By Far

Turn Up The Volume’s 10 BEST DEBUT SINGLES Of 2023

Posted on by JL

14 December 2023

Band: IRKED

Who: In your face indies
from North East England.

Debut single: BACKSTREETS
“Upfront and confrontational track about the creeps who linger
around your local music scene, where problematic behaviour
isn’t policed.”

TUTV said: A riff-deranged head-over-heels speedball. Think Australian barbed wire
rock generator Amyl And The Sniffers getting even louder and nastier than they already
are. Irked produce no-nonsense punk pandemonium with a dashing fanaticism
and crazed ruckus.

The vocalist screams her lungs out with intimidating force. Mental.
Don’t mess with her, don’t look for trouble with her. She’s a ragging
rapping reactor. Sharp-teethed stuff, shattering debut.

Helter Skelter.

IRKED: Instagram
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Clamorous frontman Alex Edkins of Canadian noise engine Metz and Graham Walsh, keyboardist of dance punks Holy Fuck, got together for a project of their own, named, Noble Rot.

Their debut single Casting No Light is motorik Krautrock-like mindfucker that circles around like forever, pushed by a pumping synth/drum/guitar riff-boom-beat that grows
in hypnotic intensity along the way. Fucktastic! The song is part of their debut album Heavenly Bodies, Repetition, Control.

Get puzzled.

NOBLE ROT: Twitter
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Band: CHUM

Who: 4-piece enigma from London. They have a passion for humour, theatrics
and the ethereal all the while set to a backdrop of crushing bass heavy sonics, maniacal kraut-tinged drumming and toe-tapping pop-esque melodics, interspersed with a dry somewhat disturbed vocal delivery.

Single: BEEFCAKE DOCTRINE
Part of their debut album Metaphysical

TUTV said: What a mind-twister, what a debut. From the get-go repetitive Krautrock dynamics do your head without asking permission first. It just happens in an eye-ear blink. It feels like this jagged jackhammer plays on repeat, over and over again, within its own swirling structure. Its trance-inducing beats create a hypnotic and puzzling razzmatazz you can’t and you won’t escape from. Bingo! Touchdown! I want more.

Get magnetized.

CHUM: Facebook
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Band: GHOST FETISH

Who: A synth-fueled post-punk
trio from Seattle, WA.

Single: LIPSTICK

TUTV said: What a way to debut! Expect a sickly sticky dancefloor gem
with a synth-tantalizing vibe reminiscent of the starry-eyed sparks of
British electro-pop heroes New Order. And is that Hooky on bass?

Lipstick is both a sensuous and affectional tune with gripping vocals up front
and melancholic ones in the back. At times it feels like the track will erupt into
an avid disco stomper. Maybe this debut is a foreplay teaser and the follow-up
will be an orgastic energizer. Anyway Ghost Fetish have my aural and hip-shaking
attention and will have yours too.

Top!


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GHOST FETISH: Instagram
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Band: DANI BLOND & THE VELVET GRIP

Who: Fresh indie act hailing from the lush forests of Central Vancouver Island.
They boast a sound and energy that waxes and wanes like the rough waters
from which they began and blend an exciting mix of emotionally charged
grooves, dynamic high-energy beats, and entrancing, atmospheric layers.

Single: RED SKY

Dani Blond (vocals/songwriter) “When I wrote this song I was thinking about these kids
who are, today, experiencing the horrors of war as a way of life. This is something I could never understand due to the privileged life I live. This song came tumbling out of me quickly. It serves as a reminder for myself that there are many people in this world having extremely different experiences than mine, and that I am privileged and have an opportunity to feel grateful for what I have.”

TUTV said: After hearing Red Sky one time I added these debuting indies immediately to my must-follow list. Why? This very first single captures your aural attention on the spot.
It’s a high-strung power-pop feat that progresses, bit by bit, with dazzling guitar lines and Blond‘s mettlesome vocals, to a feverish climax. It reflects the song’s theme of life’s dual issues with haunting intenseness. Proof again that worrying times can lead to heartfelt music.

