New Music Spotlight: Tarah Who?

Tarah Who? are a three-piece rock band with undeniable 90s grunge vibes.  Their latest EP, Half Middle Child Syndrome, was put out in June of this year, and it was produced by Jason Orme who is possibly best known for his work with Alanis Morissette.  I caught up with vocalist/guitarist Tarah G. Carpenter (TGC), bass/backing vocalist Matthew Peltcher (MP), and drummer Coralie Hervé (CH) to find out a bit more about this up-and-coming trio.

What led you down the path of making music? Is there anything or anyone in particular that inspired you to become a musician/band?

TGC: No, not really, I never really thought of it. I just wanted to play the drums, so I started doing it with my friends, then I played the bass with other people, and there I was, playing bass in one band and drums in another band. I was secretly writing songs on the guitar, being too shy at the idea of being a singer-songwriter. When it started happening though, i was just going step after step. I never really thought of it. I was and still am just going one step at a time. It was not planned a choice that I remember making. I was just doing it because I liked it and I still do.
MP:  Looking back, all I ever wanted to do is either listen to or make music.  Deep down I had an incredible fascination with instruments and music in general.  The desire to make music just comes out of you.  I remember the first time I plucked a bass, heard and fell in love with the sound it made, rehearsed with a band and performed in front of an audience because I always had wanted to do those things.
CH: I was doing a lot of sports but I had a problem with my heels and needed to stop. I began music, drums, and never stopped. I’m really happy that my parents and my entourage supported me and help me realise my dream.

How do you feel about your latest release now that it’s out in the open?

TGC: I feel great! I am really happy about it. Those songs are really fun to play live and it’s always nice to see how people react. People seem to love “ACHE” live, but I have heard that “Garden Of Chloé(s)” was people’s favourite online. The performances really bring those songs to life, so if you enjoy listening to the EP you are going to really love our shows.
MP:  We have received a lot of positive feedback from Half Middle Child Syndrome.  The songs fit in remarkably well in our live sets.  The E.P. is definitely “angrier” than previous material but it seems to really get people into the songs.  It’s raw, honest emotion and I think fans appreciate it.

Where did you draw your inspiration from when working on your latest release?

TGC: They are all about different events in my life. All of Tarah Who? songs are about events and people I meet or stories I hear about. “Garden Of Chloé(s)” for instance is in memory of two of my friends named Chloé who both committed suicide. “Sirens” is about the Paris attacks, “Ache” is about the consequences and frustrations of mis-or lack of communication. “Pay to Play” is pretty explicit… and “Little Pieces” is about a bunch of events that happened within a limited time frame, in my life. So many negative events that it almost became ironic.

What do you hope fans and listeners will get out of the EP?

TGC: I hope that fans understand the emotions. Rage, when I was truly pissed off, humour, when I was basically making fun of myself or compassion for the people I or that we have lost. I always feel flattered when people can relate. We all, more or less go through similar situations so we should be able to understand each other and sympathise. We are all the same after all. I hope that people come out to our shows and truly enjoy themselves. We are all about being ourselves and having fun. We like to entertain, so show us your love and it will be reciprocated! We really like people that come out and dance, come out of their shells and dance without caring about who’s watching.

What aspect of your latest release are you most proud of?

TGC: I am really happy to have worked with Jason Orme. It is a big step for me/ us as a band. I am really happy with the result considering the time frame that we had to work with. I am very proud of Matt for totally pulling off and improvising some bass lines.
MP:  Aw! Thanks Tarah! Yes, I feel very honoured to work with Jason as well.  I am very proud of the quality of the recording every time I personally hear someone point it out.  Thank you Jason!!

What was the biggest obstacle you had to tackle whilst working on this EP?

TGC: I would say the time. We were very limited on time, because of two main factors: Jason is a really busy man and musician so we had to fit the time in when we could and also because of money. More studio time means more money that we were pretty limited on.  We had to be really focused from the moment we stepped in to finish.
MP:  I was thinking the same thing…time.  To be honest, it was really the only obstacle.  The experience in the studio was very comfortable, thanks to Jason.

