STT: “I think of music as multiple lines coexisting with one another. They all
move at different speeds but seem to catch up with one another in parts of
the song to make sense.”
TUTV: This is one of those records that drop in my inbox, now and then, without much information, from a non-English/American place, and turn out to be pretty special ones.
Norwegian musician Thorvik is obviously inspired
by the 70s/80s new wave/Goth/post-punk decades.
Opener Walk With Me and Too Dramatic, Too Paralyzed vibrate respectively like early New Order and Joy Division, Things To Make It True, could be a previously unreleased
solo John Cale track, layers of Curesque guitars reverberate on Things Too Make It True
and Smile Blank, and Stay Away brings Bauhaus‘ moodiness to mind.
So much about the influences, but it’s Thorvik‘s architectural skills to shape
rock-solid songs, featuring passionate, personal reflections, mixed emotions
and outside observations, and his commanding baritone voice that set this
debut album apart. Raging Lines is a surprising discovery, Smile Blank is a
high-quality singer-songwriter accomplishment.
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.
FULL JUKEBOX (so far)
.
The 10 new ones added this week
TRACK-BY-TRACK
Band: CHOSES SAUVAGES Who: French-language post-punk outfit from Montréal, CA. They carved themselves their own niche with their brand of dance-punk. They have 2 albums on their résumé, so far.
With this single the group lean little more into classic new-wave territory
while addressing the frustrations evoked by political injustice and the media.
Félix Bélisle (frontman): ‘The song refers to the feeling of helplessness faced by the extremely violent international news from recent years. It also deals with the dehumanization of certain populations taken hostage in armed conflicts and the fear of others.”
Single artwork
Talking Heads meet Gang Of Four. Funky bass/drum-motorized
and guitar-sparkling stroke with some eerie synth moments.
Band: RATS Who: Liverpool team active since the latter stages of the last decade, the band,
led by singer and lyricist, Joe Maddocks, have developed no small reputation for uncompromising social statements coupled with no little humour.
Joe Maddocks: ”Section 60 means a form of policing where a whole neighborhood is persecuted because of the actions of a few. I was riding home from the studio one night
and was stopped by the police, leading to my anatomy being violated for no reason other
than riding a bicycle. In the cycle lane too. This song isn’t having a go at the police, but the
legislation.
Irrisitible vibe with an instant impact on
your body movements. Get up and bounce
around like a kangaroo on dope.
Band: DEXTERITY Who: Up-and-coming alt/prog rock group, fronted by Sarah Dexter, merging inspirations from progressive metal with alternative rock. Dexterity emphasizes how unconventional rhythms and song structure can appeal naturally to the listener by combining those aspects with flowing melodies and grooves you can dance to.
Sarah: “There can be constant turmoil for people who exist outside rigid gender/sexuality binaries.Transitioning in terms of name and hormones and label is a journey, and it all
takes a while. But I knew presenting femme, as my true self, had to happen. I changed the Vessel and the Vessel changed me, and everything else followed in its own time.”
Single artwork
Wayward forth-and-back trip juiced with jumpy guitars
and intensified with mixed emotions lyrics/vocals.
Artist: RAGING LINES Who: The musical project of Norwegian songwriter Sondre Thomassen Thorvik.
He delivers catchy post-punk, dark indie rock, and seek out combinations from
the likes of Joy Division, Depeche Mode, Massive Attack and Johnny Cash,
to name a few.
“For the first time in my life I asked the band if we could just jam. Words that have
never come out of my mouth – ever! But I loved all the sounds we were getting. I was
curious – what would happen? In an hour we wrote two songs that ended up becoming
“I Can’t Imagine” and “Southern Life.”
“Winner Stays On encapsulates what we’re about as a band, it combines a side of non-stop energetic rock with more melodic and thoughtful lyricism. We believe it’s got The Ansells’ sound which we’re working towards. We hope it will introduce us to new fans as we have plenty more where that came from. We’re only just getting started.”
Stirring indie guitar Brit-pop
tune that sticks after one spin.
Artist: PETE BRILEY Who: British singer-songwriter & multi-instrumentalist
who played in different bands before following his own
path.
Track: CRACKING THE FLACKS
Briley: “It was the first time a woman had ever brought me a drink – she asked how
old I was and immediately bolted. ‘I don’t know what the weather was doing in Bradford
on my 19th birthday, but it’s a metaphor for the exuberance of youth, chasing your dreams.”
Special experience wrapped in an infectious
melody flavored with emotive vocals.
Band: CLOAKROOM Q. Who: Irish indies who started in 2016. The group has been through many iterations.
They have a keen common desire to explore their creative abilities without limitations, the 4 piece have been working together for years to reach a “Halfway point between Roxy Music and Death Grips.”
“A three-and-a-half-minute track that leaves no stone unturned during their exploration
of ideas, as they veer and sway between lounge act and heavy metal apocalypse. It’s the sound of the band that plays at the Overlook Hotel as Jack Nicholson gets served by the best bar man from the netherworld. Mike Patton’s favourite band he’s yet to hear.”
Both intriguing and capricious thrill throwing
you forth and back. Fascinating stroke.
