The Flower Hour 14
This month's edition of The Flower Hour is opened by well known, well loved, well travelled indie band Franz Ferdinand. This particular song is a recently released live track and we felt compelled to include it after watching their Glastonbury set on the BBC. After witnessing them share the stage, and the song - entitled “Hooked” - with Ivor Novello-winning indie/punk songwriter Master Peace, we came to the rapid conclusion that this was the standout moment of their fantastic set (which, believe it or not, also featured a cameo appearance from Peter Capaldi!). On this track their trademark angular guitars and catchy melodies are paired with a thumping rhythm section and the punk poet stylings of Peace who reminds us of a combination of Bakar, Jamie T and Slowthai. It's great to see an act with the reputation and following of Franz Ferdinand use their platform to give exposure to smaller artists.
This leads us on to an intriguing and divisive prospect - the ever contentious concept of the "super group". The group in question - "Mantra Of The Cosmos - is made up of Happy Mondays members Shaun Ryder and Bez, Andy Bell of shoegaze legends Ride (as well as the returning Oasis) and drummer Zak Starkey (Ringo's son - also ex-Oasis, and, until very recently - and quite scandalously - drummer for The Who). On their new tune - the bizarrely titled “Domino Bones (Gets Dangerous)” - the band are joined by a guest in the form of up-and-coming songwriter NOEL FUCKING GALLAGHER. The song feels like a combination of Kasabian, The Prodigy and Mark E. Smith's fantastic (and criminally underrated) collaboration with Mouse On Mars - Von Südenfed. It's a psychedelic rocker that's big, bolshie, bombastic and decidedly overblown, but it works a treat.
”Highway” - the new track from The Infinity Chamber - is an amalgamation of many commendable elements smashed together to make something brand new. Percussive Rodrigo Y Gabriella guitars - but in fast forward. Daron Malakian-style vocal intensity, but much more melodic. Pounding, persistent, punk rock drums. Johnny Marr-esque rhythm guitar playing with touches of rockabilly styling thrown in for good measure. A little violin, maybe? And that's before we even get to the stunning lead guitar lines, courtesy of Liverpool multi-instrumentalist John Byrne). It's a real melting pot of elements and the resulting song is red hot renegade folk rock n roll with an unidentifiable twist. Or two or three. Make no mistake, this is art, and it’s truly impressive stuff.
At just over three minutes long, “Sunshine State” is a celebratory, feel-good punky indie rock party. It is Fortitude Valley’s first new music since the release of their debut album in 2021. Regarding subject matter, singer/songwriter Laura Kovic explains: “The song is about moving away from Australia and those feelings. I found some journals from when I was a teenager, and they made me reflect on how much I’d changed. There were things about myself I’d forgotten, but it was clear how much I wanted to move to the UK. I was so keen to get away from such a beautiful place! So the song is like: I’m going back to find my younger self and catch up with her.” With its infectious lead lines, joyous melodies, driving rhythm, and heartfelt sentiment, “Sunshine State” is a treat. They have actually released another single since this track, the equally brilliant Video (Right There With You). Check it out too!
“If But When” is the finale to the new debut album from San Jacinto, California’s The Lonely Suns. It's a surf-punk song that feels incredibly familiar but at the same time distinctly like it's author. Yes, there are obvious nods to guitar-led instrumentals Wipe Out, Rumble, Miserlou and perhaps Pipeline too, but there's also a strong whiff of gritty garage rock here. Indeed, the album it's taken from - 99-25 - touches on many styles but it's speciality is absolutely this sound - down n dirty retro-leaning, garage rock n roll - and it's just the way we like it. 99-25 is the debut album release from our friends over at Black Rainbow Collective and we couldn't be more proud of the result. We recently interviewed Dan and that's well worth a read if you have a spare 15 minutes - you can find that here. We also reviewed the full album for Start Track and you can read that here!
