Callosum Closure - So Sweet

The newest record 

For a band to find their sound, it can take a while. For foursome Callosum Closure, their soundcloud would suggest that this rings true. However, with the newest and maybe most publicised track So Sweet (taken from their newest come debut record) the band are entering the "alternative" indie rock song scene with a track that showcases each member's contribution to the band and what sweaty mess they can produce musically. Based out of Hampshire, but congregated from around the country, these boys have made a tune that has so many hooks you could hang the contents of your wardrobe on them.

From the start of the song, you're slapped in the face with the band's lack of concern with major issues such as global warming or political agendas, and instead are met with somewhat orthodox lyrical simplicity, aiming to just have a good time and tell a girl how tasty she is. However, whilst the lyricism behind So Sweet may suggest that this quartet could become the indie scene's trashier, dirtier and stankier boy band equivalent, that doesn't seem to be the point of this track nor the band itself. Rather what they are attempting to create musically is a visual image, one that's bubblegum pink but is as sexy as the red lipstick that that bubblegum is popping over. It's funky, it's noisy, and maybe most importantly it's flirty, in an attempt to both draw on such rock and roll luminaries as Elvis Presley and The Doors whilst mashing in the fuzz from the likes of Twin Peaks or Fidlar. Fundamentally, they're endeavouring to fuse together the so dirty it's good style of late 70s rock together with archetypal garage punk riffs. 

The boys themselves

With a track that's as groovy and distorted as this, it's easy to see the direction the band are taking, leaving behind the awkward, in-between, baby steps band phase in an attempt to become a fully fledged artists (i.e. 'make money without getting real jobs' according to their bassist) with a style that is their own. In the most literal sense the foursome themselves are the embodiment of that song The Steve Miller Band sang about being a space cowboy and speaking about the "pompatous of love". This sound seemingly relies on just how four musicians can relay that feeling you get when you tongue the person you fancy, and the taste it leaves.

In short it's thick, stylistic and might just be the sound of the best sex you've ever had...

Taste the sugar and spice for yourself:
Callosum Closure / Soundcloud
Callosum Closure / Facebook
Callosum Closure / Instagram 

Jellyskin - Grey Glass Hat

Jellyskin

It must be something they put in the water because, like many indie music pioneers, Jellyskin hail from 'up North'. However, this is not their leading feature, instead what stands out about this trio is their ability to make a song whilst balancing the life of a student. According to the band lead singer, and synther, Zia and guitarist, Will have always wanted to make music together, and with friend Olly being a drummer, they one day came together to work with some ideas. And with this the band birthed their first song Grey Glass Hat, and it's a corker.

The song starts off slow, with ominous syths, that are deeper than the voice of Johnny Cash, and elegant vocal's from lead singer Zia. It doesn't take long for the guitar and drums to make their entrance, really showing off the band's late 80s-early 90s influence creating a sound that's almost a grunge-shoegaze combo. With heavy synths running throughout, and mellow drums to compliment them, it's hard to believe that it's only three of them making so much sound.

Grey Glass Hat 

Whilst the song repeatedly asks you why you don't go, us as the listener asks the band why would we leave this dark and mystical place Jellyskin have managed to engulf us in; even if no one truly knows who the man in the grey glass hat is. The song is progressive, dipping right in the middle to finish on a crescendo that ends in a melancholic climax.

With a name like Jellyskin it's surprising that they can make something that is so structured and ethereal compared to the vision of wobbly flesh. Given that this is their first song, they have made their mark as musicians who can create music that is hauntingly beautiful and heavy at the same time. Sounding as if Smashing Pumpkins have had a love child with London Grammar, or as if a grunge band has taken choir practice, I'd watch this space because, as their name suggests, I have no doubt they're gonna make you as wet as pre-mixed jelly.

Wet your ears: Jelly Skin

Music Menses

This is the first part of what will, hopefully, be monthly music segment, amply named music menses as much like a lady's womanly cycle it will be messy, most probably painful and is likely to be unpredictable. In the way of content, however, is hopefully where the feature will differ from the menses part and instead, provide a monthly instalment of new music from far and wide and all the right places.

Pixx herself
source: 4ad

To cut the metaphorical ribbon at the grand opening of 'Music Menses' is the celestial electronic-folk singer Pixx aka Hannah Rodgers. Whilst her home town of Chipstead isn't on the map for its musical luminary, her graduation from the Brit school tells a different story, as at only the age of 19 Pixx launches herself in the crowd of new notable creators such as likes of FKA Twigs and King Krule.

