TTV DISCOVER: New Music Radar 104

2020 has got off to a flying start with an influx of new material from some of our favourite bands as well as some fresh new faces. With that in mind, our first New Music Radar of the year is a bumper edition with brand new tunes from Alice Bentley, Easy Life, Celeste, Check Masses, Circa Waves, The Big Moon and more. Check out our monthly New Music Radar playlist below.

Alice Bentley ‘Come Up’

A track that we were delighted to premiere earlier today, ’Come Up’ is a shimmering, instantly addictive slice of indie-pop that will banish all of your January blues away.  Produced by Callum Wiseman of PRIDES, it bears echoes of the Glasgow duo’s ambitious and anthemic synth-pop sound while also laying claim to the big pop hooks and dirty riffs combo so brilliantly perfected by the likes of MUNA and Clean Cut Kid.

Instantly capturing that all-consuming feeling of hope and euphoria that takes over on a glorious night out with friends with vibrant, infectious melodies, spirited lyrics and huge hooks aplenty, Alice has created a sound that in her own words is “the perfect soundtrack to your weekend antics”.

The Roly Mo ‘Bad Romance (Lady Gaga cover)’ 

TTV 2020 Vison band The Roly Mo kicked the year off by stepping into TTV HQ and unleashing a rip-roaring cover of Lady Gaga’s famous track ‘Bad Romance’. Our first session of the year has gone down a storm with fans with The Roly Mo displaying all of the ambition and gutsy attitude that thrust them onto our radar in the first place. Reworking the international pop classic with massive riffs and pummelling rhythms, check it out below.

Weekend Debt ‘Legato’ 

A band who appear to be making process with each release, Weekend Debt embrace their pop sensibilities more than ever on new single ‘Legato’. Produced by Jamie Holmes, the new track marks a shift from last year’s ‘Tour de France’ EP as they verge into soaring, anthemic territory with a huge emotive, singalong chorus and indie-pop sheen. It’s an ambitious return from the outfit which arrives ahead of their biggest headline show to date on Sunday at King Tut’s as part of the New Year’s Revolution festival.

Check Masses ‘DRIPN ANGEL’

Emerging from the shadows to form an intriguing, if unexpected, Scottish supergroup, Check Masses are a new trio consisting of Vic Galloway, Saleem Andrew McGroarty and ‘Philly’ Angelo Collins. ‘Dripn Angel’ is their compelling debut single – a striking amalgamation of psychedelic soul, hip-hop beats and blues mythology that pulls from each of their vast and varied musical influences. As if designed to soundtrack a Spaghetti Western, Vic Galloway’s twanging guitars ring out against a steady rhythmic march, effectively recalling the foreboding, almost primal momentum of Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds. Meanwhile, Philly’s rugged soul vocals depict a devilish character, rooted in an equally dark, nocturnal world. Deeply intense and cinematic in production, it’s a compelling and inspired opening volley from the trio which indicates an intriguing future. They play the Blue Arrow this Saturday, 11^th January.

Petty Cassettes ‘Don’t Lock the Door’ 

Petty Cassettes describe themselves as “true to their roots” and the “sound of home”, two factors that ring through on their most recent single ‘Don’t Lock the Door’. An energetic track full of gritty riffs and led by a distinctly rugged Scottish brogue, the band take it back to classic 60s rock n roll with their rustic sound. Brimming with spirit and swagger, ‘Don’t Lock the Door’ doesn’t take itself too seriously and is imbued with a fun, rollicking sense of nostalgia that will appeal to fans of old school rock.

Hayley Mary ‘Like a Woman Should’ 

Australian singer Hayley Mary releases her debut EP ‘The Piss, The Perfume’ next week; a collection she says was hugely inspired by her Scottish heritage and the landscape of her birthplace after she relocated to Edinburgh last year. Produced by Scott Horscroft (Silverchair, The Presets, Tkay Maidza, Middle Kids), the EP pulls from a variation of influences – Americana, Australiana, punk and the heartfelt tradition of Celtic songwriting. After making a big impact with her debut single ‘The Piss, The Perfume’, this latest preview is another powerful outing. A high-tempo track with vintage undertones, Hayley Mary delivers a heartfelt, life-affirming love song with a strong message – one that imagines the confidence and freedom of a woman who can walk down the street without the fear of harrassment. Recalling the likes of Sharon Van Etten, it’s a big track that is very indicative of a bright future ahead.

Celeste ‘Stop This Flame’

Announced this week as the winner of BBC’s Sound of 2020, Celeste has shared a pounding new single called ‘Stop this Flame’. Flexing her incredible vocals against a pounding piano-driven backdrop, the track boasts all of the bombast of Florence and the Machine and a kind of transcendent club-heavy euphoria. It’s an emphatic statement from an artist who is set to soar in 2020.

The Orielles ‘Space Samba’

The Orielles continue to blow us away with each release and ‘Space Samba (Disco Volador Theme)’ is no different. The latest excerpt from their upcoming album ‘Disco Volador’ is as dazzling as its name suggests – continuing to exert their deepening confidence while dancing through a fabulous five minutes of disco, loungey psychedelia and samba. Tied into notions of human connectivity they say “‘Space Samba’ is a song about corporeal experience, something which we feel we are collectively losing sight of in an age of mental existentialism!”

Mura Masa, Ellie Rowsell ‘Teenage Headache Dreams’

Mura Masa teams up with Wolf Alice singer Ellie Rowsell on the stunning ‘Teenage Headache Dreams’. Set to feature on his second album ‘R.Y.C’ which finally arrives next week and includes collaborations with slowthai, Clairo, Georgia and more, this new single is another stroke of genius from the Grammy-winning producer. Dueting with Rowsell over some crisp guitar pop, it was written and performed in response to some of the album’s central themes – memory, nostalgia and youth – as they trade lines about suburban malaise in hypnotic fashion. With Ellie Rowsell offering a deeply emotive vocal throughout, it’s a lovely track that soon descends into a distorted spoken word outro.

