Ultra Sunn

Turn Up The Volume’s 20 BEST TRACKS Of The Month – AUGUST 2022

Posted on by JL

A stream of rattling rippers, jagged jams, and magnific musings

All 20 on Spotify.

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TRACK BY TRACK

Band: GILLA BAND
Who: Raw Irish post-punk projectile
New album: Most Normal,
their third, out on out 7th October.

Dara Kiely (frontman man): “The lyrics are from a stream of consciousness rant, weird imagery and all that. The track is about attraction – fancying someone and not knowing what to say exactly. It’s an indirect love song, knowing you like someone but can’t quite articulate it.”

Single: BACKWASH

No brakes, no breaks. Always forward.
The Irishmen rock big time. Bang-on.

GILLA BAND: Facebook – Instagram
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Band: MUSE
Active: Since 1994 / 9 LPs (new one included)
New Album: WILL OF THE PEOPLE, released 26 August.

Single: WILL OF THE PEOPLE

This is Muse turning up the decibels. Giant gem.

MUSE: Facebook – All Albums
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Band: SUEDE
Who: Britpop champions from London
Active: 1989–2003, 2010–present
9 longpayers so far (new one included)

New album: AUTOFICTION
Out: 16 September

15 Again is 90s Suede.
Epic. Monumental. Glamtastic.

Tune in and feel young again.

SUEDE: Facebook – Instagram
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Artist: BUZZKILL JOY
Who: A genre-fluid punk in pink from the North of England
who always aims to energise, inspire and surprise.

New single: LEHMAN WEEKEND

It follows the character of Billy as he loses his job, his house, his wife and kids, and ultimately maybe his life. After pursuing everything at all costs, we follow Lehman brother’s banker Billy as he chronologically loses everything throughout the worst day of his life, after the bank collapses and everything just keeps going wrong.

Be ready to jump up and down, left and right. This not-so-happy song sounds terrifically happy. A riveting pop tune that could come straight from a Yungblud album. If this devil-may-care earworm doesn’t make you go gaga I don’t know what will.

Volume to max.

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BUZZKILL JOY: Facebook – Instagram
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Band: THE BANKROBBER
Who: Italian alt-pop band led by
brother ad sister Giacomo and
Maddalena Oberti‘.

New single: HATE ME
From their new, second full-length Lighters and Lovers
arriving on 23 September.

New single: HATE ME

Turned-on guitars and Oberti‘s quick-fire vocals – on the cracking
chorus he goes as fast as a rapper – inflame this straightforward
standout. From bankrobber to bankrocker.

Fantastico!

THE BANKROBBER: Twitter – Instagram
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(photo by Sandra Ebert)

Band: MODERN WOMAN
Who: London-based act that began as the songwriting project of Sophie Harris.
The band’s music, still based around Harris’ songwriting, explores a diverse range
of sounds drawing from their melting pot of influences.

New single: FORD

Following their splendid 2021 debut EP Dogs Fight In My Dream these up-and-coming gunslingers score again with their new sassy bass/drums motorized and guitar-spiced stunner, extra energized with Sophie Harris‘s clear-cut vocals and a schizo finish. They should get the same attention as Liverpool‘s sensation The Mysterines. NOW!

MODERN WOMAN: Facebook
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Band: THE KILLERS (Los Angeles)
Active: Since 2001 / 7 studio albums

New single: BOY.

Brando Flowers (frontman): With ‘boy’, I want to reach out and tell
myself, and my sons, to not overthink it. And to look for the ‘white arrows’
in their lives. For me now, white arrows are my wife, children, my songs
and the stage.”

The tunesmiths experts do what do best, writing
lyrical anthems for huge stadiums.

Boy, oh boy.

THE KILLERS: Facebook – Instagram
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Artist: WHERE WE SLEEP (London, UK)
Who: Alter ego of Beth Rettig, former
front force of electro-rock band Blindness

New single: BROKEN BONES

It follows the ambient 5-track EP Experiments In The Dark (2019)
and soul-stirring debut album The Scars They Leave (2021)

This slow-mo reflection on personal turmoil is driven by an ongoing bass-riff that got under my skin and kept on rotating in my head after just one spin. And when Rettig adds psychedelic guitar pizazz and flashy fingertip touches, the bone-chilling progression gets even more poignant. Her shadowy vocality seduces once again. To hypnotise, magnetise and mesmesize are familiar Where We Sleep characteristics I never get tired of.

Broken Bones is a triumph in sound and vision.