Score!


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DANI BLOND & THE VELVET GRIP: Instagram
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Band: MAQUILLAGE

Who: A cross-border band composed of two members from
sunny Italy and two from less sunny Belgium. Originating from
an online advertisement, a meeting of two worlds follows,
where they profile themselves as a DIY-driven collective.

Single: BLUE

“Blue is more than just a song to us; it’s an emotional story about the
nuances of love and connection. In the music video we wanted the fragility
and splendor capturing these themes in a way that resonates with our
listeners. We are proud to share this creation with the world.”

TUTV said: This is truly enchanting. Expect electrifying layers of glistering guitar
sparks (think NYC’s idols Interpol), shining like a full moon on a dark winter night. Melodious shoegaze bliss, with expressive female vocals floating all over it. Along
its lustrous course, this jam gets more intensified, sending shivers down your spine.

Enjoy.

MAQUILLAGE: Instagram
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Artists: RED PERIL

Who: The new endeavour of the London-based Italian-Mexican musician Stefania F. Cardenas, co-founder, singer and guitarist of the now defunct all-female indie act Madonnatron (I loved them, criminally underrated) and musical partner Dexter.

Single: BOLLYWOOD GANGSTA

Cardenas: “The music industry can be a rough sea to sail. Red Peril represents
the ultimate form of creative freedom. Every aspect of this project is curated in-house
in true DIY spirit. Red Peril was born as a form of escapism during times of uncertainty.
I ended up quitting everything; my job, band, relationship and flat.

All I wanted was to make music, put my stories into sound, and that’s what Red Peril is. I met Dexter last year at a gig. We instantly clicked and started playing together. His incredible guitar and production skills have made these songs come alive. We have been lucky to receive support from Blang Records, who have given us so much encouragement and creative freedom.”

TUTV said: Totally sensuous, seductive, and sexy. Cardenas‘ near-whispering voice lifts this trippy mid-tempo groove to a midnight-hour sensation. The layered chorus harmonies add more titillation while the sultry vibe keeps on moving. Music has a healing energy, inspired by it Cardenas left the troubled past behind, teamed up with musical partner Dexter and starts all over again now with this top-notch debut.

Watch/listen.

RED PERIL: Instagram
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Artists: LEISURE FM
Who: Twins Milena & Weronika, born in Poland, who lived in Wales as children
and now calling South East London home. Driven by late-night contemplation &
an experimental spirit, they started producing music in their bedrooms a few
years back to combat lockdown blues, alongside DJing regularly.

Single: STATUESQUE
Piece from their 4-track debut EP fables.

TUTV: Absorbing, arresting, and spellbinding. Statuesque is a mid-tempo, darkish
dream pop meditation. Richly, yet subtly orchestrated with weeping violins here
and there, shimmering guitar sparks, and femme fatale vocals gliding all over it. Hallucinative karma, chilling vibrations, masterly debut.

LEISURE FM: Instagram – Linktree
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Band: BY FAR

Who: Belgian unit founded in 2017 by singer-songwriter Jacob Vermeire
who needed a way to express his feelings and found it in his music.

Single: BRICKS

The song’s lyrics take you through various events in Jacob’s life. Life isn’t always nice. Difficult relationships, precious losses, these are things that everyone experiences, but which we cannot all talk about equally well.

TUTV said: Bricks is an emotive introspection wrapped in a glorious melody that
strikes your ears from the kick-off. An arousing gem that resonates like a vibrant Americana song of veteran songsmith John Mellencamp and the poppy moments
of Violent Femmes. Strumming guitars, infectious flow, impassioned vocals and
an uplifting chorus. Top pop thrill that elevates restless minds, by far.

Tune in.


