- Gloomseeker – ‘Same Ol’ Doom’
I have a very special connection with Have A Nice Life that dates back to 2008, when their debut magnum opus ‘Deathconsciousness‘, saw the light of day. One-man doom-gaze project from New York, Gloomseeker, and the first taster ‘Same Ol’ Doom‘ from upcoming album ‘The Violet Grim‘ (out on April 9th) is one of the closest beasts to the aforementioned HANL’s opus; Abyssic, heavy, and an endless descent to ‘hell’ with no way back. 6 minutes of absolute dystopia for the daring ones. Once you decide to enter, you are on your own…. You have been warned!
Christos Doukakis
- Dead Slow Hoot – ‘Taller Tree’
Next up we have the new explosive single by Sheffield/London quartet Dead Slow Hoot, ‘Taller Tree‘. The track, which is the first sample from an EP coming within the following months, is a fine blend of gritty post punk with anthemic indie rock, featuring killer basslines, thunderous drumming, passionate vocals in the vein of Interpol and poignant lyrics about self awareness.
“Taller Tree is a song about sudden self awareness, recognising the characteristics in yourself that get used habitually as coping mechanisms but deny the agency or involvement of other people….” Dead Slow Hoot
On endless repeat!
Christos Doukakis
- Jaw Talk – ‘(Let Me Be) Your Man’
What I love most about Californian band Jaw Talk‘s latest single, ‘(Let Me Be) Your Man‘ is that it sounds like an absolute 70s classic rock-soul track, but at the same time absolutely fresh. Their dynamic alternative rock sound is mixed with intense, retro soul vibes and lovely lyrics, that even in this social distancing, pandemic era, refer to love and relationships, like in the 70s. Yup, I love those dudes, since they don’t seem to give a dime about the current, ongoing situation, and they are not afraid to show off their feelings… They are not afraid to love, and not afraid to be loved. Just imagine Khruangbin on LSD jamming with The Guess Who. Adorable!
Christos Doukakis
- Raised on TV – ‘Lake Song’
San Fernando Valley (Los Angeles) natives and brothers, Raised on TV, recently released their first release, ‘Lake Song‘, from upcoming third album, titled ‘Fernando‘. According to the duo the track is dealing with ‘the difficulty of moving on and moving forward in life. Leaving a comfortable, but unhappy place behind, and making that leap, letting go, in the hopes of being in a much better place‘. The track contains most of the 90s best ingredients: an anthemic chorus, beautiful, expressive vocals, a powerful, larger than life crescendo and above all, it’s one of those gems you could easily sing-along after the first listen. Missing good indie rock? Try this!
Christos Doukakis
- The Supermercados – ‘Lights’
The Supermercados is a 4-piece band from Devon, UK, consisting of Henry Bellairs (guitar & vocals), Tom Harrison (guitar & keys), David Knox (Bass) & Matt Jones (drums), – influenced by artists like Pavement, Maximo Park, Bob Dylan and The Smashing Pumpkins-, that recently released their single ‘Lights‘. According to the band “this song’s message is hope in the face of adversity, a perfect anthem for the times. The single’s lyrics take on mental health issues and was completed against the odds during lockdown. Lyrically, it touches on how easy it is to get caught up in the abundant absurdities of life, lose your way and to have to find your light“.
A vigorous indie rock banger with divine guitar riffs, dynamic vocals, never ending energy, that should be played at maximum volume. By the way, do you remember S*M*A*S*H?
Christos Doukakis
Compiled by Christos Doukakis