our feature for today’s Just The Crust is the brand new EP from William Cawley “Domestic Bliss“!
over the past few months, William’s been leading up to this with a bunch of singles from the EP, including “Sunday Boyfriend” – a jangly-pop style track with influences from surf-rock, indie-pop and early 2000’s alternative; each of the tracks on the EP pertain to this sound, short and sweet tracks that are lyrically proficient, with tight rhythm sections and an occasional strong guitar solo that throws in more punkier influence and grungey elements to the songs.
there’s a lot of influence in these tracks, from early Green Day to The Libertines, lots of punk and brit-pop; however William manages to utilise all of these inspirations into a sound that he can call his own, culminating in the creation of an EP that is not only upbeat and energetic, but relays his emotions and feelings effectively through his lyrics.
our feature for this week’s Just The Crust is the brand new single from Tragicomics “Dinosaur“!
we’ve covered Tragicomics’ previous releases a bunch before, with a fantastic string of singles over the past few years they’ve been establishing themselves as a serious alternative country outfit on the North West scene – performing across Manchester and beyond showing their musical prowess on the stage.
this new single comes in at just over six minutes, and it’s a gorgeous tune, encompassing a range of varying emotions, atmospheres and feelings – a real rollercoaster throughout, the track builds and builds, from a mellow and intricate dark-folk ballad, laced with gorgeous violin melodies and lush guitar riffs – the flow of the track is consistent, balanced through the whole run of the track without feeling too forced or prompt. the changeup to the heavier, more alternative and psychedelic section of the tune is lovely, and gives a real force behind it, becoming energetic and conveying the meaning of the tune in a real ferocious manner. fantastic stuff!
our feature for today’s Just The Crust is the brand new single from Sixth Day “Say Hello“!
having only released their debut single “Kick Me Out” earlier this year, they’ve been garnering praise from across the North West, and sold out their debut headline at Gullivers over the summer, establishing themselves as serious ones-to-watch here in Manchester.
this new single only expands on their debut single’s infectious upbeat indie-rock musings, with singalong choruses, an unmistakably Northern tone and a ferocious energy behind their music. “Say Hello” sets them apart from the sea of new indie tunes, with effortless, conversational songwriting and lyricism, guitar melodies that lace the track beautifully, all parts coming together to create a proper lush tune that’s not only personal, but still upbeat and energetic.
our feature for today’s Just The Crust is the brand new single from Zara Smile, “Human”
based in Liverpool, Zara has been performing regularly across the city and out into the North West, having released their debut EP earlier this year, which garnered praise from a bunch of online publications, with the delicate and intricate sound proving their musical capability and ability to write songs that relay pure emotion.
this new single “Human” sounds incredible, with honest and raw lyricism about their experience with disassociation – with sounds akin to the likes of Laura Marling, Joni Mitchell and First Aid Kit. the melodies within the track are gorgeous, working perfectly in unison to create a lovely space for Zara’s vocal to excel in – and the vocal harmonies in the chorus are lush, adding to the flow of track. it’s a gorgeous raw and intimate track
our feature for today’s Just The Crust is the brand new single from James Wolf “Stargazing“!
we’ve known James for a good while now, with him performing for us regularly at our events and having had him play with his band at our last Cream of the Crop; his midwest-emo / 2000’s alternative-influenced sound is lovely and sets him apart as a songwriter.
this new single shows his lyrical prowess, but opens up his production technique and ability, taking a more electronic approach to his music – with dreamy synth lines, trap-inspired drum patterns and mellow and deep bass licks. the sonic atmosphere of this track is superb, creating a real elevated feel, and flowing incredibly throughout the chorus, a gorgeous contrast to the verses.
