Song of the Day: Who Cares If I’m Alone – Lavendine

With brooding, reverb-soaked guitar riffs ripping through delicate — almost ghostlike — backdrops, sisters Jacy and Jana Ayers, aka LAVENDINE, deliver a haunting first impression on their latest single, ‘Who Cares If I’m Alone.’ At first listen, it might feel like a slow descent into darkness. But underneath the weight and mood is something tougher — a raw, defiant message of resilience. This isn’t a cry for help; it’s a declaration. A quiet storm that finds strength — and even peace — in standing alone.

Born from betrayal and hardened by perseverance, “Who Cares If I’m Alone” is a bold refusal to settle — for silence, for dependence, or for anything less than one’s truth. It’s a rallying cry for those who’ve been let down and left behind, yet still choose to rise.

Brought vividly to life by Grammy-nominated producer Mark Needham (Fleetwood Mac, The Killers, Imagine Dragons, Stevie Nicks), the single is infused with a gritty, unapologetic rock edge that amplifies its emotional intensity. The production captures a defining chapter in Lavendine’s journey — marked by isolation and setbacks, but also by a newfound determination to carve out their own path. It’s in this space — where fear meets clarity — that Lavendine discovers peace. ‘Who Cares If I’m Alone’ isn’t just a song; it’s a realization: you don’t need a crowd to find your purpose, and there’s strength in going it alone, no matter how daunting the path may seem.

A heartfelt cry to embrace solitude and find strength within it ‘Who Cares If I’m Alone’ – now available across all leading streaming platforms – serves as a exciting teaser to the duo’s forthcoming EP ‘Deep Blue’.

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IG: https://www.instagram.com/lavendinemusic
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Website: https://www.lavendineband.com/

OUT TODAY: Sleepy Days share nostalgic single, ‘Night Owl’

Hailing from Dublin, indie rock band SLEEPY DAYS came to fruition after an act of kindness: whilst studying at BIMM Dublin (Dublin Music college), the quartet quickly rallied into the college’s recording studio, to rescue a mutual friend’s final assignment.

From that moment, Conor Dwyer (lead vocals & rhythm guitar), Michael O’Kane (lead guitar & backing vocals), Alex Ganje (bass) and Aaron Lacumber (drums), realised they had immediate chemistry and, as the saying goes, the rest was history. From that undeniable bond, Sleepy Days has conjured their trademark that takes inspiration from Japanese rock, synth pop and surf rock and perhaps a hint of shoegaze.

Their new single,’Night Owl’ immediately transports you back to the late eighties/early nineties when shoegaze was at its best. With reverbing guitar riffs and hypnotic rhythms, ‘Night Owl’ reflects lead vocalist Conor Dwyer’s struggle to transition from the nocturnal life of the college days into the early starts in the real working world.

With the ahead on, brash arrangements, perfectly reflecting the dreaded changeover, this single should be an ode to any soon-to-be graduates who are anxious about to that major life leap.

‘Night Owl’ is out today (21st February) across various music platforms. To commemorate the release of the single, the guys are headlining a show in The Workman’s Club Main Room, Dublin, hosted by Ex-Oh Promotions, on Friday, 7th March.

Why listen to ‘Night Owl’ below…

Connect with Sleepy Days via:
FB: https://www.facebook.com/sleepydaysband
IG: https://www.instagram.com/sleepydaysband
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sleepydaysband
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@sleepydaysband

Indie-pop group Thyra shares care-free album, ‘SENTIMENTAL’.

Consisting of Thyra Hilden (lead vocals and lyricist), Lucas Caddeo (Bass and production), Martin Drago (Guitar), and Bernado Batalla (Drums), THYRA continues their creation of dreamy pop from EP, ‘Lucid Dreampop’ (which claimed the #2 spot on New Lease Music’s Top Ten Albums of 2023) with latest body of work SENTIMENTAL. The similarity between the two albums ends with what the band calls ‘Existential pop’, as SENTIMENTAL possesses lighter and carefree feel to the downtempo genre, designed to take us on a rollercoaster of emotions.

The band is fronted by Visual artist Thyra Hilden, educated from the Royal Academy of Fine Arts Denmark, has previously been interviewed by the BBC, CNN, AP, Reuters, Euronews and others for her spectacular visual art. Despite a strong career in visual arts, she turned to music in 2021. Now, just a few years later, she debuted as a musician she has already landed two singles on NEW MUSIC FRIDAY as well as performing with her own dream pop band THYRA.

