North East Music

North Shields’ Club Paradise’s New EP “Life On TV” Combines Indie, Pop and Emo to Amazing Results – EP Review

10th Oct 2024 — Leave a comment

Combining influences that include The 1975 and The Killers, Club Paradise have found a unique formula for indie pop perfection.

The four piece group, hailing from North Shields, have been slowly working their way up throughout the year, releasing singles such as Chasing The Summer and Years, both of which we have previously covered.

Those teasers definitely whetted the appetite ahead of the release, which combines everything that works on those tracks into a grander piece.

Beginning with Let Me Lose, the group immediately establishes the tone of the EP with a set of keys which feel like they could have walked straight out of a 1975 song-think I Couldn’t Be More In Love with an indie band core.

This is further elevated by a huge bridge that gets you ready for the huge gear shift the group takes you on as they increase the tempo. The vocals are a strong mixture of North East authenticity combined with a definite influence from The 1975’s Matty Healy.

The track concludes with a glitchy guitar solo that is excellently performed and provides a sign of the guitar heaven to come.

Single Chasing The Summer is next up. We covered this in depth back in July – you can read the full review here. The song still sounds like the upbeat summer banger it was when it was released and sounds great within the context of the EP.

Third track, What If These Days, continues the indie themes, winding them around an 80s pop core. The song shimmers with chorus-imbued guitars, conjuring thoughts of the neon guitar pop of the 1980s. Imagine a pop version of The Blue Nile, complete with jangly guitars and a lot of heart.

The gorgeous guitar solos take more influence from 80s rock, bringing a very classic rock feel to the sheen of the rest of the song, which works well. The overall combination of rock and pop influences works well to produce another great song.

Runaways switches things up slightly, throwing pop-punk and emo influences into the mix. This is evident at the beginning of the track, which reminded me of groups such as Blink 182. Gone is the sheen of previous tracks, replaced by chunky guitars that reach their peak in the chorus.

The track also features a great guitar solo, which illustrates the amazing lead guitar talent on show throughout the EP. This gives way to Years another song which we have previously covered. You can read my full review here.

Finisher Interstate is the perfect pick as a closer to the EP with its grandiose production and larger-than-life nature. Once again, the group taps into their heavier sides to produce a dramatic conclusion to the album.

Overall, this EP shows Club Paradise delivering on the promise of their lead up singles. If you’re a fan of groups like The 1975, you’ll love this EP.

Ryder’s “Only The Brave” Showcases Sunderland Group at Their Anthemic Best – Album Review

6th Oct 2024 — Leave a comment

The debut album from Sunderland group Ryder is packed full of anthems from start to finish. Combining the influences of Oasis and Kasabian together leads to an album brimming with heart.

Opening with Forgotten Dream, these influences are immediately evident, with a definite hint of Liam Gallagher in the vocals. The track as a whole reminded me of some of Johnny Marr’s solo work, with the bass breakdown towards the end skilfully executed, adding to the track’s massive overall sound.

Lone Soldier has a nice synth opening which gives it a slightly different feel. This combined with a chorus of voices and heavy guitar work reminded me a lot of Kasabian, especially with its passionate delivery.

Northern Lights continues the trend of massive choruses and soaring anthems, with a very Noel Gallagher-esque solo thrown in for good measure. Whilst Inner City Violence brings some social commentary to record, with some excellent drum work going on on the track.

The bass work on the album is also exquisite, and is particularly showcased on Men in Suits, where the bassline reminded me of Paul McCartney’s work on Taxman.

The beginning of Ziggy echoes of Oasis’ Talk Tonight before the whole band kicks in for the second verse. The song has an anthemic vibe, with some touching tributes to David Bowie baked within the lyrics. It feels tailor-made for a live setting, with a soaring chorus you can easily imagine going down well at a festival.

The title track, Only The Brave, again brings heavy guitars, with a touch of The Clash in the mix while lighter guitar flourishes sit atop of them to great results.

The commentary on problematic men on Hold on Tight is seamlessly woven into this biting track, creating a sharp, aggressive edge.

Heavy guitars pierce throughout Balloons, which features a great recurring guitar line reminiscent of Arctic Monkeys. Finale Faces In The Crowd is a suitably grand ending to this massive-sounding album, finishing the LP on a high.

If you love your anthems and like groups like Oasis, then you will definitely appreciate this strong debut showing.

Teesside’s Nice Guy Shines with Anthemic Indie Pop Banger “Alone” – Single Review

29th Sep 2024 — Leave a comment

Teesside’s Nice Guy’s new single shimmers with its glistening indie pop production and standout performances.

The tight songwriting complements the great production with intricate guitar riffs and a wall of sound produced by the band.

