TRACKS

Image: Dayna Leadbitter

DAYNA LEADBITTER - TIME’S UP

Words: Jake Anderson

Late last year saw the disbandment of promising North East group, Badmind. But before we could even shed a tear, Dayna Leadbitter has already made her grand return to the North East scene. Time’s Up is a confidently performed debut track, with an R&B inspired vocal performance that flows perfectly with the stomping instrumentation. The groove in particular provides the track with a sense of the grandiose, making Leadbitter’s lyrical statements more impactful. It builds from a monumental sounding loop at the opening of the song, graduating to an attention-grabbing guitar solo. I’d love to see Leadbitter find the limits of her vocals, experimenting with them in the production of future tracks.

Released: 01.04.22 www.liinks.co/daynaleadbitter

GEOFF MULL - DRUNK IN LOVE

Words: Michael O’Neill

Eight years since a stint on The X-Factor catapulted Gateshead’s Geoff Mull into the public eye, the independent singer-songwriter has on been quite the journey. One listen to Drunk In Love is enough confirmation as to why he’s still making waves even after that fateful brush with super-stardom. Clocking in at a breezy four minutes, the track is a pristinely produced showcase for Geoff’s talents as a stadium-ready vocalist, and a brilliant display of his command of a high-sheen pop hook. The song is pure pop at its finest, with every square inch of the arrangement being crammed with sophisticated melody and controlled bombast, with the heart-on-sleeve lyrics being a perfect match.

Released: 08.04.22 www.facebook.com/geoffmullofficial

FAYE FANTARROW - ANGELS

Words: Luke Waller

Initially lucent and innocent, the track soon begins to unfold, displaying the vast array of moods and emotions conveyed in this masterfully composed piece. Faye Fantarrow’s new track clearly draws inspiration from alt. pop idol Billie Eilish; from the sinister undertones and the biblical imagery of angels and devils, to the slurred vocals and groovy synth accompaniment, there is certainly some common blood between the two. Produced by the legendary John Ashton, who has worked alongside Arctic Monkeys, The Prodigy, Tame Impala and more, Fantarrow has been tipped as One To Watch 2022 by BBC Introducing North East and has a busy year ahead, with dates booked at festivals such as Lindisfarne and Stockton Calling.

Released: 29.04.22 www.bit.ly/fayefantarrow

TIRED OF FIGHTING - CHOCOLATE

Words: Tom Astley

Chocolate, the third single by Newcastle’s alt. rock band Tired of Fighting, melds a disarmingly bouncy, sunny sound with lyrics that examine the disconnect between a beautiful summer’s day and feelings of depression. Chocolate gives the summer sun back its palpitations and dread with disconcerting melodiousness. The vocals are particularly noteworthy, lilting melismas at the ends of phrases in a manner that elevates the track above stock emo hoarse shouting. Musically, the track sways in 6/8, ebbing and flowing through beautiful distortion and a capella breaks, all pushing to a coda that offers a disquietingly prescient line: “with nuclear intent, the sun is like a death ray”. Canny on the nose for this springtime of uncertainty and disquiet.

Released: 02.04.22 www.linktr.ee/tiredoffighting

Melt

MELT - ENGINE EP

Words: Adelle Sutheran

Melt are a Newcastle-based trio who describe themselves as grunge and they serve up this little gem of an EP, Engine. It’s not my usual cup of tea, but if these tracks were to come on my playlist, I wouldn’t skip them. There are elements of Rage Against the Machine and Pearl Jam present. I bloody love guitars and this has plenty of that; Recall, is slower in pace and feels more vocal led, while Sweet, for the most part, feels hazy and chill. Violence makes the most of the rhythm section and has plenty going on to keep me occupied and interested, and closer Blu bangs the same drum against the other tracks. I can see this EP being a banger in the mosh pits. Bravo lads.

Released: 13.04.22 www.linktr.ee/meltuk

MECANIQUES - NOBODY LIKE YOU

Words: Adelle Sutheran

This track is essentially an electronic house ensemble created and produced by Jordan and Jack from Motorhouse Studios/Vandebilt fame. I cannot refrain from telling you that this has summer Ibiza vibes, all over it. It wouldn’t be misplaced as the backdrop in a bar ‘round town either. Reminiscent of Daft Punk in both sound and distorted vocals, it’s a really accomplished track which more than proves these guys really know their craft. Upbeat, light and airy in sound, while being easy on the ear and flowing well right through to the end which, incidentally, I felt came too soon and left me wanting more. The lyrical content is a bit predictable, although don’t get me wrong, totally appropriate. Did I tell you I love synths?

