Few can capture hearts wearing a skivvy, but VALA rise to the challenge with enthusiasm. Following the success of the infectiously groovy Say You Want It (That Way), the 60s inspired 4 piece released Only One on the 5th of June. Set in the same vintage universe, Only One is the nostalgia fix we’re all in dire need of. Rustle up your dancing shoes, ‘coz she’s groovy.

Featuring those characteristic VALA vocals, the piece is driven by masterful drumming and summery guitar timbre. Only One is a sincere piece of writing. Its chorus features those specific little details of love. The singer wants to be the “only one”; say goodnight and then wake his love up with tea. 

The song comes hand in hand with another retro music video destined to bring back memories of more simple times. You can also check out their live session of the track here. Don’t miss VALA and their contagious grooves– you can find them on Facebook and Instagram.

Stephen Cooper is a rising artist from Dublin, working under the anonym Fly the Nest. Boasting powerful vocals, convicting lyrics and impressive production, Cooper is a force to be reckoned with. 

Fly the Nest’s latest piece released into the wild is an epic dedicated to frontline workers in these uncertain times. Superhuman is a triumphant anthem likening those risking their lives in the pandemic to the heroes we see on screen. The piece begins with an epic guitar solo and driving rhythm section. It melts into the lyrics “I keep on running till my legs give out”, an homage to the gruelling hours medical practitioners face. The line “against the odds we’re still fighting” inspires faith in the health system.

Cooper’s powerful vocal performance is moving. He was inspired by his family, many of which are working on the frontline. His “whole family work in healthcare… nurses, doctors, the works”. He sees Superhuman as “the least (he) could do to support the frontline.” 

Superhuman is a moving release intended to help raise money for the frontline workers in Ireland. Fly the Nest is running a campaign, with all proceeds going to “Ireland We Thank You”. Find Fly the Nest on Facebook and Instagram.

Indie artist Cam Holtet is a singer-songwriter and electronic pop artist from Norway. She began writing as a teenager, using music as a way to express herself. She moved to London in 2017 to chase music industry dreams, and has made a number of impressive achievements since.

Cam’s latest single Radio Silence rivals the likes of Tessa Violet and Halsey with its catchy hook line. The track begins with a spacey synth line and “talk-style” vocals musing about being ignored. It drops an 80s bass line for a sassy pre chorus demanding that they “pick a reason and (she) will move on”. The chorus is empowering. Cam’s self worth hasn’t been damaged, but she’s very reasonably expecting an explanation from her would be love interest. 

Radio Silence is charming. It reminds me of some of the imaginative compositions brought to us by Adventure Time. The creative production builds a colourful soundscape, and showcases Cam’s personality. Cam already has an impressive discography of singles on Spotify, but make sure you find her on Instagram and Facebook to hear about what’s next too.

Georgia Maria is a musical veteran. With years of extensive experience as a writer and performer prior to the launch of her solo project, she has started with an audible bang. Red-Handed Man is just one of five singles on her debut EP, but she’s already got our attention. 

The track begins with an ominous distorted guitar line before rolling into a campfire folktale. Georgia Maria’s whimsical vocals float over the top of the intro section, spinning a picture of the infamous red handed man. He is “baring (his) grudge like a hammer in hand…” The scene is haunting.

The second round brings a building percussion section and eerie folk harmonies before transitioning into a killer guitar line. Georgia Maria’s use of a repeating melody and the hook line “my red handed man” give the song the feel of a tale that has been passed down through generations. The song has strong undercurrents of celtic folk, driven by its fairytale lyrics and modal melody.

Georgia Maria refreshes the ear with a bridge, and sets the scene on fire with another epic guitar solo. The ashes fall in the soundscape for a final round of the melody. Wait for her next release with us on Instagram and Facebook.

In their latest track, Farewell, Flying Islands tells us to come together in these current apocalyptic times. The Lead singer asks us to raise our glasses together for the end of the world as we’re enveloped in the sound of swirling electric piano and ambient guitars. 

The song is personal and intimate as we watch the lead singer William project his message face to face from a black backdrop as if we’re listening to these words in our own thoughts.

