Song of the Day - Video (Voyeur) Killed the Radio Star

Today's song of the day comes from Lovestarrs, formerly known as The Good Natured, who are an English indie-pop band. They first came to my attention when they supported Imagine Dragons on their UK tour a few years ago. They were a very decent live band, full of energy and intensity, so I decided to check them out. They have released two EP's but as of yet have not released a full length album.

This is Video Voyeur:

So What's So Good?

It's quite rare that I find a female singer whose voice I really enjoy listening to (I'm not really sure why) but Sarah McIntosh has a really different voice. It could fit into a punk rock band, but it doesn't feel out of place in an indie band. It's quite bizarre. She has a voice that most people will enjoy listening to though, whereas a lot of distinctive voices are a bit more marmite.

Video Voyeur is insanely catchy, with a synth-driven chorus that is instantly memorable. You'll feel yourself  tapping your feet or singing along before the end of the song even if you don't particularly like it. Be careful singing it though; it's lyrically a little creepy. There's a reason it's called Video Voyeur - you don't want to be telling friends that "you will follow them wherever they go", especially not "naked in the dead of night".

Video Voyeur is a creepy song hidden beneath layers of infectious synth-pop and impressive vocals. Lovestarrs/The Good Natured have a strange universal appeal, despite being such a unique band. 

Song of the Day - Do You Mind?

Today's song of the day comes from American indie-pop band Pacific Air. They are a duo of brothers who formed under the moniker KO KO in 2012, though changed their name to Pacific Air as other people were using the KO KO name. They have released one full album, called Stop Talking, which despite it's relatively small commercial success got rave reviews from critics.

This is Lose My Mind:

So What's So Good?

Lose My Mind is aptly named, as it's easy to drift away listening to this song. It's a dreamy song which relies on simple melodies and tight vocal harmonies. It's like a musical version of a day on the beach - it's relaxing and tranquil; so much so that you can practically hear the waves crashing.

This is not a song for an upbeat moment, this is a song for the summer. Imagine a relaxing day in the sunshine and that's what the song is like - I can't describe it more that that without you hearing it.

The chorus is a clever hook, using the vocals to introduce the radiant guitars and synths coming through in the background. It's clever yet simple, a perfect and succinct way to describe this tune.

Pacific Air are a band to look out for. They are young and up-and-coming and they make some clever, radiant tunes with surprising subtlety and depth. Lose My Mind is a perfect song for a sunny day - so don't expect to understand if you live in Manchester.

Song of the Day - Video Killed The Radio (Head) Star

Today's song of the day is more of a flashback than an as of yet undiscovered band. I'm fairly sure everyone has heard of Radiohead, so there is no need to tell you about them. Radiohead were a great indie band though they were clearly not to everyone's tastes for a variety of reasons. However, I think they made some fantastic music, especially today's song Creep, which is often used out of context, which makes Thom Yorke very, very angry.

So What's So Good?

Creep is so ingenious that the exact stereotype of people that Yorke is aiming to mock took the song as an anthem. It's whiny, depressed and angsty, but that's because he's mocking the pseudo-depressed 'emo' teenagers. (Much like previous SOTD Teenage Angst). It's so well written that they didn't even notice that Yorke was mocking them and instead accepted it as an anthem.

Yorke's vocals are superb, but they aren't everyone's cup of tea - if you like commercial music, then not only am I not sure why you're here, but you won't like Yorke's downbeat and sombre vocal performance. The music itself isn't exactly Don't Stop Me Now either, with slow guitars and melancholy drums.

In short, unless you like dark, atmospheric music, don't even try and listen. However, Yorke's genius writing is something that should be admired.

Song of the Day - I Predict a Riot

Today's song of he day comes from Australian indie-pop band The Jungle Giants. The Jungle Giants are a band I discovered last year and are much happier than most bands I listen to! They have toured alongside bands like Two Door Cinema Club before the release of their album, Learn To Exist, which got them their own backing. They are a band with a lot of commercial appeal but I'm sure indie-pop lovers will love them too.

This is She's a Riot: 

So What's So Good?

A lot of happy songs I find a little boring because they don't have much to say other than a happy riff and an inspirational message or happy anecdote. Behind the infectiously happy guitar riffs in She's a Riot there's actually some subtlety.

