This month's installment of The Flower Hour is opened by a man who is somewhat of a one-off in the UK indie music scene. When we first heard Lucky 6 almost 20 years ago, Lupen Crook made an instant impression. Since then he has released a multitude of music under many and varied guises. Featured on The Flower Hour last month as half of electro-punk outfit Sex Cells, he returns this month on his own - in a more recognisable manner - as the fearless, combative raconteur that first ensnared us many moons ago. "South Facing Tears" is deceptively epic, with the inclusion of layered backing vocals, barely-there piano and luscious strings, this acoustic Barrett-esque ballad is bittersweet and beggars belief.
Julian Wa is one of the founding fathers of Kinda Grizzly, he has been making music since he was a teenager and is now in his mid-30s. This song is taken from his 2022 cult-classic mini album Low Wave and incorporates all those years of songwriting pedigree to create something rather spellbinding. "Jasmiller" is an insidious creepy-crawly of a song. It's subtle and discreet. It crawls its way into your brain and massages your cerebellum, convincing your limbic system that you're in a safe and comfortable place. But - on the other side of the haze - are you really? Are we ever? Perhaps only Julian Wa has the answers.
"The Sea" by Very Many Horses is up next. This was the world's first introduction to this alternative-indie duo, released back in April as half of their debut double a-side single. With shimmering lead lines, meditative bass parts and soft synths throughout, this tune is something special. It gradually builds with the introduction of persistent pounding percussion and a compelling guitar-led counter melody. Eventually we are met with harmonious backing vocals and crunching guitars in the instrumental chorus, and the ascension is complete.
"Darkest Of Angels" is by Wesley Van De Vyver (or Vyver as he is billed here) who is half of Very Many Horses. The production brain behind that burly behemoth has been experimenting with audio for many many years. This song was released on his 2011 solo album V For Vyver. Built around powerful, pulsating synths, fuzzy guitars and cool electronic drums with occasional falsetto flourishes - this piece has a lot going for it. The slinky, slithery vocal delivery manages to compliment the almost industrial instrumentation whilst at the same time feeling diametrically opposed to it, it's quite a feat which bodes very well for the future of his newest artistic exploit.
Western Jaguar makes his successful return to The Flower Hour - and this time he's not alone. Ably accompanied by The Coyotes, they have managed to create a song in "Victim" that feels like a mash up of Phoenix, Pixies and Jack White. Western Jaguar had a very busy month last month delivering the Week Of The Jaguar with a major announcement every day of the very exciting week. Ranging from new music videos, to podcasts to a new album announcement (available on limited edition cassette from our good friends at Start Track here) - the hardest working man in indie rock is still going strong. And we're very thankful for him.
"Pure" by The Pearl Harts is up next. The band were introduced to us while on tour with The Jim Jones All-Stars last year. On this track, the duo bring undeniable ferocious feminine energy and sound like an combination of Joan Jett, Anna Calvi and Band Of Skulls. With an abundance of attitude they reminded me of that other very impressive all female rock duo Deap Valley, who we sadly lost last year. Thankfully for all of us The Pearl Harts are still alive and kicking - definitely try to catch them on the road if you can.
Southend-On-Sea's Longy has been on a bit of a roll lately. He's released a pair of awesome singles over the last few weeks - this being the first - with another track entitled “Potential”, coming out today. Longy has always been a grinder, a grafter. He once performed over 500 gigs in a year and has been setting the scene alight for more than a decade and a half. He has rock and roll in his soul and the spirit of Chuck Berry and Little Richard (via late Paolo Nutini & early Kelly Jones) positively spills out of him on "Trust In Life". The drums on this one start as they mean to go on - pummeling you from the outset. The chime of the lead guitar fits the song perfectly before a more abrasive part is introduced adding further tonal variety, texture and depth. The band sound absolutely great - like a combination of Kasabian and The Stone Roses. Add to that those trademark gravelly dulcet tones and it's another victory for Essex's gift that keeps on giving.
"No House No Rain" is a dark, brooding experimental electronic piece from Kiliam. Blending aspects of drum n bass, post-dubstep and ambient - this is really quite ambitious stuff. At only a minute and a half long it's almost ephemeral, but leaves a lasting impression, which is an unusual oxymoron. The song starts a little reminiscent of some of James Blake's stuff but eventually takes a left turn and feels more like Los Angeles-era Flying Lotus spliced with early Apex Twin in the second half. An impressive journey in 88 seconds. Kiliam is rather enigmatic with very little presence online, but the body of work speaks for itself.
Up next is "Know Me Better" by Cleveland, Ohio's LyricalGenes. What sounds like an old soul sample immediately brings to mind College Dropout-era Kanye and the conscious content reminds me of certain Common songs from a similar time. The delivery here is confident and assured and the subject matter uniquely personal. LyricalGenes takes the perspective of his absent father and addresses himself in an unusual approach to an unfortunately very common problem, the cyclical nature of which is touched on in the lyrics. Drenched in regret, remorse and reflection, this is an admirably mature and productive exploration of the issue of paternal abandonment and the reasons and ramifications surrounding it.
