Dan Hillier
Containing enough visceral energy to power the trio’s home of Cardiff, the bouncing new rager from the hardcore powerpunks XL Life is just pure punk vitality at it’s best. Featuring former Astroid Boys members Traxx and Lewis Newbrook, ‘Noise’ retains the urbanite stomp and UKHC tendencies of their former project but is simultaneously infused with sense of punch, groove and rhythm that’s reminiscent of the groundbreaking acts such as Gorilla Biscuits all whilst sounding dynamically fresh in manner like Higher Power. But still, it’s the track’s pure adolescent energy and delivery that makes such it an irrefutably infectious documentation of the overload of information we consume on a daily basis. “‘Noise’ is an anthem to cut through the information overload and labelling that we all endure, day in and day out”, state the band on the track. “A person’s received societal labels shape their identity and dictate their future beliefs, choices, and goals. This track was written to override the segregation that these labels bring and to remind us to listen to our inner voice of reason during times filled with so much noise.” – Dan Hillier
Described by some as ‘one of the heaviest bands on this planet’, the Copenhagen apocalyptical post-metal collective LLNN fully live up to their reputation with their condemning new single ‘Interloper’. The first track to be taken from their feverishly anticipated Unmaker – which makes impact September 24th via Pelagic Records – the track is an astonishingly fatal affair that’s all encompassing, inescapable and overwhelming in it’s terminal execution. Droning synths, callous industrialist motifs and cinematic textures of celestial demise intertwine with catalytic post-metal to form a suffocating soundtrack to the end of all things by the hands of something simply beyond human comprehension. Whilst LLNN have always harboured a penchant to preemptively musically score the inevitable annihilation of Earth, this is a startlingly vividi introduction to a record that’s set to be so dense it could trigger the end on it’s own accord. – Dan Hillier
Maximum volume, maximum density, maximum existentialism. The second single taken from Sugar Horse’s forthcoming debut LP The Live Long After, the wonderfully titled ‘Phil Spector In Hell’ see’s the Bristolian doomgazers returning to the long format whilst waxing lyrical upon the nature of the unknown void that awaits us all. In a manner that’s claustrophobically opaque, incurably caustic but yet beautifully and abstractly poetic, the group showcase their complete and utter regard for urgency and their nonconformist attitude towards mundane genre limitations. Not entirely unlike in staring into the abyss only to find it staring back at you, this a wonderful exercise in post-rock tinged shoegazing doom that’s blissful suffocating in tone but yet nightmarishly harrowing when pondered in depth upon. – Dan Hillier
Coinciding with the announcement of their brand spanking new EP Hey Tori, the latest single from the fearlessly zingy Northern Irish pop rockers Cherym is a life affirmation sweet belter dressed to the nines. Presented under a giddyishly mushy guise, the track explores how many cis people automatically presume queer lovers are merely friends out of close mindlessness and see’s Cherym channeling their established rebellious energy to conquer the modern pop sound made immortal by bands such as Stand Atlantic, Yours Truly and Meet Me At The Altar. Yet, much like the content that came before this more accomplished track, ‘We’re Just Friends’ still plays and relishes in the joyously queer alt sound of bands such as Dream Nails, Charmpit and Martha. Hey Tori releases 30th September on Alcopop! Records, and with Cherym already winning hearts en-mass so early into their career, the record is set to launch the band into the stratosphere. – Dan Hillier
Not merely content to provide the soundtrack to the summer with their surprise EP Turnstile Love Connection with the huge singles ‘Mystery’ and ‘Holiday’, Baltimore hardcore troupe Turnstile threw a major curveball with their latest single ‘Alien Love Call’. A vast departure from the EP and singles, it’s a calm, blissful track featuring British singer Blood Orange. It’s mellow with dream-like vocals that feature the repeating phrase “can’t be the only one”. The video juxtaposes this soothing number with footage from their frequently chaotic and energetic live shows, a juxtaposition if there ever was one. Despite such a departure from their “regular” sound, it really works for them. It’ll feature on their upcoming, recently announced album Glow On. – Will Marshall
Marking their first new material since last year’s critically-acclaimed LP Brave Faces Everyone, Spanish Love Songs shared two new songs, a Death Cab For Cutie cover and a B-Side from the BFE sessions. The B-side, titled ‘Phantom Limb’ is one that singer Dylan Locum says was ultimately cut from the album as they couldn’t hear a place for it on the record. It’s thematically and sonically similar; it’s a song of the world and your body gradually falling apart on you with nothing to look forward to yet despite all the negativity, the melodicism and earnest delivery lends a feeling that somehow, it’s still going to be okay because you’ve acknowledged the impending doom. It’s an emotional connection that Spanish Love Songs excel at and one that should help tide fans over until whatever comes next from the troupe. – Will Marshall
Spurring juddering thoughts of The Agonist and Jinjer at their most elusive and made tangibly theatrical by Kate George’s background in musical theatre, newcomers Insurgent stake their claim to the prog metal pile with their latest single ‘Dogma’. Taken from their new EP Sentient, which sees the band channeling the thoughts of a dejected godly entity, the track sees the band cutting the fat from the their early work all whilst sharpening the edge originally unsheathed in their early demos. Extremely promising and abound to be a guaranteed with all those who like their tech-metal soaring and poised to strike. – Dan Hillier
Featuring some slick and humble additions from the bonafide woodwind hero Saxl Rose, ‘Blurred Around The Edges’ services as the latest offering form the rapidly rising post hardcore collective Capstan. A depiction of a mind utterly broken, this is intimate to the point where one simply feels intrusive and services as a compassionate take on their prog lined take on the North American post-hardcore sound popularised by the likes of Being As An Ocean, Movements and Belmont. Honestly, this cuts so deep it strikes the narrow and it’s easy to see why this band have quickly cultivated an expanding swarm of devotees the world over in such a relatively short space of time. – Dan Hillier