Fact: I can’t say no to a new tune or two. In this case, 56 tracks to treat my ears courtesy of Unsigned Music Downloads. You can check out the full January playlist here.
My faves are here…in alphabetical order by artist….
The Tune: Black Box
By: Alter The Republic – www.facebook.com/AlterTheRepublic
Hails From: North East, England UK
Sound: Alt Rock, range of influences
Definitely a range of sounds here, no one particular influence stands out but this is pretty catchy. The bass will hook you in before the explosive intro kicks in and the chorus packs a punch too.
The Tune: Mystery
By: Bad Cardigan – www.facebook.com/badcardigan
Hails From: Lancashire, UK
Sounds: Acoustic, Indie, Edgy Folk
Really lush guitar laden sounds from these two, melody a key strength with lovely blended harmonies. There’s also a balance of some fancy guitar work against some chilled rhythms and vibes. Hearing this made me think a little of older tunes from Calexico on a smaller scale but there’s definitely enough to make me want to hear more from these guys.
The Tune: Countdown Begins
By: Broken Lips – www.facebook.com/BrokenLipsBand
Hails From: Puerto Rico
Sounds: Alternative Rock, Melodic Punk, Metal
The melodic punk sounds shine through immediately and I’ll be honest, I was expecting male vocals but no – a bit of a surprise here with lyrical, dulcet tones of a female voice offering a really interesting contrast. Great use of layers and dynamics to build some intensity, along with some catchy guitar riffs and fiery drums is enough to get me hooked.
The Tune: Carry On
By: CERT 21 – www.facebook.com/Cert21
Hails From: Burnley/Manchester UK
Sounds: Punk / alt rock
This strikes a really good balance of rock with just a tinge of punk that doesn’t make me feel like I’m too old to be listening to this. It’s unlikely to offend too many ears even though it leans a little towards a heavier sound, great vocals with a gritty, raw tinge and catchy hooks.
The Tune: Transparent
By: Ease Springs – www.facebook.com/easespringsband
Hails From: Essex, England
Sounds: Alt Rock
This one packs a punch in energy and tempo. The melodic hook in the intro is pretty damn catchy. It’s a relatively mainstream sounds but one to turn up loud for full impact and the chorus is begging for a singalong. The drummer is an absolute machine on this one too.
The Tune: Kid Evidence
By: Impyus – www.facebook.com/impyus
Hails From: Harrogate, UK
Sounds: Rock/Funk/Prog
Curiousity got the better of me here, wasn’t sure where this was going but I kept listening. Glad I did, there is some definite soul entwined with rock here, and some incredible bass lines shining through the groove emanating from this one.
The Tune: Salt
By: Karina Berry – www.facebook.com/karinaberrymusic
Hails From: Bristol, UK
Sounds: Acoustic/Indie/Alternative
Immediately enchanted by the gorgeous timber of Karina’s vocals on this track, simple and captivating accompanied by acoustic guitar and subdued backing vocals letting the song shine through.
The Tune: That’s When I Come
By: Kill Freeman – www.facebook.com/KillFreeman
Hails From: Oakland, CA
Sounds: Like something you need to listen to
The more I listen to this, the more I like it. I don’t know why but it’s strangely enthralling and there’s an inherent beauty in the layering and rolling rhythms in this one.
The Tune: Get Away feat Cryptic Wisdom
By: LB The Emcee – www.facebook.com/LBTheEmcee
Hails From: White Plains, NY
Sounds: Hip Hop & Pop Rock
I really struggle with hip hop, despite my efforts in trying to listen but this I’m liking. I’m not really sure why but it’s probably something to do with the rock influence…it works for me.
The Tune: In My Blood
By: Leland Jacobs – www.facebook.com/pages/Leland-Jacobs/362140797211467
Hails From: Atlanta, GA
Sounds: Indie
Melodic sounds, with rock pop influences and soaring vocals that linger long after you stop listening. This is enough for me to be searching for more
The Tune: Dreams
By: Northern Sugar – www.facebook.com/northernsugaruk
Hails From: Wigan, UK
Sounds: Rock and Roll
Loving the fun, summery rock vibes, and catchy hooks will have toes tapping. The lyric rhymes are possibly a little obvious, but it does help with anticipating and learning lyrics…you’ll be singing, “I’m a dreamer…” in no time.
