Melenas - Ahora

 

Spanish quartet Melenas return with third album AHORA from Trouble in Mind Records on 29th September 

The spanish foursome brandish their influences brazenly upon their guitar necks and 88 keys, this long player shows the band are exploring notions of identity and personality in their work.

For fans of Hinds (Spanish counterparts), nevertheless this is a band who are immersed in the inspiration of early 1980s synth and new wave records from Depeche Mode to New Order with a hint of Kraftwerk. The use of synthesizers are paramount and welcome in this album. An indie album that is electronica, an alternative album with mainstream appeal.

Ahora is translated as Now. The album according to the band shows, 'the importance of time, to reflect on how we live our everyday lives, with whom we share our moments and how we want (or don't want) to do it.

The dreamy pop of '1986' is married with somber songs such as 'Flor de la Frontera', and yet this is indicative of that life in which they mention. Since the pandemic, when we had that prolonged period of inner reflection with ourselves, we experience high highs and then have to suffer low lows, those lows may last longer and we seek those highs more and more.

There is a real harmonious and melodic rhythmicality to the works, it reminded this listener of a sole artist such as Sweet Baboo - who uses keyboards to make beautiful melodies with heartbreaking vocals. Take a song such as K2 which has this lovely sound as the band use those harmonies to create a lushness to proceedings following the album opener/introduction of the title track. 

While all the songs are written and sung in Spanish, the universality of the musical sonic landscape is key to the growing appeal of the band who have been released in the United States without the necessity of an English language dubbed version for instance.

Since their beginnings, Melenas have always been an intriguing act and with this third album they again forge an identity as a band who are bold and unique in their production creating a catalogue of music that is embracing with its warmth and intelligent in its construction. Melenas return with that difficult third album, and they are having fun here.

Ahora is released by Trouble in Mind on all platforms from 29th September.

Under the Glass - Anna Vincent

New album from Anna Vincent via Ultimate Blends released 29th October 

This sumptuous new release is from much heralded singer-songwriter Anna Vincent; the album is a late taste of summer full of sweeping harmonies and melodic production that whisks you along on a fever dream of a getaway trip.

Flush with Laurel Canyon influences ranging from Crosby, Stills and Nash to the incomparable Joni Mitchell; Vincent's soft vocal delivery makes her sound from some faraway place when she originally heralds from New Cross, South London.

Having made music for twenty years including work with two groups - My Tiger My Timing and Heavy Heart - she is slowly beginning to understand the passing of time and in her own words, 'the limitations that entails'

Embracing such weakness if you want to call it that is a running theme throughout Under The Glass an album that was recorded during lockdown with her boyfriend Max Bloom (formerly of band, Yuck). Tracks in regard to this vulnerability range from 'Thin Skin' which shows defiance to the more tender 'Love You Twice'; this is such an emotional record of indelible resonance in common with her name sake Anna Burch

Vincent grew up in South London and was raised on guitar records ranging from The Beatles to Iggy Pop, and she gravitated towards the guitar after learning piano and clarinet, teaching herself at the age of 14. When Covid hit in early 2019, Vincent overcame the fear of the new by sorting through old lyrics or 'loose poetry' that was written when falling in love with Max. 

The album shows Vincent to be a good listener and her tastes range from CSN to Simon and Garfunkel to the more up to date Wilco and Elliott Smith. This Americana feel comes through on album opener 'Naxos' which imagines a sun kissed road trip along the Pacific Highway and coupled with the halycon tinge of recent single 'Nothing Wrong' this wonderful marriage of piano and guitar, reminiscent of Australian group Still Corners and Angus and Julia Stone to a keen listener.

The album overall is a real joy and deserves more listens to garner the full appreciation of the work involved and the maturity of what is on display - the full gamut of human emotion is on display here from love and loss to hope and panic.

Under the Glass is out now from Ultimate Blends.

Anna Vincent is having an album launch at The Waiting Room on Monday 1st November. Purchase tickets here

My thanks to One Beat PR for the review opportunity.

Sunwatchers 'Oh Yeah?'

Fourth album from New York psych-rock four piece Sunwatchers out now from Trouble in Mind Records

Sunwatchers are a four-piece band from New York, who are the most potent mix of musical influences from a broad spectrum. Mixing funk, free jazz, prog, rock and punk into a cauldron of non-conformity, Sunwatchers harbour interests in not listening to reason and instead want to create a free-for-all of musical content.


