Lossline

5 BEST ALBUMS OF THE MONTH – JULY 2024

Posted on by JL

2 August 2024

Band: KASABIAN
Who: Veteran rockers from Leicester, UK.
One of the best bands of the past 25 years,
on record and on stage, in my book.

Album: HAPPENINGS
Their 8th one, also their
8th number one in the UK.

TUTV: Since former frontman Tom Meighan left the group in 2020, Kasabian‘s wild drugs-fueled hedonistic days are over. Well, sort of. Yes, all 10 songs are disco-dance spiced stompers, but not the Taylor Swift way. Many decibels and pyrotechnics are still involved like on Call, How Far Will You Go, and Hello of It.

Half of the tracks are tailor-made for big festivals, stadiums, and other mammoth happenings where fans want to forget the daily rat race for a while. As Serge puts
it : “Art, for me, is relaxation – I panic when I’m not doing it.”.

SINGLE

ALBUM


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Band: EX-HYENA (Boston, MA)
Who: The musical project of Bo Barringer and Reuben Bettsak that started in 2020, surfacing through the haze of a global pandemic and illuminated by the city’s darkest corners.

Album: A KISS OF THE MIND,
Their 3rd one.

Press info: A Kiss of the Mind skillfully captures the trademark Ex-Hyena combination of dark electronic, post-punk attitude mixed with the moody aura of the underground ‘80s
and a future-noir vision. But the record finds the project exploring a wider sonic landscape, with sprinkles of synth-pop, shoegaze, industrial, psychedelic, soul, trip-hop, Britpop, and more filtered through the Ex-Hyena sound lens, where heavy beats and razorsharp synths cascade through a hall of mirrors underneath a dual vocal melody attack.

Bettsak: “These songs are a bit longer and more expansive than the previous songs. There
was a bit more experimentation, and throwing lots of styles into the fold. I think we operate better when we don’t set any strict rules on genres, etc. We let the music, and songs guide us.”

TUTV: Once again Ex-Heyna take you on an EBM journey through the Apocalyptic war
times we live in. Surely, you can dance, move and groove to their new trippy pieces of orchestral manoeuvres in the dark, but the shadowy tone and timbre of this new record resonate like a fitting soundtrack for the ongoing disturbing turmoil we experience.

Expect a versatile mix of ambient vibes, wayward dynamics à la Aphex Twin, and early Human League eurhythmics all served with a twilight vocality. No rest for the wicked. We also need dance music in grim times. Enter A Kiss Of The Mind.


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Artist: JOHNNY CASH
Album: SONGWRITER

The late great country icon JOHNNY CASH recorded
an LP’s worth of self-penned songs in 1993 that weren’t
released until now.

TUTV: It’s always an aural pleasure to hear Cash‘s heart-and-soul warming
Americana voice. Whether it’s a romantic ballad, a jaunty country tune or a
(rare) rocker his vocals/phrasing both stir and calm down my mind.

All 11 songs at play here are definitely no leftovers from some studio sessions.
Each track charms and endears. Imagine sitting on a swing chair on a cosy porch surrounded by green trees and a soft sun, with a bottle of red wine at hand and
the masterly Songwriter Johnny Cash as your musical friend.


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Band: LOSSLINE
Who: Manchester-based singer/songwriter tandem, Jack and Adam,
who look around, inside and outside, every day and write songs about
it, mostly sad songs.

New album: LOSSLINE

“Our third album came about through us changing the way we write. Lots of the songs
were written as instrumentals and then the vocals were thought about afterwards. We
still write as a duo but we’re in the same room less and less.

In terms of themes it draws a lot from our day to day experiences. Feeling like we’re getting
a bit old to be going out. Finding the daily grind to be wearing us down. The joys and difficulties of having children. We drew a lot of inspiration from the work of Bill Ryder Jones who uses melody and time changes beautifully to create really strong emotional songs.”

TUTV: These two Manchester songwriters make you reach for your favorite drink,
make you dim the lights, make you go and sit down in your lazy chair, and make
you relax to melancholic, day-and-night-dreams with sepia-colored candlelight
vocals, but this time it happens a bit less than before. Mind you, they do not
start to rock out like mad.

On Again they resonate like weirdo Mark Oliver Everett and his band Eels and on
standout pearls I Can’t See Pass Monday, Heavy Rain and Sticking Point they cause goosebumps with affecting choir-like orchestrations, inspired as they say by intimate songsmith Bill Ryder-Jones, co-founder of Liverpool‘s romantic musers The Coral.

Listen to his heavy-hearted gem This Can’t Go On and you’ll know what they and
I mean. And as I mentioned before famous crooners The National and the softest
moments of The War On Drugs are floating around here and there too on this
splendid Lossline album 3.