Her futuristic aesthetic combined with a classical melancholic tone not only sets her apart from many artists but also caught the eye of the credible 4AD- home to such epic bands as Beirut, Purity Ring and Pixies (!)- who no doubt signed her almost instantly. What with her Grimes-esk vibes and the folk themes similar to Iron and Wine the Record Label seems an undeniably perfect habitat for such an artist as Pixx, who herself claimed that "it's incredible to be welcomed with open arms to a label that is home to so many artists that have influenced me over the years."

Although the young chanteuse only recently released her EP 'Fall In', she has already made her mark in the indie music scene with her upcoming tour travelling all over the UK and performing in such popular music venues as Heaven in London and Patterns in Brighton. The EP itself maintains the same haunting tone throughout all four songs, yet that's not to say the songs are similar in any way, in fact they are all quite different from each other.

source: rockfeedback

Pixx begins her EP with the eponymous tune Fall In setting the tone for the chilled-futuristic-four-song adventure that you are about to embark on. Whilst the lyrics that state "we fall in and out and in and out" linger in your ears the next song fills you with an awkward displacement, but only in the best way possible; where you feel as though you are "weary and waiting" much like the song A Way To Say Goodbye claims.The shortest and most different song, Flee, follows and seems to stick out in between two very electronically driven songs, however, it's fair to say the almost classical interruption seems to express that this girl is versatile af and hats off to her. The fourth and final song Deplore seems to end on what we came here for and apparently it shows "from our head down to our toes".

Having seen her live, in the weirdest and most intimate space in the depths of Dalston (more to come), it's safe to say Pixx is as magical live as the EP promises. Her upcoming tour, mentioned above, still has tickets and the EP is available now, like right now, so get both here: Pixxmusic (you won't be disappointed).

Foo Fighters New Release

Believe it or not, behind my love for good 'Indie rock' music lies roots of an, arguably, hard core rocker. Having been bought up surrounded by bands such as Nirvana, Green Day and Red Hot Chilli Peppers, music with rage-y guitar riffs have a particularly special place in my heart. Foo Fighters are no exception to this and in fact have a specific place just for them. Since I was a small child they have been a big part of my musical life; most of my close family members enjoyed listening to them, due to this some of my earliest memories of music is the sound of Foo Fighters (how cliché). Now knowing my admittedly strong feelings towards Foo Fighters, you can easily imagine my excitement when they announced their new album as well as a new documentary series, both titled 'Sonic Highways'.

Sonic Highways
source: www.stereogum.com

This Friday saw the release of the first instalment from their eighth studio album, 'Sonic Highways', titled Something From Nothing- recorded in Chicago with Steve Albini who produced Nirvana’s final studio album 'In Utero'. The first episode of the documentary also broadcast in the States that very same day, displaying the bands eagerness to fuel fans excitement and give them a healthy dose of Foo's musical goodness. Having only revealed a snippet of the song during the 'Sonic Highways' trailer it was much appreciated by fans when they released the song in it's full, nearly five minutes, entirety.

Sonic Highways
source: www.foofighters.com

The song is distinctly Foo Fighter-esk; opening with chords that resemble classic blues sounds, then breaking into typical Foo Fighters intense riffs and epic drums provided by Taylor Hawkins. Lead singer Dave Grohl actively complements the epic sound changes starting with a smooth vocals that trick you into thinking the climax is about to happen, only to reveal your premonitions were wrong when he returns to a calm tone. Until finally when he begins the raging screams that we all anticipate from a Foo's song with the lyrics "Fuck it all I came from nothing".

Seemingly the song has impressed many fans, fulfilling their exceptions of an intense hit, with classic rock chord changes echoing their influences from much loved bands such as Black Sabbath and ACDC. However, there have been some fans that argue it's a little too cliché and generic. Although I would agree that the song has a noticeable structure that could seem generic, it echoes the classic rock sound and rather drifts away from a more punk/grungy sounds- which isn't always a bad thing.

Living in England has meant so far I have only been able to hear the song and have not yet seen the first episode of 'Sonic Highways', which makes it's début on the BBC on the 26th of this month. But if Something from Nothing and also the last film made by Dave Grohl ('Sound City') is anything to go on the album-as well as the documentary- are bound to be of epic proportions.

Listen here to Something From Nothing:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y3B0Vx_yQgo#t=91