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BY FAR: Instagram
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Artist: KIER

Who: A singer/songwriter – full name Kier Burke – from South Yorkshire.
She has been writing songs since a young age and is ready to twist the
boundaries of country music.

Single: GYPSIES CASTLE
First shared cut from her upcoming debut LP

KIER: “This is more than just a song to me. At just 19, Lulu urged thousands like me
to take risks, to love fiercely, and to laugh with abandon. This song is a call to stop fretting about things beyond our control and instead pursue your joy and passion every day. ‘Gypsies Castle’ is dedicated to spreading Lulu’s message to the world – don’t sweat the small stuff, prioritise your happiness and love and live without regrets. As we like to say – live like Lulu.

TUTV said: As we all know music can have a healing, comforting and cathartic power.
It always has, but it also helps one to go forward without fear or regrets and enjoy
life from day to day, as the unfortunate friend of KIER did. This message is wrapped
in a catchy country melody. Romantic Americana, the English way. The star of the tune
is KIER’s voice. Crystal pure and entrancing. A beauteous debut.

Endearing.


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KIER: Instagram
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Turn Up The Volume’s 20 BEST TRACKS For JULY 2023

Posted on by JL

ALL TOGETHER


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TRACK-BY-TRACK

1. ‘Just Shadows’ by JEEN (Canada)

Canadian singer-songwriter Jeen launches her 5th album
later this year and Just Shadows is the first taster.

“I wrote “Just Shadows” just thinking how the darker parts of everything can snuff
out some of the best people’s light. It’s about trying to get out from under it so we
don’t just become casualties of our shittiest days.”

Just Shadows is a cast iron, drumming energy-stroke detonating with firm
puissance when the chorus hits your ears and Jeen‘s towering voice spices
all things up with flamboyant flair. The vitalizing impact of this effervescent
summer anthem is heartening.

Top!

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2. ‘Los Angeles’ by LOL TOLHURST x BUDGIE x JACKNIFE LEE (UK/LA)

A new supergroup has arrived.

It features The Cure drummer LOL TOLHURST (64), BUDGIE (65),
former Siouxsie and the Banshees drummer and Siouxsie‘s husband,
and Irish music producer Jacknife Lee.

Los Angeles is the title track of their first, forthcoming LP.

It features LCD Soundsytem‘s mastermind/voice James Murphy
and soundwise it’s what you may expect from these musicians.

Los Angeles is a stompin’ and pumpin’ percussion burst
to stomp your feet and pump your fists like mad.

Bang-on.

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3. ‘Milk’ by BLACK GRAPE (Manchester)

Happy mondays Shaun Ryder, and rapper Kermit (Paul Leveridge) are back.
They fabricated a new, their 4th, LP named Orange Head hitting the streets
in November.

Milk is the lead single. A pounding disco-rock blast
with the 24-party madchester vibe of the 90s.

Bingo.

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4. ‘The Trench Coat Museum’ by YARD ACT (UK)

The British post-punk mavericks announced a few weeks ago that they finished their
2nd longplayer, but first we can go gaga to this new smashing stand-alone single.

The Trench Coat Museum is an 8+ minute dancefloor filler infused with a flabbergasting bass riff, spiced with Smith‘s parlando vocals, schizo guitars and yes, cowbells. I guess that for the second half of this super-duper knockout, Smith left the studio for a cup of tea. Anyway, from there on jumbo techno-like beats take over.

Fucktastic.

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5. ‘Three‘ by SEARCH RESULTS (Ireland)

I swear, when this knife-edged tune hit my ears for the first time, I thought
I pushed the wrong button and instead of these young Irish gunslingers I got
post-punk legends The Fall on my headphones.

These young Irish gunslingers’ combination of hyperkinetic drum/bass beats,
fanatic guitar riffage, Mark E Smith sneering and an overall staccato sonority
is irresistibly engrossing.

Tune in.


