The Kills Archives - Page 2 of 5

Turn Up The Volume’s 20 BEST ALBUMS OF 2023

Posted on December 27, 2023 by JL

1. ‘Heavy Heavy’ by YOUNG FATHERS

This sizzling Scottish trio nailed it big time with their 3rd LP. Heavy Heavy is one of those rare remarkable records that arouses from start to finish, with the cliché no fillers, all killers all over it. You hear its sonic brilliance, you feel its dauntless vocality, you realise quickly that this album is special, very special.

(Photo by Turn Up The Volume – Antwerp 2023)

An undisputable first-class work where vitalizing soul, ecstatic pop melodiousness
and self-willed hip-hop come together in an organic way. A spiritual happening.

Funk-punk drunk virtuosity with astonishing vocal teamwork.

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2. ‘Sea Of Mirrors’ by THE CORAL (Liverpool, UK)

The seasoned psych-folk-pop-rock ramblers launched their 11th album, named
Sea Of Mirrors last September. Unquestionably one of their best in their succesful
career.

(Press photo via Maintain Perspective PR)

Expect a non-stop sequence of reflective pop fantasies, of tantalizing tunes
with a laid-back resonance and meditative musings that cause a welcome,
lazy state of mind.

Blissfully feelgood vocality, with a melancholic timbre, everywhere.

Gently weeping strings. A seamless sonic marriage of acoustic and electric guitars.
It’s vintage The Coral as we know them, but even more yearning for romanticism than before. So they left their island and travelled to their fictional Western reality where all
sorts of misfits try to survive. Americana, the Liverpool way.

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3. ‘Fronzoli’ by PSYCHEDELIC PORN CRUMPETS

The turbulent psych-rock team from Perth, Australia hit bullseye with
their 6th full lenght Fronzoli (meaning ‘something unnecessary added
as decoration’).

Press photo

Uppercut after uppercut, corker after corker, jackhammer after jackhammer and two breathers with Cpt. Gravity Mouse Welcome and the short acoustic beauty ‘Illusions of Grandeur’). Your ears need to be in great shape to absorb
this whirlwind record.

If PPC were animals they would be hungry wolves wandering in the deserts of Australia looking for prey. Their melting pot of glam metal, pithy punk, high-voltage pop and other noisy shout-outs results in an ecstatic body of infectious. Btw, am I the only one who thinks McEwan‘s voice resembles Arctic Monkey’s Alex Turner one (now and then) and vice versa, of course.

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4. ‘War Is Obsolete’ by THE BARBITURATES (Northern Island)

These Northern Irish political punk guerilla’s launched
a fully topical record titled War Is Obsolete
this year.

Here’s a message from their HQ in Londonderry.

“Some of The 1% are investors in the great big industrial war machine – the clearing / repairing of war torn cities / countries and rebuilding them along with there big pharma – food n supplies companies ect they make massive profits on all levels of war from the bullets n bombs fired to the food n medicine and everything you can imagine in between – this collection of sound scapes and anti war songs on this guerrilla ontological discordant meditation Ep are our SMALL way of trying to help raise money for the innocent human beings being punished and hurt because of other people’s ignorance – hate – fear – oppression!! ALL THE PROCEEDS OUR DIGITAL SALES NOW AND UNTIL THINGS INPROVE WILL GO TO THESE PEOPLE!!”

The Barbiturates care about our messed-up society, about humanity, about the weak, the poor and the outsiders, about tolerance, about inclusivity, about the desperate need for global peace. Couldn’t agree more.

Unfortunately, all the caring in the world can’t avoid (another) dirty war. After Russia invaded Ukraine early last year, Israel and Palestine started a filthy, deadly war in Gaza two weeks ago. Horrible, just horrible, again. One day a devastating world catastrophe will end it all.

War Is Obsolete is an intruiging, versatile and bone-chilling journey. Sonically with its experimental electronica psych jams and ambient, spacey orchestrations. The evil terror caused by war-and-power greedy scumbags needs to be stopped. The late great pacifist John Lennon never understood these murderous maniacs either, as we know it.

