Apache Darling - Go

Top tip - if you really want us to really, really like your song, you should call it "Go". At least this is the conclusion that we have reached in the past few years, when we've noticed that we've been dis-proportionally attracted to songs of said name within the past few years. In 2015 no more than THREE songs made our list of top songs of the year, from Chemical Brothers, Public Service Broadcasting and Pleasure Beach. Then in 2016, we added another song to our Go-tastic quiver when M83 blew our little cotton socks off with a similarly named song. And of course, there's been other older songs that we love that are called "Go" as well, such as ones by Delilah & Moby.

We're somewhat at a loss to explain why we're so drawn to songs that are called "Go", aside from the obvious fact that they are all rather awesome songs. If I were to put on my amateur cognitive scientist hat on, I may posit that as the word usually denotes a call to action, when our simple little brain sees the word, we are immediately triggered by our innate survival instinct into taking action. I know that whenever I hear the word 'go', I immediately feel the need to take action, regardless of where I am, and regardless of whether it is being directly addressed to me, and I'm sure it would be the same for you.

 In the example of songs called "Go", we are immediately drawn to pressing the play button of a song with this name more than songs with other, less active words attached to them, and by the balance of probabilities, I am more likely to listen to more songs with this word, ergo like more songs that are called "Go". But then again, what do I know? I'm a number-cruncher with a degree in Drama, maybe I'll leave the sciencing to actual scientists.

All that preamble leads us on nicely to the new single from Glasgow quartet Apache Darling. The band have certainly managed to pique our initial interest and trick my simple little brain into hitting play by cleverly titling their single "Go". What made us stick around however, is the fact that it is quite a wonderful song indeed. Written about a prior band break-up, it is a tender yet soaring synth-pop song in the mold of Chvrches or Goldfrapp. A great introduction to a band whom we expect to hear much more from.

"Go" is out now, and will feature on the band's debut E.P, which will be released in the summer.

PATHS - Right Beside You/Last One Standing

It's barely been a month since we first wrote about PATHS, the electronic solo project of Northern Irish music mainstay Jules Shaw. Her first single, "Neoprene", has gone down incredibly well, picking up a smorgasbord of love right across the spectrum, getting played on Radio 1 and being picked up by some lovely other blogs.

Since then, we've had the pleasure off seeing PATHS' first gig, which took place during the Output Festival in Belfast at Aether & Echo. The music comes across really well on stage, with the loops and guitars complimented by a visually impressive light display (which we later learned took several months to program in anticipation of this gig), and it seemed to go down well with the crowd, which is always a good sign on a debut gig.

Given the warm reception received since its debut, it looks as if PATHS is hoping to strike whilst the iron is hot by released a brand new A/B side single mere weeks after her first single debuted. It's a bold move, but given the strength of the songs to come out of it, a pretty nifty one.

The A-side of the single is "Right Beside You", a song that PATHS says is about 'digital distraction'. The song is built around an off-kilter woodwind sample (or possibly string? We're not 100% certain), which is complimented by layers upon layers of harsh synth sounds over a triplet-beat.



However, it is the B-side of the single that we are most excited about, "Last One Standing". When we saw PATHS live, it was the song that really stood out in the set, and we're really glad that a full recording has come out so quickly, as we believe that it's going to be the song that's going to help PATHS make the next big breakthrough in her career.

Why? Because it's so darn infectious, that's why. When we find ourselves humming the main riff of a song for hours after we hear it for the first time, we know that we're on to a winner. There's a few tropical-house elements floating around "Last One Standing", and as well has having a few 80s influences thrown into a modern sounding production (those drum rushes at 2:49 are to die for). It's a pity that it's being classed as the B-side of this release, as it is our favourite release from PATHS to date, but we're confident that once a few more people catch wind of "Last One Standing", it is going to blow up in a massive way.



Both "Right Beside You" & "Last One Standing" are available to download/stream now from all the usual outlets.

Draper ft. Prides - Break Over You

We here at The Metaphorical Boat aren't usually prone to hyperbole. Actually, that's a lie. We are prone to hyperbole ONE HUNDERED AND TEN PERCENT of the time. Although then again, that's probably another bit of hyperbole from us.

But regardless of whether we are indeed exaggeration enthusiasts or not, please pay full attention to what we are about to say. Okay? Here goes -

"Break Over You" is going to be a number one single.

Well, there's a chance we may be jumping our guns a little with that prediction, but what is definitely not in doubt is how fantastically catchy "Break Over You" is. The song is a collaboration between Kent based producer Draper, whose credits to date include co-writes with Lapsley and remixes for Ellie Goulding, and much loved and well regarded Glasgow synth-poppers Prides. The song is a slice of ice-cool synth-pop, the catchiness of which we haven't seen since "Midnight City" back in 2011 (the main riff does have a little bit of M83 to it).