SINGLE

ALBUM


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Artists: POEJI
Who: German drummer Simon Popp and jazz-loving, Mongolia-born singer/musician Enji. Both were/are involved in several solo, as well as collaborative projects.

Album: NANT

The first result of their collaboration. Nant is music without borders or constraints, translated in various languages, such as the Slovenian word for ‘sing’ or the rough Japanese translation to ‘poetry’, whilst the album title is an old Welsh word for a stream or a valley. Parts of Enji’s vocals on the record are sung in her native Mongolian, whilst Simon Popp explores melody via various tuned percussion from around the world. They have created a truly universal album, pulling inspiration from German avant-garde, dub, downtempo and musique concrete.

Popp: “Nant is our shared exploration, merging our diverse backgrounds into an unconventional yet distinctive soundscape. It’s a deeply personal journey through
unique, atmospheric sounds that unite our individual worlds.”

Enji: “If this record takes you to places where you encounter “a quiet inner speech,” “unexpected messages,” or thoughts of “nothing to say, let the music speak,” then perhaps that’s precisely what we’ve been aiming for.”

TUTV: I never heard of both artists before, but I’m thrilled that I discovered them recently.
The fruit of their first musical partnership is special, nothing to do with the modern-day mainstream music.

Two things came to mind while listening to Nant for the first time. The title of Simon
and Garfunkel‘s majestic 1965 hit Sound Of Silence and the superb, romantic 2003
movie Lost In Translation.

Meditation, relaxation, peacefulness, atmospheric inventiveness and mind-massage
are the keywords here. Nant is an ideal sonic companion for soothing evenings, far
away from the busy reality we experience every single day.

SINGLE

STREAM/BUY


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Popp: Instagram
Enji: Instagram

Turn Up The Volume’s 20 BEST BALLADS OF 2023

Posted on by JL

Best ballads, reveries and lullabies of 2023

ALL TOGETHER


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TRACK-BY-TRACK

1. ‘My Submission’ by DEXYS (Birmingham, UK)


(Photo by Turn Up The Volume – Roma, Antwerp – 1 October 2023)

From the The Feminine Divine album

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2. ‘Once Upon A Poolside’ by THE NATIONAL (Cincinnati, US)

From their Two Pages Of Frankenstein LP

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3.’Morning Show’ by IGGY POP (US)

From his album Every Loser


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4.’Only Friend’ by VIAGRA BOYS (Sweden)


(Photo by Turn Up The Volume)

From their album Cave World – Deluxe edition


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5. ‘Date Night’ by LOSSLINE (Manchester)

Twitter

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6. ‘A Little Bit’ by MILES FROM NOWHERE (Hamilton, Ontario)

From his debut album Slow Down

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7. ‘Man Of The Hour’ by FRANK CARTER & THE RATTLESNAKES (UK)

From upcoming LP Dark Rainbow

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8. ‘Sweet Sounds Of Heaven’ by THE ROLLING STONES feat. LADY GAGA


(Photo by Turn Up The Volume – Brussels, 2021)

From the Hackney Diamonds album

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9. ‘When The Cynics Stare Back From The Wall’ by BELLE AND SEBASTIAN (Scotland)

From the band’s Late Developers LP


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10. ‘On Me’ by 32 TENS (UK)

Instagram


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11. ‘Can’t Outrun The Truth’ by PETE TOWNSHEND (UK)

Stand-alone single

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12. ‘Lonely Town’ by PAUL SIMONON and GALEN AYERS (UK)

From the duo’s album Can We Do Tomorrow Another Day?

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13. ‘Fingerprints’ by TREMENDOUS (Birmingham, UK)

Instagram

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14. ‘(Salt King) 0>1’ by DENNI IAN (Denmark)

From his Salt King album

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15. ‘Sphere’ by DESERT LIFE (West Wales)

Instagram

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

Instagram

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17. ‘Night Of The Hunter’ by THE LIBERTINES (UK)

From their upcoming LP All Quiet On The Eastern Esplanade

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18.’ Thinking About You’ by BECK (US)

Stand-alone single

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19. ‘The Silent’ by ANNIE CAPPS (Chelsea, Michigan, US)

From her How Can I Say This? album

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20. ‘Hurt A Fly’ by JUNEBUG (Brooklyn, NY)

From her 6-track EP My Therapist Told Me


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LOSSLINE – Moody Manchester Duo With Another Affecting Score ‘I CAN’T SEE PAST MONDAY’

Posted on by JL

New striking strokes

20 October 2023

Band: LOSSLINE
Who: Manchester-based singer/songwriter tandem Jack and Adam. Check out their 2 albums (so far), Fading Affect Bias (2021) and When I Look Out There Are No Stars (2022) on their Spotify account.