Purchase this record, digitally, 5£ or more.
All proceeds got to PCRF – Palestine Children’s Relief Fund.

BUY/SUPPORT

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5. ‘Ignore Grief’ by XIU XIU (California)

This Californian experimental act, founded in 2002 by singer-songwriter Jamie Stewart surprise every time they come up with new music. Also with Ignore Grief, already their
13th full length, XX impress mightily.

(Press photo)

Ignore Grief is not happy music, it’s grim reality music, it’s mind-boggling music.
Inventive, capricious and ideal as the soundtrack for one of David Lynch‘s hallucinatory films. Although after a couple of spins, you’ll find out that Xiu Xiu‘s spellbinding sonic exorcism is more accessible than you thought at first. Their orchestral manoeuvres in
the dark are flabbergasting.

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6. ‘One Man Band’ by MILES KANE (UK)

British retro-mod rocker Miles Kane, half of The Last Shadow Puppets
(the other half being his great friend and Arctic Monkeys’ maestro Alex Turner)
released his 5th LP, titled One Man Band’ last summer.

As he said himself multiple times Kane loves the swinging 60s/70s pop, rock
and soul splendor. So again, you hear here those flamboyant influences from the past. And he always comes up with upbeat tunes that stick and put a big smile on your face. Guitar pop at its cacthing best.

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7. ‘Songs Of Silence’ by VINCE CLARKE (UK)

The synth-pop musician/songwriter who started his career with Depeche Mode,
who he left after their 1981 debut album to form Yazoo (1981–1983, 2008-2011)
with grand voice Alison Moyet and later on he started Erasure with singer/songwriter
Andy Bell launched his solo debut LP with Songs Of Silence.

TUTV: If you don’t pay attention to the author of this record when you’re listening
to it, there’s a great chance that you think that it’s another ambient Brian Eno album.

The relaxing ambient atmospheres Clarke creates (Cathedral / Passage / Imminent / Last Transmission) are similar to the ones Eno composes/composed (29 solo LPs, so far).

Clarke paints synth-scapes with an overall symphonic sonority, with both classical
and futuristic sounscapes. This is the sort of cosmic music that calms me down after a busy day. Its relaxing effect soothes my buzzing mind. Tranquillizing, instrumental (except for Blackleg which is infused with eerie chants) uncomplicatedness for dark winter nights.

Silent majesty.
Sonic ear-massage.

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8. ‘God Games’ by THE KILLS (US/UK)

Seasoned blues-rock duo THE KILLS – Alison Mosshart and Jamie Hince – are finally back with a new longplayer, their first in 7 years, following the swirling Ash & Ice album in 2016.

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

God Games features fewer fireworks than on previous LPs, but the pair still move and groove with sonic fervour and melodramatic tunes, as we know them. Sultry, delirious and passional.

When Mosshart sings the blues, her heart-and-soul vocality draws all attention. Her tantalizing timbre and her midnight hour tone combined with Hince‘s edgy riffs and roasting hooks are what made me a Kills fan from day 1.

This 12-track record is a slow grower. Take your time, it’s all worth it.

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9. ‘Praise Of The Iconoclast’ by MORLOCKS (Sweden)

Swedish post-punk-Goth turbo MORLOCKS were formed last century by mastermind J.Strauss, and had several line-ups over the years. The trio operate around the borderlines between the collective subconscious, paradoxical multiverses and the bad conscience of the world, as we know it.

They travel either like sinister prowlers through the shadows, or like a raging
bulldozer, sneaking and bolting through and between the Cold War, radioactive wastelands, the catacombs of Rome and unspeakable dimensions beyond
the Unknown Kadath.

They care about humanity, they haunt everybody who doesn’t care, and they
embed their anger, frustration and hope in titanic, intimidating and cast iron
industrial bombast with loud and clear messages. Think Rammstein and NIN
having a sonic fight with riot guns. Doomsday is just around the corner and is
orchestrated by Morlocks.

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10. ‘Islands In The Sky’ by DEATH VALLEY GIRLS (California)

The L.A. garage rock fury led by vocalist/guitarist/organist and natural-born
charismatic front-Amazon Bonnie Bloomgarden triumphed with their 5th LP
this year.

