Cactus Flowers

Turn Up The Volume’s 25 BEST TRACKS OF 2023

Posted on by JL

ALL TOGETHER


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TRACK-BY-TRACK

1. ‘What Are The Odds’ by DEATH VALLEY GIRLS (California)


Photo by Little Ghost/Kelsey Hart

This was the first single of their best album to date Islands In The Sky. A terrifically juiced-up power-pop chant triggering your limbs to get up and move. And when the under the spell of joy choir joins Bonnie Bloomgarden on the elated chorus you just know that this stunning tune is a winner.

We are living in a simulated world
And we are simulated girls!

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2. ‘Lads Lads Lads’ by LAMBRINI GIRLS (Brighton, UK)


(Press photo © Bridie Florence)

The unquestionable sensation of the year.

The sassy spirit of fiery Riot grrls, the primal screams of X-Ray Spex‘s late genial vox Poly Styrene, the unbridled DIY mentality of The Slits. It’s all here to get in the macho faces of all macho males. Lads Lads Lads is a loud and clear clamorous uppercut. Trash and slash punk turmoil. Holy fucking smoke!

Feel the fury.

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3. ‘Riverstone’ by DITZ (Brighton, UK)


(Photo by Turn Up The Volume – Brugge, Belgium 2023)

“The lyrics were related to whatever we were talking shit about that day.
Dirt-cheap ’baccy and annoying, invasive TikToks. It’s hard to recall.”

Riverstone is an excessive electro-industrial sledgehammer doing your head,
your ears and your mind in. Bang-bang-bang-bang. Deafening drones, psychotic
guitars, and schizophrenic vocals, it’s all here to have an electric brain-frying
chair experience.

Right here.

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4. ‘Just Shadows’ by JEEN (Canada)

All-round Canadian singer/songwriter nailed it with this efferscent swirling knockout.

This is the kind of 24-Carat gold banger that makes your day, that boosts your worried state of mind, that puts a big smile on your face, that works faster than any stimulant and most of all, that gets you on your feet, triggers your best rotating dance moves and make you embrace life. Reality is not all doom and gloom, as many (mostly politicians) want us to believe to push their own power-greedy agenda. To hell with them.

Listen/watch.

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5. ‘This Just Ain’t My Year’ by 32 TENS (UK)


(Promo photo)

These vigorous Brits hit big time with this flamboyant ripsnorter.
It’s full tilt ahead from the get-go. No brakes, no breaks, and
creeping under your skin faster than you can say this is super-duper.

A whirlwind of scorching guitars, pounding drumming, a revolving bass line
somewhere in the middle, go-getting vocals and a dynamite chorus combine
for a badass belter. 2023 was the year for 32 Tens.

Touchdown.

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6. ‘Baggio’ by MILES KANE (UK)

This contagious cracker celebrates forer Italian football star Roberto Baggio

Kane: “I was eight years old when I first saw Baggio on TV, it was during the
1994 World Cup. I was taken back by his presence, his look and his talent. It was
the first time I’d seen a man look so different and unique. Seeing Baggio led me to
e obsessed with that Italian football team for many years later.

Baggio is one of those typical Kane tunes. Immediately recognisable with its
uplifting 60s/70s beat and blissful melody. But it’s a glorious guitar fragment
and accompanying harmonious, backing vocals that lift the song to a five-star
pop level.

Goal!

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7. ‘Gorilla Guerilla’ by MANTRA OF THE COSMOS (UK)

This new supergroup features Shaun Ryder & Bez (Happy Mondays/Black Grape),
Andy Bell (Ride/Oasis) and drummer Zak Starkey, yes Ringo’s son, who actually came up with this project’s idea and describes it as “a fantastic psychedelic groove from a band of misfits, outsiders and innovators.”

First single Gorilla Guerilla is a mind-boggling techno-rock stomper
to start and end all (il)legal raves with and fill dancefloors around the
globe with. This seasoned collective is a mean groove machine.