Within the track, you can hear the influences of such artists as Sam Fender and The Stone Roses. This is especially evident in the vocal delivery, which combines nasal, laid-back style with a touch of North East accent, creating a distinctive blend.

One particular element I enjoyed was the excellent guitar work, which dances throughout the verses before hitting you with a wall of sound in the chorus.

The track doesn’t strictly follow the quiet verse/loud chorus formula, but it echoes that dynamic, with the chorus hitting particularly hard.

The gorgeous use of organ was also another delight, diversifying the production and bringing a depth to the overall sound.

If you’re a fan of indie pop and love catchy anthems, this one is definitely for you.

grapevine Delivers on Catchy 80’s Inspired Single “Bad Idea”- Single Review

26th Sep 2024 — Leave a comment

The new track from grapevine features glossy 80s production combined with great pop songwriting to create a catchy piece of alternative pop.

Produced by local talent Jamie Donnelly, the song is drenched in the sonic palettes of the 1980s, as well as much of the pop landscape from recent years, particularly echoing the sound of artists like The Weeknd.

That is immediately evident from the intro, which begins with a driving drum machine beat that persists throughout the track.

A diverse sound has been crafted with an attention to detail, with a number of different synths being deployed to enrich the overall production, ensuring a varied sound.

At the heart of all of this is an incredibly strong and well put together pop song that takes a classic subject matter and explores it in new and interesting ways.

The chorus, which repeats the title of the track, pairs incredibly with the melody to provide an earworm, which will burrow into your mind for weeks to come.

If you enjoy artists like The Weeknd or your pop music with a catchy yet inventive edge, make sure to check out this latest single

Goodsprings Swing Big with Playful Ska-Reggae Fusion on “Lo Mejor De Lo Mejor” – Single Review

19th Sep 2024 — Leave a comment

Goodsprings’ fun new single shows the band continuing to develop, with an almost big band feel to this swinging ska tune.

Injecting playfulness into your songwriting is the key to producing amazing, fun music, and Goodsprings have done exactly this on their new single, Lo Mejor De Lo Mejor.

It’s fortunate that they’ve managed it with the English translation of the title of the track literally meaning “The Best of The Best”.

The fun nature of the title runs throughout the track, which combines elements of ska, jazz and reggae to produce a lively swing song.

This playfulness is also reflected in the lyrics, which are delivered with a cocky snarl, mirroring the song’s message as a love letter to those who don’t care to fit in.

This unpredictability is an element of the song I thoroughly enjoyed, keeping me on the edge of my seat.

Combined with the big band atmosphere, this leads to delightfully, quirky results, particularly evident in the breakdown of the track, where the group engages in a scat-like section over a tight bass groove.

I also wanted to praise the amazing brass work, which elevates the track to such a high level bringing a gorgeous flourish, particularly in the choruses.

Overall, this is yet another strong track from Goodsprings, building on their good work from their previous single, Horrors. The fusion of genres works well, producing a charming track with a unique energy. Make sure to check it out if you’re a fan of groups like Sublime or Slightly Stoopid.

Citizens of Yeah! Deliver a New Wave Masterpiece with “3 Little Piggies” – Single Review

12th Sep 2024 — Leave a comment

Combining a range of New Wave and indie influences, Citizens of Yeah! have produced yet another great single in 3 Little Piggies.

From the intro alone, I can hear the influence of The Smiths and New Order, particularly in the the sound of the synth strings, which reminded me a lot of There Is A Light That Never Goes Out.

The string flourishes throughout give the track a strong New Wave feel, adding an extra edge to the overall production.

Paired with sharp guitars and intricately gorgeous bass lines, this is an absolute treat. I particularly enjoyed the guitars in the chorus which fizz with excitement, contributing to the multiple satisfying payoffs in the track.

Lyrically, the track is quite unique, using the concept of the three little piggies in Red Riding Hood as a metaphor for fear which I found inventive in just the right way.

I particularly enjoyed the breakdown at the end of the song, with a great back-and-forth between the backing vocals and the main vocal, which reminded me of early ’80s post punk especially when paired with stark guitar tones. Overall, I loved the track and can’t wait to see what Citizens of Yeah! come up with next.

Simon Taylor Brings Geordie Grooves On Funky New Single “The Theatre of Broken Souls” – Single Review

5th Sep 2024 — Leave a comment

Have you ever wondered what Lou Reed would sound like if he grew up in the North East of England?

Probably not, but if you have, then Simon Taylor’s new single is the perfect listen.

Combining influences such as Leonard Cohen and the aforementioned Lou Reed, Taylor has been building his reputation around the North East scene, and this latest record is sure to elevate it even further.

