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Another week, the sun is still shining, and there is another fresh batch of new singles ready to devour. Here is a small handful of what has grabbed our attention recently; from various American acts who are just starting out, and some that are already household names, to four acts that represent each of the home nations – England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. As usual, click on the artists name in bold, and follow the link to the relevant YouTube video or social media page, and if you feel like it, give the video a like, follow the artist, and spread the joy.
‘Inside & Outside’, the latest single from rapidly-rising American singer-songwriter Arielle, is an unashamed tip of the hat to ‘Rumours’ era Fleetwood Mac. The Mac influences are clearly worn on the sleeve and Arielle describes the goal that she had in her head during the recording process as trying to find “Fleetwood Mac’s ‘Rumours’ meets something new…”, and she has certainly hit the back of the net on that front. West Coast of America vibes throughout, ‘Inside & Outside’, taken from the forthcoming album ‘Analog Girl In A Digital World’, is not only a showcase for Arielle’s vocal prowess, but also for her considerable guitar talents. It’s quite a multi-layered guitar track; it begins with a soft acoustic intro, develops with a gradual electric sound, before breaking into a subtle slide guitar performance. The kind of track that wraps the listener up in a warm glow.
Combining an Aerosmith-strut with a touch of Stevie Wonder-funk, AshenMoon returns with their all-new single ‘Ashen Moon’ and lays down some ass-shaking grooves. The nucleus of the band; former INXS bassist Garry Beers, vocalist Toby Rand, and the incredible Jimmy Khoury on guitars, turned a few heads with the release of their debut EP ‘Umbra 1’ late last year, and ‘Ashen Moon’ is the first new music since. Big sound on this one, with an incredible, short jam over the intro catching the attention from the first instance: the traditional mix of guitar, bass, and drums all combining to create a relaxed practice room atmosphere. Rand has a strong and varied voice, capable of taking it from a whisper to a scream in the time it takes Thanos to snap his stubby digits. Did we already mention that Jimmy Khoury is an incredible guitar player? Yeah? His playing is worthy of multiple mentions and constantly surprises, it comes across as organic and from the heart, and it’s easy to imagine the other guys standing back and letting him do his thing while they have no idea of what he will come up with next.
Myles Kennedy is set to release his second solo album ‘The Ides Of March’ on May 14th, and already it’s shaping up to be one hell of an album. Two singles have been released already, and now Kennedy has dropped a third, in the shape of album opening track ‘Get Along’. Three killer tracks, all very different from each other. ‘Get Along’ is an uptempo number with the simple message of “Why can’t we all just get along?”. The incredible animated video highlights the issue of how modern society is affecting the animal kingdom by constantly encroaching on its natural habitat, and now the animals are not taking it, and have risen up. ‘Get Along’ is a guitar-heavy track that backs up the long-held fact that Kennedy never gets the same plaudits as a guitarist as he does as a vocalist. His vocals are as towering as ever, but it’s his guitar playing that truly stands out; some of the guitar licks are massive, and with a few explosive solo’s thrown in, this is four minutes of guitar heaven. Expect to see ‘The Ides Of March’ in every rock-orientated albums-of-the-year list come December 2021. Also, kudos on the video, it works exceedingly well at getting its message across.
Highly respected Nashville-based multi-award-winning, multi-platinum, singer-songwriter Jaime Kyle is gearing up for the release of her forthcoming new album (due later this year) by releasing a standalone single; ‘Untangled’. A stripped-back, acoustic track, ‘Untangled’ is a million miles away from the hi-polished melodic rock/AOR that made earlier albums such as ‘Back from Hollywood’ and ‘The Passionate Kind’ stand out in the ‘90’s over-saturated marketplace. Played at a gentle, ambling pace, with a soft acoustic guitar at the forefront (as well as a gorgeous, deep bass guitar sound, and some subtle piano tones), ‘Untangled’ is further proof, if required, of the potency of a well-written, and well-played acoustic track. A track doesn’t need to be 100mph to grab the listener’s attention, or indeed grab them by the feelies. Jaime Kyle manages both with aplomb, by keeping it organic and letting the story grow and unravel through her warm and emotive vocals. Given her rockier background, and having performed at Ramblin’ Man Fair in 2019, it’s going to be interesting to hear what the forthcoming album sounds like.