Listen/watch

WHERE WE SLEEP: Buy on Bandcamp – Instagram – Facebook
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Artist: MEAGN THEE STALLION
Who: R & B rapper born Megan Jovon Ruth Pete,
27 years ago Megan Jovon Ruth Pete
New album: Traumatize – her 2nd one

Track: HER

MTS is a non-stop word waterfall embedding her stories
in bulletproof disco stompers like she does it here.

Roll the tape and dance.

MEGAN THE STALLION: Instagram
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(Photo by Kris Parenti)

Band: ULTRA SUNN
Who: Cold/darkwave duo – Sam Huge and
Gaelle Souflet – from Brussels

New single: THE SPEED
B-side: Out Of The Cage

With The Speed this Belgian darkwave duo invites you once more to get off your
lazy couch, to dress black and head to the nightclub where they are waiting
to make your booty shake to their ghostly bass synth riffs. Nirvana guaranteed.

Here’s why.

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ULTRA SUNN: Facebook – Instagram
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Artist: JODIE LANGFORD
Who: A swirling wordsmith from
the Hull / East Yorkshire area.

New single: HOW IT IS feat. Marx

Jodie: “How It Is, the recurring tale of getting messy with your mates to escape from the standard 9 to 5 working life. This track celebrates the poor life choices made after deciding to go for a drink with your friends/colleagues and the chaos and amusement experienced along the way. “

It’s only Langford‘s third single.

This new one is a brisk clap-along groover with an instantaneous swaying
impact on your hips. Could be the ideal remedy when trying to get out of bed after
a 48-hour weekend revelry and shake your hangover off. Sheeny synths, hip-hopper
Marx‘s jaunty contribution, and the zestful chorus, it all comes together seamlessly.

A hattrick! Let’s drink to that.


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JODIE LANGFORD: Instagram
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Band: TUHAF (Copenhagen, Denmark)
Who: The fusion of different types of musicians and all kinds of genres
– Anatolian folk, indie rock, free jazz, Danish traditional songs and US
roots rock – wondrously merges into the sound of TUHAF. The band is
fronted by Turkish-born singer Berrin Bas.

New single: HAFLA
From their debut album ‘Mere Guld’,
out this Friday.

Berrin: “‘Hafla’ is about celebrating oneself. It is dedicated to
Bicop (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) and everybody
can join the party.”

Hafla is a sensual groove with an exotic Eastern vibe. Its ongoing vibe
gets you, slowly but surely, into an elevating trance, while Berrin Bas‘s
vocals add a mesmerizing touch that works as a magnet.

Everybody is invited to Tuhaf‘s politically progressive party to celebrate
diversity with them. Music has the power to unite people. We all should
use that power to get together and respect each other as humans without
any kind of discrimination. Tolerance of diversity is the one and only key
to live together, side by side.

The marvelous black & white video will help
you to get in the right mood to dance…

TUHAF: Facebook – Instagram
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Band: BURN THE LOUVRE
Who: The musical project of singer/songwriter Jordan Speare
assisted by guitarist/bassist and friend Andrew Billone

New single: HEY STACEY

Jordan Speare: I wrote “Hey Stacey” for a friend of mine named Stacey, who also just
so happens to be one of the best people I’ve ever met. I remember when we first met, she
had mentioned how she hated whenever she’d meet new people, they would always make
a reference to that Fountains Of Wayne song “Stacy’s Mom” – she would joke: “it’s not funny
and my name isn’t even spelled that way!” I thought that was hilarious, so I wrote this song especially for her, with her name spelled correctly, of course.

Jingle jangle pop at its exciting best. Hey Stacey is a steamy swinger with all
cylinders rollin’ all the way. It’s sticky as first-class glue and you can sing
the chorus to your lover.

Check the vibe.


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BURN THE LOUVRE: Facebook
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Band: THE ZINVANDELS
Who: 4 uproarious rockers from Wales

New single: BLACKHOLES
Their sixth one. A statement of intent
ahead of their debut LP release.

Oh my, oh my. Expect riff schizophrenia bucking up this flipped-out
corker for its whole 4 minutes. Blackholes is a rollicking post-punk
juggernaut that scurries full tilt without looking back.

Add a steamed-up drums/bass tandem and poignant vocals and you
know this head-over-heels thunderstorm will attack your speakers
mercilessly.

These Welshmen are a burning engine.

THE ZINVANDELS: Facebook – Instagram
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Band: STICK TO YOUR GUNS
Who: The famous Californian hardcore tormentors
Active: Since 2003 / 7 studio LPs (new one incl.)

