Recommended Sunday listen goes to...

Marsicans 

Touring around with Clean Cut Kid at the moment are this intriguing band called Marsicans! Last night they really warmed up the crowd with a few of their songs. The event was based in The Loft in Southampton which had a great intimate atmosphere about it. 

In terms of music, Marsicans have a versatile range of songs. The lead singer James has a particular charm with vocals, with a mixture of elements similar to lead singer Matt from the 1975, combined with Kieran from Circa Waves. The rest of the members include guitarist Oli, Rob on bass and keys, and finally Cale on drums, who was noticeably great at head banging! Together the band collaborate exceptionally, and seem to fit together like a jigsaw puzzle both visually and musically. 

One song in particular that seemed to have the crowd moving was 'Swimming'. This really seemed to show what the band is made of and quickly gets stuck in your head! All of the tracks had different qualities about them that made them unforgettable. Listening to them would be highly advised if you are looking for a fresh and upbeat band. Overall, definitely a band to watch out for. 

Clean Cut Kid- 2016 to 2017

Clean Cut Kid have released their album and it is just in time for summer!

What a year this band has had! I first interviewed them back in 2015 at a venue that held probably no more than 100 people as they toured supporting Fickle Friends. Now one year later, they have just begun their own UK tour and dropped their newest album, Felt. Waiting patiently for this album was very much worth it, it does not disappoint.

As well as including some of their older tracks which have now been remastered, there are plenty of new tracks which live up to expectations and more. The great thing about this album is that there is a song for pretty much every occasion. Driving to the beach? Play vitamin C. Feeling a bit sad and mellow? Play Brother of Mine. Sat in the garden having a BBQ? Play Pick Me Up. You get the picture, this album has everything it needs.

I often wonder what it is about this band that makes me enjoy listening to them so much. Most people might just say "well they are just good" or "I like their music", but for this band I think it is definitely a collection of features that makes them so enjoyable to listen to. You can tell each song is carefully prepared and has meaning to them personally, which I think can sometimes be lost in this musical day and age. This is far from the case with this band and that is what makes them so captivating to listen to.  

5/5 for this amazing band. Fun, original, and more 'clean cut' than ever, I cannot wait to see what is next!

Kate Nash is on the 'Agenda'

Kate Nash returns with some classics!

The first time I heard Kate Nash, I was in high school and sang 'Foundations' to audition for a school choir...now about to graduate uni and I'm still as in love as I was the first time. Everyone excuse the obsessive style comments, but what is not to love about Miss Nash? The music is different from everything else that floats around the charts and always brings a refreshing 'pop' when on the radio.

So about Agenda. Agenda has 4 tracks and is the newest EP by Kate Nash. From listening to all 4 tracks on repeat for the last 2 or so hours, a personal favourite is the track Agenda. It is assertive and definitely not boring. It chops and changes and keeps your ears open through-out in full Kate Nash style. She keeps to her original themes/styles which is great to see, but also very modern still. Everything you want on the musical table. Kate Nash is about to go on tour and I would highly recommend going to see what this lady has to offer. One I must tick off my live music bucket list!

My favourite find so far for 2016...

 

Goes to Highly Suspect!

This is a band I came across whilst listening to recommendations the lovely Spotify provides. The moment I heard their song 'Lydia' , I began searching for other songs to check them out. Lydia was so good I did fear that it would be hard to top and they could be a one hit wonder, but I couldn't have been more wrong. Their album 'Mister Asylum' is jam packed with rocky, edgy tracks that could be repeated all day without ever getting boring. With only three band members, it's amazing how much of a kick this band can give.

 

The main thing I want to focus on here is their latest song 'My Name is Human'. This is a track that I could imagine on the Radio 1 rock show and as soon as it comes on the volume rides up a few bars. Although its a little more mellow than most the songs on Mister Asylum it still has a similar guitar and drum style particularly towards the end of the song and also packs a bit of a punch. I like that most of their songs have a build up but not so much so that it becomes overpowering.