If played loud, this is just adrenaline charging music full of character and life unlike many listeners would have heard before and yet while there is an intensity to the madness there is still a melodic mastery taking place as heard in 'Brown Ice'

The album culminates in a 19-minute closer 'The Earthsized Thumb' featuring African guitar melody before all components take hold and join together.

For all the mayhem taking place this is still the most accessible and mainstream album Sunwatchers have released, and for fans of The Flaming Lips lyric-free pieces will be a good gateway for new fans. Embrace the madness.

Oh Yeah? is out now from Trouble in Mind Records.

My thanks to One Beat PR for the release and review opportunity.

Eerie Gaits - Holopaw

The new album from Eerie Gaits - Holopaw - is out now from Sound As Language

The side project of John Ross of Wild Pink, has been much anticipated, and is the second full length release following the debut of Bridge Music in June 2017.

Eerie Gaits is the instrumental sound board for Ross' compositional output, and fittingly during this weird period of social and cultural history, Holopaw is an album of contemplation and introspection during the period of collective lockdown.

From the opening track 'What's Eating You' Ross sets himself out as making an album with something for everyone, a wide array of influences from American music history abound from alt-country to electronica, country riffs to ambient sounds.

A hallmark album for this would be Bon Iver's debut 'For Emma, Forever Ago' which was released in July 2007; this is the album Justin Vernon would have made had he not felt the need to sing. Ross has created an album of nine-ambient compositions that are full of joy and community as opposed to Iver's paean to loneliness.

From the naturalism of 'Out In The Tall Grass' to the quietness of 'Oia' which shows a range of emotions in less than two minutes; from minimalism to full blown euphoric expressions.

The dexterity and virtuosity of this album is a wonder to behold, it seeks to be heard above the crowd and if given the right platform it will do - an album that is both wondrous and wonderful, it bears repeat listenings and in this day and age - currently of lockdown - you may have the time to do so.

Holopaw is out now on all formats via Sound As Language.
My thanks to them for the review opportunity.

Annie Hart 'A Softer Offering'

Annie Hart's new solo album A Softer Offering is out on Friday 13th December.

Annie Hart is back with her latest solo record, and for the end of the year it is a lovely album perfect for reflecting upon the last hectic 12 months, when we are off work and give ourselves the chance to contemplate on the year past.

The nine-track album is a construction of beauty and effortless composition and yet full of sophistication and poetry; this is certainly for fans of Daughter, who encapsulate that pursuit for low-fi with a stylistic combination evoking wonder and awe.

Working with keyboards, synthesizers and electronica; Hart sets her stall out from the opening track 'Wilderness Hill' at times haunting, melodic yet charming in its balance, with an almost acapella vocal from Hart.

Hart herself states:

“I wanted to give listeners that chance to breathe, to relax.  A soundtrack for painting or lying in the grass. I thought a lot about what music I play for myself when I want to make a moment feel complete. There’s just something different when you play soft music during these ordinary spaces in life, and I wanted to make a soundtrack for that. Sounds that undulate in minimal movement, that you can pay very close attention to, or leave space around if you need to have your own thoughts.  I hope this record helps stretch those unfortunately rare times in our lives when we have moments to be peaceful.” 

Based in New York; Hart has written the most un-New York album you could imagine, one of softness compared to the epicness of the Big Apple. Her work as part of David Lynch favourites Au Revoir Simone has helped her branch into a glistening solo career. Her minimalistic style with pieces of new wave and shoe gazing culminates in her soundtrack work featuring on two 2020 film release 'Olympic Dreams' and 'Banana Split'.

Her ear for a good soundtrack can be heard on 'Longing to Care Less' a song that breathes as it slowly builds to crescendo, and the perfect marriage of vocal and sound is seen on 'Don't Breathe For Me' a song that sounds very much from the early 1980s - the stripped back nature of the composition is a winning combination.

'Clean Floors' is a wonderous track as Hart's vocals again take centre stage; a personal take on relationships which will be able to appeal to a wide audience as the song instructs you to pay attention to what this artist is saying without coming across pompous or clingy.

Hart is certainly an artist to watch out for, an album such as this deserves attention and patience; and if you are patient you will certainly return to this offering regularly; the potential offered in this album is startling, it is easy to see that Hart has a big future ahead of her, here is hoping this album can connect with a larger mainstream audience.

A Softer Offering is out on Friday 13th December on all streaming services.
My thanks to OneBeatPR for the review opportunity.

The Sprinters 'Struck Gold'

The new album Struck Gold is released by Meritorio Records on 15th November

The second album from the Mancunian four-piece is led by Neil Jarvis who initially conceived the band as a solo project; yet the injection of band mates culminated in the release of the self-titled album on the Icecapades label in 2017.

