The Wildlands - Mountains (  Country Rock  / Pop ) Review

 

 NMR -  Great rhythm and groove on this track, upbeat tempo with the strings sitting in amongst the acoustic guitars, the gritty vocal pulls things together with the additon of some really nice harmonies.

The arrangment keeps things interesting, the mix and production is very nice too.  

 

Dolly Creamer - Cyclone (  American  / Pop ) Review

 

 NMR -  This groove is as much at home here as it would be at Woodstock, a jangley guitar vibe and Pulsing rhythm, with licks and riffs thrown in.

The vocal has that double track / chorus sounds to it, again a retro feel, the wide mix sounds good, melodies are nice and work well, overall a well produced song.  

 

The cassette release arrives as a limited physical edition, hand-produced in the spirit of the band’s earlier Scorpion Lollipop lathe-cut run—famously capped at just 99 copies and crafted entirely by hand. This marks Dolly Creamer’s first physical release on Slouch Records, adding an extra layer of collectibility for fans.

Photo by Lexi Bonin

Dolly Creamer feels like that one beautifully unfiltered, slightly chaotic poet friend—the kind who picks up a guitar because making clothes just wasn’t enough to channel the cosmic joke. The project began in late 2022 in Tucson, Arizona, founded by Sarah Harris, and quickly expanded beyond its humble back-porch origins.

Drawing from a loose, unpredictable blend of grunge, country, and punk, Dolly Creamer and their ever-evolving collective—now embedded in the LA indie scene—have attracted a wide range of descriptions: “gruntry,” “cringe americana,” “female Ween,” even “post-glam heart punk.” None of them quite land perfectly—and that’s exactly the point.

Cyclone

Cyclone unfolds as a slow-burning, pulse-driven track—both melancholic and oddly gleeful. It explores the quiet compromises we make in relationships, whether as friends or lovers, and how those very concessions often become the things we ache for most once they’re gone.

Brixtone - The Mirror Stars (  Electro / Pop ) Review

 

 NMR -  A flash back for me to 80's style electronic synth pop, really cool drum sounds and patterns, the synths are equally good, the super wide vocal has a disntinct vibe, almost Bowie style,  not sure if its double track or FX, but its suits the track.

The track has an evolving structure, adding elements as it moves forward, but the back drop always the drum  / synth groove.

I like it ... 

A blood-bound collision between half-brothers Paul and Pete Brixtone, raised in opposite worlds yet drawn toward the same rupture in sound.

One brings instinct, abrasion, and noise.
The other brings structure, discipline, and an architectural sense of melody.

What emerges is volatile—controlled damage.

Their debut Never Play to the Gallery has already begun carving out its own mythology, earning strikingly positive reviews and being described as an “electro-rock-post-punk-jazz entity.” It’s a restless, shape-shifting mass of sound, stretched tight between decay and precision.

This isn’t nostalgia. This is reconstruction.

BRIXTONE operates in the unstable space between signal and collapse—where rhythm mutates, melodies corrode, and structure feels perpetually on the brink of disintegration.

Never Play to the Gallery doesn’t follow the faultline. It cuts through it.

Caleb Keepin' - Settle Down (  Pop  / Acoustic ) Review

 

 NMR - Nice big intro with the guitar chords washed with chorus and reverb, then a drop to the more mellow verse, its a nice mix.

The Chorus is dropped over the same into structure, nice width, a good uplift in dynamics.

The vocal sounds good, some nice added instrumentation to add colour and build the track, overall a very nice produced track.

Check the Album Here   

New Zealand artist Caleb Keepin’ returns with another deeply personal release, “Settle Down.” Rooted in his pop, rock, and indie influences, the track blends energetic instrumentation with a reflective message about building a sense of home—no matter where life takes you.

Having lived in three different countries over the past three years, Caleb draws from a period marked by constant change, shifting plans, and evolving expectations. This experience shapes the heart of “Settle Down,” where the idea of home is redefined—not as a destination, but as something you actively create.

