Editorial TeamAnother edition of Don’t Miss Them is here, bringing together another eclectic selection of sounds from across the musical landscape. This time, we move from chilled R&B and soulful grooves to experimental electronics, cinematic art rock, gritty alternative rock and chaotic garage punk. There is also plenty of blues along the way, from funky slide guitars to haunting country-blues.
As always, the idea is simple: dig a little deeper and discover something new. Some of these artists may already be familiar names, while others are waiting to be discovered. Turn it up, settle in and see where this edition of DMT takes you.
“How Much Does It Take to Shift it All”, by FKJ & Lucy Park
Vincent Fenton, aka French Kiwi Juice, has mastered a wonderful fusion of genres over the years. The French multi-instrumentalist blends Soul, Funk and R&B with a hint of Jazz. It is simply excellent. Over the past year, FKJ has been releasing a string of singles ahead of his new album Tyber, coming out this Friday, 11 September. “How Much Does It Take to Shift It All” came out last July, featuring R&B singer Lucy Park. The track is musical bliss, mixing delicate R&B with chilled Jazz, where Fenton and Park’s voices pair wonderfully. The lyrics invite the listener to hit pause and reflect on what it is we truly need.
Definitely keep your ears open for FKJ’s new album.
“I Feel Hope Coming”, by Alabama Shakes
After more than a decade away, Alabama Shakes are back with I Must Be Dreaming. “I Feel Hope Coming” is one of the album’s many beautiful moments. The track has a wonderfully lush and relaxed sound. It sits somewhere between Soul and R&B, with a subtle psychedelic edge. Brittany Howard’s smooth, warm voice glides effortlessly over the music. The result is a wonderfully chilled and soothing listen. Beneath its laid-back atmosphere, the song carries a simple but powerful message. It is about holding on to hope and refusing to give up. I Must Be Dreaming is a beautiful record and well worth spending some time with.
“Venus” by Christian Cohle
Alternative art-rock artist Christian Cohle has released the second taster to his upcoming third album, “Queen of Ashes”. Peppered with influences such as David Bowie, Talking Heads, LCD Soundsystem, Talk Talk, Tears For Fears and Roxy Music, “Venus” is an effortlessly cinematic release that sits in a dreamlike haze. Renaud Gabriel Pion contributes an expressive saxophone performance whilst Alex Reeves (Elbow) lays down a hypnotic, driving rhythm that underpins the song’s central idea: outrunning and enduring the emptiness left behind when a love becomes almost mythological.
Cohle plays Whelan’s (upstairs) on Friday, November 13th, launching his album “Queen of Ashes”.
“Shame”, by Bibio & Dorian Concept
Bibio is an English producer known for blending folk, ambient and lo-fi textures, while Austrian musician Dorian Concept is known for his experimental approach to keyboards and electronic music. The pair have been friends and collaborators for more than a decade. They now join forces for Answers, their first full collaborative album coming out in October.
“Shame” is the first single from the record. It is an entirely instrumental piece built around delicate loops and beautifully layered textures. There is something wonderfully organic about it, despite the use of loops and repetition. The track feels like it has the logic of electronic music, but without necessarily sounding electronic. Sounds are layered and repeated in very creative ways, creating a gentle and constantly evolving composition.
A lovely introduction to what promises to be a very interesting collaboration.
“Cut Off Your Nose”, by Everything Is Recorded (feat. Jah Wobble)
Everything Is Recorded is the ever-evolving project of British producer Richard Russell, bringing together different artists and sounds across each release. His latest Cut Off Your Nose EP is a very enjoyable collection of collaborations. There is a really good vibe running through the whole record, with some nice Trip-Hop influences mixed with Hip-Hop and Rap.
The EP brings together a great selection of voices, including Jah Wobble, Roses Gabor, Samantha Morton, Rian Brazil, IDK and Peter Gabriel. There are plenty of interesting sounds throughout, with each track bringing something different to the mix. The title track, featuring Jah Wobble on vocals and bass, is a good balance of what the EP has to offer. A very cool blend of styles, sounds and collaborations.