“Dark Swarm” is an eerie alternative electronic hip-hop tune from Pittsburgh’s Yesh Yoko. This well-travelled, half Norwegian/Half Nigerian, Japanese-speaking rapper and producer has extremely eclectic taste and this clearly feeds into his own artwork. Musically, there's bits of Burial here, blended with 6LACK and Hodgy Beats, whilst his other artistic pursuits include photography and gastronomy. The EP this track is taken from is called “六” ( Roku ) and is steaming now.
"Cosmos" is the product of Cairo-based songwriter/producer NEDAL:M & frequent collaborator Xawery Pietraszko. Born and bred in Egypt, NEDAL:M draws inspiration from his surrounding environment and the rhythms and culture of North Africa. In the short time that he has been putting out music under this moniker he has endeavoured to push boundaries and blend genres in a unique and personal way and this is perfectly exhibited on Cosmos. Featuring middle eastern elements, a good dose of electronica and an almost jazzy groove, there's something here for everyone. It's catchy but also arty, approachable but also somewhat abstract. This is musical fusion with a phenomenal sense of feeling that works wonders.
Bohdan Stupak is a Ukrainian artist who crafts atmospheric ambient soundscapes using a combination of field recordings, organic instruments, SuperCollider textures and more. There's a simmering, subtle beauty to "Ambient II" that is, at least based on our experience, uncommon in ambient music. It doesn't do a great deal, but it doesn't need to. It manages to make you feel a lot whilst utilising what seems like so little. This is expertly realised sound art. Unsurprisingly for a modern Ukrainian artist, the impact of the ongoing - and abhorrent - Russo-Ukrainian war has been a significant source of recent inspiration. You can find more of Bohdan's work - in audio, text and visuals - here.
As this next song starts I get more than a whiff of The Smiths in the introductory guitar. But honestly - and I swear it's not because they're also Scottish - but, on "Lost In Violet" Mapped By A Foret remind me of an amalgamation of The Twilight Sad, & The Jesus & Mary Chain. The title track from the Edinburgh duo's recently released EP is awash with reverby guitars and dreamy vocals and takes you to a place you frankly never want to come back from. It's a delicately poised thing of beauty. You get the impression that the whole thing is almost balancing on an indeterminable precipice - but those Moe Tucker (or Bobby Gillespie) style drums hold the whole thing together beautifully. I think they've definitely found their "Place In The World".
Up next is "Asshole" by Kinda Grizzly's newest signings Nuclear Family Band. Led by Scanners frontman Matthew Mole, NFB blend old skool tones of bands like The Monkees and The Kinks with elements of more modern acts like Hal and Granddady to create something altogether different. Asshole is a song written by Matt for his kids so naturally it's full of parental wisdom, sage introspection and loads of swearing. As the band's name suggests, family is pivotal to the group. In fact, Matt has compiled a Spotify Playlist entitled "Driving With My Dad" that acts as the soundtrack to his formative years spent with his father. These songs have evidently influenced the sound of NFB and we invite you to enjoy them at your leisure.
"Overboard" by Saint Boy is a stunning blend of vocal harmonies, gorgeous guitar and whimsical melody. With distinct Fleet Foxes and First Aid Kit vibes, this is a cosy and comforting tune that feels familiar but at the same time new. Just when you think you've got the song figured out, it steps up a gear and reverby electric guitar lead lines are introduced as well as a bit of punchy percussion as they channel Belle & Sebastian at their most playful and maybe a little of The Decemberists. This almost feels like a lullaby for seafarers or something - and we can't wait to hear more. Their debut EP is due to be released next month.
Chester Shakes (aka Mitchell Quinn) makes a welcome return to the playlist this month with his most recent single "How Many Times". His profile has risen considerably since we last featured him here as he was recently featured on Australia's biggest country music platform ABC Saturday Night Country. How Many Times feels like a rootsy cousin to Queens Of The Stone Age's classic Feel Good Hit Of The Summer. If it was sung by Leonard Cohen after a night of rampant debauchery and a subsequent morning of forced reflection. An accompanying music video is dropping soon.
"Ghost" by William Stults - clearly heavily influenced by Iron & Wine (and maybe Fiona Regan?) - is a tender ode to a dear departed friend. Stunning finger picking and an ethereal vocal go hand in hand to create an almost mirage-like lament that sinks its hooks into you and doesn't let go. At the time of writing there are VERY limited quantities of the one-sided 12" vinyl mini album that this song is taken from available on William's Bandcamp which can be found here.
"Melody Something - Summer Redux" by Pictish Trail closes out the playlist this month. Situated on Scotland's tiny Isle-Of-Eigg, Pictish Trail (government name: Johnny Lynch) makes music that exists in the spaces between folk, psych, electronica and pop. With a wry, distinctly Scottish sense of humour and wit reminiscent of Arab Strap and Frightened Rabbit, he deftly combines clever lyrical phrasing with carefully constructed melodies to make something unequivocally his. Johnny's new (and I must say, quite beautifully packaged) Follow Footsteps EP is released on vinyl and streaming platforms in a week.
And that’s that for this month! Please feel free - nay, encouraged - to spread the word amongst friends and family and anyone else for that matter. And remember, as always, to #GiveThemTheirFlowers
As ever, submissions for inclusion on future installments of The Flower Hour are open. Please drop us a line at kindagrizzly@gmail.com or reach out via socials.
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