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6. ‘Algorithms’ by KASABIAN (Leicester)


(photo by Turn Up The Volume)

Last year Leicester’s rock heroes KASABIAN returned with
their number one longplayer The Alchemist’s Euphoria.

To warm up for a hot festival summer the band invited us to sing-along
on this magnified pop lullaby. Its anthemic chorus is irresistibly infectious.

Let’s roll.

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7. ‘That’s Where She Belongs’ by THE CORAL (Scotland)

The seasoned psych-folk-pop-rock troubadours will offer us, on 8 September,
two albums. Sea Of Mirrors and Holy Joe’s Island Medicine Show.

If you haven’t found your sonic twilight summer companion yet, then this new
Coral tune will be the one. The Liverpool gang are experts in writing/creating hum-along, whistle-song, sing-along and dream-along pearls while you can tap your feet to the beat. Imagine sitting in a rockin’ chair on the porch of your farmhouse in a Serge Leone-directed spaghetti western. That’s the vibe.

Listen/watch.

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8. ‘Do You Mind I’m A Little Late For Life?’ by BY FAR (Belgium)

Their debut single Bricks already entertained my music-addicted ears,
and this new one is a stone gold gem too. The fervent passion and the
overwhelming psychedelic resonance are nothing less than astounding.

The song’s bone-chilling progression blows you away, slowly but surely.

Get puzzled.


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9. ‘Vampire Empire’ by BIG THIEF (Brooklyn, NY)

This is a diamond of a song. Vampire Empire is another staggering
new gem by a staggering band. Intense, dynamic, jaunty and avid
vocals by Adrianne Lenker. I love Big Thief.

Enchanting.

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10. ‘Through To You’ by LEBARONS (Toronto, CA)

Through To You is a track from the group’s sophomore album,
titled Days Are Mountains. It lands on August 11th.

It all starts with a steady, feet-activating drum beat, soon followed by an explosion
of hectic guitars. And in an eye/ear blink the whole resistlessly sonic process steamrolls over you, again and again, and riffs and grooves and moves it’s way like an electric-charged whirlwind to a sped-up climax. Frontman MacDonald wants to bang his head against a wall. That doesn’t sound like a bad idea in case you need to get rid of some demons, that is.

Press play.


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11. ‘Ocean View’ by MERES (Australia)

The energy developed here is off the charts. Meres rock their tails
off on this sinewy punk missile. Chainsaw guitars, forthright drums/bass
spanks and the both sensual and spiced vocals of Mary Shannon.

This hit-and-run uppercut will start lots of moshpits.

Stroke!


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12. ‘Queen’ by CLONE (Canada)

Clone is a lush rock ’n’ roll collage collective that fuses the sequined swagger of 70’s glam with the DIY gut punch of early punk and polishes it all off with the audacious vocals of contemporary pop.

Their new single Queen is a big wham T.Rex bang.

The British trashy 70s riffs, groovy hooks and flashy licks are all over the place. It also echoes Bowie‘s smashing 1974 hit Rebel Rebel. And I can’t but think of glam rock icon Suzy Quatro when front Amazon Juniper Watters comes on with her sensual and sultry vocals.

She’s not a clone, she’s for real, she’s the perfect queen for this firecracker. She’s extremely inspired by drag culture and is a huge supporter of the drag community.

Big bang.

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13. ‘No Meaning Man’ by WE MELT CHOCOLATE (Florence, Italy)

Expect a titanic wall-of-shoegaze-layered sound that takes your breath away for almost
4 razzle-dazzle minutes. It feels as if this spectacular piece of a hallucinatory symphony comes out of space with its reverberated and tremoloed guitars, its scintillating synths,
its mystifying melodiousness and its cosmic vocals.

Splendid.

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14. ‘Nookie’ by FIDLAR (Los Angeles)

L.A. punks Fidlar produce an illegal amount of decibels on their nasty
steamed-up cover of 1999 hit NOOKIE by Fred Dust‘s gang LIMP BIZKIT.