Released: 15.04.22 www.mecaniques.bandcamp.com

THE WHIPPET BEANS - ICEHAWK

Words: Luke Waller

Whoever you are, wherever you come from, nothing can prepare you for the power and grandeur of The Whippet Beans’ rock-operatic Icehawk. This epic tells the captivating tale of a boy rescued from the sinking Titanic by a polar bear, raised by Arctic creatures, before becoming the greatest vigilante superhero of our time, bringing robbers and thieves to justice… it goes on. They say DC and Marvel are preparing to fight for the rights to make the film as we speak. Heralded by gentle acoustic guitar, a picture of bardic types around their campfire at night is painted before launching into heavy choruses, packed throughout with passionate solos. Encounter the might of Icehawk’s spirit in concert at Newcastle’s Little Buildings on Saturday 2nd April. If ye dare!

Released: 01.04.22 www.thewhippetbeans.co.uk

India Arkin

INDIA ARKIN - WHAT YOU CALL HOME

Words: Hope Lynes

India Arkin brings an angsty lyrical twist to her summery new track What You Call Home. The storyline tells a painfully honest tale of home and growth within a “place like this, cuts off hope”, twisted with a naivety which creates a really interesting and thoughtful listening experience to reflect on. The track is heightened through the beautiful depth to India’s voice, uniquely layered into the soundscape. The backing on this track compliments India perfectly, and takes her singer-songwriter status to a really effective new level as a rockier prospect. This fun song is perfect for summer; light to listen to, yet laced with curious and meaningful lyrical dilemmas.

Released: 22.04.22 www.twitter.com/indiaarkin

BAD AMPUTEE - RABBITS

Words: Michael O’Neill

A thick wall of hazy garage guitars lay the foundations for this marvellous slab of imaginative motorik rock from the Newcastle-based trio. The track finds bassist/vocalist Claire Welford and drummer Robin Fry locking into guitarist/ vocalist Phil Tyler’s hypnotic, open-chord riff with a solid rhythmic bed that acts a brilliant driving force for the vocalists’ gold-dipped harmonies. The lyrics are full of abstract imagery, with that delightful Alan Sparhawk/Dean Wareham quality of conjuring up vivid images in the mind without ever being overwrought or heavy handed. It’s a confident and immaculately crafted release from a trio with a solid command for pushing the classic guitar-bassdrums format into imaginative and unorthodox frontiers. Fantastic.

Released: 01.04.22 www.badamputee.bandcamp.com

CHARTS AND GRAPHS - X MARKS THE MAINSTREAM

Words: Hope Lynes

Addictively catchy with an energetic chorus that remained in my head well after the first listen, the brand new track from Charts And Graphs, X Marks The Mainstream, is an extremely fun listen. The soundscape is very vintage, in that it masters a blend of the 00’s indie of Maxïmo Park and experimentative rock from the likes of Talking Heads. The vocals are confident and tell a cynical but touching storyline, rooted in the music industry, but exploring how there are “no more close relationships, it’s just me and you”, whether this be a personal relationship or about industry contracts in the mainstream. The dual meaning between music and personal love is a really interesting blend that this song nails, both in its lyrical craft and very well produced sound.

Released: 01.04.22 www.linktr.ee/chartsandgraphs

Michael T Ogilvie

MICHAEL T OGILVIE - THE WEATHER

Words: Michael O’Neill

An imaginative and perceptive slab of poptimism that goes to task on the all-consuming side effects of an addiction to social media, The Weather is breezy, melodic, direct and as engaging on a cerebral level as it is on the feet. The artist considers the song to be a reminder of the eternal possibility of silver linings even in the darkest of times, with the succinct and poignant lyrics wasting no time in getting straight to the point with confidence and personality, whilst still taking care to craft a convincing narrative and sneak a good hook in too. All in all, it’s an engaging and enthralling piece of songcraft that is as infectious as it is introspective.

Released: 01.04.22 www.michaeltogilvie.com

CMP - SMOKER

Words: Tom Astley

CMP’s new track Smoker takes a sardonic look at the performances that happen off stage in audiences, imagining a conversation between a jaded protagonist and an oblivious, posing gaggle of gig goers. The lyrics are equal parts funny and introspective, and coupled with the paired down electro backing, give an almost melancholic feel. CMP has crafted a sound that evokes the Pet Shop Boys, in the arpeggiated synth parts, minimal electric drum rhythms, the laconic vocal style and the self-deprecating lyrics that recognise the scuzzier side of hedonistic party life. There’s also an assured bedroom-recording vibe running through the song too. A great antidote for anyone thinking they’ve missed standing in crowds at gigs.

Released: 29.04.22 www.instagram.com/sammyiscmp