Album Review: The Lottery Winners – The Lottery Winners

The Lottery Winners

The Lottery Winners are a band who are the definition of grafters. They’ve actually been together for over 10 years and through sheer persistence and a love of what they do, they’ve finally released their debut album. Now, I’ve known them for 7/8 years so I am somewhat bias, but this album has been well worth the wait.

The opening track ‘The Meaning of Life’ is typical of what The Lottery Winners are all about as a band. It’s a joyous and uplifting opener, with a catchy chorus that gives you an idea of what to expect from the rest of the album. Then comes two singles that have been released in the last year. ‘Little Things’ and ‘21’ are songs that will stick in your head hours after you’ve listened to them, with memorable choruses and proper singalong moments.

The theme of catchy choruses continues with tracks ‘I Don’t Love You’, ‘That’s Not Entertainment’ and ‘Headlock’, the former, for me, sounding like a modern take on ‘Dizzy’ by The Wonder Stuff (a band who The Lottery Winners have supported in the past). ‘That’s Not Entertainment’ pokes fun at the dreadful reality programmes that a lot of the current generation seem to eat up nowadays.

As the album continues, the indie-pop bangers keep coming. ‘18 To 30’s’ and ‘Hawaii’ lament the state of how the younger generation seem to be wasting their lives away with cheap holidays and the need to get away from everyday life. These are followed by 2 tracks that reward die-hard, long-time fans. ‘Elizabeth’ and ‘I Know’ are tracks that were released well over 5 years ago and were some of the first tracks that I heard when I first started listening to the band. Both have been reworked ever so slightly, but still possess the charm that attracted me to The Lottery Winners in the first place. ‘Elizabeth’ particularly is a gorgeous tune, taking elements of The Smiths and The Housemartins and putting them into a stunning modern pop song.

The album ends with some of singer Thom Rylance’s best lyrics to date on ‘Young Again’. He warns of the dangers of letting life pass you by before you realise you’re old and looking back at your life wishing you’d done more with it. Yes the idea of not letting your life slip away has been done before, but the song really has a special charm to it that makes you want to pack a bag and go and travel around the world.

Overall the album’s 40 minutes fly by before you know it, and you’re left wanting to press the replay button. As a debut album, it does its job perfectly. It introduces you to a band who know how to write big songs, and although the music is by no means ground-breaking, it sets up the band perfectly for the future. Keep an eye out for this band, as this is just the beginning for them…

by Jake Cartledge

Artist of the Day: Serotones

Serotones

Having been on the go for a good few years now and the odd line up change and addition later we have seen this band grow into quite a reputable band around North Yorkshire. They stem from some being siblings of Britpop royalty but have been determined to do as much for themselves and not ride off the back of that and up to now have certainly done very well. Always bringing in the crowds they certainly know how to get a room going and if they keep this up then 2020 could be their biggest year to date.

The band are very much of Britpop sounds with big beefy breakdowns and with some leans to a heavier punk laden riffs at times too. DMAs, the obvious Shed Seven nod is in there and even small rumblings of Ocean Colour Scene in there too. Their tunes are starting to turn heads for the right reasons and its fair to say the roaring 20s will take them into another musical sphere that could be a strong one for them. Its certainly exciting to see after touring around the UK for the first time this year as a band how well they have been taken.

You know you have something when people are enjoying your music in other cities and these guys might just have that something…

Track of the Day: Kitty VR – Dimensions

Kitty VR

Todays track of the day comes from York starlet, Kitty VR, now perfroming with a full band this new track with live video recorded by the excellent Nathan Riley throughout the late night one day not long back. Kitty’s whispery and feather like vocals which are as soft as velvet with a back drop of psychedelica which adds to this track’s mesmerising charm.  It is simply wonderful, chilled and adds to a great ambient soundtrack of any stressful day you may have had. Sit back relax and zone into this wondrous talent.

Artist of the Day: Sounds Like A Storm

Sounds Like A Storm

If you’re in need of a band in your life that have a don’t give a sh*t attitude then look no further than Leeds band Sounds Like A Storm. These guys have all the attributes to being one of the best live bands on the circuit. Their headline show at Key Club at the beginning of last year was one of the best live shows I saw all year, it had everything including a wonderful nod to the late Keith Flint, the show had everything.

It is raw, punk, rock n roll at its finest with big hooks, massive riffs and also tunes you just want to go mad for down the front for every show. Their sound is big, their new tracks debuted supporting fellow Northern Radar favourites Skylights recently sounding bigger and it is safe to say they’ll just get bigger.

Their EP ‘The Classic Way of Things’ is unapologetic and takes on various dimensions of rock n roll, showing they can do the heavy stuff and also strip it back and slow in down meticulously. It’s the perfect balance for any great band and they managed it perfectly.

They’re jam packed with everything they need to get going with and I am certainly excited to see what’s next. The mouth watering thing is they’re just getting started and they’re ready to explode as another Yorkshire band set to set the UK music scene alight.

FACEBOOK / TWITTER

Track of the Day: Wild Front – Two

If you are a regular of the Northern Radar shows then you will know that these guys are one of our favourite bands to book and last year they came and did one of our most favourite shows to date in the Northern Radar era during Independent Venue Week 2019 along with a visit from Steve Lamacq too! It feels like its been a long wait for new material from the Southampton outifit. This new release ‘Two’ is certainly a change up in to what they have released so far which is a more 80s pop beat but the ever effective indie pop sound with blasts of funky bass and the effortless voice of Jack Williams. Here’s to more of the same, just don’t leave it so long this time eh fellas!

