Album Review: Fontaines D.C. – A Hero’s Death
If there is one thing Fontaines D.C. have stressed on the eve of the release of their second album ‘A Hero’s Death’ it is that people should not simply expect part two of their outrageously good debut, ‘Dogrel’. This is a Fontaines D.C. reboot, not a sequel. Singer Grian Chatten puts it quite buntly: I …
See: Moscow Apartment release gorgeous video for ‘Halfway’
Moscow Apartment‘s EP ‘Better Daughter’ (recently reviewed by Backseat Mafia) is packed with brilliant melodies, and the single ‘Halfway’ epitomises what makes this Toronto duo so special. Yearning vocals and a simple but catchy riff that are spine tingling and fresh. Moscow Apartment have just released a video to accompany this song about the bonds …
Backseat Downunder: A Summary of Recent Australian and New Zealand Releases
This is a new section of Backseat Mafia that provides a quick rundown of recent releases from the shores of Australia and New Zealand. Kylie Minogue, the Australian national icon, assumed a mantle of coolness when she collaborated with Manic Street Preachers and Nick Cave and associated with Michael Hutchence from INXS, and it cannot …
News: Babybird to release King of Nothing compilation
Like an albatross around his neck, Babybird (the work of Stephen Jones) will always be known for the massive hit ‘You’re Gorgeous‘ – a song that amusingly featured in many a wedding ceremony without people realising its horrifically dark subject matter of abuse and exploitation. And there is no doubt that this is a magnificent …
Album Review: Silverbacks – Fad
Dublin’s Silverbacks are emerging as one of the most exciting bands coming out of Ireland at the moment: and there are quite a few. Their new album ‘Fad’ is a brilliant collection of raw, visceral and emotive tracks that fuses the punk sensibilities of compatriots like Fontaines D.C. with a more melodic and complex palette. …
Track: Fingerless – Truth
The thing about Fingerless is that whatever direction this genre-busting band from Brisbane decide to take, they kick it out of the field. We have had, as I have pointed out in the review of their last single ‘Sympathetic Love’, styles as diverse as psychedelia, indie rock with Gregorian chants and krautrock in their previous …
Track: Secret Shine – Ember
It is really delightful to see Secret Shine back again with a thrilling single, ‘Ember’. Secret Shine were, of course an indelible part of the Sarah Records/C86 era and made a welcome return in 2017 album with the album ‘There Is Only Now’ – remind yourself with my review of the single ‘For You’. ‘Ember’ …
Track: Ky Vöss – Masochism
Multi-instrumentalist and classically trained artist Ky Vöss has just released an exquisitely gorgeous synth pop single which has a dark and pervasive edge to it. There are glimpses of M83 and a faint nod to a wider eighties synth pop genre but above all ‘Masochism’ is a fresh vibrant and exciting release: a dream pop …
Album Review: Even As We Speak – Adelphi
There is a fragile and elegant beauty in Even As We Speak‘s new album ‘Adelphi’ that leaves the listener swooning with bliss. The entire architecture of the album is built on graceful, sweet melodies expressed with a purity and naivety that is endearing and enthralling, and is yet imbued with such a sense of world …
Track: Tourists – Lego Man plus news of signing to Modern Sky
Torquay five piece Tourists have released a shimmering new single, ‘Lego Man’, in anticipation of a much awaited new album later this year, and on announcing news of signing to record label Modern Sky. Singer Jamie Giles describes Lego Man as: …a song about love turning sour. It fascinates me how love can turn into something dark, …