TRACKS

Image: Philip Jonathan

PHILIP JONATHAN - IN THE GARDEN

Words: Tom McLean

Northumberland-based folk singer-songwriter Philip Jonathan reveals his latest single, In The Garden.

It’s a track infused with the artist’s trademark soothing blend of folk, peacefulness and passion, which immediately instils a sense of calm within the listener, wrapping a warm, homely blanket around even the coldest heart. When interviewed, Jonathan has been quick to cite the likes of Icelandic folk rock band Sigur Rós among his inspirations. However, while the Icelanders’ impact is clear, Jonathan’s own timbre shines through superbly as he effortlessly combines balletic, soft violin with a bedrock of warm acoustic guitar and harmonic vocals.

If In The Garden is a love letter written to Jonathan’s rugged homeland, upon its release it’s certain to gain many more signatories.

Released: 08.10.21 www.philipjonathan.bandcamp.com

WEEKEND FAITHFUL - RANCH DREAM

Words: Claire Dupree

Let’s hear some praise for the big dumb rock song; Weekend Faithful’s debut track serves to remind us that rock music can still be fun. The band features a bunch of musicians who’ve tasted success in previous acts including Idle Hands, Canyons, Shy-Talk, Drifts, Cauls, Calf and Night Flowers.

It’s worth forgiving the influences emblazoned unashamedly on Weekend Faithful’s sleeves – from the Hold Steady-esque phrasing and piano stabs, to the anthemic Springsteen-style middle-eight which culminates in a glorious riot of guitar licks and trumpet blasts – as Ranch Dream serves up a punchy paean to “graceless days of drunken complacency”.

Check them out in their full live glory at an afternoon gig at Old Coal Yard, Newcastle on Sunday 31st October with support from Slow Decades and Sakes. Released: 15.10.21 www.instagram.com/weekendfaithful

Last of the Fallen Angels feat. Tara Tine

THE LAST OF THE FALLEN ANGELS FEAT. TARA TINE - IVORY TOWER

Words: Laura Doyle

The Last Of The Fallen Angels is Heaton-based multi-instrumental artist Conrad McQueen’s ambitious project which brings together singers from all over to collaborate on his tracks. This global mindset makes for a diverse sound covering diverse experiences.

Ivory Tower takes on the establishment with a classic punk flare. Tara Tine’s Celtic twang shines bright in her frustration-filled vocals – a real middle finger to the received pronunciation crowd. If you have the opportunity to check out the video that goes with this release it’s well worth the effort. This is a project as passionate for its visuals as its sound, and serves as a celebration of the unity between artists that the digital age can bring about.

Released: 30.09.21 www.lastofthefallenangels.online

CHURCH, HONEY - I’D GO BLIND

Words: Michael O’Neill

The new release from this Middlesbrough-hailing trio is a melodic slice of indie folk which exhibits a lot of promise and a strong command of pop-inflected songcraft in its lyrics, which paint a vivid, lovelorn narrative.

I’d Go Blind comes very close to greatness, but unfortunately falls short by rushing itself too keenly to the finishing line. There is plenty to admire here, especially in the miraculous chorus (which is a colossal earworm). However, I feel that the song’s potential is sullied by the way in which it rushes from the final verse to a climactic breakdown which seems to end before it can truly take off, which is frustrating given the sheer talent that is on display here.

Released: 01.10.21 www.churchhoney.bandcamp.com

THE MOTH TRUST - S/T EP

Words: Michael O’Neill

Formed without “any specific genre of music, concrete plans or real goals in mind” The Moth Trust are an enigmatic quartet of North East-based musicians who wear their hearts (and accents) on their sleeves, but give little else away throughout a five-song collection of spellbinding, shape-shifting songs, which are as rich in stylistic right-turns and time-signature shifts as they are in sugar-soaked melodies and moments of sheer sonic beauty (particularly in the jaw-dropping splendour of Two Ghosts, and the anthemic euphoria of closer Be Right Back).

This self-titled release is a cathartic burst of heart-stirring wonder from four incredibly talented musicians who owe it to themselves to step a little more confidently in the spotlight. An essential listen.

Released: 22.10.21 www.themothtrust.bandcamp.com

SCRUG - THE SOCIAL

Words: Laura Doyle

Scrug is a simple bloke with simple pleasures – The Social tells you all you need to know. The simple track documents his no-nonsense approach to self care: “When I find myself in times of trouble, and nothing seems to go my way, I take myself down to the Social and all my woes just dissipate.”

Such frank autobiography hasn’t been seen since the days of Parklife. A fun ukulele line keeps things light and airy against Scrug’s gruff-bordering-onbleak vocals, and it makes the brown decor and stuffy air of social clubs sound like a premiere experience. After all, good laughs, a comfy seat and a couple of drinks with pals are some of life’s most treasured joys.

