It only feels like a few days since I was writing last month’s iteration of my regular Monthly Favourites series, and yet here we are again! You should know the drill by now – in this article, you’ll find a vast range of different bands and artists, spanning multiple genres. I’m sure all our readers will find something to love here!
Review by Jane Howkins
Photo by Vogue Villains
Vogue Villains – Bleed
Starting this list off in style is groove-rockers Vogue Villains and their captivating new tune, Bleed. It opens with a really funky guitar riff, followed by a cool bassline, upbeat drum beats and some occasionally chugged distorted guitar riffs, showing great talent across the board. The track changes rapidly as it progresses, switching between heavier and more melodic sections with ease, creating a sound that will constantly keep you guessing. You really need to check Vogue Villains out, as they’re sure to be big in the near future!
Social media: Website, Facebook, Spotify, Soundcloud, YouTube, Instagram
Kelsie Kimberlin – Another Chance To Live Again
Ukrainian-American musician and singer Kelsie Kimberlin has created something really gorgeous in her new release, Another Chance To Live Again. It’s a pop song of sorts, but it’s rather different from most of the stuff on the mainstream airwaves, containing a dark and dreamy vibe. The vocals are soft and sultry, utilising some interesting effects to create a unique tone. The strings in the background are absolutely haunting too, adding more to the eerie atmosphere of the track, as the piano plays slowly against them. It’s great to hear something a little different from the modern pop norms!
Social media: Website, Facebook, Twitter, Spotify, Soundcloud, YouTube, Instagram
Colm Donnelly – Money
After fronting several indie-rock bands, Irish singer-songwriter Colm Donnelly has embarked on his own solo career, with Money being one of his first tracks to be released. It blends a few genres together in an intriguing way, starting out out with a pretty folksy acoustic guitar melody. However, the fast beat soon kicks in, alongside Colm’s rapped vocals, creating a song that sounds like absolutely nothing else out there at the moment! The chorus is pretty catchy, seeing Colm sing the titular refrain over and over again, working its way straight into your head on the first listen.
Social media: Soundcloud, Bandcamp, YouTube, Instagram, TikTok
Art Morris – Never Give Up
Art Morris is a musician who creates a form of soft rock, and Never Give Up is a perfect example of his sound! The clean electric guitars have a lovely ska/reggae style, colliding well with the bass and drums. Art’s vocals are a little low, but they add a nice tone to the track, providing a positive lyrical message – particularly as he repeats the title of the song over on the catchy chorus. The last chorus breaks down slightly, introduced by a pretty guitar solo, breaking the tune up more. There’s something really summery about Never Give Up, sure to warm you up on even the darkest of winter nights!
Social media: Website, Facebook, Spotify, Soundcloud, YouTube, Instagram
Bear Beat – The Cave
The Cave opens with a recorded spoken intro, quoting from inspirational speakers such as Alan Watts. The background music slowly enters the tune, building up over time until the spoken vocals end, as the music proper kicks in. The synths in the background have a really expansive sound, as a huge drum beat plays over the top of them. Different recorded vocal sections appear later on, as the synths ebb and flow, commenting on things such as the current cost of living crisis. Bear Beat’s rapping closes this experimental tune out, making for thoughtful listening throughout.
Social media: Spotify, Instagram, Soundcloud
Mark Vennis & Different Place – Small Town Vampire
Mark Vennis & Different Place is a British punk band with more than a hint of rock and roll and the blues, making for one awesome package altogether! The production on Small Town Vampire is a little raw at times, but it actually works really well with the style of music, and it’s also a really melodic song. The chorus is particularly catchy, seeing an array of lovely backing vocals harmonies nicely against the lead vocals, creating a track with a singalong quality. The guitar licks are pretty impressive too, highlighting the strong talent this band has.
Social media: Website, Facebook, Twitter, Spotify, Soundcloud, YouTube, Instagram
Luna Keller – Ocean Inside Of Me
Luna Keller is an artist that should need no introduction, as we’ve featured here here a few times now. Ocean Inside Of Me is another killer indie-folk tune, created with a great deal of passion. It’s pretty stripped-down, as you might expect from the genre, opening with a nice, fingerpicked acoustic guitar motif that plays alongside Luna’s emotive vocals. A steady drum beat and some lovely piano chords appear a little later on, building the track up as it segues perfectly into the chorus. The main chord sequence on the chorus is particularly astounding, marking this as my favourite song on this entire list!
Social media: Website, Facebook, Twitter, Spotify, Soundcloud, Bandcamp, YouTube, Instagram
Monthly Favourites – playlist by York Calling | Spotify