E-tastic!

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8. ‘Right Wing Beasts’ by SLEAFORD MODS (UK)

The duo launched their 12th LP, called UK Grim last March.

This rattling piece is my absolute favorite.

It’s Sleaford Mods by – very good – numbers. The mods still spit and sneer
against Tories‘ merciless pressure and devastating regime. And they still do
it with rappin’ vibrations.


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9. ‘Foefetti’ by JODIE LANGFORD (Hull, UK)

The waterfall wordsmith from Hull (UK) released her tip-top debut EP Chaos Of Time
and followed it with this booming corker. Glittery, glammy and trashy (like the video).
Sing happy birthday to 6-year-old princess Jodie midway. Don’t worry afterward you
can continue to pogo around the table.

Whang, whang, whang.

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10. ‘Dicks In Tanks’ by MORLOCKS (Gothenborg, Sweden)


2023 photo by Krichan Wihlbor

This Swedish turbo founded by mastermind J.Strauss had
a new flabbergasting album out, named Praise The Iconoclast,
this year.

Single Dicks In Tanks features vocal efforts from Sascha Konietzko of KMFDM,
dark ambient electro queen Karin My and black metal maestro Heljarmadr
of Grá/Dark Funeral.

Morlocks‘ cynical take on war is sharp-cutting like a first-class Swiss knife

“Salute every hard on, a call to arms / this is my klaxon / sound the alarms”.

It all starts with warning war sirens and marching soldiers chants.
90 seconds later, it’s all hens on deck when this industrial rock missile
erupts with a blitzkrieg fierceness.

Think Rammstein and NIN having a fight with riot guns.

Shoot.

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11. ‘An Individual Soul’ by PRINCESS UGLY (Portland, US)

This blitz duo – J. Christopher-Rome (lyrics/vocals) and Christopher Moncrieffe (music/instruments) mix post-punk, early 80’s goth, shoegaze, and new wave
into their own brand of sound.

An Individual Soul is a multi-layered serpent of a track.

After a short shock intro, psychobilly guitars take over and riff
and roll all the way through, surrounded by glowing synths waves.

Add Christopher-Rome’s creepy whispering and you’ll feel transported
somewhere into a twilight zone where Goths party. Princess Ugly’s ominous
mind mystifies and the enigmatic she-devil in the video is a misleading
magnet.

Check in.

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12. ‘How To Replace It’ by dEUS (Belgium)

The veterans – the best Belgian band ever – dropped their 8th LP,
baptized How To Replace It last February, their first in 11 years.

The title track, also the LP’s opener is a vintage dEUS grower.
An ongoing spellbinding trip that works its way to an
explosive climax.

Watch/listen.

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13. ‘Huevos Rancheros’ by THE IRRATIONAL LIBRARY (The Netherlands)

These Dutch-American misfits have their roots firmly planted in both the regional
and international counterculture. They produce a raw, dirty groove influenced by
punk, provo and punk icons. Their poetry is packed with social criticism.

Huevos Rancheros, from their new longplayer Good Busy is a song about
seeing life clearly through all the haze and confidently strolling through the
daze.

It’s a tremendously sticky and melodic tune that mesmerises from the kick-off.
Stimulated by a sparkling and melancholic guitar riff à la Kurt Vile, a footstompin’
beat and word-smith Joshua Baumgarten‘s expressive storytelling it becomes an
electrifying humdinger, after a couple of spins.

Play.


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14. ‘Wild Bird’ by THE CORAL (Liverpool, UK)


(Press photo via Maintain Perspective PR)

The singular psych-folk-pop-rock wanderers released, this year,
one of their best albums ever with Sea Of Mirrors

Wild Bird is The Coral at its relaxing best. A characteristic psych-pop gem
that pleased my ears on repeat since it came out. Breezy and heartwarming,
causing an I-feel-so-much-better-now thrill in the end.

