Tag: UK Bands

THE ZANGWILLS – Single Review: “Beers With The Beekeeper”

On By EclecticMusicLoverIn Reviews10 Comments

The UK is overflowing with scores of talented musicians and bands, and among those who’ve impressed me the most in recent years are British four-piece The Zangwills. Based in Cheshire, they consist of Jake Vickers (vocals, guitar, keyboards), Ed Dowling (bass, backing vocals), Sam Davies (lead guitar) and Adam Spence (drums, backing vocals). Influenced by some of their favorite acts like David Bowie, Arctic Monkeys, The Cure, The Rapture, The Smiths and The Strokes, their exciting, highly melodic music is outstanding, with a maturity and excellence in their songwriting and musicianship as fine as many top big-name bands around today. 

The Zangwills (from left to right): Sam Davies, Adam Spence, Ed Dowling & Jake Vickers. Photo by Edie Lees.

They began actively making music in 2017 while still in their teens, and have since released 16 singles and two EPs. Two of their singles, “New Heights” and “Patio Paradise”, have each garnered over 1.1 million streams on Spotify alone. I’ve previously featured them twice on this blog, when I reviewed their magnificent singles “Never Looked Back” (2021) and “Backpatters and Shooters” (2022) (you can read those reviews by clicking on the “Related” links at the end of this post). Both songs reached #1 on my Weekly Top 30 chart, with “Never Looked Back” ranking #24 on my Top 100 Songs of 2021 list and “Backpatters and Shooters” ranking #16 among my Top 100 Songs of 2023.

Now they’re back with their 16th and latest single “Beers With The Beekeeper“, which dropped June 6th. Like their previous singles, the song was produced and engineered by longtime colloborator Mark Winterburn (5 Seconds of Summer, The Script, Plan B, James Arthur, Don Broco) and mastered by Ben Booker (David Guetta, Bob Dylan, Elton John, PJ Harvey, Scissor Sisters, 5 Seconds of Summer). The song reflects on the often-therapeutic nature of having deep conversations with near strangers, as well as a nod to unlikely friendships forged with regulars at local pubs.

Band frontman and lead vocalist Jake elaborates: “You often feel that you can say anything to those people, especially when you’ve got no link to them such as mutual friends or family, there’s no judgement. It’s funny because it really does remind me of conversations that I’ve had, when you’re both in a bit of a state and you think you’re both talking about the same thing, but you’re not. Of course, the beekeeper in the song isn’t a real guy, and neither is the country pub where the scene is set, but there are references there to real people, and real conversation.” I know from experience that it can sometimes be easier to confide in or share deep secrets with total strangers than with loved ones or close friends.

They state that the alias of the beekeeper came about early on in the writing of the song. The lyric about being “stung by love” is intended to have a double meaning in both a physical and emotional sense, with a beekeeper acting as a metaphor for someone getting physically stung.

“Beers With The Beekeeper” opens strong with a torrent of jangly melodic guitars and assertive drumbeats creating a glorious cinematic soundcape. The music calms a bit in the verses as Jake sings in his distinctively beautiful plaintive vocals, still accompanied by the dynamic guitars, only to burst back open with the aforementioned cinematic flourishes in the choruses that gradually fade out as the band sings a refrain of “Ooh la la la la la la la la la“. It’s another superb song by The Zangwills, but then, I’d expect nothing less from these talented guys.

Perched up
In the corner of a former farmhouse
Country pub
Talking ‘bout the times that we've been stung 
By love 
And the things that we hold dearly
Beers with the beekeeper
Walk home thinking clearly 

Won't you come and listen again tonight?
I’m out the door ready to speak my mind
After last time things felt so much easier
Won't you come and listen again tonight?
I’m out the door ready to speak my mind
After last time things felt much more clear
Be my ear

First up
In falling behind
Tough rut
Tight the rope that binds
My words
To the post that keeps them near to me
Loosen up the knot
I need to see them running freely

Won't you come and listen again tonight?
I’m out the door ready to speak my mind
After last time things felt so much easier
Won't you come and listen again tonight?
I’m out the door ready to speak my mind
After last time things felt much more clear
Be my ear

Ooh la la la la la la la la la (x16)

The Zangwills Socials: Facebook / Instagram / Threads / X / TikTok

Find their music on Spotify / Apple Music / YouTube

HEALER – Single Review: “London Town”

On By EclecticMusicLoverIn Reviews7 Comments
Artwork by Joel Hewitt

HEALER is an outstanding alternative indie rock band who’ve become one of my favorite British music acts over the past couple of years. Based in the historic fishing port of Grimsby, on the central eastern coast of England, the band is currently made up of Steve Dean Smith (lead vocals), Dave Harries (guitar), Jazz White (drums) and newcomer Joel Hewitt, who created the single artwork and filmed the video, on guitar. (For the recording of their latest music, Tony Edmondson played bass, however recently departed the band.) Their powerful songs explore themes of love, loss, and hope, wrapped in infectious melodies and beautiful arrangements, and delivered with masterful instrumentation and Steve’s wonderful distinctive vocals that make HEALER’s songs immediately identifiable. 

