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Another week, another fresh batch of new singles that have captured our attention. From Italian electro-pop, Swiss blues-rock, and German metal, to UK-based hard rock, and the return of a genuine British musical legend. As usual, click on the artists’ name in bold and that will take you to the relevant YouTube video/social media page.
Arcade Fortress (Gavin Connolly – vocals/guitar & Richard Fox – bass) have released their new single ‘Uppercut’, dedicated to those at Pembroke & Dock Amateur Boxing Club. The club is run by inspirational local hero & chairman of Great Britain Disability Boxing Christopher McEwan, and Connolly felt it was fitting to create a track as a tribute to McEwan’s work with the club, as well as giving the members a track that they “…could train to, walk into the ring to and be proud of.” Musically, it’s a fast-paced, riff-laden, punchy (sorry, not sorry) hard rock track played with heaps of heart. The driving riffs are potent in creating a “let’s do this” atmosphere, as are the uplifting vocals from Connolly. Lyrically, loads of inspirational lines with boxing angles at every turn. More inspirational than a thousand shitty Facebook memes.
On new single ‘So Bad’, Milan-based alternative duo Atwood (Alice Grupallo and Daniele Mammola) go down more of an electro-pop path, and despite it being a tale of “heartbreak and broken trust”, the end result is light and airy. The carefree vibe of the music is quite intoxicating and it’s only when the listener pays attention to some of the lyrics (“…If this is love then I don’t want it, please take it back, I need to learn to cut my ties…”) that the true nature of the track becomes apparent. Grupallo has a voice full of emotion and strength, and she has that uncanny ability to make the listener stop what they are doing and actually pay attention. Fans of Scottish outfit Chvrches would be likely to find something to smile about with ‘So Bad’, as would fans of anything Lynn Gvnn is involved with. Pvris is actually a great starting point if you are looking for a suggestion of what Atwood sounds like.
UK singer-songwriter/guitarist Loz Campbell turns up the bluesier vibes on her energetic, rocking new single ‘What Are You Doing It For?’. The more alternative edge to her sound is never too far away though, and any comparisons to Garbage frontwoman Shirley Manson still ring true. It’s a fresh and vibrant, fun track, with a strong undercurrent built around Campbell’s fiery guitar work; the solo around 2:30 is particularly memorable, especially when the band locks down an almighty groove. Her vocals have come on leaps and bounds over the last few years and they really help the track stand out from the pack. High standards throughout on a well-written, well-produced track. Interested to hear what Loz Campbell comes up with next.
We are simple folks here at DGM Towers; we see a Fender Strat, we hear a Hammond B3 organ, and we are happy. Swiss-based four-piece blues-rock outfit the Ellis Mano Band ‘Keep It Simple’ on their latest single and stick with vintage gear and instruments, on a track recorded live (as was the entire forthcoming new album ‘Ambedo’, save for a few overdubs on backing vocals and horns). Played at a gentle, ambling pace, ‘Keep It Simple’ is one of those moments that inspires implicit memories of a simpler, happier time. With the picking style of guitarist Edis Mano, any inevitable comparisons to Mark Knopfler won’t be that far off target; some of the tones that he coaxes out of his Strat are simply gorgeous. Chris Ellis’s rough, and gravelly voice hints at years of riding down a well-travelled path, and his world-weary but hopeful vocal tones are immense. With years of experience as go-to studio musicians, the Ellis Mano Band are consummate players, and it’s easy to see why they are in demand; great to see them striking out on their own though.
On the latest installment of his mouth-watering “1221” project (one song released every month of 2021), Texan troubadour Ryan Hamilton goes with a cover version. Fear not though, for this is not Wonder Woman and her Hollywood whatsapp group destroying ‘Imagine’, this is Ryan yet again thinking out of the box and doffing his cap to they-deserved-to-be-much-bigger-than-they-were English alternative rock band Catherine Wheel. Expertly produced as always by Mr. Dave Draper, ‘Satellite’ is a jangly-guitar led cover, more happy-go-lucky than the original thanks to Ryan’s lighter-than-light vocals. In Hamilton’s hands, the track becomes more of a West Coast of America summer anthem, rather than being born and bred in Great Yarmouth like the original. The vocals are as warm and organic as ever, with lush backing vocal harmonies thrown into the mix for added effect. It is, however, the simple but effective guitar tones that do rattle around the cranium for some time afterward.