Watch/listen.

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15. ‘Now And Then’ by THE BEATLES (Liverpool, UK)

Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr worked in 1979 on the demo
of this previously unreleased John Lennon beauty, but didn’t finish it at the time.

Now, using advanced technology and a curatorial touch, McCartney
and Starr have completed what they started with George, and turned
it into a fully orchestrated nugget of a love song

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16. ‘Nice To Say Hello’ by THE ROGUES (Wales)

This young outfit from Newport, Wales drew TUTV’s
attention in an eye/earblink with Nice To Say Hello.

It’s only their 3rd single, but this young team sounds as if they’ve been
around for years. Nice To Say Hello is a top-pop thrill. Irresistibly catchy
and captivatingly melodic. Layers of glimmering guitars with an endearing
resonance, that brings, yes, Noel Gallagher’s strumming play of his solo
work to mind.

The charming vocals and the infectious chorus
make the sonic picture complete. Fabulous feat.

Say hello to The Rogues.


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17. ‘Freedom’ by CHIC CHOC (NYC)

Chic Choc are three musically seasoned Amazons from NYC using drum machines,
synthesizers, guitars, voice and a variety of sound filters and pedals to make
their point.

Freedom is their crystal clear debut single that criticizes, 200% rightly so, the fact that women still have to fight for so many fundamental rights. It’s bloody 2023 and so much female injustice is still a reality.

Sonically it’s a striking EBM earworm to fill dance floors with. Brisk beats, cool chorus, sensuous vocals and a protesting choir, combine for a spirited piece. Bang-on.

Le freak, c’est chique choc.


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18. ‘You’re So Cool’ by KAT KOAN (Berlin, Germany)

This Berlin-based songstress released her arresting debut full-length
LUSTPRINZIP last year. This year, she recorded/shared three rad singles.

You’re So Cool (me?) is one of them. A sexy dance stomper with an instant impact on your hip movements. And, as usual, Koan‘s sultry voice tickles your imagination and makes you light some candlelights, and seduces you to do some shadow-dancing.

Tune in.


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19. ‘Eureka!’ by Band: THE VANITY PROJECT (London, UK)


Photo by Jamie Chapman

The Vanity Project is a London-based queer freak pop duo featuring Flora Jackson and Rob Paterson. The project is a multi-instrumented, multi-genre fever dream fusing new-wave, modern art-pop and PC Music influences with dashes of jangle pop, Latin alternative and drum and bass, dazzling hooks, and wryly humoured dystopian lyrics. All accompanied by eccentric visuals.

‘Eureka!’ was one of the standout singles on their debut album, named
We Never Should Have Come Here, that landed last September.

Combine the madcap vibrancy of Sparks‘ early days and some glamourous
Queen bombast and you’ll scream out loud Eureka!. These misfits produce
eccentric pop pleasure, sonically and lyrically, without mainstream
restrictions.

They sound kooky and look kooky, but make no mistake, this tantalizing
tandem know perfectly well how to fabricate and construct entertaining
music.

Listen/Watch.

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20. ‘103’ by THE KILLS (US/UK)

One of my all-time fav bands, on record and on stage, returned, finally,
this year with their acclaimed LP God Games and this arousing bluesy piece
is one of the highlights.

Watch/listen.

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21. ‘Dead Moon Rising’ by CACTUS FLOWERS (Houston, Texas)

Cactus Flowers is a psych-rock outfit from Houston, Texas fronted by Jessica A.M., whose mother photographed bands for Rolling Stone during the magazine’s counter-culture heyday.

With Dead Moon Rising we get a mid-tempo garage blues-rock corker fuelled
by echoing, rollicking riffs, steady drum hits and arresting Jessica A.M. vocals.
This raw cracker resonates like glorious legends The Cramps in slo-mo with a
mean machine vibe, rock-and-psycho-billy swagger and hefty dynamics. From
bad moon rising to dead moon rising.