(Photo by Turn Up The Volume – Brussels, 2023)

Islands In The Sky is, without a shadow of a doubt, according to my trained ears, their
best achievement (so far). When you combine pop/rock songwriting quality, richly layered orchestrations, Bloomgarden‘s full-hearted vocal dynamism and tons of tunes (if anything else tunes are key) wrapped up in party-igniting vibes, you have a winner.

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11. ‘Good Busy’ by THE IRRATIONAL LIBRARY (The Netherlands)

Dutch humanistic rock unit The Irrational Library is a pretty special affair.

A band with its roots firmly planted in both the regional and international
counterculture. They produce a raw, dirty groove influenced by punk,
provo, punk icons and spiced with sultry saxophone here and there.

Their poetry is packed with social criticism. They drew my ears’ attention with their 2021 album We Are… Doomed. An open-minded-plainspoken-asskicking-anti-establishement-and-other-scumbags opus.

The same biting spirit is present on their brand new full-length GOOD BUSY. Moody reveries and blasting belters alternate creating an overall stirring/roaring record in the end with, once again, a main role for highly dedicated and caring America-born frontman-punk-rapper-poet-storyteller Joshua Baumgarten.

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12. ‘The Crack And The Light’ by CMON CMON (Belgium)

Belgian guitar pop/rock band CMON CMON started their second coming
about two years ago, driven by sheer love for music. Writing it, recording it,
sharing it, playing it live, and enjoying it along with their fans.

No masterplan whatsoever to conquer the world, no commercial pressure.
They restarted with one and only one goal. Making the best album their
experience and their hearts and souls could come up with.

A balanced mix of amplified guitar-infused dream pop tunes with a melancholic
and soothing touch. References? R.E.M, Dinosaur Jr., Teenage Fanclub, Sparklehorse
and The Chills, to name a few. I’m sure you get the sonic picture.

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13. ‘A Headlong Fall Into The Vast Ocean Of Anxiety’ by EYEMOUTH (Sweden)

Expect atmospheric synth-scapes for soundtracks of sci-fi movies, mellow Pink Floyd echoes, dark-electro-wave surrealism, and an overall synth-symphonic sonority.

All mesmerizingly orchestrated with both classical and venturesome music structures. Now and then composer Marcus Lilja‘s ghostly voice adds an extra mysterious touch to
the instrumental grandeur at play. The power of nature in selectronic motion. Cinematic music that triggers your imagination.

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14. ‘Back In The Room’ by THE DHARMA VIOLETS (Wales)

THDV embed 60s psychedelia in a blistering mix of flaming garage rock mania,
swaggering mid-tempo grooves, an impressive, amplified slo-mo jam right in the middle and a stunning opener with horns snippets of Primal Scream‘s e-tastic classic Loaded.

Overall I hear Beatles-like harmonies, multi-layered guitar extravaganza à la Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, steady drums/bass horsepower, sizzling six-string solos, psyched-out space steamrollers, 24 Karat riff-rushing rockers, some slow ones, and echoing vocals
from the eight miles high past. Final result: a hell of a must-hear record that I added to
my best-albums-of-2023 list. The Dharma Violets should be huge. FACT! Don’t miss them.

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15. ‘Secret Life’ by FRED AGAIN… and BRIAN ENO

Weird collaboration? No, certainly not. The very popular EBM/house/hip-hop/DJ Fred and the legendary ambient wizard Brian Eno complete each other here perfectly. They create a sonic labyrinth where Eno‘s hallucinatory ambient waves progress in slow motion, causing a trance trip in a foggy environment while Fred‘s phantasmal vocals seem to come from an unknown universe.

Secret Life is a hushed, soothing companion for late-night mind entertainment after
another busy day and too much noisy music. Soothing, calming and triggering lazy dreaming.

STREAM/BUY

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16. ‘Shook’ by ALGIERS (US/UK)

With Shook this American/English outfit drew tons of critical praise. Rightly so.
It’s a tremendously varied work. They jump from zestful hip-rap-hop to forceful
post-punk-rock, to soulful lullabies, to arresting spoken-word protest, to sparkling
gospel. 54 minutes long, but you get sucked in every second. Wowzers!

