Song of the Day: Foolish – Rogues

A warm glow of the eighties-style synth, introduces Australian indie pop/new wave duo ROGUES‘ latest single, ‘Foolish’ which is, perfectly complimented by a vocal performance that’s reminiscent of Clark Datchler from eighties pop/new wave group, Johnny Hates Jazz.

Perth act Rogues have hit the ground running on the Australian music scene and are promising bigger and better things going forward, as they take their craft to new and exciting heights. After meeting in high-school, the duo joined forces in 2016 with their collective vision of redefining the modular sounds of eighties synth for a new age more fragmented and discerning than ever before. It was a union as unholy as it was unlikely, aligning two creative minds from distant cultures and musical backgrounds far beyond the Perth city-limits. For two Perth grown mates, born in Colombia (drummer / keyboardist Cristian Galindo) and Scotland (guitarist / vocalist Graeme White), there was never a clear prototype to emulate, which ushered the band in a direction they could only carve out for themselves.

The band’s 2017 debut effort (Double Vision EP) saw them establish a synth-laden indie take on arena rock, reimagining the approaches from spearheads like Tears for Fears and The Killers. 2023 takes a more contemporary turn for Rogues, with the band trading their 80s aesthetic for a slicker indie pop sound in their upcoming debut album, ‘Home In The Abyss’. Their latest vision abounds with memorable hooks in the vein of Dua Lipa, the lyrical strangeness and slight dissonance of Gorillaz, moody textures of Joji, and cohabited synth and guitar space expected from the likes of Phoenix. The upcoming 12-track album was fully self-produced and engineered, allowing meticulous attention to detail and full artistic control by the duo. The release, which is
set for the first half of 2023, will be preceded by a string of singles, each showcasing versatility and exemplifying the band’s undeniable ability for delivering epic soundscapes and anthemic vocals.

Rogues are a band to watch out for this year. Keep up to date with their upcoming releases, shows and news by following them on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. Check out their latest single, ‘Foolish’ below’…

Song of the Day: Midnight Rose – Eliza

Following her critically acclaimed debut LP, ‘A Sky Without Stars’, British artist ELIZA follows up single, ‘Midnight Rose’.

Speaking about ‘Midnight Rose’, ELIZA says: “We made this song Midnight Rose whilst writing A Sky Without Stars but we didn’t finish it in time. I didn’t want to let it slip by without sharing it with you. We finally got it ready for you to hear, here it is. Keep your ears peeled as there’s more (almost) lost music to come.”

ELIZA has seen press support from NPR, i-D, CLASH, METAL Magazine, DUMMY, OkayPlayer, CRACK Magazine, and a plethora of others. After playing a run of sold-out record store shows in London to celebrate the vinyl release A Sky Without Stars on vinyl, ELIZA has featured on Grant Brydon’s podcast, ITV London News, and Radio Nova. Thus far in 2023 standout single ‘Dripping’ has reached #1 on FIP Radio, and she has recently curated an hour mix for BBC Sounds, as part of their ‘Focus Beats’ feature.

Have a listen to ‘Midnight Rose’ below…

Listen To CHVRLI BLVCK’s Beautifully Raw Single, ‘Why Did You Go?’

London-born singer-songwriter CHVRLI BLVCK‘s new single ‘Why Did You Go?’ is a poignant and deeply personal account of the aftermath of a breakup. The single blends simple acoustic guitar with layered vocals and retro-inspired synths to create a hauntingly beautiful soundscape, which rises and falls in harmony with the emotional journey it imparts.

Known for his vocal prowess and emotionally raw style, CHVRLI BLVCK reflects his personal struggles with mental health, with an eclectic but immediately recognisable sound, influenced by artists such as Jeff Buckley, The Maccabees, and Fiona Apple.

He began releasing music in mid-2022 and has quickly developed a dedicated online following, with over a quarter of a million streams, positive reviews, podcast interviews, and regular airplay on independent radio stations. He has also entered the live arena with some success performing small shows, and is fast becoming a fixture of the local scene.

‘Why Did You Go?’ was released last Friday (3rd March). Have a listening his stunning single below…

Song of the Day: Repose – Ray Alex (ft. Jayda David)

RAY ALEX‘s first single of the year, which features West London poet Jayda David, goes on a powerful journey of growth and departure from pain, touching on the importance of rest, recovery and time. ‘Repose’ is a multi-seasonal R&B number inspired by Q-Tip and contemporary jazz musicians Alfa Mist and Joe-Armon Jones, merging hip-hop with a psychedelic synth slickness and live drum feel.

‘Repose’ unveils how we invariably grow stronger with rest, recovery and restored self-belief after a painful episode in our life. Jayda David exposes themes of identity, appearance and health with powerful, raw lyrics that leave no space for ego or insincerity. Her lyrics: “I kneel to the weaknesses in me, strength has never felt so good, I guess power is birthed in moments of fragility” magnify one’s self-awareness and flaws in order to shed old skin and come back stronger. This universal theme is referenced again by Jayda David with “this soul knows where it’s going, steady growing, I just flow through time“. It serves as a reminder that we should not let others exercise control or influence over us; we should stick to our instinctive driving force and our individuality, feeling free in our own bodies. The lyric “light for hands I deem worthy, heavy for dark souls who yearn to hurt me” is a powerful encapsulation of this.

Prior to their studio session, Ray Alex felt drawn to Jayda David’s honest, poetic portraits of identity and mental health in the performances that she had showcased on her social media. Ray had finished the instrumental for ‘Repose’ six months prior to their studio session and held off as the lead vocalist, as he felt the music would lend itself better to another artist with a different story to tell.

Ray Alex’s previous EP ‘Good To Me’ released in March 2022 received frequent airplay on Soho Radio and Amazing Radio, to name a few, in a list with Little Simz, Children Of Zeus and more. Remixes of his song ‘Erased’ received airplay on KISS and other stations worldwide. Ray Alex has a string of singles scheduled for release in 2023…so look out for that…but for now, listen to ‘Repose’ below…