Let’s roll.


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22. ‘Lunar Eclipse by THE VACCINES (UK)


(Photo by Turn Up the Volume – Lokerse Feesten, Belgium – 2022)

The British guitar pop idols will make their fans happy with their new, sixth
full-length, baptized Pick-Up Full Of Pink Carnations out on 12 January 2024.

This is one of the 4 singles they dropped so far. It’s The Vaccines alright.
Sickly sticky guitar euphoria. Totally crazy.

Yes.

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23. ‘Spellbinding’ by THE SMASHING PUMPKINS (US)

With this year’s three-part rock opera Atum chief
pumpkin Billy Corgan released one of his sonic dreams.

And with Spellbinding the band delivered a robust rocker infused with radiant synths, exploding now and then into a feverish haymaker on the flaming chorus and ending
with a dreamy fade out.

C’mon, Billy.


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24. ‘Heart On’ by 2LIBRAS (Seattle, WA)

2LIBRAS is a Seattle-based Cyberpunk duo that create dark, synthy beats infused with melodic guitars and vocal harmony since 2018. Their music infuses genres of industrial, dark electro, synthwave/synthpop and rock.

Heart On was one of the singles of their notable debut album World’s End.

It just was the best 2023 Valentine tune. An intoxicating mid-tempo groover. Both spicy and funky, lustful and provocative with hypnotizing vocals. Its slow-mo synth-bass beat crawls under your skin, and progresses steadily towards your restlessly pounding motor while your mind tries to figure out what is going on. Amorous communication isn’t easy, let your heart do the talking. It’s made for it.

Roll the tape.

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25. ‘‘A Feather Of A Pigeon In The Cave Of The Wisdom Of God’ by LIGHT BY THE SEA (The Netherlands)

The Dutch duo offered an intriguing pop symphony with this weirdly titled composition.

Scintillating electronic bliss, beautifully orchestrated.
And the accompanying video is a classy and subtly
sexy visualization. Top achievement.

Listen/watch.

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TUTV: Facebook – Instagram – Twitter

Turn Up The Volume’s 20 BEST TRACKS – OCTOBER 2023

Posted on by JL

Best of the best of October 2023

ALL TOGETHER


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TRACK BY TRACK

1. ‘Sometimes, I Swear’ by THE VACCINES (UK)


(Press photo)

The celebrated British indie rockers prepare for the launch
of their 6th LP, titled ‘Pick-Up Full Of Pink Carnations’, with this
new stonker, bringing the sonic euphoria of The Killers to mind.

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2. ‘The Dancer’ by IDLES (Bristol, UK)


Press photo

The Bristol punks announced the release of
their 5th LP. They named it Tangk and is slated
for release on 16 February 2024.

First appetizer Dancer features backing vocals from
LCD Soundsystem’s James Murphy and Nancy Whang.

From now on you can dance to Idles.

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3. ‘In Slow-Motion’ by EX-HYENA (Boston, MA)

This synth-pop duo is warming up for their third full length ‘A Kiss of the Mind’

Lead single ‘In Slow Motion’ is dark-synth-wave pizazz at its haunting best.
Booming beats rotate on and on towards a full orchestral plangency while
shadowy vocals add even more sinister vibes.

Score!

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4. ‘Mouth Yellow’ by PHUTURE MEMORIEZ (New York, US)

These masked synth-punk freaks from Vancouver (CA)
produce lots of mayhem on their new album Play Cobra.
One of the 5 best albums of the month on TUTV’s list.

Mouth Yellow is one of the crazy corkers.
Fasten your seatbelt, folks. It’s a rough ride.


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5. ‘TK421’ by LENNY KRAVITZ (US)

The veteran superstar born Leonard Albert Kravitz in New York City 59 years
ago has his new longplayer – a double one – dubbed ‘Blue Electric Light’ out
on 15 March 2024.

