Inspired by Frank Frazer Darling’s ‘Island Years, Island Farm’, a book about how the author made temporary homes in the Hebridean Islands while researching seabirds and seals, Crake’s latest single ‘Bobbie’ finds Rowan Sandle taking on the mantle of his wife, Bobbie – who appears only as a periphery character in the ramblings: ‘Some events…
Leeds-based four-piece follow up the powerful ‘R&B’ with new single, ‘Wallace’, a Theo Verney-produced song that the band describe as ‘an apocalyptic monologue about what happens when people listen to Wallace Hartley, the band-leader of the Titanic, as a distraction to the sinking of the ship. Born in my hometown, his name is stretched across…
Released as part of Nice Swan Records (Sports Team, Pip Blom, Hotel Lux) ‘Nice Swan Introduces…’ series, English Teacher’s ‘R&B’ is a powerful and loud piece of art rock with a delicate edge as Lily Fontaine delivers words about caring for someone so much that you end up writing them R&B – even if these…
Leeds-based trio Beluga have shared their debut single ‘Painting with Three Colours’ – and it’s a song that take you on a fascinating journey. Part King Crimson-style prog, part traditional jazz and with some Physics House Band-style riffs thrown in for good measure, the band leave barely any genre untouched. There are bursts of saxophone…
Leeds-based post-punk band Yard Act have shared new single ‘Dark Days’. It follows the success of debut 7″ ‘Fixer Upper’/’The Trapper’s Pelts’ – which sold out all 500 copies on its day of release. The new song finds James Smith examining the world we live in and pondering how we’re seemingly heading towards a post-apocalyptic…
Leeds-based Magick Mountain have shared new single ‘Infinity X2’ ahead of the the release of their debut album ‘Weird Feelings’ on 23 October. The trio, made up of Lins Wilson (Grammatics), Tom Hudson (Pulled Apart By Horses) and Nestor Matthews (Sky Larkin) make a fuzzy, addictive noise that recalls Fugazi, but with a psychedlic side…
Leeds-based Living Body have shared new single ‘C.R.E.A.M.’. Self-described as ‘post-Brexitcore’, all the instruments on the track have been played, recorded and mixed by Jeff T. Smith and the track combines shoegazey melodies with pining vocals (you can hear the passion as Jeff sings ‘Opening up to Heaven’s Gate… Won’t you come and take me…
Brilliantly named Leeds rockers Party Hardly have shared ‘Football’ ahead of the release of their debut ‘Cycle of Life’ EP (out 5 October). The band have already played with the likes of The Magic Gang and INHEAVEN and this song, recorded by MK of Hookworms, finds them tackling the important subject of gender inequality. Opening…
Following shows with the likes of DZ Deathrays, Dream Wife and Idles and ahead of a nationwide tour, Leeds-based DIY art punks Dead Naked Hippies have released the riff-heavy ‘Rare’. Opening with a disgustingly catchy riff, the song finds Lucy Jowett letting rip at the way advertising companies use the general public’s discontentment to make…
Leeds six-piece Team Picture have released new single ‘Strange Year’ ahead of new album ‘Recital’ (released 1 June) and it hints at something truly great… Produced by Matt Peel (Eagulls), the ’80s gothic-tinged slice of art rock opens with hair-raising synths and lyrics about things getting you down before you yourself then let someone down.…
Spectral Nights - alternative music, indie music, music reviews, new music, music blog 