Lyrics like “But our home is a familiar face” and “Make it what we promised now” highlight this perspective, emphasising connection and commitment over location.

Speaking about the track, Caleb shares:

“The last few years have been full of many surprises and ups and downs. The dream was always to create a home for myself and my wife—it just looks so different to how I thought it would be, and that’s okay.”

Following the release of his debut album “Concept of Life,” “Settle Down” continues to showcase Caleb Keepin’s signature style—personal, heartfelt songwriting paired with guitar-driven pop-rock production.

Soulbird - Meet You There (  Pop  / Rock) Review

 

 NMR - Very soulful intro, nice smooth guitar chords and a walking Bassline, the vocal style and tone is nice, all very laid back.

Some nice instrumental additions, the Bass woprkm becam more noticable for me as it builds, the track then takes a tempo twist and really picks up, I have to say its worth waiting for this as it sounds really good, the slide style guitar and fastr rhythm patterns adds some real dynamics.  

Tell them what you think ...;-)

Soulbird are an emerging alt-rock band from Adelaide, South Australia, crafting a distinctive and dynamic sound that seamlessly blends groovy, hard-hitting rock with ethereal, melodic textures.

In 2025, the band made their festival debut at Space Jams Festival, where they received an enthusiastic response from both audiences and organisers alike—marking a strong step forward in their live presence.

Their 2025 single “Spare Me” further cemented their growing reputation, earning a spot in City Magazine’s “Best Music of the Month” feature, as well as airplay on Three D Radio’s 20+1 program.

We are in the early stages of working on our next release which will be our debut album but more on that soon! For now, you can keep up to date with all of Soulbird's latest news and upcoming shows via our Instagram page, Soulbirdmusic.

Check out the EP here 

Kerosene Cocktail - Polaroids ( Indie / Pop Punk) Review

 

 NMR - High energy intro with some great guitar riffs, into a solid chord structure, reminding me of a mix of Pink and Greenday rolled into one, pretty nice vibe.

The catchy riffs keep coming and the chorus vocal powers the track along, the mix is loud and brash, suits this style really well, overall a power Pop Punk track not to be overlooked !

Add to your Pop Punk playlist. 

Cornwall pop-punk outfit Kerosene Cocktail are back with their brand new single “Polaroids”, set for release on April 7th—and it marks a bold step forward for the rising UK band.

Recorded at Cube Studios with producers Gareth Young and Ross Rothero-Bourge, Polaroids showcases a noticeable evolution in both sound and identity. Known for their raw, high-energy live performances, the band successfully channels that same intensity into a tighter, more refined studio production.

Built around layered guitars, driving rhythms, and hook-heavy vocals, the track expands on Kerosene Cocktail’s early sound without sacrificing the edge that’s been fuelling their growing presence across the UK grassroots scene.

Fronted by Jasmine Wills

At the heart of the track is 20-year-old frontwoman Jasmine Wills, whose vocal delivery injects a fresh energy and distinct personality into Polaroids. Balancing punchy attitude with strong melodic instincts, her performance gives the track a modern feel while staying rooted in classic pop-punk DNA.

Nostalgia Meets Modern Energy

Polaroids thrives on contrast. The track reflects on a time before everything became instant—when taking a photo meant something. When you had to wait, hold onto the moment, and make the effort to share it.

That sense of commitment sits at the emotional core of the song, wrapped in a sound that feels immediate, loud, and built for both radio play and packed-out live shows.

The band explain:

“Polaroids is about when moments actually meant something. Before everything became instant and disposable. You had to commit to it. You had to wait for it. That’s what we wanted to capture, but still keep the energy high and make it hit hard.”

Bigger Sound, Sharper Focus

Sonically, the single pushes into a more confident and expansive space. The guitars are deliberately layered to create a full wall of sound, while the drums retain a live, slightly unpolished feel that keeps everything grounded.

Vocally, the focus is on natural, memorable hooks that land effortlessly without feeling overproduced. The result is a track that feels just as powerful blasting through speakers as it does in a live setting.