Month: April 2021

Sulene Shares Dark Pop Take On Destiny’s Child Hit “Say My Name”

South African-born, Brooklyn-based artist Sulene shares her take on the Destiny’s Child classic “Say My Name”. A staple cover in her live set, Sulene brings a different energy to the track with a more electronic, chilled-out approach while still keeping the same emotional feeling of the original. The song follows her five-song EP, he•don•ic, which was released March 5th on Trash Casual. You can watch the visualizer of “Say My Name” below or find the song on streaming services here.

On recording the cover, Sulene stated:

“I grew up listening to Destiny’s Child and always loved their music so much. About two years ago I decided to do a Destiny’s Child cover in my live show and this was the version I performed. I wanted to see if I could flip the energy on its head and make it really slow and slushy. When live shows went away, I decided to record my cover and release it.”

For Sulene, writing he•don•ic was a painful and difficult process, but also one that allowed her to experiment with music in a new way. Exploring a darker side of her character and production, Sulene wrote, recorded, and produced the entire EP out of her apartment in Brooklyn, NY. She also delved into filming and editing her own music videos and artwork, giving a full 360-degree view of her newest art. With the release of the he•don•ic EP out now on Trash Casual, Sulene has broken new ground as an artist, bringing an experimental and refreshing take on pop music. You can stream he•don•ic here now and purchase the EP on vinyl here.

Growing up in Cape Town, South Africa, Sulene moved to the US at nineteen years old with dreams of starting a career in music. Fast forward a few years and the multi-faceted, Brooklyn-based artist is living out that dream creating her own music, as well as writing scores for film and television, and even finds time to be a touring guitarist. Since 2015, she’s toured stages worldwide as the guitarist for Nate Ruess’ (of fun.) live band, appearing everywhere from Jimmy Kimmel Live! to the East Room of the White House, performing for President Obama. As a multi-instrumentalist, she has written original music and performed on the scores for several TV shows, films, and commercials such as Ray Donovan and The Affair, as well as spots for Nike, Microsoft, Dior, and many more. Though her experience is vast, her newest work speaks the loudest in terms of her unique voice. 

Oceans Reveal New Single ‘Everyone I Love Is Broken’ Feat. Robb Flynn

Post metal heroes OCEANS release their new digital EP “We Are Nøt Okay” via Nuclear Blast. They also reveal their fourth single ‘EVERYONE I LOVE IS BROKEN’, for which the band teamed up with none other than the American metal legend Robb Flynn (MACHINE HEAD) to call out the dangers of rashly prescribed antidepressants.

Timo Rotten comments: “Working with Robb and all the other amazing people that contributed to this EP was an experience I will never forget.
Everyone was so positive about it and we all put so much energy into this without the slightest hint of hesitation. It’s just absolutely mind-blowing to me and I couldn’t be happier about how it all turned out.
Together we can make a difference and end the stigma of mental health once and for all!”

Robb Flynn adds: “The OCEANS team reached out to me with a really unique idea for a song. There was a public blog about depression that anyone could add their story to, the band partnered with the blog and took bits of peoples stories, and from that concept came the lyrics for this song.
As someone who has battled and written about depression, I know how powerful music can be to fight off the feeling. This song has a powerful message, I’m honored to be a part of this great song.”

The accompanying music video graphically displays the effects of pill addiction. Watch it below:

Recently, OCEANS also announced a special live stream that – just like their new EP -focuses on various topics surrounding mental health. For this stream, the band join forces with famous moderator and YouTuber Alex Prinz aka. Der Dunkle Parabelritter as their host and special guests Andy Dörner (CALIBAN), Lena Scissorhands (INFECTED RAIN) and Christoph Wieczorek (ANNISOKAY), who were all involved as guest-singers on the new EP.

The stream will start on May 2nd, 20:00 CEST on the Twitch channel Der Dunkle Parabelritter. During the stream, fans will have the chance to communicate directly with the band via a chat and all donations made during the event will go to the German NPO The Ocean In Your Mind, who will also participate in the stream and whose work is dedicated to those who struggle with their mental health.