The Tune: A Calling
By: Odessa Stairs – www.facebook.com/odessastairs
Hails From: Hull, UK
Sounds: Instrumental
Gorgeous ambient sounds to chill out to with enchanting strings. Proof that words aren’t always necessary! Only problem is that it’s short…must find more, or play again.
The Tune: Ariadne’s Thread
By: O-O-O – www.facebook.com/o.o.o.music
Hails From: Lyon, France
Sounds: Indie, Math Rock, Math Pop
Vocals can get a little lost amongst everything else going on but there are some sweet rhythms and melodies here that all work together in sync despite individual complexities.
The Tune: We Start Fires
By: Panic Island – www.facebook.com/PanicIsland
Hails From: London, UK
Sounds: Rock
Cue bass, cue drums, some funky synth-like sound, then have the rest of the band kick in and you’ve got this little beauty. It’s rock, and it rocks…several listens already.
The Tune: Condiment Killer
By: Point Inaudible – www.facebook.com/PointInAudible
Hails From: Basildon,Essex
Sounds: Funk/Trash/Heavy Rock
Gone back to this one a couple of times, must be smitten with this one too. Rock with some funk vibes clearly striking a balance between grit and groove.
The Tune: Alive
By: Roisin O’Hagan – www.facebook.com/Roisinmusic
Hails From: Essex, UK
Sounds: Singer/ Songwriter
I’m a sucker for pop sounds given the right mood, and this indie pop folk number is no exception. It made me think of early Missy Higgins. And she’s 15….!
The Tune: Dear World and Sanctuary
By: Rory Indiana – www.facebook.com/RoryIndianaOfficial
Hails From: Brighton, UK
Sounds: Distorted Noise
Two tracks from Rory Indiana on the playlist – Dear World delivers soul and some seriously smooth tones, admirable for its sound as much as vocal technique. And to boot, it’s a song with a conscience. Sanctuary I love for the sheer contrast against Dear World, more edge than contemplation but mashed with catchy uptempo hooks and melodic vocals.
The Tune: Ahh Mate (The Music)
By: Roskrow – www.facebook.com/pages/Roskrow/204590186251910
Hails From: Essex, UK
Sounds: MC/Vocalist/Lyricist
It’s not something I’d normally listen to, but lyrically it seems all too familiar. Change a few of the finer details and it could be a little too biographical for comfort. Reassuring to know that others feel the same way – those that don’t are missing out!
The Tune: The Devil is My Friend (And He’s Alright)
By: Sam Rothery – www.facebook.com/samrotherymusic
Hails From: Bradford, UK
Sounds: Blues tinged acoustic rock
Could have easily come from another era but the retro vibes are just too cool to resist.
The Tune: One Last Time
By: Scarlet Conviction – www.facebook.com/ScarletConviction
Hails From: North East England, UK
Sounds: Rock/Alt Rock
Loving this number, and props to chicks that rock too. Rock with some tinges of pop punk thrown in for extra catchy hooks
The Tune: Nothing Here Is A Mystery
By: The 4130’s – www.facebook.com/The4130s
Hails From: Ipswich, UK
Sounds: Loud , fast skatepunk
The iPod was turned up a little loud before I hit play here, so if you do something similar you might get a little jolt of sound blasting through. I’m getting flashbacks to the days of listening to early stuff from The Living End back in the day…good times
The Tune: Bluestocking Blues
By: The Love Toes – www.facebook.com/TheLoveToes
Hails From: Liverpool
Sounds: Bluestocking, Indie-Folk
What’s that I hear – a ukulele? There’s a lot of ukulele passing through my eardrums this week and I can’t resist this little ditty. It’s all about the ukulele love, nothing but joy and smiles
The Tune: Things We Found In the Sea
By: The Swears – www.facebook.com/TheSwears
Hails From: Auckland, New Zealand
Sounds: Pop / Indie
Love the surprise element here – wasn’t sure where this was going or what to expect, but strangely captivating ethereal sounds here with hypnotising vocals.
Can’t wait to see what the February playlist brings…
A Higher Revelation 