New single: I CAN’T SEE PAST MONDAY

TUTV: Following previous standout single Date Night the duo come up again with a moody musing, as they did/do for a couple of years now. The start of this new one confirms their songwriting spirit, meditative with a blue Monday resonance and gentle vocals . Until the expressive chorus pops up. An orchestral effusion with a melodramatic impact. Impressive. No, I never heard a mediocre Lossline song.

Check in.


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LOSSLINE: Twitter – Instagram
TUTV: Facebook – Instagram – Twitter

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

Posted on by JL

Best of the best of September 2023.

ALL TOGETHER


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TRACK-BY-TRACK

1. ‘Crystal Closet Queen’ by PIXIES (Boston, US)


(Photo by Turn Up The Volume)

To celebrate the late genial, eccentric-looking, allround musician Leon Russell,
a 10-track tribute album came out last week, titled A Song For Leon.

Boston’s noise icons Pixies also feature on the LP with their blustering version
of Russell‘s 1971 classic boogie woogie cracker Crystal Closet Queen, which
Black Francis and Co turned into a classic boogie woogie punk cracker.

Dynamite.


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2. ‘Dick In Thanks’ by MORLOCKS (Sweden)


2023 photo by Krichan Wihlbor

Dick in Tanks will feature on the band’s forthcoming
album Praise The Iconoclast, out 6 October via
Metropolis Records

It all starts with warning war sirens, 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. Menacing growls and howls suggest imminent danger and when the clamorous chorus crashes in, it’s time to
go to the battlefield. Midway, all need a breather in order to put fuel in the tank and continue the supersonic attacks will all burners on. War can be fun, in case Morlocks
lead the troops.

Jump in your own tank
and kick dicks’ asses.

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3. ‘Eureka!’ by THE VANITY PROJECT (London)

This queer art-pop duo launch their debut longplayer named
Never Should Have Come Here, next week, on September 29.

Eureka! is the third shared piece from the album.

It combines the madcap vibrancy of Sparks‘ early days and some flipped-out
Queen bombast. The Vanity Project 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 high-freak-quality entertainment.

Bring on the album.

Eureka!

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4. ‘I Want More’ by XTR HUMAN (Germany)

XTR HUMAN is the solo project of German artist Johannes Stabel.
So far he recorded/released 3 albums. Check them out here.

Now he has a new single out, titled I Want More. An EBM brainbreaker that makes
your head spin uncontrollably. An electronic gloom and doom hammer blow to smash
capitalist pigs with.

The accompanying video, directed by German filmmaker
Matthias Landenberger, is an eye-catching spectacle.

Listen/watch.

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5. ‘Better Than Life’ by GRRL GANG (Indonesia)

Last week this young, most exciting Indonesian trio unleashed their ablaze debut album, baptized Spunky! More about it in an upcoming interview with Turn Up The Volume.

One of the standout tracks is Better Than Life.

Angeeta Sentana (vocalist/songwriter): “Being diagnosed with any mental disorder is
not a nice thing to have. I’m still in the process of accepting it as a ‘normal’ part of my life,
but there are times when I would feel super down about it.”

Better Than Life races and rushes for 90 seconds with all engines on. Its razzle-dazzle tempo makes you dizzy, while angry guitars and scary screams in the back have the
force to kick evil demons into oblivion.

Stroke!

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6. ‘Making Me Mad’ by JEEN (Canada)

Canadian rockin’ songstress Jeen‘s sassy single will feature on her new,
5th full length, titled Gold Control, coming our way in February 2024.

Making Me Mad is a mid-tempo burst going up and down, swinging your mood from left to right and back, while you ask yourself if the mind-crushing demons will still haunt you in the end. Human nature stuff, as we know it. I swear I can hear the young out-of-her-head Courtney Love in the back.

Press play.

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7. ‘Danse Macabre’ by DURAN DURAN (UK)

Glam and glitter legends DURAN DURAN have no intention whatsoever to retire.
They canned album number 16, baptized DANCE MACABRE and they will share it
with the world on 27 October.

Danse Macabre is a funky/groovy earworm that combines Goth, psych-o-tic darkwave,
and some hip-rap-hop fragments. Ace. This year’s Halloween will be different, Duran Duran are different, it will be a horror-tastic party.

Here’s why.

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8. ‘103’ by THE KILLS (US/UK)


(Photo by Turn Up The Volume)

It’s been 7 years since iconic blues-rock duo THE KILLS – Alison Mosshart
and Jamie Hince – had their last longplayer out with the first-rate Ash & Ice.