New album: Spectre
Released: 29 July 2022

Track: OPEN MY HEAD

The slowest and moodiest piece on the LP. But as intense
and fanatical as their hard-screeching-core missiles.

STICK TO YOUR GUNS: Facebook – Instagram
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Photo Credit: August Wolfe

Band: REIGN MAKER
Who: Australian prog rock band formed in Melbourne, Victoria in 2020.
Reign Maker is the collaborative project of passionate, activists who weave
politically charged, social commentary throughout their songs to raise
awareness and give voice to a wide range of current issues faced
in the world today.

New single: THE KILLING

The band take a stance here against racial discrimination and
police brutality needlessly taking the lives of innocent people.

This mighty-powered and impassioned ballad blows your mind in sound and vision.
Its metallic sonority and its titanic fervency send shivers down your spine. Astonishing.

And the monumental heart-and-soul cutting vocals are just flabbergasting, making me think of the haunting voice of Tarja Turunen from Finnish metalheads Nightwish. Midway, when the decibels go sky-high, the delirium increases to a jaw-dropping level.

Goosebumps all the way.

REIGN MAKER: Facebook – Instagram
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Band: GATHERING OF STRANGERS
Who: Impassioned indie rockers from Manchester

New single: RED & GOLD

Sky-scraping emotions.
Blazing orchestration.
Mammoth chorus.
Feverish vocals.
Sickly sticky.

Get the picture? Yes, this is a towering stonker
with an aroused impact. Touchdown.

Don’t be a stranger, press play
and get overwhelmed.

Right here, right now.

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GATHERING OF STRANGERS: Facebook – Instagram
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Band: ERASE ME
Who: Sludge pop band from Phoenix, Arizona. Their songs cover the gamut of topics but are often driven deep into what it’s like to be piece a of desert trash blowing through gentrified downtown phoenix landscapes, just tryin’ to survive.

Single/clip: JOAN OF ARKANSAS
From their brand new, hit-and-run EP
¡Distortionista!.

Expect a hugely catchy guitar booster with a head-spinning cadence, an electrical rush, and elated vocals As short as a Ramones song. For some reason, my ears tell me that this could be Pavement if they would write a pop tune as silver-toned as this one. Sounds like kick-ass fun, right? You betcha

Listen/watch.

JOAN OF ARKANSAS: Facebook
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(credit: Bianca Petris)

Band: THE CASE
Who: Firm 4-piece from Romania who started their journey in 2012, always
refining their rock & grunge sound. On their creative process, the band reckons
they “tried to create a space where originality prevails, to detach themselves from
the current musical cliches while glorifying their lord and savior David Bowie.”

New single: FEVER

“‘Fever’ is about the passage of time, about the failed attempts to correlate the quality of
a relationship with its duration and intensity. The song is about happiness, sadness, breakup, and forgiveness. It would be love if we were to associate our new single with just one word.”

This is a mind-magnetic and slow-burning sonic torch. Sounds both riveting and piercing as American alt-rockers The Afghan Whigs did/do so impressively for years. The Case develop a similar sensation of vivacity.

A cast-iron winner.

THE CASE: Facebook – Instagram
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Band: THE TRUSTED (Southend-on-Sea, UK)
Who: Formed in 2016, making music with strong melodies and catchy hooks. Being inspired by the new age Brit-rock bands like The 1975 and Catfish and the Bottlemen, The Trusted have made their own unique sound by the fusion of post-punk and punk energy with a little hint of modern rock.

“A song about being abandoned by the good guys.”

It was composed during lockdown. The band couldn’t write together
face to face. The creative collaboration went through computers.

Smooth synths, and gently weeping guitar lines take you immediately
on a dreamy head-in-the-clouds trip that moves slowly, heading to an
epic climax. Stylishly composed, greatly arranged.

A bittersweet symphony.
A romantic beauty.

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THE TRUSTED: Facebook
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Darkwave Duo ULTRA SUNN Released SUMMER 22 With 2 New Sexy Stompers

Posted on by JL

New striking strokes

8 August 2022


(photo by Kris Parenti)

Band: ULTRA SUNN
Who: Cold/darkwave duo – Sam Huge and
Gaelle Souflet – from Brussels

New single
A. THE SPEED
B. OUT OF THE CAGE

With a heatwave just around the corner, many of us will hide from the sun
in fresh places. I’m thinking of my cellar. And while I’m there I’m going to play
these 2 new darkwave stompers (and other Ultra Sunn releases) and dance in
the dark as Bruce Springsteen once suggested.

