TURN UP THE VOLUME’s 20 Best Tracks – APRIL 2023

ALL TOGETHER
on Spotify.

.
TRACK BY TRACK

1. Beefcake Doctrine by CHUM (London, UK)

Chum are a pretty kooky combo that got my ears trembling with joy with their
grooves-filled debut LP a few weeks ago. Its lead single Beefake Doctrine is a
manic mind-twister with its trancy beats creating a mesmeric and puzzling
razzmatazz you can’t and you won’t run from.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

3. ‘LADS LADS LADS’ by LAMBRINI GIRLS (Brighton, UK)


(Press photo © Bridie Florence)

Who? Three don’t mess with us punk feminists from Brighton
with glam and utterly cool duo Phoebe and Lily in the middle.

They’re fiery Riot grrls wearing their feminist hearts on their sleeves.
Expect primal screams and unbridled in-your-face punk turmoil.

All male machos better hide ’cause this clamorous
uppercut will kick their asses painfully.

Hell yeah.

.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________

3. ‘1.18’ by OPUS KINK (London)


(Photo by Turn Up the Volume)

With 1:18 these post-punk-rock misfits dropped a neurotic caterwaul that goes forth and back with burning pzazz. Monomaniacal vocalist Angus Rogers gets worked up to an almost hysterical level and sounds like a tormented and obsessed soul and the band’s horn duo blow their lungs out with nerve-racking urgency. Blimey!

.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________

4. ‘My Illusion’ by ELECTRIC CIRCUS (Newcastle, UK)

My Illusion is a head-banging and riff-crushing jackhammer that makes
your fists pump in the air, makes your legs shake, and triggers you to check out
your vocal cords’ potential. Ignore your illusions, just get real and get out to party.

For those about to rock Electric Circus salute you.

.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________

5. ‘Dead And Over‘ by DOWN THE LEES (Canada)

DTL’s mastermind LL Schultz‘s expresses her frustration and stressful state of mind
caused by those two claustrophobic pandemic years with this high-strung cry out. Its ominous mid-tempo progression, its swelling intensity advancing over an ongoing
hypnotic guitar riff and her sky-scraping send shivers down your spine.

Lockdown threw Schultz to the mat, but it couldn’t
knock her out and she’s back stronger than ever.

Alive and kicking!


.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________

6. ‘The Snitching Hour’ by DEADLETTER (London)


(Promo photo)

London‘s up-and-coming young dogs DEADLETTER rattle on repeat
on this rad ripper spiced with relentless vocality, a sensuous saxophone,
a pumping bass and a sickly sticky chorus. 5-star punk funk.

Tune in.

.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________

7. ‘Sub’ by DEEPER (Chicago)

With Sub these Chicago dudes sound like a cross between legends Gang Of Four and Parquet Courts. It’s a riff motherrocker making your head spin uncontrollably. On top of it comes the singer’s highly tense vocal performance. Don’t miss this holy smoke cracker.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

8. ‘Complain!’ by HYPOTHETICS (Bristol)


Photo credit: Holly Whittaker

These noisy indies from Bristol, UK Post-punk at its sharp-cutting best. Neurotic guitars and frenetic drums alternated with freaked-out vocals, rhythm changes that drive you nuts, an instrumental Devo-esque intermezzo and a mind-boggling climax. I have nothing whatsoever to complain about.

Listen/watch.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

9. ‘Your Death Is My Glory’ by CAMLANN

Who? A socially caring dark disco duo featuring
Ony Godfrey and Fauzan Pratama from Indonesia.

Your Death Is My Glory is about political hypocrisy
that suppresses the common people for their own
benefit.

It’s a steamed-up disco corker. A catchy-as-hell boomer that
accelerates your bloodstream. An irresistible tune to jump up
and down to like mad while giving the middle finger to all
power-greedy politicians.

