review – Page 23 – Bread Records

Just The Crust 24/07/23: Flowers of Evil + The Strangerz – Out of Bed 🏅

24th Jul 202324th Jul 2023artist, bread, just the crust, local scene, new music, review, videoLeave a Comment

our feature for today’s Just The Crust is the brand new single from Flowers Of Evil + The strangerz “Out of Bed“!

we’ve been huge fans of Flowers of Evil since we heard their track “Cherry-AID” last year, with their infectious energy, smooth groove and unexpected track flow and structure, they really put themselves as a force to be reckoned with on the North West scene!

this new single only reinforces their infectious upbeat style, with a gorgeous hook right from the get-go, only to explode into a huge electronic melody that’s sure to get anyone grooving. the dynamic of this song is lush, dropping away and breaking down immediately to push the focus on the vocal, becoming super intimate and proving their musical prowess. the balance between the verses and the choruses is expertly handled, it’s very difficult to create a contrast like this but they’ve pulled it off, the groove of the track is lovely and it flows super well.

the production of the song is fantastic, with really intrinsically created soundscapes, it keeps the attention of the listener so well and there’s a whole bunch of stuff going on, without feeling too much or chaotic in any way – the bridge is almost a dream-like state, flowing effortlessly throughout until it explodes into the final chorus that just gels the track together superbly. we can’t wait to hear this one live!

you can find it over on Spotify at https://open.spotify.com/artist/0m3FoEPROirtK5hZpJV7W4 – it’s available to check out on all streaming sites, and is well worth a full listen! another incredible release under their belts.

check out all of our reviews, features, music and more on our website at www.breadrecords.co.uk

The Wrap: June 2023 ✨

19th Jul 202319th Jul 2023artist, bread, local scene, new music, review, The Wrap1 Comment

we’ve got our brand new edition of The Wrap for you here, for June 2023 ☀️ another fantastic month of releases, we’ve got a whole bunch of great tunes reviewed for you – check them out below! ⬇️

A familiar face for us here on the Manchester music scene, Boxes have returned with their brand new single “Fighter“! Taking a heavier stance compared to their usual country feel, this track has a real ferocity behind it, musically and lyrically – we really love the descriptive tone of the lyrics, setting the scene of the song superbly, with gorgeous use of imagery throughout. They’ve really come into their own and made a unique sound, and the use of the slide backed with the distorted guitars, heavier backdrop of rhythm with a huge bass tone and more energetic drumbeat really give the track the force it deserves. It’s a fantastic track here, well worth a listen – plus David’s vocal is in full show on this as well! (SPOTIFY / APPLE MUSIC)

Continuing with our country trend, we’ve been huge fans of Grace Kelly ever since we met her, with her constant passion and drive for her music setting her apart from the rest. She’s just released her newest EP “Table for One” and it sounds absolutely gorgeous. Her songwriting ability is on full show throughout, and her ability to write quality tracks that are full of her passion, the way she describes feelings, emotions and situations is superb. The production on the tracks is perfect for her songs, striking a balance that only compliments her music – each of the songs are perfectly balanced and expertly crafted. It’s definitely worth checking out, we can’t wait to see what the future has in store for her! (SPOTIFY / APPLE MUSIC)

We had Dr Fabola perform for us the other week, and we were reminded about how intrinsic and beautifully delicate his music is! This new release “Feels Like Rain” is a perfect example of this, his chord progressions and picking patterns are so expertly put together, relaying a story just within that – and his lyricism just adds a whole new dimension to it. Each of his songs is so graphic, putting across his vision for the track perfectly. The production of this song only adds to it all even more, with the vocal harmonies and instrumentation complimenting his performance, and proving his ability. Another incredible track to add to his brilliant discography. (SPOTIFY / APPLE MUSIC / BANDCAMP / YOUTUBE)

Preston’s own The Outerlines have just released their second single, “Kelsey“! The track gives us real nostalgia for the more underground indie rock of the early 2000s, with a real lo-fi feel, shining through with the more grungier tones of the track. There’s a proper energy behind the track, with a huge drumbeat, gorgeous rhythm from the bass and rhythm guitar and the lead guitar riff just puts it all together superbly. The lyrics are lush, really painting the picture well and giving us a proper feel for the years of growing up in the North West. It’s well worth a listen, these guys are going places and it’s only their second release! (SPOTIFY / APPLE MUSIC)