The booming Depeche Mode beats, the gloomed Human League (the original late
70s unit) drones, the ghostly repetitive bass synth riffs, and the spooky vocals on
both sexy stompers will switch on every muscle and nerve in your eager body. Your heartbeat, bloodstream, and adrenalin flow will all speed up. In the end, you’ll sweat
like hell, but you will feel alive and kicking at the dark side of the heatwave.

– THE SPEED –

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– OUT FO THE CAGE –

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ULTRA SUNN: Facebook – Instagram

TURN UP THE VOLUME’s 5 Best EPS Of 2021

Posted on by JL

The 5 best extended plays of the past 12 months to Turn Up The Volume’s ears

1. ‘American Cockroach’ by DEAP VALLY

Talking about being productive. The two charismatic rock queens
Lindsey Troy and Julie Edwards from the city of angels, Los Angeles
released two EPs and their 3rd LP titled Marriage (with some of
the EP songs on it) this year.

Extended Play American Cockroach is the one I listened to the most
with its two steamrollers (I Like Crime / American Cockroach) and two
slower beauties (Give Me A Sign / Better Off With Nothing).

First-rate score!

Stream/buy here…


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2. ‘Body Electric’ by ULTRA SUNN (Belgium)

This cool black leather duo turns darkness into a stroboscopic
disco place where you can shadow dance yourself dizzy.

Their electro electricity, doomed drones, Goth echoes, eerie
baritone vocals, and synth riffs that stick as first-class glue
have both a mind-intoxicating impact and a sensual feel.

Thunder and lighting beats for the twilight hours.

Their brisk 6-track EP is a fitting soundtrack
to kick another virus year into oblivion.

Stream/buy Body Electric here…


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3. ‘Bad Time’ by PEEPING DREXELS (UK)

I discovered these London misfits last October in Amsterdam playing there
as part of an indoor festival at the legendary Paradiso club. What I felt was
what felt so many times when seeing their mates Fat White Family slash and
trash stages.

You know, that feeling of pumped-up confidence to go out in
the street and kick some fascists’ asses. Hell bloody hell yeah!

Bad Time will tell you all about it…


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4. ‘This Sceptic Isle’ by SHATTERCONES (London, UK)

Who: Politically outspoken rock outfit from London.

Opener Ghoul Driver sets the tremendously torrid tone of this jaw-dropping
extended play. An ominous outburst that threatens to explode any second.
Say Goodbye both surprises and impresses with its longing Mexican tango
melodiousness.

Fulminating stroke Butterly Room is an acrimonious reflection on the state
of chaotic Brexit England and closer The Man Who Ate Capitalism progresses
at a funeral pace, lamenting and dolesome. Throughout, ill-omened vocals
cause goosebumps.

Awesome stuff!

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5. ‘The Space In Between, Part 1 by TMCF (UK)

TMCF is a British pop/rock duo unafraid to blend ambience
with indie hooks to create a psychedelic experience. Formed
in a time of hopelessness.

Expect an instrumental synth/guitar opener (The Space In Between), a shadowy
prog-roller-coaster with twists and turns, and a magnetic bass riff (Thaumaturgy),
darkwavish pop-scapes (From Green To Grey / Collapse), a sparkling dreamtune
(The Lions Den ) and a euphonic, vocal symphony with mellow piano touches
(Soon The World Goes Black). Top!

Stream EP here…

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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…

ULTRA SUNN On Depeche Modus With Their New Shadow Dancing Single ‘YOUNG FOXES’

Posted on by JL

Daily electricity to load your batteries

Band: ULTRA SUNN
Who: Cold/darkwave duo – Sam Huge and
Gaelle Souflet – from Brussels

New single: YOUNG FOXES
First single from their upcoming, second EP, titled
Body Electric via Cold Transmission. The accompanying
video clip is the first part of a story that illustrates two
tracks from that new EP.

Order info: here

Turn Up The Volume: After their excellent debut EP Night Is Mine
earlier this year, the electro addicted DJs from Brussels are back with
the first single from a second EP, out soon.

Young Foxes is vintage darkwave. Booming Beats, doomed drones,
eerie vocals and a repetitive bass synth riff that sticks as first-rate glue.
This new shadowdancing slam wouldn’t be out of place on one of the
Depeche Mode albums (well, one after their pop heydays) and echoes
of Front 242 are not far away. This new piece is a highly promising
harbinger for Body Electric.

