Category: Indie

Words By Joey Rochert.

Calboa is a Hull-based indie rock artist who is steadily improving with each new release. Furthermore, his most recent release, ‘Love Is A Pain Of Its Own,’ is a gift for everyone who enjoys the best of indie music, and he establishes himself as one of the most exciting indie performers to hit the airways in recent memory.

‘Love Is A Pain Of Its Own’ has a similar tone to his earlier works, but he goes deeper into the melancholy territory here. Furthermore, the guitar melody that opens the music is dynamic, with emotion that immediately hooks us. Calboa begins with a fantastic vocal performance that sets the tone for the rest of the record. He sings about the realities of his life, and each vocal line hits with great conviction.

The verse is concise and memorable. With its nail-biting hook and rhythm, it also brilliantly leads us into the chorus. Calboa also enters a new region, which sounds exceptionally different from the rest of the indie scene’s offerings. Calboa gets a handle on infectious melodies in the chorus. He’s no stranger to composing catchy hooks, but he’s never sounded as powerful as he does on this chorus. With his mesmerising charisma, he sings with character and creates a long-lasting effect.

Calboa unleashes an elongated vocal with a poignant tune that gets even more profound as the track nears its conclusion. Also, the instruments ratchet up the tempo, resulting in one of the most breathtaking indie track finales heard this year.

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Photo Credit: Calboa.

Words By Joey Rochert.

Mike Brew is a class act, and his new single ‘Somedays’ demonstrates his vocal and lyrical prowess. He brings a mixture of sounds to the table, which distinguishes him as one of the best new performers to come from Liverpool’s thriving music scene.

The musician opens his release with a joyful guitar beat with a warm and inviting resonance inside its intonation, indicating his willingness to attempt something new. It also works well with a string arrangement, and once the harmonic strings join the mix, it’s difficult not to be drawn in by the release’s intensity.

Mike contributes to the atmosphere with a sensitive yet confident vocal performance, and his lyrical journey leaves us thinking deeply. The storyline isn’t overt, but this procedure allows everyone to form their own opinions about the message. Many will agree, though, that he is reminiscing about days when you feel alive. He also looks into mental health and looks forward to better days.

The bottom groove, which binds the entire composition together, is another standout feature. It shines brighter on a speaker configuration that enables lower frequencies to travel through more freely; nonetheless, it still gleams and gives the music the low groove it wants, even on conventional speakers.

On this record, I can also detect minor influences from some of Liverpool’s greats, such as John Lennon. However, you must dig deep to hear his influences properly.

You can take a listen to the new single ‘Somedays’ by Mike Brew below. Also, be sure to follow Mike Brew on his official social media accounts. I am sure there will be plenty more gems like this one on the way very soon; well, let’s hope so anyway because this one is a treat. Either way, 2021 is looking to be a very bright year for Mike Brew.

Visit Mike Brew on Instagram here.

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Photo Credit: Mike Brew

Words By Max Jordan.

Minna Ora bestows a gift to the music realm with her new release, ‘Fire’. The track is potentially Minna’s most compelling yet and grips with a narrative akin to no other in the modern arena.

Boasting her signature quality from the first second, Minna takes us on a journey, reflecting on the obstacles many experiences and overcoming even the arduous of blocks. It is heartfelt, and Minna speaks candidly about her struggles with cancer.

Musically, the entire track is stimulating with a captivating flow. Likewise, Minna towers over the mix with a sublime vocal which gets better with every listen.

You can check it out below.

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Photo Credit: Minna Ora

Words By Max Jordan.

Calboa brings indie back to the forefront with his guitar fused gem, ‘Old Flame’.

The track takes a hint from indie from the 2005 period, yet it also adds a new edge to the modern scene. Calboa is in top form, too, with his signature vocal tone gliding through the mix with ease.

Catchy, as you would expect given his previous releases, the refrain on ‘Old Flame’ is a gripper, and the wordplay leaves us hooked.

Check it out below.

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Photo Credit: Calboa.

Words By Max Jordan.