Awesome.

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15. ‘I’m A Wreck’ by ROOMMATES (UK)

These British gunslingers kick-start your adrenalin production from the first chord on with this peppery pop-punk cryout fed by schizo guitars and distressed vocals. A thrill, although the song is about the wake of a breakup, an anthem of self-loathing, regret, and ultimately, forgiveness. I said it a million times before, heartache can lead to explosive catharsis in music.

Listen up.


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16. ‘Fury’ by pMAD

Fury is an explosive cocktail of speed metal(lica), synth sketches, post-punk tumult
and dark-Goth-wave vocals. It’s a fuzz and buzz rocket that whirls forth and back. These messed-up times cause mind-madness and paranoia that leads to furious eruptions as pMAD experiences too.

Yeah!


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17. ‘Floatin’ Stone’ by VOGUE VILLAINS (Canada)

Floatin’ Stone is a robust tune powered-up by a mean hard rockin’ machine.
References? Muscular Australian noisemakers Wolfmother and stoner rock
mavericks Queens Of The Stone Age. Say no more.

Wow!

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18. ‘Another Country’ by THE UNDERGROUND YOUTH (UK)

This must be the closest The Underground Youth come to sound like The Velvet
Underground. The repetitive jingle jangle pattern, the midnight hour vocals of
Dryer, the dreary harmonies and the ongoing melodic catchiness. All ingredients
for a psych gem are in place here.

Run, run, run.

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19. ‘Birthday Cake’ by TEEN IDLE (New Jersey, US)

This slow-progressing musing appeals instantly with its rudimentary PJ Harvey-esque
guitar play and Abdelbarry‘s affectional voice, think Sharon Van Etten.

Birthday Cake‘s has both a romantic and wistful sonority that captivates
and moves. And halfway melancholic synths accentuate the overall ruminate
timbre in a warm way.

Arresting.


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20. ‘Love Town’ by JEREMY TUPLIN (England)


Photo by Suzi Corker

Newest piece from Tuplin‘s 4th LP Orville’s Discotheque.

Love Town is a heart-warming and reflective musing about falling in love.
A romantic candlelight ballad for mind-relaxing moments. Sweet and sensitive.

Tuplin‘s vocality made me immediately think of The National‘s melancholic crooner
Matt Berninger with its affectional resonance. Beautiful. Let’s follow him to Love Town,
wherever that might be.

Beautiful.

See/hear you next month, music junkies 

TUTV: Blog – Facebook – Instagram

BY FAR – Belgian Misfits Overwhelm With New Psych Jam ‘DO YOU MIND IF I’M A LITTLE LATE FOR LIFE?’

Posted on by JL

Daily electricity to load your batteries

4 July 2023

Band: BY FAR
Who: A Belgian unit founded in 2017 by singer-songwriter Jacob Vermeire
who needed a way to express his feelings and found it in his music.

His reflections take you through various events in Jacob‘s life. Life isn’t always nice.
Difficult relationships, precious losses, these are things that everyone experiences,
but which we cannot all talk about equally well. The band succeeds wonderfully in converting these vulnerable feelings into melancholic pop-rock songs.


Artwork single

TUTV: Their debut single Bricks already entertained Turn Up The Volume’s
music-addicted ears, and now here’s their second triumph. The fervent passion
and the overwhelming puissance of Do You Mind If I’m A Little For Life (great title)
is just astounding.

The song’s bone-chilling progression blows you away, slowly but surely.

Vermeire‘s feverish vocals go sky-high on the jawdropping chorus and the
extensive guitar jam takes this stunner to an epic level. So far, so terrifically
good. I just added this sublime tour de force in my best-tracks-of-2023
notebook.

Press play.
Get puzzled.

SO FAR: Facebook

TURN UP THE VOLUME’s 20 BEST TRACKS – MAY 2023

Posted on by JL

The best of the best of the month

ALL TOGETHER
on Spotify.