Until a couple of weeks ago when the charismatic tandem announced
the launch of their 6th LP. It’s titled GOD GAMES and comes our
way on 27 October.

The tantalizing tandem already shared three cuts from the longplayer.

I’ll go with 103.

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9. ‘Love And Misery’ by DEAD LEVEE (Canada)

These manic motherrockers are all about raw and rough, rip-roaring racket as they let your stereo experience once again with this mend-bending riff monster. Think Metallica covering Guns N’ Roses. Thundering drums, crazed wah-wah guitars, hell-raising vocals, and a slam-bang, scream-along chorus. All ingredients you need to get up, stand up and fight for your right to be a hedonist.

Let’s rock.


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10. ‘Down’ by pMAD

The moniker of Irish musician Paul Dillon
featured here on TUTV several times before.

He just revealed his new turbulent 4-track EP Sword.
Stream/buy it here.

My favorite piece is Down.

The lyrics paint a vivid picture of the emotional turmoil that arises when personal safety and self-worth are threatened, reminding us that until we confront these issues, the cycle of suffering will persist. However, with the power of self-reflection and a realisation of life’s value, one can choose to break free from the cycle and reclaim their self-esteem and identity.

Down is an ardent bona fide punk-rock ripper going
full steam forward with all sonic cylinders on.

Listen up.


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11. ‘Heartbreak Kid’ 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’.

And here’s the lead single.

A vaccination that boosts your mood immediately.

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12. ‘Fade Out The Fear’ by EWAN MaCFARLANE (Scotland)

As I read firstly that the song’s theme was about fighting mental illness
I could relate before I heard it, as I struggled with bipolar problems myself for
years. It’s a drag that messes up your life in a hard-to-explain way. Always good
to hear emboldening music that arouses hope for everybody out there who experienced/experience those burdensome feelings.

Ewan Macfarlane‘s mighty voice is the star on this wholehearted Springsteen-esque
rocker. Americana ardency the Scottish way delivered with dedication, fervor and arousing electricity and when the loud and clear chorus hits your speakers it feels as if he wants to eliminate the fear with sonic assertiveness and confidence. Superb stuff.

Here we go.

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13. ‘Somewhere’ by JOHNNY MARR (Manchester, UK)

SPIRIT POWER – THE BEST OF JOHNNY MARR will
be launched on 3 November. Pre-order info here.

The compilation will also feature this new guitar pop gem,
titled Somewhere. A sickly sticky tune that made my day
on the spot.

It’s a sickly sticky tune that made my day on the spot, which
happened/happens so many times with Marr‘s killer instinct
for thrilling tunes.

Here comes the messenger.

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14. ‘Don’t Do That’ by SHAW’S TRAILER PARK (Brighton, UK)

This Britsh alt.country/Paisley Underground-inspired collective
released their self-titled debut album last month. Stream it here.

The band’s roots are in the same North London rockabilly/country-noir
scene that gave us the likes of Gretschen Hofner, Gallon Drunk and
The Flaming Stars.

The standout album opener Don’t Do That is a riff-rotating roller
dominated by high-voltage guitar electricity with feverish vocals.

Let’s go.

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

Back in 2019, the Dutch duo released their notable debut
full-length ‘Only Death Makes Iocns’. Discover it here.

With this new piece, they deliver another intriguing pop symphony.

Scintillating electronic bliss, beautifully orchestrated.

The accompanying video is a classy and subtly sexy visualization.

Listen/watch.

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16. ‘Date Night’ by LOSSLINE (Manchester, UK)

Lossline is a Manchester-based singer/songwriter tandem who, as they state themselves, love to write sad songs. So far they filled two affecting albums with sad beauties. Check them out here.

To be honest I’m a sucker for heartfelt lullabies/ballads. And that’s a musical mood territory Lossline excell in, which they prove once more with Date Night. Although, sonically here they combine tranquil lullaby intimacy – mesmerising piano play and near-whispering vocals – with fully orchestrated passion, winning your heart over second by second.

Probably the best-ever Lossline piece. It should have been – no, I’m not joking – a bonus track on The National‘s new bewitching album First Two Pages Of Frankenstein. I’m sure you get the vibe at work here by now.

Pure pearl.

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17. ‘Route 36’ by MORPHINE RIDGES (Berlin)

Morphine Ridges is a new liaison, based in Berlin, led by Andreas Miranda (Lucy Kruger
and the Lost Boys, Third Sound, Ex Camera) blends dark country riffs with lap steel
guitar sliding through the cracks of shadowy vocals.

