Singles Spin #3

So what’s the latest singles in Singles Spin #3? Check out the latest from:

Melbourne’s much loved Slum Sociable reveal a brilliant new single Life Is Free and announce their forthcoming EP L.I.F. due for release on Friday 2 August.

Life Is Free is the band’s most confident work to date, segueing from a hypnotic verse groove into a rousing, festival ready chorus that is certain to become a live highlight. It sees the band (long term friends Edward Quinn and Miller Upchurch) once again join forces with the talented Kon Kersting (Mallrat/Jungle Giants), who worked across production & mixed L.I.F.’s five tracks. The EP also features previous single Afterthought, which was an Australian summer radio favourite across triple j and community radio and performed live across their summer festival slots.

On the meaning behind the new single, Miller explains:

“’Life Is Free’ was called that because, it isn’t. The second line of the song points that out; “how can I say that knowingly”. It’s about noticing how valuable a resource like time is, how you use it with the people in your life, how other people who might not have it as good as you use it, and ultimately trying to use it for good.”

It’s been 10 years since their last album and they’re back from outer-space: tougher, wilder and sharper than ever. Upcoming long player Snake sees ROCKET SCIENCE at the height of their powers, charged with a cosmic energy born of a unique alignment between four exceptional musicians. A truly collaborative work, recorded by the band’s guitarist Paul Maybury. Mixing improvised moments with post-punk, garage, space rock and dark imagery. The songs reflect a decaying post-postmodern world, that is both self-destructive and in denial.

Chasing Rainbows is the first cut off Snake and it’s a killer. Kicking off dirty with an unmistakable Rocket Science swing. The first half is a tense play off, guitar frantically stabs through an unrelenting, rolling rhythm section, overlaid with snarling vocals before exploding into a psychedelic, freak-out ending. Don’t be scared, it’s awesome.

“Chasing Rainbows paints a dark and uncompromising picture of a dystopian world crafted from my experiences in a recovery ward. The song is unrelenting and uncompromising where the listener is witness to the unknown. There is strange dialogue being discussed. The setting is bittersweet. The time is uncertain. Chasing Rainbows is filled to the brim with Rocket Science tropes and flavour that can only be produced by the original cast. In Chasing Rainbows, the world is uncertain, and the outcome is bleak.” ROMAN TUCKER

Northern Beaches groove masters Ocean Alley have released their brand new single Infinity, the dreamy follow-up to their most recent cut Stained Glass. Premiered by Billboard overnight, the track comes in the midst of the band’s North American tour, and was praised “with its warm keys and bluesy guitar tones, Infinity is a sunny, laid-back tune.”

Delving deeper into Ocean Alley’s sonic exploration and experimentation, Infinity picks up where Stained Glass left off – layering swirling organs with shimmering guitar tones and synth sounds, intricately interwoven to transport the listener into an atmospheric, dream-like world. Through the pre-chorus, an alluring haziness seeps in, enhanced by Baden Donegal’s entrancing vocals and harmonies, slowly building up after the second chorus to close out the song with an unexpected coda, complete with crashing cymbals and wailing slide guitar.

Discussing the meaning behind the track, the band explained, “It’s a more upbeat and punchy track than Stained Glass, addressing themes of perseverance, patience and practicing personal growth. It’s an insight into the current mindset of the band as we acknowledge our past achievements and beg for new challenges on a relentless journey forward.”

Boy & Bear set the social media scene abuzz last month after teasing fans of new music and a Sydney showcase. The wait is now over with the band returning with a triumphant new single, Hold Your Nerve, their first new music since the release of the soon to be platinum, #1 ARIA album, Limit of Love (2015).

After the most tumultuous period of the band’s lives both personally and professionally, Hold Your Nerve is an upbeat, optimistic song in which the group channel their trademark penchant for organic, seventies sounds into one of their most direct, modern and addictive songs to date.

Produced by Boy & Bear and Collin Dupuis (The Black Keys; Lana Del Rey) and mixed by Tom Elmhirst (Amy Winehouse, Beck, Adele), the single is the first taste of their fourth studio album penciled for a release later this year. Even though on the surface Hold Your Nerve charts the story of front-man Dave Hosking and his current partner’s failed first attempt at their relationship, dig deeper and it reveals the backdrop of a debilitating illness front-man Dave Hosking has been dealing with since 2011.

Grammy winner, Creed frontman, & platinum-certified solo artist, Scott Stapp has posted a lyric video for Name on his social platforms to highlight a song that pledges to break the cycle of abuse.

