Small Talk - Alarm

Returning with their new single, Netherlands-formed electronic duo Small Talk unveil their bold new effort Alarm. Tackling the subject of a toxic relationship between two people, the single's backdrop is perpetuated by darkened synth textures and infectious melodies. "“Where there’s smoke there’s fire” describes that they are about to be in the middle of a symbolic fire, because even though they see plenty smoke developing, they stay within the danger zone by staying together" the pair divulge on the track's lyrics. "“When we fall the alarm goes” is the most important line of the track. It basically says that,because they are only building up their issues by ignoring them, that once things collapse between them, it will bring up all the drama at the same time. The alarm resembles a sign of ‘warlike’ feeling to really represent that narrative." Take a listen for yourselves below.

Live Review: Bombay Bicycle Club, Cardiff SU 24/01/2020

Live Review: Bombay Bicycle Club, Cardiff Student's Union The Great Hall 24/01/2020 - Scientists of Sound

With their new album 'Everything Else Has Gone Wrong' just a week old to the day, Bombay Bicycle Club took to Cardiff's Student Union on Friday in support which proved to be another resounding sold-out success. Having recently been lucky enough to see the band return to the stage at their 10 year anniversary tour in Bath, it was safe to say it was like they'd never been away and their performance in the Welsh Capital evidently backed this up.

Opening with two new tracks from the record, the crowd responded well by singing back each and every word, which has always amazed me to see how quickly fans learn the lyrics. Jack exclaimed his thanks saying it was the loudest reception they'd received thus far before indulging everyone to Overdone and Feel, taken from their fourth album 'So Long, See You Tomorrow'.

The band seemed genuinely happy to be back on stage and playing the music they love which transposed in to the crowd as they jumped and danced amongst the dazzling epilepsy induced lights. This was a set list like none other and one that was well crafted, pitting old against new. The differentiating factors in each release came together and flowed seamlessly as the band switched between the soft croons of Good Day to the energising Luna and crowd pleasing Shuffle. The intricacies of their instrumentation are another well thought out concept, with piano keys and large scale percussion adding further layers of shimmer to their progressive sound, not to mention a trio of brass players to show just how far they've come from 4 guitar swinging indie poster boys from London.

As the night rolled in to its final stages they weren't about to let fans go home empty handed as they rattled through some of their debut album's best hits including Lamplight and a raucous performance of Cancel On Me which saw Suren's most ferocious playing take the limelight as everyone lost themselves amongst his crashing cathartic finale.

Despite the album's newness, it would seem fan favourites were already developing as they returned for a two track encore with the album's title track receiving great applause before turning the already carnival atmosphere inside up to 10 as the energetic live rendition of Always Like This bounced around hall.

Bombay Bicycle Club's return couldn't have come at a darker time for the UK, yet despite this, their message has been the wake up call we've all very much needed. Yes, the world might be crumbling around you, but there's always a bright side to be had somewhere. It's safe to say Jack, Ed, Jamie and Suren are back in a bigger way than ever before. Let's just hope they don't leave it another 6 years before returning to the city.

Bombay Bicycle Club continue their tour at the following dates:

Jan 29 Wed Glasgow, Scotland · Barrowland Ballroom
Feb 1 Sat Brighton, England · The Brighton Centre
Feb 3 Mon Stretford, England · O2 Victoria Warehouse
Feb 4 Tue Sheffield, GB · O2 Academy Sheffield
Feb 7 Fri London, England · Alexandra Palace
Feb 8 Sat London, England · Alexandra Palace
Feb 11 Tue Dublin, County Dublin · Vicar Street
Feb 12 Wed Belfast, Northern Ireland · Ulster Hall

Dan Croll returns with the release of double A- side single ‘Yesterday’ and ‘Stay In L.A.’

Dan Croll returns with double A- side single ‘Yesterday’ and ‘Stay In L.A.’

