NoNewWaveNoFun

It's that time of year again where the music industry takes it's time out to reflect on another year and bombard you with lists. Now, I'm not the ambitious type by any stretch; those who know me well will testify to that in the highest court in the land under threat of having to listen to ' Dancing In The Moonlight' by Toploader  whilst being waterboarded if found guilty. Probably. This year however has been awash with some absolutely stonking tracks, in fact, I would go so far to say it's been one of the best years in living memory.  As a result, I decided to add another list to the 17 you've already ignored of some of the years best tracks. I'm doing 100, but I could easily have done considerably more; like at least another 29 or something. So, without further ado, here is the first part of our countdown from 100 - 81; perhaps you'll know some, perhaps you'll discover some others and perhaps I'll finally go to bed this evening and stop ramb

                                             📷 Jordan Shaw Let's get this straight once and for all; December is not a great time for trying to find new music. It's almost as if a state of hibernataion engulfs the industry as the long hours of darkness take their toll and preparation for the festive season go into overdrive. It's also bloody freezing; -5 degrees, you havin' a laugh?! In such climates, moody Indie Rock bands take time to reflect and find inspiration, Singer Songwriters strum the same pattern as they look for that hoodie with the holes in to keep mildy warm and writers do that thing where they list all their favourites from the last 11 months ignoring the current.  As if these things needed anymore encouragement, Spotify brings out it's annual Wrapped spectacular, so we can see what we've been listening to all year and go back to listen to it all over again. Yep, you've got to be made of different stuff entirely to be releasing new material

Artwork by Maria Tilt  Classically trained electronic producer Freyja Elsy from Cardiff   has been plowing her own furrow for several years. After releasing several independent singles in that time, she took the plunge in 2023 to start bringing her tracks to life in a live setting. Her debut E.P Modern Artifice  was released in late November and shows an artist full of ideas and creative spark that builds on her earlier work with added depth and experimentation.   Freyja took the time to talk us through Modern Artifice track-by-track. __________________________________________ Modern Artifice is my debut EP, self-produced mainly over the past year. It’s a collection of songs describing the bittersweet experience of stepping into a world not made for you. It battles with anger, generational trauma and resentment for centuries of oppression by a patriarchal, capitalist society. Yet the soul of the project is empowerment and determination, and these themes weave their way through the tra

I sometimes wonder where we're going as a species. The divisions that we continue to be subjected to make it increasingly difficult to care more for our fellow man than we should do. Whether it be the Israel-Palestine conflict, the irresponsible use of language about immigrants by so-called leaders, or the continued polarisation of the social media model: the lack of empathy is rather unnerving. Don't get me wrong, I'm not about hugging everyone I meet, but I do think the hippies had some good ideas you know.   The problem is, of course, that we know - deep down - that these divisions are man-made to ensure we don't get along. It benefits far too many people if we're at each other throats. If you're busy blaming everyone else then you can't blame who's really to blame, can you? Divide and conquer; the oldest trick in the political playbook.  In the world of journalism, the human interest story is one designed to engage attention or sympathy b

  Manchester band Vala  have been slowly building a fanbase around the city with a collection of singles that have seen them create a confident brand of indie pop. They've recently worked with Strokes producer Gordon Raphael and we got  Niamh Rowley to take  a listen to the latest of these singles ' Fishes'. Music is more commonly surrounding us in our daily activities than ever before, whether we acknowledge its presence or not. It could simply be something that keeps you company in the car or on public transport, in the shops whilst you’re browsing around or maybe it just comes as a recommendation from a friend. But how often exactly do we pay full attention to it?  With most tracks in the collective consciousness coming from similar genres or the usual big named artists we tend not to broaden our horizons to what’s waiting just a little further out, begging to be heard. Well here comes a new piece from Manchester locals Vala . Bringing us a fun-loving track entitled ‘Fis

