April 2022 – Almost Anything Music

English Teacher Release Debut EP, ‘Polyawkard’

Leeds indie heavyweights English Teacher share remarkable debut EP ‘Polyawkward’, out today (April 22nd) via Nice Swan Records (Sports Team, Pip Blom, FUR) and reveal video for their title-track (watch here) – described as “‘If Yorgos Lanthimos made a Gucci advert’”.

Steeped in alt-rock sensibilities and politically-charged lyricism, ‘Polyawkward’ showcases the group’s limitless potential in full flow, spearheaded by mammoth lead track ‘Good Grief’, vivid follow-up ‘A55’ and exhilarating latest effort ‘Mental Maths’.

Newly confirmed to support US indie icons Yeah Yeah Yeahs on their UK tour this summer, the band’s unstoppable rise shows no signs of easing anytime soon, with their own debut UK headline tour also lined up this month, followed by countless festival dates and autumn shows with fellow Yorkshire breakout stars Yard Act.

Detailing their EP, enigmatic bandleader Lily Fontaine revealed: “‘Polyawkward’ is a journey of self discovery around supermarkets, along pub crawls, through lockdowns, space, time, hooks and wonk.”

Produced by Theo Verney (TRAAMS, FEET, Lazarus Kane), English Teacher’s ‘Polyawkward’ (EP) is out now via Nice Swan Records and available on your preferred streaming service.

Check out the EP below.

You Need To Check Out US Hardcore Punks Scowl Before Outbreak Fest!

Santa Cruz, CA-based hardcore-punk band Scowl have had quite the exciting past few months and are set to continue making 2022 their biggest year yet. The band are joining forces with Limp Bizkit, $not, and Wargasm UK on tour until May 15th, including a stop in New York City at Madison Square Garden on May 13th. From there they’ll be doing a full U.S. run supporting Destroy Boys before heading over to the U.K. and Europe for a string of festival dates. This all comes hot off the heels of their acclaimed debut album, How Flowers Grow, released in November 2021 on Flatspot Records.

The ten songs on the album are a masterclass in how to write heartfelt punk and hardcore without losing the sense of youthful enthusiasm and fun that makes the genre compelling to begin with. The lyrics are delivered with a biting sense of anger and self-reflection, dealing with everything from personal betrayals to socio-economic strife. With an undisputed authenticity and intensity found in both their recordings and live show, Scowl has certainly planted a seed for their takeover of hardcore and beyond.

Listen to Scowls debut record, ‘How Flowers Grow’ below.

Check out the UK touring dates for Scowl below.

June 26 – Manchester, United Kingdom @ Outbreak Fest
June 27 – Milton Keynes, United Kingdom @ Craufurd Arms w/ Touche Amore
June 28 – Cardiff, United Kingdom @ Clwb Ifor Bach w/ Touche Amore
June 29 – Brighton, United Kingdom @ Chalk w/ Touche Amore

Sunliner Release New Track, ‘Jo, Joni, Mary & Maria’

Leeds-based indie punk band SUNLINER have released new track ‘Jo, Joni, Mary, & Maria’ alongside a retro music video montage of vintage movies and old school advertisements.

The new track “is a Springsteen-esq getting out of this town, running away to chase dreams-story. Partly inspired by my sister who moved to Edinburgh straight from uni, without knowing anybody there and carving out a new life,” says vocalist Jake.

“The sorta coming-of-age realisation that a small town in the middle of nowhere isn’t going to be where your big break, your dream to be a singer, or novel writer, artist, or whatever you wanna be is going to be realised. It’s sorta bitter-sweet. There are all these possibilities out there, it’s not gonna be easy and might not be possible, but at least trying is where it all starts,” he adds.

Check out ‘Jo, Joni, Mary & Maria’ below.

Cassie Marin Shares New Single, ‘Push Me’

Los Angeles-based vocalist, producer and multi-instrumentalist Cassie Marin returns with her new single, “Push Me,” out on all streaming platforms today.

Opening with Cassie’s signature buoyant electro-pop production, it’s easy to get lost in the groove of “Push Me.” But underneath the high-energy beats and fizzy synths is a song that tugs deep at the heartstrings. “Push Me” is an anthem for anyone who has ever been told they couldn’t do or be what they wanted, serving as a reminder that your love and passion cannot be shut away.