Oddly enough it was only last month I added Dan Croll to my 'Whatever happened to...' Spotify playlist. In almost timely fashion today he marked his very welcomed return with a double A-side single, ‘Yesterday’ and ‘Stay In L.A.’. The first new music from Croll in two years following his hiatus after the release of his second album ‘Emerging Adulthood’, the two track release sees him take on a new mature stance as his songwriting and composition takes it up a gear. Speaking about the experience of upping sticks and moving to LA Dan explains, “The past two years have been a roller coaster, starting from scratch, alone in a different country, but I’m so happy to have come out the other end with this collection of songs. These first two tracks really set the scene for the story of my first year in America, what I was going through mentally and physically, and how the decision to move came to light.Feels great not only to be back on the music scene, but to be doing it with songs that I finally feel represent the influences and music I truly love. Both of these tracks mark a fresh start, and though I'm far away from Liverpool they both still draw directly from the sounds and experiences of home.” Take a listen for yourselves below.



f: www.facebook.com/dancroll

Paris Youth Foundation - Home Is Where The Heart Is

Paris Youth Foundation have certainly proved they know a thing or two about creating euphoric high energy compositions, and Home Is Where The Heart Is differs in no way shape or form. The new single marks the Liverpool five-piece signing to Modern Sky UK with their first release on the label. Speaking about the track Kevin explains "Home Is Where The Heart Is is very much a love song at its core. It’s about that rare time in breakup, where you kind of don’t want to be sad or argue anymore. You just want to appreciate the time and the memories for what they were. It's about that person being home for the weekend and how a place and a person can take you back in time, and maybe just for one night you pretend you're still the same kids who fell in love all that time ago" Take a listen for yourselves below.



f: www.facebook.com/parisyouthfoundation

Vistas - Sucker (Official Video)

Following the big reveal of their recent single, Sucker, Scotland's Vistas have today unveiled the track's official accompanying video. Featuring The Phone Shop and Inbetweeners star Martin Trenaman, the clip sees him take to the stage at an open mic night, injecting some much needed enthusiasm in to the room, even if it is just all in his head. Speaking about the track, frontman Prentice said: "Sucker is a track about being completely head over heels in love with someone and recognising all the senseless things people do in order to maintain the love they feel. The intention of the song is to show that, at times, everyone can do daft things when they've fallen for someone." Take a watch below. Sucker is the second single to be taken from the band's forthcoming debut album, which is due for release later this year.



f: www.facebook.com/vistasband

TORRES - Dressing America

As Torres, the project of New York-based musician Mackenzie Scott, approaches the release of her album 'Silver Tongue', due out January 31st, she returned last week with the stunning new single Dressing America. Take a listen for yourselves below. The accompanying video was directed by Ashley Connor and features Scott.“An ode to every sacrificial act of love,” says Connor. “Starring our hero Cowboy Mackenzie, who will gladly carry any lover through the snow. A few friends made the video during the December squall.”



f: https://www.facebook.com/TORRESMUSICOFFICIAL/

Monako - Take Care Of Me

Take Care Of Me is the first introduction I've had with Monako, and one I regret not taking sooner. Build upon woozy melodies and funky basslines the track carves out a delectable path and delivers a fine taste of what to expect on their second EP 'Take Care'. "Repentance is the key, understanding and accepting ourselves is therefore the goal" the band explain. "But the road to repentance is a very long and not so glamorous one, it’s an everyday battle with yourself, hence the lyric 'Different day, still the feeling is the same'". Take a listen for yourselves below with the accompanying video, directed by Damineh Vaezpour-Semnani and Julia Wiedenmann.



f: https://www.facebook.com/Monakomonakomusic/

Luna Shadows - millennia

Last week saw the return of Luna Shadows and her energising new single, millennia. Darkened pop at its finest, the track's pulsating basslines and driving synth melodies make for an infectious listen as it draws you in to its climatic choruses. "millennia is essentially about different styles of dispute and communication" she explains. "There are some people who prefer to confront things right away and talk until resolution is reached; conversely, there are others who run in the opposite direction and avoid confrontation all together. I personally find that the silent treatment tends to be more painful than confrontation." Take a listen for yourselves below.



f: https://www.facebook.com/lunaxshadows