After the huge success of their latest single ‘Monsters’, electro pop band Empathy Test are now set to release their highly anticipated album on May 22nd. The group consists of Isaac Howlett (vocals), Adam Relf (production), Christina Lopez (Drums) and Oliver Marson (Synthesisers) who wrote the album collaboratively and have created an addictive, psychedelic and emotional musical experience.
The album as a whole takes the listener on a journey, exploring issues that are particularly relevant in todays society. The album kicks off with title track ‘Monsters’ which reflects a generation plagued with anxiety and paranoia before leading into ‘Empty Handed’ which explores the pressures caused by our enforced obsession with fitting into the mould of what others expect of us.
“Emotional electronic music with a depth in its measure”
Earmilk
‘Fear of Disappearing’ discusses the idea of societies obsessions with social media and how this has shaped and developed the world we live in. In a world where popularity is often defined by how many followers or Facebook friends you have, Empathy Test question whether we are losing touch with what is really important. You can have thousands of online friends but as the chorus states, ‘it’s a long time to be alive’, especially if you’re living in an isolated world determined by social media and fake acquaintances.
“Trademark analogue synths with lashings of ’80s influence”
Line of Best Fit
The theme of helplessness and isolation continues throughout the album but is particularly prevalent in the eighth track ‘Incubation Song’. The lyrics explore feeling contained and suffocated which seems appropriate against the backdrop of the COVID-19 crisis. However, throughout the song, the lyrics begin to build into a message of how love can rebuild you and carry you through hard times, bringing an uplifting sense of hope which continues towards the end of the album and reflects the importance and impact of building each other up. This message of hope leads into the final track of the album ‘Love Moves’ which creates an emotional finale highlighting the importance and impact of love as well as the road towards healing.
“A set of songs lovers of 80s synth pop will be drooling over the minute the first verse has been heard.”
Louder Than War
Regardless of whether Empathy Test had the current climate in mind during the writing process, the album as a whole is thought provoking journey that each individual listener will relate for different reasons based on their own personal experiences. The album as a whole is exceptionally well written, creating a high standard for future artists aiming to tackle important issues within society. You’ll find yourself wanting to listen to it in it’s entirety several times to take in the message behind each track. Of course the conceptual lyrics are accompanied by an addictive, electric synth pop sound with a beautiful blend of live acoustic drums and synthesisers that is sure to win you over.
“Monsters sounds absolutely enormous. Driven by thundering drums and layers of clean, analogue synths, the band somehow sounds both thrillingly expansive and unnervingly claustrophobic”
Pop Matters
Monsters is due to be released in digital, CD and 12” Vinyl format on May 22nd. While you’re waiting, make sure to check out their previous albums which are available now on Spotify.
If you’re a fan of prog-rock, then you need to know all about Tom Adamson Band! Coming in hot with his latest album, ‘Old View of the New World’, which was released in December of 2022, it’s got tonnes of quality alongside inspiration from Adamson’s homeland of Scotland. A musician who has been practicing his craft for decades, mixed with the sound of prog-rock that is reminiscent of legends such as Deep Purple, you can be sure that this album is one that you cannot afford to miss.
Kicking off ‘Old View of the New World’ is the brilliant ‘Ballyhoo’, a minute and a half mood setter that is already showing a deep prog-rock similarity, delivering a Gilmour-like solo that has your attention straight away. The follow-up track, ‘See the Light’, is the first time we’re introduced to the vocals of Tom Adamson, and he does not disappoint. Suiting the feel of the music and able to build momentum, it’s another brilliant track that demonstrates everything you need to hear in a great prog-rock album, with yet more fantastic solos stealing the show. The following track, ‘Old View of the New World, solidifies the album as a real gem. Jazz influences shine for the first time with a saxophone, playing alongside the fantastic guitar riffs and drums that we’ve become accustomed to.
Moving through the album, tracks such as ‘The Black Dinner’, ‘Just Another Way to Make a Friend’, ‘Waiting for Life to Begin’ and ‘I Am Mean’ showcase everything that we loved about what we’d already heard. Impeccable vocals, fantastic prog-rock music with a unique and refreshing jazz feel that helps the music stand out each and every time. Released in the back end of December last year, this is an album that you cannot afford to miss. An overall brilliant project from a brilliant artist, ‘Old View of the New World’ is waiting for you to dive right into!
If you’re a fan of Steely Dan, then you’re going to love this new release from Bank Street Martyrs as they prepare for the release of their new album! Here with their latest single, ‘Leven the Vale’, the track serves as a tribute to their hometown as well as a taster for what’s to come on the album release of the same name. With a sound that casts us back to the glory days of rock music, this is a single that you need to add to your playlist right away!
Kicking ‘Leven the Vale’ off is a drumbeat that’s quickly followed up by the immense talent of lead singer, Joseph Watema, whose delicate yet powerful vocals instantly give the song a calm feel that is welcomed with open arms, while also having you on the edge of your seat. Moving through the track, we see the same fantastic drums and vocals, mixed with fantastic guitar riffs from Andrew Marsland that carry the same feeling perfectly, allowing Watema to take centre stage throughout. With composition done perfectly with music from Marsland, vocals from Watema, and lyrics by Ian Retson all on point, it’s easy to tell that this will be on repeat again and again on so many playlists. Rounded off by a guitar solo and the same brilliant vocals, it only adds to our hope that this will be an album that will exceed each and every expectation.
Released with an accompanying music video, directed by local filmmaker Harvey Smart, it adds another dimension to the track that already has a personal feeling to it, keeping it all local making the homecoming track even more poignant. Released in December, ‘Leven the Vale’ as a single and album are ready to be enjoyed – make sure that you don’t miss out on this!
On the lookout for some barnstorming rock music that will have you turning the volume up to the max? Look no further than Same Old Tale, an Israeli outfit with an undeniably good sound and a clear command of music and lyrics that will knock you off your feet. Here with their latest single, ‘Look Down’, as the band prepare for the release of their EP, ‘Tales Are Yet to Come’, listeners will get a glimpse of what’s in store from Same Old Tale! Don’t miss out on this.
Written by the lead vocalist, Maor Shem Tov, while he was on active combat duty visiting the Hermon Mountain. The idea came as he watched the people below, thinking about how they’re heading to work, seeing loved ones and living their lives, it dawned on him what he could not afford to lose. Penning lyrics and music that were born from this epiphany, the result is a truly fantastic track for its lyrics and the resonance that it has on anyone who listens and thinks deeply.
‘Look Down’ is a single that shows us what’s to come on ‘Tales Are Yet to Come’, with not only a clear approach in the music, but also in the lyrics, as they come together perfectly to create a track that will have you wanting to be a rockstar with its solos and ass-kicking drums. Shem Tov manages to balance with the music like a pro, as he matches the intensity of the music and elevate it to a whole other level with his vocals and delivery.
A genuinely fantastic rock track, it’ll appeal to a wide spectrum of those who are inspired by rock music, from metal to alt-rock, this is the song for you. ‘Look Down’ is the perfect teaser for what’s to come, promising that there will be more music on the way that follows in the footsteps in terms of quality. Make sure you get to know all about Same Old Tale and their releases, or live to regret it!