We’ve been huge fans of Post Rome since we heard their track “The Idea Of Having A Boyfriend” – their energetic tunes and quality songwriting really impressed us. They’ve returned with their brand new single “Don’t Drown Me Out”, taking a much more pop-infused direction to their music, but still maintaining that quality that we were accustomed to with their earlier releases! The track has a gorgeous soundscape, and the energy of the drums entwined with the guitar melody is lush. With a lovely and catchy hook, the chorus sounds mega, and shows that they’re easily able to write much more of a variety of styles, and it gives us a real Enter Shikari feel. Well worth checking out for a feel-good listen! (SPOTIFY / APPLE MUSIC / YOUTUBE)

When we first heard this track by Georgia Johnson, “The Moon“, we were blown away by it and knew we had to get it on a feature! We love the entire feel of this track, from the lo-fi chorusy guitarwork, the laid-back rhythm behind it, giving a gorgeous space for her vocals to shine through – she sounds gorgeous on this, what a voice. Her lyricism here is insane, portraying her story in an expert way, we can’t wait to hear even more music from her. The production in the backdrop of the song is so well balanced, adding just what the song needs and really complementing the song as a whole. It’s only her second release as well! (SPOTIFY / APPLE MUSIC / YOUTUBE)

We’ve covered a bunch of Hollows‘ releases in the past and we love the energetic, dark and broody feel to their tracks, with huge guitar riffs, massive drums and rhythm behind it all. They’ve returned with this new single “The Floor“, which is a gorgeous example of their signature sound – energetic, ferocious and grungey. The guitar melody really sets the scene for the track, and the build-up into the main riff is lush, giving the track a lovely dynamic to it – the balance between the choruses and the verses is great! There’s a fantastic breakdown in this one too, dropping away to leave a beautiful bass synth running, only for it all to explode back into the final chorus. Another incredible release from these guys! (SPOTIFY / APPLE MUSIC / YOUTUBE)

Liverpool’s Andrew Neal just released his brand new single, “No Longer Shall We Run“! It’s a real upbeat, optimistic political anthem depicting the modern state of society, presenting a need for unity and collective action – really giving us a feel for old-school folksinger tunes. The lyricism is spot-on, direct and a call-to-action, real inspiring lyrics that invoke a real passion for community. With this feel-good atmosphere about it, there’s gorgeous chemistry in this track, with all the instruments working in tandem to create the atmosphere, and the solos are a really lovely touch, call and response to elevate the track even truther. Andrew’s vocal sounds great here too, really inviting the listener into the song and to engage with his lyrics. Well worth a listen! (SPOTIFY / APPLE MUSIC / YOUTUBE)

we’ve had another real lovely month of new music, there’s so much going on and so many incredible tunes coming out all the time, it’s fantastic to seee. a big thank you 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. 🍞

Just The Crust 17/07/23: Smoking Gives You Big Tits – Porky Pies ⚡️

17th Jul 202317th Jul 2023artist, bread, just the crust, local scene, new music, review, videoLeave a Comment

our feature for today’s Just The Crust is the brand new single “Porky Pies” by Smoking Gives You Big Tits from their upcoming album “Guts For Starters“!

we’ve been big fans of these guys for ages, having discovered them at gigs here in Manchester over the past few years and we’re huge fans of their massive energy, and unapologetic lyrics – they’ve got a tremendous sound behind them now, giving their songs a truly ferocious rage and splendour about them!

this new single truly encapsulates their sound, opening up with a vast chaotic soundscape of distortion, taking the track by the reins and setting the scene for the song. it falls down into a jarring but infectious groove, the instrumentation working in perfect tandem to pave the way for Helen’s vocals to shine – she immediately captures your attention with her airy tone that glides across the track – and as the chorus comes in, the song comes together beautifully, picking up the pace rapidly, creating a real powerful and ferocious hook that is sure to get any listener grooving along. it’s a fantastic track and it sets the scene for the album beautifully, we can’t wait to hear more when it comes out on the 28th July!

in the meantime you can find this single on all streaming platforms, and the full music video is available to watch at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=duzd74mK_RM – well worth a watch!

find all of our features, reviews, music and more on our website at www.breadrecords.co.uk !

