Dream Pop Artist Lilac Haze Releases Debut Double Singles, ‘The Ghost That I Once I Knew’& ‘Lilac Haze’

Bath-based dream pop artist Lilac Haze has released her debut double singles ‘The Ghost That I Once Knew // Lilac Haze’.

Lilac Haze is the project name for Bath-based songwriter Katrina Swift. Greatly influenced by bands of the ‘80s/’90s, Swift draws inspiration from The Cure, All About Eve, Eva Cassidy and Fleetwood Mac, combining atmospheric and ethereal textures with a sense of nostalgic romance.

Lilac Haze’s stunning debut double singles The Ghost That I Once Knew // Lilac Haze were produced by Calum Wotherspoon (Nightswimming) and mastered by Adam Ayan (Paul McCartney, Lana Del Ray, Carrie Underwood), with guitarist Sam Allan (Nightswimming) and drummer Torin Moore (Nightswimming) collaborating on the tracks to create the backdrop for Swift’s hypnotic vocals.
Speaking about the inspiration behind the singles, Swift explains, “In December 2021, I wrote Ghost after a period of self-reflection during a time when I felt unsure and lost in my new surroundings. It’s a reflection of the loss of innocence as we mature… a farewell to your old self. Lilac Haze however is a song written for anyone who has been affected by loved ones lost to Alzheimer’s and Dementia.”

Check out the singles, ‘The Ghost That I Once Knew’ and ‘Lilac Haze’ below.

Social Station Release New Single, ‘Secrets To Be Heard’

Social Station is Paul Todd and Jacob Sebastian, a father and son duo based in Washington DC. With a passion for analog synths, hypnotic guitar, classic post-punk bass lines, and undeniable melancholic vocals, they have forged a dark yet catchy sound. Now the pair return with a brooding new offering ‘Secrets to be Heard’, which dropped today.

With a intoxicating synth and bass driven track, it’s reminiscent of 80’s hits we fondly remember but the introspective nature of the track forces you to look inside to the themes of individuality which all come to a head with the unnerving vocals which feels dark but catchy.

Rating: 3.5/5.

‘Secrets to be Heard’ precedes the release of their full-length album ‘In the Fallout’, a 10-track effort that is expected to release on streaming platforms and on vinyl in May this year. 

Check out ‘Secrets To Be Heard’ below.

Dark Fuzz Trio Holy Reptile Reveal New Single, ‘The Land’

Bristol dark-fuzz trio Holy Reptile have released ‘The Land’, taken from their upcoming second EP due later this year.

Formed in 2019, Holy Reptile quickly established themselves in the growing Bristol psyche scene, playing gigs alongside the likes of bdrmm, The Third Sound, Flat Worms and The Vacant Lots as well as slots at Dot to Dot and Outer Town festivals. Their debut six track EP ‘Yawner’ was released in July of 2022, fittingly recorded in a renovated chapel by producer André Dack, which saw them truly announce themselves as a band to watch.

Hoping to build on the success of ‘Yawner’ comes their upcoming single ‘The Land’ on March 24th. The track sees the band explore the less colourful side of psych music, an often overlooked area of the genre being overshadowed by the brighter, dreamier alternative, previously favoured by the band. 

Check out ‘The Land’ below.

Cade Hoppe Releases New Single, ‘Moon’

Rising indie-pop singer and songwriter Cade Hoppe has released his new single, “Moon,”.

“Moon” was written and produced by Cade alongside his frequent collaborator Harper James (Eighty Ninety, James Bay, Aaron Taos), and features guest musicians Rob Moose (Sufjan Stevens, Phoebe Bridgers, Taylor Swift) on strings and Dr. Blum (Twenty One Pilots, Mike Posner, Nas) on horns.

Delivering a powerful mix of reflective lyricism, cinematic instrumentation and spacious production, “Moon” is a celestial yet tranquil exploration of loneliness. It’s also undoubtedly Cade’s most confident and expansive single yet. 

“‘Moon’ is a song about being caught somewhere between where I’ve always been and where I’m trying to go,” he says. “To me, there’s nothing lonelier than the moon—out of Earth’s atmosphere, but still in its orbit.”

Check out ‘Moon’ below.