Up next is a bit of jazz-fusion courtesy of Indiana quintet Mycota. “I'm A General, I'm A Master Of Warfare” - brilliant title - is a sprawling, psychedelic fever dream of a song that feels a bit like falling down a rabbit hole and ending up in Satchidananda. Over the course of the songs 8 minutes and 5 seconds there are elements of Acoustic Ladyland (albeit more subdued) and perhaps BadBadNotGood (conversely, dialled up to 11) and maybe even British band Don’t Problem but there’s also aspects that are decidedly proggy. We’re reminded of classic bands like Yes and Vangelis. But the most surprising - and compelling - component here is the almost 16-bit sounding computer game soundtrack vibe. Some of these lead synth sounds could be lifted straight from Sonic 3 - and if you know anything about that games soundtrack you'll know that that, dear reader, is no bad thing.
Stegonaute makes captivating minimalist electronica and ambient pieces centred around a distinct blend of analogue synths and production expertise. He also does some mesmerising stuff with loops and tape over on his Instagram. Award winning composer Andrea Manzoni lends his immaculate piano skills to this tune to craft a delicately balanced, perfectly poised piece that dances on the precipice of ambience, and tip-toes into the classical arena, reminding us a bit of Hans Zimmer’s work on the Inception soundtrack. The combination of the two worlds perfectly mesh to make something refreshing, moving and emotive. It feels kind of lazy to say that we could see “Untitled” soundtracking some kind of cinematic epic, but have a listen and see if you don't completely agree.
The stunning, tender new track from Start Track’s resident master songsmith - folk hero Rapt - is a cover version of “Natural Light” by Casiotone For The Painful Alone. Recorded live in one take sometime in April this year, the recording is intimate, understated and serene. The original song feels comparatively jaunty compared to this sombre, low-key version. It has really taken on a life of its own, having been reimagined by the UK singer-songwriter who is also known as Jacob Ware. Owen Ashworth will undoubtedly be very proud of this reinterpretation. Rapt is on a short tour throughout the UK and Ireland at the moment supporting troubadour Luke De-Sciscio. Catch him if you can, but be prepared to lose your breath. See you down the front, yeah?
Up next is “Sauvie Island” from Kitchen Congregation, the musical moniker of Portland, Oregon indie-folk songstress Hannah Morton, who is also one half of sister duo Laska (more on that in a bit). Sauvie Island is a tender indie-pop tune that revels in it's own beauty. Shimmering guitars melt into atmospheric soundscapes and vocal layers interweave with grace and beauty. The track pivots from delicate ethereal vibes to pounding, pulsating parts and both ends of the spectrum are equally thrilling. The aforementioned Laska have an album entitled Long, Long Hallway due out on 07/07 and are having a release show this Sunday, the 6th of July at Mississippi Studios. Once that record is out and sufficiently supported, Hannah plans to get back on the Kitchen Congregation grind, having a large cache of material she needs to commit to tape. We can't wait to hear it.
Very much in the same emotional vein as the last track, “All Or Nothing” from South London-based indie pop group tall child is a soft, subtle, sincere, heart-on-sleeve ballad that sounds like desperation feels. They manage to conjure emotions, thoughts and feelings that are difficult to identify and/or unravel, but you know that they're real and you know that they're complicated. "Tell the truth or tell a lie / coz I'm an all or nothing guy” belts Zha Gandhi towards the end of the track, and as the shackles come off and her vocal soars into the stratosphere, their role as star of the show is solidified. Their delightful 5 track EP - Somehow You Grow - is one of our favourite things we've heard all year and is due out on July 17th via Sad Club Records, with a launch show at The Sebright Arms, London scheduled for July 30th. Free tickets available on Dice here.
“If Only Zelensky Had A Nice Suit” is a tongue-in-cheek, acerbic evaluation of the laughable state of US politics and their international relations, specifically focussing on their handling of the horrific invasion of Ukraine perpetrated by the megalomaniacal Vladimir Putin and the Kremlin. Ron Gallo casts a discerning and perceptive eye over the clowns in control of one of the world’s largest and most ridiculous superpowers and dissects their fragile egos and obsession with all the wrong things which results in this minute long anti-folk protest song. Gallo manages to make more sense in 69 seconds that Donald Trump has done in his entire second term. Or his first one for that matter. The orange manchild could learn a thing or two from this outspoken songwriter.