Just The Crust 10/07/23: Tallulah Guard – Pulse 💫

10th Jul 202310th Jul 2023artist, bread, just the crust, local scene, new music, review, videoLeave a Comment

our feature for today’s Just The Crust is the brand new single “Pulse” from Tallulah Guard!

we’ve covered Tallulah’s music a bunch in the past, and had them perform for us a few times over the last year or so and we love their energetic and powerful songwriting style, expertly putting words into their music and relaying a variety of emotions and feeling throughout we loved the previous single “Burn“, a driving alternative rock banger reminiscent of early 90’s rock!

this new single takes a more laidback, calmer atmosphere, opening with a lovely guitar fingerstyle melody that sets the tone for the track right from the get-go. as Tallulah’s vocal comes in, you’re invited into the story they’re telling, a delicate anecdote that is softly but expertly delivered throughout, discussing their experiences with disassociation, in a poetic and intricate manner. as the track gets more intense, with a driving rhythm coming in, vocal harmonies building behind the main vocal, synth parts layering the sonic space of the track, it’s a gorgeous track that easily puts Tallulah as one to watch here in the North West.

you can find the track in full on all streaming platforms, including Spotify at https://open.spotify.com/album/6qmvYktetyEdI7kU7qfPVm – go and have a listen for yourselves and add it to your playlists!

find all of our features, reviews, music and more at www.breadrecords.co.uk

Knead To Know: Craig Lee & The Humblebees 🙌

5th Jul 20235th Jul 2023artist, bread, knead to know, local scene, new music, review1 Comment

after a long time, we’re back with our next Knead To Know interview, this time with the incredible Craig Lee and The Humblebees! 🥪

we’ve heard a bunch of great releases from Craig, and his music has been doing super well over the past few years, with his 60’s rock and roll-inspired sound mixed with indie rock and singer-songwriter influence, proving him as a real unique artist here in the North West. it’s real lovely to chat with him here, finding out more about his music and his creativity, you can find the full interview below! ⬇️

Hey mate, it’s great to have you here for our Knead To Know interview. What got you into doing music?

Some lads in my year did a few songs for a school talent show as a band and I thought I can do that. It was around the time of Arctic Monkeys first album, so they were a big influence too as I was about 14.

What inspires your sound? Who are some of your favourite artists?

I am massively influenced by the sound of retro rock’n’roll (Buddy Holly, Eddie Cochran, The Beatles) but also amazing poetic lyricists such as Bob Dylan, Frank Turner and Justin Young (The Vaccines). I try my best to mix the two…

Your new single “By Your Side” is out now – tell us a bit about it!

By Your Side is basically a song that says life is fine being on my own but it’s even better when I am with you. Soppy, I know.

How have you found the release so far? What are the highlights for you, with it?

It’s always great to hear from people on social media. I have had a few people message me to praise the song and to hear that from people I don’t know and have no reason to say it (other than that they love the tune) is a great feeling. One person even said it was one of their favourite songs period, which was madness.

What are your main inspirations for writing?

Seeing people dancing, hearing them sing the words back. It’s great when I hear a person’s favourite song of mine, as it’s always a different one and I am inspired by having more to add to that list.

What’s your process for creating music?

It varies. Sometimes I will hear somebody say a phrase and I will just laugh and make a mental note then go home and write a chorus using it. Other times I will challenge myself to write a certain bassline, or to write a song to incorporate a key change or simply strum and hum until something catchy comes along (wow that sounded ruder than I meant it).

Have you been gigging over the past few months? How is it?

In all honesty (when it comes to originals) not as much as I had hoped. Any bands looking for a support or wanting to put a show on, give me a shout.

Do you record in a studio or do you have a personal home studio?

I record at Vibe Studios in Cheetham Hill with producer (and quiet magician) Dean Glover. He filters my mad ideas and up to now, he has always got it right when bringing the songs to what I have in my head.

Have you got anything coming up in 2023 we should know about?

I am supporting The Dunwells in July and also Chris Helm (The Seahorses) in October. Both are in Oldham and are very exciting opportunities.

we always love writing these up, and finding out more about each artist’s inspirations, their creative processes and the journey that they’ve been on, it’s unique to every act! if you’ve not heard it yet, it’s well worth checking out his new single, another class tune under his belt. a big thank you to Craig for letting us interview him – and thank you all for checking it out! 🍞

Just The Crust 03/07/23: Shadows Of A Silhouette – My Hunny ⚡️

3rd Jul 20233rd Jul 2023artist, bread, just the crust, local scene, new music, review, videoLeave a Comment

our feature for today’s Just The Crust is the brand new single from Shadows Of A Silhouette “My Hunny“!