Since forming in 2022, the talented and charismatic five-piece have built a strong following in the British music scene on the strength of their exceptional music and riveting live performances, as well as garnering recognition and airplay on BBC Music Introducing and Amazing Radio UK/USA. Since the release of their debut single “Hurricane” in December 2022, the busy guys have followed with eight more singles and two remixes. I’ve previously reviewed three of their singles – “Bones“, “Wake Me Up” and “War” – with “Bones” and “War” each spending many weeks on my top 30 chart and “Bones” ranking #67 on my 100 Best Songs of 2023 list and “War” ranking #84 on my 100 Best Songs of 2024. (You can read some of those reviews by clicking on the ‘Related’ links at the end of this post.)

Photo by Joel Hewitt

Now they’re back with their ninth and latest single “London Town“, a gorgeous rock song that continues their unbroken string of stellar releases. The track was recorded and mixed by Pieter Rietkerk at Chapel Studios and mastered by Grant Berry of Fader Mastering. About the song, the band says it “explores the burnout of big-city life and the identity crisis that follows — when chasing your dreams starts to feel like losing yourself. It’s spacious, urgent, and speaks to the modern struggle of finding meaning in chaos. In the song, we personify London as a magnetic, almost haunting character — reflecting what it feels like to be on the outside looking in, and losing yourself in the city that was supposed to save you.”

To gain a bit more insight into HEALER’s new song and the Grimsby music scene, I had a brief interview with the band’s drummer Jazz:

EML: I’ve been following you guys for two years now, and first wrote about you when I featured your powerful song “Bones” on my blog in late May 2023. At that time, you’d been together as HEALER for about a year. In your bio on your website, you begin with the following line to describe your hometown: “Rising from the ashes of a once thriving but now forgotten fishing town, HEALER are...”, which I find both brutally honest and endearing. Is there much of a music scene in Grimsby? And what brought the five of you together to form a band in the first place?

Jazz: There is currently a great music scene in Grimsby. Historically, Grimsby (and Cleethorpes) has always had an amazing music scene, filled with bands that have done great things and have been on the edge of making it big. The scene seemed to die down a bit a few years ago, particularly throughout the dreaded Covid years, but that also seemed to be a bit of a catalyst to inspire a lot of the bands that had previously broken up to reunite or create new bands. Which is what brought us together. We all knew each other through either being in previous bands together or being in bands that did gigs together and we all just wanted to start making and playing music again, which is what we did. Now the scene is thriving, with an abundance of bands doing great things, even young bands getting signed, venues like Docks Academy and Yardbirds providing platforms for local artists to perform and support bigger bands and the best thing of all, is all of the local bands know each other and are supporting each other.

EML: Are any or all of you still living in Grimsby?

Jazz: We all still live in Grimsby. I think we would find it hard not to all live in the same area. We meet up regularly to rehearse, make band plans and just generally socialise together so it would be really difficult if we didn’t all live near each other.

EML: In addition to sounding great, your songs also feature intelligent, relatable and often poignant lyrics. How do ideas for new songs come about, and do all band members contribute to writing the music and lyrics, or does that job generally fall on one or two of you? 

Jazz: There isn’t really a clear process for how we write our songs. Steve generally writes most of the lyrics but we all contribute musically to each song. Sometimes Steve might come to a practise session with a new idea or maybe an old idea that he wants to rework, sometimes Dave might come to practise with a new riff that we all build on or sometimes we just randomly start jamming and come up with something brand new together. Sometimes these songs feel like they ‘fall from the sky’ and, sometimes, those are the best songs.

EML: You write that your new song “London Town” “explores the burnout of big-city life and the identity crisis that follows — when chasing your dreams starts to feel like losing yourself.” Is the song autobiographical, and have one or more of you spent any time living in London? Or do the lyrics speak more to the challenges and conflicting emotions that sometimes result when an artist or band puts so much of their time and energy into “making it big”?

Jazz: ‘London Town’ is definitely autobiographical and is about the time that Steve spent living in London and some of the lyrics are directly about Steve’s experiences whilst living there. The song does also link to the challenges of being an artist from a small town and trying to make it and the frustrations of a lot of opportunities being more readily available for artists from ‘bigger cities’.

EML: You’ve released eight singles and two remixes since late 2022, with “London Town” marking your ninth original single. Are there any plans for a full album on the horizon?