The track will appear on Stapp’s first album in six years, The Space Between The Shadows, and it is a chill-inducing promise to protect his children from what he endured in his own youth. Stapp has performed the song live for select fans during radio visits and each performance has been met with pin-drop silence and standing ovations for lyrics like:

“I am a son without a father. He gave his name and walked away.
I am a man, now a father. And I swear my son will never know that pain.
I was a child, I was abandoned. Too young to fight to have a say.
Oh God what seemed so heavy handed. Made me the man I am today.
It’s so hard to forgive. Even harder to forget.”

Name also gives the album its title, as Stapp vows to make his hard-learned lessons count:
“I will…I will… be the space between the shadows.
I will…I will… be the light inside the sorrow.”

Amon Amarth released their 11th full-length, Berserker, last month to critical acclaim via Sony Music Australia, and recently concluded their North American trek with Slayer, Lamb of God, and Cannibal Corpse.
The band has unleashed the final clip in their trilogy of music videos for the album, Mjolner, Hammer Of Thor.

Mjolner, Hammer Of Thor – along with the previous videos, Raven’s Flight and Crack the Sky were directed by Roboshobo, and each one is increasingly epic in its scope, further immersing the viewer in the world of Amon Amarth. Much like the songs on Berserker, the videos present Amon Amarth to its fullest. The cast features Josh Barnett as “the Berserker” and Erick Rowan as “Thor”, Tess Kielhammer as “Demon Boss”, Shanie Rusth as “Shield Maiden”, Erik Arevalo, Victor Henry, Canadian WWE legend Viktor as “Demon Henchman” plus many more.

Coinciding with the first stop on her debut National headline tour, Thandi Phoenix has dropped her energy-inducing new single Cleopatra. Drawing inspiration from the Egyptian femme fatale, Thandi explores more of a down tempo approach, asserting her message of self-assurance; “it’s about holding your own, knowing exactly what you bring to the table and never allowing someone to treat you less than you deserve. It’s a song for all my queens, to remember their strength, beauty and power,“ says Phoenix. Phoenix’s message is carried through her charming and poised vocal delivery, staying true to the soulful roots she draws frequently upon.

Northlane have released their brand-new single, Talking Heads taken from their highly anticipated fifth studio album, Alien, out August 2 via UNFD.

“Talking Heads talks about the insecurities and anxiety that come with growing up in a violent home with drug addicted parents. That trauma had made it difficult to express my thoughts and ideas in the past, both emotionally and creatively.” Says vocalist, Marcus Bridge

He adds, “We started working on this song pretty early in the process and I think writing it actually started to erase a lot of that insecurity, helping me open up a lot more for the rest of Alien. I think it’s important to know that there are a lot of people who feel the same way. I hope with this song and the issues talked about on rest of the album, that people will start to feel comfortable opening up about their past, turning it from a weakness to a strength in the process.”

GRAMMY® Award-winning, platinum-certified, international DJ and producer, Tiësto collaborates with pop powerhouse Jonas Blue and global superstar Rita Ora on the new song Ritual available everywhere now through Republic / Casablanca Records. With an irresistible beat and sultry lyrics, this first-time song collaboration for the three artists is just in time for this summer!

“Jonas Blue is such a talented artist and we have been looking for some time for the right project to collaborate on. He came to me with this great idea. I am always interested to explore new styles and was instantly excited to work together on this project, which has a new and unique soundscape compared to my other releases. And Rita’s vocals take the track to the next level !” – Tiësto

Sammy Hagar & The Circle released their debut album of original material, Space Between in May through BMG. The album debuted in the US charts at #4! The album, written by Hagar, unfolds like a novel with each song exploring a different chapter in a saga about money, greed, enlightenment and truth.

Directed once again by ZZ Satriani, the film illuminates the 10 songs/ chapters of the Hagar-penned concept album touching on the themes of money, greed, enlightenment and truth.

Sammy Hagar remarked about the song Affirmation, “I love it when a good groove, a good melody and a good lyric come together and actually say something in a simple, uncomplicated way. It’s felt like the LP’s sleeper hit from day one because it sounds like it’s been around for a long time.”

Australian alternative rock outfit, Fyre Byrd, have just dropped their third single through Golden Robot Records. Put Me In A Dress is peak Fyre Byrd. A song that the band say, is a reminder to not tame what makes them unique.

Fyre Byrd says of the song: “Put Me In A Dress has always been a song for us that we can’t tame. From the songwriting process to playing it as shows to bringing it to the studio, this is the one track that has always stayed the same. It’s a reflection on this part of us that we try to contain. The part that we try to change to suit others but in essence is what makes us unique. When it comes to our sound we stay true to that and let the songs speak for themselves.“

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