The video is a DIY rapid-eye-movement tour de force.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

10. ‘All Of A Sudden’ by THE CHEMICAL BROTHERS (Manchester, UK)

All Of A Sudden is a B-side that easily could be an A-side. It features on the 12″ of
the previous single No Reason It’s a rotating beats-banger to start and end all
(il)legal raves with. It’ll make your adrenalin production go through the roof.

Dance, dance, dance.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

11. ‘Cars’ by LUNAR TWIN (US)

Lunar Twin‘s new full-length opus Aurora is an ideal
companion to relax with when the twilight sets.

One of the highlights and my favorite track Cars is a trippy dreamwave
with tingling guitars, scintillating synths, and near-whispering voice
combining for a top-notch vibration.


.
12. ‘Juicy Lips ‘ by FIESTA ALBA (Rome, Italy)

This masked Italian dance act describe themselves as “losers on a planet
where nobody really wins. He who has nothing to lose cannot lose anything.”

They recently released a must-hear 5-track EP with Juicy Lips as one of the 5 highlights.
A capricious crackerjack for nightclubs where misfits, dropouts, eccentrics and other related outsiders have a ball. Wicked music for wicked people by wicked madcaps.

Feel the beat.


.
13. ‘High Life’ by BLOC PARTY (UK)

Last year British post-punk combo BLOC PARTY returned with
their sixth longplayer Alpha Games, their first in six years.

They returned now with new track High Life.
A guitar-funky discotheque upper.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

14. ‘I’m Hurt’ by A PLACE TO BURY STRANGERS(NY)

Last year Brooklyn’s notorious noiseniks A PLACE TO BURY STRANGERS,
fronted by mastermind Oliver Ackermann unleashed their manic-maddening
album See Through You, their 6th one.

They decided to invite an impressive cast of musical friends to remix songs
from that album. The collection is named See Trough You: Rerealized. You
can buy it here. The digital version will be available from June 2.

Andy Bell of legendary shoegaze band Ride operating under the moniker
of GLOK is one of the remixes. He picked the psych-mind-bending piece
I’m Hurt and turned it into an ambient techno stunner with Kraut-rock-like
synth rhythms and chainsaw guitar fragments. Score!


Move and Groove.

.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________

15. ‘Gallows’ by VAZUM (Detroit)

Deathgaze duo Zach Pliska and Emily Sturm launched
their 5th album, titled V- a couple of weeks ago.

It’s a greatest hits album consisting of
re-recorded songs from 2020-2022.

One of TUTV’s fav cuts is Gallows resonating like a slowed-down
Siouxsie and The Banshees musing. Enigmatic and haunting.

Watch/listen.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

16. ‘Nine Times Nine’ by THE CRYSTAL TEARDROP (UK)

Who? A British quartet inspired by a mutual passion for the sights,
sounds and creative experimentation of the mid to late 1960s with
its unique blend of garage rock, psychedelia and acid folk.

A 60s colored psych-pop gem that could be written by Californian legends
The Mamas & Papas
. Layered vocals, jangly guitars (playing backward at
one point. Remember The Beatles‘ Tomorrow Never Knows song?), and an
infectious chorus. Play it 81 times.


.

17. ‘What I Lost’ by COWBOY JUNKIES (Canada)

The twang country veterans Tornyo announced
the upcoming release of their 16th LP, baptized
Such Ferocious Beauty

First single WHAT I LOST is a bittersweet sparkler of a song.
Sorrowful and heavy-hearted with Margo Timmins‘s mourning
voice as entrancing as ever.

Enchanting.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

18. A Child’s Question, August’ by PJ HARVEY (UK)


Artwork new album

PJ messaged via her socials her 10th album,
baptized I Inside The Old Year Dying. It lands
on 7 July.

First single A Child’s Question, August sounds like
a stripped track from her ‘Let England Shake‘ LP.

Ominous, somber but also quite magnetic.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

19. ‘Scotch’ by TIRED KID (Canada)


Photo by Laura-Lynn Petrick

“A song inspired by my walks to coffee shops, my friends,
the band TOPS, and the scotch I like to drink!”