Jazz: We recorded a batch of new songs in the studio recently which we will be releasing over the new few months, starting with ‘London Town’ but we have also been writing more new material, which we hope to get back into the studio later in the year to record. We’re not sure whether we will be releasing an album yet but we will definitely be releasing more new material, regularly over this year.

EML: If you could perform with another artist or band in a billing of your dreams, who would that be?

Jazz: That’s such a tough question, there are so many bands we would love to play with, especially because, although we’ve all got similar music tastes, we also all have our own individual tastes. Overall though, U2 seem to be a band that we all take inspiration from and all for different reasons. Bono is certainly a huge inspiration for Steve as a vocalist and they are one of the biggest bands in the world so we know that it would be a huge, packed out stadium show with high quality production throughout. 

“London Town” opens with a plucky guitar riff, then quickly builds into an anthemic rock banger. That smoldering riff continues throughout the song as more of Dave and Joel’s formidable guitar work enter the mix, fortified by Tony’s driving bassline and Jazz’s emphatic drumbeats. It all creates a powerful dynamic backdrop for Steve’s emotionally-charged vocals as he plaintively laments about the strong, unforgiving psychological hold London had on him and so many other musicians: “Can the city hear me singing in my town? Will London listen, does it even hear my sound? Am I loud enough, loud enough for you? We don’t have the same view. You’ve got England ’round your finger. Every song, every singer wants to call you home, while we’re just left alone. Can you hear me? Can you hear me now? Can you hear me London Town!” I love it, and it’s now one of my favorite HEALER songs.

The video, shot at the Grimsby Bus Depot, was filmed and edited by Joel Hewitt and features the band members as passengers on a bus.

Healer Socials: Facebook / X (Twitter) / Instagram / TikTok

Find their music on Spotify / Apple Music / Amazon Music / YouTube / Pandora

STILL TRAFFICO – Single Review: “Who’s a Fraud?”

On By EclecticMusicLoverIn Reviews14 Comments

January 10th was apparently a big day for new music releases, and I featured three singles that dropped that day on my recent installment of Fresh New Tracks. One I missed – because I was not yet familiar with the band who recorded it – is the wonderful song “Who’s a Fraud?” by English alternative pop-rock band Still Traffico.

Originally formed in London as a four-piece named Peach, the band renamed themselves with a rather unusual but certainly distinctive moniker Still Traffico in the summer of 2023, when they reduced down to three members consisting of Cam McColl (lead vocals/guitar, Dan Carabine (lead guitar) and Dan Arthur (bass). Influenced by everything from Chanson Française storytelling to African desert blues to post-rock and more, Still Traffico make a blend of indie pop and post-punk they call “Railway Pop” and cheekily describe as a “sound that clanks and shunts… but soothes.” After listening to their songs I’d say that sounds about right.

Still Traffico released their debut single “Seagull” in September 2023, and since then have dropped three more excellent singles, the latest of which is “Who’s a Fraud?” While not quite jangle pop, it most definitely features some marvelous jangly guitar work, as well as really lovely twangy guitar notes accompanied by a subtle but solid bassline and spirited percussion. It all works beautifully to create an enthralling and memorable backdrop for Cam McColl’s immensely pleasing vocals. I like “Who’s a Fraud?” more with each listen, and think it’s their best song yet.

The poetic lyrics seem to speak to those who think of themselves as pure of heart and mind with the best of intentions, yet are quick to judge others they feel are wrong or inferior to themselves:

I tore the lid off
Light hit the eggshell walls
What lurks underneath
Can't be concealed anymore.

It's coming for you
In all your comfort
Turn your face away
when it matters.

So who are you calling a fraud?

You've seen the world
You've got your measure on things
Now, hold yourself
Like we're the same?
It's night and day.

I tread alone
in familiar places.
Step into the road
as the lights turn red.
To find that people behind me follow.
To feel.. that cars can't kill.

You know the world
You've done your own reading
So, hold yourself
like we're the same?
It's night and day.

So, who are you calling a fraud?

Still Traffico’s Socials: Facebook / X / Instagram / TikTok / Threads / BlueSky

Find their music on Bandcamp / Spotify / Apple Music / Soundcloud / YouTube

The 23s – Single Review: “Youth”

On By EclecticMusicLoverIn Reviews4 Comments

The 23s are a collaborative music project based in Sheffield, England and comprised of singer-songwriter and electronica musician Rob Cohen, singer-songwriter Rob Gurruchaga, and producer Tom Taylor. With a shared love for acts like David Bowie, Peter Gabriel, Blaqk Audio, Gary Numan, Depeche Mode, The Cure, Echo and the Bunnymen and Thomas Dolby, the enigmatic trio began working together remotely during the Covid lockdowns, writing song demos using analog synthesizers and synth guitars, which they shared across the internet.