How have you enjoyed touring? Do you have a favourite venue/town or city you like to play?

TGC: Touring is a lot of fun! You meet so many people around the world, different reactions to the songs. Some places people dance and are less shy which is always fun. I love to play in the UK. British people really enjoy our music and are very supportive. They also drink a lot which makes everything always a little more fun ;)
Although Vegas the other day almost killed me with the pour of their drinks! The bartender could have put ice in a bottle of Jameson and a dash of coca cola, it would have been the same thing! But hey! Thanks! We had a great night!
MP: Touring is crazy but super fun.  It’s totally interesting performing in a new place because you never know what to expect.  The receptions are typically warm and people want to know where you are from and what’s up with your band! I love the good vibes, it helps give you that extra energy to give an even more kick ass performance! I can’t wait to tour Europe.
CH: It’s really great. You are in a new town every night and meet some amazing people, doing what you love!! I mean it’s the best, right?!

What can fans expect from you on your next tour?

TGC: We are really excited about our next tour, I think our fans can expect to have a really good time at our shows! Everyone should get to know the songs, so they can all sing or scream-a-long! The craziest you are the craziest we will get on stage. Your energy is contagious, so if you are looking for a good time, come on out! :)
MP:  Intense, raging, raw, loud, screaming, moshing…  We make sure it will be crazy fun.  Yea, we invite you to sing (or scream/yell) along!!
CH: Have a lot of fun and offer, I hope, a great show to people that come to see us.

What is your ultimate goal as a musician/band?

TGC: I really want to be able to take Tarah Who? everywhere in the world. I hope to inspire people to be themselves, and go for what they want in life. I want to be a proof amongst others that you CAN do it, if you believe in yourself and if you really, just dare to live your dreams. I know that a lot of people feel that they are alone, or going through some hard situations in their lives, and I would be really happy if those people listened to Tarah Who?  and felt comfort in our songs. Just like I have found comfort,inspiration or strength, listening to other bands growing up.
MP:  I want people to really enjoy the music Tarah Who? creates and performs.  Music touches everyone in different ways and I believe that is one of the most beautiful things in our world.  I just hope we can “touch” as many people as possible with our music.  As someone who really enjoys music, I would like to give some of that same enjoyment back to everyone I can.
CH: To be able to pursue this path and play a lot more and a long time. Rock’n’Roll!!!

What’s next for Tara Who?

TGC: We have a couple music videos coming up, that we are really excited about. Outside of the gigs that we have until the end of this year, we are working on new songs, and we are hoping to release a new EP that we will promote on our next tour in April 2018.
We are also planning to go play some festivals and shows next summer in Europe. A lot of things are happening, and it is all very exciting! We can’t wait to share all of this with you! Thanks for your support!
MP:  We are about half way through our Southern California tour.  We plan to record new material very soon.  Keep your eyes peeled…we will be releasing some videos before years end.  Next year will be very big. Tours, more music and….Europe!!
CH: We are working on a new album and we gonna be on the road next year to promote it in USA and maybe in Europe after that.

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If you like what you see here, make sure to check out the Tarah Who? website for music videos, upcoming tour dates and more.

Review: All We Know Of Heaven, All We Need Of Hell

PVRIS are one of my favourite newer bands.  The Massachusetts three piece exploded onto the scene back in 2014 with the awesome single St. Patrick, followed up at the end of that year by their debut album, White Noise.  PVRIS’s sound combines post hardcore guitars and drumming with pop and electronic influences, seamlessly blending genres and bringing something a little bit different to the table.

White Noise is a brilliant debut record, so I was extremely excited to hear the lead single for their second album, Heaven, back in April.  You can watch the music video for the track here:

I fell in love with this track from first listen, so it’s safe to say that I had high expectations for All We Know Of Heaven, All We Need Of Hell, which was released on Friday after a short delay to their original release date.  Spoiler alert: if you enjoyed the singles, then you will definitely enjoy this record.

