January Reviews ('22)

A plethora of industrial, electronic, trap metal and in your face energy exudes from this impressive 15 track album. We are offered 9 songs that fuse distorted guitars, screaming vocals, dark EDM vibes and plenty of angst. The remaining 6 tracks are instrumental numbers and these are great proponents of great industrial music. While Darkest Days might be the stand out single, we loved the opening track (that shares the same name as the album) and the duality of Becko and IN9N in Kawaii Suicide. This is fast paced and full of great production. We wished we had started 2022 like Becko; By absolutely smashing it.

This is a contemporary dark pop song that embraces nuances made popular by Billie Eilish, along with some rap type vocals, spoken word and a soundscape with space, depth and a bluesy guitar rift. This track not only contains a plethora of different elements that makes it catchy but behind the music is a don't mess with me attitude which we love! It is a track that is both enjoyable, un-nerving and extremely intriguing. If this is what Point A is producing now, we cannot wait to see what is produced in the future.

The Beta Waves have produced another track that will develop and challenge the contemporary Scottish Electronic Scene. Embracing 80s synth, nuanced samples and modern drum beats this is a track that will do one thing: captivate you. Sitting at 116 BPM this song will do more than fill your speakers, it will make you want to move. Tied with an excellent production value, there is really nothing else an electronic music fan needs then French Touch. The song brings characteristics that we love of the Beta Waves, while at the same time allowing the Dundonian duo to explore new electronic collaborations. If you follow one electronic group this year, make sure it is the Beta Waves.

The UK has a world class alternative rock and indie scene and the Loftheads are a fine example of what British bands can produce. There are groovy basslines, distorted guitars and an Artic Monkey style vocal line emanating from The Gram; it will surely be playing on your jukebox in no time. The track sticks close to the standard formula for any alt-rock song and that's where the beauty lies. Sometimes you do not need to do something that challenges the status quo and by keeping this purely alt-rock the Loftheads create a great vibe which focuses on quartet's musical qualities. We will be the people running around when those choruses and basslines hit our speakers!

A Band Called Paul never surprises the team with the diversity in his releases. Inside Out offers another view into the musical entrepreneurship of this Irish musician. With a funky bass line, claps, shakes, captivating drum beats and a rocky chorus, Inside Out has something for funk, alt-rock and alternative fans to enjoy. The song not only exudes a fresh sound (that only A Band Name Paul can create) but it's success in fusing different genres lies in Paul McDonell's production abilities. Inside Out is full of different sounds, resonances and body, but the mix still feels light, up-beat and spacious. The ability to bring multiple sounds together in this way helps ensure Inside Out has an overall upbeat and light tone. If you have heard A Band Called Paul in the past, do not assume anything; Inside Out is fresh, alternative and worth a listen.

A stab at the American suburban dream Jimmy's Auto is a fun, fast paced and catchy number. A mix of radio-sounding vocals, oohs, aahs, the occasional sound of organ style keys and rocking guitar chords all give this Eagles of Death Metal sounding track an infectious character. The track is only 2 minutes and 45 seconds (which includes an advertising parody for shopping at Jimmy's Auto). This is the perfect amount of time for you to enjoy, absorb and maybe even play this song on repeat. The production quality is also great and while it is both different and less serious than some of the other music produced by Wretched Pinhead Puppets, we absolutely loved it!

With hauntingly beautiful vocals and a delicate soundscape of pianos and light sounds, Ciara Watt will capture your attention and maybe even some of your heartstrings with this track. Ocean View is not a dancing track, with a BBP around 83, nor is it one you put one when the world feels a bit down. It is a ethereal track that allows you to simply float in a sea of calm. It also encompasses some great musical moments like the build up around the 2:52 mark and the soft piano playing shown throughout. Very different from her Alone In The Dark release, but a song that really showcases Watt's talents.

This is a collaboration project that pulls two genres together in one single journey. Synth-pop and Hip-Pop are fused and we get everything from effervescent, ethereal vocals (with a full bodied synthwave soundscape) and a hip-pop backdrop with rap verses. Our team loved this song because while you could argue that Orbit has two parts, neither Conscious Route's verses or Gefahrgeist's soundscapes seemed quite complete without the other. The ability to merge two genres, while allowing each one keep their unique integrity, is impressive production work. Orbit does have a run time of around 7 minutes, but it is totally worth each minute to experience the journey these two artists take you on. If you are looking for something different, then look no further, Orbit is different, interesting and exceptional at the same time.

Elliot Lee is a proponent of fusing dark pop and electronic-rock with punky and meaningful lyricism. Pink (Freak) and the GIRLI remix challenges the status quo about identity and is a prime example of Elliot Lee's modus operandi: be the voice of the voiceless. A powerful message is fused with a dynamic and captivating soundscape throughout this track. The catchy percussion will draw you in, the lyrics will punch you in the face, the pianos will offer a effervescent character and the grungy dark pop chorus will smash the song's message into you ear drums. This truly is a song worthy of high praise; a full bodied soundscape and impactful lyricism on show!

Encapsulating retro and electric synthwave characteristics Roadblock is a futuristic soundscape that not only entices fans of the many branches of electronic music but also showcases Simulakrum Lab's production abilities. While not only sounding great, Roadblock is a great example of how both the high and low parts of the audio spectrum can intertwine to create depth, emotion and a power. Parts of this track feel almost introspective, while others are abrasive, and this all down to how Simulakrum Lab adds and removes layers to this soundtrack. Truly, this piece is a futuristic electronic journey that you must experience for both its sound and production characteristics.

Bringing soul, blues, big band nuances and vintage noir-pop, Run Away is the perfect session track. It embodies a beautiful soundscape of pianos, woodwind, brass, guitars and flowing vocals. It is the sort of track you can get lost in and would be perfect for an any intimate atmosphere and its depth is fascinating. The song writing is also a stand out feature as it delves deep into how the mind can overanalyse and reach strange conclusions. On the face of it this song offers a lot, but it offers so much more once you dig a little deeper. With excellent production, outstanding vocal work and emotive writing, you cannot afford to skip Run Away.

Following from their epic Alternative Facts, Anna, Psy and Wolf hit back with four new tracks focusing on human rights and justice. From the crunchy guitars and killer bass line in S(oil) to the aggressiveness showcased in Neoliberal Diagnosis, the stand up and be counted anthem of Tergiversation and the very catchy guitar melody in Duty, this E.P. has everything we love about Digital Resistance: strong messages, aggressive spoken word, heavy guitar rifts, deep bass lines and punching drums. While it is shorter than the debut album, Ungovernable does not disappoint and delivers more excellently produced tracks to play, enjoy and mobilise. Jamie from our What's Happenin' Music team said (and we agree) 'Rage Against the Machine move over, there are a new outfit in town and they are called Digital Resistance'.

FiDA blends contemporary pop, rap and hip-pop into this track. Along with an encapsulating soundscape and a high production value, you will struggle to hear something better in this genre. We particularly loved enjoyed the way autotune was used to add to the song's character, rather than a tool to improve vocal quality. Having not discovered much of FiDA's work before this track, we are looking forward to hearing what else will be produced and maybe even catching it on a live stage!