Naming their project after Taylor’s Channel 23 Studio, they eventually gathered in person at the studio to choose their favorites out of the more than 100 demos they’d recorded, finally culling them down to 23 songs. They put their finishing touches and overdubs on the 23 tracks, and decided to release them one at a time, at the rate of one per month over a 23-month period, on the 23rd of each month. All 23 songs will ultimately be released in a full album at the end of the singles run, scheduled for December 23, 2024.

The only photo of The 23s in existence

They launched their monthly parade of single releases a bit behind schedule on February 10, 2023 with “Never Be The Same” (which I reviewed), but from their second single on they’ve remained faithfully on schedule, diligently releasing each successive single on the 23rd of each month. I’ve really liked all their singles, and also the fact that no two sound alike. Their music style varies widely with each new release, with some songs having a strong electronic sound, while others are more rock or pop-oriented. Last August, I also reviewed their eighth single “My Kinda Girl”, a beautiful song I loved so much it ended up ranking #62 on my 100 Best Songs of 2023 list. 

The23s have created a cumulative Spotify playlist of all their songs, to which each successive new single is added each month as they’re released. To hear all their songs that will be included on the forthcoming 23-track album, click on this link:

Their latest and 18th single is “Youth“, a song about the passage of time inspired by the famous George Bernard Shaw quote “youth is wasted on the young” (although some have claimed that what he really said was “Youth is a wonderful thing. It is a shame it has to be wasted on children.”) But whatever the quote, the point of The 23s’ song is that youth is an unrealized gift that’s often taken for granted, and only fully appreciated much later in life. As someone who’s now old, I look back wistfully at my youth, and cringe at all the needless angst I experienced and energy I wasted fretting over trivial things, wishing I could go back and do some things over armed with the wisdom I have now.

The lyrics explore the bittersweet realization that comes with age, the fleeting nature of time, and the importance of cherishing each moment. “When I was younger, I thought all I knew was all there was to know. Now that I’m older, I realize that no one ever knows. She said ‘youth is wasted on the young’. Now that I’m older, I wish I was young like before.”

Musically, the song features a strong pulsating synth bass beat, upon which the guys have layered swirling orchestral synths, chugging percussion and a spine-tingling barrage of gnarly and wailing guitars, all of which create an exhilarating cinematic backdrop for Rob’s vibrant vocals. It’s another superb single from this talented musical trio.

Those who subscribe to their Bandcamp account, at a cost of only £5 a year, can buy the “Youth” single now before its released on streaming services, as well as a lot of free subscription tracks

The 23s Socials: Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / TikTok

Find their music on Bandcamp / Spotify / Apple Music / Soundcloud / deezer / YouTube

PYLON POETS – Single Review: “Temptation”

On By EclecticMusicLoverIn Reviews8 Comments

Hailing from the picturesque southwest England coastal town of Torquay, Devon are Pylon Poets, an alternative indie rock band comprised of Dan Hughes (lead vocals, guitars & synths), Nathan Hughes (bass, backing vocals), and Sam McIver (drums). (Dan and Nathan are not brothers, just both happen to have the same surname.) The guys have been putting out high-energy melodic rock since 2016, with songs featuring relatable lyrics touching on such issues as pop culture, love and politics. They’ve toured extensively and have played several music festivals throughout the UK, sharing the stage with such artists as Reef, Fun Lovin’ Criminals, Scouting For Girls, Republica and ASH.

Photo by John McGowan

I first featured them on this blog in May 2023, when I reviewed their single “In the End”. Today they return with “Temptation“, which follows their previous single “Echoes of Desire”, released in early May. Recorded and produced by Tom Jobling at Mill Farm Music studio in Dorset, “Temptation” explores the notion of wanting and needing to be led astray by giving in to our deepest desires.

One of the things I like about Pylon Poets is that no two songs of theirs sound alike, which is a testament to the versatility of their songwriting and musicianship. And though their music generally sounds nothing like Duran Duran, I nevertheless get strong Duran Duran vibes from “Temptation”.

Perhaps it’s the sensuous pulsating groove, or Dan’s electrifying jangly, bluesy and wailing distorted guitars, Nathan’s powerful thumping bassline and Sam’s muscular smashing drumbeats, all of which sound fantastic. And while Dan’s vocals don’t exactly sound like Simon LeBon’s on this song, he nevertheless captures a similar smoldering soulful quality perfectly befitting the torrid lyrics describing unbridled sexual desire. It’s all absolutely marvelous, and I think “Temptation” is my favorite Pylon Poets song yet!