Run as hard you can, right here…

ULTRA SUNN: Facebook

Photos by Kris Parenti, artwork by Ultra Sunn

TURN UP THE VOLUME’s 5 Best EPs Of 2021 (So Far)

Posted on by JL

The 5 best of 2021 (so far) according to Turn Up The Volume’s ears…

Band: DEAP VALLY
Who: The two charismatic rock queens Lindsey
Troy and Julie Edwards from the city of angels,
Los Angeles.

EP: AMERICAN COCKROACH
Released: 18 June 2021

Turn Up The Volume: After the equal top-notch Digital Dream EP
Deap Vally shine again on this follow-up, with some help from their
friends. Put the two 4-track EPs together (I did) and you get nothing
less than the amazing amazons’ best album (so far)! A gloriously
varied and high-quality pop/rock/blues accomplishment. Please
come back to Belgium (asap)!

Stream/buy here…


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DEAP VALLY: Facebook
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Band: ULTRA SUNN (Belgium)
Who: Cold/darkwave duo – Sam Huge
and Gaelle Souflet – from Brussels

EP: NIGHT IS MINE
Released: 5 March 2021

Turn Up The Volume: Combine D.A.F.‘s industrial vibes,
Sisters Of Mercy‘s gloom and doom hallucinations and Depeche
Mode‘s pop-noir thrills and you have the soundtrack for midnight
summer parties.

Listen/buy here…


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ULTRA SUNN: Facebook
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Band: EMPTY HEAD
Who: Up and coming hit team from Liege, Belgium. They cultivate the contrasts
and hold both the visceral intensity of Seattle’s grunge and the bewitching fever
of California’s desert rock. The resulting blatant firepower is then used by singer
Simon Galloy as a support for his dark and intimate lyrics, which evoke topics such
as dreams and delusion, introspection, and the anxiety of the passage of time.

EP: EMPTY HEAD
Released: 15 May 2021

Turn Up The Volume: From supersonic prog-punk-rock to towering primal screams
and psychedelic ax riffage, from mind-crushing paranoia and muscled turbulence to
swing moods emotions. Your ears will not feel the same again after listening to this full-headed whirlwind.

Check/buy EP here…


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EMPTY HEAD: Facebook
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Artist: NICOLE MARXEN
Who: Dallas-based musician and visual artist.
Known as one of the shiny dark innovators behind
acclaimed avant-garde pop band Midnight Opera.

EP: TETHER
Released: 26th February 2021

Marxen says “In many ways, it was a crucial first step in my own grieving
process and self-discovery as a songwriter. Being so rooted in showmanship,
I hadn’t explored such vulnerability in my work before. when I began to shift
my efforts inward, I found that my truth very much needed to be expressed.
The song serves as a reminder to hold space for myself.”

Turn Up The Volume: You actually can feel Nicole Marxen‘s pain of losing
her mother as titanic industrial synth wallops petrify your perplexed mind.
She wants to ease the gloom and doom impact of her dramatic loss so her
wounded heart and restless soul can breathe free again. Chelsea Wolfe is
around the corner, listening in the shadow.

Stream/buy here…


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NICOLE MARXEN: Facebook
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Artist: HANNYA WHITE
Who: Musician/modern art painter and video maker,
based in London creating an unusual combination of
the playful and the dystopian.

EP: NO PREVIEW
Released: 23 February 2021

Score: 4 love songs for those who want to explore the dark side of their
inner self by watching David Lynch movies. I’m sure Hannya White is one
of them. The way she infiltrates your worried thoughts with electro-scapes
boggles your psyche. It’s a puzzling experience. Expect the unexpected.

Chaotic music for chaotic people in chaotic times.

Listen/buy here…


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HANNYA WHITE: Facebook

These Are TURN UP THE VOLUME’S 20 Knockout Tracks Of 2021 (So Far)

Posted on by JL

This year’s best tracks (so far)…

Yes, we have already reached the middle of 2021. The world, finally, looks brighter
than last year. Mad summer parties are just around the corner. And here’s the perfect soundtrack… Turn Up The Volume’s 20 best knockout tracks of 2021, so far!

All together on Spotify…

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Track by Track…

1. ‘Finger Pies’ by ANIKA (Berlin)
Electro earworm that moves and grooves from the get-go driven by a rolling
bass riff. Strangely catchy, mysteriously designed with a hypnotic effect. Top!

