After the success of ‘Afterburns‘ – which came with a quirky personality quiz – the Scottish multi-instrumentalist, Cyrano returns with the final single, ‘Plaster’, taken from his debut four track EP, ‘Consolations’.
Inspired by The National’s Matt Berninger lyrical milieu, Cyrano explains,
“Plaster is probably me at my most vulnerable, but I think that’s why it’s one of my favourite songs I’ve written. The first line “Locke halts; he’s got my head in a river drawn out starting to shiver” describes a moment in counselling where I felt completely broken. Locke is someone I owe a lot to for pulling me through, and Plaster is for anyone struggling and an admission of strength through weakness. As difficult as life can feel, there’ll be a moment where you come through, towel dry and seeing the past in hindsight.”
The EP – co-produced alongside Foals’ Kit Monteith and LukeSmith (FKATwigs, KeatonHenson) – is left-field pop, full of vulnerability, covering topics including anxiety and depression, love and growing older. Listen below.
Edinburgh-based producer and multi-instrumentalist Cyrano shares meditative new single ‘Afterburns’.
Inspired by Susan Cain’s book ‘Quiet’ about introversion and extroversion, the Kit Monteith-produced track became a kind of therapy, as he pens the thoughts not shared and the words not said in his breakup.
Alongside the release, Cyrano has created a 12-question personality test for listeners to identify if they are introverted or extroverted. Depending on their answers, they will be diverted to the Introverted or Extroverted mix of the track. Take the quiz here, but for now, take a listen to the Extroverted version…
Very much a leftfield psychedelic visual and auditorial journey, former Jamie T guitarist Attawalpa shares the timeless hand-painted visuals for ‘Done Hanging On’, by modern visionaries Alex Gamsu Jenkins and Joe Taylor.
Sounds like: Jude Shuma, Alfie Templeman, Muck Spreader, Leonard Cohen
Strongly influenced by 90’s French touch and techno, two French characters from Annecy, namely Low Bird (vocals) and Jimmy Q (guitars, synthesizers, production) – aka Caspian Pool, blast their contagious electronic cold wave in ‘Special Way Reloaded’.
Sounds like: FFO: Nimmo, The Chemical Brothers, Hercules & Love Affair, Goldfrapp, Joe Goddard, Chvrches, Digitalism, Holy Ghost!, Boys Noize, Little Dragon, Cut Copy, Icona Pop
The dreamy ‘Forever Forget’ is taken from Lucia & The Best Boys‘ new EP, ‘The State of Things’, and is a generous nod to the 80’s queens, Pat Benatar and Stevie Nicks.
Toronto R&B artist and songwriter Emanuel shares his new single ‘Black Woman’. Written a year ago, the message hasn’t changed – it’s a healing, celebratory ode to the resilience of Black women.
Sounds like: John Legend, Dylan Sinclair, Son Little, Michael Kiwanuka
Swiss sibling collective Sirens of Lesbos gear up to release their album, with the release of new single, ‘Pala’. It’s turned-on pop for a new psychedelic age.
South-African songwriter-producer Julia Church shares catchy pop gem ‘Don’t Really Care What We Call It’, a song about navigating those awkward feelings in a new relationship.
British singer-songwriter Lissy Taylor shares her alluring single, ‘High’. Echoes of Lana Del Rey ooze from untamed Lissy, amongst the soft guitar riffs, driving rock percussions, and jangling tambourine.
German multi-instrumentalist turned producer, Felix Räuber‘s bold new video aims to turn the preconceptions surrounding autism on its head, as it tells the story of an autistic character, deemed to be an outsider.
Sounds like: Aquilo, Solomon Grey, Son Lux, Nils Frahm, Ulrich Schnauss
Lucia & The Best Boys returns with the bold visuals for ‘Perfectly Untrue’.
A more euphoric take on previous releases, the new video perfectly captures the glamorous essence of frontwoman, Lucia Fairfull, who is adorned in the LOVERBOY collection by renowned fashion designer Charles Jeffrey (winner of the British Emerging Talent Award at Fashion Awards 2017), as she adopts numerous guises in order to create multiple versions that reveal a darker understanding of self, and championing symbolic insights of perceived behaviour.
The single is taken from their nostalgia-laden EP The State Of Things, out on 9 October via Sweet Jane Recordings.
Sounds like: Pat Benatar, Yonaka, Calva Louise, Courtney Love, Stevie Nicks, Kate Bush, Miley Cyrus
Following the successful release of debut single ‘Eyes Wide’ and follow up ‘Hollow’, new Scottish sensation Keir Gibson treats us to ‘Circles’, an emotional journey with an alt-pop twist.
From the outset, Keir’s powerful voice and soulful tones reminiscent of Lewis Capaldi take centre stage. However, Keir has no issue separating himself from the obvious comparison, the record itself builds a stunning radio-ready space in which we can delve into the meaning behind his lyrics, and showcase his talents to the full, culminating in a huge, emotion-filled grande finale.
Edinburgh duo Super Inuit make dreamy electronic pop that is also on an experimental plane.