Do you know what you need,
Taking things as you please,
Do you want to believe or do you want to succeed,

It has all been conceived,
The making of your dreams,
Is this the time, is this your mind,
Are you the loving kind,

What would you take me for,
Your graces are your flaws,
Whatever you need you're going to receive,

I know you'll take me there,
Desires all laid bare,
Is this the time, is this your mind,
Are you the loving kind,

Tempting me, Tempting you,
Leading me, Leading you,
Dreaming me, Dreaming you,
Hand in hand, Heart in heart,
Tempting me, I'm tempted,
Leading me, I'll be lead,
Dreaming me, I'm dreaming,
Hand in hand, Heart in heart,

So close we're touching,
It's just a matter of time,
It's just a matter of time,

Come here and tear me apart,
Lend me your heart,
Give me the spark,
Make me the loving kind,

Tempting me, Tempting you,
Leading me, Leading you,
Dreaming me, Dreaming you,
Hand in hand, Heart in heart,
Tempting me, I'm tempted,
Leading me, I'll be lead,
Dreaming me, I'm dreaming,
Hand in hand, Heart in heart,

Temptation
Temptation
Temptation


Pylon Poets Socials:  Facebook / X / Instagram / TikTok

Find their music on Bandcamp / Spotify / Apple Music / Soundcloud / YouTube

HEALER – Single Review: “War”

On By EclecticMusicLoverIn Reviews18 Comments

Hailing from Grimsby, England is HEALER, an alternative indie rock band comprised of Steve (lead vocals), Kirk (guitar), Dave (guitar), Tony (bass), and Jazz (drums). Since forming in 2022, the talented five-piece have already built a strong following in the British music scene on the strength of their outstanding songs and riveting live performances, as well as garnering recognition and airplay on BBC Music Introducing and Amazing Radio UK/USA. Since the release of their debut single “Hurricane” in December 2022, the busy guys have followed with seven more singles, two of which – “Bones“ and “Wake Me Up” – I’ve previously featured on this blog. “Bones” spent three months on my weekly top 30 and ranks #67 on my 100 Best Songs of 2023 list.

Photo by  Misha Warren

Their songs explore themes of love, loss, and hope, wrapped in infectious melodies and beautiful arrangements, and delivered with ace instrumentation and Steve’s wonderful distinctive vocals that make HEALER’s songs immediately identifiable as theirs and no one else’s. This is nicely showcased by their latest single “War”, released on June 21st. Though my initial impression was that the song describes a person’s devotion to their partner or loved one, and that they’d go to war to defend and protect them, I reached out to the band to see if I was even close in my interpretation. Lead singer and songwriter Steve responded with an eloquent explanation that I’ll just quote in full:

“The meaning of war can be different for every person. Being a hero for instance could be as large as a soldier in the grand scheme of things, but individual people just enduring the repetition of everyday life and work can make them a hero in their own story. To the characters that walk, their own story arcs with them. I do what I do for my sons and my partner and you will do what you do for somebody or something; it doesn’t make any one of our struggles or efforts bigger or smaller than the other because they exist by themselves within our own little worlds. I would do anything for my family and that is what war is about, and my family started with the girl I reference in the song. The line from the song that sums it all up is ‘I’ve given all I have to give you but I could always find some more’. Even when we have nothing left we will always get up and go out and do whatever we have to do for our kids or the people we need to support.“

“War” starts off slowly, with Steve’s warm, vulnerable vocals accompanied by a gently-strummed guitar. Twenty seconds in, the song expands into a beautiful rock song with colorful guitars, Tony’s thumping bass and Jazz’s spirited drumbeats, Steve’s vocals growing more impassioned along with the music. Kirk and Dave’s dual guitars are a gorgeous mix of jangly and twangy chords, nicely complemented by Jazz’s wildly crashing cymbals. The guitar riff in the anthemic chorus is fantastic, and one of the finest, most memorable hooks I’ve heard in a while, boring itself into our brains, but in a good way. With “War”, the guys have another hit on their hands.

HEALER always makes interesting and compelling videos for their songs, and the one for “War” is no exception. The heartwarming video, shot by the photography and cinematography team of Lola and Joel, was filmed on location at several local sites, including The Number 1 Pub in Cleethorpes, Transpennine Express in Grimsby and Cleethorpes Stations, and Andy’s Seafoods in Grimsby, and stars Lisa February, Thomas Humphreys, David Snook and Andrew Crane.


