TRACKS

Image: Sisi

SISI - FALLEN ANGEL

Words: Gus Ironside

Teesside-based singer-songwriter Sisi is only 18 but has already made her mark by winning the Young Songwriter of the Year (UK and Ireland) for 2022. Her new single Fallen Angel is a cool, understated pop song that’s likely to further enhance Sisi’s growing reputation as one to watch. Sisi cites Afropop and garage as two of the many influences on her music, but Fallen Angel has a confidence and directness to it that suggests she’s arrived at her own sound, with her distinctive, vibrato-tinged singing well to the fore. Having performed at Reading and Leeds Festivals and garnered airplay on BBC Radio 1, Kiss radio and other stations, expect to hear more from this young North East talent in 2023.

Released: 03.02.23 www.instagram.com/sisi.official

DOWNTOWN LESTER BROWN - A.I. MASTERS PT II

Words: Adelle Sutheran

Delivering the follow-up to November’s A.I. Masters, Pt 2 sees Lester being in an uncharacteristically chipper mood for this release. The Newcastle-based self-proclaimed funk rock maestros serve up good quality electro guitar-led tunes, complemented by fat as funk, funky bass lines, with flecks of Latin essence. The band profess their lyrics to not have much substance, with song titles such as Jigsaw Maverick, Funky Monkey and Batteries Not Included, fun would be the order of the day here. Having been described by some guy down the pub as ‘like if Jamiroquai binged the entire anthology of Black Mirror and sat down to record a three track EP’, this is a more than adequate description for their sound and a story too good not to include.

Released: 04.02.23 www.downtownlesterbrown.com

MAC TURNER - SAY

Words: Matt Young

Opening with slow-ish moody, chiming guitar chords Say initially sounds reflective, even gentle. However, when the reverb-heavy vocals commence that mood takes on a more angsty, even ominous, vibe. The vocal distortion makes it difficult at times to hear all the words but the overall gist seems to be about falling for someone and that not being reciprocated. Dishearteningly, lyrically, that means throwing red flags out like they’re confetti. The more you listen the more uncomfortable it becomes. There’s a huge distinction between heartbreak and being bitter or vengeful, and the latter two seem to be the case here. The realisation you’re not the centre of someone’s universe hurts, but not accepting that situation essentially screams out ‘avoid me in future!’

Released: 02.02.23 www.macturner-official.bandcamp.com

ISABEL MARIA - ADDICTED

Words: Matt Young

With a catchy pop sound akin to Olivia Rodrigo, Lorde or Taylor Swift, this song breezes in jauntily. It’s a stealthy move providing a bright, fresh sound alongside the lyrics focussing on the naivety and ultimate toxicity of a one-sided relationship. The songwriting, aided by production from South Shields’ Harbourmaster, is succinct and Isabel Maria’s voice sparkles as she narrates her cautionary tale. Caustic at times, and self-deprecating, the song chastises both parties for the way things have gone with wit and honesty, before finally freeing themselves from that situation. The singer promises this song is part of a series of tracks due out that continue the story which is a great hook for those invested in the protagonist’s next moves.

Released: 03.02.23 www.linktr.ee/isa6elmaria

MCCORMICK - LOOKING FOR A LONELY HEART

Words: Niamh Poppleton

Singer-songwriter McCormick continues his prolific output of singles – this being his fifth over the past twelve months – in sharing Looking For A Lonely Heart with the world. Juxtaposing the naturally sad connotations of the title and its core subject matter, the song is shockingly upbeat (reminiscent of 80s electronica classics) with beautiful guitar melodies that uplift the listener. Despite this, throughout the song we, the human race, are called out. In just over three minutes, the lyrics discuss the human condition of hunting for love (especially when we want it to be reciprocated), delving into how that can actually be a terrifying act as “we could run and we could hide away”. A perfect driving song with lyrics to which everyone can relate.

Released: 27.01.23 www.facebook.com/itsmccormick

DEAF FOREVER - NARC HOLE

Words: Michael O‘Neill

We have been assured in advance that Deaf Forever hold no grudges against us, and that the title of this delightful slab of noise is in no way targeted at us. However, whoever’s pissed vocalist/guitarist Lance off has my eternal gratitude, as it has spawned one almighty colossus of a track. Narc Hole starts out as a gloriously entertaining riff-laden blast of catharsis, and then proceeds to hurl itself screeching into a stretched-out, brutal workout of overdriven slide guitar, brilliantly underpinned by the dark grooves of drummer Ben and bassist Tucker. All in all, it’s a delightfully brutal listen from the Darlington-based alt. rock noise makers.

