TRACKS

Image: Bosola by Harley Kuyck-Cohen

BOSOLA - HOW SICK I BECAME, RUNNING FROM MYSELF EP

Words: Michael O’Neill

Throughout its four tracks, How Sick I Became, Running From Myself succeeds at capturing all that is great about melancholy-shot indie without ever collapsing under the weight of itself. On top of a glorious storm of sound, the EP tackles subjects of emotional brevity with an effortlessness that immediately calls to mind the songcraft of Felt, The Go-Betweens and Sire-era The Replacements, whilst wisely avoiding becoming a half-hearted pastiche of that particular school of post-punk. The production is utterly crystalline, serving the intricate melodies and glorious worlds within these songs, allowing the EP to shine as a bold, enthralling, fresh and endlessly-replayable statement of intent from an absolute visionary of a songwriter. Absolutely essential listening.

Released: 14.06.21 www.soundcloud.com/bosolauk

Cache-Cache

CACHE-CACHE - PANTOMIME

Words: Michael O’Neill

This marvellous slice of anxious, frenetic neo-soul finds self-described ‘impressionists’ Cache-Cache return with (as they put it) ‘their dressing-up box of musical styles, and melodic palette of multi-coloured riffs in this unseasonal take on a real-life fairy tale’, with the help of jazz vocalist Alice Grace, rapper Ken Masters and flautist Alex Saxon. It’s an utter carnival of sound, which effortlessly shape-shifts from tightly wound Rhodes-driven funk through to complex scuzzy jazz-fusion riffage. The brilliant contrast between Grace’s melodic runs and the frenzied wordsmithery of Masters makes for a delightfully unpredictable trip, with Saxon’s melodies floating effortlessly above it all. In short, it’s the North East’s answer to the Soulquarians, and an utter triumph.

Released: 04.06.21 www.cachecache.band

ECHO JULIET - AFFIRMATION

Words: Jay Moussa-Mann

Starting with haunting synth pulses and tinkling arpeggios, Affirmation draws you in with mysterious whispers, deep grinding bass and percussion. The track is instantly arresting, building as it goes on. I have been a big fan of Echo Juliet’s music since I first heard a mix in 2020. I always feel like I’m listening to the skill of a classical symphony with everything contemporary and gutsy I love about electronic music. Echo Juliet’s background as producer, DJ and classically-trained pianist sets the stall for her melodic fusion of genres. No surprise then, that Affirmation has been picked up by Wah Wah 45s for release on the first compilation from a new electronic sub-label they are launching called Allison Recordings which showcases up-and-coming producers and music makers.

Released: 18.06.21 www.soundcloud.com/echojulietdj

Echo Juliet

HEATHER FERRIER - CIRCLES

Words: Kate Murphy

This will be unlike anything you’ve heard for a long time. It’s different from the outset, even before you realise it is pure accordion, with not a word spoken. There is something end-of-the-pier about it, not in the sense of flashing and bad magic, but in the rotating colours it creates, like an auditory Ferris wheel, and in the thick swishing feeling it embodies. This swishing is like waves washing in and out on the shore, thickened further by the slowly all-consuming electronic elements that Heather has trippily and delightfully married with it. It seems to build in momentum throughout, and finishes with a brief flourish, the way a clown suddenly ends a juggle. You’ll find yourself snap out of a trance and applaud.

Released: 25.06.21 www.heatherferriermusic.com

Heather Ferrier by Niles Krieger

TEMPLO - LONELY

Words: Damian Robinson

Orchestral and theatrical, it’s probably far too obvious to make comparisons between Paige Temperley and Ashley Lowes (aka Templo) and Kate Bush; but that’s certainly an appropriate place to start. Spread out across a sparse, three-minute piano foundation, the core strength of Lonely is its stunning two- and three-part vocal harmonies, making the track a deliberate balance between a lonely/minimal musical base and a busy/collective vocal line. Harmonic, haunting and deeply atmospheric, Lonely is a lovely composition, blending theatrical sensibilities and an interesting performance art-style of delivery. A deliberately visual collective (check out the cover art for Templo) it’d be fascinating to see what video they might create to represent this track.

Released: 25.06.21 www.facebook.com/temploduo

SAM FRENCH - INSIDE DREAMS

Words: Jay Moussa-Mann

Fresh and zingy, this upbeat electro pop tune is instantly catchy, a really uplifting summer dance track. Filled with layers of talking synths, bright guitars and a mesmerising beat, indie pop artist/producer Sam French has created a first-class production. Channelled from frustration, this single proves a positive light can come from a negative source. Bearing hints of 80s electronic pop, Inside Dreams feels refreshingly contemporary, rising to big powerful moments before falling to soft, gentle segments where Sam’s breathy vocals carry the song into another wave. After supporting Scouting For Girls and playing live at the O2 Academy and Sage Gateshead in past projects, Inside Dreams is his first – highly satisfying – exploration into solo music.

