Rhythm & Booze An online music webzine created by music lovers for music lovers.

6 February, 2015

Hanne Kolstø-Forever Maybe

Filed under: electronic,indie,pop,Recorded Reviews — Tags: forever maybe, hanne Kolstø, new album — willmunn @ 11:15

Norwegian native Hanne Kolstø straddles the divide between glacial pop and contagious electronica to create a sound that’s unique and infectious. Her last couple of albums have seen Hanne receive recognition from the Norwegian Grammy Awards (both nominated for best pop album), as well rave reviews across both the Norwegian and British press (Guardian, Sunday Times, Q, etc).

Forever Maybe, Hanne’s fourth album, set’s to continue this trend, whilst perhaps expanding even further musically.

The album opens with Blanko and from the off Hanne’s ethereal vocals are very much at the forefront of a gorgeous dreamy slice of glacial synth-pop, the beat moves from an understated heartbeat to a more euphoric throb around the minute mark, but never becomes obtrusive, whilst waves of synths (and is that an electric guitar?) further pepper the track before the programmed beats are replaced with a more organic sound as the track heads off into a harmony enriched and somewhat shoe-gaze like outro.

Synnecrosis adds acoustic guitars to the mix of bleeps, rolling beats, barely audible spoken word samples and synths creating a lush trippy take on electro-pop. We Don’t See Ourselves is a striking slice of pure radio friendly pop, complete with a dazzling hook-laden chorus and strummed acoustics, all complimented by a subtle electronic tinge, giving the track a perhaps more, commercial Imogen Heep feel that you could imagine becoming both a 6Music and Radio 2 staple in the future.

The album continues to twist and turn from the ethereal to synth-pop and then onto the likes of  The Urge To Repeat, which sees Hanne’s previously hinted indie rock influence come to the fore with crunchy (even feedback enriched) riffs, pounding drums and a delicious combination of chanted and melodic pop like vocals bring to mind fellow Scandinavian’s (and personal favourites) The Sounds.  Whilst, the likes of All Is Contagious and True Story use of multi-vocal harmonies lift the album even further into the ethers as Hanne expands on the beautiful synth-pop frame work.

Forever Maybe is another beautiful addition to Hanne’s ever impressive pop portfolio, it’s varied, inventive and oh so contagious, with enough hooks to hopefully snare the rest of Europe into appreciating Norway’s finest.

Rhythm & Booze Rating 9

www.hannekolstoe.com

9 January, 2015

Diagrams-Chromatics

Filed under: alternative,electronic,indie,pop,Recorded Reviews — Tags: chromatics, diagrams, new album — willmunn @ 11:55

Before I begin this review I should say right from the onset that I’m something of a fan of Sam Genders and his previous work under both the Diagrams monicker as well his work with Tunng, so I guess before hitting play my expectations for Chromatics, were pretty high.

Since Sam’s debut album as Diagrams, 2012’s Black Light, he’s upped sticks from his previous London home and settled in Sheffield and with the move brings new friendships, relationships and indeed influences and Chromatics reflects all of that and more. Whilst the previous album fizzed with electronics, programmed beats and funk grooves, the new album has an altogether more organic sound, as Sam collaborates with a number of musicians to create a rich tapestry, combining folk, indie and pop elements to dazzling effect.

Chromatics fizzles into life with Phantom Power, a track that begins with a combination of strummed acoustic guitar and keyboards alongside Sam’s delicate soulful croon before reaching a wonderfully infectious pop-laden hook, that’s again reprised throughout the duration of the delightful three and half minute opener.

Gentle Morning Song, showcases Sam’s use of subtle electronics to pepper his material, layering effects and keyboards alongside electric guitar and distorted harmonies to form a wonderful, dreamy slice of indie-pop again with that all important vocal hook present and correct. The title track is a gentle, lulling, folky number that’s fused with a morse code like coda, bubbling away beneath the song’s surface, whilst Sam build’s a glorious keyboard led melody around his softly caressed vocals.

Both Shapes and Dirty Broken Bliss bring something new to the mix, with the former adding bird song, viola and wordless siren like harmonies as Sam offers a psychedelic tinged opus, whilst in direct contrast Dirty Broken Bliss, is an addictive, pulsating synth-led slab of electronic indie pop that could have been lifted directly out of Apples In Stereo’s songbook. The Light And The Noise could have been beamed straight from the sixties, with it’s phased vocals and retro melody, whilst the albums closing number, Just A Hair’s Breadth sees Genders crooning over an almost orchestral arrangement, again showcasing his widescreen approach to writing and arranging.

Chromatics hasn’t just matched my expectations, it’s blown them out the water, the eleven track affair is the first must have album of 2015, it’s a diverse, seductive and intoxicating look into the eclectic psyche of one of music’s modern day mavericks. Sam Genders has more realised and captivating ideas on Chromatics, than most groups muster in a lifetime.

Rhythm & Booze Rating 10

www.diagramsmusic.co.uk

29 October, 2014

These Reigning Days-Opera Of Love

Filed under: electronic,indie,Recorded Reviews,rock — Tags: new album, opera of love, these reigning days — willmunn @ 20:04

These Reigning Days are a three-piece hailing from Devon, over the past couple of years the band have been busy honing their craft and playing up and down the country taking in numerous high profile support slots (Metronomy, Echo And The Bunneymen, etc) and festivals along the way (Glastonbury, Hop Farm, Liverpool Sound City, etc). This year has also seen the band venture abroad performing in front of 60,000 fans at the San Siro in Milan as well as playing in Eastern Russia (Vladivostock Rocks), Mumbai, Dehli and Bangalore in support of their debut album Opera Of Love.