Catch the vibe…

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

Check in…

3. ‘Night Is Mine’ – ULTRA SUNN (Brussels, Belgium)
Combine D.A.F.‘s industrial vibes, Sisters Of Mercy‘s gloom and doom hallucinations, and Depeche Mode‘s pop-noir thrills and you know it’s time for a dazzling night. It’s the title track from their standout debut EP.

Put on your leather jacket and dance…

4. ‘One + One’ by DEATH FROM ABOVE 1979 (Canada)
With Is 4 Lovers the Canadian champions of drone noise rock made one of their best
full-lengths (so far). And the lead-single ‘One + One’ is a bulldozing, yet catching power blast that comes right at you.

Get slammed…

5. ‘Ten Points On The Damage Meter’ by HOW TO LOOT BRAZIL (Germany)
No rest for all who are addicted to dance their asses off. This is a hip-shaking belter, 145 seconds of steamed-up pop-punk euphoria. Imagine German dark disco legends D.A.F. on speed, fronted by Brit-girls Shampoo who are in trouble again.

Here comes the shot of adrenalin…

6. ‘Coma-Inducing Gibberish‘ by PIZZA CRUNCH (Scotland)
Scottish hit the bullseye with this sturdy stunner. A fab-tastic masterstroke to shut up all narcissists. Beware of getting too excited. It can lead to a rock ‘n’ roll coma. Whatever! Go for it!

Right here, right now…


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7. ‘Stay’ by ONISM E (New York)
A soul-stirring and highly affecting vocal highlight – from one of the best albums of 2021 – by this rad emo-striking NY-based outfit. Stream/buy ‘Survivors’ LP here.

And stay for this pearl…

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8. ‘Fall Of The Big Screen’ by DEADLETTER (South London)
Imagine George Orwell fronting The Fall back in Nineteen Eighty-Four scaring the
world with a grim, futuristic vision of humankind about to collapse in 2021 due to
a deadly virus. Scary!

Turn up the heat here…

9. ‘Wake Up’ by LOBSTERBOMB (Berlin, Germany)
A screaming triumph. This up-and-coming Berlin trio combines Bikini Kill‘s rough
outcries, L7‘s detonating gusto, and B-52‘s peppery liveliness. Touchdown!

Wake up here…

10. ‘Heroin’ by PERMO (Scotland)
A sizzling slice of trash and slash punk. Expect 135 striking seconds of heavy thunder
and creepy lighting. Totally insane drums and bass, deranged guitar frenzy, and cranked-up, psych-o-tic howling. Fucktastic intensity!

Hell yeeeaaahhhh…


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11. ‘We… Are Doomed’ by THE IRRATIONAL LIBRARY (Dutch-American)
A challenging rap and roll rant by an open-minded-plainspoken-ass-kicking-anti-establishement-and-other-scumbags force of doom and gloom. The title track from
this caring collective’s excellent new album.

Apocalypse now…

12. ‘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 wham bam…

13. ‘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!

Let’s roll…

14. ‘This Is Not’ by CROWS ON WIRES (Germany)
Sultry synths, punchy percussion, glimmering guitar lines, and vibratory vocals.
Sounds like Sisters of Mercy are back, produced by Bauhaus who listened to Soft
Cell on repeat. A stunner, indeed!

Get magnetized here…

15. ‘Vendetta’ – ICEAGE (Denmark)
An intoxicating jam with a threatening pace. A glam
power punch from their best-ever album Seek Shelter.

Press play and get moved…

16. ‘Not To’ by WOLFVANWYMEERSCH (Belgium)
Melancholia at its starry-eyed, synth-pop best. Here’s a romantic at heart, going
solo, who’s sanely obsessed with creating music, playing music, and enjoying music,
if possible, all at the same time. Damon Albarn‘s moody side comes to mind.

Dim the lights and enjoy…

17. ‘Unspoken’ by ANNIE TAYLOR (Switzerland)
A troubled love reverie with a sorrowful touch. Heartbreaking romanticism at its balladesque best, notable for its vocal splendour and silver-toned resonance.

Enjoy the sweet little pearl…


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18. ‘Carry Me On’ by THE BANKROBBER (Italy)
This new musing feels like a nightly gloaming. Acoustic soul-searching and intimate tenderness. The darksome sorrowfulness of several past and present crooners come
to mind when hearing this gloomy song.

Dream away…

19. ‘Man Alone (Can’t Stop The Fadin’)’ by TINDERSTICKS (Nottingham, UK)
Surprising stonker! An 11-minute psychedelic and epic journey. Trippy and spacey.
From their new, 13th album, Distractions.