Released: 22.10.21 www.soundcloud.com/iamscrugmusic

CRUX - DEATH AT THE CASH MACHINE EP

Words: Damian Robinson

Heavy as hell and sprinkled with combinations of metal, punk and industrial rock, Death At The Cash Machine is a beast of a six track EP. Focused on the North East culture, filled with heavy riffs, yet firmly with its tongue in its cheek, Death At The Cash Machine might actually be the perfect companion piece to Sam Fender’s recent Howdon Aldi Death Queue.

Filled with local satirical references (the central character of Radgie Gadgie and the full narrative of Bigg Market), Crux’s EP is an interestingly modern throwback to late 70s punk ability to take the piss out of current cultural norms by using humours references (“slaving away – for the next generation to do the same rotation”) and disposable riffs, all designed to camouflage hard hitting cultural commentary. Excellent.

Released: 08.10.21 www.crux.band

ARCADE SKIES - HORIZON EP

Words: Damian Robinson

When Daft Punk split up this year the socials were full of indie kids moaning that clever, funky, disco sounds wouldn’t ever be as intellectual-yet-danceable again; they’d be left with the nonsense EDM makers who get the beat right, but seldom ‘get’ the humour of dance music.

Whitley Bay’s Arcade Skies clearly understands the type of sound, feeling and imagery that the indie kids want – EP opener 2 3 0 belts out the type of funky grooves that get the heart and the head going with both 80s-infused block rocking beats and ‘cleverness’ required in dance, whilst closer Mirrors and Pocket Shrapnel both kick with interesting pulses and nods to something much deeper than looped beats. Get the message to the indie kids that they can return to the dance floors.

Released: 01.10.21 www.arcadeskies.bandcamp.com

KIELDFAL - FORWARD, TO THE LIGHTS EP

Words: Laura Doyle

You don’t always need words to tell a story. Ambient music project Kieldfal has expertly captured the sounds and soul of Northumberland in a new release, Forward, To The Lights.

The EP takes the listener on a journey from scenic countryside to the gritty industrialisation of the region. The birdsong and pleasant timbre of opener Barrowburn transport you to breezy summer walks around Wall Country. It segues seamlessly through Forward, To The Lights Parts 1 & 2, which build incrementally towards that richer, diversified sound as we get closer to bustling streets and city lights.

Getting the entire history of the North East into a three-track record is no small feat, and anyone with an iota of knowledge about Northumberland should feel strangely comforted by this auditory representation.

Released: 15.10.21 www.kieldfal.bandcamp.com

THE FLORAL DETECTIVES - THE MASQUERADE (MY KINDA GUY)

Words: Tom McLean

Alternative-rockers The Floral Detectives’ new single, The Masquerade (That Kinda Guy), channels the band’s undeniable rock and roll know-how into a fantastically upbeat social commentary about that ignorant friend we all have. Influences such as The Clash and Sex Pistols have clearly had an impact on the Darlington-based rockers, however, embellishing that recipe are Callum Cresser’s vocals which add a delicious Northern grit that listeners are sure to cherish.

Honourable mentions must be made for lead guitarist Bri, basis Tom Dryden and drummer Conor Mcnaughton who provide flawless, high energy riffs and rhythms throughout this toe tapping track. Alt. rockers rejoice, this tune might just be your latest ear worm.

Released: 19.10.21 www.facebook.com/floraldetectives

GWAILO - INNOCENT

Words: Damian Robinson

Located somewhere in the immediate space between the classic rock sound of Use Your Illusion-era Guns N’ Roses, and the pounding stoner rock of Queens Of The Stone Age, with some sprinkling of the finest rock drawl of The Black Crowes’ Chris Robinson thrown in for good balance, Innocent takes just about every 90’s classic rock combination and combines them into a well-conceived head-banger.

Driven by a central Izzy Stradlin punk-meets-rock guitar riff, and a Nick Oliveri styled popping bass line, Innocent kicks straight off into a full-on rocker with its middle finger directed straight towards societal conformity and straight living: “I’m not innocent, you won’t ever take me alive” Angry, edgy and full of identity – this is one for the devil horners.

Released: 23.10.21 www.facebook.com/gwailouk

REN LAWTON - TODAY TODAY TOMORROW

Words: Michael O’Neill

The prolific singer-songwriter returns with the second single from his forthcoming debut album. Today Today Tomorrow is bursting at the seams with evocative, finger-picked melodies and washes of brass, strings and piano, all held down by an insistent snare roll and a walking double bass, upon which Ren further stakes his claim as one of the region’s most accomplished songwriters.

Repeated listens further enrich the delightfully cryptic lyrics, which hint at a hunger clearly rooted in the desire to see societal inequalities and injustice erode, particularly with the biting “Bring your fork down to the floor / The fat man will fall / Yeah, he’s enough to feed us all”, making the track thought-provoking in its dream-like subtlety. An engrossing listen.

Released: 20.10.21 www.renlawton.com