Permanent (Joy)
Permanent (Joy)’s first offering of the new year boasts an exploration into distorted guitar riffs and gloomy vocal work backed by high-power drum beats.
Their new single ‘I Wanna Go Home’ turns the page of a new chapter for the band as they re-emerge onto the Indie Rock scene. The Merseyside rockers have conducted a clean sonic break from their former journey under the alias of Blondes, leaning into their heavier musical inspirations to produce a track infused with darker, postmodern elements.
Holding a likeness to some of Fontaines D.C’s latest work, the song is bold in nature but infused with the pre-loved dinginess associated with Indie Rock. It’s heavy, energetic, and manifests a landmark turn towards the band’s domination of the local music cycle.
Permanent (Joy) are certainly one to keep your eye on as they come off the back of stellar performances supporting Inhaler and The Guestlist.
Words by Michaela Roper
catbandcat
If you can think back to the last time you chased a slightly tipsy spirit through a densely packed forest, you can imagine catbandcat’s new EP, ‘I Don’t Know Much About Rocks’. The EP begins with a cacophony of wobbly sound effects creating a bed on which a beautiful, piercing voice lays. Hauntingly melancholy atmospheres blend with classical strings and a voice that tiptoes around a wonky synth.
They have a healthy degree of experimentation mid way through, as is seen in ‘Giv£ M£ Mon£y’ where the eccentricity of Cosmo Sheldrake meets the electronic beats of SOPHIE, a combination that may sound strange if it wasn’t found in this EP, where it sits quite perfectly. We can only think that by the end of the EP, the spirit must be laying, like a child does after a party, in blissful wonder, having been launched from the static glow of space to the murky depths of the sea, tired by their evening yet yearning for more. catbandcat will give you this experience, just let them lead you.
Words by Esme Morgan-Jones
better joy
better joy is the ultimate cool girl, perfect for fans of Rachel Chinouriri and Baby Queen. Her newest single ‘Waiting on Time’ strikes a perfect balance with a toe-tapping rhythm and an upbeat chorus, combined with beautiful storytelling that perfectly captures a sense of yearning and longing.
With lyrics like "I see a ladder to a midnight star" and "I see a forest / I see the roots on fire", this song is pure poetry. More poppy than some of her previous singles, the pre-chorus in particular is a masterpiece and the highlight of the song, doing a brilliant job of building tension ahead of the earworming chorus
‘Waiting on Time’ is the latest in a series of singles, each as impeccably well-written and polished as the last, and we can’t wait to hear what she comes out with next. Catch her on tour this Spring, which includes Night & Day Cafe in Manchester.
Words by Beth Turner
Odelia
Although originally from the other side of the pond in Baltimore, Odelia is currently based in Liverpool and is leaving her mark on the Northern music scene. With the release of her most recent single ‘Run’, it's clear that she has perfected the art of blending hauntingly emotional lyrics and distinct guitar instrumentals to create a strikingly experimental and complex song.
Accompanied by a visually beautiful music video, Odelia manages to exhibit her artistic talents and potential for future projects. Through her assertive lyric “I was not prepared to run” that creeps up throughout the song, Odelia makes it clear she’s confident in crafting a motif that resonates with listeners. As the story unfolds we are reminded that she is escaping something and, although it is a personal story she tells, it resonates with all of us struggling with finding an escape.
Odelia has crafted a single which is not only beautiful to listen to, but gets us excited to see what she's releasing in the future.
Words by Matilda Jane Sangster
Leeroy Salmon
Leeroy Salmon, a Manchester-based Jazz Punk band, released their first debut single ‘Kim Chi’ it does not disappoint.
‘Kim Chi’ offers a concoction of genres with its juxtaposing verses of loud Punk Rock shouting and quieter harmonious lyricism, that embody the elements of Jazz. The intro blends together the sounds of beautiful Punk drums and catchy electric guitar riffs, so that it is impossible not to instantly love this song.
Despite being a small fish in the big music production pond, Leeroy Salmon have already made a splash in the industry, performing some high intensity, high energy gigs last year. In light of their new release plan on doing many more. The band writes that “this has been in the pipeline for a long time and we are super hyped to be kicking off the new year in style”.
With loads more on the horizon this year this band is definitely one to add to this year's playlist.
Words by Megan Howard
Mayflower
Mayflower combine mellow vocals with grungy guitar to create a Garage-Rock sound. New single ‘My Girl’ is a story of unrequited love and longing - lyrics like "I wish you were mine" and "she’s my world / give anything to see her smile / but I’m not alone" are melancholy and nostalgic, but the guitar keeps the track moving and keeps it the right side of maudlin.
If you’re a fan of Grungey Indie-Rock, ‘My Girl’ is definitely one to add to your playlist. Catch them headlining The Castle Hotel in Manchester on January 31st.
Words by Beth Turner
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