Follow the flow…


20. ‘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.

Listen to the beauty here…

See/hear you next time, music junkies…

Organize Your Own Ibiza Party With ULTRA SUNN And Their New Single ‘SILVER SMILE’

Posted on by JL

Daily electricity to load your batteries…

15 June 2021


(photo by Kris Parenti)

Band: ULTRA SUNN
Who: Cold/darkwave duo – Sam Huge and
Gaelle Souflet – from Brussels

Work: 4-track debut EP titled NIGHT IS MINE

New single: SILVER SMILE
First track of their new EP, out this autumn
About: “self-acceptance, confidence in the changes that
you make and getting rid of the other’s heavy gaze which
is often stigmatizing.”

Turn Up The Volume: Ever been to Ibiza, the hottest disco island on earth? I did. Ever danced on an Ibiza beach at 5 o’clock in the morning when the sun comes up? I did. How was it? Well, eh, can’t remember that much anymore (for obvious reasons). But when the music is right you can experience that chill-out sensation everywhere with a silver smile on your face. Organize your own Ibiza party in your garden, with tons of sand, a tequila bar, invite the sun, play this new Ultra Sunn banger out loud on repeat on the stereo, and have yourself a carefree, hot (Donna) summer.

Make your moves here…

ULTRA SUNN: Facebook – Interview with TUTV

The 5 EPs That Impressed TURN UP THE VOLUME’S Ears During The First Three Lockdown Months Of 2021

Posted on by JL

13 April 2021

Band: DEAP VALLY
Who: The two charismatic rock queens Lindsey
Troy and Julie Edwards from the city of angels,
Los Angeles.

EP: DIGITAL DREAM
Released: 26 February 2021

TUTV says: Deap Vally invited their friends jennylee (Warpaint),
Soko, KT Tunstall, Peaches and Jamie Hince (The Kills). With such
an impressive cast you can’t get but 4 genuine gems: 2 soulful
ballads and 2 bluesy grooves. Top stuff! And a new EP is already
canned. Can’t wait. More info about American Cockroach here.

Listen/buy here…


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DEAP VALLY: Facebook

Artist: SERJ TANKIAN
Who: Frontman of noiseniks System Of A Down

EP: ELASTICITY – solo debut
Released: 19 March 2021

TUTV says: 5 sledgehammers with balls, perfect to start
insane moshpits with. Tankian still roars, rants and rattles
as if nothing else matters. Absobloodylutely noisetadtic!

Stream here…

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SERJ TANKIAN: Facebook

Band: ULTRA SUNN (Belgium)
Who: Cold/darkwave duo – Sam Huge and
Gaelle Souflet – from Brussels

EP: NIGHT IS MINE
Released: 5 March 2021

TUTV says: Combine D.A.F.‘s industrial vibes, Sisters Of Mercy‘s
gloom and doom hallucinations and Depeche Mode‘s pop-noir
thrills and you know it’s time for a dazzling house-lockdown-party.

Listen/buy here…


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ULTRA SUNN: Facebook

Band: REMINGTON SUPER 60 (Norway)
Who: Dream pop outfit created by songwriter
and producer Christopher Schou in 1998.

EP: NOUVELLE NOUVEAU
Released: 19 March 2021

TUTV says: Dream pop at its very best. Sonic melancholia for
the twilight hours with the sensual voice of Elisabeth Thorsen.
Imagine Mazzy Starr‘s wonderful Hope Sandoval wandering
at night in empty city streets while whispering her lullabies.

Listen/buy here…


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REMINGTON SUPER 60: Facebook

Band: INDOORSMEN
Who: Rowdy passion rockers from Chicago

EP: CLEANING HOUSE PT. 1
Released: 25 March 2021

TUTV says: Expect electrifying head-spinning rippers you
can play out loud to deafen your lockdown demons with.
But this Chicago gunslingers also show their moody blues
side on this excellent debut EP.

Listen/buy here…


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INDOORSMEN: Facebook

Turn Up The Volume’s 15 KNOCKOUT TRACKS For February 2021

Posted on by JL

The best of the past month…

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

‘One + One’ – DEATH FROM ABOVE 1979 (Canada)
New album Is 4 Lovers comes our way on 26 March and One + One
is the trash & slash lead-slam. Welcome back noiseniks. Hallelujah!