The follow up Struck Gold released on Meritorio depicts new territory for the band but nevertheless still incorporating Jarvis' love of surf and indie pop.

While the general feel of the album is one of rose-tinted summer feels, there is an underlying air of melancholy in the subject matter; none more so than on single '3's & 4's' a song about in Jarvis' words, 'about accepting an awful situation, though it catches you off guard becaue its pretty upbeat and poppy', this is encapsulated in the lyrics, 'It is what it is. There's no escaping'.




Throughout the album, there is a heart on your sleeve element to the construction of these sumptuous compositions, and Jarvis is not afraid to let the listener know of his influences; this listener was smiling at the borrowed riff of Cornershop's Brimful of Asha to open the album on the title track.

The other day this blog posted a review of the compilation by The Springfields, and that American group were heavily influenced by the Hollies and Byrds with the 60s feel of nostalgia resonating.

This exudes throughout again in this album with a combination of shoegazing internality with sunshine externality - none more so than the one-two punch of tracks 'The Light' and 'Ending' which appear halfway through the album. The richness of the tracks calling back to each other is a wonder and infuses the album with a real sense of belonging in the big time.

It is a shame that this album has been released in November and not the end of March when a summer release would have been better suited to the general feel of sunshine throughout the release, calling back to indie pop stalwarts The Coral and Guillemots; bands who were buoyant yet not afraid to call out their swinging sixties influences.

The ambition is seen most in 'Undone' and the desire to go bolder is heard on 'Scream 2' a song of real bite which is in contrast to the softness of the majority of the album, yet this juxtaposition of tones is not a criticism but more a greater anticipation of what this band will have in store in the future, and this is a band you cannot wait to see live when they do go on tour in the not too distant

However, this is an album of real confidence and tightness, a band in not afraid to show fragility for the cause of melody touched by sunshine and displaying a heartfelt intimacy throughout.

Struck Gold is released by Meritorio Records on 15th November

My thanks to One Beat PR for the review opportunity.

Smokescreens 'Used to Yesterday'

New album 'Used To Yesterday' out now from Slumberland Records

Hailing originally from New Zealand, the duo of Chris Rosi and Corey Cunningham recruited Jon Greene when they moved to Los Angeles in 2011. After the passing of Greene, the pair re-grouped with Brice Bradley (drums) and Jenny Moffett (bass) that allowed Cunningham to switch to lead guitar and keyboards.

After constant touring throughout last year and recording at Primitive Ears in North Hollywood, the band ended up with the 10 tracks that appear on Used to Yesterday. The result is an ear-worm worthy album of riffs and power pop; that embraces both the kiwi summer zeal with the energy and warmth forever paramount to California.

A sea of guitars hit you from the outset of 'Someone New' the album opener followed quickly by the title track. However, this is not a band rashly flailing on guitars, there are melodic structures and good composition in their songwriting such as 'Waiting for Summer'

There is a rich vein of stylish quality coming out of the speakers even on a hideaway track such as 'Buddy' which culminates in riffs reminiscent of The Velvet Underground. Much like contemporaries such as Major Murphy and Lawn, there is an acknowledgement to the late 1960s Laurel Canyon songwriting; this emblematic on the album closer 'Falling Down' both anthemic and joyous.

How befitting to hear an album end on a high as if Smokescreens are signing off victorious from their efforts; coupled with another gorgeous album cover (a growing theme of this year's releases), the great year of unheralded gems from across the pond continue

Follow the band on Twitter here

Smokescreens 'Used to Yesterday' is out now from Slumberland Records.
My thanks to One Beat PR for the review opportunity.

M Craft, 'Blood Moon Deconstructed'

After you have a well-received album, you think you may well rest on your laurels, yet Martin Craft wanted to self-analyse and re-assess his album into something a bit different and more imaginative.  Whilst the first album had sumptuous harmonies in unison with heavenly melodies; the deconstructed version is a plethora of atmospheric soundscapes from a cinematic vision of psychedelic science fiction.

Dreamscapes and soundscapes are in abundance because he the album has been stripped back to the new compositions of piano improvisations and electronic combinations.



M. Craft says himself, 'I hope this is filmic, somewhat ambient, daydream' and that it surely is when you witness the video for 'Adorn Me'. For people who are fans of those classic soundtracks such as Lost in Translation or the collected works of Philip Glass; this will be an album that will fill you with great pleasure and joy.

Blood Moon Deconstructed is released from Heavenly Recordings on Friday 15th December