During this special occasion, OCEANS will also be playing exclusive acoustic versions of the songs from “We Are Nøt Okay“ and reveal more details about the release.

Cooperating with The Ocean In Your Mind, A German NPO, the band adds a very serious tone to their newest output by turning “music for the depressed” into active help and encouraging fans to join the cause.

The EP “We Are Nøt Okay” contains four different songs dealing with all aspects of mental illness. Each track features a special guest adding his very own style to the new output of Berlin/Vienna based post metal heroes OCEANS.

Fences Releases New EP ‘Wide Eyed Elk Ensemble’

Singer-songwriter Christopher Mansfield (aka FENCES) has just released a new 5-track EP titled ‘Wide Eyed Elk Ensemble.’

The EP builds on the sounds of his previous effort, the critically acclaimed LP ‘Failure Sculptures,’ which was released as an expanded deluxe edition earlier this year.

Mansfield tells the Long Beach Press-Telegram, “It’s actually my favorite record that I’ve done. Just because I feel like I’m the strongest I’ve been lyrically, I just put a lot of care into the poetry of it and the music is a good mix of all my records. This feel like where I should be.”

Over the years, the musician has caught the attention of and collaborated with a diverse group of fellow artists including Tegan & Sara, Macklemore, Death Cab for Cutie’s Chris Walla, Jacquire King (Of Monsters and Men), Nile Marr (son of Johnny Marr), Cedric Bixler-Zavala (The Mars Volta, At The Drive-In) and Ryan Lewis, while touring with the likes of Against Me! and Hellogoodbye.

Stream ‘Wide Eyed Elk Ensemble’ via the following link.

MAITREYA Shares Black Mirror Inspired Psychedelic Prog Video “Pilgrim”

Canadian progressive metalcore outfit Maitreya will be unleashing their upcoming full-length “Hyper Reels” this coming June 2021. The sophomore album boasts a higher degree of musical complexity, filthy breakdowns and a wider range on the vocals ebbing from melodic cleans into sustained growls set to a whirlwind of complicated riffs. The record is a heavily layered listening experience, a cacophony of styles, merging together to create an intense wall of sound that forces you to pay attention to all the subliminal notes and tempo changes. 

To date, they have shared three singles “Summit”, “Departed” and “Catalyst” and today they are ready to present their next track in preview of the forthcoming album.

Similar to previously revealed singles that were inspired by the well-known TV show and movies, “Pilgrim” came to light after guitarist Mark Wylie’s viewing of a Black Mirror episode. 

“Pilgrim has one of the more broad scoped lyrics concepts in the album. It talks about social trends and the kind of philosophy which organizes our society, which came to mind after seeing an episode of Black Mirror. Our society is organized in a way that leads many to feel imprisoned and trapped within the social norms and systemic structures that exist. This song seeks to emulate both the feelings of imprisonment, as well as a more positive vision for our collective societal future.” adds Wylie.

The music video itself is visually progressive and psychedelic with a calming audio experience until towards the end of the track, you get a beautiful djent breakdown along with an unleashed rapture from vocalist Matt Cutrara.

The music video for “Pilgrim” can be viewed via its premiere on SpaceUntravel‘s YouTube channel below.

Melodeath Metal Masters Solitude Comeback Strong After 15 Years With “Exogenesis”

An extreme adrenaline storm breaks out once again! The iconic exponents of melodic Death Metal SOLITUDE are back. This 2021, the metal quintet releases its first studio album in 15 years, which is entitled Exogenesis.

This LP finds the band with a 100% consolidated line-up, with its aims set on growth and constant improvement. On March 16, 2021, the ensemble from Victoria, Tamaulipas, shook the market with a first-rate record. Now, they are preparing to make themselves known around the world.

The digital edition of the album is already available on all digital platforms and it will soon be released through the distinguished record label Concreto Records.

Antonio Rivera, guitarist of the group, had the following to say about this new material:

“This was an album that we made in parts, since we could not all sit together in a studio to do it. However, most of the music could be recorded before the pandemic and we were able, after very hard work, to reach a great result with ‘Exogenesis’. With this album we want to reposition ourselves on the scene and reach all possible places. We are constantly aiming for super new limits “.