 

In terms of live performances I've been lucky enough to see the band twice now. Once at a small venue in Camden and again at Reading Festival. They don't do anything particularly different than any other performer of this type of music, but their songs are so captivating that they don't really have to and I like they are all clearly being themselves on stage.

 

Excited to see what is to come from them and it is highly recommended you go watch their music video to 'Lydia' which features an amazing under water actress.

New release from Calvin Harris

Calvin Harris is back including his own vocals in his new track 'My Way'

As we all know Calvin Harris is an amazing artist/DJ/producer you name it he can probably do it and deserves a lot of credit. However, and with deep sadness, (because I had a lot of high expectations for this), I have to say I think he has done and can do a lot better. I dislike being negative towards songs because I know I could never make anything like this myself in a million years, but based on musical opinion I think this could of had so much more to give. Not only is it a little repetitive but I find it rather similar to 'Olé'  by John Newman which I know Calvin produced but they are just a bit two similar for my liking.

Me and my dear music friends from Surge radio had hoped that this may have been a Frank Sinatra cover of his song 'My way' which I think could of been magical under the work of Calvin Harris, but sadly this was not to be.

Some positivity though is the fact that Calvin does provide his own vocals on this track and is almost like a blast from the past reminding me of his good old classics. I do like the fact he includes himself as well as other artists in his songs so there is some positivity in this review. The song also does have that nice Caribbean beach feel to it, but overall just needed a little bit more Calvin spice to it.  Loving the album artwork though.

EP Review of 'We used to be in love'

Clean Cut Kid release an intriguing new EP

I use the word intriguing for two reasons with this EP. Firstly, it features a cover of 'Loud Places' by Jamie XX. Secondly it also has two songs other than the cover that appear to be a little different from what we have previously heard from Clean Cut Kid. But this isn't in my opinion a bad thing, so try not to panic.

For those who haven't heard of Clean Cut Kid they are a band from Liverpool who are most likely best known for their lively tracks 'Vitamin C' and 'Runaway'. Lately since the release of the EP ' We used to be in Love' has also become increasingly popular especially on Radio 1. After interviewing the band back last year (which I hope to post the interview soon), I can say that this band are nothing but genuine and always put on a great show live.

But back to the EP! As a whole, I love the combination of a bit of the old as well as the new. I say the word 'new' lightly because they haven't changed who they are as a band at all with this EP. It is purely based on the two tracks 'Paper Heart' and 'Hospital lights' being a little slowed down compared to previous tracks and just a bit less busy music wise. It is good to see that the band has more than just an upbeat bouncy style and the slower songs sometimes rival their more traditional originals like 'Vitamin C' in my opinion. If you can learn to love both the loud and soft sides of the band then you can definitely appreciate this EP. 

The cover of 'Loud Places' also deserves some major credit in my eyes because even though it's quite a simplistic track, you can instantly tell Clean Cut Kid have almost taken it in as their own as it is evident from the moment you hit play that the band have put their own stamp on this cover. However once again, it shows a slightly different corner of what the band is capable of creativity wise. It's a track that you can't help but wiggle to when the chorus kicks in.

This band is one my ones to watch for the future and a high recommendation for those who want to listen to a band with vibrant original songs. Hearing such a new sound compared to everything else on the charts is literally music to my ears.

Their new song is named 'Too Late', but it's not too late to give them a listen!

Only Shadows- Too Late

Only Shadows is a relatively new band on the scene but 2016 is getting things in full swing for these guys. Other songs include 'Be still', 'Many a Mountain' and my second personal favourite after Too Late which is ' We go Further'. They are about to head on tour around the UK and with my tickets booked I hope to think they will impress.

The song is quick and catchy with its hard hitting drum beat. Although the beat can be quite diverse, I feel its something that makes the song as good as it is. It keeps your ears occupied and is fun to listen to.

In terms of the video it is very true to the song being that in relation to the influence of drums. It also influences the bands clear enthusiasm.

I would say the song as well as the band is a nice balance between The Killers and The 1975. So if you want a middle man between the two then this band is quite close.