Route 36 is a gloomy ballad for the twilight hours, when reality and fantasy
get together and your dusky thoughts float somewhere in the middle. It’s a murky
mind-wanderer, with vulnerable vocals and melancholic guitar lines, triggering
darksome images on your head’s inner screen.

But unexpectedly, near the end, you’re awakened from your hallucinatory
state of mind with a wall-of-flabbergasting-electrical disturbance leaving you
behind, totally puzzled. What a bone-chilling debut this is.

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18. ‘Saccharine’ by TEEN IDLE (New Jersey, US)


Photo by Samantha Abdelbarry

Teen Idle is the musical project of New Jersey singer-songwriter,
producer, and multi-instrumentalist Sara Abdelbarry.

She shared her bittersweet debut album with the world today.

It’s named Nonfiction. Play it here.

For all lovers out there who realize that their relationship is over the LP’s opener Saccharine could serve as a comforting, mid-tempo synth-pop vibration that breathes hope for another future. After a smooth, Eastern-like-guitar-resonating intro a trippy bass riff and rhythmic drum touches take care of the song’s steady (heart)beat while Abdelbarry‘s crystal voice sounds sorrowful and reflective.

Somewhere in the middle, a heart-warming saxophone comes on (think of soul
diva Sade’s hits) and gives the song a matching melancholic feel that endears.

Lovely.


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19. ‘One More Time’ by BLINK-182 (California)


Press photo

Californian veteran rockers BLINK-182 got
together with their classic line-up last year.

There’s no stopping them now. A new album is canned. It’s named
ONE MORE TIME… and will make the massive army of B-182 fans
go nuts on 20 October.

A candlelight ballad.

Melancholic, romantic and heartfelt. Millions of fans
around the globe will sing along with tears in their eyes.

Enjoy.

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20. ‘Excommunicated’ by NOBODY (Finland)


Photo by Mikke Strandberg

Nobody is a one-man dark acoustic prog folk
rock act fronted by Tuomas Kauppinen.

Two weeks ago his new album, called Hyperborean Ecstasy
came out. Listen here.

Opening musing Excommunicated an introspective ‘I don’t belong here‘ reverie.
Think Nick Drake and Elliott Smith. Intimate and heavy-hearted accentuated
by his moody acoustic guitar play.

It’s a shadowy contemplation for quiet
moments when melancholia hits you.

Stream/buy.


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See/hear you next month, music junkies

TUTV: Facebook – Instagram – Twitter

SUMMER PARTY PLAYLIST Part 4 – 20 Top Thrills – New & Old

Posted on by JL

14 July 2023

Turn up the heat and feel your heart beat.

It’s PART 4 of Turn Up The Volume‘s yearly hot summer playlists.
A mix of new and old tunes. A mix of adrenalin-infused punk/rock
anthems, dance fireworks, and some moony musings to end the
party when the sun comes up.

TRACK BY TRACK

1. ‘Casting No Light’ by NOBLE ROT (2023)

2. ‘Every Day Should Be A Holiday’ by THE DANDY WARHOLS (2010)


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2. ‘Fixer Upper’ by YARD ACT (2020)


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3. ‘Driving South’ by THE STONE ROSES (1994)


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4. ‘North American Scum’ by LCD SOUNDSYTEM (2009)

5. ‘Fixer Upper’ by YARD ACT (2020)


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6. ‘The Jezebel Spirit’ by Brian Eno & David Byrne (1981)


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7. ‘What We All Want’ by GANG OF FOUR (1981)


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8. ‘Bad Business Barbie’ by ROYAL CASTLES (2023)


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9. ‘Heart Like Chernobyl’ by SOFT CELL (2022)

10. ‘In The Room Where You Sleep’ by THE BANKROBBER (2021)


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11. ‘Leave Me Dry’ by ILA (2021)


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12. ‘Moving Too Fast’ by ANNIE TAYLOR (2023)


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13. ‘New Sensations’ by LOU REED (1984)


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14. Mr. E’s Beautiful Blues by EELS (2000)


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15. ‘Coming Home’ by DEXYS (2023)


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16. ‘Walk A Mile’ by AUSTIN GRIMM (2023)


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17. ‘Loud.exe’ by ODAWIN (2023)


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18. ‘Never Been Kissed’ by HOLLIE CARMEN (2023)


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19. ‘When I Look Out I Can See No Stars’ by LOSSLINE (2023)


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20. ‘Come Sit In My Chair’ by FRANCINE HONEY (2023)


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ALL TOGETHER


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See/hear you next week, music junkies

TUTV: Blog – Facebook – Instagram

Turn Up The Volume’s 20 KNOCKOUT TRACKS Of The Month – SEPTEMBER 2021

Posted on by JL

Turn Up The Volume‘s 20 Knockout Tracks for September 2021!
A stream of rattling rippers, jagged jams and romantic reveries.