I can particularly hear the influence of Transformer-era Lou Reed within the track with its fun, funky guitar passages and tongue-in-cheek lyrics about working at a music venue.

The melodies are strong and stick with you for days, which is a testament to the great songwriting on display.

The North East, and Newcastle in particular, runs throughout the song, deepening the personal nature of the lyrics and bringing a unique voice to the track, crafting a great bit of Geordie funk.

Overall, this is a fantastic teaser track and a really fun listen. I can’t wait to see what Simon comes up with next.

J.P Riggall’s “The Cabin Session EP”: A Soulful Journey Through Stripped-Back Folk – EP Review

2nd Sep 2024 — Leave a comment

J.P. Riggall’s new live EP showcases the folk singer’s powerful songwriting ability with a striking collection of atmospheric tracks.

The EP opens with Cold Cold Mountain, a song that sets the tone with its chilled production, placing the emphasis firmly on the performance.

Riggall’s North East accent pierces through the folk vibe of the track, providing authenticity to the passionate delivery of the track.

Overall, the track is a heartfelt tune, demonstrating Riggall’s talent as both a songwriter and a live performer. The stripped-back arrangement highlights his focus on emotion.

This theme continues We’ve Already Seen Him Dead, where stark acoustics and melodic leanings take centre stage. The slight echo provided by the venue adds nuance to Riggall’s voice, enhancing the powerful and beautiful performance.

Through this power, Riggall amplifies the already strong songwriting, squeezing every inch of emotion out of the song. The result is a moving performance of an outstanding track.

The EP closes with My Lovely Bones, a gorgeously touching tune. Once again, Riggall achieves a lot with a little – just an acoustic guitar and his voice, creating a captivating atmosphere. The emotion is palpable, bleeding through the soundwaves as Riggall delivers yet another great performance.

The track itself is wonderfully constructed, with a melodic core and a heart-wrenching chorus. It’s a beautiful way to conclude a stunning live EP.

Club Paradise Teases New EP with Summer Anthems ‘Years’ and ‘Chasing the Summer’ – SINGLE REVIEW

31st Jul 2024 — 1 Comment

Club Paradise have started the countdown to their new EP by releasing two great teaser tracks to whet the appetite before their October release.

The first of the two tracks, Years, starts with a bold guitar solo, which glides over a bright synth line.

The verses to the track builds the tension with reverby guitar swells intersecting a driving rhythm section which gains pace as it continues.

The chorus twinkles with a sparkly synth line driving the catchy eighties-inspired melody. It is here that you can hear the influence of bands like The 1975, as well as a range of other indie pop groups.

The song has a smart pop sense and a glittery production; but, it also knows how to deliver a punch with the crunchy guitar solos and dark lyrics, which contrast the light production.

Previous single, Chasing the Summer, has lofty ambitions, beginning with a huge intro featuring a big guitar solo and thumping drums.

The vocals immediately hit you and are delivered with passion and energy. These are joined by backing vocals in the verses, which once again reminded me a lot of The 1975.

The chorus is huge, with guitar lines which go hard over a thumping beat. Overall, the track is the epitome of an anthem with huge guitars and catchy melodies.

Together, these tracks do a great job of wetting the appetite for the upcoming EP, which arrives in October.

Big Romance’s New Single, ‘Self Medicate’ Blends Genres Beautifully – SINGLE REVIEW

21st Jul 2024 — Leave a comment

Big Romance’s latest single “Self Medicate” shows their ability to mix genres to excellent effect, blending shoegaze, indie and post-punk together in a rewarding mixing pot of gorgeous production and great songwriting.

Opening with a reverb-heavy 90s feeling introduction, I was immediately reminded of the Siamese Dream era Smashing Pumpkins with its dreamy production and vocals.

This is quickly interrupted by a laid back verse with a real slacker vibe, fitting well into the established vibe of the track.

The pre-chorus shifts gears as the distantly distorted guitar stalks the vocal melody with fuzzy distortion and precision.

Eventually, the tracks anticipation pays off, unveiling a twinkling guitar solo that reminded me of dream pop bands such as NewDad.

The spacious nature of the production throughout illustrates the band’s love of shoegaze whilst highlighting their focused songwriting.

The introspective lyrical approach that the track takes examines coping mechanisms and relationships with sharp lyrical quality.

When the chorus hits, it hits hard. I can hear the influence of Slowdive in the production through the heavenly feel brought by the backing vocals, and the swirling guitars drenched in distortion and reverb.

A crunching guitar solo fires through the crescendo of the track, adding an appropriate ending to the song, before its distortion blends into the mix, allowing the song to sail off into the sunset.

Overall, the song combines the best bits from various subsections of indie music, making it easy to get on board with production you can sink into and sharp songwriting.