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TRACK BY TRACK

1. ‘Boys In The Band’ by LAMBRINI GIRLS (Brighton, UK)

These feminist girls in a band unleashed their A.W.E.S.O.M.E
6-track EP last week. Buy/stream here.

And opener Boys In A Band is a motherrockin’ standout. A ferocious punk sucker-punch
to crush male machos with. Vocalist/songwriter Phoebe Lunny has 4 lungs and uses them mercilessly and bassist Lilly Macieira-Boşgelmez plays her 4-string louder than war.

Holy Lambrini smoke.

BEST BAND IN THE WORLD!


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2. ‘This Just Ain’t My Year‘ by 32 TENS (Warrington, England)

This vigorous trio of young gunslingers speed full tilt ahead from the get-go.
No brakes, no breaks, no mistakes and creeping under your skin faster than you
can say ripsnorter. A whirlwind of scorching guitars, pounding drumming, a revolving
bass line somewhere in the middle, go-getting vocals, and a dynamite chorus. This is gonna be the year for 32 TENS.

YES!


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3. ‘Lose My Mind’ by THE MANIC BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB (Canada)


Photo credit: Iman Qasemi

“It’s a liberating, drum-backed anthem that allows the band to
break free from any stress or obligations in pursuit of a good night.”

Good times or bad times, it’s always (in)sane to lose your marbles while diving
into a hot let’s have a ball night, now and then, and go berserk. This manic master
blaster doubles your adrenalin production an make you feel flying eight
miles high while you jump from bar to bar, from club to club.

Hit the night.

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4. ‘Prophecy Of The Dragon’ by THE VOIDZ (US)


(Press image)

The Strokes‘ frontman Julian Casablancas and his hobby band are back with this flabbergasting metallic stunner. It goes forth and back, left and right, slow and fast as if Casablancas and his misfits put several snippets of several songs together and puzzled them into one stupendous stroke of a belter.

Blimey.

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5. ‘Divide’ by DRELLA (Bradford, UK)


Beware, they only look nice

The UK wasn’t so divided as it is now following Brex-shit, charlatan Boris Johnson
and the ongoing suffocating acts of the Tories. Like so many (young) Brits Drella
hate what they have to endure every single day. And they let it hear loud and clear
on this new stiff-necked wallop.

This is Drella‘s generation.

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6. ‘Bogus Operandi’ by THE HIVES (Sweden)

The Swedish punk clowns are finally back with new stuff.
Their new LP The Death Of Randy Fitzsimmons, their first
in 11 years, lands on 11 August.

The first single Bogus Operandi starts slowly with some drum hits and some distorted guitars. But after 45 seconds the wait is over. From there on it’s full steam ahead with frontman Pele howling as we know for a long time now.

Wham bam.

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7. ‘Chastity’ by PUSSY RIOT feat. Boys Noize and Alice Glass

Expect a techno speedball with the
ferocious force of a drilling hammer.

Press play.

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8. ‘Emotion Sickness’ by QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE (Los Angeles)

The Queens, orchestrated by by mastermind Josh Homme have canned
their 8th LP. It’s titled In Times New Roman… They’ll launch it on June 16.

First single Emotion Sickness is a hammering and riff-rolling corker.
QUOTSA by numbers, but I like their numbers.

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9. ‘In Lieu Of Failure’ by THE SMASHING PUMKINGS (Chicago, US)

The pumpkins released their three-part rock opera Atum in Three Acts
a couple of weeks ago. A total of 36 songs. I picked the 12 best, deleted
the rest, and guess what? I have a splendid new SM album.

This is one of the 12 gems.


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10. ‘Monster’ by LONELY LITTLE KITSH (Canada)

This two-piece alt-rock act – Kristen Goetz (vocals) and Nolan Jodes (guitar/bass/vocals)
took their name from David Bowie‘s 1974 track Diamond Dogs: “…just another future
song, lonely little kitsch.”