On the video for the first taster ‘TK421’ Kravitz
drops his towel and shakes a lot of body parts.

Rock your ass off, Lenny.

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6. ‘Downtown Operation’ by DUBINSKI (Edinburgh, Scotland)

Four brothers who’ve literally been through everything together – from childhood
through adolescence, success and grief – using music as the gel to hold them in place.

This first cut from their forthcoming 2nd album is a pure not-so-happy
pop pearl about the doom and gloom era we’re living in.

Its whirling groove, its ebullient beat, its glistering synth flashes, its vivacious
harmonies and last but not least its tremendously infectious chorus combine
for a top-notch earworm. Think Everything Everything and/or Hot Chip turning
up the heat.

Watch/listen.

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7. ‘lie’ by MILLIE MILNER & THE DEADNAMES (Manchester, UK)


Photo Credit: Izzy Clayton

Beginning as a solo project and growing into a band, Millie Milner & The Deadnames
of Manchester, UK was forged with a stronger mission at the heart to be the queer representation that the band’s members struggled to find in their own teenage years.

Lie was inspired by a breakup of Milner‘s and co-penned by a friend. It tells of
a need to take ownership of their life and their choices and the newfound element
of fun and recklessness they found themselves surrounded by as a newly single
person.

It’s indie at its vivid best. Sparkling guitars going berserk now and then, firm
drum hits, crystal clear vocals/harmonies, evocative lyrics, and a steamy chorus.

Clap your hands.

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8. ‘Plastic Punks’ by AUTOGRAMM (Seattle, Chicago and Vancouver)


Photo by Dave Paterson

This Vancouver pop-punks have, so far, 2 albums
on their résumé and #3 waiting in the pipeline.

But first this old-school punk chant.
It’s fun, it’s witty, it’s pogo time.

Jump.

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9. ‘Dream Job’ by YARD ACT (Leeds, UK)

These British indies shot to the top like a comet
last year with their ace debut LP The Overload.

Dream Job is a chirpy harbinger for album number two,
baptized ‘Where’s My Utopia’ shows up on 1 March 2024.

Tune in.

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10. ‘Dead Moon Rising‘ by CACTUS FLOWERS (Houston, Texas)

This psych-rock act is fronted by Jessica A.M., whose mother photographed bands for
the legendary Rolling Stone music weekly during the magazine’s counter-culture heyday.

Their new sultry mid-tempo garage blues-rock corker is fuelled by echoing, rollicking
riffs, steady drum hits and bewitching Jessica A.M. vocals. Dead Moon Rising resonates
like glorious legends The Cramps with a mean machine vibe, rock-and-psycho-billy
swagger and footstompin’ dynamics. From bad moon rising to dead moon rising.

Check in.


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11. ‘Run Run Run’ by THE LIBERTINES (London, UK)

The Libs met in the studio once again for a new LP.
It’s been 8 years since the release of their 3rd album
Anthems For Doomed Youth, which was their first
in 11 years back then.

Their new one ‘All Quit On The Easter Esplanade‘
and comes our way on 8 March 2024.

Run Run Run is a sickly sticky runner.
A vintage Libertines anthem.

Let’s roll.

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12. ‘Violence’ by EMPTY HEAD (Belgium)

Two years after the release of their charged self-titled debut EP Empty Head are
back with a brand new follow-up EP named Tales Of A Modern Man. A 5-track
one anchored by the overarching theme of the Modern Man and bristling with
a wiry tension.

Opener Violence sets the tone with its hammering beats, its inflammable
guitar galvanism and frontman Simon Galloy‘s sky-scraping vocals.

Strike!

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13. ‘Gift Wrap’ by GAS KÜNST (UK)

Garage punk misfits from Cheshire, UK produced 2 EPs so far them out here.

And on this new speedball they go fast forward, with sharp-teethed
gusto, with high-voltage garage dash and biting vocals. All burners on.

Bang-on.


