Photo by Emma Filer Alex Crispin – Listen & Learn alternative/jazz From Norwich, UK, Alex Crispin absolutely delights on this cut from his forthcoming self-titled album. The groovy intro and pensive vocals develop like a child at play, with saxophone and flute, erratic shifts in time, and an unexpected, spaceyContinue Reading
Daniel Ek, founder, and CEO of Spotify has always put forward that Spotify values growth over profits. This yarn reminds me of the exploits of Gregor MacGregor, a nineteenth-century Scottish con man who made a fortune by getting people to invest in his fictional country of Pioyala. MacGregor duped theContinue Reading
Photo by Armin Wedding Ring by Skinny Dippers indie rock “Wedding Ring” is a peachy slice of innocent indie rock from New York via Skinny Dippers. The single uses the melodic elements and sentimentality of Midwestern emo rock a la American Football and strips them back to a more straightforward folk-rockContinue Reading
This touching release from Polish composer and pianist Hania Rani was recently released in aid of the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine. Somber and compelling notes play over mournful strings and atmospherics. There’s a feeling of powerlessness in the track’s slow and thoughtful approach, as though nothing can be done aboutContinue Reading
Austria’s Filiah finds luscious moments on the sweet and strong ‘For Someone’. Confident vocals, lacking any studio sheen, lead songs of heartache over pretty acoustic instruments; guitar, bass, and strings. Opener ‘Goodbye’ has some mashed harmonies eventually finding each other over a steady bass line. ’27’ is a beguiling campfire number, carefully decorated withContinue Reading
There are many aspects of this album to appreciate, from the well-selected and chopped spoken world samples, to the eloquent sense of space created in the mix, Manu Propria is an enchanting listen from start to finish. After a pleasant opener, ‘Total Mosaic’ has a thoughtful drum and piano pattern playContinue Reading
photo by Andreea Chiser Zrangorn – Black Berlin Black Berlin is the title track of the most recent EP from Ballina’s Zrangorn (Conor Hickey). From the moment the sinister synth starts, you know you’re in for a sepulchral listening experience. An industrial drum machine, atmospheric electric guitars, and Hickey’s disgruntledContinue Reading
As twentieth-century composer Arnold Schoenberg said: “Intelligibility in music seems to be impossible without repetition.” and on Resistive Music Vol 1, Misha Panfilov has taken that maxim and run with it. Collaging a bouncy, gnarly synth with delayed piano lines, Panfilov takes Stratum fifteen minutes deep, bringing the listener through a trance-like state tillContinue Reading
Photo by kevin laminto Gaslight – Softcult indie rock/pop Gaslight from Softcult’s new EP Year of the Snake balances itself precariously on the line between pop and indie rock. With top-quality production and an obvious knack for melody, the inoffensive track is a joy to listen to. Textured drums keepContinue Reading
If home-produced, rough-around-the-edges indie-pop is your bag, then Quiet Safe Nothings by Gilboa could be right up your ally. For those who appreciate melody and intention over execution, tracks like opener ‘Quiet’ and ‘Away’ will please the most, while my personal favourite ‘Song in Open D’ will find fans with listeners who value honesty and vulnerability in theirContinue Reading