Speaking of the latest album 51 year old Thyra says, “Lyrics and energy on this album SENTIMENTAL are full of melancholic teen spirit. Danish focus track ALT OG MER is about difficulties to choose direction in life, no matter your age. My album is a tribute to all who wish to stay young by mind”

SENTIMENTAL is now available for you pleasure across various music platforms. Have a listen below…

Must Listens: ALT OG MER, TRIPPY, SWEETEST LIE

Amelle Rose shares her experience with postpartum depression in new single, ‘Congratulations’

AMELLE ROSE‘s new single ‘Congratulations’, sees the indie rock singer-songwriter delving into the depths of her experience with postpartum depression. Amelle crafts a melancholic piece that bravely confronts the unspoken struggles many mothers face. Through hauntingly cinematic melodies and poignant lyrics, the song opens a raw dialogue about the internal conflict of embracing motherhood while grappling with a profound sense of loss and identity crisis.

‘Congratulations’ serves as a courageous testament to this taboo subject, offering solace and understanding to those who find themselves silently struggling. Simultaneously, this invitation into Amelle’s world of vulnerability sparks conversations about the often overlooked struggles of new motherhood, pushing boundaries and challenging societal norms through evocative storytelling, ultimately resonating on a deeply human level.

Transforming songs into a powerfully introspective and atmospheric experience, Amelle Rose is able to navigate dreamy soundscapes inspired by deeply intimate memories and experiences, alongside gutsy indie rock songs that take advantage of fiercely honest lyrics and a distinctive, rebellious sound. Described by Clout as “creating a vulnerable and honest energy”, both sides of Amelle’s music are as wistful and brooding as they are strong, bold, and unapologetic.

Amelle is a 27 year-old singer-songwriter from France now making a new home for herself in Bristol. A lot of her work is focused around mental health and the human condition, which pairs beautifully with her distinctively open approach to composition and songwriting. Her debut album, ‘Conversations with Louise,’ released in 2022, marked a significant milestone in her artistic journey, showcasing her talent for fearlessly vulnerable and introspective storytelling. Now, with her latest offering, ‘Congratulations,’ she continues to delve into these themes, navigating the conflicting emotions and grey areas of postpartum struggles with raw honesty.

Listen to the compellingly raw single below…

DIY outfit VACATIONS share album ‘No Place Like Home’ + ‘Over You’ video

Two-time platinum-selling Australian band VACATIONS release their long-awaited new album, ‘No Place Like Home’. The record follows an intense period of transformation for the lead singer Campbell Burns, who was diagnosed with Pure OCD (or “Pure O”), a subtype of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder marked by intrusive, unwanted, and uncontrollable thoughts. His experiences learning to live with this while touring the world informed the record, which also engages in nuanced discussions around personal growth and sexuality.

The band tapped Georgia Maq, formerly of the band Camp Cope, for their last official music video for the album release single, ‘Over You’. The band explains, “I thought it would be really fun to lean into this idea of ‘Over You’ as an exploration of self-obsession. The high peaks and low valleys of ego just make for a funnier visual story, I think. We’d saved a silly goofy video until last. I’d originally planned for Campbell to be in the role of protagonist and therapist, but circumstances meant none of us would be in the same city at the same time to work with the director, Jax Anderson, and their wonderful team. To our rescue came Australian darling Georgia Maq, of Camp Cope fame. We were so lucky to have them involved, and their charisma really brought a sensuality and hilarity that was needed.”

Following 2020’s ‘Forever In Bloom’ album, ‘No Place Like Home’ finds the Newcastle, Aus DIY outfit comprised of Burns and bandmates Jake Johnson, Nate Delizzotti, and Joseph Van Lier, expanding their trademark melodic indie rock to new sonic horizons. The first Vacations record to be produced by Campbell Burns and an outside producer, John Velasquez (Zella Day, Broods), it comprises ten shimmering tracks brimming with indie-pop hooks and just a touch of bittersweet sensitivity.

“I had this loose concept of ‘No Place Like Home’ being an Americana-influenced album,” Campbell says of the album’s sonic inspirations. “I wanted to incorporate more pianos, acoustic guitars, Nashville tuning, and country-inspired lap steel, but then also bringing in drum machines and synths and finding a mix between the two.”

The album features singles, ‘Terms & Conditions,’ ‘Midwest,’ ‘Close Quarters,’ and the buzzy radio single, ‘Next Exit,’ which has over 15 million streams.

Formed in 2016, Vacations’ feverishly expanding fanbase has seen the band play host to multiple sold-out UK tours in 2023, including a rapturous headline at The Garage and a slot at All Points East supporting The Strokes.

Vacations have lots to celebrate with the new release. They were picked by Pandora as one of their ten artists to watch for 2024, their single, ‘Telephones,’ was certified platinum in the United States in December, marking their second platinum track stateside (the other is ‘Young’). Recently, the quartet has made their debut TV performance on CBS Saturday Morning.

Vacations’ new album ‘No Place Like Home’ is out now, released today 12th January via Nettwerk. Have a listen to the set below…

Must Listens: Slow Motion, No Place Like Home, Over You