All together on Spotify…

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Track by Track…

‘Hertz’ by AMYL AND THE SNIFFERS (Australia)

Blustering blast from their second smoking LP Comfort To Me
with punked-up Amyl, as we know her, on an adrenalin rush.

Join her wild ride…

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‘Queen Of Swords’ by TYPHOID ROSIE (Brooklyn, New York)

Rousing Riot grrrl Rosie Rebel and her riff-racing rascals go full steam ahead on
the tense title track of their smoking new album. If you want to know more about this lively gang check the recent interview Rosie Rebel did with Turn Up The Volume right here.

Start your own moshpit…


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‘Leave Me Dry’ by ILA (Belgium)

With this new standout, ILA reveals a total turnover in resonance. She rocks, raves, and rolls backed by steamy wall-of-towering turbulence. Mind you, the heartfelt fervency, personal turmoil and vocal vehemence are still intact. Can’t wait to find out if this is actually another page in her magical music book.

Turn it up…

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‘I Know You Know’ by LORE CITY (Portland, Oregon)

A highlight of Participation Mystique, the fourth longplayer by this most thrilling duo with Laura Mariposa Williams‘ bewitching voice as the heroine. Her psychedelic, gothic,
far-out, and at times wailing timbre magnetizes and hypnotizes while wandering in an orchestral space. Learn more about these intriguing artists in their recent interview
with Turn Up The Volume.

Discover and enjoy…


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‘Spirit Power And Soul’ by JOHNNY MARR (Manchester, UK)

“It’s a kind of mission statement. I had an idea about in electro sound
with gospel feeling. In my own words, an electro soul anthem.”

It’s a pithy psych jam, with spirit, power, and soul of course.

Here comes Johnny…

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‘The Aftermath’ by BEECH (Belgium)

This Belgian quartet brings Scottish daydreamers Teenage Fanclub to mind. Combine this with the band’s slacker rock sensibility and jingle-jangle jives and what you get is a tingling tune. It’s called pop-ular music.

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‘My Drug’ by DAILY WORKER (Austin, Texas)

The alter ego of Texan prize-winning poet and guitarist Harold Whit Williams.

This is a sickly sticky dope tune, one that makes me smile from left to right
and back. One shot of this, and you’ll jump around the room like a kangaroo
on speed.

Feel the vibrant vibe…

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‘Sometime’ by THE HIGH LOVES (Toronto, Canada)

This has everything a perky pop pearl needs. Play it in the morning, in the evening and every hour in between and at the end of the day you feel so much better and most of all it’s a truly helpful way to process a breakup. So much cheaper than therapy.

Press play to change your mood…

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‘Regrets’ by TIDAL WAVE (Toronto, Canada)

Regrets floats on layers of shoegaze guitars and fervid vocals while growing to an engrossing level of electrifying epicness when the glowing chorus kicks in. Trust me,
a couple of spins and you’re addicted. Fact!

Here’s why…

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‘Medicate + Alleviate’ by LIONS OF DISSENT (Wolverhampton, UK)

The fever of The Verve‘s urban hymns, the sassy swagger of Oasis in slo-mo
with 60s organs and the fervent flair of 90s Britpop. The final result is obvious.
A bittersweet blistering symphony. Touchdown!


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‘Young Foxes’ by ULTRA SUNN (Brussels, Belgium)

The darkwave tandem is on depeche modus with this shadow-dancing single from their brand new, second EP Body Electric. Expect booming beats, doomed drones, eerie vocals, and a repetitive bass synth riff that sticks as first-rate glue. A club cracker!

Put your black leather jacket on and shake your booty…

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‘Big Boy Games’ by TEROUZ (Montreal, Canada)

This riveting ripper starts with a mid-tempo drum-driven intro, gliding quickly into
a swing and sway your hips chorus, followed by a moment of reflection. The whole
process repeats itself and gets slowly but surely under your skin. You’ll love every
second of this electro roller coaster.

Here‘s why…

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‘I Miss It’ by JODIE LANGFORD (Hull / East Yorkshire, UK)

This young, outspoken, and observative artist – a female Mike Skinner – reflects the dreadful freedom-restricting sentiments of the past lockdown times in her new word rap waterfall jam. An intoxicating and groovetastic house stomper making you euphoric now that you can freak out again in nightclubs.

Hip, hop and pop this way…

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‘It’s Fine’ by BLACKOUT ORCHESTRA (UK)

“It’s Fine” examines themes of jealousy and insecurity in open relationships.”

