The Matinee '18 October 5th

We don’t normally comment on the artwork, but the nine songs on The Matinee ’18 October 5th edition features plenty of awesome images. Musically, all the tracks are, as we always do on Fridays, uplifting, get-up-on-your-feet rockers, bangers, and anthemic affairs. We hope the mini-playlist will be the perfect way to start the weekend (or to survive one last work day).

A Festival, A Parade – “The Vineyard” (Newcastle Upon Tyne, England)

RIYL: J. Mascis, Dinosaur Jr., Mogwai

It’s been almost two years to the day when Newcastle indie rockers A Festival, A Parade introduced themselves to the world when they released “If Dogs Could Talk…” . At the time, Wendy noted, “I might have found one of my new exciting bands I need to keep major tabs on.” Some 106 weeks later, we collectively have been following the outfit, who have time and time again have blown us away with their piercing and thoughtful songs. If you are late to the festivities, then let “The Vineyard” be your gateway into their anthemic world.

This song is a monster – a three-prong monster to be precise. The first part starts off with a melodic, head-swaying melody, and the approach allows Joe Allan to reminisce about more innocent times. Head number two is a short post-punk bridge, where the guitars get grimy and the rhythms are harsher and more methodical. The song concludes with a surprisingly bright and punchy instrumental that sounds like Mogwai on a caffeine kick. At this point, you’ll want to get in your car, roll down the windows, and go for a nice autumn drive through the countryside. Just when we thought we’ve heard everything, this former Hidden Gem surprises us once again.

A Festival, A Parade are Joe Allan (vocals/guitar), Reece Spencer (lead guitar), Ollie Winn (bass), and George Rowan (drums). The band’s new EP, Stay Away From Me, is out October 26th via Tipping Point Records. Pre-order it on Bandcamp.

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CREO – “Plasticine Mezzanine” (Sydney, Australia)

RIYL: Kasabian, The Belligerents, Circa Waves

The weekend has arrived and that means one thing – time to release all the stress and get re-energized. Some may wish to partake in a cocktail this evening, but we’ll indulge in music that makes us want to jump out and scream. A song that awakens the dormant party animal, which has lingered far too long beneath our finely pressed suits and uniforms. And we can always depend on Aussie outfit CREO to deliver the goods.

Their previous singles – “In The Red” and “Give Me Yours” – were blow-your-speakers worthy. With “Plasticine Mezzaine”, Jorjee, Carlos, Alex, and Daniel deliver another explosive anthem that would fill up any massive stadium. ANZ Stadium in Sydney, Etihad in Melbourne, or even the monstrous Wembley Stadium in London. The guitar riffs will blow our ear drums and the hammering rhythms will make chests vibrate. But the wailing vocals are what will make you want to yell at the top of your lungs and celebrate the end of the work week. As the song builds to its jolting climax, you’ll find yourself repeating, “Yeah, I’m only happy when I sing this song!”

We certainly are.

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Darkwing – “Necropants” (Brooklyn, USA)

RIYL: Iceage, Wavves, Oh Sees

Stretch out your calves and quads, warm up your neck muscles, and make sure your back is nice and loose because you just might find yourself uncontrollably bopping around or starting a one-person mosh pit once you fire up “Necropants”, the latest tune from Brooklyn firecrackers Darkwing.

The brainchild of Richard Rogers, the outfit deliver one titanic of a post-punk single. The opening salvos of the eerily chiming guitars immediately flood your body with jittery energy. As the tune intensifies with the arrival of the full-throttle rhythms and Rogers’ distant vocals, you’re left dancing, jumping, and bouncing around. If this is you, make sure you’re losing control in a place with plenty of space or that the walls are fully padded. Now if you’re the type that likes to play air instruments, then you’ll definitely be tickling your make-believe electric guitar or pummeling on your invisible drum kit. Either way, once the song is finished, you’ll be hollering, “F*ck yeah!”. You’ll also be adding this to your Halloween playlist.