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14. ‘Sowieso F***ed’ by USE KNIFE Belgium/Iraq)

This Belgian/Iraqi launched their excellent debut
full length The Shedding Of Skin, last year.

Their new piece is “a cynical “c’est-la-vie” anthem, set to a heavy 95 BPM beat and a disarray
of fucked up samples & sounds, about ten little wanderers who wander kilometers from home trying to belong. But home is where the heart is. And the House will never share its wealth.”

The release was initiated before the brutal reality of the genocide happening in Gaza.
Now, the cynical message must make way for solidarity with the Palestinian people.”

Expect a both haunting and hypnotic trip, with ominous slo-mo beats pounding
relentlessly with eerie chants all over it. Dark clouds in the air, calm before the storm, subdued electronic anger. It’s an alarming beast of a track.

Fuck all war-greedy political leaders.

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15. ‘Man Of The Hour’ by FRANK CARTER & THE RATTLESNAKES


Press photo

Carter and Co release their fifth LP Dark Rainbow on 26 January 2024.

First single Man Of The Hour is a gorgeous surprise. Sonically and vocally
we get the softer side of the post-hardcore punk and tattoo artist. A super
duper ballad.

Sing it loud.

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16. ‘Birthday Cake’ by TEEN IDLE (Boston)


Photo by Samantha Abdelbarry

Abdelbarry: “The song reflects on having a friend who is acting in immature
ways you’ve outgrown, but knowing they still need your support and friendship.”

It features on her new notable album Nonfiction.

Birthday Cake is slow-progressing musing that appeals instantly with its
rudimentary PJ Harvey-esque guitar play and Abdelbarry‘s affectional voice.
The song has both a romantic and wistful sonority that captivates and moves.
And halfway melancholic synths accentuate the overall ruminate timbre in
an endearing way.

Arresting.


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17. ‘Can’t Break You’ by CALEB ORR (Alabama, US)

Caleb Orr is a young skilled country-pop-rock singer-songwriter who grew up in Helena, Alabama. He found his passion for music at a young age. He and his two older siblings were raised on music legends like Alan Jackson, Van Halen, Johnny Cash and Waylon Jennings.

Great voice, great musicality, and great guitar play, echoing classic country
melancholia, and proving that the genre is simply timeless. As we all know, music can
have a healing, comforting and cathartic power and it also works here as Orr wants
to shake off bad habits of the past and want to focus on the future as a compelling
singer-songwriter.

Rad debut.

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18. ‘My Girls My Girls’ by THE KILLS (US/UK)


(Photo by Turn Up The Volume – Amsterdam, 2016)

Blues-rock tandem Jamie Hince and Alison Mosshart are finally
back in town. Their 6th, marvelous LP God Games came out
last week.

One of my fav tracks is this sweet little gem.


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19. ‘Dusty Road’ by THE LAST HURRAH (!!) (Norway)

This is the brainchild of seasoned Norwegian singer-songwriter Hans Petter Gundersen

Dusty Road is a smooth mid-tempo country musing with a bluesy feel and both
a melancholic and yearning sensitivity. Warm voice, captivating melody, vintage
pedal steel guitar charm. All the matching ingredients for a warm sepia-colored
nugget.

Nostalgic Americana the Norwegian way.

It features on his brand new full lenght Modern Nostalgia.


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20. ‘Landlord’ by ALREADY DEAD (Boston, MA)


Photo Credit: Brian Ferrazzani

Dan Cummings fronts Boston’s rowdy trio Already Dead

No wall-of-Already-Dead-dynamite electricity this time. Cummings
picked up his acoustic guitar and wrote this bone-chilling cry-out
about living on the edge of drowning or surviving.

Imagine British leftist/political activist and terrific veteran songsmith Billy Bragg
raising his voice or equally politically driven folk legend Woody Guthrie killing fascists
again with his wooden guitar. Landlord‘s profound emotions go from hope to despair
and back, and Cummings‘ anxious vocals send shivers down your spine.