It's hard to describe the lyrics to someone who doesn't get them, so I won't try, but if you've been in the situation you'll know. I found it difficult to relisten to this song as it has some really weird memories and feelings that I'd forgot about, but it's a great song with surprising lyrical subtlety.

Vocalist Sam Hales has a really fun voice that isn't anything completely out the box but it's fresh and clean. It fits the genre perfectly - think of an Australian Two Door Cinema Club. It's generally just a fun and happy song but to me it means a lot more.

The Jungle Giants are a fun band with a really fresh sound that may not be the most innovative or the best musically, but She's a Riot is certainly a fun song to listen to, especially in the sunshine.

Song of the Day - When The Saints Go Marching In

Today's song of the day comes from 18 year old singer-songwriter Callum Burrows, better known as Saint Raymond. Saint Raymond has had a massive year, breaking into the mainstream media - he was chosen as the iTunes single of the week with today's song. He is a solo artist, the typical man with an acoustic guitar, but his vocals are very good and for an 18 year old he is insanely talented.

This is Fall At Your Feet:

So What's So Good?

 

When I first heard Saint Raymond I didn't realise he was a solo artist, not least so young. He has an incredibly refined acoustic sound that takes a lot of artists years to perfect. His music also has a lot of depth for just one man and a guitar - despite the lack of percussion, there doesn't seem as if something is missing.

 

His vocals are what set him apart. There's a youthful exuberance about his voice that shows his age, but it's impressive considering his age. His voice isn't particularly strong but it's not really fragile, he's just got a soft poetic voice.

 

Saint Raymond is a terrifically talented musician who I think is nearly guaranteed to make it big very soon. He is playing at lots of different festivals this year so be sure to check him out if you go to any of these festivals. 

Song of the Day - You Can't Handle the Proof

Today's song of the day is a song I forgot about until very recently (30 seconds ago) and comes from a Hertfordshire-based indie-rock band Look See Proof, who unfortunately don't exist anymore. Look See Proof happened to have supported quite a few bands who I really like - The Dykeenies (who they share an uncanny musical resemblance to), The Fratellis and Foals for example. They released one full album which unfortunately didn't live up to the success of their first few singles, but nevertheless, this is Obstruction:

This song is hard to find! This link should do it.

So What's So Good?

I mentioned earlier that they sound like The Dykeenies and anyone who has listened will understand. Fast paced rock guitars that drive the song along with vocals that are fairly similar too. It's an uptempo rock song with some strong indie influences from the sorts of bands they toured with. It opens on a really jagged riff that will have you tapping your fingers along, which lasts throughout the song, and it's friggin' awesome. 

It's vocally quite strong, though lead singer Dave Sells (I think, though they all sing a little bit) has a distinctive voice which may not be everyone's cup of tea - but even if you're not a fan, that awesome opening riff will appeal to any indie rock lover anywhere.

Look See Proof made some strong British indie music and could quite easily have made a proper name for themselves, but unfortunately never quite made it. This is still a good song however, and worth checking out.

Song of the Day - All the Little Things

Today's song of the day comes from Icelandic indie folk band Of Monsters and Men. Despite hailing from Scandinavia, Of Monsters and Men have had great success in many different countries around the world. They do sing in English so they have a fairly universal appeal and it also means that we may enjoy it more than we would if it were sung in Icelandic!

This is Little Talks: 

So What's So Good?

If that opening doesn't make you happy, then I don't know what will. It's joyful, epic and catchy. Little Talks is a song which has really put Of Monsters and Men on the map, and it's easy to see why. The male/female dynamic that fronts the band is something which isn't necessarily rare but it's done really well here, injecting energy into the music, as if it needed it.

Little Talks is an incredibly catchy and fun folk song, though the lyrics don't quite match the bouncy tone of the song. It's surprisingly and disturbingly dark; it's supposedly about a widow who is unable to figure out whether her husband is still there. It's very eerie and makes you wonder why the song is so joyous and energetic.

Female lead singer Nanna Bryndis Hilmarsdottir has an absolutely beautiful voice - it's fragile and soft, which juxtaposed with Ragnar Thorhallsson's deep vocals is stunning. It's overshadowed slightly in this song by the horns and drums, but their voices work beautifully in tandem.

Of Monsters and Men are not just 'another upbeat indie band'. They make superb music with a lot of energy, with two great singers and some very good lyrics backing them up. Give them a try - they may surprise you.