we’re back with our next edition of The Wrap – covering a bunch of our favourite releases from September! so much incredible music being released, you can find all of our in-depth reviews below ⬇️
Manchester’s indie-pop outfit VALA have returned with their brand new single “Bleed Together“! We’re huge fans of these guys, having reviewed a bunch of their previous releases and they’ve gone above and beyond with this new track. The synth elements are hugely more prominent in the track, giving it a much more ethereal, dream-pop styling, especially as it comes to the end of the track, it’s short and sweet but a must-listen for any fans of feel-good, indie-pop goodness. The track is held together with a tight rhythm, a lovely guitar pattern and delicate vocals. Well worth checking out! (SPOTIFY / APPLE MUSIC / BANDCAMP / YOUTUBE)
Sheffield’s Kid Conventional put out this new single “Rambling Roses“, and it’s a gorgeous indication of his talent. Opening with a gorgeous guitar picking pattern, creating a lovely atmosphere from the get-go – and his vocal comes in, a lovely contrast to the clean guitarwork with his more rugged, gravelly tone. The harmonies in the chorus section elevate this track even more, creating a sense of calmness and serenity – and his lyrical capability is on full show here. It’s a lovely tune, and. we can’t wait to hear more from him – with his intricate and honest storytelling style, and carefully crafted songs. (SPOTIFY / APPLE MUSIC / YOUTUBE)
We had Hannah Robinson perform for us earlier this year, and she was fantastic – blowing us away with her stage presence, songwriting excellence, and the musical capability and chemistry of her band. She’s returned with a brand new track, “Rosie“, which only proves her ability, a gorgeous tune laced with grungey elements, psychedelic guitar tones and intricate and delicate songwriting. There’s a real groove behind the track, with a driving bassline, flowing drums, and gorgeous guitar soundscaping – all setting the scene for her to excel in. She’s definitely one to watch, keep an eye out! (SPOTIFY / APPLE MUSIC / YOUTUBE)
Joel Gardner has been a staple of the North West songwriting scene for a good while now, with his storytelling capabilities, effortless guitar work and general loveliness keeping him at the forefront. He’s just put out a new single, “God & Star Signs“, which showcases all of these abilities superbly, it’s an absolutely gorgeous tune, and the flow of the track is insane, building so smoothly throughout, maintaining a lovely sense of calmness and building to a real singalong – his ability to write a song is incredible. The production on it is fantastic too, little elements coming in to keep the track going, it’s well worth a listen! (SPOTIFY / APPLE MUSIC / YOUTUBE)
We’ve been huge fans of Venus Grrrls for a good while now, having listened to their previous releases, their unmatched ferocity and energy is infectious and portrayed incredibly in their music. Their new single “Liar Liar” came out last month, and it’s quickly becoming one of our favourites – the contrast between the verses and the choruses are amazing, the soundscape and walls of sound in the hooks are huge; the balance of guitars and synthesisers creates a massive atmosphere that they utilise so well. Their ability to write a hook is fantastic, every song feels fresh and shows their musical and creative capabilities so well. We can’t wait to hear more! (SPOTIFY / APPLE MUSIC / BANDCAMP / YOUTUBE)
Sugarstone have been taking the North West by storm, we caught them last year and were blown away by their stage presence, their unique synth-punk energy, and their ability to hold an audience in the palm of their hand. We were huge fans of their previous releases, and this new single “Tender Hook” goes above and beyond. Their guitar riffs, matched with gorgeous synth sounds, huge drum patterns and driving basslines, prove that they’re ones to watch in the UK – and with each song touching on political and societal issues, the disconnect that one can feel – they’re sure to relate to a great many of people in today’s world. (SPOTIFY / APPLE MUSIC / YOUTUBE)
DEAFDEAFDEAF have been tearing it up over the past few years here in Manchester, with their lovely post-punk, shoegazy sounds – they’ve cultivated themselves a sound that is not only energetic and raucous, but at times delicate and tender. This new single “City Song / Auto Love” is evident of that, with gorgeous drumwork, a solid foundation of bass and rhythm to create a lovely soundscape for the track, and then incredible guitar tones that ring loud throughout the entirety of the tracks, lead guitar riffs that lace the atmosphere – all giving the vocal ample space to command the songs. Two fantastic tunes! (SPOTIFY / APPLE MUSIC / YOUTUBE)
Liverpool’s Leonie Jakobi marked September with the release of her EP “Nothing More To Say“! Right from the get-go, her vocal commands your attention on the first track “Bedroom Eyes“, a powerful, huge opener, filled with a gorgeous guitar tones, a massive rhythm section, all giving the ferocity needed for Leonie’s vocal to soar above. The EP is chock-full of these massive tracks, even the country-esque “Run Towards the Edge” has guitar tones, drumwork and vocal harmonies that create a gorgeous sonic atmosphere, incredible to hear. It’s well worth a listen, a fantastic EP! (SPOTIFY / APPLE MUSIC / BANDCAMP / YOUTUBE)
another incredible month of music, with so many fantastic releases, and this is just a taste of what’s been out – there’s a whole plethora of talent! thanks to everyone who has checked this out! 🤘
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. 🍞
our feature for today’s Just The Crust is the brand new single from Adam Kirkup “You’re Not Alone”
the first release from Adam, it’s a gorgeous live take of his original song, capturing a real atmosphere of the track, excelling on the stage. the delicate nature of the song is in full force here, spellbinding the listener with every word, the intimate guitar picking pattern – and the slight sound of the audience rustling about, the background of the show creates a lovely soundscape for it all. it’s a lovely listen, and we can’t wait to hear more from Adam!
Unapologetic songstress Tay Temple has returned with an explosive EP that only solidifies her position as one of the most exciting up-and-coming artists in the UK, with a fighting spirit present across the entirety of the tracks that really show her determination and prowess as an artist.
Each of the tracks has its own sense of identity, but they are interconnected through Tay’s musical style, a grungy, alternative rock genre with singer-songwriter roots that set her apart from the rest. Her lyrical capability and raw, personal and honest songwriting are only exemplified by the musical ability and connection of her band.
The first track “Still Here” is an unapologetic fiery burst of passion, a huge introduction to the EP with its powerful, grungey undertones. The track is a real outpour of feeling, a huge question posed to Tay’s romantic interest asking for clarity – whilst balancing the desires of love whilst simultaneously avoiding the stereotypical relationship that has been printed into society. The aggressive nature of the track sets it as one of the heaviest on the record, but it perfectly depicts the topic of the lyrics, a real proof of her songwriting ability, and the band’s ability to match her energy.