Enjoy the song whilst it's still (relatively) underground. In several months time, "Break Over You" is going to be utterly unavoidable. Although in all honesty, we probably won't mind.

"Break Over You" is out now.

Half Japanese Half Muscle - Loose Fitting Girls

The wonderfully monikered Half Japanese Half Muscle is a UK-based producer of Japanese origin who makes music that promises to call 'us to nirvana through the medium of a 110 bpm pop song'. He has just released his first single, and if "Loose Fitting Girls" is anything to go by, then he's setting the bar rather high indeed.

"Loose Fitting Girls" is an earworm-y synth-pop tune of the sort that made us go all gooey over The Naked & Famous and Passion Pit all those years ago. Filled to the brim with pop hooks and infectious hooks, it's a song that is guaranteed to get under your skin in a good way indeed.

The song has a video out, featuring a lonely salaryman attempting karaoke to the song, which is very much worth checking out - 

Tuskany - Better Time

In the past week, a lot of people locally have been getting rather enthusiastic about "Better Time", the debut release from Belfast trio Tuskany. Although like many "new" bands from Northern Ireland that pick up a lot of steam from the get go, it should be noted there's some familiarity within the project - Owen McGarry has been recording well-received solo material for some time.

"Better Time" is a great fun slice of day-glo synth-pop which has 'Kitsuné compilation album candidate' written all over it, and whilst their description as sounding like "Earth, Wind & Fire meets M83" might not be entirely accurate, you can kind of see where they were coming from. They're an interesting sounding act, with a lot of promise from the get-go.

Blossoms - Charlemagne

If you've been listening to Radio X the past few weeks then you're probably rather familiar with "Charlemagne", the new single from Stockport 5-piece Blossoms, given that it's been their 9th most played song in the past month. But for the benefit of anyone who hasn't heard it on account of not knowing what the heck Radio X is, then we've got it here for your aural pleasure, and what a delightful song it is.

Taking its name from the first Holy Roman Emperor, "Charlemagne" sound like a cross between James and all that 80s pop you pretend you only listen to ironically, when deep down you genuinely, positively love it. It's got one of the catchiest choruses that we've heard all year, and given the love the band have been receiving recently, a rather rosy 2016 is within their grasp.

"Charlemagne" is the title track from the band's upcoming E.P, which is out on October 30th.

The Night VI - Wonderlust

I very much enjoyed The Night VI's performance at The Great Escape last month (as did the other wonderful music bloggers I bumped into during their performance in Brighton), so any new music coming from their general direction is going to be very welcome indeed in these quarters. Even more so in this case, as their new single sees the band approaching things in a different direction.

In comparison to the elegant pop that one might come to expect from The Night VI on the basis of their previous releases, "Wonderlust" sees the band veer head first into synth-pop territory. Although this aspect of the band has been hinted at before (c.f their wonderful cover of "Music Sounds Better With You"), it's nice to hear their own original take on it. It reminds me a little bit of when Goldfrapp went a bit synth-pop on "Rocket" (no bad thing indeed), and it's always lovely to see a band that embraces the lost art of the ruddy nice guitar solo.

"Wonderlust" will be released on July 22nd.

Prides - Messiah

Having introduced themselves to the world last year with the fantastic "Out Of The Blue" last year, and re-reminded us of their brilliance a few months ago with "The Seeds You Sow", everyone's favourite non-Chvrches Scottish synth-pop trio Prides have announced the release of their brand new single.

The band have stated that the goal of their new single, "Messiah", is to bring back pitch bent keyboard sounds into popular music. To allow it to rise from the dead, if you will. And I think it's fair to say that they have done a pretty decent job of it. Prides seem to specialise in making synth-pop that is just screaming out to be played in stadiums, and if "Messiah", a track that's as 80s as the Rubik's Cube and as big as Giant Haystacks, is anything to go by, they are gradually inching their way there.

"Messiah" will be released on June 23rd. They play at The Great Escape, Brighton on May 9th, and spend the rest of the month supporting Foxes, the lucky beggars.

Prides - The Seeds You Sow

Q. What type of material is "The Seeds You Sow", the new single from Glasgow based trio Prides, made out of?

A. Chart material. It is made of chart material.

Prides crashed onto our radar back in May with the stonkingly good "Out Of The Blue", a track so good that the only people who hate it are those without ears and prog-rock fans. Now with a major label behind them, the band are lining up their first E.P release in March. Before that, they've got new single "The Seeds You Sow" coming out, and if that song doesn't give them their first charting single, then I honestly don't know what will. It's a fantastic slice of synth-pop that isn't afraid to overload on infectious hooks. Prides are on the tipping point to greatness, and "The Seeds You Sow" deserves to be the song that pushes them there.

"The Seeds You Sow" will be released as a single on February 10th, with the E.P to follow on March 31st.

Prides - Out of the Blue

Oh, don't we all just love a good old bandwagon?

