This is the first of a number of blog profiles we’ll be doing over the coming months, where we highlight some of the best new music being shared by some of the finest UK music blogs including DrunkenWerewolf, The Von Pip Musical Express, God is in the TV, and The Metaphorical Boat.
First up: The Von Pip Musical Express.
Andy has been running VPME about as long as we’ve been going here on the ‘old Walrus, and somehow manages to keep posting on a rather more regular basis than we do. Always keen to champion a new band, and using all avenues available to him to get the word out – from radio shows to his excellent podcast. I’ve been a big fan and follower of VPME and Andy’s picks of DIY rock and indie pop for years.
Onto the music…
Alvvays – Archie, Marry Me
Alvvays stay the right side of cute mixing soaring guitars with singer Molly Rankin’s beautiful peel of bells vocals whilst their lyrics reveal a wry wistful sense of humour. It is without doubt as perfect an example of the bittersweet love song as you’re likely to hear should you live to be 190 and adroitly captures the sweet ache and hormone raging rush of first love.
We say:
Anthemic indie pop perfect for the singing along to at a music festival over the summer
Rebecca Clements – Wildlife
This is a bold first musical statement from a young artist who subtly conveys emotion with such unaffected sincerity that it’s difficult to remain unmoved by it.
We say:
Subtle, and stripped back beauty from a young artist who sings with an emotional, brave honesty.
Bird – A War
Ghostly reverb, ominous bass-lines and drums that beat like the approaching hooves of the four horsemen of the apocalypse provide a menacing backdrop over which Adle Emma’s subtle haunting vocals cast their spell.
We say:
Thunderous, brooding rock’n’roll, pulsating towards the end of the world.
Brown Brogues – Shit In Your Eye
It’s a gritty melodic bolt of lightning which recalls the early propulsive rock’n’roll of The White Stripes mixed with the insouciant wit and cavalier attitude of the New York Dolls, and it ranks amongst their finest work to date.
We say:
Energetic, charismatic indie rock with a fuck you attitude.
Dark Horses – Live On Hunger
Throbbing bass lines and a mesmerising psychedelic motorik chug underpin a tune that conjures a miasma of shadowy doomed grandeur.
We say:
One of the best live bands around with a growling, raucous, crowd-thrilling sound.