‘Coma-Inducing Gibberish‘ – PIZZA CRUNCH (Scotland)
The young gunslingers hit the bullseye again with this new stunner. A fab-tastic masterstroke to shut up all narcissists. Beware of getting too excited. It can lead
to a rock ‘n’ roll coma. Whatever! Go for it!


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‘Middle-Finger’ – DROPKICK MURPHYS (Boston, US)
A booze-filled party cracker from upcoming LP Turn Up That Dial. A familiar
Pogues-like chant that unleashes the beer devil in all of us. Bottoms up!

‘Vendetta’ – ICEAGE (Denmark)
An intoxicating jam with a threatening pace. A glam power
punch from their new album Seek Shelter arriving in May.

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‘Night Is Mine’ – ULTRA SUNN (Brussels, Belgium)
Combine D.A.F.‘s industrial vibes, Sisters Of Mercy‘s gloom and doom hallucinations and Depeche Mode‘s pop-noir thrills and you know it’s time for a dazzling party. It’s the title-track from their standout debut EP. Learn much more about this cool black leather duo from their interview with Turn Up The Volume!

‘Toxic’ – PUSSY RIOT (Russia)
The glorious Russian rebels hit again with a new cut from their upcoming EP. It’s an industrial-synth-whack going forth and back, bringing techno icons The Prodigy to mind.

‘Darkest Hour’ – N.O.A.H (Dublin, Ireland)
An instant killer with a harmonious, mood-boosting sing-along chorus and special guest the Booka Brass – Ireland’s first New Orleans style Brass Band – turning up the heat even more. Even in your darkest hour this vivid earworm causes an uplifting kick.


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‘LOUT’ – THE HORRORS (UK)
A mind-slashing, industrial drone that keeps on pounding and pounding until
the wall comes down. Hefty stuff, folks! Just the way I like it, any day, any time!

‘Ace Of Base‘ – THE FLAVIANS (Berlin)
Your feet and head’s movements get activated from the get-go. Unremitting piano bliss, glorious rhythm, pushed by a funky beat and colored with frisky vocals and cool sixties backing vocals. Synth-pop legends Eurythmics would say Sweet Dreams Are Made Of This.

‘Opaque Crater’ – RITUAL CLOAK (Cardiff, UK)
The power of resounding repetition here is just mind-boggling. In the end, you want the buzzing vibration of this adrenaline-charged tune on repeat in your head. And when this trip slows down for a brief moment it’s only to come back with even more dynamism. Top!


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‘Apply The Pressure’ – MISLED CONVOY and KAT FIVE (UK)
The missing link between two vibrating hallucinations, Massive Attack‘s Teardrop and Leftfield‘s Original. Spacey, outlandish and far-out. Michael Hodgson AKA Misled Convoy creates a flying saucer vibe and Kat Five‘s futuristic thoughts and prophetic words of change reinforce the puzzling and obscure experience.

‘Soho Bedroom Party’ – THE HIDEAWAYS feat. TINY DYNO (UK)
Blissful synth melodiousness. Tremendously sticky flow. Glorious duet chorus. Sparkling orchestration. Play this boosting cock-a-hoop stunner out loud in your bedroom so your neighbors can enjoy these spiffing pop sparks too. Sonic magic!


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‘Fade’ – VIOLET (Midlands, UK)
Imagine The Verve of the early days with madman Richard Ashcroft in the middle with their huge anthemic wall-of-psych-sound going sky-high. Add that cocksure Britpop swagger and you know that your stereo will shake, rattle and roll when this bittersweet amplified symphony bursts out of the speakers. A winner!

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‘Oxygen’ – SEASIDE HEIGHTS (Sweden)
A shot of pop adrenaline. Oxygen causes rhapsodic titillations. You can sing along, hum along, whistle along while pirouetting yourself dizzy to the vibrant vibrations. Fresh air to forget your lockdown blues for a while.


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‘There Be Monsters’ by FAR LANDS (USA)
A magnific sepia-colored musing. A tranquilizing stroll triggering your daily dream moments. McFarlane‘s warm voice takes you on a pacifying trip while a guitar gently weeps throughout the journey. This bluesy beauty invites you to forget the troubling reality we all experience for a while.


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‘Shouts Of The Coal Mine’ – JONAS AND I (Finland)
This beauty resonates as if it comes straight from a Tom Petty album. Its country-pop-
rock feel glows, scintillates and glisters and when the enlivening chorus sets in, with
those Beirut-like warmth of ardent trumpets a satisfying smile will emerge on your face. Topnotch tune!


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All together on Spotify…

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