Alexa Cappelli Share New Single, ‘Someone Better’

Rising pop singer and songwriter Alexa Cappelli, who MTV hailed as a “voice of a generation,” returns with her new single, “Someone Better,” out March 24th on Arista Records. Led by a delicate piano melody and Alexa’s commanding vocals, “Someone Better” is a heartfelt ballad about letting go of someone you’ve outgrown.

Alexa adds, “‘Someone Better’ is the realization that the relationship you’re in doesn’t fit the life you’re living for. There’s nothing wrong with the other person, in fact there’s really only good. But you know the future holds more growth and love for both of you apart, rather than together. Choosing yourself is way more difficult when you aren’t mad at this person who has only ever treated you right. But moving forward, there will be a day when you meet someone somewhere who does the same and is also growing in the same direction.”

Check out ‘Someone Better’ below.

Holy Reptile Share New Single, ‘The Land’

Bristol dark-fuzz trio Holy Reptile have released their latest single ‘The Land’, taken from their upcoming second EP due later this year.

Formed in 2019, Holy Reptile quickly established themselves in the growing Bristol psyche scene, playing gigs alongside the likes of bdrmm, The Third Sound, Flat Worms and The Vacant Lots as well as slots at Dot to Dot and Outer Town festivals. Their debut six track EP ‘Yawner’ was released in July of 2022, fittingly recorded in a renovated chapel by producer André Dack, which saw them truly announce themselves as a band to watch.

Recorded with The Wytches’ Kristian Bell, the band approached recording in a whole new way with this release, choosing to perform the instrumental tracks live, capturing the energy of their live show. The single was also recorded directly to analogue tape, achieving a warm, worn faded sound.

Check out ‘The Land’ below.

Ukrainian Metal Upstarts IGNEA Release Cinematic Second Single, ‘Dunes’

Ukrainian melodic metal band IGNEA takes listeners into cinematic worlds with second single “Dunes”! Having gained many millions of Spotify streams on fan-favorites like “Alga”, “Leviathan” and “Jinnslammer”, the five-piece is ready to release their next masterpiece, the captivating concept album, Dreams of Lands Unseen, out April 28, 2023 via Napalm Records.

Vocalist Helle Bohdanova about “Dunes”:
“We continue telling the story of the amazing Ukrainian travel writer and photographer Sofia Yablonska who lived in the XX century. “Dunes” is inspired by her adventure to the Sahara Desert.
On this dangerous journey, Sofia’s driver fainted from the intense heat, so she had to take charge of driving and also fix the overheated engine herself. Their troubles didn’t end there, as they also had to escape from hostile locals who tried to shoot them. 
Our song describes how Sofia saw a mirage, so common in the desert. In our version, instead of imagining palm trees and an oasis, she saw the chilly Carpathian mountains with pine trees and rainfalls…”

Check out the video for ‘Dunes’ below.

Caroline Romano Shares New Single, ‘Guts’

Alt-pop darling Caroline Romano is back on March 24th with her new single, “Guts.” Following “Fighting A War,” her recent pop-R&B collaboration with Julian Rose, “Guts” sees Caroline returning to her indie-rock roots. On “Guts,” her distinctive voice glows amidst a whirlwind of glittering guitar and frenzied percussion. 

Caroline elaborates on what inspired the new single: “I’ve always had this thing in social settings — especially at house parties, bars, or really anywhere with pretty strangers — where I feel like people can see right through me, like I’m completely transparent. So, in some terrible attempt at compensation, I’ll say too much or drink too much. I end up spilling my guts to people as a form of free therapy, or self-sabotage, I’m not sure which it is. And then I watch them watch me dig myself further, with my guts on the floor in front of them. That’s how I end things before they’ve even started, and that’s what this song is about. It’s frantic and eager and frustrated all at the same time.”

Check out ‘Guts via your preferred streaming service.

Symphonic Metal Icons Sirenia To Release New Record, ‘1977’

Exploring a new style like never before – symphonic metal icons SIRENIA revolutionize their melodic darkness on the brand new studio album, 1977, set to be released on May 26, 2023 via Napalm Record.
 
