Of the influences for Holy Fire, Foals vocalist and guitarist Yannis Philippakis lists “The Delta, voodoo, the swamp, sexuality, Byzantine iconography and music, syrupy rhythms, the mountains, the abyss, the decline of the bee populations, hip hop, and stoner rock” along with the folk music of the Deep South in the United States. Continue reading »
With delicate, slightly removed tones and saccharine sweetness tempered with an aptly cheeky ego, BETS takes to her self-titled debut EP with polish and wonder. This bi-coastal wunderkind delivers her brand of indie pop with her fourth glass of champagne in hand, embodying the night-gazing of New York and the beach parties of Los Angeles … Continue reading »
A deeply personal record, Ron Sexsmith’s Forever Endeavour is a cutely titled examination of what happens when an extremely gifted songwriter turns things inward in an almost overpowering fashion. The Ontario-born folk/pop/whatever artist has been inside before, but he has seldom cut things this close to the bone. Continue reading »
North Wales’ The Joy Formidable seems to have the knack for kicking off new years with panache. In January 2011, they released The Big Roar to considerable acclaim. In 2013, Wolf’s Law made its way into the public consciousness. Continue reading »
With Escapement, London-based composer and performer Poppy Ackroyd provides a moving, immersive experience using little more than the bare necessities. Continue reading »
The first time I came in contact with SoHo Ghetto was when I saw one of their videos thanks to a rather extensive press package that landed my way. Around a picnic table in a park somewhere, the seven-piece from Halifax proceeded to blow my mind with a melodically rich tune played out with a … Continue reading »
With a mighty swarm of guitar riffs and funky-as-hell vocals, Indian Handcrafts takes to Civil Disobedience for Losers with an attitude that is all too rare in today’s cookie-cutter rock scene. To make matters more impressive, this Barrie, Ontario-based outfit is just a duo. Brandyn James Aiken (drums, vocals) and Daniel Brandon Allen (guitars, vocals) bring a force … Continue reading »
Leicestershire’s Maybeshewill manages an engrossing, provocative experience with I Was Here For A Moment, Then I Was Gone. It’s a chilling record in many respects, vibrant with instrumental upheaval and divine gorgeousness all at once, but it’s also hopeful. Continue reading »
Nicht Sprechen, the debut release from Dying Machines, is a lovely and expansive EP that acknowledges the emotional aspect of ambient and mood music. Continue reading »