Cassie expands on what inspired the new single: “When I originally wrote and produced ‘Push Me,’ I was in a headspace where I felt as if the outside world was telling me ‘no’ all the time. I was abused by people in my life, then judged for my sexuality and for who I was inside. I was surrounding myself with friendships that weren’t allowing me to express the full essence of who I am, and I felt like I was constantly being asked to change who I was in order to make others more comfortable. ‘Push Me’ became my medicinal message and constant reminder that the more I welcome every unique part of myself, the more complete I will feel all on my own.”

Following in the footsteps of past singles like “Tanto,” “Busy Body” and “Every Time I See The Ocean,” “Push Me” is the latest glimpse of what to expect from Cassie’s forthcoming 2022 debut album. With these new songs, Cassie takes a propulsive leap with her songwriting, opening up about her most private battles and innermost thoughts. Instead of succumbing to self-indulgence and pity, she wields her hardships as a portal to empower and transform. “I started pursuing music as a career because of what music did and still does for me; it saves me every day,” she says. “I want my music to be there for anyone and everyone who needs it the way that music was there for me.”

Listen to ‘Push Me’ via your preferred streaming service.

Donovan Melero (Hail The Sun) Shares Debut Solo Record, ‘Chelsea Park After Dark’

Hail The Sun and Nova Charisma vocalist Donovan Melero released his new album Chelsea Park After Dark onEqual Vision Records.

In September of 2020, an impromptu call to Joe Occhiuti (a partner of Donovan’s at Kill Iconic Records and bass player for Ice Nine Kills) and Allen Casillas (Kill Iconic recording artist and touring drummer of Hail The Sun,) led the trio to Long Island, where they holed up at the famed Vudu Studios with producer Mike Watts for a week. Writing a solo album for the first time, Donovan assembled the trio in an effort to explore new avenues musically and challenge his songwriting. What emerged from that session is what you’ll experience with this new body of work. Musically eclectic, the album guides you through Donovan’s personal experience of loss, regret, acceptance, healing, and hope.

Focus track “Toxin” is a synth drenched, swirling song that highlights Melero’s unique approach to indie-pop songwriting. A subdued electronic beat and sparse harmonic texturing support and highlight his powerful lyrics before the crescendo of the song hits with a massive final chorus. Chunky guitars juxtapose against the lilting rhythm of the tune and emphasize one of the grittiest and most emotive vocal performances of the album. Fans of his earlier work will recognize Melero’s singular vocal style, but will be surprised at just how dynamic his voice is within this new musical context. You can listen to “Toxin” and stream Chelsea Park After Dark in full herehere.

Melero had this to say about the creative impetus of “Toxin”:

“I feel like I’m playing a character in this song. I mean what I say, but it’s something that didn’t fully represent a current situation I was in. But more so put into motion something I felt for the future mixed with the experiences I had already lived.”

Chelsea Park After Dark is available now from Equal Vision Records.

Listen to the record below.

Idle Hours Share EP Lead Single, ‘Souvenirs’

Manchester indie risers Idle Hours share infectious offering ‘Souvenirs’, the lead track from the group’s anthem-stacked debut EP arriving this summer.

With quizzical and assuring social commentary, Idle Hours culminates the sense of cruising rhythm with oncoming jagged guitar and melody. Pulled together from four distant English towns, the band’s garage rock sensibilities have already bagged them slots alongside the likes of The Lounge Society, Keg, The Rills and Silverbacks, in addition to their own sold-out hometown headline shows.

Detailing their brand new effort, frontman Jack Waldron explained: “The foundations of ‘Souvenirs’ were written after listening to ‘Angie’ by Shame on repeat during a dog walk in the 2020 sun. I loved the driving repetition of that song and it inspired me to try and write something similar.

Lyrically the song is inspired by the idea of an extraterrestrial landing in Disneyland, and this being their first and only impressions of Earth. ‘Stranger in a Strange Land’ by Robert Heinlein was a major influence on the song and is referenced in the second verse. Banksy’s Dismaland project was also a source of inspiration”.

Produced by Seanda Mcphail (The Orielles, Doves, Blanketman), Idle Hours’ ‘Souvenirs’ is out now available via your preferred streaming platform.