“Ain’t Me” follows, a desperate call to help from the constraints of society, working life and the media. It retains the lyrical proficiency of the first track, with a real clear image of Tay’s situation, the confusion that she is experiencing with the mundane and repetitive routine of her life, and the expectations that are put on her as a young woman in the society of today. The guitarwork in this track from lead guitarist Jordi is luscious, creating a dream-like atmosphere around the space, adding to the blur and confusion that Tay is depicting through her lyrics. The loose and driving rhythm only furthers this – really creating a soundscape that is reflective of the song’s theme.
The grunginess in these two opening songs really shows how far Tay and her band have come in terms of their sound, moving away from the acoustic singer-songwriter elements that she had in her first EP and to a darker, angrier and more mature state.
The title track of the EP, “I Can See Everything”, opens back up with an acoustic guitar, and a more relaxed element, and as she sings the opening lyrics, you feel that she has a reflection upon her previous release, but it suddenly jolts into her modern style, proving that she’s come all this way. The flow of the track here is gorgeous, the chorus is massive, with the lead guitar complimenting Tay’s vocal melodies in perfect harmony, and the bassline and drums maintaining a steady yet explosive backdrop for the track. The song only continues with the topic of Tay’s struggle with the expectations of society, seen in the lyric “The lights are shining, with the broken mirror you use, to try to convince us of anything but the truth” – an apt reflection of the way that the media, political figures and even tradition attempts to disguise anything that is deviating away from their viewpoints. The main lyric shows Tay’s outlook, she’s able to see the situation finally for what it is – again, proving the maturity shown throughout this release. The track ends in luscious chaos, with her vocal and the lead guitar battling throughout that last chorus, only to end in a wave of distortion and noise.
The next track “Lost Myself Again” takes a more calm and relaxed approach, it’s a hugely mellower song that returns to an introspective stance – depicting the struggle with a wavering mental state, feeling that you aren’t able to progress, yet thinking this lapse in progress is actually part of the process, and that it is necessary to proceed. The second verse is a beautiful lyrical balance to the first, opening up with a contrasting line, but falling back to that initial self-doubt that was present in the first verse. The backing vocals in the chorus and the bridge really give it a huge sound, almost giving a feel that not only does Tay struggle here, but there is a plethora of people who experience these thoughts and that she’s not alone in this predicament. It’s a beautiful song, depicting her struggles poetically, whilst at the same time creating a sense of hope for the listener, in that there are better times coming and that there must be lows in order for there to be highs.
The penultimate track “Sunglasses” sees Tay return to a punky, grungey sound – proving that the rage and power behind her is still intact. Opening with the line “I’m sick of uneducated men, who prance around like nothing affects them”, you can tell she’s down for business. It’s an anthem for those who have been pushed to the side, who no one cares for, and whose cries fall upon deaf ears. The ferocity of this track is unparalleled, with Tay singing at the top of her voice over a huge and violent soundscape – it’s a real call-out to the manipulators, the abusers and the selfish within society. Her sound here is reminiscent of 90’s riot grrrl bands, who were avidly going out to make songs and raise awareness of the treatment of women in society; a topic that Tay is referring to in this song throughout. The huge sound behind her only gives her a real pedestal to shout from, the band working in perfect unison to provide her with a real sense of support. This song is a perfect representation of Tay’s personality, her ferocity and passion for that which she cares about, and how unapologetic she is for just being herself and standing up for those in need.
The fade into the final track “Haunting Me” is absolutely gorgeous, a lovely fall into the serious nature of this song – plus, the feedback and distortion of the lead guitar provide a beautiful soundscape for the first few lines. The calm and soft nature of the bassline creates a lovely space for Tay’s vocal to glide over, and to speak her thoughts. A perfect conclusion to the rest of the EP, the song discusses her relationship with her mental health, how it controls her life and the way that it’s affected her. The chorus is almost a cry for help, a need for control for her to live the life that she wants, to enjoy the journey that she’s on and not have to worry about anything that comes in her way. As the track flows into the first chorus, the addition of the instrumentation gives a beautiful backdrop and soundscape for the track, proving the chemistry and quality of her band, their ability to connect with her songs and the way that they are able to only accentuate the power of these tracks.
“I Can See Everything” is a real insight into the feelings, emotions and life of Tay Temple, portraying her experiences and showing off her songwriting ability, being able to convey this into musical form, in a way that is not easy to find in the modern music industry. Her signature sound not only shows off her talent but her maturity, the quality of her band and the authenticity of her as a creative. The full EP is a poetic depiction of the struggles of a young queer woman in today’s society, and both the rage and misery of dealing with the modern world are illustrated in abundance throughout the record – proving that she is one of the finest up-and-coming artists in the UK. Her resilience and determination to create and perform only ensure her future as a musical force, and we’re sure that she will go above and beyond all and any expectations that people have of her.
Tay Temple headlines The Castle Hotel for the Manchester date of her UK tour on the 2nd of November! Get your tickets here.
Bread Records 