TRACKS

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

CRIMSON BLOOM - THE MADHOUSE EP

Words: Damian Robinson

Visually and stylistically intent on recreating Madchester’s Baggy scene, Crimson Bloom return with another slice of their indie/dance crossover adding to the reputation they built up with 2020’s double album Finer Times In Other Worlds.

Lead single The Madhouse opens their four track EP (do they never stop working!?) which sees the collective take parts of Step On’s shuffling, percussion-led groove and mix it in with some of the more abstract impressionistic moments of the Inspiral Carpets. Creating a solid groove, and laced with firing lead guitars, The Madhouse is another strong, if perhaps not overly original, track which is well written, well produced and well executed. Perhaps next time we need a little less Madchester and a little more Teeschester.

Released: 23.07.21 www.crimsonbloom.bandcamp.com

JODIE NICHOLSON - WHY WOULD YOU (GO)?

Words: Kate Murphy

Why Would You (Go)? has a vibe perfect for this time of year: that gloopy, fluid quality that’s as much as you can handle when the heat goes up and the air turns your thoughts dreamy. Jodie Nicholson’s smooth, layered vocals appear like a mirage, and you can’t help but picture hot landscapes and think bigger.

It’s pensive and solitary, more like quiet wonderings than a direct address to someone, and it sounds just like being abandoned in the middle of somewhere beautiful, in the sense of both a physical place and a relationship. The break in the middle of the song is gorgeous, and it’s where Jodie’s feathery voice, pure as a bell, is heard in its full glory. A pleasure from start to finish.

Released: 16.07.21 www.jodienicholsonmusic.com

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

BECCY OWEN & THE REFUGE - SAFETY FIRST

Words: Damian Robinson

Delivered as an audio and visual collective, Safety First – a piece of music which supports a collection of unedited and vulnerable responses from women who expressed their experiences of gender-based violence – is difficult to review only as a piece of music once you’ve felt the full impact of the audio and visual production; but let’s try.

Layered with gentle drums, piano and glockenspiel, Safety First finds Beccy Owen in powerful voice and intent as she sings over a soaring jazz textured piece of art expressionism. Hooked with its John Densmore style of drumming, Safety First pops heavy with a serious message and strong instrumental background. Overall, it’s a great piece of jazz experimentation which becomes really effective when attached to the accompanying video. Be sure to seek it out.

Released: 16.07.21 www.beccyowen.bandcamp.com

Vigilance State

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

WAVES OF DREAD - DAY I DID NOTHING

Words: Kate Murphy

Day I Did Nothing is smoky, metallic and a little magical in places. It sounds as though it was recorded in a tunnel, rising upwards and pouring back down on you whilst ringing out right to the tunnel’s end. It has a feel to it that’s both personal and cinematic, especially that sublime instrumental, but what arguably makes this track is the warm, subtle chorus of voices running underneath it, like sexy angels guiding it through.

It would send a shiver through you if you heard hundreds of people singing this together at a gig, and if those female voices became louder and higher and just a little bit more in the final chorus, it would take it into a league of its own.

Released: 16.07.21 www.soundcloud.com/wavesofdread

SARAH CONNOLLY - HEADING SOUTH

Words: Michael O’Neill

A delightful and atmospheric dose of folk rock with a strong emphasis on Connolly’s strong voice and lyricism, Heading South is a marvellous song served brilliantly by an arrangement which favours staccato guitars, melodic bass, sparse rhythms and glorious strides of pedal-steel guitar.

This gorgeous pool of sound gives the song a slick and deep undercurrent which only serves to enhance the sheer quality of Connolly’s songwriting, with the lyrics (concerning a relationship cut short by commitment issues) painting a deep and boldly refreshing portrait of a classic narrative, allowing her powerful voice to stand front and centre in an enthralling world of sound. It is a powerful and glorious work, brilliantly showcasing the sheer talent and confidence of Sarah Connolly. Essential.

Released: 06.07.21 www.facebook.com/sarahconnollymusic

CHOP5 - NO RETURNS

Words: Steve Spithray

Airy house inspired by mid-90s techno, acid and trance might be just what we need to get the party started when the nightclubs finally get the green light to dust down the old 1210s and No Returns. The second of a trilogy of releases from North Shields producer Chop5 (aka Anthony Wilson) marries that all important everyday reference in the title with a hypnotic, repetitive groove that should see the North Shields producer quickly assimilated into the North East electronic scene.

As a beat builds, choppy synths ride in on clouds of ambient textures and sounds, before a subtle Daft Punk bassline suddenly comes up in the mix as the track reaches a suitably trancey, toe-tapping zenith. Who’s for pre-drinks?

Released: 16.07.21 www.chop5.bandcamp.com

SHAMU

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

RAM-Z - UNION STREET/STREET TALK

Words: Michael O’Neill

Boro-based genre-blending rapper Ram-Z unveils tracks from his new EP. Union Street is a melancholic, narrative-driven portrait of urban life; the production blends conventions of classic grime with fingerpicked electric guitar, while the vocals from KIMBER provide a melodic counterpoint which adds depth to the rich narrative that Ram-Z frenetically delivers in a swift three minutes, making for a refreshingly raw and vital track.

The sonically versatile Street Talk is more firmly grounded in classic grime, and acts as a love letter to Teesside and the emerging scene. Sam Thomas provides some delightful Jordan Rakei-esque vocals which only enhance the dynamic feel of the track and the beat, built upon heavy 808s and pitch-shifted vocals, acts as a strong canvas for Ram-Z’s frenetic lyrical prowess. Marvellous stuff.

Released: 02.07.21 www.instagram.com/mc_ram.z

ONLOOKER - EASY BREEZY

Words: Steve Spithray

What Onlooker do best is crunching post-hardcore with a twist of spoken-wordiness and Easy Breezy might just be the strongest track yet from the Teesside rockers, as it lurches from angular riffs to heavy speed-bass and a chorus for the masses.

Taking cues from the likes of Idles, Futureheads, Sonic Youth and Pavement, Easy Breezy could be the carefree clarion call some of us need by way of gentle encouragement when things really open back up back up after so long, and “the clean air flowing through my hair” lyrical theme is right on the button. Two-minutes-twenty-five-seconds, one false ending and some dogs barking later, and it is all over before it has started. So, play it again. Do it now.

Released: 25.06.21 www.facebook.com/onlookertheband