  Perhaps it's indicative of the times that we live in. Perhaps it's indicative of our tribal need to reconnect. Perhaps it's a sign of things to come. However you frame it, that question we ask each other frequently - almost the first thing we ask - continues to remain as important to our sense of empathy as ever.  You okay?  It's a question that lurks at the centre of the new E.P from London Electro Punk duo Shelf Lives. The band are comprised of Toronto-born vocalist Sabrina Di Giulio and guitarist/producer Jonny Hillyard, who originally comes from Northampton. The pair met in London after Di Giulio came over to study Music Business at ACM Guildford ,  Hillyard had enrolled to do a Music Production course. I'd imagine one of the first things they said to each other was that very question. 📷 Zac Mahrouche Despite knowing each other for several years by this point, it wasn't until 2020 that the duo started writing music together and it seems to hav

Back once again with the ill behaviour, D for Damager, Power to the People.  That's my way of saying we have a new episode of our (soon to be) award-winning podcast to inform you about. Yeah, Episode 3 of  The Partisan Contingent is here and I can't wait for you to wrap you ears around this audio delight.  Fot those of you joining us for the first time: welcome to the madness! Let me answer a question that most bands HATE being asked - Why the name  The Partisan Contingent?  Well, I just like a good syllable combination; the meter is important y'all. Also, as passionate - often fervent - fans of music, we should unite and take over the means of the production studio before there's some sort of McCarthy-esque Muso purge.  📷 Misha Warren  Also, I just like talking out of my behind. Episode 3 is called  'Far too romantic for this band'   - for reasons that will become obvious if you listen to the bloody thing. You can listen on Spotify(above) or Mixclo

  📷 Daniel Blake As summer draws close to ending for another year and Autumn creeps it's way into our consciousness, we begin to retreat to our homes to escape the cold. Spending her time watching films and catching up with new music this time of year, Niamh Rowley took the time to listen to the new single from Scottish band SPYRES  as she battens down the hatches for the inevtibale drop in temperature around the corner. Glasgow-based four-piece SPYRES  return with new single 'The Thing' off their forthcoming EP Karaoke Sellout, due to be released on Novermber 24th. Having already released two singles off the EP already - entitled ' Money' and ' Sleep Forever' - I can't wait to see what else they have to offer.   Taking an indie pop approach to their music, the band are starting to move out of their Glasgow comfort zone and seem to be succeeding after their recent 7-date tour. With angsty vocals and kickass melodies that worm their way into your head, t

  We're back baby! Yeah, Episode 2 of The Partisan Contingent has taken a lot longer than I possibly could have imagined, but we got there in the end. You have applaud the persistance if nothing else. Let me answer a question that most bands HATE being asked - Why the name  The Partisan Contingent?  Well, I just like a good syllable combination; the meter is important y'all. Also, as passionate - often fervent - fans of music, we should unite and take over the means of the production studio before there's some sort of McCarthy-esque Muso purge.  Human Interest  (📷 Lola Stephen) Also, I just like talking out of my behind. Episode 2 is called  'Empathy and Pineapple Pizza'   for reasons that will become obvious if you listen to the bloody thing.  So what can you expect from the  The Partisan Contingent ? I've decided to make a part new music radio show, part interview, part re-occurring playlist  Frankenstein's Monster  of a Podcast wh

Legendary Punks mclusky  have today announced their first material in 19 years, with a - as yet untitled - new album to follow in 2024. The band   split up in 2004 in acrimonious circumstances with frontman Andrew Falkous  going on to form  Future of the Left  with drummer  Jack Egglestone  and former  Jarcrew  frontman  Kelson; more recently he has been releasing solo material under the guise of   Christian Fitness.  Announcing the new material with his usual sardonic wit, Falkous (aka Falco) released this statement to coincide with the band's new songs: people-persons-guys-girls-australians... here are four mclusky songs, newly recorded and flattened into shape - the first release since 2004 (you can use the calculator on your phone to find out that's nineteen years, which is the lifecycle of four haircuts). the first two songs, 'unpopular parts of a pig' and 'the digger you deep' should make the album we are releasing next year (we're hopefully finishin