“Holding By A Thread” marks the umpteenth return to The Flower Hour of good Grizzly friend Western Jaguar. The British Columbia musician knows his way around a tune - we know this much by now - but this new one feels rather different. It's still soul-baring, introspective and earnest to the nth degree and there are definitely trademark vivid Jaguar lyrical moments, (our particular favourite is “I'm the reason your last stick of nicorette, is missing out of your tie-dye sundress”) but the tones and textures at play are different to what we've become used to. It's great to see Jeff pushing himself and he continues to do so with a new challenge that he's set himself. He plans to write and record a new album in 180 days. If all goes according to plan, we should have a brand new dose of Jaguar ready to enjoy on 1st Jan, 2026. Happy New Year indeed!
“Sky Of Love” by Thai producer Beats Vibes Diary is a laid-back chill-hop instrumental that is the perfect soundtrack for switching off to - it's like an audible balm for the soul. As the synths tinkle and the bass throbs, you can almost feel your blood pressure lowering and your muscles relaxing. It's a measured, considered piece that is well disciplined and finely honed. The melody is lullaby-like in it's simplicity but it works well when combined with the steady groove of the rhythm section, the lead lines and occasional flourishes. This track works best when enjoyed devoid of any other distractions. Tune in, wind down, and zone out. Your psyche will thank you.
Black Rainbow Collective’s Very Many Horses are you next with their newest remix, courtesy of the maestro Mr. Harry Heart. The original version of I Won't Fall Far From Your Tree was a unique tune - part tender piano ballad and part post-rock epic, half ANOHNI and The Johnsons and half Hope Of The States. The “I Won't Fall Far From Your Tree Harry Heart Remix” manages to turn it into a UKG-influenced dancefloor stomper, with off-kilter rhythms that would give Jamie xx a run for his money and a general feel that's more indebted to Bicep, London Grammar and Bon Iver than Baroness, Godspeed and Mogwai. Vocal manipulation is used to excellent effect here and Harry's additional vocals add a whole other dimension to the electronic track as it bring the sound of London's night-time to life.
Modern day urban folk-hero Murkage Dave is back and holding up a mirror to the ever whining “Old White Miserable and Rich”. Similarly to the Ron Gallo song from earlier, this track is clearly a reaction to the state of things in the author’s homeland and a response to the systemic bias and failings of our “public servants”. The people these figureheads are supposed to serve are frustrated, tired and angry and all that comes through here over a fluid, jazzy, trip-hop-esque beat courtesy of the very talented producer Kiddus. Murkage Dave hosts a regular radio show on Refuge Worldwide with selections as eclectic as his own music - it's well worth checking out. Rumour has it there's more new music on the way too. Rejoice.
Alpha K is up next. He's a South Bronx-born songwriter, rapper and producer who specialises in the artful blend of accessibility and artistry. On “Beg For It” he comes across a little bit like a combination of early Heartbreak Drake, Little Yachty at his most tender and to a lesser extent, Ty Dolla $ign. Smooth R&B tones, tight snares, bassy beats and the obligatory auto-tune. It's all here but there's also an almost amapiano or slight afrobeat undertone. It's a sorrowful, regretful lament about the pain of missing someone special, as such, Beg For It has undeniable universal appeal and it is obviously expertly put together. It's a slick as anything you might here on the radio and we can easily see it played alongside the above mentioned artists in the not too distant future.
The last song this month is “Whoa Now.” from the newest addition to the Black Rainbow Collective (who are clearly killing it at the moment based on the amount of contributions that they're racking up here). The Nocturnals are Rota and Lucca - MC and producer respectively. They make self-described “weird hip-hop” from Illinois that is full of razor-sharp observational black humour, perpetual anxiety, recurring neuroses and existential dread. But also, crucially, banging beats. It's a combination that works perfectly and the album this song is taken from - Prescriptions - is full of it and is, frankly, phenomenal. We wrote a full length review of it for Start Track which you can read here and we'll be interviewing the pioneering duo soon.
And that’s all folks. We hope you’ve enjoyed this month's selection and as always, we’d encourage you to please, #GiveThemTheirFlowers.
Submissions for consideration for inclusion in future instalments of The Flower Hour are always open.
Get in touch by email (kindagrizzly@gmail.com), here on Substack or via social media for consideration for inclusion.
Love y'all!