(Press – FB Algiers)

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17. ‘Venom’ by WARGASM (UK)

London‘s nu-rap-metal sensation WARGASM – Milkie Way and Sam Matlock – shocked the indie punk world with their debut album, titled Venom.

Press photo

A vicious motherrocker of an album. A monstrous collection of left/right uppercuts.
A schizophrenic series pf brain-breaking slegdhammers you can win sonic wars with. Holy smoke!

STREAM/BUY

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18. ‘The Death Of Randy Fitzsimmons’ by THE HIVES (Sweden)

The Swedish amazeballs punk clowns The Hives are back in town. They unleashed
their new LP, called The Death Of Randy Fitzsimmons (I have no clue who that guy is?)
last summer.

📸 Bisse Bengtsson

Be ready for a tsunami of Molotov cocktails, punk-o-rama riffage, and yell-along
refrains spit out by primal screamer Pele. No rest for the wicked. Beware, this explosive record can damage your speakers. On the other hand, it’s the ideal soundtrack for banging your poor head against the kitchen wall and/or jumping up and down like a kangaroo on ecstasy.

Alert your neighbours before you start the deafening razzmatazz
and watch out for the anti-decibels police. Lots of LOUD fun.

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19. ‘This Stupid World’ by YO LA TENGO (US)

Yo la Tengo is all things indie. They follow their own capricious path, for almost
40 years now. They create uncomplicated melodies and then give them an edgy touch
that guides them in different directions. From acoustic to electric and back.

Different moods, different sonic tones. It’s old news that we live in a stupid world where political me, myself, and I leaders use the 2000-year-old trick of divide and conquer. YLT know too, of course, but reality as it is, obviously inspired them to make another rad record.

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20. ‘Clear Pound Road’ by KRISTIN HERSH (US)

The stirring Throwing Muses legend Kristin Hersh released
her new solo LP, titled Clear Pound Road last September.

(Photo by Turn Up The Volume – Belgium, 2022)

Expect Krautrock dynamics with an acoustic guitar and a mellow cello. Song by song,
the repetitive/rotating rhythms have a magnetic power. 10 intro/outro-spective sparks glowing, like the lights on the LP’s cover. Hersh‘s voice is singular, a bit hoarser than before, think Marianne Faithfull. I love both voices

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Turn Up The Volume’s 25 BEST TRACKS OF 2023

Posted on December 21, 2023 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.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

TUTV: Facebook – Instagram – Twitter

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

Posted on November 30, 2023 by JL

Best of the best of November 2023

ALL TOGETHER

1. ‘Lunar Eclipse‘ by THE VACCINES (UK)

(Photo by Turn Up The Volume – Belgium 2022)

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

Lunar Eclipse is one of the 3 singles shared so far.
Sickly sticky stuff. A vaccine we all can use.

Ace.

________________________________________________________________________________________________

2. ‘The Answer’ by JOHNNY MARR (Manchester, UK)

So far Marr has released 5 solo albums with
enough standout material to compile a best of.

Earlier this month Spirit Power – The Best Of Johnny Marr
came out to entertain bangers-greedy ears.

Marr also penned two new crackers for the compilation.

The Answer is one of them. A riff-roaring ripper
that races and rushes at a razzle-dazzle speed.

Wowzers.

________________________________________________________________________________________________

3. ‘Foefetti’ by JODIE LANGFORD (UK)

After launching her super-duper 6-track EP Chaos Of Time last March, Langford
closes the year with this rock-and-rap-punk banger. Whang, whang, whang.

Foefetti has somehow a fuller resonance than her previous pieces. And it works spot on. Glittery, glammy and trash-y (like the video). Be ready to sing happy birthday to 6-year-old princess Jodie midway. Don’t worry afterward you can continue to pogo around the table. Treat yourself, buy this present here.

Party.

________________________________________________________________________________________________

4. ‘Backstreets’ by IRKED (North East England)

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

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

Helter skelter.