“Ready When You Need Us”, by Baz Harnett
Dublin alternative rock artist Baz Harnett returns with “Ready When You Need Us”, a warm and atmospheric indie rock track. Bluesy guitar licks give the song a bluesy edge, while fuzzy waves of synths add depth to the background. The track blends melodic indie rock with a slightly hazy atmosphere, creating a sound that is both engaging and easy to settle into. Harnett wrote the song as a call for help in an increasingly divided world. It is a reminder that people are ready to help, but that help does not always reach those who need it. A thoughtful song wrapped in a rather lovely piece of alternative rock.
“Sun City Poms”, by O, Kenayda
Belfast alternative rock outfit O, Kenayda bring a nice dose of gritty alt rock with their latest single, “Sun City Poms”. Driven by downtuned guitars, punchy drums and soaring melodies, the track has a strong 90s alternative rock feel. It is short, energetic and packed with catchy hooks. There is a rawness to the sound that makes it particularly enjoyable.
“Sun City Poms” is taken from the band’s debut album Orphans, released earlier this year. O, Kenayda was formed by songwriter Dave Kennedy (Guitar/Vocals), alongside Amy McGarrigle (Bass/Vocals), Stevie McCullough (Guitar/Vocals), Kev Carlisle (Drums) and Louise Kennedy (Sampler/Vocals). The album was recorded following a unique process. The band set three simple rules: no one hears a song until the day of recording, each song is recorded in a single day, and a different combination of musicians plays on each track. They also tried to keep every song under three minutes, reflecting the “consume and dump” nature of the world around us.
The result is a record built around spontaneity and raw energy rather than polished perfection. Don’t miss it!
“Best Medicine” by Really Good Time
August 7th saw the release of Dublin trio Really Good Time’s highly anticipated debut album “Affirmations”. A solid ten-track LP, “Best Medicine” sits just over the halfway point. Mixing alternative rock, indie and a touch of post-punk, the energy and dynamics ebb and flow throughout, with vocalist Diolmhain Ingram Roche’s wry laughter cutting through.
Beginning as one of the album’s softer moments, the song ends with a defiant and somewhat manic repetition of the song’s title before a distorted conclusion.
The band’s Irish headline tour kicks off on December 5th in Cleere’s, Co. Kilkenny, before stops at The Button Factory (Dublin), The Spirit Store (Louth), An Róisín Dubh (Galway) and Coughlan’s (Cork).
“Coltrane”, by The Flying Bones
Discovered recently as part of Paimpol in Rock, The Flying Bones come from Rennes, France. The band is in fact a duo, featuring Thibault Talmont on guitar and Fabien Joffard on drums, with both sharing vocals. They produce a very interesting and refreshing brand of garage rock. Expect fuzzy guitars, psychedelic vibes, complex rhythms and witty lyrics. After releasing their debut album Who Are The Flying Bones? last year, the pair released “Coltrane”, their latest single, earlier this year. The track starts with a bang. It ranges from psychedelic garage pop to a more hectic, fuzzy punk vibe. It is a wonderfully chaotic introduction to a band definitely worth keeping an eye on.
“Travellin’ Man”, by The Michael Walker Project
A combination effort of talented musicians from both sides of the globe, “Travellin’ Man“ is an addictive track. Funky, bluesy and fuelled by slide guitars and blistering harmonicas, Walker’s vocals echo soulfully throughout. The production is absolutely fantastic, all thanks to renowned producer Richard Manwaring. The mix of funk and blues elements are cool to say the least, and the track continues playing in my head long after it’s finished.
“Dancing On My Grave” by Muireann Bradley
Donegal country-blues prodigy Muireann Bradley has released her new single “Dancing On My Grave”, from the upcoming EP, “Blackwood Pew” which drops on October 23rd via Fontana Records/Verve Forecast. Inspired by 1920s and ’30s murder ballads, the track begins with a haunting opening chant before a rich bluesy groove sets the scene.
Bradley performs her only Irish in-store for the EP on Thursday, October 22nd at Spindizzy Records in Dublin.