Demob Happy ‘Mother Machine’ 

Demob Happy have rounded off a trilogy of single releases with the brilliant ‘Mother Machine’. Bursting with intense energy, vocalist Matt Marcantonio said “”These last three singles have been like a trilogy, expressing things I’ve felt over the most intense year of touring I think we’ll ever do, and things I’ve learned about where we’re all going. I wanted to leave “Mother Machine” ‘til last as there’s a lot of new sounds in it, and I like what it says about the future.” Charging into the future full of ambition and drive, it’s an electrifying return that suggests that they are at their most creatively inspired.

Kitti ‘Hopelessly Devoted To You’ 

Another TTV 2020 Vision Artist predicted to set the year alight, Kitti treated fans to a stunning cover of the Grease classic ‘Hopelessly Devoted You’ at the start of the week. Performed alongside her band who rework the tune into a wondrous piece of jazz, all of the focus remains on Kitti’s incredible vocals which soar and emote across three captivating minutes. Keep your eye out for Kitti in the coming months.

Vukovi ‘Violent Mind’

Kicking the year off in style, Glasgow alt-rock heroes Vukovi are back with a piledriving anthem called ‘Violent Minds’.  Set to open second album ‘Fall Better’ which is slated for release on 24^th January, the incendiary track is an explosive preview of what’s to come. Driven by massive riffs, relentless rock beats and powerful melodies, Janine Shilstone is joined by a strangely distorted, almost maniacal vocal effect which derives from a limited edition guitar pedal called Miku Stomp. Pulling no punches whatsoever, this vocal tussle is designed to reflect a tortured mind – the hard-hitting lyrics delivered against a backdrop of furious alt-rock. Janine says: “First track on the albu, favourite track on the album for me. It’s also one of the darkest songs we’ve ever written lyrically”

Gengahr ‘Never a Low’ 

Gengahr have unveiled yet another standout track from their upcoming third album ‘Sanctuary’. The experimental trio have showcased a more expansive sound on recent tracks and this latest single is no different. Described by the band as the “core” of the new album and therefore their sonic evolution, ‘Never a Low’ is led by percussive beats, a slinky, sparkly key melody and those dreamy harmonies. Intricately layered yet incredibly sophisticated and harmonious in execution, it’s another dreamy insight into the album.

Tame Impala ‘Lost Yesterday’

Tame Impala have given us one final preview of their upcoming album ‘The Slow Rush’ which finally arrives in February after nearly 10 months of hype. Latest single ‘Lost in Yesterday’ is the most upbeat single to date – driven by a compelling bassline and brilliant disco-infused rhythms. There’s a reflective sense of nostalgia imbued throughout as Kevin Parker examines the distorting effect of time but it’s adorned with that familiar Tame Impala shimmer and chorus catharsis that suggest everything is going to be just fine.

Easy Life ‘Dead Celebrities’

Unveiled as the runners-up to this years BBC Sound of 2020, Easy Life have started the year off by releasing ‘Dead Celebrities’. The latest preview of their upcoming ‘Junk Food’ mixtape is a woozy song about pop culture and “the obscure but dangerously relevant link between death and stardom” according to the group. Paired with an eye-catching visual set in Hollywood, it’s another thought-provoking addition to their catalogue.

The Big Moon ‘Barcelona’

Today marks the arrival of The Big Moon’s second album ‘Walking Like We Do’; the more eighties-inspired, poptastic follow-up to their raucous debut. More expansive lyrically, thematically and sonically, the new record is set against a backdrop of disillusionment with modern society as the band touch on themes of social inequality, frustration, growing older and more. Final preview single ‘Barcelona’ arrived at the start of the week and deals with the latter, touching upon Jules Jackson’s anxiety about change and losing touch with friends but doing so against shimmering, upbeat pop and the band’s signature harmonies.

Georgia ’24 Hours’

With her eagerly anticipated second album ‘Seeking Thrills’ now out in the world, Georgia unveiled a big 80s influenced banger called ’24 Hours’ this week. Inspired by the singer’s experience in the Berlin party scene, the track perfectly captures the heady euphoria of a thrilling night out as we are invited once again into her glorious and invigorating dance-pop world. Pulsing rhythms drive the track while Georgia herself is ascendant over the sparkling, vibrant backdrop.

Kodaline ‘Wherever You Are’ 

A few years on from their TTV session, Kodaline are now preparing for the release of their fourth album. Still as popular as ever, the Irish outfit have given fans a taster of what’s to come by way of new single ‘Wherever You Are’. Revisiting their penchant for emotive storytelling and anthemic songwriting, the song fits in nicely with the rest of the band’s discography as Steve Garrigan’s expressive lead vocal is joined by swirling echoing harmonies.

Circa Waves ‘Move to San Francisco’ 

Circa Waves have today unveiled the first half of their ‘Sad Happy’ album. The ‘Happy’ side of the record features seven tracks and sees the band push their sound into more expansive and mature territory. Sounding more refined and focused than ever before, the seven-track release was preceded by ‘Move to San Francisco earlier this week, a track which recalls the early summery feels and youthful abandon of ‘T-Shirt Weather’ but channels them through a wider lens. The band said: “Inspired by the Beatles favourite instrument the Mellotron, San Francisco was written in a quick burst. it’s about escapism, pessimism and Bruce Springsteen”