Released: 02.02.23 www.facebook.com/deafforevermusic

THE PEEVIE WONDERS - ELECTROBUTTER

Words: Adelle Sutheran

Electrobutter kicks off immediately with fuzzy, frenetic electric guitars, thrashing symbols and North East accents, and thus established The Peevie Wonder lads come at us full throttle. Lyrics rattle off the idiosyncrasies and the madness of the non-butter likers and the spreadless folk. I really appreciated the tongue in cheek, often nonsensical, soap box opera lyrics in this track, which manages to be cheeky while still having an air of lightness, simplicity and brash rebellion, all wrapped up inside a banging tune. It will be interesting to observe further releases from the newcomers, who have already been getting some serious radio air time, including plays on BBC Radio 1. Electrobutter is a track that is sure to grow on you, whether you’re a spreader or a hater.

Released: 10.02.23 www.facebook.com/thepeeviewonders

AMPLIFIED MAN - IT’S IN YOUR MIND

Words: Gus Ironside

Following the break-up of his previous outfit, Emergency Librarian, Amplified Man is the new project by songwriter Pete Kidd. This new EP is comprised of three instrumental tracks, It’s In Your Mind, Dream Sines and Fifth Dimension, which Kidd describes as “sonic boom ethereal rock”. Propelled by a driving bass line, It’s In Your Mind sounds rather like early Kraftwerk covering The Sex Pistols, which is surely a good thing! There’s a definite space rock vibe track to the track, which continues on the dreamy, spacey second track, Dream Sines, which is reminiscent of the more ambient tracks by underground rock veterans, Hawkwind. The space rock vibe deepens further on Fifth Dimension, featuring some wigged-out guitar-playing, to close a splendid, highly recommended EP.

Released: 06.02.23 www.amplifiedman.bandcamp.com

ARCADE SKIES - STRANGER THINGS CAN HAPPEN

Words: Matt Young

Using samples from Arthur C. Clarke as he espouses upon his vision of the world’s future from the distant echoes of the mid-1960’s, Whitley Bay-based producer Arcade Skies merges Clarke’s uncanny and ‘fantastic’ technological predictions in with ambient synths, and washes everything in a suitably ‘spacey’ atmospheric cloud. It’s reflective and chilled until around the halfway point when the heartbeat of drums is slowly turned up and then joined by a clatter of drum and bass that manages to edge the first half aside. The whirring electronic sax-like sound that’s in the mix too is initially an unsympathetic fit before settling down for the ride. It’s interesting but neither engaging nor danceable enough to aid many repeat listens.

Released: 03.02.23 www.arcadeskies.bandcamp.com

COSIAL - MICHAEL’S SONG

Words: Liv Aldridge

Up and coming artist Cosial’s new single opens with a ticking rhythm and buttery vocals, not unlike Taylor Swift’s early stuff. What makes this different from the romance-narrative style is the confessional/first person form of the lyric which recalls the bedroom pop genre. The song never peaks aggressively; it ends abruptly giving us as listeners a sense of its transience. There is a temporariness emanating from the track; in a mix of teen longing and the cynicism of a young adult the song takes its position between the categories of adulthood and teenagehood. In the end, I am convinced by the visceral references to a heart “rough as leather” which allows immaturity and maturity to coexist uncannily in the ethereal, dislocated space of bedroom pop.

Released: 02.02.23 www.facebook.com/cosialmusic

TEN EIGHTY TREES - MAYBE I LIKE THE MISERY

Words: Michael O’Neill

The Toon’s ever prolific and gloriously eclectic power trio return with a pounding, shape-shifting and enthralling five-track release that builds brilliantly on their patented, precision-engineered brutal assault. Anyone familiar with Ten Eighty Trees knows the brilliance in store here: expect plenty of unexpected left-turns, loads of ruthless ear-worms, and a wealth of brilliant riffage for good measure. The Incubator alone finds the band doing more in two minutes than most could muster in twenty, yet they never sound like they’re trying too hard to impress. The Newcastle rock band’s trajectory has been impressive thus far, this EP further serves as a phenomenal endorsement of their gifts as a trio.

Released: 03.02.23 www.linktr.ee/teneightytrees

BADGER - DEMOCRACY MANIFEST EP

Words: Gus Ironside

Duo Badger have had notable BBC 6Music airplay on Tom Robinson’s show and Sleaford Mods’ Artist Takeover of Iggy Pop’s show. Opening this four-track EP, Executive Outcome invites comparisons with early Ministry (circa Twitch) or Micro-Phonies-era Cabaret Voltaire, although there’s no mistaking the North East accented vocals, delivered in almost Mark E. Smith-like declamatory tones. Second track Goats and Bows continues the witty but incisive socio-political theme to the lyrics. Musically, the track has a softer, woozier feel with a subtle but rather lovely melody. One With The Crab People features an urgent, near-industrial hip-hop backing and closing track Savage Discourse increases the tension with a steadily ascending melody mirroring the intense vocal delivery. Catch them live at Little Buildings, Newcastle on Friday 3rd February.

Released: 27.01.23 www.theartfulbadger.bandcamp.com