Not an easy issue to write a song about, but embedded in an ebullient earworm like
this, it’s fine. Impossible to resist this tremendously infectious corker spinning around like forever inviting you to pirouette yourself dizzy while duet vocals push the pace. No pause, no breathing space, no interval, always straight on.

One spin and you’re hooked…

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‘Wytch Lych’ by VAZUM (Detroit, MI)

Sonically this surreal saga wouldn’t be out of place on a Gary Numan album. Lyrically it’s like an ode to the unknown eternity. In my imagination Wytch Lych resonates like a funeral hymn, celebrating the imperishability of the soul. Stunning vocals, striking synth shadows, and an overall spellbinding impressiveness. Top stuff!


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‘Case History’ by LOSSLINE (Manchester, UK)

When I listened to this new little pearl on Spotify for the first time, it was followed
by the title track of the upcoming LP of The War On Drugs. I swear I thought that
it was another Lossline song. It was that melancholic guitar glow that confused
my ears. It wasn’t until Adam Granduciel‘s voice came up that I knew it wasn’t
the Manchester duo.

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‘I Don’t Live Here Anymore’ by THE WAR ON DRUGS (Philadelphia)

See track above. The moony title track of the new upcoming album, out 29 October.

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‘Lights In The Expanse Of The Sky’ by DREW FIVE (London)

Close your eyes, relax and imagine you’re floating into space where Spiritualized‘s mastermind Jason Pierce lives while playing this hallucinatory ambient trip on your headphones.

The sky is the limit…


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‘Freedom’ by CHRISTINE AND THE QUEENS (France)

French songstress Héloïse Adélaïde Letissier returns with two new songs,
with this one as my favorite. A slow-burning and emotive humdinger with
a gospel-like choir.

Enrapturing…

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‘Sunday Morning’ by MICHAEL STIPE (US)

Last Friday ‘I’ll Be Your Mirror – A Tribute To The Velvet Underground’
came out with a cast of big names honoring the iconic band’s 1967 debut LP.

It’s impossible to top the classic original Sunday Morning (sung by Lou Reed)
but Michael Stipe‘s is pretty impressive.

Have a listen…

See/hear you next month, music junkies…

LOSSLINE – Manchester Duo Is Okay And Alright On Their New Single ‘CASE HISTORY’

Posted on by JL

Daily electricity to load your batteries

20 September 2021

Artists: LOSSLINE
Who: A Manchester singer/songwriter tandem that
loves to write sad songs and collected them in their
lockdown blues debut LP called Fading Affecting Bias
last April.

New single: CASE HISTORY

When I listened to this new little pearl on Spotify for the first time, it was followed
by the title track of the upcoming LP of The War On Drugs. I swear I thought that
it was another Lossline song. It was that melancholic guitar glow that confused
my ears. It wasn’t until Adam Granduciel‘s voice came up that I knew it wasn’t the
Manchester duo.

Since their moony debut LP the pair turned up the volume slowly but surely on
the singles that followed and with Case History they show us that they’re actually
– I think – looking for a new sonic direction.

Listen here…


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LOSSLINE: Twitter

Manchester Duo LOSSLINE Still Has The Blues – Listen To Their New Lullaby ‘EMILY’

Posted on by JL

New sonic impulses…

18 May 2021

Artists: LOSSLINE
Who: A Manchester singer/songwriter tandem who loves to write
sad songs and recently collected them in an affecting lockdown blues
album called Fading Affecting Bias.

New single: EMILY – brand new single

Score: The good news for us – probably not for them – is that the pair
still have the blues and therefore wrote another affecting, sad song. One
to tap your feet along, to whistle along, or to hum along. I know they feel
trapped in a dead-end town, but feeling miserable now and then makes
you start thinking about how to get out of the dark place you’re in and do
things differently for the better, isn’t it? Well, it works for me.

One more thing. Why didn’t anybody tell me that good old Ray Davies
is back? Emily could have been a song of his. He was a Kink of moody
songs about feeling related AND connected to daily reality, and feel
good about it in the end.

Light a candle, stare at the wall
and drift away…

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LOSSLINE: Instagram

Turn Up The Volume’s KNOCKOUT TEAM OF THE MONTH – April 2021

Posted on by JL

The best of the past month…

Turn Up The Volume‘s 15 Knockout Tracks for April 2021!
A fervid fusion of rhapsodic rippers and clashing crackerjacks.

‘Nike Soldier’ by ALAN VEGA (US)
Alan Vega is dead! Long live! This spine-chilling slo-mo groove
comes from his lost album Mutator released last week.

‘End Of The Night’ by A PLACE TO BURY STRANGERS (US)
Sounding like Nine Inch Nails going punk, Spacemen 3 returning from the dead
and The Brian Jonestown Massacre freaking out on acid, all at the same time. This
is what happens when lockdown blues leads to schizophrenia.