Easy-going tunes you can hum and whistle like this one are always welcome on my headphones after having too much noizz buzzing in my ears. Scotch is a laid-back, jaunty, and happy-go-lucky melody enriched with sunlit guitar play. Perfect for a walk in the city on a lazy Spring day. Kelly‘s mellow voice sounds like it was meant to sing devil-may-care songs like this one. Canadacana at its strolling best. Bottoms up!

Watch/listen.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

20. ‘Monkey Gone To Heaven GmBt LIFE (France)

To celebrate the first anniversary of their debut album
10 Minutes GmbtLife decided to cover a Pixies classic.

They picked one of their best-known songs, Monkey Gone To Heaven from 1989. Their take is pretty special and surprising. They decelerated it and added subtle piano play, distorted guitars, and low-pitched vocals.

5 Reasons Why You Should Discover Brighton’s Kick-Ass LAMBRINI GIRLS

24 April 2023

Turn Up The Volume will give you 5 reasons why it would be a fucking shame not to know/enjoy the a.w.e.s.o.m.e. LAMBRINI GIRLS. Three punk-crazy Amazons from Brighton, UK with vox/guitarist Phoebe Lunny and bassist Lilly Macieira upfront, recently named by imperishable legend Iggy Pop as his new favorite band. Actually, that alone should be enough to realise how fucking good they are.

Here we go.

1. Their trash-and-crash havoc makes you want to start a one-man/woman moshpit from the moment it erupts from your stereo. So far they released 3 stunning uppercuts that grab you by the throat without asking. Check them on Spotify.

2. They get in the ugly faces, with sharp-teethed panache, of male machos,
LGBT-phobics, and all other intolerant scumbags. Watch your back LADS.


.
3. Sonically they combine the sassy spirit of riot grrls Bikini Kill, the biting bitchiness of Courtney Love, the primal screams of X-Ray Spex‘s late genial vox Poly Sterene , and the unbridled DIY mentality of The Slits.

4. Live, as I witnessed, last Saturday in my hometown of Ghent (Belgium) LG are explosive punkettes with loudmouthed Phoebe Lunny more off than on stage interacting with the audience. These girls’ kick-ass bravado went (almost) through the roof. Their spunky swagger and their intrepid presence was flabergasting the whole set through.

5. As I experienced before and after the gig Lambrini Girls are for real, they’re big fun, they are totally open-minded, they’re great human beings and they like Belgian beer. Hail Hail!

An idea of their live puissance.

Picture This
April 22, Kinky Star Club, Ghent


1-2-3


“Get ready, I’m coming”


“Listen up, lads”


Turning up the bass


Getting high

LG: Instagram – Facebook

(Live photos by Turn Up The Volume)

Brighton’s LAMBRINI GIRLS Raise Middle-Finger For All Male Machos With Their New Hammer Blow ‘LADS LADS LADS’

Daily electricity to load your batteries

19 April 2023


(Press photo © Bridie Florence)

Band: LAMBRINI GIRLS
Who: Three don’t mess with us
punk feminists from Brighton where you
encounter more bands than normal civilians.

New single: LADS LADS LADS
New hammer blow from their upcoming EP.

“In order to be a lad, make sure to follow the following guidelines: excessive drinking, harassing anyone with a pulse and starting fights. Most importantly, make sure to never talk about your feelings as this simply cannot be associated with manliness. Lad culture is the shit stain on the bathroom floor and toxic masculinity is the toilet paper that refuses to unstick from the shoe of society. Nobody wins.”

TUTV: The sassy spirit of fiery Riot grrls, the primal screams of X-Ray Spex‘s late genial vox Poly Sterene , 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 a loud and clear clamorous uppercut. Trash and slash punk turmoil. Holy fucking smoke! I can’t wait to see them this Saturday, from the front row, in my hometown of Ghent (Belgium).

Press play.
Feel the fury.

Also st(r)eaming on Spotify


.