we’re huge fans of these guys, having covered their music a bunch in the past and even having them perform for us last year as part of our gigs down at the Grafton Arms

this new tune is a feel-good anthem, still in the indie dimension of their previous tunes but you can really hear the more mellow elements shine through. with exquisite and intense lyricism, you can really hear the passion put into their music – the instrumentation behind it ties it all together so well, with the drums providing a gorgeous rhythm to the track, the loose guitar pattern and driving bassline creating a real groove and the lead guitar giving a lovely final touch to the track. another banger under the belt for these guys!

you can find it on all streaming platforms, including Spotify at https://open.spotify.com/artist/6EuOHKKHN8mLHVwlKli6zE – well worth checking out! make sure you get the chance to see these guys live, incredible stage presence!

find all of our features, reviews and more on our website at www.breadrecords.co.uk

Just The Crust 26/06/23: HWY – Exit Love 🤘

26th Jun 202326th Jun 2023artist, bread, just the crust, local scene, new music, review, videoLeave a Comment

our feature for today’s Just The Crust is the brand new single “Exit Love” from HWY!

we were massive fans of their first two singles, which really set them as ones to watch on the North West scene – we’ve also had them perform for us at our Toasted gigs and for Halloweezer and their live sets are extraordinary, with an incredible stage presence and a real ability to move a crowd

this new single sees them expand on their grungey sound, with gorgeous guitar melodies throughout which create a lovely soundscape and atmosphere for the track – the calm groove is a beautiful backdrop for the vocals to soar over, and Ryan’s vocal sounds spectacular here; maintaining control over the track and as it opens up to the chorus, his power and rage is only complimented by the instrumentation, a ferocious outburst of energy that we’ve come to see with all of HWY’s releases. the dynamic of this track is lush, there’s so much energy and restraint all at once – the breakdown is a serene breath of fresh air from the chaos and power of the rest of the track, and the guitar riffs are second to none. yet another incredible release from these guys!

you can find the tune on all streaming sites, including Spotify at https://open.spotify.com/track/62rxtnfmc2zRNab1juIuFD – it’s well worth a listen, there’s a real special future in store for these guys.

all of our features, reviews, music and more are available to check out on our website at www.breadrecords.co.uk

ICYMI, our The Wrap for May was boss 💫

21st Jun 2023artist, bread, local scene, new music, review, The WrapLeave a Comment

in case you missed it, our The Wrap feature for May just gone by was spectacular

covering some incredible releases from Craig Lee and the Humblebees Strawberrylemonade Katie O’Malley Jimmy Page XI Vespertines Shadows Of A Silhouette Tay Temple and ByWednesday – it’s well worth checking out, so many amazing tunes out last month!

you can find the feature in full over on our website at https://breadrecords.co.uk/2023/06/14/the-wrap-may-2023/ – have a gander and let us know what you think!

The Wrap: May 2023 ✨

Just The Crust 19/06/23: VALA – I Love The Sound (EP) ☀️

19th Jun 202319th Jun 2023artist, bread, just the crust, local scene, new music, review, videoLeave a Comment

our feature for today’s Just The Crust is the new EP “I Love The Sound” from Manchester-based indie-pop outfit VALA

we’ve covered VALA a bunch in the past, and we love their dreamy, lofi-inspired indie tunes – their latest single back in December 2022 “Don’t Think Twice (It’s Not Alright)” was lovely!

they’ve returned with a full length release here, and it only proves their quality with an array of lovely tunes in addition to their previous singles, showing off their talent and ability to write luscious soundscapes, with careful and personal lyricism, whilst still maintaining the energy of the indie genre. these new tunes are laden with gorgeous synths and bring a more psychedelic element to their music, quality stuff!

you can find their new EP in full on streaming sites, or you can find the full video for the new tune “It’s Magic” over on YouTube at https://youtu.be/VDtj7IKRPx0 – well worth checking out!

find all of our features, reviews, music and more on our website at www.breadrecords.co.uk !