‘Boilermaker’ by ROYAL BLOOD (UK)
The blues-rock tandem is back with this motherfucker of a slam dunk
from their brand new album Typhoons . Wham bloody hell bam!

‘Deeper Than Holy’ by PASTEL (UK)
Imagine the bittersweet symphony swagger of Richard Ashcroft and The Verve
and the natural-born coolness of Liam ‘tonight I’m a rock ‘n’ roll star’ Gallagher.
Supersonic, right? You better you bet.

‘Wake Up’ by LOBSTERBOMB (Berlin, Germany)
A screaming triumph. This up-and-coming Berlin trio on the stereo this hit and run trio combines Bikini Kill‘s rough outcries, L7‘s detonating gusto, and B-52‘s peppery liveliness. Bingo!

‘The Gimp’s Gimp‘ by BODY HORROR (UK)
A chainsaw intro followed by manic drum thwacks and a frenetic bass force, and a
bit later a nightmarish voice joining the freaked-out get-together. All this brain-breaking
stuff happens in under a minute. Hallelujah!…


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‘Nobody Everyone’ by WEEKEND DEBT (Scotland)
Highly energetic and sharp-riffing indie rock at its youthful best. Smells like teen spirit. Big guitars, big drums/bass, big tune, and big post-breakup vocals. What do you need more to boost your bloodstream?

‘Pilot‘ by MODEL CHILD (Los Angeles)
2 minutes of rage, anger and endless humanitarian struggle.
Fuck the greedy rich! Fuck the military industry! FUCK WAR!

‘The Men Who Rule The World’ by GARBAGE (US/Scotland)
A surprisingly funky disco banger that triggers your head’s up-and-down movement the very moment the money drops into the corrupt politicians’ pockets. I still love you, Shirley!

‘Your Fandango’ by TODD RUNDGEN & SPARKS (US)
Old friends Sparks and Todd Rundgen team up again, after so many years, for a mini pop opera. The legends still deliver and it seems this town is big enough for the both of them.

‘Moshi Moshi’ by COMMON FLAWS (Italy)
Mostly instrumental, except for a hazy voice in the distance, this electro earworm
gets under your skin from the clap along intro and goes on like forever. Imagine
Aphex Twin going synth-pop for a change. The power of repetition!

‘Be There’ by MIHI NIHIL (Los Angeles, US)
Shadowy, starry-eyed and emotive pearl. Twinkling guitars, gripping vocals and
captivating melodiousness. Magnificent beauty from their new self-titled LP.

‘Streetlights’ by LOSSLINE (Manchester, UK)
Genuine, heart & soul lockdown blues. Melodramatic musing for twilight moments and nightly wanderings. From the duo’s excellent, midnight hours album Fading Affect Bias. Don’t miss this.

‘Amsterdam’ by MOONLIGHT PARADE (UK)
Magical and red-colored ballad, combining the melodic melancholia of Teenage Fanclub and The Coral. A sweet little gem about a wonderful city I’m in love with for a long time now. Press play and let your thoughts drift away on a cloud.

‘Trust’ by MASHMELLOW (Moscow, Russia)
Dream pop for lonely nights with echoes from The Sundays and Mazzy Star. Yes, that bewitchingly good. One of the highlights from their new 6-tack EP titled Pole Pole.


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All 15 together on Spotify…

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See/hear you next month, music junkies…

Lockdown Blues With Manchester Duo LOSSLINE

Posted on by JL

12 April 2021

Artists: LOSSLINE
Who: A Manchester singer/songwriter
tandem who love to write sad songs.

Album: FADING AFFECT BIAS
Info: “The duo began writing together during lockdown 1, sending songs or
ideas back and forwards through email. These songs were just something for
us originally, something to distract from everything going on in the world. The
first time we realised we had written an album was when a friend told us we had.”

Turn Up The Volume: When I feel dreary, melancholic, sad or nostalgic
or when all four of these moods trouble my mind I want to hear dreary, sad,
melancholic, and nostalgic tearjerkers. I guess it’s a universal human reaction.
That’s why romantic crooners such as Nick Cave, Matt Berninger, Bonnie “Prince”
Billy, Bright Eyes, and tons of doleful balladeers from the past make/made
a living out of it.

I don’t think this Manchester duo is looking for world domination,
they just wanted to share their genuine, heart & soul lockdown
blues via this melodramatic record. Their friend is a musical
connoisseur.

Dim the lights, sit down, have
yourself a drink and drift away…


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LOSSLINE: Instagram


Two sad Mancs…