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: Phil Legg,
MD/Founder Futureproof Records & Promotions; Music videographer, Callum Scott-Dyson; Little Indie assistant editor, Ellie Ward.
THE SLUMDOGS - NIGHTMARE
One to set moshpits alight, twisted, distorted guitar punk new single from Blackpool/ Leeds punk four-piece. Produced by Bobby Bentham from Strange Bones, energy, gritty rawness, thudding bass, abrasive vocals and shredding guitar pour from its two-and-a-half minutes.
Phil Legg: Took me while to warm to the vocals, but when the guitars kicked I soon locked in on the song. Great guitars with a strong melody and no-comprise energy. Touches of early Damned at points and the graphics in the video took me back to Nirvana and other bands on The Word in the 90s. 3/5
Callum Scott-Dyson: A bit too intense for me - I'm a bit of a old-fashioned pop guy myself. It's got a good jerky feel though, and would certainly suit a crazy music video. I liked the second half more when it went more instrumental and into disarray. 2.5/5
Ellie Ward: This feels very exciting. It's like they are really going for; they look quite young, so that makes it even more immediate and visceral. 4/5
Total score: 9.5/15
EGYPTIAN BLUE - CUT ME A HOLE
Don't know about a hole, but this upcoming single - released November 24 - from the Brighton via Colchester outfit will certainly leave a dent with this punk explosion of razor sharp guitars and crashing melodies, topped off with the voice of disenfranchised youth.
PL: A great rolling rhythm that really comes into its own doing to guitar break/solo which is highly expressive. Then back in with the vocals and a build to die for. Would be good to see these guys live. 4/5
CSD: More on the punk side of the scale that I can really dig. Love the vocals and riff. I like the garage rock vibe, but although it's already a single edit I felt it could be a little shorter as it dragged for me. 3.5/5
EW: Loved this from the opening riffs. The vocal is ace and the chorus is one to make you want to sing along to. 4.5/5
Total score: 12/15
PRETTY LIGHTNING - THIS MACHINE IS RUNNING
From German duo Christian Berghoff and Sebastian Haas' third album 'The Rhythm Of Ooze' due for release November 10 on Fuzz Club Records. Fuzzed-out guitars and echoing vocals are driven by formidable gusto, only slowing down the pace to meander into a swirl of skewed, deranged keys.
PL: With splashes of psychedelic guitars from the offset, the 'drone' aspect of the arrangement made for a very powerful and big sound, although maybe at the cost of loosing the vocal inside it. Nonetheless it had me up until the middle section breakdown, where for me the song runs out of steam and doesn't really go anywhere. Still like the drone guitars though (or whatever they are) - pulsing and mesmeric. 3/5
CSD: It's got a great hypnotic vibe, with the repetitive drum beats and guitar/bass riffs. I think it'd be a sick track to hear live. Love the left turn around the halfway point, can't really hear the lyrics too much but that's not necessarily too much of a negative, it sort of adds to the hypnotic feel. 3.5/5
EW: I had never heard of these before, but Fuzz Club are usually spot on, and they are here. The motorik beat is its key element - bang those drums! Felt a bit over-long at four minutes though. 4/5
Total score: 10.5/15
YELLOW DAYS - HOLDING ON
Eighteen-year-old George van den Broek released 'Is Everything Okay In Your World' on October 27 via Good Years. The thirteen-track collection features guests Rejjie Snow and Nick Walters, and is the first full body of work from the young artist/producer ahead of a debut album slated for Spring 2018. Lo-fi, neo-soul coupled with ragged, blues-esque vocals.
PL: A quirky start that you think is going to collapse before coalescing into a soulful and confident groove, over which a great (and credible) vocal takes you along for the ride - a wonderful first encounter with this artist. I wanna hear more... 4.5/5
EW: Soulful groove, great for a late night listen, but while I agree with my co-panellists on the voice, I am not as enthused. I could do this as background music, but a bit too 'gentle' for my personal tastes. 3.5/5
Total score: 12/15
ONLY SHADOWS - ESCAPE
Having spent the start of 2017 locked away with renowned producer Bruce Rintoul (Twin Atlantic, Fatherson), Midlands' power-pop quartet follow September's 'Fight Milk', with this new single released October 27. The song was written during some dark days as vocalist Nick Ashby explains: "The song came from frustration & anger of the repetition of life, maybe coming from a small town has led to those feelings. It's about getting out of it and doing something about it, not taking no for an answer".
PL: OK, after a few plays I got the rousing nature of the chorus (the "if you want it, come and get it" bit) which gets better each time I hear it, but I'm feeling that the bits leading up to the chorus don't really do it justice and the wishy-washy nature of the verses and middle section, could have been better written and/or arranged. Especially given the meaning behind the lyric. A great chorus though. 2/5
CSD: Pretty standard for me. I appreciate the work put into craft a good three-minute rock track, but I'm not really hearing any sort of pushing of any envelopes. There's nothing bad about it, just nothing jumps out at me after a few listens. 3/5
EW: Have to disagree with you guys, this is a flowing little number that picks you up and carries you along. Bit of a big stage anthem. 3.5/5
Total score: 8.5/15
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