Monster is the duo’s 2nd single. A monstrous cannonball going everywhere fast.
A post-punk eruption that resonates like L.A.’s celebrated Amazons L7 on speed.

Fasten your seatbelt.


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11. ‘Three Hours’ by JOHN PARISH & ALDOUS HARDING (UK/New Zealand)


(Photo by Michelle Henning)

A Nick Drake tribute album is coming up. Parish and Harding are part of it.
The duo picked Drake’s 1969 composition THREE HOURS from his Five Leaves
Left LP.

Their take is a Krautrock-like-spinning masterstroke. It moves and grooves along
a hypnotic bass riff and a steady drum beat with doomy synths working their way to
the front. Mesmerizing and intoxicating while duet vocals float all over it, alluring and affecting. Special, really special

Top!

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12. ‘Depression Breakfast’ by JAPANESE JESUS (Ireland)

Depression Breakfast  follows the first cranked-up single Tension and is the title
track from their upcoming 5-track EP which will see a digital and 12″ vinyl release
next June.

The tone is poignant and disturbing in an intriguing way. As we know, artists can do great things in case of a distressed state of mind. Despite the dark lyrical context Depression Breakfast‘s guitars cut like a Swiss knife just as troubled soul Lou Barlow (Sebadoh/Dinosaur Jr.) does with flaming force when he rocks out to expel his demons. Japanese Jesus can work cathartically too for all of us who haven’t a pink view on reality these days. As we know too, sad music can work deliberating.

“Depression breakfast
Cry in your cereal”


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13. ‘Spinning Plates’ by CHARLOTTE CARPENTER (UK)


(Photo by Fraser West )

Spinning Plates is a piece from this British songstress’ upcoming debut album.

Carpenter: “There’s a lot to unpack in this song. From societal pressures on the roles you are meant to fulfill as a woman, alongside the struggle of keeping up a relentless positivity to being a musician – and how impossible it is to ever get the balance between the two. Our anger is justified and our stories worth sharing. ”

It’s 2023 and still a lot of male machos and sexist pigs operate in the music
industry, and not only there. Horrible. Carpenter seems to try and fight these
awful demons with this emotive power-pop stroke gem. Spinning Plates is an
infectious guitar/drum-energized stomper with her room-filling voice standing
out upfront. At one point she slows down, only to restart the magnetic groove.

Watch.
Listen.

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14. ‘Stand For Something’ by INFINITE SONIC (Columbia)

“Born in Bogotá. Built to be Global.”

When I heard this earworm for the first time, I could swear that this pop pearl
is a previously unreleased track from U2’s recording sessions for their 1987 masterpiece LP The Joshua Tree. Stand For Something has that majestic grandeur of the Irish heroes’ idiosyncratic sound with The Edge‘s magical guitar play lifting their hits to epic heights.

No, I’m not kidding. What Infinite Sonic does here is what rhapsodic pop is about. I just looked outside, it’s a beautiful day, and if you still haven’t found the tune you’re looking
for this might be the One.

You too.

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15. ‘Won’t Let You’ by LOST IN JAPAN (Canada)

“A song about not accepting the harsh truths we all need to face sometimes.
Getting lost in some other distraction to ignore the hard task of acceptance.”

Following previous punchy single From The Start these Canadian Londoners nail it again with this new avid crackerjack that turns up the ardency every time when the catching chorus crashes in after the tension is built up in the verses. Firm guitars, a fired-up rhythm section, and fiery vocals. All ingredients you need to make your ears happy.

Today London, tomorrow the whole of Canada.


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16. ‘Bricks’ by BY FAR (Belgium)

This Belgian unit was founded in 2017 by singer-songwriter Jacob Vermeire
who needed a way to express his feelings and found it in his music.

Bricks is their debut single.