Built around the pairing of Chris Boltendahl (vocals) and Axel Ritt (guitar) from German metal legends Grave Digger, new German supergroup Hellryder are on a mission to bring Heavy Metal back to the masses. Along with Steven Wussow of Orden Ogan on bass, and Timmi Breideband from Gregorian and Bonfire on drums, this is maybe less of the old-school classic metal vibe that Grave Digger does so well, and instead, you might what to imagine Motorhead with a Pantera/White Zombie groove throughout. Boltendahl sounds as amazing as ever and is obviously enjoying himself throughout the quartet’s self-titled debut single. Great work from the engine room team of Wussow and Breideband, and it’s clear that there is a strong Mikkey Dee influence on Breideband’s sound. Ritt is having a blast as he brings the groove to the party and the end result is neck-snapping fun.
Joshua Tree, California-based stoner-rock band Karma Vulture hit all the right spots on their latest single ‘Better Luck Next Time’. Self-describing themselves as “Loud. As. Fuck.”, the trio of Conor Spellane (bass/vocals), Will Hammond (guitars), and Ben Foerg (drums) do indeed play it loud, and the end result is quite a beautiful noise. It’s stoner rock, but without the sludge that can sometimes bog the genre down; fans of early Queens Of The Stone Age will dig the sound that Karma Vulture produces. Spellane coaxes a great sound out of his bass, while the guitars from Hammond are warm and fuzzy, with some neat effects through them. The vocals from Conor Spellane are authentic and varied, and it’s easy to imagine him rolling out of a herb-induced haze and straight onto the stage. There are some sweet jams throughout the three minutes or so of ‘Better Luck Next Time’, with the man behind the kit Ben Foerg controlling everything before him.
Nashville-based retro soul artist/singer/songwriter Caitlin Koch first came to attention as the singing rugby coach on The X Factor USA, and since then she has been wowing with her full-of-life soulful vocals at events as varied as Ramblin’ Man Fair and Country 2 Country. Thanks in equal parts to the metronome-precise bass lines, and the subtle drum sound, cooler-than-cool new single ‘Where You Began’ features more than a hint of a Fleetwood Mac vibe. Koch’s vocals are stunning, and anyone who grew up in a house where music from artists such Stevie Nicks, Carly Simon, Emmylou Harris, and Diana Ross featured heavily, will find plenty to enjoy here. The standard of playing is also exemplary, with the guitar and drum work especially standing out. Such a great song to chill out to.
Coming hot on the heels of 2020’s masterful studio album ‘Metal Commando’, German power metal legends Primal Fear return with new single ‘I Will Be Gone’. Those who already have a copy of ‘Metal Commando’ will recognise the title track, but this new version up’s the ante on the original by adding another vocalist to the mix: the unmistakable Tarja Turunen. Already a perfect example of how one track can be both fragile and powerful at the same time, this new version adds more by having the stunning vocals of Ralf Scheepers working in tandem with the restrained, melancholic, stop-you-in-your-tracks performance from Tarja. Everything from the original version is still there; the Spanish guitar solo, the gorgeous layered vocal harmonies, the lush arrangements, etc, only this time around, the track has Tarja doing what she does best. Arguably one of the best male/female collaborations since Peter Gabriel and Kate Bush teamed up for the achingly beautiful ‘Don’t Give Up’, and one that might just have the replay button worn out.
Solo albums from New Model Army frontman Justin Sullivan don’t come around too often, therefore the news of a solo release deserves to be shouted about from the rooftops. The forthcoming sophomore album ‘Surrounded’ comes some eighteen years after Sullivan’s solo debut ‘Navigating by the Stars’, and if ever there was a perfect time for Sullivan’s dark and haunting vocals, along with his emotive songwriting, then it is now. ‘Clean Horizon’ is the second track to be released from ‘Surrounded’ and is slightly starker, and quieter than the previously released ‘Amundsen’. The simpleness of ‘Surrounded’ is it’s strength; it’s just Sullivan’s warm, melancholic vocals, an acoustic guitar, and some beautiful, subtle string arrangements. Lyrically, the tale of inner struggle will strike a chord with many at the moment. Two tracks in and already ‘Surrounded’ has all the makings of an album of the year.