The Wrap: May 2023 ✨

14th Jun 202314th Jun 2023artist, bread, local scene, new music, review, The Wrap1 Comment

there’s another feature inbound for us here, with our The Wrap feature for May 2023! ☀️ there’s been so many incredible releases out this past month, we’ve covered just a few of what have come out here – check out all the reviews below! ⬇️

Craig Lee and the Humblebees have returned with a brand new single “This Isn’t Paradise“! Maintaining his original 60’s rock and roll sound, there’s a lot more indie rock in this track – but his catchy singalong hooks are still in abundance here. A real summery anthem, this song sounds fantastic, his vocals shine through here and the rhythm of the track makes it feel super groovy. The vocal harmonies post-chorus are lovely, really tying the track together and the little break in the bridge gives the song a real breath of fresh air! It’s well worth a listen! (SPOTIFY / APPLE MUSIC / YOUTUBE)

We had Strawberry Lemonade perform for us back last year and they smashed it, amazing stuff, and they’re back with their new tune “You Told Me“! It kicks off in style with a huge guitar riff and a real power behind it – in the verse, the track falls away to give space for Cal’s vocal to take centre-stage. The chorus is full of passion and rage, and you can really tell that there’s so much emotion poured into this track. We can imagine this one will go off live, with so much energy behind it – fantastic stuff! (SPOTIFY / APPLE MUSIC)

We’re huge fans of Katie O’Malley and have covered her music so much in the past, so we’re super hyped for this new single “Come On Home“! It takes a much more relaxed approach than her previous singles, but the magic is still there. It’s a real delicate track, the country aspects give so much to it and it sounds incredible. Katie’s vocal sounds fantastic on this, a much more softer side of her singing and songwriting, which we love to see – it’s unreal that she’s able to be so versatile with it all. Yet another fantastic song under her belt, well worth checking out! (SPOTIFY / APPLE MUSIC / BANDCAMP / YOUTUBE)

Jimmy Page has been making waves over the last year, we’ve had him perform a bunch for us and his progress has been incredible, plus such a lovely bloke. This new single “PAINT (I’m Through)” really shows off his songwriting ability, how he’s able to portray a story through his lyrics, a real catchy singalong tune as well! The groove of the track is splendid, the rhythm of the bass and drums working in tandem with the main guitar – plus the bridge goes hard, going all in to fall into a little bass solo, fantastic stuff! (SPOTIFY / APPLE MUSIC / YOUTUBE)

We caught Vespertines performing last year, and they blew us away with their energy and powerful set – they’ve just released their brand new EP “The Pretty Ones“! Chock-full of bangers, it shows off how they’ve really got a unique style and have harnessed their sound to get it to where they want to be. The groove of the bass and the drums throughout really create a gorgeous backdrop for the guitars to float over, and so much space for the main vocal to command. With gorgeous guitar riffs throughout, lyricism that is carefully crafted and a real chemistry between the band, it’s well worth checking out! (SPOTIFY / APPLE MUSIC)

We had Shadows of a Silhouette perform for us last year and they were absolutely sensational, their stage presence was unreal, the way they could keep a crowd in the palm of their hands, and their on-stage chemistry between the band was fantastic to see. This new single “The Best of Me” only proves their talent even more, their songwriting ability, the ability to create a personal, intimate song that has so much style behind it and tells their story, it’s brilliant stuff. The flow of this song is superb, utilising dynamics so well throughout, it’s a beautiful track and well worth checking out. (SPOTIFY / APPLE MUSIC / YOUTUBE)

One of our favourites Tay Temple returned with her brand new single “Ain’t Me” early last month! Opening up the track with a gorgeous, grungey atmosphere from the guitar tone, drum pattern, and bassline flowing behind Tay – her vocal commands the space flawlessly to pour her feelings out onto the track. As it transitions into the chorus, the intensity of the track increases massively, perfectly matching the lyricism – an outburst of rage and pure passion, you can feel the outpour of emotion in this song. The lead guitar licks from Jordi beautifully complement Tay’s vocal melody, and the bridge is a massive one, building and building so much into the gorgeous final chorus. It’s a lovely indication of the talent that Tay and her band have! (SPOTIFY / APPLE MUSIC / BANDCAMP / YOUTUBE)

We’ve had ByWednesday perform for us a bunch this year, and they kicked off May with the release of their brand new EP “Thursday“! We’ve been fans of a lot of these songs for a good while now, having heard them live and as singles and the full EP sounds fantastic! Laced with gorgeous guitar tones throughout, a lovely groove behind each and every track, and Conor’s lyrical ability in tow – it’s a fantastic first full release from these guys. They’ve been able to capture the feeling of their live performances exquisitely but enhancing it with that production shine, it’s well worth checking out! (SPOTIFY / APPLE MUSIC / YOUTUBE)

it’s been another fantastic month of music here, it’s always so incredible to see a stream of continuous quality music coming out on the North West scene, and a big shout to everyone who has checked this out! ☀️ hope you enjoyed it!

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. 🍞