Captivating.

TUTV: Facebook – Instagram – Twitter

TURN UP THE VOLUME’s JUKEBOX 2023 – 10 New Tracks Added Every Week

Posted on by JL

Every week 10 new rad tracks added

In order to not miss a beat Turn Up The Volume scans the musical
horizon daily (doing it for years now, actually) to stay in touch with
all new things sonically great and shares the results on a weekly
basis.

Check the 10 new rad cuts just
added to this rad 2023 playlist.

ALL TOGETHER

Steam to Spotify and stream.


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TRACK-BY-TRACK

1. ‘The Dancer’ by IDLES (Bristol, UK)


Press photo

Bristol punks IDLES have worked their
way up since 2018 with 4 splendid albums.

And the recordings of number 5 are finished. The new one
is baptized TANGK and materialises on 16 February 2024.

The first single named DANCER features backing vocals
from LCD Soundsystem’s James Murphy and Nancy Whang.

Dance.

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2.’Gone’ by SLEEK TEETH (Los Angeles)

This darkwave/electro/EBM  duo just released their booming debut single ‘Gone’.

ST: “Gone is an awakening of sorts, a shift in consciousness that hits like a fever dream.
There’s no promise of some enlightening revelation to come, and it’s that terrifying feeling
of losing your grip on reality where real transformation can take place.”

It’s a striking debut that triggers all of your limbs to get up, stand up, and fight
for your right to party in the dark. References? D.A.F. (Deutsch-Amerikanische
Freundschaft ) and Clan Of Xymox

Stream/buy.


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3. ‘We Got To Move’ by LOL TOLHURST BUDGIE producer JACKNIFE LEE (UK/Los Angeles)

New supergroup featuring former The Cure drummer Lol Torhust,
Budgie, former Siouxsie and the Banshees drummer and Siouxsie‘s ex-husband,
and Irish music producer Jacknife Lee launch their debut LP Los Angeles
on November 3.

This 3rd appetizer is another dancefloor knockout
with Modest Mouse’s Isaac Brock on vocals.

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4. ‘R.E.T.R.O.’ by SAM SHERDEL (Sheffield, UK)

Sherdel: “”R.E.T.R.O” was written in 2021 after the initial lockdowns. It’s a bittersweet pop record which contains the message to appreciate what you have whilst you have it, as the moment it’s gone is the moment it hurts.”

This is the kind of song that your ears embrace on first hearing. An impassioned
riff ripper with an effervescent tempo, feverish vocals – think Stereophonics‘ dynamizing voice Kelly Jones – and a puissant refrain, think the vivid drive of Americana hero John Mellencamp. Touchdown!

The accompanying video is a romantic beauty.

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5. ‘House Of Pain’ by THE BATTERY FARM (Manchester, UK)

The British gutter punk 4-piece have their 12th single out, since hitting the scene in 2019.

“It’s a song about survival, a song that kicks back against the shame imposed on all of us who are scraping by in an ongoing and worsening cost of greed crisis. You do what you have to survive, and how dare anyone in a position of privilege look down their nose.”

House Of Pain is a chaotic slash and smash haymaker, a left/right uppercut, with schizophrenic guitars, crazed drumming, and a vocalist that screams his lungs out.
No rest for the wicked.

Tune in.
Start a moshpit.


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6. ‘Devil Comes In Colour’ by FRAKARD (Cardiff, Wales)

“Devil Comes in Colour was the first song that Frakard ever wrote. Singer Ben and Guitarist Ben sat facing the open window of his flat, and it poured out of us. It means exactly what you think it does – it resides in a world of drugs, women and darkness. It sat dormant for years until we felt confident enough to revisit and perfect it. It is the 2nd in a series of 3 singles about the stages of a relationship, showcasing its rise and fall. It began with ‘Come With Me?’ earlier this year and will culminate in 2024.”

