Here’s our latest edition of The Wrap for November 😎 there’s been so many fantastic releases and here are just a few of our favourites – yet another amazing month for music lately! Find all of our in-depth reviews below! ⬇️
Manchester-based alternative rock outfit Bards have returned with their brand new single “Omega“! We had these guys perform for us back in July at The Grafton Arms and they sounded massive, such a fantastic live presence and some incredible songs under their belt. This new tune only accentuates their talent, with huge walls of sound behind them, hard-hitting rhythm and gorgeous parallels of vocals lacing the soundscape to create a truly formidable tune. As the song progresses through, the bridge is the highlight of the track for us, calming down and easing off with dreamy atmosphere and building so well to a huge open space where everyone is so in sync. Amazing stuff! (SPOTIFY / APPLE MUSIC / YOUTUBE)
We’ve covered these guys before and we were stoked to be able to hear that they’ve got a new single out! Low Orbit return with their brand new single “Your Paradise“, starting off with a melodic and laid-back groove to the track, slowly building throughout until it opens up to the absolutely huge chorus, adorned with walls of distortion, massive vocals and a huge rhythm behind it all, which all work perfectly in tandem with one another. We’re huge fans of the bridge in this too, with a lovely guitar solo that glides so well across the soundscape and ends with a real chaotic disorder that drops straight back in to the track. (SPOTIFY / APPLE MUSIC / BANDCAMP)
A familiar face on the Manchester scene, singer-songwriter Louis Cross has brought out his debut EP “A Page To Tell“! We’ve heard a bunch of these songs at gigs across Manchester and it’s lovely to hear the studio versions of them. The entire EP is full of gorgeous harmonies, lovely violin and string parts that only complement Louis’ songwriting style and performance. We’re big fans of the country-esque “We’re All The Same“, bringing a brand new feel to the track which simultaneously feels familiar and like it’s been there throughout. The full EP is well worth a listen for Louis’ songwriting ability and apt for being able to put across emotion and feeling so easily into music! (SPOTIFY / APPLE MUSIC / YOUTUBE / BANDCAMP)
Francis Alban Blake‘s new tune “Strawberry Jam” is laden with gorgeous imagery, delicate instrumentation and an inviting vocal that really creates something that is special to listen to. As the track delves through, the careful atmosphere is only extended and really shows the effort and talent that has been poured into this track. It’s an honest and gorgeous depiction of an artists’ mindset, the problems that a creative may face yet at the same time excelling and proving that Francis is one to watch and surely not a fading hue. (SPOTIFY / APPLE MUSIC)
One of our favourites on the North West scene, Hayden J Barlow has brought out his debut album “CAUSTIC“! Full of absolute tunes, we’ve covered a bunch of these singles in the past and we can’t give him enough praise already. His unique style and ability to not be put in a box of genre blows us away. He’s able to take influence from all over the shop, the vocal melodies throughout and the synths, guitarwork and production are incredible. Hayden’s lyrical ability is absolutely on display here, he’s able to come up with some amazing hooks that are made even better with his vocal melodies – you can really get an insight into the emotion poured into each one of his tracks. Well worth a listen, there’s something for everyone in this album. (SPOTIFY / APPLE MUSIC)
Manchester’s indie-folk artist Scatterchild has brought out his brand new EP “The Whispers We Leave“! Adorned with gorgeous soundscapes, passionate vocals and intrinsic lyrics, it’s a fantastic listen. We’ve covered their previous singles “Tough Love” and “Staring Me Down“, which both in their own right sound incredible, yet the newer tracks are a beautiful addition to this EP. “Soft Spots” is full of beautiful melody lines, intimate lyricism and a gorgeous guitar riff to lead the track. The huge shape of the bridge gives so much to it, falling back into the chorus so well and marking it as a highlight of the release. The opener “Alchemist” is a lovely introduction to Scatterchild’s style, whilst “Mayfly” is a lovely and honest depiction of emotion and feeling, a theme that we’ve come to expect from the lyricism of Scatterchild. It’s a gorgeous release from start to finish – well worth a listen! (SPOTIFY / APPLE MUSIC / YOUTUBE / BANDCAMP)
Manchester-based art-pop Flowers of Evil have teamed up with Nikki & the Waves for their latest release “Cherry-AID“! With a really gorgeous groove behind the track, it starts off superbly and from the get-go, you’re absorbed into the track with the blatant, laid-bare lyrics laden over the top of gorgeous synth chords, and the driving bassline guiding the track along so well. Oscar and Nikki’s vocals compliment one another perfectly, at times the track feels almost like a conversation that ebbs and flows so effortlessly. Halfway through the track, it completely shifts into a breakdown, where the talents of the bands are fully brought into the forefront of the track. The vocal harmonisation here is beautiful, a fantastic work of music here! (SPOTIFY / APPLE MUSIC / YOUTUBE / BANDCAMP)
One of our favourites on the Manchester scene, Katie O’Malley has returned with her brand new single “Wasted“! Keeping with her signature american-rock sound, she’s gone for a more bluesy atmosphere on this track – opening with a gorgeous guitar riff to match her lovely vocal, it’s got your attention right from the start. As the bass drops in, it adds such a groove to track, perfectly matched by the drumbeat to really show off Katie and her band’s abilities. Her vocal capabilities are on point here as well, really able to capture the focus of the listener! The breakdown of the track is gorgeous as well, showing off such proficiency with a huge guitar solo that cements the track together so well and really sets this as one of our favourites of Katie’s tracks. (SPOTIFY / APPLE MUSIC / YOUTUBE / BANDCAMP)
we’ve heard so much incredible music this month, with so much coming out all the time – it’s lovely to see such a constant stream of quality tunes coming out and we always love writing these up and listening to all these releases in full. well worth checking out – we hope you enjoyed this one! 🤘
Make sure you head on down to open mics, gigs, support local music and arts and keep your scenes going! 😊 all music, videos and images remain copyright of their respective owners. 🍞
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