The band have also found favour with the likes of BBC Introducing, Janice Long (Radio 2) and the Daily Mirror among others to the sing the band’s praises.

So has all the hard work paid off? The opening track Stand Down quickly answers with a resounding yes, the track begins with Dan Steer’s vocals ringing clear before a marching beat and shimmering guitars join the mix before pulsating synths join the mix around the two minute mark to create a dazzling indie-electro crossover, all topped with a vocal hook that’ll keep nagging you to the point of submission.

Changes continues the electro peppered indie as the band layer infectious synths over a barrage of riffs, beats and vocal croons creating a brooding epic in the process. Too Late, was an early pick for a single and it’s easy to hear why, a hand-crafted indie club floor filler where swaggering urgent riffs and urgent drums collide with a big hook-laden chorus. In direct contrast I Need Time sees the band strip their sound back for a stunning reflective number featuring Jazmyn Mary sharing lead cooing duties with Dan, showcasing a sensitive and more restrained side to the bands craft (further showcased on the piano led closer In The End). Further album highlights include the future stadium rock classic Fishbowl and the mesmeric Living It Up, a track that starts slowly before exploding into a dazzling indie classic, with it’s stomping riffs and killer chorus encapsulating the band’s impressive use of rise and fall to captivate the listener.

Opera Of Love is an incredible statement of intent from a band very much on the cusp of a wave, the clever use of light and shade throughout the album’s duration is intoxicating, whilst the combination of epic towering indie riffs with simmering shards of synth and Dan Steer’s instantly infectious deliver should see band destined for big things in the very near future.

Rhythm & Booze Rating 8

www.thesereigningdays.co.uk

 

13 October, 2014

The Humdrum Express-Cryptic Self Pity

Filed under: dance,electronic,Recorded Reviews,singer-songwriter — Tags: cryptic self pity, new single, the humdrum express — willmunn @ 19:09

Following on from the recent Steve Lamacq (6 Music) approved recent single, Festival At Home, Kidderminster based Humdrum Express return with a rather different follow up single, Cryptic Self Pity. Whereas Festival At Home showcased that punchy acoustic style that Ian Passey (the man behind The Humdrum Express) has become renowned for, the new single showcases an electronic dance element.

But do not fear Cryptic Self Pity isn’t some kind of mid-life crisis or vain attempt to snare a new audience, yes there are repetitive programmed beats, but there are few dance tracks that feature wry, observational spoken word humour and there’s probably not another track in history that talks about last minute goals my Tony Pullis managed teams and Phil Collins in the same song!!! If that wasn’t impressive enough Ian lobs in a massive hook-laden yob friendly chanted chorus that you’ll land up hollering along by the end of the first spin.

I love the candid observational lyrics of The Humdrum Express, they remind me of a dry Arab Strap (and that is a very high recommendation from me!!) Whether that’s over a backdrop of acoustic guitars or indeed beats and glitchy electronics.

I urge you to track down sardonic wit of Ian Passey and embrace the everyday humdrum (pardon the pun) that he portrays so brilliantly.

Rhythm & Booze Rating 9

www.thehumdrumexpress.com

19 September, 2014

Mary Joanna & The Southern Electrikk-Wasted

Filed under: electronic,indie,new wave,Recorded Reviews — Tags: mary joanna & the southern electrikk, new single, wasted — willmunn @ 15:18

Mary Joanna & The Southern Electrikk are a fairly new band, though among their number, various members have varying degrees of success with the likes of Twisted Wheel, The Fall, Interstella and Paris Angels. The six-piece have only performed around their home town to date but already, the band are beginning to make waves with their blend of dark synths, infectious, sharp riffs and lead singer, Mary Joanna Coogan’s stunning icy delivery finding favour with radio stations across the UK and as far as Canada, The Philippines and Japan clambering to support the band.

Wasted is the group’s latest single and showcases just why the band are receiving so much attention, the song is a glorious slice of dark pop spliced with hints of electronica, psychedelia and (to my ears) 80’s glacial new wave. The band lay down a brooding soundtrack before the aforementioned Mary Joanna Coogan delivers a darkly seductive vocal that entices the listener further into the band’s world. The track has a delightful nagging hook and a contagious chorus that cries out for repeat spins, whilst the vocal delivery intoxicates and haunts in equal measure.

The single is backed with the equally impressive You Knew, a track that sees the band on a slightly poppier trip complete with stunning vocal harmonies and a chiming guitar hook, whilst the vocal outro is so infectious it could be used as the siren call, leading even the most assured boatsman to a watery grave.

If Mary Joanna & The Southern Electrikk continue in such a rich vein of form, they’ll be breaking out of Manchester in the very near future.

Rhythm & Booze Rating 9

https://www.facebook.com/maryjoannaandthesouthernelectrikk

 

Mary Joanna & The Southern Electrikk release their new single ‘Wasted’ on September 22nd with a launch night at The Tiger Lounge, Cooper Street, Manchester on Saturday September 20th, 8pm.
Tickets are available from Skiddle for £6 including booking fee.

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