The album opens with Heaven, which sets the tone for the rest of the record with its huge chorus.  Even though this album can’t really be described as heavy instrumentally, and although the pop and synth sound has definitely been dialled up in this latest record, PVRIS’s lyrical content has brought AWKOHAWNOH to another level.

Discussing toxic and unhealthy relationships as well as vocalist Lynn Gunn’s own mental state, this record definitely isn’t a lighthearted listen.  Lines such as “I don’t belong to anyone else” from Anyone Else and “don’t need a metaphor for you to know I’m miserable” from What’s Wrong are backed with raw emotion, Gunn firmly stepping into the role of front woman on this record.  Whilst White Noise dealt with mature lyrical themes as well, AWKOHAWNOH takes those struggles, shoves them into the spotlight and tackles them head-on.

Even amongst these heavy hitting lyrical themes, the catchy and inevitably crowd pleasing instrumentals are hard to find fault with.  Lead guitarist Alex Babinski and bass guitarist Brian MacDonald shine on this album, creating tracks which will fill dancefloors at rock clubs and energise crowds at gigs and festivals.  Highlights include the beautiful, dreamy harp at the end of Walk Alone, the crashing riffs during the chorus of No Mercy, and the up-tempo album closer Nola 1.

One criticism I have of the lead-up to AWKOHAWNOH’s release is that PVRIS have already released five out of the 10 album tracks as singles.  Don’t get me wrong, I did enjoy hearing new music by the band, but the excitement of listening to a new record for the first time was dampened down slightly considering I’d already heard 50% of its content.  Maybe this means there’ll be a deluxe version of the album, like there was for White Noise?  I’ll be keeping an eye out to see if that could be a possibility.

Overall, in case it wasn’t evident from the tone of this review, I absolutely LOVE All We Know Of Heaven, All We Need Of Hell.  The only downside to PVRIS releasing this masterful body of work is that there’s now yet another contender for my album of the year. You guys aren’t making my job of choosing the best record of 2017 any easier, you know.

Highlights: Anyone Else, What’s Wrong, Walk Alone, Separate

9 incredible tracks you need in your life – June 2017

Happy Sunday altrocklifers! Unfortunately this series had to take a break in May, but now I’m back to bring you a round-up of the best singles released throughout this month.  Strap in – this month is a good one!

Foo Fighters – Run

Foo Fighters kicked off this month in an incredible fashion, with a brand new track and awesome video directed by the main man Dave Grohl himself.  This track is a return to the band’s heavier roots following their last album, Sonic Highways, which had a much more varied sound.

Wolf Alice – Yuk Foo

Wolf Alice are back! This grungy and frankly explosive track is their first release since their debut album, My Love Is Cool, was released in 2015.  It’s a massive song and I can’t wait to hear more!

PVRIS – What’s Wrong

The hype for PVRIS’s upcoming album All We Know Of Heaven, All We Need Of Hell just keeps building following the release of this brilliant latest single.

Hands Like Houses – Drift

Hands Like Houses recently moved from Rise Records over to Hopeless Records, and what better way for them to celebrate than release a new single?

The Devil Wears Prada – Worldwide

The Devil Wears Prada dropped the latest single from their last full length record, Transit Blues, and it sounds great.

Good Charlotte ft. Kellin Quinn – Keep Swingin’

Taken from their latest album Youth Authority, Good Charlotte released the video for this anthemic track which gives a solid middle finger to the band’s haters.

Trash Boat – Tring Quarry

If you want brand-spanking new British pop punk, then Trash Boat are the band for you.  Here’s their latest single, taken from their album Nothing I Write You Can Change What You’ve Been Through.

With Confidence – Archers

I’m a fan of With Confidence, having featured them in this series before, so I was pretty happy to see the video for this track hit my YouTube subscription box!