It’s an emotive introspection wrapped in a glorious melody that strikes your ears
from the kick-off. An arousing gem that resonates like a vibrant Americana song of
veteran songsmith John Mellencamp and the poppy moments of Violent Femmes. Strumming guitars, infectious flow, impassioned vocals and an uplifting chorus.

A top-notch pop thrill that elevates restless minds, by far.

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17. ‘Rango’ by SCARS FOR DAVID (Belgium)


(Promo pic)

Rango is the band’s debut single. A dashing slice of music. It combines a toe-tapping reggae groove with a bluesy chorus and somewhere along the way, an Eric Clapton-like guitar solo cranking up the vibe. Cool, right? Unquestionable. This is the kind of full of pep tunes that get you through the day while shaking your hips. The singer sings at one point “There’s No Space For Happines“. Don’t worry be happy, you scored a notable debut.

Tune in.

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18. ‘The Lender’ by TRISTAN ARMSTRONG (Toronto, CA)

“The Lender‘ is a song about surviving in the city. And these days, as any urban
dweller will attest, there’s much to overcome. Armstrong‘s new song is a deceptively
joyful reflection on the struggles of living in a concrete jungle. Evocative of Springsteen’s chronicling of life on the fringes of society, “The Lender” is a track hiding hope in desperation.”

This is captivating Americana the Canadian way. Great voice, great melody, great musicality, and the vocal resonance and swagger of the late great Tom Petty. Amstrong strums his acoustic guitar the way the Eagles did it endlessly and The Lender‘s bluesy-country feel has both a melancholic and yearning sensitivity. These are tunes that stick instantly, the ones you play for a while.

Press play.

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19. ‘You Don’t Have A Choice’ by EASTER ISLAND (Athens, GA)

“You Don’t Have a Choice’ is an indie rock song that evokes an ethereal and moody atmosphere through its intricate instrumentation and emotive vocals. The introspective nature of the lyrics is matched perfectly with the melancholic and contemplative instrumentation, resulting in a dreamy and haunting soundscape that encapsulates the overall mood of the song.”

This a moony and radiant beauty, an amplified musing with crystal guitar sparks
reminding me of NYC darlings Interpol‘s 6-string galvanism. A gripping heart-and-soul touching reflection with mesmeric vocals for tranquilizing moments. Magic.

Check in.

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20. ‘I Thought I Understood’ by THE UNDERGROUND YOUTH (UK)

On 18th August these cult post-punks, led by Craig Dyer
launch release their new full length, called Nostalgia Class.

This is the first single. Pure UY. A moony meditation embedded in a gripping,
melancholic melody that rings in your yearning ears from the first spin. There’s
a sparkling rotating riff that invades your head and stays there. Magical melancholia
with, of course, frontman Dyer‘s shadowy vocals completing the darksome sonic
picture as we know it.

Watch/listen.

BY FAR – Belgian Power Pop Combo Impress Big Time With Debut Single ‘BRICKS’

Posted on by JL

23 May 2023

Band: BY FAR
Who: A Belgian unit founded in 2017 by singer-songwriter Jacob Vermeire
who needed a way to express his feelings and found it in his music.

Debut single: BY FAR

The song’s lyrics take you through various events in Jacob’s life. Life isn’t always nice. Difficult relationships, precious losses, these are things that everyone experiences, but which we cannot all talk about equally well. The band succeeds wonderfully in converting these vulnerable feelings into melancholic pop-rock songs.


Artwork single

TUTV: Talking about an impressive debut. Bricks is an emotive introspection wrapped
in a glorious melody that strikes your ears from the kick-off. An arousing gem that resonates like a vibrant Americana song of veteran songsmith John Mellencamp and the poppy moments of Violent Femmes. Strumming guitars, infectious flow, impassioned vocals and an uplifting chorus. Top pop thrill that elevates restless minds, by far.

Tune in.


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BY FAR: Instagram – Facebook