Hailing from the South West of England, Sons of Liberty play a cool mash-up of southern rock and hard rock, with a soupçon of groove-metal thrown in just to annoy the neighbours. Sophomore album ‘Aces & Eights’ has just been announced, and the five-piece has got the ball rolling with the release of lead single ‘Damaged Reputation’. A phat bass sound ushers in the track, before the snarling, grizzly vocals from Rob Cooksley kick in and get the party started (or judging by the accompanying video, the riot in cell block H started). Thanks to the incendiary riffage, gnarly guitar solos, and authentic gargling-with-broken-glass vocals, there is more of a Pantera-with-cowboy-boots ‘Rebel Meets Rebel’ sound rather than a straightforward grits and gravy southern rock sound per se. Fantastic guitar sound throughout, and it’s such a pleasure to see guitars so high up in the mix, rather than hiding them away until it’s time for the solo. That big-ass bass sound though – enough to shake the fillings in your teeth rattle. Expect ‘Aces & Eights’ during the Summer.
With The King Lot on hiatus at the moment, frontman Jason Sweeney is putting his time in lockdown to good use by recording some mightily impressive solo material; with new single ‘This Is My Tribe’ being the latest example. Recorded as a tribute to the rock scene and the “fantastic people” that belong to it, ‘This Is My Tribe’ is the best of the singles that Sweeney has released to date. Some fantastic melodies throughout the four minutes and there are moments (the guitar melodies, and drum sound in particular) where the track sounds like a ballsier, faster offshoot of John Farnham’s ‘You’re The Voice’. That same call-to-arms spirit, with a Bon Jovi-ish catchy chorus that hits the spot time after time. A real-grower of a track which although you will be discovering for the first time, it’s as if you have been listening to it for years. Genuinely interested to see what Mr. Sweeney comes up with next.
You might have caught South Wales alt-rock outfit Tribeless opening for Those Damn Crows on TDC’s last UK tour? Right before lockdown hit and gigs became a distant memory. If you did, then you would have witnessed a young band growing in confidence with every passing moment, and ultimately, a young band robbed of the chance to build on the momentum gained from performing on a sold-out tour. This lockdown malarkey sucks. Fear not though, for Tribeless are back (after a line-up change) and raring to go with the rather lovely new single ‘Formed By Us’. Expertly produced by the always-reliable Romesh Dogangoda, ‘Formed By Us’ is a fine slice of modern alt-rock, with the lush vocals of Lydia McDonald front and centre, and some cracking drum work from Max Rhead not that far behind. New guys Craig Williams (guitar) and Morgan Price (bass) have slotted in well and the change in personnel, along with the lockdown, doesn’t seem to have slowed the band down at all. File under “watch this space”. Would it be too much to ask for some live gigs? Any live gigs would do.
‘Tail End Of A Hurricane’, the long-awaited new album from the Northern Ireland eight-legged beastie known as Trucker Diablo is almost upon us, and the fine chaps have dropped another single in our laps; the groove-alicious ‘Slow Dance’. Featuring an absolute killer groove (think ‘Life In The Fast Lane’ by the Eagles but with added bite), ‘Slow Dance’ is anything but slow, although it is catchy enough to have the dancefloor at the Double Deuce rapidly filling up. The super-clean vocals from Tom Harte are as effective as ever, and with his stellar guitar playing, he proves that men can multi-task after all. When the band lock into their groove it is indeed a pleasure to behold; especially the dual guitar-work from Harte and Simon Haddock. It’s three minutes of non-fussy, rock ‘n’ roll, played very, very well. Pick up ‘Tail End Of A Hurricane’ May 7th.
Arielle Photo Credit: © Caitlin Brady
