Photo by Gervelemae
SELL EVERYTHING -Something New
jazz-rock fusion
Are bands that stylize their name in all caps being purposefully obnoxious? Most definitely yes, and I personally and generally am not a fan of the practice. However, I’ll let it slide for Dublin’s SELL EVERYTHING, a band that transcends mediocrity on their recent single “Something New” through a watercolouresque approach to mood atmosphere. Led by songwriter and vocalist Tom Kelly, whose drowsy croon intoxicates, and completed by guitarist-producer Jack Ussher, bassist Fionn Mac Lochlainn, and drummer Oisín Cavanagh, this modish group crafts a raw yet polished sound that echoes the boundary-pushing influences of King Krule and Toro y Moi. According to the band, “Something New” attempts to capture “the overwhelming intensity of personal relationships, finding solace and escape through the creative process and the music itself.” The group have hit the nail on the head with this fetching and strange tune out now via Future Gods.
Rzekomo – Need
electronic
Elusive Polish producer Rzekomo shares little personal information, but this is not out of shyness or aloofness. According to the artist, “This serves as a social experiment, aiming to answer whether music, as a modern art form, is inherently tied to the identity of its creator. It’s an interesting if unnecessary question that is unlikely to be answered by “Need”, Rzekomo’s recent single which is a fever dream of staggered electronic pulses, garbling expressions, and frenzied orchestral ruminations; a delicate web of fragile sounds held in place with hyper-focused percussive arrangements and an economical touch. The abstract constitution is peppered with pockets of almost silence and includes an interesting cello performance folded into its otherwise electrifyingly magnetic sounds.
Diarmuid J Kennedy – In the field
modern classical
Irish piano composer Diarmuid J Kennedy offers a moment of uncomplicated though not unnuanced listening on “In the field”, a piece for solo piano recently released as a single and billed as a “nocturn for piano”. The piano here has a rich and organic sound, much lighter than its billing suggests, with Kennedy finding hopeful moments among the cascading notes and tickling key changes. Kennedy’s classical training is given modern flair with a straightforward and minimalist composition coloured with mischievous and whimsical phrasings.
The Mad Mile – Four in a Case
alternative rock
London-based The Mad Mile leads the listener into a deep, dark forest on “Four in a Case”, an ominous and foreboding song that packs quite a punch. Originally from Leeds, Adam Pickering and Matthew Goodbody have been operating as The Mad Mile since last year’s Skyliner EP. This new single demonstrates a burgeoning confidence and command of their style, with atmospheric guitars and painterly synths swirling around militaristic drums and somnolent singing to produce something that feels otherworldly but emotionally impactful.
Yodashe – LITE
experimental
Yodashe seems hellbent on obscuring her beauteous tones with epic textures and gnarly production techniques on “LITE”, a recent single from the London artist that makes an indelible impression with its heartfelt core and preternatural execution; Yodashe’s angelic voice and sweet melodies obnubilated by waves of sonic fog. The effect is similar to waking up from an intense dream, the wondrous sentiments of which linger into the waking world. There is real panache emanating from this intentionally anti-mainstream music, though there is a sense that if Yodashe so wished, she could mix this into a radio-friendly tear-jerker, which makes the obscurity all the more appealing.