Upcoming Healer Shows:

July 6 –DocksFest, Cleethorpes (withLottery Winners, Feeder, Frank Turner & Razorlight)

July 25 –BelladrumTartan Heart Festival, Inverness (with Ocean Colour Scene & Jake Bugg)

July 27 –Scartho Fest, Grimsby

September 20 –Heal Fest, Shrewsbury (with Embrace, The Farm, Tom Meighan)

Healer Socials: Facebook / X (Twitter) / Instagram / TikTok

Find their music on Spotify / Apple Music / Amazon Music / YouTube / Pandora

AMONGST LIARS – Single Review: “You Are Not a Slave”

On By EclecticMusicLoverIn Reviews16 Comments

Since forming in 2019 after the breakup of their prior bands Saint Apache and Katalina Kicks, Amongst Liars have become one of the most exciting acts on the British rock music scene. Drawing from the best elements of alternative rock, grunge and punk, they play a melodic and fierce style of aggressive modern rock that’s earned them a loyal and passionate following, me included. Based in the Brighton/Eastbourne area on the South England coast, the band consists of Ian George (lead vocals, guitar), Leo Burdett (guitar, backing vocals), Ross Towner (bass, backing vocals), Adam Oarton (drums), and James Brumeo (keyboards and piano).

Photo by Vic Payne

I first learned about them in early 2020 and was intantly blown away by their explosive debut single “Over and Over”, which along with their third single “Burn the Vision”, ended up on my Top 100 Songs of 2020 list. Since then, they’ve dropped many more outstanding singles, several of which I’ve also reviewed on this blog (you can read some of them by clicking on the ‘Related’ links at the end of this post). Their single “Black Days” earned a spot on my Top 100 Songs of 2021 list, and “The Shameful” did the same on my Top 100 Songs of 2023. In July 2022, they released their self-titled debut album Amongst Liars, an outstanding work featuring 11 tracks.

Last September (of 2023) Amongst Liars spent two weeks touring across the UK in support of Canadian hard rock band Theory of a Deadman. They then embarked on another tour last month, this time with American blues/grunge rock artist Ayron Jones (whose sound reminds me a bit of Lenny Kravitz) on his 15-day French tour. It was their second time touring with Jones, who they supported on his UK club tour in November 2022. Here’s a photo of the band at one of their French shows:

Photo by FloRiane F.

Now Amongst Liars are back with their latest single “You Are Not a Slave“, and once again, they’ve gifted us with a fearsome ripper of a tune. As with all their music, the song was produced and mixed by David Radahd-Jones at Red City Recordings in Manchester, and mastered by Grant Berry at Fader Mastering. While they don’t consider themselves a ‘political band’, they certainly don’t shy away from expressing their anxieties and opinions about personal challenges and world events. As band vocalist Ian George has stated in the past, “We’re not preaching at anyone or trying to change the world. We’re just saying these are the things that affect and concern us.”

About “You Are Not a Slave”, Ian explains it’s “all about personal metamorphosis; not conforming to unreasonable demands and not allowing yourself to be controlled or devalued by people who don’t have your best interests at heart. This song comes from recent lived experience where I was subjected to passive aggressive and toxic behaviour in a work environment, which really fucked with my psyche–but ultimately, I wasn’t prepared to accept it. I channeled this frustration into the song, which was actually the last song to be recorded for our second album, and I was really pissed off when I sang this in the studio, so I guess everything happens for a reason! It also relates to personal development in general, especially with the constraints being put on people. The message is: ‘Be yourself, break the mould and don’t be afraid to follow your dreams.’“

Amongst Liars are all great musicians, adept at pushing their respective instruments to the limit to create an explosive wall of sound. On “You Are Not a Slave”, they unleash their formidable arsenal of sonic weaponry, delivering a furious onslaught of raging sludgy guitars, pummeling bass and thunderous drums, laying waste to the airwaves like a rampaging velociraptor. Leo and Ian shred their guitars nearly to the breaking point, while Ross and Adam keep the hard-driving rhythms blasting forward with a breathtaking intensity. Ian has a powerful, commanding vocal style that turns downright fearsome when he needs to get his point across. Here he summons his inner beast, nearly spitting the lyrics as he rails against those who try to dictate how to live your life.

The track will be included on the band’s forthcoming second album Design, planned for release on July 4 via Earache Records.

The fantastic video features arresting footage shot by Duncan Tyler, Vic Payne and others at some of their performances on their recent French tour with Ayron Jones. The brilliant editing was done by JR Lewis of Mediabite Group.

Like for all their singles, the terrific surreal artwork for “You Are Not a Slave”, showing three large cocoons in a dark and dingy room, was created by the brilliant artist Pierre Engelbrecht. Pierre’s works are often bizarre and sometimes disturbing, but always amazing, and you can see more of them by checking out his Instagram account.