Make Them Suffer – Fireworks

Make Them Suffer are an Australian five-piece band, and if you’re a fan of altrocklife you’ll probably know that I’m a big fan of bands which combine male and female vocals.  Even during this track, the dreamy female backing vocals provided by Booka Nile contrast brilliantly with male vocalist Sean Harmanis, so from first listen Fireworks was a winner for me.

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What do you think of these tracks?  Are there any awesome singles I missed?  Let me know on my Facebook or Twitter page, or in the comment section below this post.

Review: How Did We Get So Dark?

Today I’m extremely excited to review How Did We Get So Dark?, the second full length album by Brighton rock duo Royal Blood.  This band burst onto the scene in late 2014 with the release of their eponymous first album, and their latest record is its highly anticipated follow-up.  The band released its first single, Lights Out, back in April, and you can watch the brilliant music video here:

Now on to the record.  The album opens with the title track, a strong opener with undulating bass throughout the verses and grungy riffs adding depth to the chorus.  It features a great outro, with fantastic drum fills and staccato backing vocals repeating the album name over and over again, which adds a creepy vibe to the song.

Then follows the lead single, Lights Out, arguably one of Royal Blood’s best tracks yet, with a catchy chorus easy to sing – or shout – along to, and a fantastic bass solo.  Next is the album’s second single, I Only Lie When I Love You, a grungy track positively dripping with swagger and attitude.  The lyrics discuss relationships and break-ups, which are a consistent lyrical theme throughout the record.  But then, isn’t love and loss present regularly in everyone’s lives?  Vocalist Mike Kerr’s voice remains as strong as ever, switching between sounding soft and emotive and louder, on the verge of shouting, with ease.  Plus, the drumming throughout the record, provided by Ben Thatcher, is masterful.

Hook, Line & Sinker is this album’s Ten Tonne Skeleton: it’s hands down the best song on the record, with fantastic catchy lyrics and imaginative instrumentals unmatched by anything else the band have put out.  It was pretty difficult for me to list my highlights of this 10-song album, because the entire record is fantastic, but Hook, Line & Sinker is truly on another level.

To me, How Did We Get So Dark? is reminiscent of Biffy Clyro’s work: the drums layered with additional percussion and higher pitched backing vocals draw parallels to their Opposites and Ellipsis albums.  Plus, the bass towards the end of Lights Out has a distinct Black Chandelier vibe.

Recently Royal Blood explained to NME that they took inspiration from David Bowie to create this album, but to me it seems clear that their influences are many and varied.  This band have been compared to Queens Of The Stone Age and Muse amongst others, and their latest album sounds like they’re trying to live up to those massive comparisons.

Overall, this record is dark and moody, and a fantastic follow-up to their first album.  My only criticism is that, at 35 minutes long, there isn’t nearly enough of How Did We Get So Dark? to keep me occupied until Royal Blood release their next album.  This band are a fantastic example of home-grown UK talent, and I’ll be following their future success very closely.

Highlights: I Only Lie When I Love You, She’s Creeping, Look Like You Know, Hook, Line & Sinker

News: Tigress release music video for Headaches

Last month, Essex rock quintet Tigress released their new EP Like It Is via LAB Records – available on all good digital retailers.  I reported on the news back in March. Commenting on the release vocalist Katy Jackson explains:

“We really let our musicality run free on this EP, we stopped thinking about what people wanted to hear and just created music that we like. We are so excited for people to hear our new sound and we hope they like it as much as we do.”

To celebrate the release, the band have dropped a music video for the their latest single Headaches, which premiered last month with Daniel P Carter on BBC Radio 1’s Rock Show.  You can watch the video here:

Commenting on the music video, Jackson explained:

“We had a lot of fun shooting this music video – some of us even had to learn to ride a bike again! The concept of the music video is based on the global mental health crisis that so many people are going through. The video and track focuses on the feeling of isolation – we wanted to convey the message ofhow anxiety can make someone feel.”

The band are currently preparing for festival season where they will be appearing at Fort Fest amongst others. Further show and festival information can be found on the band’s website.