After fifteen years of recording inactivity, although always on the lookout for the industry and its ups and downs, Solitude returns with the simple objective of positioning itself as references of a style that saw them grow as pioneers in the country there in the 90s.

Check out the Artwork And Tracklisting for ‘Exogenesis’ below as well as the titled track for the record.

  1. Exogenesis
  2. Arbitrium Incorporea
  3. Descending Into Flesh
  4. Of Thought and Blood
  5. As the Sun Hides
  6. Theogony
  7. Unshrouded
  8. Hydian Slumber
  9. Shadowbreed

Billie Eilish Announces Second Record, ‘Happier Than Ever’

Alternative artist Billie Eilish has announced details of her highly-anticipated second album, ‘Happier Than Ever’, set to be released on July 30th 2021 via Darkroom/Interscope Records.

Check out the cover artwork, full track listing, single streams, and pre-order options below.

Here’s the latest single, ‘Your Power’.

01.) Getting Older
02.) I Didn’t Change My Number
03.) Billie Bossa Nova
04.) My Future
05.) Oxytocin
06.) GOLDWING
07.) Lost Cause
08.) Halley’s Comet
09.) Not My Responsibility
10.) OverHeated
11.) Everybody Dies
12.) Your Power
13.) NDA
14.) Therefore I Am
15.) Happier Than Ever
16.) Male Fantasy

Check out the previously releases in ‘My Future’ below.

Here’s ‘Therefore I Am’.

And lastly here’s Happier Than Ever’.

Pre-orders for the record can be Mae via her official webstore.

The Love Buzz Drop Brand New Alt-Rock EP, ‘Here Comes the Sun’


Irish alternative rock trio hailing from Cork, The Love Buzz, have dropped their second single, “Sainsburys”, from their stellar new EP ‘Here Comes The Scum’. Released after their shining first offering from the EP, ‘Harp’, late last year and their epic live recording with Troubadour Distillery Cork.

In a whirlwind of indie-rock and post-punk vibes, “Sainsburys” is the vibrant and youthful tale of mischief and mayhem. With an irresistibly captivating melody and a mellow percussion running throughout, the irresistibly heady vocals hum their way through the playful soundscape. Consisting of Kieran Hurley on guitar and vocals, Aidan Lynch on bass and Henry Love on drums, The Love Buzz have crafted an unforgettable and entirely dynamic track with “Sainsburys”. This endlessly charming and hazy track is a glistening example of the remarkable talents of this young trio.

Originally written years before, vocalist, guitarist and songwriter Kieran Hurley shared the inspiration behind the current iteration of “Sainsburys”:

“It’s a tale of romance, jealousy and violence.  The dangerous mentality of young lads is something you can miss in Ireland but it’s ever prevalent in British culture, a fish  out of water story with a happy ending.” 

Having dropped their debut EP, ‘Candy Flip’ back in 2019 The Love Buzz have worked nonstop to hone their craft, relentless in their recording and the resulting project is this epic collection of tracks. Taking influence and bearing resemblance to both Porridge Radio and Declan McKenna, their striking storytelling style is reminiscent of Dehd. 

With charm by the bucketload, this triumphant trio are set to take the world by storm with their phenomenal new EP ‘Here Comes The Scum’, and leading the way with the tantalising “Sainsburys”.

Check out the EP below.

Check out The Love Buzz via

Facebook

Twitter

Spotify

Architects, Machine Gun Kelly And More Announced For London Festival

A new festival has been announced for London this coming summer, and its first line-up announcement is pretty good 

Titled as ALT: LDN, it will be taking place on August 30 at Clapham Common and is set to celebrate alternative hip-hop and rock in all of its form. 

Architects are set to headline the Indoor Arena and Machine Gun Kelly is set to appear as well!

Sleep Token, Mario Judah, Ski Mask The Slump God, Lil Skies, Bob Vylan, Mimi Barks, ZAND are set to play on the festival as well!

To sign up for Pre-sale tickets are available via the following link.