________________________________________________________________________________________________

5. ‘Robot’ by PENNYPACKER (Belgium)

These 4 motherrockers learned their craft by making noisy waves in different
bands before. They just released their cooking 4-track EP named ROBOT.

Robot artwork

The title track is a bass/guitar-riff steamroller going everywhere fast.
A fanatical flare-up that speeds towards a monstrous climax. Who needs
humans when robots kick ass this knife-edged way.

Check in.

________________________________________________________________________________________________

6. ‘He’s A Man’ by BOB VYLAN (London)

London’s inflammable grime-rap-punk turbine Bob Vylan have canned their third
album. It’s named Humble As The Sun and will see the day of light on 5 April 2024.

First single He’s A Man is a super-duper headbutt

________________________________________________________________________________________________

7. ‘Losing My Faith’ by ELECTRIC CIRCUS (Newcastle, UK)

These British mavericks rattle and rumble from the get-go on this crackerjack
blast. They don’t like a boring normal life. Who can blame them? The frustration
is accentuated by freakish guitar/bass frenzy, merciless drumming and flustered vocals.

Solid sucker-punch. Never lose faith in this band.

Check in.

.
________________________________________________________________________________________________

8. ‘Stop The Clock’ by CROWS ON WIRES (Germany)

Crows On Wires is the dark-dream-wave project of German artist Antje Davids-Weis.

This new single echoes previous pieces. Rotating synth beats, shadowy dynamics, darksome vocals work together and turn Stop The Clock into a terrifically catching
stomper.

Start.

________________________________________________________________________________________________

9. ‘Say It Like You Mean It’ by SLEATER-KINNEY (Seattle, WA)

Washington‘s longtime rollin’ indie-pop-punk stars SLEATER-KINNEY
who started their journey (with 3 members) back in 1994, went on a
break in 2006, reloaded their engines in 2014, became a duo – Carrie
Brownstein and Corin Tucker – have their new, 10th LP, baptized Little
Rope out on 19 January 2024.

2nd single Say It Like You Mean It is
edged guitar pop at its racy best.

Top-tier thrill.

________________________________________________________________________________________________

10. ‘The Sadness In You, The Sadness In Me‘ by SUEDE (UK)

Last year the glam veterans Suede released their 9th,
back to top form, album Autofiction.

An expanded edition shows up on December 8. It
includes a live LP. More info and order details here.

Along with the LP’s release came a 4-track EP that was available for
only one week. The songs will appear now on the expanded box.

The Sadness In You, The Sadness In Me will be one of them.

A vintage Suede sparkler with Anderson‘s emotional vocals going sky-high
on the chorus. Can’t understand why this stellar song wasn’t on the original
album. Anyway, it’s here now.

________________________________________________________________________________________________

11. ‘Like That’ by THE RODA LITS (Belgium)

It’s been 5 years since this Belgian garage guitar indies released
their debut album Common Specimen/Indoor Mold.

But they’re back now, and they didn’t lose their electrical mojo nor their sassy swagger. Crazed drums, afire guitars and tense vocals are what you get. Don’t miss their return.

Press play.

.
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12. ‘Wish It Back’ by BANDANA SONS (Toronto, CA)

Toronto rockers with Daft Punk helmets

This weird Canadian trio nails it with their new single
Wish It Back, a heartfelt tribute to times gone by.

It’s a spry rocker that swings forth and back. From harmonious tenderness to zippy discharge, from shiny guitar sparks to electrifying commotion, while poignant vocals add extra emotive energy to this splendid nugget. It’s about looking back nostalgia we all are familiar with, wrapped here in a forceful piece of music.

Bingo.

________________________________________________________________________________________________

13. ‘I Feel Nothing’ by LIONS OF DISSENT (Wolverhampton, UK)

I Feel Nothing is the first new piece of music in over 2 years from this British indie trio.

One spin and I knew we had a winner here. I Feel Nothing is a funky pop
groove, richly orchestrated with footstompin’ drums, glistening synths, wah-wah
guitar here and there, pumping bass and spacey vocals. It swings back and forth,
with a hip-shaking impact when the delirious chorus comes up. Think Tears For
Fears, Depeche Mode and Tame Impala all rolled into one.

Feel it all here.