Tigress have previously seen coverage from Clash, Alternative Press, Kerrang! Magazine, Rock Sound, Metro, BBC Radio 1, BBC Introducing, Scuzz TV,  as well as hundreds of regional stations and webzines.  I personally can’t get enough of female fronted rock bands, so I was always destined to enjoy Tigress, and I definitely recommend you get their latest EP in your life ASAP.

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What do you think of the latest Tigress single and music video?  Let me know on my Facebook or Twitter page, or in the comment section below this post.

Review: Hear It Calls

Hi altrocklifers! Today I’ll be reviewing the latest EP by up-and-coming Texas band, The Naked Tungs.  The four piece band put out the five track EP, Hear It Calls, yesterday, following the release of their single Valium And Vodka earlier this month.  The band have a fun, garage rock sound, and I’m excited to introduce this band to my readers.

The EP begins with opening track Someone Else, setting things off with a catchy and upbeat guitar solo, which repeats throughout the song.  Female vocalist Sarah R. provides the vocals for this track, and whilst her voice might not be technically perfect, her attitude comes across really well.  The last 30 seconds or so of the track is made up of an awesome instrumental, notable for its interesting drum fills.  Lyrically the track talks about how people can change under the influence of drugs, and this theme of partying, drugs and alcohol carries on throughout the rest of the EP.

Next up is the EP’s title track, Hear It Calls, this time sung by male vocalist Hersh C.  The higher pitched guitars and more focus on cymbals, as well as the slight echoing effect on Hersh’s voice, gives the song a more indie feel compared to others on the EP.  This is a really fun track which adds to the party vibe mentioned in the lyrics running throughout.

My favourite track on Hear It Calls is definitely Valium And Vodka, and I can understand exactly why the band decided to release it as a single.  The track is a great summation of The Naked Tungs’ sound as a whole: Sarah’s vocals are at their strongest here, and the instrumentals feature a strong bass line, interesting plucked guitar features, and inventive drumming.

The EP’s penumtilate track is All Of This, possibly the most grungy track on the EP, which suits its low-fi production perfectly.  Hear It Calls is then rounded off by Its Alright, the longest track on the EP at over six minutes long, which really lets the band stretch their creative muscles and just jam.

You can listen to Hear It Calls on the band’s Bandcamp page, or alternatively stream it on Spotify – just pop The Naked Tungs into your search bar.  If you’re a fan of Band Of Skulls of Wolf Alice, I reckon The Naked Tungs are a band you definitely need to get into.

Review: After Laughter

Paramore are currently a three piece band from Tennessee, having shifted genres and reshuffled line-ups many times since their formation in 2004.  Friday marked the release of their fifth full length studio album, After Laughter.  Their current reincarnation is that of a cutesy pop-rock three piece with 80s vibes, demonstrated by the album’s lead single, Hard Times.  You can see the video here:

Hard Times is the opening track for the record, and it definitely sets the tone for what is to come.  Gone are the days of Paramore’s emo classics like crushcrushcrush, or their more acoustic, stripped back numbers such as Misguided Ghosts.  This track is chock full of fun pop elements, such as gang vocals, fun synths and the wacky “and I gotta get to rock bottom” garnishing each chorus.

Williams’ songwriting has continued to grow over the years, and at some points is in direct contrast to the light-hearted pop sounding instrumentals.  Williams seems content to lay out her feelings of anxiety, frustration and pessimism with more nuance and grace than ever before.  Whilst the instrumentals on After Laughter often sound sweet, the actual lyrical content sometimes leaves a sour aftertaste, and I really appreciate the band’s complexity.  One of the best examples of this is Fake Happy, with its cheerful sounding veneer and “ba-da ba-da ba ba” backing vocals sugar coating feelings of sadness and the pressure to maintain appearances.  Another is the incredible Idle Worship, where Williams purposely distorts the sound of her voice to illustrate her confusion and frustration with being put on a pedestal.