Released: 11.06.21 www.samfrenchmusic.co.uk

NO TIME FOR REASON - CRITICAL

Words: Damian Robinson

If you went into a record store and hunted around the ‘B’s of the Pop and Rock section, you’d probably find the core ingredients of Critical. Take ‘Biffy Clyro’ for strong rock guitars bordering on metal but nudging more towards emo, then add in some ‘Blink 182’ for the track’s driving drums providing a harsh undercurrent of pop/rock and take some of the raw, emotive, language of ‘Bikini Kill’ before finally throwing in some of the overall pop/rock melody lines and production of the ‘Backstreet Boys’ (‘larger than life’ - it’s meant as a compliment) and you’d get this little belter of a track. Raw and emotional, with a strong sense of pop, there’s all of the right ingredients here.

Released: 04.06.21 www.notimeforreason.com

SPELL TOKEN - SEASONS

Words: Jay Moussa-Mann

Climbing piano over ambient pads starts this stunning track with a bang. I absolutely love the unexpected stop before a gathering of gorgeous male vocals harmonise over guitar strumming, and the track soars into the most amazing symphony. Prog pop meets classical meets outstanding musicianship! Spell Token is the solo project of Josh Ingledew, a songwriter and producer from Hartlepool. As well as recording everything himself, he also plays the majority of instruments you hear. Seasons is the first single taken from Spell Token’s upcoming album, with a number of guest musicians playing. We can expect to hear much more from Spell Token this year, with new singles already lined up and a release date for the album on the horizon.

Released: 11.06.21 www.spelltoken.bandcamp.com

SHAKK - LIVING PROOF

Words: Damian Robinson

Taking its hook from, seemingly, the sounds of a mining brass band, there’s something deeply North Eastern about the new one from Middlesbrough rapper Shakk. Supplemented nicely by a well worked out music video, Living Proof digs into the Rocky narrative; following a central character from being down and out before raising to personal glory. Nicely rapped over, Living Proof uses a fairly downtempo set of minimal beats to create enough space for Shakk to talk about the importance of finishing personal challenges and pushing yourself towards your goal. Strong and with an important message, Living Proof bangs hard. Start with the video, as it helps tell the full story.

Released: 28.05.21 www.facebook.com/shakkmusic

CAITIE - LIVE IT UP

Words: Kate Murphy

A new carefree take on having time on your hands like you’ve never had before, singer-songwriter Caitie brings us this summery ode to whiling away your days with someone in your thoughts. Gently cushioned by soft, distant steel drums, it drifts along on a tropical breeze, its intermittent harmonies creamy as coconut milk. With its slick beat, and clean, juicy vocals that sound particularly pristine and onomatopoeic on phrases like “icy drinks”, it’s tight and chart-ready, and calls to mind the cool, sugary stylings of Zara Larsson. For Caitie, there is no room for boredom: she takes in the endless empty hours that make up being young in 2021 and does nothing but appreciate them. A breath of fresh air.

Released: 11.06.21 www.facebook.com/caitiexmusic

JAMES LEONARD HEWITSON - WAITING FOR A CALL

Words: Michael O’Neill

The almighty James Leonard Hewitson returns with another phenomenal slab of angular delight. Waiting For A Call is a gloriously frenetic rush of energy, replete with harsh blasts of percussion, gritty bass and urgent synths which brilliantly mirror the tightly-wound, anxiety-soaked urgency of the lyrics, which articulate the restlessness of sitting about, bored out of your skull, waiting for something to come along and free you from the mundanity of the day-to-day grind. The production is absolutely astounding, serving the song with an utter cacophony of sound that builds on the eclectic wonder of 2020’s marvellous full-length Only The Noise Will Save Me. All in all, another stand-out transmission from one hell of a talented artist.

Released: 24.06.21 www.jamesleonardhewitson.com

JOSEPH BROWN - UNREAD NOTES EP

Words: Kate Murphy

Opening song Parasites instantly raised a smile, for it has that undeniably punk sound of a dodgy mic set-up at an underground gig and the ever-present threat of feedback screech. For all its rawness and its talk of blood-sucking and cockroaches though, it’s nonetheless delivered in a mellow indie drone, adding to its undercurrent of humour. This undercurrent is never more apparent than in third track Resolutions, a funky, stripped-back gem and the highlight of the EP, in which Joseph regales us with an account of a winter walk, telling us of the “slush and snow / which soaks my tatty socks”. It’s told with all the seriousness of a Joy Division song and, at the same time, none of it. It is quite fantastic.

Released: 23.06.21 www.jjosephbrownn.bandcamp.com