Connect with Amongst Liars:  Facebook / X (Twitter) / Instagram
Find their music on  Spotify / Apple Music / YouTube / Amazon

THE KID AND I – Single Review: “Good Times Go (Live at the Temple of Art and Music)”

On By EclecticMusicLoverIn Reviews9 Comments

Hailing from London, England is The Kid and I, an alternative indie rock band originally formed as a solo act in 2020 by singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Jacob Powell, but later expanded to include Minky Très-vain (guitar, backing vocals), Daniel Malek (bass) and Elvis Quagliotto (drums). Très-vain is also front man of scratch rock band Brain Ape (who I’ve featured several times on this blog over the past six years), of which Powell was once a member. Influenced by an eclectic mix of acts ranging from Biffy Clyro, Foo Fighters and Blink-182 to Tyler, the Creator, Sam Fender and Phoebe Bridgers, The Kid and I serve up a fresh blend of energetic rock and indie vibes, infused with heartfelt lyrics reflecting the struggles of modern life.

Starting off with the single “White Feather” in November 2020, they’ve now released a total of 10 songs, the latest of which is “Good Times Go”, a song Powell says is “an exploration of toxic masculinity, taking accountability for oneself and wondering what went wrong along the way.” The song is their first single to be released since signing with London-based independent label Scratch Rock Records on February 24. The song is a hard-driving garage rock banger, delivered by a full-frontal assault of super-gnarly guitars, powerful thumping bass and explosive drums. I love that aggressive stomping beat and those reverb-soaked wailing riffs, and both Powell’s fervent soaring vocals and the guys’ spirited backing harmonies are glorious. I think it’s their best song yet.

A live version of the song, recorded at a performance at London’s Temple of Art and Music, dials up the song’s already impressive energy levels to even greater heights, those stomping beats, furious guitars and Powell’s impassioned, almost feral vocals nearly breaking the speakers. It’s rock’n’roll the way it’s meant to be played – heavy, loud and in your face! The video nicely captures the guys’ unbridled passion and deft musicianship, though I wish it had been filmed in wide screen.

Here’s the video of original version of the song, which I find quite charming:

Connect with The Kid and I:  Facebook / Instagram / X (Twitter)

Find their music on Spotify / Apple Music / Soundcloud / YouTube

EXPRESS OFFICE PORTICO – Single Review: “No One”

On By EclecticMusicLoverIn Reviews10 Comments

In cleverly naming themselves after the entrance to an old newspaper distribution office in the center of Nottingham, it’s no surprise that British synth-pop band Express Office Portico do not shy away from tackling relevant and timely issues in their songs. Since forming during the height of the Covid pandemic in 2020, the talented five-piece have released a string of outstanding singles touching on topics like mental health, emotional well-being and this crazy thing called life. Consisting of Tara Freeman and Billy Townsend on co-lead vocals & keyboards, Sam Watkins on guitar (who replaced Reuben Tobolewski in May 2023), Ben Phipps on bass and Olly Walton on drums, together they play melodic and dreamy synthpop with an edge. I love their music, and have reviewed four of their singles, some of which you can read by clicking on the ‘Related’ links at the end of this post.

On the strength of their vibrant, compelling sound and charismatic performances, the quintet has made a name for themselves not only in greater Nottingham, but throughout the UK. Last year, they played their first headline tour, performing in Manchester, London, Leicester and finishing at Nottingham’s renowned Bodega, played a packed festival season that included a debut appearance at Splendour festival at Wollaton Hall in Nottinghamshire, followed by their first gig in Newcastle at Bobniks supporting Cat Ryan.

I’m a big fan of Express Office Portico, so am thrilled they’re back after a bit of a break with “No One“, the first in a series of singles they plan to release over the next six weeks or so. Like all their previous songs, “No One” was produced and mixed by Joshua Rumble and mastered by Fluid Mastering, and I’m happy to report they sound better than ever. “No One” is enthralling, with beautiful instrumentation layered over a languid, sensuous groove. The talents of each band member are strongly apparent, as their respective instruments are allowed to shine while also combining to create a luxuriant soundscape. Sam’s intricate guitar work is really marvelous, as are Tara and Billy’s shimmery synths, and Ben’s throbbing bass and Olly’s measured drumbeats are perfection. I really love the colorful little touches like the strings that appear here and there.

About the song, the band explains: “‘No One’ encapsulates the feeling of initial recovery from past trauma which can leave you feeling like a deer in the headlights. What is seen as healthy and stable can feel alien to those who have experienced trauma and chaos for the majority of their lives, as well as for those that didn’t plan to make it into adulthood. When making that leap to recovery and trying to achieve stability, creating boundaries can feel like there’s no one in your corner and that no one warned you that sometimes it has to get worse before it gets better. The beginning of a recovery journey is just that, the beginning.”

The thoughtful lyrics, beautifully sung by Tara and Billy, explore the conflicting emotions and disorientation that often occur when trying to make a transition from a life of trauma and chaos to a more stable existence, leaving one sort of blindly feeling their way, and that no one else could possibly understand what they’re going through.

