It’s been a while since I reviewed a release from Mega Happy so it was good news to hear of a new single.

I did wonder whether the gap – which seems huge – between the band’s last release and this had been the result of a change in direction. This isn’t thankfully the case. Look I know this sounds like I’m criticising bands who change their sound, I’m not, I love a band who do different things. It’s just that I love Mega Happy’s off-kilter angular sound.

And yes, this song has that off-kilter angular sound, it also has that Mega Happy ‘we mix unexpected things together’ thing. In this case it sounds like indie as played by New Order – it has that New Order throbbing melodic bass with a jangly indie thing going on over it. And then just for the sheer joy of it they throw in something of a Orange Juice sound in there, just for japes.

What this adds up to is something that leaves you dancing around the room, full of joy, with a grin on your face. At least musically. Lyrically, if I’m getting the right handle on the words, it’s actually quite a sad song. But this, my friends, is what Mega Happy do, they mix it up, they come at you from unexpected directions.

I’ve loved all of the band’s releases but this is something else, it’s a step up, a big step up. It’s like they’ve condensed what they do into one brilliant song. A brilliant song with a great tune, great playing, their own unique sound and great words. Can you ask for anything more, I for one can’t. This is a must listen people, go get some mega happiness in your life.

Sometimes I come across a release from a band new to me, and I just HAVE to tell you all about it. This is the case with Richard Carlson Band’s ‘You Can’t Stop (I Can Feel It)’. Although they’re from Manchester, given that I have a bit more time these days (and don’t we all), I decided to give it a spin. And that was it, I got it, I loved it. Oh and you should know that this is the band’s first release.

The band identify as being art-rock/sludge-pop, that should give you some idea of where they are coming from. Although there’s kind of a punk edge in there, a punk edge that’s slowed way way down. And if you listen, if you really listen, you’ll get a certain psychedelic vibe in there.

‘You Can’t Stop (I Can Feel It)’ takes those ingredients and turns them into something menacing – bass rumbles in a fuzzy way, killer guitar sprinkles itself over the top of that and there’s way clever sparse drumming. There are also some rather cool out-there keyboards that have a feel of slowed down Door’s keys. Over this the lead vocal is spoken, not sung, this gives an extra edge of menace, of doom, of foreboding. The band provides sung vocals in a sort of chorus I guess.

And this thing doesn’t build, it kinda sits there at this level, it occasionally leaps into life, but if you’re expecting a huge release of tension, you’re going to be disappointed. But this just adds to the menace, and that’s a wonderful thing.

I, as I’ve already mentioned, love this track – it’s accomplished, clever, and is the sound of a band doing something that is completely their own. This is completely beautiful in very much its own way.

Message from the band

‘The release will be available on all major streaming platforms as soon as possible but Dittomusic don’t seem to know how to distribute a single on the day of the release or reply to emails.

‘A video and the limited edition 7” physical release will also be available in the coming weeks but due to the current goings on we’ve understandably had to halt the progress on that…

‘In the meantime you can stream or buy from Bandcamp’

The info

Richard Carlson Band are an art-rock / sludge-pop band based in Manchester who, despite only having been a band for less than a year, have crafted their own unique sound. Richard Carlson Band cite a punk influence but exchange blistering tempos for lurching mid-tempo menace.

‘You Can’t Stop (I Can Feel It)’ will have an initial limited edition release of 25 lathe cut copies with covers handmade by the band.

It’s a funky rocky thing ‘Heroin’. It is more rocky than funky to be honest but it’s damn funky. It kinda reminds me of stuff of my youth – you know that ‘when rock bands discover funk’ thing. The thing is I’m guessing Blue Kubricks started like this because there’s not a sign of that slight awkwardness it led to in the past all too many times, way too many times.

So it does all sorts of those rock things – like vocals on the edge of human hearing, damn fine guitar, that rock song drop out section – but with an edge of funk, those drums rock people – they don’t rock as such they funk, but I’m not sure that’s a thing, you know what I mean though.

Lyrically the song explores autobiographically the effects of being famous. I might be wrong in detecting a hint of ‘tongue in cheek’ in the lyrics but the words are actually more compelling than they might at first listen. I was left with a smile on my face after really listening to the words.

When I read what the band did I didn’t expect to like this release as much as I do, which is loads, I keep finding myself reaching for this. It’s a damn fine cool song, it rocks. Play loud and proud, people.

Stream/Download

The info

Jim, the band’s singer, says ‘I’m Jim, lead singer of Leeds based alt funk rock band Blue Kubricks. The band is myself and my brother Jesse on drums, Richard the bass man who is grade 8 violin and Charlie (Charles) who is the slay guitar Queen. Writing together and gigging for about a year together and we played O2 Leeds last year’.

Jim Duah – Singer
Jesse Duah – Drums
Charlie Scott – Guitar
Richard Hatton – Bass

https://www.officialbluekubricks.com/
https://open.spotify.com/artist/0HvQ9JxohHy6h8b8ncjhi7
https://en-gb.facebook.com/bluekubricks/
https://www.instagram.com/bluekubricks/?hl=en

Indie rock comes in many flavours, The Sheraton’s take on it in ‘Raving And Drooling’ is bloody raucous punky rock’n’roll. It’s a blast of fucking glorious noise, a blast of glorious noise with a frankly dangerous level of swagger. This song positively drips attitude. It’s a song ready for a night out with its mates, a night where anything can happen.

Guitars roar, they roar in a punky sometimes kinda metally way – I swear it sounds something a bit like Motorhead right at the start, and that guitar break right at the end, hmm I have my suspicions keeping those to myself. Vocals are perfectly fucking sneery, plenty of bloody attitude there.

This, people, is a riot, turn it up loud – loud as you dare, lose it, repeat until you can’t do it any longer, shot of Jack, do it all again. Simple as.