WOWZERS! Be ready for a jagged mid-tempo jackhammer with hectic
guitar hooks, frantic drumming, razor-edged vocals and a vociferous
chorus.

Unleash the devil.


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7. ‘Run Run Run’ by THE LIBERTINES (London, UK)


Press photo

THE LIBERTINES are active once again. It’s been 8 years since the release of their
3rd album Anthems For Doomed Youth, which was their first in 11 years back then.

So great news for the Libs fans. The new longplayer is named ALL QUIET ON THE EASTERN ESPLANADE and will be launched on 8 March 2024. Pre-order info

RUN RUN RUN is a sickly sticky runner.
A vintage Libertines anthem. Hail hail.

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8. ‘Stockholm’ by CACTUS FLOWERS (USA)

This Houston psych-rock outfit have their sophomore
full-length Elation out on November 17th.


Album artwork

But first this new single. Frontwoman/bandleader Jessica A.M. channels the power of a live volcano through her guitar rig, her tone pouring through your speakers like scorching lava. Meanwhile, her mystical lyrics convey a dreamlike, starry-eyed romanticism spiked with a bite of attitude.

Stockholm‘s circles around a trance-inducing, magnetic riff – think Yo La Tengo – and
rings deliriously on the chorus with vitalizing vocals. Top-notch score!

Listen up.


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9. ‘Lie’ by MILLIE MILNER & THE DEADNAMES (Manchester, UK)


Photo Credit: Izzy Clayton

Beginning as a solo project and growing into a band, Millie Milner & The Deadnames
of Manchester, UK was forged with a stronger mission at the heart…to be the queer representation that the band’s members struggled to find in their own teenage years.

Edi Milner (frontperson): “For me the band is all about the bigger picture. It’s more
than music, it’s a home for people like us that often struggle to find a place to fit in.”

Lie was inspired by a breakup of Milner’s and co-penned by a friend, “lie” tells of
a need to take ownership of their life and their choices and the newfound element
of fun and recklessness they found themselves surrounded by as a newly single
person.

It’s indie at its vivid best. Sparkling guitars going berserk now and then, firm
drum hits, crystal clear vocals/harmonies, evocative lyrics, and a banging chorus.

Check in.
Clap your hands.

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10. ‘Feelin Sorry‘ by MY MORNNG JACKET (USA)

MMJ: “We have always loved music that celebrates the many feelings that come rushing in during the holiday season. Long ago we recorded an EP for itunes but it was never pressed on vinyl so this year for Record Store Day Black Friday next month we thought it would be fun to re-release these tunes.”

The EP will feature two new tracks. One of them is this
nostalgic and romantic Xmassy ballad, named ‘Feelin Sorry’.

Enjoy.


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See/hear you next week, music junkies

TUTV: Facebook – Instagram – Twitter
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CACTUS FLOWERS – Psycho-And-Rockabilly Act Moves And Grooves On New Single ‘DEAD MOON RISING’

Posted on by JL

Daily electricity to load your batteries

30 September 2023

Band: CACTUS FLOWERS
Who: Psych-rock act from Houston, Texas fronted by Jessica A.M., whose mother photographed bands for Rolling Stone during the magazine’s counter-culture heyday.

TUTV: Expect a sultry mid-tempo garage blues-rock corker fuelled by echoing, rollicking riffs, steady drum hits and bewitching Jessica A.M. vocals. Dead Moon Rising resonates like glorious legends The Cramps in slo-mo with a mean machine vibe, rock-and-psycho-billy swagger and footstompin’ dynamics. From bad moon rising to dead moon rising.

Put your black leather jacket on, smear your hair with gel, shake your hips like Elvis
did and pretend you’re rock ‘n’ roll star for 4.44 minutes. Feels cool, right? You betcha.

STREAM.

BUY


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CACTUS FLOWERS: Facebook – Instagram
TUTV: Facebook – Instagram – Twitter