Tag: Alternative Rock

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Kids In Glass Houses – Peace

Kids In Glass Houses - Peace

After a series of mellow songs, it’s time to crank up the volume for this week’s Throwback Thursday entry. This song was released not that far ago (2013) by a band that, unfortunately, broke up one year later. KIGH, in case you never heard of them, were a rock/punk-rock band from Wales that were active for 8 years, releasing 4 studio albums in total. Despite achieving success in the UK, they unfortunately disbanded after just one year, possibly due to the lack of international recognition.

“Peace” served as the lead single from their eponymous final album. While the entire record was fantastic, the standout track was undoubtedly its opening title song—a high-energy, guitar-driven rock anthem with punk-rock elements and an irresistibly catchy chorus. It’s nearly impossible to listen to it without joining in and singing along. I challenge you to give it a try!

Featured on the following mixtapes:

  • Everything
  • Alternative
  • Punk-Rock

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Oh Wonder – Don’t You Worry

Don't You Worry by Oh Wonder

I enjoy writing about new, up-and-coming, and unsigned artists because they often need the support the most. It’s rewarding to help them from this humble platform. At the same time, I like to mix in new music from more well-known artists. Firstly, not everyone may be aware of them; secondly, you might not know they have new music out; and lastly, to avoid predictability. After featuring lesser-known acts for several days, it’s time to talk about Oh Wonder‘s beautiful new song: “Don’t You Worry”..

The British duo, who are also a couple, may not be household names yet, but with over 7 million monthly listeners on Spotify, chances are you already know them. In case you don’t, this alt-pop act started in 2014, recording and releasing one song a month for a year, which later became their self-titled debut album. Six years later, Oh Wonder has sold out gigs in cities like London, New York, and L.A., released three full-length albums and several EPs. Their latest EP, “Home Tapes,” was recorded and released from their London home during the lockdown.

“Don’t You Worry,” part of “Home Tapes,” is a lovely indie love song about facing difficult times with your loved ones. It perfectly showcases Josephine Vander Gucht’s delicate yet beautiful voice. Give it a listen below.

Featured on the following mixtapes:

  • Everything
  • Folk/Indie

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Serenade The Stars – Rewind

Serenade The Stars

Serenade The Stars is a U.K. alternative rock act reminiscent of bands from the late ’90s and early 2000s. While the production of their latest single, Rewind, may have some quirks, the song’s appealing vocals and nostalgic lyrics make it worth a listen. With potential to grow, we look forward to seeing what the band achieves.

Production issues or non-issues aside, I genuinely enjoy the song, and I believe the band’s lead singer has a great voice for alternative rock. The lyrics of “Rewind” explore the concept of revisiting happier times to rediscover our purpose during moments of uncertainty. Overall, I believe Serenade The Stars has significant potential, and we will be rooting for them to fulfill it. Give “Rewind” a listen below and share your thoughts with us—your views on this track are particularly intriguing to me.

Featured on the following mixtapes:

  • Everything
  • Alternative

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KidEyes – Ready To Go

KidEyes

I can’t recall how I discovered KidEyes, an indie/altpop duo based out of Los Angeles. It was about a month ago, possibly through Instagram, but the specifics elude me. Regardless, I’m grateful for finding them because their music is incredibly enjoyable, and today’s featured song is a perfect example.

“Ready To Go” is the band’s latest single, released in June following their self-titled debut EP from 2019. Despite addressing feelings of being lost and disoriented, it’s a captivating indie pop track that could serve as the soundtrack to our peculiar year. Give it a listen here:

Featured on the following mixtapes:

  • Everything
  • Indie
  • Pop

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Neve – It’s Over Now

Neve - It's Over Now

I wonder what would have happened to Neve if they had released their first and only album during the social media age. In 1999, they achieved a hit single with “It’s Over Now” after it was featured on the movie soundtrack for The Faculty, reaching #30 on Billboard’s Modern Rock chart. However, due to delays in album release and poor promotion, the record didn’t perform well, leading to Neve being dropped from the label. The band disbanded in 2001, and despite hints of a reunion on their Facebook page, no concrete plans have materialized.

Neve’s self-titled album remains one of my favorites from the 2000s, filled with solid alternative rock songs and the standout track, “It’s Over Now.” If you haven’t heard this song before, you’re in for a treat; and if you have, let’s reminisce about it as this week’s Throwback Thursday, while contemplating the possibilities had they received greater support from their label and fans.

