Tag: alternative

Features

London outfit Qlowski share an uncompromising and brooding debut album in ‘Quale Futuro?’

‘Quale Futuro?’ is a multifaceted beast, an album that rallies itself from within and a dystopian mind map for our times. Words by Karl Johnson The second you dive off the springboard and splash into the cooling yet disorientating waters of Quale Futuro? – the debut full-length from London’s Qlowski – you’d be forgiven for not knowing what on earth you’ve fallen into. The wandering, … Continue reading London outfit Qlowski share an uncompromising and brooding debut album in ‘Quale Futuro?’

Hard Of Hearing
New Music

Introducing New York City’s Flossing, and the pulsating groove of debut single’Switch’.

Flossing is the solo project of The Wants bassist Heather Elle, and ‘Switch’ is the first taster of their forthcoming debut EP ‘Queen Of The Mall’. Words: Scott Rimington | Photo: Kevin Condon The song begins with a slow, pulsating electronic groove reminiscent of Massive Attack‘s Angel, with languid, dreamy guitar chords ushering in the opening line “I am both scared and intrigued by the … Continue reading Introducing New York City’s Flossing, and the pulsating groove of debut single’Switch’.

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New Music

Leeds newcomers English Teacher return in stunning B-side tradition on ‘Wallace’.

‘Wallace’ really cements the band as a diverse powerhouse of genres and shows the headier side of English Teacher. Words: Brad Harris | Photo: Sophie Jouvenaar My first English teacher was a tall, towering mountain of a man. A man who seemed to only wear large, overfitting shirts that he had accidentally ripped the holes in the armpits of. When he insisted on raising his … Continue reading Leeds newcomers English Teacher return in stunning B-side tradition on ‘Wallace’.

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News

London’s 00:01 Festival is set to welcome back full capacity shows at the stroke of midnight.

East London venues Oval Space and Pickle Factory will play host to the first full capacity gig back, the second restrictions are lifted. Words by Karl Johnson Socially-distanced gigs have been a lifeline for so many, a way for music communities to re-engage with each other and a place for artists to reconnect with their audiences after so long. Music Venue Trust and the charity … Continue reading London’s 00:01 Festival is set to welcome back full capacity shows at the stroke of midnight.

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Features

Vancouver outfit NOV3L have crafted a debut album that lifts up a mirror to society with ‘Non Fiction’.

‘Non Fiction’ slaps the rose-tinted ray-bans off your face and forces you to look between the cracks. Words by Karl Johnson The debut LP by NOV3L is a multifaceted beast, a jigsaw of intriguing sounds and oddly shaped interlocking parts. It requires both your attention and your imagination as you bask in the dark lyrical underbelly, jagged instrumental left turns and the dimly-lit corners of … Continue reading Vancouver outfit NOV3L have crafted a debut album that lifts up a mirror to society with ‘Non Fiction’.

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New Music

East London collective This Is The Deep share ‘The Best Is Yet To Come (Part 1)’ LP.

The album is a mind-altering and immersive journey jam-packed with endless strut and groove. Words by Karl Johnson Venturing into the complex sonic existence of This Is The Deep feels like falling down the rabbit hole, your sense of self is amplified as the sheer strength of musicianship and ambition of ideas tugs at the carpet beneath your feet. The London collective have recently released … Continue reading East London collective This Is The Deep share ‘The Best Is Yet To Come (Part 1)’ LP.

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New Music

Los Angeles outfit La Luz share a dreamy, sombre and folk-tinged cut in ‘In The Country’.

La Luz return grimly aware of the creeping threat of city life and its unavoidable devastation on ‘In The Country’. Words: Brad Harris | Photo: Pooneh Ghana In English, la luz simply means ‘The Light’. There’s something eerily pretty to this spectral choice of name, suggestive of both the golden warmth of light itself, and the things outside of it too. La Luz as a … Continue reading Los Angeles outfit La Luz share a dreamy, sombre and folk-tinged cut in ‘In The Country’.

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Features

Squid attempt to make sense of the world as they see it on their debut album.

‘Bright Green Field’ is an album concerned with exposing a misanthropic reactionary worldview, and bleaching it out in the sun. Words: Adam Davidson | Photo: Holly Whitaker Squid’s striking maturity shows they are already years ahead of where they should be on Bright Green Field. Compositionally, the music is subtle and complex, with horns augmenting the guitars and keys here and there. This fruitful tapestry … Continue reading Squid attempt to make sense of the world as they see it on their debut album.

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New Music

Roscoe Roscoe share heavenly new cut ‘Jacobs Ladder’ via Slow Dance Records.

Roscoe Roscoe pay their respects to 60’s counterculture on the dreamlike ‘Jacob’s Ladder’. Words: Brad Harris | Photo: Holly Whitaker The concept of Jacob’s Ladder has been appropriated numerous times over the ages. In its first biblical incarnation it was simply a story of Jacob’s dream of the angels descending from and returning to heaven. Some have interpreted this as an ascetic model through which … Continue reading Roscoe Roscoe share heavenly new cut ‘Jacobs Ladder’ via Slow Dance Records.

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Features

black midi make a heavenly live return at St John at Hackney church in support of new LP ‘Cavalcade’.

Their power lies in never allowing you to become too comfortable. Black midi thrive on the brink of chaos. Words: Karl Johnson | Photos: Jack Menzies It’s 15 minutes until doors open at Hackney Church and pools of people are strewn across the garden grounds awaiting the early set of black midi’s back-to-back shows in support of ‘Cavalcade’, their sophomore album on Rough Trade Records. Vocalist … Continue reading black midi make a heavenly live return at St John at Hackney church in support of new LP ‘Cavalcade’.

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Firsts

New music, new releases and Hard Of Hearing Firsts #15

The first taste of new releases and a grassroots deep dive for new artists. Words by Karl Johnson With summer seemingly in full swing and parks providing the perfect escapism to a society still finding it’s feet, we’ve dug deep and chosen our favourite new tracks from our favourite new discoveries. Dead Slow Hoot are the cover artist, impressing with their brand of emotionally cutting … Continue reading New music, new releases and Hard Of Hearing Firsts #15

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Features

London trio Famous open a door to an alternate dimension on cataclysmic new EP ‘The Valley’.

Diving into pools of darkness, Famous offer up raw diamonds of creativity. Words: Alexandra Dominica | Photo: James Ogram Catapulted far above the stratosphere, deep into the nebula of nascent neurosis come hurling the idiosyncratic Famous with their latest EP The Valley.  The first track Stars is a deep dive into a fragmented consciousness, waving goodbye to “Mom and Dad” we’re freefalling into their vortex. … Continue reading London trio Famous open a door to an alternate dimension on cataclysmic new EP ‘The Valley’.

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