Showing off their multifaceted nature at its best, the first single cut from 1977 comes as an absolute time machine in form of the record’s bonus track, “Twist in my Sobriety”. The cover of the million-times-over streamed track by German born British singer Tanita Tikaram matches the surprisingly deep voice that presents vocalist Emmanuelle Zoldan in a very new range, while the eerie mid-tempo appears in a brand new light of modern synth beats and characteristic synth-oboe. Transporting their fans right into smokey, neon lit nightclubs, the eclectic mix of 1977 opens up exciting new facets of symphonic, electronic and groove elements in SIRENIA’s music.
 
Bandleader, multi-instrumentalist, composer and songwriter Morten Veland states:
“’Twist in my Sobriety’ is the first single from our upcoming album entitled 1977. This is the bonus track of our 11th album, and it is a cover version of Tanita Tikaram‘s original from 1988. I have loved this song since it was released, and it has a very melancholic vibe to it, so it felt like an interesting project to make a SIRENIA version of it. I hope that you will enjoy it while we wait for the upcoming album release.”

Check out the music video for ‘Twist In My Sobriety’ below.

Chalk Announce Debut EP, ‘Conditions’

With their UK debut fast approaching, as a part of The First Fifty acts selected for this year’s iconic The Great Escape festival, Belfast post-punk/electronic trio Chalk announce debut EP ‘Conditions’, set for release May 5th, and share brand new single ‘Asking’.

Intensifying their perilous ascent, ‘Asking’ continues the band’s arching cinematic themes. Basking in the hardstyle/electronic influences of Death Grips and delivered via a monotone, malicious vocals performance that has callbacks to the likes of The Murder Capital, ‘Asking’ builds its malevolent maelstrom on a bed of created sounds and distorted and buzzing acoustics. With frequent collaborator Chris Ryan (NewDad, Enola Gay, Just Mustard) once again on production duties, the alternative edge is shaped to a razor on the newest from Chalk.

Speaking ahead of its release, Ross Cullen of Chalk stated: “It’s a reaction to feelings of ours that look at the past and a longing for others who aren’t in your life anymore. How we grow as people and those we leave behind as a result. We wanted “Asking” to follow the recollection of someone whose memories are fading when trying to remember about someone in the past”.

Check out the single, ‘Asking’ below.

Finnish Extreme Metal Influenced Kaksonen Releases New Music After 10 Year Hiatus

Finnish metal band Kaksonen have returned to release their first glimpse of new music in over ten years which will culminate to release their upcoming record this summer.

The first single “Kaukana kaikesta” from the upcoming album is now released. The band’s sound is built on extreme metal flavors and smooth melodic soundscapes. The new song is an ode to peace and unity in a world that so often seem like an endless void of loneliness.

Check out the new track, ‘Kaukana Kaikesta’ via the following link.

The Amity Affliction Announce New Album & Single

Australian metalcore trailblazers THE AMITY AFFLICTION have announced their new album Not Without My Ghosts, out 12th May via Pure Noise. 

With the release of their new track, ‘It’s Hell Down Here’ it takes the time to address mortality — a topic frequented several times on the album. It also boasts the vocal dynamics and pummeling breakdowns that are the band’s signatures.

“This song is a a letter from myself and Ahren, written by me, to our friends who have passed on to the other side,” Birch shares.

He continues, “I’m 41. I’m bipolar. And I’m pretty tired of it. That’s where lyrics like ‘Like a snake I tire / the cold dark clouds, they steal my light’ come from. The song is wrapping up how I feel daily, and reflecting on the time leading up to my friend killing himself. I’m sure a lot of people who have experienced that guilt at not seeing what becomes glaringly obvious after the fact.”

The album boasts multiple features — something the band has not incorporated into a release in quite some time — including late New Zealand rapper Louie Knuxx, who passed away in 2021, as well as Comeback Kid’s Andrew Neufeld, The Plot in You’s Landon Tewers, and Phem.

Check out the Cover Art, Tracklisting and pre-order options below as well as a video for their new track, ‘It’s Hell Down Here’.

“Show Me Your God”    
“It’s Hell Down Here”    
“Fade Away”
“Death And The Setting Sun” (Feat. Andrew Neufeld)    
“I See Dead People” (Feat. Louie Knuxx)    
“When It Rains It Pours” (Feat. Landon Tewers)    
“The Big Sleep”    
“Close To Me”    
“God Voice”    
“Not Without My Ghosts” (Feat. Phem)

Pre-orders for the record, ‘Not Without My Ghosts’ are available via the following link.