Featured on the following mixtapes:

  • Everything
  • Alternative

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Needtobreathe – Hang On

Needtobreathe - Hang On

Needtobreathe, stylized as NEEDTOBREATHE, is a band from South Carolina, United States, that has been around for nearly 20 years. During that time, they have consistently released strong and often successful albums (the last one debuted at #2 on the Billboard 200 album chart) but, nevertheless, they remain a mostly unknown band to the casual music fan outside the US. Their music style lies on the fence between folk, country and alternative rock. In a way, you could say they are an older and lesser-known version of Mumford & Sons.

The band will release their seventh studio album in August but a couple of their new songs have been made available already, with Hang On being one of those. It is a great song that perfectly represents what the band is about. With its upbeat rhythm and extremely catchy chorus, it got all the necessary ingredients to become a musical crush. Enjoy it below.

Featured on the following mixtapes:

  • Everything
  • Alternative
  • Folk/Indie

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“Carhartts & Converse” by Super Whatevr

"Carhartts & Converse" by Super Whatevr

I must admit, the Californian “emo-punk” band Super Whatevr hadn’t even registered on my radar until they unleashed their latest track, “Carhartts & Converse,” featuring the iconic pop-punk figure Mark Hoppus. Surprisingly, the band has been around since 2016 and dropped their second full-length album in February. However, this particular song is a fresh addition that didn’t appear on the album.

“Carhartts & Converse” blends elements of indie pop and punk-rock, creating a captivating hybrid. The song’s optimistic lyrics, centered around self-worth and resilience against others’ negativity, harmonize perfectly with its cheerful rhythm. In these suffocating times, it serves as a refreshing breath of air. Give it a listen below and let it brighten up your weekend.

Featured on the following mixtapes:

  • Everything
  • Pop
  • Punk-Rock

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Arlo Parks – Creep

Arlo Parks - Creep

Arlo Parks, which is how Anaïs Oluwatoyin Estelle Marinho is professionally known, is a singer and poet from South London with a voice to die for. In a poll of music critics ran by the BBC, Sound of 2020, she was predicted as a breakthrough act for this year. We all know what has really happened in 2020 but Arlo is so talented that she might still prove those critics right even despite the circumstances.

Arlo cannot really be classified into a specific genre, as she could flirt with R&B and soul as easily as she could do the same with indie or bedroom pop; but the song being added today to our mixtapes is definitely indie. And yes, I know this legendary Radiohead song has been covered hundreds of times by plenty of talented artists, yet Arlo Parks‘ version is so breathtaking and unique that it feels like the first time listening to Creep. The truth is that nothing I could say here would make this stunning version any justice. Just judge by yourself, here:

Featured on the following mixtapes:

  • Everything
  • Folk/Indie

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My Chemical Romance – Disenchanted

My Chemical Romance - Disenchanted

After breaking up in 2013, last year My Chemical Romance offered a concert on December 20 and announced an international tour in 2020. Obviously, due to covid-19, that has been postponed but the fact remains that the band is back together; with rumours of a new album seeing the light next year. In addition to that, Gerard Way has been busy not only releasing his own songs but also writing comic books, with one of them being so successful that Netflix adapted it into a TV series: The Umbrella Academy, which Gerard produces as well. With the second season of this show dropping this month and the return of MCR, I thought now would be as good a time as ever to feature one of my favorite songs from the band as this week’s throwback Thursday.

Disenchanted was included on the band’s third album: 2006’s very successful The Black Parade, and since it wasn’t released as a single on a record that contained several megahits, the song got overlooked. It is a great track, though. I love its acoustic intro that quickly evolves into a full-blown tune, accompanied by some great and deep lyrics from Way. All in all, as with all outstanding songs, Disenchanted should not be forgotten. Listen to it here:

“Well I was there on the day

They sold the cause for the queen

And when the lights all went out

We watched our lives on the screen

I hate the ending myself

But it started with an alright scene“

My Chemical Romance, Disenchanted

Featured on the following mixtapes:

  • Everything
  • Alternative
  • Punk-Rock

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The Illness – Phrases Redacted

Phrases Redacted

I have to say, Phrases Redacted is a weird song. It is basically Bob Nastanovich (from an old school indie rock band called Pavement) speaking over a stream of groovy sounds. Yet, I really dig it, because the music somehow perfectly complements Bob’s words in a hypnotic way. You can certainly tell that the musicians who form The Illness not only know each other well but also have been making music for a long time.

The band is a UK collective of members from different bands on Sea Records, who had been jamming together at times but procrastinating the formal release of new music until –of all years– 2020, when it finally happened. Phrases Redacted is one of two songs the band has dropped, and it got a similar vibe to “Let Forever Be” from The Chemical Brothers.

You have to listen to this unconventional track by yourself to see what I mean (or watch the video below). Good luck getting it out of your head afterwards.

Featured on the following mixtapes:

  • Everything
  • Alternative