Their music, crafted from mangled samples and synthetic melodies, immediately captures the listener. The latest single, ‘Mothering Tongue’ – which we also think is their strongest to date – is about the truths and untruths we tell ourselves.
Take a listen below.
Sounds like: Chvrches, Kelly Lee Owens, Four Tet, Sylvan Esso, Luna Pines
Scottish band, Dancing on Tables, explores a more melancholic side in ‘Not To Need You’.
Written in Nashville alongside legendary songwriter Liz Rose (TaylorSwift, LittleBigTown, CarrieUnderwood), the hopeful song encapsulates the uphill battles everyone goes through in life but reminds us that there is always a light at the end of the tunnel.
Sounds like: Sea Girls, Biffy Clyro, Circa Waves, The 1975, Rat Boy, Circa Waves, The Amazons, Blossoms, Wild Nothing, Cassia, Catfish and the Bottlemen
Like an early Billie Eilish, Australian artist Stellie is transforming our take on pop.
Inspired by strong female voices, her tender and personal tales are indie-pop slow-burners that cut straight to the heart. Listen to her hazy new single, ‘How Do We Look So Good?’ below.
It’s great to see GusGus back with another stellar release.
The electronic innovators have released ‘Out Of Place’, highlighting the duo’s affinity for rolling synth-lines and sharp, pop-driven vocals. Listen below.
Sounds like: Simian Mobile Disco, Tears For Fears, Simple Minds, Röyksopp, Goldfrapp, Orbital, Roisin Murphy
Another Newcastle band for us this week – Llovers.
Releasing the infectious new cut, ‘Feeling Sound’, it’s clear that anyone listening to the track will be enamoured by their immense potential, thanks to their irresistible anthemic tendencies with sparkling riffs, sing-along choruses and playful songwriting.
London baroque pop band Weird Milk shares ‘Is That Love?’.
Having already supported indie risers Alfie Templeman and Pip Blom, and about to support APRE on their UK tour, their latest offering doesn’t disappoint.
Songwriter and drummer Charlie Glover-Wright explains, “The song itself is about a relationship turning sour as a lemon and the main character realising that they don’t need it anymore and they’ll be better off on their own.”
Sounds like: FEET, Sports Team, The Magic Gang, Genghar, The Last Shadow Puppets
You may recognise Kelli-Leigh’s vocals from such hits as ‘More Than Friends’ by Jame Hype, ‘I Got U’ by Duke Dumont and Second City‘s ‘I Wanna Feel’, but it’s time for the British singer/songwriter to step out into the light and reveal her first solo music of the decade.
The uptempo pop song, ‘Cotton Clouds’ describes a blissed out relationship. Lovely.
Dutch DIY duo The Day are Laura Loeters from from Antwerp/Belgium and Hamburg based Gregor Sonnenberg.
Sharing the fancy-free video for their cover of ‘Tenderfoot’ by The Lemonheads / Smudge, the latest release is inspired by their youth, as the dream-pop band continue their tasteful take on original classics.
Orlando-based 25 year old Talii has a wicked streak, as can be witnessed in her sultry and dark pop song, ‘Good To Be Bad’.
Born into a musically gifted and diversely talented family of musicians and performers, she began singing at age 3 and was playing the piano and writing songs by age 7. There is no denying her talent.
Lucia & The Best Boys shares brand new single ‘City Of Angels’, taken from their ‘Eternity EP’, both out now via Sweet Jane Recordings.
With a nod to driving 80’s inspirations combined with a frontwoman, who bleeds a fierce rock attitude, ‘City of Angels’ focuses on isolation and the trappings of society. Lucia Fairfull explains,
“City of Angels is for anyone who has ever felt unaccepted in society, and trapped in a mindset of anxiety.
“People are constantly judging themselves, others, and comparing the two, which is now intensified by social media. The point is that we do not live in a world full of perfect people (A city of Angels), everyone is entitled to originality, flaws, and no one should feel the need to suppress their personality for the sake of someone else, who probably has also felt the same way.”
Live
23 Feb – Manchester YES Bar Headline
24 Feb – St Albans The Horn Headline
25 Feb – London Shacklewell Arms Headline
12 Mar – Glasgow King Tuts Headline
23 Mar – Dundee Church w/ The Ninth Wave
24 Mar – Aberdeen Tunnels w/ The Ninth Wave
Sounds like: Pat Benatar, Yonaka, Calva Louise, Courtney Love
Glasgow band Victoria’s Flight shares new single ‘Love Will Come Back’, the third in a trilogy of singles that together tell the story of a summer of love and loss.
An accidental song that took very little time to create, it’s got a bittersweet attitude and once again showcases the band’s ability to write rich and memorable melodies.
Scottish band Dancing On Tables shares their effervescent new single, ‘Stay’.
The topic of the song talks about the over-reliance on the other half of a relationship. Usually a subject of heartbreak, the track builds towards the desperate and angry situation the left behind half finds themselves in.
Listen below.
It’s out now via LV Music.
Sounds like: Sea Girls, Biffy Clyro, Circa Waves, The 1975, Rat Boy, Circa Waves, The Amazons, Blossoms, Wild Nothing, Cassia