Several months after Glaswegian synth-pop trio Chvrches became blog catnip on the back of just one song, another Glaswegian synth-pop trio have released a single song onto the wild wild web, which has been met with the predictable glowing praise from many corners of the blogosphere and has shot up the Hype Machine chart rather nicely. The group in question are Prides, who according to one blog previously made mini-roars under the name Midnight Lion, and the song that has tickled the fancy of so many is "Out of the Blue".

And of course, there's a reason why the song has excited so many people - it's a ruddy brilliant song indeed. The song is fashioned around a synth riff that isn't too dissimilar to "Take a Walk" by Passion Pit, a harsh electronic production somewhat akin to The Naked and Famous, and most excitingly of all, a massive chorus the size of the Sea of Tranquility.

As a "calling card track," it makes a rather marvelous first impression. The question is where the band are going to go next. If I was a wittier blogger, I would suggest that they ask Mark E. Smith if they can support his band so they can finally prove once and for all that Prides come before The Fall, but alas, I'm not. For now, I'm just happy enough to get on the bandwagon of the makers of a song indeed.

Strangers - Something New

It's always the case that when an artist from an under appreciated genre breaks out into the mainstream unexpectedly, it triggers a feeding frenzy both among record labels and among music fans to uncover the next Band X. For example, the success of Bastille in 2013, with a massive selling album and an ubiquitous radio hit, has sparked the question as to who will follow in their footsteps. One group that might just step up to the mark are London trio Strangers.

Having released a few EPs in 2012, as well as enjoying support slots for Grimes and Nikki & The Dove, the group are gearing up to release their debut single, "Something New". The song does call to mind Bastille in several regards. Firstly, the vocals of David Maddox-Jones bears an uncanny likeness to that of Dan Smith. The song is also stylistically similar, as it has a sleek, contemporary pop feel to it, with some futuristic synth parts. And finally, like Bastille, there is not a single guitar in sight.

The song might not be exactly be "Something New" (pardon the pun), but it is definitely a song worth listening to. Of any of the acts that could benefit from an increased public appreciation of credible synth-pop, Strangers stand as good a chance as any of making the breakthrough.

"Something New" will be released on May 13th.

Le Roi Crocodile - Ghost Speak

 

When I was a young, sprightly 16-year-old, the closest I ever came to making decent electronic music was when I used a simple computer programme to stick an 'Amen break' over "Connection" by Elastica to make a 'dance remix'. Therefore, it's great to see a good lot of tech-savvy kids coming through who are making electronic music which belie their years. One such artist is Vancouver based teen Le Roi Crocodile (King Crocodile), whose sleek synth-pop sound of "Ghost Speak" meshes up the chillwave of artists like Washed Out with the poppier sensibilities of Owl City. So far it's the only song that he's uploaded to his Soundcloud page, but it bodes well for his future releases.

Joywave - True Grit

 

After doing the music blogging thingy for a while, there is always the risk of unhealthy sense of lethargy setting in. When you spend all your time searching the web, the local scene and your inbox for the latest fantastic artist to blog about, it can feel that sometimes it can start to become something you feel you have to do, rather than something you want to do. I've always said to myself that when updating the blog starts to feel more like a chore rather than helping to spread the word about artist's I'm truly passionate about, then that's the time to bring the blog to it's conclusion. But anyway, you're not reading this blog to read my quarter-life crisis (and if you are, then you really need to get out more), you're reading this to find out about the latest great artist that makes this venture worthwhile, a group that floats my Metaphorical Boat. 

Hailing from Rochester, New York, Joywave make smart, accessable synth-pop with a heart of gold. "True Grit", the first track taken from their debut E.P, calls to mind "Saturdays=Youth" era M83, yet adds a layer of sophistication courtesy of some charming orchestral hits, as well as with the enrapturing vocals of Daniel Armbruster. This is enjoyable music indeed.

"True Grit" is taken from the band's debut E.P "Koda Vista", which will be released in March, and is available as a free download.

The Easton Ellises - Ersatz

Canadian duo Easton Ellises make super-sleazy electro-rock in the style of Cut Copy and The Presets. Their style is best exemplified on the track "Ersatz", which mixes massive guitar riffs, lush synth lines, and massive vocal hooks that are seemingly ready made for live audiences..

"Ersatz" is available to download for free from the band's Facebook page.

Femme Fatality - Southwest Syndrome

Formed in 2003, LA based duo Femme Fatality have been producing their own brand of synthpop goodness for some time now. They recently released a mini album on Stickfigure Records, and taken from it is the track "Southwest Syndrome.

"Southwest Syndrome" is a hi-octane track that takes you by the proverbials and doesn't let you go. The group are like a less annoying but shoutier verision of 3OH!3 (an oxymoron if I ever saw one), with vocals that call to mind Pelle Almqvist of The Hives.

"Southwest Syndrome" is taken from the duo's "That's It, That's It" mini album, and is available to download for free.