This album has also allowed Williams to change things up with her vocals.  Williams has an incredible vocal talent, and previous albums really stretched to demonstrate that – think back to All I Wanted from Brand New Eyes, for one example.  Nowadays she no longer has to prove her vocal prowess, and to me it sounds like Williams has taken a small step back.  She’s the front woman of Paramore, that’s not up for discussion, but After Laughter seems to focus a little more on their musical experimentation than vocals.  To me this is best demonstrated in tracks such as Rose-Colored Boy and the slower paced Forgiveness.

The sound of After Laughter reminds me a lot of Walk The Moon’s second record, Talking Is Hard, in terms of its vaguely 80s vibe and fun, summery upbeat themes running throughout.  This is absolutely a compliment, as both albums confidently combine pop elements with more mature and complex songwriting.  I’m looking forward to getting hold of a hard copy of After Laughter so I can put it in my car and listen whilst driving down the motorway, windows down: this is the perfect record for those long drives.

Some Paramore fans seemed to express surprise and the band’s new pop sound, but in my mind, After Laughter was the next logical step for the band.  Brand New Eyes took the band further away from their emo origins with a number of more chilled, acoustic tracks, and their self titled fourth record was the album that garnered them the most commercial and critical success.  As the band have grown older and wiser, it’s obvious to me that they would shed their angsty teen attitude to songwriting and cultivate a more mature sound.  The songwriting in After Laughter is miles away from the petty and venomous “once a whore you’re nothing more, I’m sorry that’ll never change” from Misery Business.

Overall, I honestly think After Laughter is a strong competitor for one of the best pop records 2017.  Fans of Paramore’s self titled album will definitely enjoy their latest LP, and although fans of their first two records may feel that the band have lost their way, I for one think that they’ve found it.  Williams, Farro and York seem to be creating the music they really want to make, and if that’s the case, then I am 100 per cent behind it.

 Highlights: Hard Times, Fake Happy, Grudges, Idle Worship

News: letlive. call it quits, PVRIS tease new album, and Fall Out Boy release controversial track

Hi altrocklifers! This week has been a pretty busy one in terms of alternative and rock music news, so today I thought I’d round everything important up into one handy package for your reading pleasure.

letlive. call it quits after fifteen years

I can’t tell you how sad I was when I read the letlive. Facebook post on Friday, explaining that there would be “no further activity for the foreseeable future”.  The band have been going since 2002, and released four full length records and one EP during that time.  I was lucky enough to see letlive. perform at Leeds Festival in 2014, but unfortunately at the time I had never listened to their music, so I couldn’t really appreciate their awesome performance.

I only really got into letlive. last year, with the release of their most recent album If I’m The Devil…, which I consider one of the best albums released in 2016.  I’ll forever be disappointed that I was unable to see the band perform tracks from If I’m The Devil… live, but the band haven’t explicitly said that the band are gone for good, so maybe, just maybe, they’ll be back some day?  Wishful thinking I know.

PVRIS release a video teasing the release of their next album

Recently PVRIS announced a short run of shows, which led fans to believe that a new album, follow-up to 2014’s White Noise, would be on its way soon.  On Friday the band dropped a teaser video via the Rise Records YouTube channel.  Is the title of the video, All We Know Of Heaven, All We Need Of Hell, the name of their second full length record?  Maybe the first single to be released from the album?  Who knows.  The band are being very coy on social media and in interviews, so I’m looking forward to finding out.

Fall Out Boy release controversial new track

Fall Out Boy have never been a band that meets expectations, and they threw fan expectations out of the window on Thursday when they announced the release of their next album, MANIA.  The announcement, which included the release date of September 15th and discounted pre-order bundles, was accompanied by the album’s first single, Young And Menace.  The verses remind me a little of their most recent record, American Beauty/American Psycho, but the super EDM chorus is unlike anything Fall Out Boy have ever done before, so nobody really knows what the entire album will sound like.  Me? I haven’t decided if I like this latest track, I’m 100% on the fence.  However, my love of Fall Out Boy means I’ll be waiting impatiently for the next single.  Here’s the YouTube video for the track.

