guitars swirl and space effects take off before the bludgeoning chorus kicks in. Like QOTSA being beamed in from Mars. Would highly recommend. 5/5
LR: Really like the neat intro - for 20 seconds, then rather wished it would stop! Parts are enjoyable, others irritating. 3/5
Total score: 10/15
PSYENCE - COLD BLOODED KILLER
Stoke psych rockers make their return with the release of EP 'A New Dawn' - out March 1 on their own imprint Beyond The Sun Records - of which this is lead track. Blurring the lines between 60' Americana, garage rock and psychedelia.
LD: Really big sound on this one; guitars, drums and bass all sound great, and despite the amount of reverb, nothing really gets lost in the mix. The riff really drives the track and is a memorable one. Musically, however, it’s not really my thing and feel it drags on a touch too long, but it’s a solid offering. 3/5
LR: Bit too much rock and not enough psych for me. They got some nice riffs going on though. 3/5
Total score: 9/15
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