Fresh with his latest EP, ‘This Town’, Josiah Mortimer sends a shockwave across the acoustic space. Fusing, modern hooks with nostalgic texture, he takes a no-nonsense approach to songwriting, and he cements himself deep in the 2021 songbook.

‘This Town’ comes with four tracks which bring something fresh to the table. Josiah drives a meaningful story, and his adventure is stimulating with him recounting his experiences of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Vocally, Josiah is a breath of fresh air, and he stands out for all the right reasons. Additionally, his signature guitar sound thrives, and it inspires the way forward.

Josiah is dedicating the EP to all the heroes of COVID. Also, he is encouraging donations to hunger charity FareShare.

You can check out the EP below. Visit his BandCamp page here.

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Words By Max Jordan.

‘Words’ is the latest release from Rick Rutherford and already fans are flocking far and wide to grab a listen.

It is a track which opens the 2021 rock and roll songbook, and Rick gives the bigger hitters a genuine run for their money with his approach. Musically, ‘Words’ delves into a sound which became prevalent decades before today. It also brings a new flavour to the party and pushes through what is popping out in the modern game.

Vocally, Rick sings with an unorthodox technique, and he occupies his own corner with a performance which stands out but for all the right reasons.

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Words By Max Jordan.

Minna Ora is sending a shockwave across the indie realm with her mesmerising new release, ‘Sea’.

Fusing modern hooks with a nostalgic vibe, Minna smashes through the industry noise with genuine conviction. Her confidence drips from the track like a leaking tap, and her timbre could cut through any glass.

Musically, ‘Sea’ is a mixture of all things potent in indie and folk. Furthermore, the instrumental glides through the airwaves with bite, and it leaves an indent instantly.

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Words By Max Jordan.

‘Admission’ is the latest release from up and coming indie sensation, Calboa. Here, Calboa cements his name even deeper into the indie history books with a track which provides energy and mystique.

Kicking off ‘Admission’ is a guitar intro lead which is delightful. It comes sharp, and it is music to the ears for anyone who loves good old indie guitar hooks. An unorthodox style beat then jumps out, and it leads us into the verse potently.

Vocally, Calboa sounds fantastic. He has developed over the years, and he has blossomed into one of the finest indie musicians of recent times. So much so, I cannot get enough of his track here with a verse and chorus melody which is magnetic.

As the track progresses, we hear a variety of new sounds appearing, and Calboa cleverly mixes things up regularly to keep the fire burning.

You can listen to ‘Admission’ by Calboa below.

Words By Ava Jordan.

Hull indie rockers Girl Afraid are taking no prisoners with their track ‘Dutch Courage’. I am slightly late to the party, but this track needs to get a review. It is on fire, and it bites with frontman ‘Sam Mellors’ singing with genuine conviction and grit which is challenging to keep at bay.

Musically, Indie has never sounded quite as potent with the band smashing through the mix with integrity. They unleash their power here, and the energy oozes out of the track, so much so it nearly kicked me off my chesterfield.

It falls into a post-genre category with the group taking hints from the big hitters in Indie, but they also bring their unique vibe which stands out truly in a distinct light. So, Hull, you lucky bunch! With chaps like these echoing out of the local indie basements, it is clear why they say those who go to Hull never leave. Keep chomping lads, and keep these bangers flowing!

Listen to ‘Dutch Courage’ below.

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Words By Ava Jordan.

Near Death Experience do not mess around. They are back following their previous release ‘Conquer’, and they accelerate even faster towards rock stardom.

The group takes influence from a variety of places, and they are ready for the release of one of their biggest rock tracks to date. It is not often that a follow up single comes quite as potent as this one, and I can only help but feel myself gravitating even closer to them with each release.

‘Moves’ is a mover. Vocalist ‘Ian’ talks about a woman who moves him, well the group move me here. So much so, my soles hurt from the constant foot-tapping trance I found myself in. Vocally, top draw, musically, fascinating with a bluesy guitar taking the lead and a rhythm beat and bassline which straps us in firmly.

The track is hitting all the stores on 14th August. You can take a listen to a preview below and also pre-save by clicking here.

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