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What do you think of the new Fall Out Boy track? How do you feel about letlive. calling it quits?  Let me know on my Facebook or Twitter page, or in the comment section below this post.

9 incredible tracks you need in your life – April 2017

Hi altrocklifers, and welcome to my first update on a Wednesday, thanks to my new schedule.  Now you’ll have even less time to wait in between updates: lucky you!  It’s nearly the end of the month, so you all know what that means – today I’ll be looking back through April and sharing the best new tracks released this month.

Tonight Alive – World Away

Tonight Alive’s previous record, Limitless, had a more pop-rock feel to their first two albums.  To me it sounds like World Away is a return to the band’s more punk-pop/alternative rock roots, and that’s definitely no bad thing.

Paramore – Hard Times

This track is probably the most pop-inspired track ever put out by Paramore, and the electronic influences and music video have a serious 80s vibe.  This is a very upbeat and summery track, and whilst some Paramore fans are against the new sound, I really like it!  I’m excited to hear the rest of their upcoming record, After Laughter.

Obey The Brave – On Our Own

Sometimes you just really need some new metalcore tracks in your life, and Obey The Brave’s latest offering really scratched that itch.

Royal Blood – Lights Out

For the past year or so, I’ve been wondering when Brighton duo Royal Blood would return with new music for their eager fans.  Thankfully the band returned earlier this month with the first single from their upcoming second album, How Did We Get So Dark?, and it’s a real banger.

Have Mercy – Good Christian Man

I reviewed Have Mercy’s latest record, Make The Best Of It, on Sunday, and this track was one of my highlights from the album.  You can read the full review here.

New Found Glory – Party On Apocalypse 

New Found Glory are one of those bands who have stuck to the same sound for years, and their consistency makes them one of the best pop-punk bands around.

Of Mice & Men – Unbreakable

Unbreakable is the first track released by Of Mice & Men since previous lead vocalist Austin Carlile had to leave the band due to ongoing health issues.  When it was announced that the band would be continuing as a four piece, fans were concerned as to whether vocalist and bass player Aaron Pauley would step up and sing both clean and harsh vocals on their new tracks.  This track answers that question with a definite yes: Pauley is more than capable of filling Carlile’s shoes, and I can’t wait to hear more from the group.

Papa Roach – American Dreams

This latest track from Papa Roach sounds like the band are harking back to their earlier days, especially throughout the verses.  I can always appreciate a band who takes elements of their old sound and bring them up to date, so I can’t wait to hear their upcoming record, Crooked Teeth.

Blondie – Long Time

My Mum is a massive fan of Blondie, so I’ve been listening to the classic voice of Debbie Harry since I was a kid.  Long Time proves that the band have still got what it takes to put out great sounding tracks.

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What do you think of these tracks?  Are there any awesome singles I missed?  Let me know on my Facebook or Twitter page, or in the comment section below this post.

News: Everywhere release first new track of 2017, Man Up

UK band Everywhere have announced their first 2017 release in the form of new single Man Up, currently available to stream on Soundcloud. It’s due to be available to purchase and available on Spotify on June 9th.

The track features a funky bassline underpinning its pop-rock sound, and includes a feature by Swedish singer/songwriter Rebecca Nohr.  You can also listen to the track on YouTube, here:

Looking past the catchy chorus, the lyrics discuss struggling with meeting the expectations set by traditional masculinity, and how to manage being with a dominant partner.

Everywhere have also said that they are working on an album, and although it’s early days “it should be out this fall”.

At the end of last year, Everywhere released their EP Fiction Act. The EP single Some Other Dude was featured on BBC Introducing in London and has received over a million streams on Spotify.  I gave Fiction Act a review when I focused in on the band during my New Music Spotlight: you can give that a read here.

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What did you think of Man Up?  Let me know on my Facebook or Twitter page, or in the comment section below this post.