.
________________________________________________________________________________________________

14. ‘Capricorn’ by WOLF VAN WYMEERSCH (Belgium)

Photo by Lukian Hills

Following The Art Of Letting Go and Eazy Like Me this emotive
singer-songwriter scored his third single of the year with Capricorn.

Wolf: “This song delves into the complex theme of loyalty conflicts, the inner divide
between descendants and parents (us and them) and the broader social division into
‘us’ and ‘them’, (fueled by social media and war).”

Capricorn is a spellbinding slow-mo musing with an ominous sonority produced
by electric bass, sober drums and eerie acoustic guitar play. It creates a trance-like atmosphere with its subtle and low-key orchestration and Van Wymeersch gloomy
vocals. Fascinating score.

One of his best songs (so far).

________________________________________________________________________________________________

15. ‘Chutpaz’ by OMBUDSMEN (Manchester, UK)

So much is happening on this crazy cut. First in, hungry guitars and footstompin’ drumming immediately joined by frolicsome synth touches that easily could be experienced as the theme of a creepy movie, depending on your (in)stable
state of mind.

Next, eerie vocals, backed by some spooky howling, check in adding a what’s going on
vibe, and zigzagging through all the sonic razzmatazz. Head-spinning stuff, folks.

Make your move.

________________________________________________________________________________________________

16. ‘Can You See Me?’ by CATHOLIC GUILT (Melbourne, Australia)

The song is a tale of lost identity and feeling at odds with yourself.

It’s feverishly rushing ripper propelled by an army of guitars, hefty drumming and
psyched vocals. This manic missile reflects frontman/songwriter’s Brenton Harris
identity issues spot-on.

Sonically as well as lyrically, Can You See Me resonates like a much-needed escape from
a troubled and confused state of mind. I guess this sounds familiar to so many of us out there. If you’re a Fall Out Boy fan you’ll definitely add this fiery emo piece to your favourite playlist.

Press play.

________________________________________________________________________________________________

17. ‘When You’re Gone’ by THE ALTER KAKERS (Toronto, CA)

The band’s name is a testament to their stature and nature – alter kaker is a Yiddish term for an old person, or as the band likes to call it, “an old fart.” That level of self-awareness helps when creating a song like “When You’re Gone.”

The band’s Steve Bronstein wrote this track one year ago near the close of a relationship. But unlike the more common musical theme in breakup songs, the singer isn’t sad about the conclusion – he relishes it.

Looking for an infectious jump-for-joy post-breakup tune? Here it is.

Enjoy.

________________________________________________________________________________________________

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

Finally after 7 years Alison Mosshart (vocals) and Jamie Hince returned
a couple of weeks ago with their 6th full-length, titled God Games.

Undoubtedly, one of their best achievements.
Sultry blues-pop-rock for the midnight hours.

My Girls My Girls is one of the highlights.

.
________________________________________________________________________________________________

19. ‘Hiding’ by HAZE (Ghent, Belgium)

📷 Gunther Liket

After playing with some bands, Belgian musician Mirabelle van de Put decided
in 2021 to go solo under the moniker of HAZE. Her excellent self-titled debut LP appeared the same year.

She’ll have her sophomore one, titled Out of Sight, out in January.

Hiding is the first single. A glinstering dream pop musing featuring sparkling guitar
and smooth bass play, and van de Put‘s enticing voice takes you on a relaxing trip that flares up now and then.

The eye-catching video is created by Naomi Kerkhove.

________________________________________________________________________________________________

20. ‘Love Again’ by LAUREN ANDERSON (Nashville, TN)

Lauren Anderson is a Chicago born and Nashville-based singer-songwriter.
She has, so far, 3 albums on her résumé. And has now new single Love Again
out.

Expect a towering voice. Zestful, vivacious and highly gripping. Classic country-blues splendor. The kind of song that send shivers down your spine with its full-hearted
passion and its overwhelming sonority.

Wurlitzer jukeboxes were invented back then to play affecting tunes like this one
in smoky bars to comfort lonely souls and melancholic hearts. This sort of music
will never lose its healing impact.

Magic.