It started off as just for the show,
It’s all okay cause no one knows,
You wanna go where no one goes,
You plant the seeds to watch them grow,
So I’ll just wait till yesterday,
Comes around again,
And honey I get held down,
Every now and then.

Cause no one,
Ever tells you what it feels like,
If they did,
Doesn’t mean that they’re right,
Cause I feel,
like I’m in the headlights for the very first time,
For the very first time.

It’s lovely how it blesses us,
Undresses and caresses us,
I’m wanting more with every touch,
and too much is just enough,
So I’ll just wait till yesterday,
But yesterday has taken place,
And honey I get held down,
By a life of time and space.

Cause no one,
Ever tells you what it feels like,
If they did,
Doesn’t mean that they’re right,
Cause I feel,
Like I’m in the headlights for the very first time in my life.

I’m in love with everything,
I will never be,
And I’m enthralled by everyone,
Who is not me.
No one,
No one.

Cause no one,
Ever tells you what it feels like,
If they did,
Doesn’t mean that they’re right,
Cause I feel,
like I’m in the headlights for the very first time in my life

Connect with Express Office Portico:  Facebook / Twitter / Instagram

Find their music on Spotify / Apple Music / Soundcloud / deezer / Bandcamp / Amazon / YouTube 

COPPA LONDRA – Single Review: “Loosie Luna”

On By EclecticMusicLoverIn Reviews6 Comments

Coppa Londra is five-piece indie rock band based in Leeds, England. Formed in 2014 while in secondary school, they originally called themselves THE Q’s, but after the departure of two of their members, as well as wanting to change their musical direction and sound, they redubbed themselves Coppa Londra. I first learned about them last March, when they reached out to me about their song “MOVIES”, which I wrote about in a Fresh New Tracks post. With a new sound and lineup that now consists of Leo Grace on lead vocals, Freddie Franchi on rhythm guitar, Dexter Burningham on lead guitar, Gyula Magyari on bass and Joe Stott on drums, they’re back with a brash new single “Loosie Luna“.

Original founding members Dexter Burningham, Leo Grace and Freddie Franchi

Released January 10th, the song was recorded last summer under the direction of The Strokes producer Gordon Raphael, and channels the spirit of some of their favorites bands like The Las, The Libertines, Black Country New Road and Bar Italia. The song has a more forceful, high-energy vibe than Coppa Londra’s previous recordings, and I’m here for it. Starting off with a strong, thumping drumbeat, which is soon joined by a sludgy bassline, the song is a delightful punk rock gem. I love the powerful driving rhythm, broken here and there with calm little interludes before those aggressive drums and chugging bass come roaring back. Throughout it all, our ears are treated to all sorts of glorious guitar noodling, accompanied by Leo Grace’s wonderful, heavily-accented vocal croons. It’s clear these guys had a lot of fun recording “Loosie Luna”. It’s a terrific song, and a great indicator of more to come from this band.

The cheeky, light-hearted lyrics describe a singer besotted with a colorful woman named Loosie Luna, who keeps him off kilter while bringing the sunshine and giving him what he needs:

Start of the evening to top of the morning
Moonrise to sunshine the hours she’s born in

Filter man I got no filter
Unbalanced feel a tad off kilter
Dizzy like helter-skelter
When I need a home she sings
“Gimme Shelter.”

Reason man I got no reason
Freezing feeling out of season
Out of it but I ain’t done
When I’m cold she sings
“Here comes the sun.”
Yeah

Songbird wrong word crooner
She’s always got perfect tune
This wolf how’s to the moon-ah
With his companion Loosie, Loosie Luna
Loosie Luna
Loosie Lu-
And I don’t wanna go inside

Yah

Patience man I got no patience
Minor inconvenience my brain starts racing
Know a better place I can take her
While we go she hums me Chet Baker

Money ain’t got no money
Ugly thank fuck I’m funny
They say good things come in threes
But it’s just Luna and me belting Marvin G
Yeah

Songbird wrong word crooner
She’s always got perfect tune
This wolf how’s to the moon-ah
With his companion Loosie, Loosie Luna
Loosie Luna
Loosie Lu-
And I don’t wanna go inside

You may not see her
But I believe
Something happens when
She’s next to me
She gives me what I need (what I need)
She gives me what I need (what I need)
She gives me what I need
That’s music and some TLC
That’s Loosie
Oh that my Loosie
My Loosie Luna
My Loosie Luna
My Loosie Lu
My Loosie Lu

Follow Coppa Londra on X (Twitter) / Instagram / TikTok

Find their music on Spotify / Apple Music / Amazon Music