Rioghan Releases New Single, ‘Promises’

Finnish based Rioghan is set to release her debut album ‘Different Kinds Of Losses’ later in 2022 via Inverse Records. The album has been made in collaboration with Jonas Renkse (Katatonia), Einar Solberg (Leprous), Teemu Liekkala (ex-Manufacturer’s Pride, Red Eleven) and Teemu Koskela (ex-Celesty).

On the new releases for ‘Promises’, Rioghan comments:

“Promises brings out some new colors and tunes from Rioghan. A bit more aggressive, a bit more djenty, let’s see where it leads. The lyric of this song inspired the overall mood and structure a lot, as it tells a story of violence from those who are closest to you. The song holds some sharp turns and reflects the more progressive metal side of the upcoming album.”

Aibai Drops Four Track EP, ‘Disconected’

Aibai is a 24-year-old producer from Minneapolis, currently based in Phoenix. Her songs are filled with ambient, cinematic soundscapes that create a daydream-like atmosphere. Having experimented with different genres, her new music explores more of an upbeat electronic dance style, taking inspiration from the likes of Odesza and Polo & Pan, mixing organic instruments with electronic elements to create a unique blend of sounds.

Her latest four-track EP Disconnected, narrates the artist’s feelings during the time she wrote it. Noticing a disconnection from reality, she immersed her emotions into her music, creating a release which allows listeners to escape from real life, delivering an immersive experience and transporting them into an ambient dream-like state.

Leading single “Higher” sees the artist playing with samples she recorded of her roommates and pets. She shares, “It was super fun including everyone on this song! And I had a fun time taking their voices, meows, and barks and turning them into a cool new sound that could add to the song.”

All-encompassing echoing synths, playful melodies and dance-worthy beats create an intoxicating aura, letting your mind float away and forget about your worries. Ethereal, hypnotic and transcending, Aibai has constructed her own world with Disconnected, and it’s one where you’ll never want to leave. Aibai has garnered hundreds of thousands of streams for her music, as well as features on prestigious publications such as The Line of Best Fit, Earmilk, EDM.com, Live Nation’s Ones to Watch and Rolling Stone.

Check out the EP, ‘Disconnected’ below.

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Listen To Palmaria’s Latest Track, ‘Chameleon’

Palmaria are an Alt Pop duo from a small town in Italy, currently residing in London. Members Giulia and Francesco transport listeners on a journey of dreamy landscapes and uplifting experiences. Think The xx meet Sylvan Esso meet Little Dragon on a field trip to the Italian coast.

Following the release of their EP Crystallize, the duo deliver “Chameleon”, deputing a new side to their Alternative Pop sound. Inspired by a longing for change; in a time where everything stopped, the world went silent and still, the need for expression and freedom got bigger and louder inside Palmaria’s hearts.

The duo share, “The song comes as a revelation, when suddenly everything is clear, when we’re ready to show the world who we are, get rid of all the layers we’ve put on through our journey and be ready to be vulnerable and strong at the same time.”

Tickets for Palmaria’s London show at Paper Dress on June 16th are available via the following link.

Check out ‘Chameleon’ below.

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Trashed Release New Music Video For Single, ‘Decay’

Bristol-based emo punk-rock three-piece Trashed have released their latest single Decay, taken from their debut full-length album Happy In Hindsight due later this year.

The trio take energetic punk rock and down-tune it to Slipknot depths, creating sludgy and visceral edges tied together with hooky melodies. The band slammed onto the scene with their debut single Waste Away from their subsequent debut EP Yours Not Mine in 2019, which was met with critical acclaim and saw them play a handful of successful UK shows, making a name for themselves as ones to watch, before the release of their second EP Faceplant came in the Spring of 2020.

Speaking about the single, the band state: “Decay was the first song written for the album. It’s like a journal entry about being trapped between existential apathy and a desire to overcome it. We wrote the lyrics to be deep and relatable without being overwhelming or uncomfortable. It’s also a transitional song for us. We’re ready to move on from what we’ve done before, which is symbolised in the artwork. This track lays the foundation for what’s to come, perfectly.”

Check out the music video for ‘Decay’ below.