The Test Drive: Spells and Curses – Suadade
I would consider "Suadade", the new album from Spells and Curses, to be a very thoughtful album. Almost to the point of a true concept. The album, as a whole, is certainly diverse, but,...
The Test Drive: Stuart Masters – Mystic Blue and the Black Balloon
If Syd Barrett and Nick Drake had been Davey Graham’s brothers and a fourth sibling had access to a time-travelling record player with the albums of Michael Hedges and Radiohead, it’s just possible his...
The Test Drive: New York Tourists – You + Me
Their debut EP received rave reviews from some of the UK’s most respected music media outlets and their song ‘Chew Me Up, Spit Me Out’ was selected as one of BBC Introducing’s top 10...
The Test Drive: Moniker – MONiKER LP
Moniker formed when Jordan Scott, the band's multi-instrumentalist songwriter and vocalist moved to New York City at the beginning of 2015 and reconnected with an old friend TD Crowley through their work at WCWM...
The Test Drive: Shining Dust – Mirror
Beats and groove abound with Shining Dust's new release titled "Mirror". What makes this album solid, in my opinion, is that there is no filler at all. Somewhat subtle in its attack "Mirror" successfully...
The Test Drive: Animal Noise – Sink Or Swim
When Animal Noise self-released their debut album ‘Run Loose’ in 2012, they quickly went from playing in their rehearsal studio, an old cowshed on bass player Birdy’s farm, to the stages of Bestival &...
The Test Drive: The Marivaux – One EP
Hailing from Manchester, The Marivaux formed in 2009, bound by a common refusal to be strangled by the shirt and tie lifestyle. Naturally restless musicians, their gritty ambition has seen them embark on four...
The Test Drive: New Revival – Call it What you Want
Founded in October 2015, New Revival are a four piece rock band From Aberdare in South Wales. The band burst onto the Welsh music scene with their debut single 'Patrick Swayze', which received over...
The Test Drive: Rev Rev Rev – Des Fleurs Magiques Bourdonnaient
As if coming from a self emanating "wall of sound" Italy's Rev Rev Rev achieve a near fantasy level of musical bliss with their new album "Des Fleurs Magiques Bourdonnaient". There is a new wave...
The Test Drive: Kostis Chaveles – A Mad Tea Party
Kostis Chaveles has released his new album "A Mad Tea Party" which, believe it or not, was recorded in his apartment. What makes that so, so very impressive is that this album has all...
The Test Drive: James Holt – Sanguine On the Rocks
James Holt, a singer/songwriter from Manchester is receiving widespread attention for his unique blend of alternative rock and folk.
The twenty-two year old has produced a collection of songs which belie his age. This is...
The Test Drive: Safe, So Simple – Too Close To Closure
Hardcore, melodic, tight, and unapologetic in it's delivery, "Too Close To Closure" sends the message that new music is alive and well courtesy of Safe, So Simple. This album is a party in carnet from...
The Test Drive: BIGG – Lock Up Your Daughters
BIGG formed from the ashes of Beat Magnets, a successful UK indie band that completed two UK tours, played two festivals, headlined local shows and supported the Wombats. Reading based brothers Tom & James...
The Test Drive: Ask For Joy – New Private Window
Ask For Joy are set to release their upcoming album "New Private Window" on Infinitely Recursive Records on March 14th. I would barely call this a shoegaze album per se. This is more of a...
The Test Drive: Benedict Trenches – E.P. One
Combining intricate guitar work and roaming rhythms, Benedict Trenches really manages to shine their talents out with their new upcoming EP titled "E.P. One". The songs are delightfully varied and provoking almost to the...
The Test Drive: Raving Wild – Kolmanskop
Haunting eloquent is the best way to describe the upcoming album from Raving Wild, titled "Kolmanskop". Beautifully crafted and thought provoking, each song is a meal for the mind with lush harmonies and sparse...
The Test Drive: Kim and Buran – Nang
Following on from two extremely well received singles on Nang we are pleased to release a mighty-fine album from the Saint-Petersburg based Kim and Buran. The group have been around on the disco scene...
The Test Drive: Drew Worthley – Crucible
Drew Worthley is an East London musician who crafts a curious blend of cerebral indie-pop with a twist of lyrical Americana. His newly released sophomore record 'Crucible', recorded at Echo Zoo Studios has been...
The Test Drive: The Cordial Sins – Daze
From Columbus, Ohio to the world is the first thing I think of when I think of The Cordial Sins' new album, "Daze". Singer Liz Fisher has a new fan here with her sultry...
The Test Drive: Lazy Queen – Drift
Lazy Queen have just released their new album, "Drift" via Pacific Trash Records and, in doing so, have raised the bar in garage rock with 4 powerful anthems dedicated to the new angst of youth....
The Test Drive: Various Artists – It’s All Acoustic
Featuring an eclectic mix of artists such as Famous Last Words, Alesana, Tempting Paris, and more, Revival Recordings new compilation album titled "It's All Acoustic" is much, much more than an acoustic outing. It's...
The Test Drive: Blessed Child Opera – The Devil and the Ghosts Dissolved
Written and conceived almost on a spiritual plane of existence, Blessed Child Opera have recorded a neo-noir masterpiece with their new effort titled "The Devil & The Ghosts Dissolved". Set against an almost ethereal backdrop...
The Test Drive: Mellor – Damage Joy
Describing themselves as making indie ‘pop-smack’, Mellor are a four piece from Reading whose sound and image has been compared to that of The Libertines, Arctic Monkeys and Miles Kane
Gary, Josh and Evert met...
The Test Drive: Plastic Animals – Picture From The Blackout
Plastic Animals spent two painstaking years perfecting their debut album, a collection of tracks flavored with shoegaze and krautrock. Some of the longest and most impenetrable tracks on the record are amongst the album's...
The Test Drive: Tulipomania – This Gilded Age
Hailing from Philadelphia, Tulipomania boast gritty guitars underpinned by a brooding rhythm section to provide a backdrop for compelling and atmospheric vocals. Band members Tom Murray (lead vocals, bass, drums) and Cheryl Gelover (synthesizer,...