TRACKS
REVIEWS OF SINGLES AND EPS BY NORTH EAST ARTISTS. WANT YOUR MUSIC FEATURED? EMAIL NARCMEDIA@GMAIL.COM (PLEASE TRY TO GET IN TOUCH 8-6 WEEKS AHEAD OF THE MONTH OF RELEASE)
The Redroom by Daniel Preece
THE REDROOM FRONTLINE Words: Damian Robinson Thanks to the rave reviews they received for December’s Forced Stability single, North East newcomers The Redroom have been identified as hotly tipped ones-to-watch, with a pleasing line in Go-Go’s style of surfy indie, laced with punk-pop. It’s easy to see why they’re doing well; new single Frontline introduces nicely delivered vocals with interesting layering styles, and perhaps the band’s core talent is in their musicality and ability to follow interesting sonic patterns. Layered with interesting licks and sharp-as-a-dart drumming, The Redroom set up a really structured support line for the track’s slightly introverted, slightly angry, melody lines. What’s more, the band sound like they have the potential to be a great live act too. Compelling stuff. Released: 23.07.21 www.instagram.com/theredroombandofficial
VIGILANCE STATE FIRST CLASS Words: Kate Murphy Sometimes electronica gets a message across more powerfully than any other genre could, and when the message is ‘you’re always a little closer to a dystopia than you think you are’, this is a prime example of that power in action. As a monotone voice lists what you can do in this First Class cabin of the future/present, the synth coaxing it steadily and speedily along creates a sense of moving into something beyond our control. The beauty of Vigilance State’s track is that by the end it’s got you thinking about its title, a phrase you’d normally hear from the mouth of a cheery stewardess and think nothing of, in a completely different way. “Rest easy”, the airline encourages. I wouldn’t if I were you. Released: 01.07.21 www.soundcloud.com/vigilance-state
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Jen Stevens by Jordan Embleton
JEN STEVENS NEPTUNE’S DAUGHTER Words: Michael O’Neill Bereavement has always provided a deep and rich well of expression throughout the history of art, and Neptune’s Daughter is no exception. Much like her powerful recent release She Sleeps, Stevens has translated the pain felt by loss into compelling works of emotional depth. There is a constant undertow of optimism and acceptance in the powerful and rich imagery that the South Shields-based singer/songwriter paints, immediately calling to mind Kate Bush in her buoyant command of melody and harmony, and in the sheer versatility of the arrangement, which never stays in the same place for too long, mirroring the depth and urgency of the lyrics. All in all, it’s a profound and compelling masterpiece of song. Released: 09.06.21 www.jenstevens.co.uk
SHAMU UNWOUND EP Words: Steve Spithray Pastoral indie is probably one of the most underwhelming genre names of all time, in that it means no specific harm while it goes about its largely forgettable business in front of a light turquoise colour board. Thankfully Shamu’s Unwound EP offers a lot more depth and texture on an otherwise one-dimensional branch of the indie tree. Heredity is all big chiming musical gifts while Reputation’s vocoder shouldn’t distract from its melodic peaks and whimsical introspections. Direction and Understanding are more traditionally arranged, nudging towards indie rock territory and round off a strong return from the Newcastle four-piece after 2020’s Use Your Voice album. Released: 02.07.21 www.soundcloud.com/shamuisaband