Joining Rogers are Drew McQuade on drums and Zakk Mild on bass. The song is taken from the band’s forthcoming EP, Super Silver, which is out October 26th via Good Eye Records.

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Evalyn – “Creme de la Creme” (Venice Beach, CA, USA)

RIYL: Phoebe Ryan, Chelsea Cutler, Vérité

“Creme de la Creme” is the latest single to be released from Evalyn‘s new EP which is out now. The new EP tackles the seven deadly sins and the newest single speaks about indulgence or gluttony. The track has a perfectly packaged shiny synth pop vibe with a dark pop context. Evalyn’s smooth vocals float fluently across the hypnotic beats and fuzzed out guitar lines. It’s the perfect track to add to a weekend ready playlist.

Evalyn sings “I don’t wanna go through the motions” and “cross my heart and hope to die”. She also shares the theme behind the EP: “One of the central themes is the idea of trying to find something to save you, whether it’s religion or a cult or anything else you might worship.”

So far Evalyn has been offering up catchy dream pop singles with a dark edge while tackling heavy topics within her theme (Greed, Pride, Wrath, etc). Her memorable vocals have an almost angelic element to them while married with lavish textures on her newest offering. The combination has her poised for gaining a multitude of fans with her newest EP release.

Evalyn’s new EP, Salvation, is out now via B3SCI Records.

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For Esmé – “Modern Love” (Toronto, Canada)

RIYL: CHVRCHES, Emily Haines, Carly Rae Jepsen

Martha Meredith is one of Canada’s most underrated singer-songwriters and artists. Through her project For Esmé, she has delved in synth- and electro-pop to indie rock while her songwriting has fluidly moved from the introspective to fantasy-like fairy tales. Yet somehow, some way, she continues to criminally fly under the radar among music fans. In this day and age of increasing pressures and constant social and political upheaval, her music is just the tonic to heal us. Case in point: “Modern Love”.

This isn’t a new tune (explained more below), but it needs to be heard and its video must be seen. With a buzzing synth-pop approach that is reminiscent of CHVRCHES, the tune will is dance worthy or at least will have you grooving. But it’s not the infectious music that will lift your spirits. Meredith’s message about self-love and self-confidence will have you believing in yourself. Heck, her lyrics will have you celebrate who you are and not just while looking at yourself in the mirror, like the multitude of characters do in the video below.

“But I am the lock and I am the key.
I’ve got everything I need.
Honey what did you expect
When you’re the one you most neglect?
It’s all cause and effect
You accept what you deserve
Got to get up your nerve.”

The track is from For Esmé’s latest album, Righteous Woman, which was released earlier this year. Get the LP on Bandcamp.

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Freedom Fry – “Zombie Love” (Los Angeles, USA and Paris, France)

RIYL: Peter Bjorn and John, The Dig, Foster the People

For a moment, we thought people were forgetting about Halloween and focusing on releasing Christmas music (gag!). Thankfully, Marie Seyrat and Bruce Driscoll – the duo behind one of our all-time favorites, Freedom Fry – fulfilled our wishes with “Zombie Love”.

The tune isn’t your typical October 31st number, as it’s not eerie, dark, suspenseful, or mysterious. Instead, it’s a straight-up pop banger that is meant to do two things – make you alive and get you dancing. Its catchy melody lies somewhere between Peter Bjorn and John and Foster the People, but it still retains the duo’s charismatic energy and clever lyricism. As the hip-shaking, shoulder shimmying music fills the air, the two tell a love story set in the afterlife. It’s not necessarily about two undead people falling in love (although this storyline applies), but instead they explain that love is eternal and it still bonds people together on the other side.

“When you love someone, you’re never gonna let go.
If you die, you’re gonna be my zombie love.
When you lose your love, you know they never leave you.
Live or die, you’ll always be my zombie love.”

Be sure to add this song to your Halloween playlist!

