Video: Lōwli - Fallow

Lōwli - Fallow

Info: Described by Jim Carroll as ''..orchestral , elegant noir-pop... a performer with a keen sense for the dramatic twists and turns.'' Lōwli, aka Cork-based songwriter Roisin Lowry, creates a distinctive and alternative sound by mixing haunting vocals with emotive lyrics.

Lōwli's debut single, 'Fallow' was released in Nov 2016 and is now available to download/stream through the usual online channels. Lōwli has begun working on her debut EP which is set for release in May 2017. 

Upcoming performances include a show at Quarter Block Party, Cork in Feb 2017 among others.

'Fallow' is gently invigorating, like a lapping wave, Lōwli very, very slowly draws you in, the peaks are carefully laid out across the track, the overall ambience of which benefits from restricting crescendo's to just one, at the songs very end. The low hum of the cello, and the consistent but minimalistic tone of both vocals and piano create a soothing and structured soundscape for the listener, almost hypnotic in its repetition. 'Fallow' is an exciting introduction to Lowry's music, and shows huge promise, eager for more, thankfully we are also provided with the beautiful video and song for original piece 'Far From Where I Weep' (below), which makes that initial excitement grow even bigger.

Lōwli - Far From Where I Weep (Live)

Like & Listen:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lowlimusic/

Spotify: https://play.spotify.com/album/2pEL1q1PbvRpMBdll80Bly

Bandcamp: https://lowli.bandcamp.com/releases

Video: Paradox - Painting Pictures

Photo: Fonteyn Photography

Paradox - Painting Pictures

Info: Cork alt-rock band Paradox released the fourth single, 'Painting Pictures', from their latest album, Chapters, at the beginning of December. The single is one of the highlights on the album, the song-writing displays the wealth of experience built up over their musical career. It has a softer edge than most of the remainder of the album, and is also a notable homage to their grunge influences, a stripped bare Nirvana or Pearl Jam with a Paradox polish.

You can stream and download Chapters on Spotify here https://play.spotify.com/album/2VEHv3yC4D3Twh4ReBRBSW

Look / Like / Listen & Follow:

Website: http://www.paradoxrock.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/paradoxrock

Bandcamp: http://paradoxgrunge.bandcamp.com/album/chapters

Twitter: https://twitter.com/PeteMacParadox

Album: Mr Huw - Gwna Dy Feddwl I Lawr

Mr Huw - Saim Gwahanol

Info: Dark pop from North Wales – 'Gwna Dy Feddwl I lawr' (Make Your Mind Down) is Mr Huw’s 5th album was released on 25th November, 2016, as a limited edition CD and download on Welsh indpendent record label, Recordiau Cae Gwyn.

The first thing that strikes me listening to Mr Huw's latest album, GWNA Dy Feddwl I lawr, is that it retains the overall merriment of 2015's excellent Du Lllun EP, but noticeably places a more experimental and electro-pop sound side by side with the indie-pop base of the former release. Opener 'Cig Amrwd' is about as arresting and sensual knock-out start to an album as you're likely to hear, electronic drum pads pop your eyes out of your head and tickle your ear drums intensely. A barnstorming track with thick chugging chord progressions that is most uplifting.

'Saim Gwahanol' (above video), is what I personally would associate with the grand tradition of Welsh indie-rock, the irrelevancy of not understanding the lyrics, but really feeling like they're speaking to you purely based on how the music is so up tempo and the delivery of the vocals. 'Werth Dim Byd' is a corker of a song, again Mr Huw employs that truly appealing snappy drum beat and thick bass-lines, a rock fans track, but also with a day-glo 80's alternative pop tinge, á la Duran Duran or Simple Minds. 

Mr Huw - Gwendidau

On 'Gwendidau' (above) we straddle between late 90's and early 00's alternative guitar-pop, Strokes-esque guitars and a straight-forward beat show that Mr Huw can make simplicity, as well as intricacy, sound very appealing to the ears. After the lo-fi psychedelic pause of 'Anocheladwy', things go all punk on us on 'Llosgfynyddoedd', it's like The Ramones meet The Jam and again, it's highly enjoyable rock music. 'Darnau O'n Cyrff' is another standout on Gwna Dy Feddwl I Lawr, half jangle-pop, half post-punk, The La's and The Cure in unison, a strange but fully functional marriage.

The genre-bending journey is far from over even as we approach the end of the album, 'Dioddefwyr', has a tiny strand of mid-80's electronic music and again that post-punk leaning of the previous track. On the album's remaining three tracks Mr Huw boomerangs back to the start and has a mini experimental blow-out, from the chilled out ambient sounds of 'Du' to last track 'Bwystfilaidd' wild contemporary electro-pop abandon. 

In some ways Gwna Dy Feddwl I Lawr feels like Mr Huw's ode to all of the musical influences he's enjoyed throughout his life to date, an homage of sorts, but they are fully engulfed in his infectious trademark experimentalism, it's a very broad range yet incredibly easy to absorb from the very beginning. With his fifth album, he is clearly far from the end of his journey through music, and long may it continue.

Look / Like / Listen & Follow:

Website: www.mrhuw.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/mr-huw/10673662078

SoundCloud: https://play.spotify.com/album/0vrz5EJFmu5PGCNMFomhoc

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ymrhuw