Happy 45 To THE KILLS Charismatic Frontwoman ALISON MOSSHART

Posted on November 23, 2023 by JL

23 November 2023

Amsterdam 2016 – photo by Turn Up The Volume

I’m a devoted THE KILLS fan and a devoted fan
of the charismatic ALISON MOSSHART voice/face.

She was born on 23 November 1978 in
Vero Beach, Florida. Happy 45, Alison!

Jamie + Alison

The duo released their 6th LP, titled GOD GAMES.
Unquestionably, one of their best works.

NME: “A maxed-out, fresh return.” 4/5.

NEW SINGLE

ALBUM

.
THE KILLS: All Albums – Instagram

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

Posted on October 31, 2023 by JL

Best of the best of October 2023

ALL TOGETHER

.
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.

________________________________________________________________________________________________

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.

________________________________________________________________________________________________

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!

________________________________________________________________________________________________

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.

.
________________________________________________________________________________________________

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.

________________________________________________________________________________________________

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.

________________________________________________________________________________________________

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.

________________________________________________________________________________________________

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.

________________________________________________________________________________________________

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.

________________________________________________________________________________________________

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.

.
________________________________________________________________________________________________

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.

________________________________________________________________________________________________

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!

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

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.

.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________

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.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

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.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

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.

.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________

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.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

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.

.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________

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.

.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________

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 20 BEST TRACKS – SEPTEMBER 2023

Posted on September 29, 2023 by JL

Best of the best of September 2023.

ALL TOGETHER

.
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.

.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________

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.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

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!

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

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.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

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!

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

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.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

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.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

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.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

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.

.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________

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.

.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________

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.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

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.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

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.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

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.

.
See/hear you next month, music junkies

TUTV: Facebook – Instagram – Twitter

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

Posted on September 8, 2023 by JL

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.

TRACK-BY-TRACK

1. ‘Bad Bitch Supreme’ by FIT FOR RIVALS and GRLwood (USA)

Holy smoke. This is flabbergasting cryout going forth and back,
up and down, left and right. Think Alice Glass at her most exorcistic.

Get puzzled.

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2. ‘Made Of Love’ by WINGS OF DESIRE (London, UK)

“In the wake of hyper-masculinity being promoted within the internet sphere, we invite all the tough guys out there to try and feel their emotions instead of repressing them. There is nothing cool or sexy about trying to dominate or intimidate others.”

This London‘s power pop duo fabricated a monumental belter with Made Of Love. If you’re a fan of melodramatic Los Angeles heroes The Killers you’ll become an instant fan of Wings Of Desire after just one spin of this sublime gem. I just added it to my best-tracks-of-2023 list.

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3. (I Wanna Be Ur) 90s Dreamgirl’ by HANNAH MARKS (NYC)

Hannah Marks is a NYC-bassist, bandleader, composer, & educator. She’ll have her debut album Outsider, Outlier out on October 20th. Pre-order info here.

(I Wanna Be Ur) 90s Dreamgirl is the 2nd shared track from the LP. It’s an astonishing piece of multi-layered music. It’s a titanic tune with impassioned vocals and mood-swinging brilliance that scrapes the sky when the mountainous chorus erupts. Ever heard a funky cello riff and schizophrenic guitars in one and the same song? It happens here. ACE!

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

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

Danse Macabre is the lead single

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

Another intriguing pop symphony from this intriguing Dutch duo.
The accompanying video is a classy and subtly sexy visualization.

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6. ‘103’ by THE KILLS (US)

(Photo by Turn Up The Volume)T

The magnetic blues-rock duo – Alison Mosshart and Jamie Hince – sends their
6th LP, titled God Games our way on 27 October.

Here’s a killer taster.

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7. ‘Swallow My Love’ by OWLS (Ireland)

The Irish producer and synth-pop artist in his own right has this new unbridled electro stormer out. A song of love, its brutality and the corruptive nature of hearts, OWLS dives into the realms of obsession, desire and the inevitable downfall of it all. This is not for the faint hearted, this does not hold a happy ending, this will chew you up and spit you out.

Shit happens.
But it sounds mind-blowing
and looks creepy/freaky here.