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Night Lights – “Talk to Me” (Los Angeles, USA via Mexico City, Mexico; Yokohama, Japan; and Alesund, Norway)

RIYL: Passion Pit, Ra Ra Riot, Tokyo Police Club

Night Lights have just released a new track titled “Talk To Me”. The trio is from different parts of the world and have come together to offer up some pretty infectious indie pop that you can’t help but move to. Their newest offering is super addictive with a bit of an 80s influence coming through.

The trio all met while attending school in Boston and have since moved from Boston to LA. All three have been granted the coveted O1 Visa and are ready to create more new tracks in an effort to “make people dance and feel feelings”. So far they have completed that goal. “Talk to Me” is the follow up to their debut track “Childish” which is another single that you won’t soon forget.

It’s always great to have that one go to band that you know will immediately lift your spirits no matter what track is played. Night Lights has the potential to be that band. “Talk to Me” has the ingredients for being that addictive track you keep hitting repeat on as you can’t get enough. It’s not surprising as their newest single was produced by Brian Phillips who has been credited with Walk the Moon’s “Shut Up & Dance,” COIN’s “Talk too Much” and many more infectious pop singles.

NIght Lights is comprised of Mau Jimenez (vocals), Yusuke Sato (guitar), and Dag Eirik Hanken (drums).

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Stereo Honey – “Icarus” (London, England)

RIYL: The Boxer Rebellion; City Calm Down; Slum Sociable

In the short time we’ve listened to and slowly gotten to know Stereo Honey, we have learned three things. First, they are masters of turning brooding indie rock into pulsating anthems. Second, the group’s songwriting is unparalleled, as they write incredible stories that are more like great mythologies or taken from a Brothers Grimm collection (such as “Angel” or “What Makes A Man”). Finally, they tend to release their material in the 2nd half of the year, and a reason for this is that their songs are made for darker, cooler nights. They are the songs of autumn, and this year’s addition is no different.

“Icarus” is another brilliantly brooding, eye-popping, mind-churning, cinematic masterpiece. It is one those unique songs that you leaves you staring into the blank spaces before you while the chiming guitar, haunting rhythms, and front man Peter Restrick’s alluring vocals surround you. The music is like a prison or a vortex that slowly encloses around, but you don’t desire to escape. Instead, you willing submit to their will and listen intently to the engrossing tale. Restrick’s lyrics are superb, as he uses the analogy of Icarus to describe two people’s reckless fall from grace.

“Carelessly undone,
We’ve slipped under the sun.
The bits our wings were made of.
Scattered to the stars,
And we can see for my miles,
As the Earth comes to take us.”

Stereo Honey are Peter Restrick (vocals/guitar), Nicky Bolardi (guitar/keys), Ben Edwards (bass), and Jake Black (drums). Their new EP is expected later this year. In the meantime, check out Monuments, which was one of our Favorite EPs of 2017.

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Weirds – “Supersymmetry” (Leeds, England)

RIYL: Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Eagulls, Psyence

Last year a powerful psych-grunge outfit from Leeds melted our faces with their epic debut album, Swarmculture, especially its lead single, “Phantom”. (In fact, “Phantom” remains in heavy rotation to this day; check it out if you haven’t already!) We were elated to discover Weirds because their dense, dynamic sound showed massive promise. Few bands sound that good on their debut effort. Clearly this was a band headed for greatness. But sometimes life derails even the most talented musicians, and now we find ourselves experiencing opposite emotions since Weirds have called it quits.

The one bright spot in this announcement is their farewell offering. “Supersymmetry” is a true banger cranked all the way to 11. This is a tune so powerful it can probably wake the dead – or at least rattle the bones of the living. We don’t know whether this is the last we will hear from the individual members of Weirds, or if they will revisit this project in the future. For the sake of music fans around the globe, we hope for the latter. Talents like this deserve to be heard. But more importantly: talents like this deserve to be paid for their art, so grab your copy of this (and their Swarmculture LP) ASAP.

The single is out on iTunes via Alcopop! Records. Fans in the UK can catch Weirds in their final show on 1 November at Brudenell Social Club in Leeds. Admission is free; details are available here.

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