Farewell is a shift in tone from Flying Islands’ more fast and heavy genre benders like Loreto, but it is a refreshing and important message to share in this trying time. Thank you William for this sentiment. 
Find Flying Islands on Facebook, Bandcamp, Spotify and Youtube.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LHt-VWpo7pM

Bryan Chua found his passion for performing in Singapore. His work released in 2017 tackled issues of mental health through honest songwriting. After moving to London in 2017 he has been active in the music community, performing regularly with a loop pedal. His latest single Found tells his own love story, and marks the start of his next journey in songwriting. 

Found starts with an atmospheric synth, and rolls into a calm instrumental. Chua does a wonderful job of capturing the peace that comes from a happy relationship through soft electric. The piece features an impressive instrumental arrangement, with high quality production. All together the arrangement is polished and moving.

There is a sincerity in Chua’s vocal performance— he clearly feels deeply for his partner, and allows for vulnerability in the chorus in particular. Following the first chorus, an epic drum roll leads into a brief, passionate violin line. Overall Found is a sweet love song to accompany your butterflies. You can find Bryan Chua on Instagram and Facebook.

60s inspired indie band VALA are ready to shock you back into grooving with their new track Say You Want It (That Way). The single has all the vital ingredients for an infectiously happy bop. The singer’s falsetto and tasteful backing vocals pull elements from a more nostalgic era, and the tidy rhythm section keeps you nodding for 3 minutes straight. Say You Want It (That Way) slaps from the first bar. 

The four piece manages to keep the energy level high for the duration of the track using tasty half time sections and sneaky accapella moments. Somehow, VALA have managed to capture the energy of a live show and press it into your earbuds. The use of fun backing vocals allows space for crowd participation, and a Tame Impala style guitar solo throws another exciting layer in the mix.

The band is the love child of The Strokes and The Arctic Monkeys. Don’t miss the antics of VALA— we really feel like we’ve discovered the beginning of an epic musical career, and you’d hate to miss out! Find them on Facebook and Instagram.

Machine Idle is the songwriting, producing, video editing unit from New Jersey. His music has a bright, nostalgic sound brought on by the use of detuned guitars and close harmonies. The use of colourful, collaged music videos makes each clip feel like a walk through an old magazine. Machine Idle‘s songs are more than music— they’re a visually immersive experience, too.

His latest track Blue Velvet begins with a sneaky shaker sound, which dissolves into that iconic indie rock guitar timbre reminiscent of Mac Demarco. He experiments with all the guitar has to offer. Machine Idle’s vocals are nonchalant— they sound like a lazy Sunday. His lyrics are creative, stating that he’ll send a love letter that is “a bullet from a gun”.

Machine Idle is a bit of an enigma— his sleepy music can be found on youtube and bandcamp, but it’s difficult to unearth him in the other corners of the internet. We’re invested in what this underground sonic experience brings to us next.

Kane Adams found his feet as a musician in the same year he met God. Inspired by his love for Michael Jackson’s music and the sense of belonging he discovered in church, his two passions have worked “hand in hand”.  He believes the finding of these two passions in tandem was no coincidence— he has found his place as a musician, songwriter and producer for City Impact Church.

Following the success of his debut EP Close and full length album Undercurrents, Kane has released a single to shine a light during a world wide pandemic. My Words might just be the distraction we’re all in dire need of— it’s optimistic, creative and an easy listening experience. Adams wrote the song 10 years ago when he was only 18, and set himself the task or rerecording it as a summer project.

My Words begins with a distinctive guitar line reminiscent of country music. The lyrics are charmingly colloquial, as Adams muses that he is good at “losing the only key to the door”. Pushing the limits with unorthodox metaphors, he goes on to compare himself and the subject of the song to a “couple of house cats”.

The chorus is nostalgic, as vocal harmonies provide a smooth backdrop for his lyrical performance. As always, Kane’s production is polished and indicative of genuine talent in the field. The song is driven by a steady performance on the guitar, and tasteful instrumentation. My Words’ melody modulates in the bridge, bringing extra emotion before relaxing into a final stripped back chorus. 

My Words is another well crafted piece from the creative mastermind Kane Adams. You can chase up the rest of his music on Spotify, Instagram or Facebook.