Artist of the Day: NOISY

NOISY

Based down in Brighton, you may remember these fellas under a different guise. Yes formerly High Tyde minus Louis, this now trio have remodelled themselves. Now known as NOISY, they have built a new sound and changing up how you imagine indie music to be from the likes of Macklemore, big , pulsing drum and bass beats to hip hop and that poetic sounds not seen much of since The Streets, its all in there.

Their debut EP ‘Press Space To Play’ exploded into the world recently which is back to back bangers big enough to fill any dance floor or get you moving down at the gym. From the first track on the EP ‘Bring The Drums Back’ to ‘Afraid’ the final track on it, each offer something a little different throughout and you just cant help be excited by a sound they have created and being at the forefront of a genre they are making their own.

After the first listen you are hooked and have become a band that have fast become part of my must see live categories. Having been away for so long since High Tyde, I know full well that they have more big tunes to burn. They will certainly be pushing their way to the forefront of the music scene and with their brand new single out today (27th March 2020) ‘Oi (ATM)’ is a dirty track that furthermore makes them not to be missed.

Track of the Day: TalkMore – Sadsadsad

Talkmore – Picture by Murry Deaves

If you are yet to stumble across TalkMore yet, then you are in for a treat. Their latest single which is out today is a five minute beauty. Daisy Allen’s vocal is one that makes you stop and sit up every time and with this it is no different. The follow up from their last release, the epic ‘VAARA’,  is a wonderful ballad that makes you just want to grab your loved ones for dear life and wave a lighter up in the air. Its a track that captures everything you want with a slow sway through until the end which builds up into this epic finish, worthy of any set closer to any gig from one of the freshest, most exciting new bands right now.

FACEBOOK / TWITTER

Artist of the Day: The Feens

The Feens

Right before we went into lock down we saw these boys from Scarborough take to the stage in blades of glory, playing two sold out nights in their hometown and in between all that performing on Soccer AM in what has been a whirlwind start to the year. Swirling indie anthems with big poppy choruses that get stuck in your head, these guys have become a machine.

It has been two years in the making seeing them get on stage and create what are now these big songs from the likes of ‘Freedom’ to ‘What Are You Dreaming’ driving them forward with the blistering poppyness of Blossoms with the ever endearing notes of The Smiths. The band mix the melodic with epic riffs throughout their set and it goes without saying that they are making waves on the North Yorkshire coast right now.

Latest single ‘How It Falls’ is another successful release that could capture a nation, setting the tone and summing the band up nicely as to how their year is set to be –  full of blistering energy. As we all head back out into our normality this is a band that you can imagine a few years down the line and requesting as one of the indie dance floor fillers of any indie clubnight up and down the country, you mark my words!

Its fair to say you don’t hear of many bands coming out of Scarborough but this could be the start of a great trend.

10 New tracks to check out

Polo

So as many of you will know by now, we’re all about new music and discovering awesome new artists. Here are ten new tracks from artists we think you should be checking out right now. Enjoy!

POLO – Witch Hunt
From York and based in Leeds, Polo know how to write a pop song alright. This latest offering is bold and haunting, addressing the topic of the global climate. Its almost eery to listen to but as ever you just can’t stop playing it with what is an irresistible beat.

FEARS – Vampires
Big, dark and anthemic from Sheffield band FEARS. Sounding huge from their latest offering in the vein of The Amazons and Catfish and the Bottlemen. This lot know how to write with such power.

THE VELVET HANDS – Fallout
From the first second you are grabbed by this bolshy, thrashy offering from The Velvet Hands, remsicent of the early Bloc Party ‘Silent Alarm’ era it strikes me immediately. Such an incredible driving energy that you can just imagine mosh pits up and down the country going wild for this song.

CAMEO HABITAT – Reside
This toe tapping stomper comes from Edinburgh’s Cameo Habitats. The track kicks off jangling away as it flows into this shoegaze indie track that hits you right at the end with screams, thrashy guitar and punching cymbals.

EMILY AFTON – Timebomb
Taken from her ‘Consideration’ EP, released on 6th March it is an electro pop beauty, full of sparkly disco pop with bouncing synth beats. Its an infectious dance number with sprinklings of Dua Lipa throughout.

BAD LOVE – More Than Friends
Based in Stoke-on-Trent and Manchester, this is their debut release with poppy, jangly guitars, laden with 80s pop synths throughout, a la Pale Waves and The 1975. It’s ridiculously catchy and brilliant. Labelling themselves as Sad Boy Pop, there is nothing but happiness from me listening to this!

KING NO-ONE – Not Willing To Sacrfice My Life
Always great hearing new material from York band King No-One and as ever they’re doing what they do best, writing big catchy songs. Probably the most different of anything they have released up to now with a more art pop slant full of Everything Everything influences and amazing basslines.

GRACE GILLESPIE – Goodbye
With a wonderful beat and beautiful melody. Orginialy from Totnes, London based Grace has sweet mellow tones. It’s Laura Marling meets The Unthanks, her voice just feels like the best comfort blanket you could want right now. Dreamland.

YOUTH SECTOR – No Fanfare
Proper garage art pop attitude from Brighton five piece. Buzzes and bleeps galore throughout. Its a song that goes 200mph, don’t try to keep up as you will fail but just fall in love with energy and go wild with this track just as it was written to do.

CLUB BEIRUT – Something New
Full of indie pop charm these boys from Fife, Scotland, you can hear the mellow Scottish accent over the top of this wonderful track written over 8,000 miles from Fife in the Falklands in difficult circumstances where band member Craig was deployed with the Royal Air Force that’s taken on this life of joyous bouncing indie full of catchy melodies.

Track of the Day: Marsicans – Sunday

Marsicans – Photo by Sodium Films

Northern Radar were lucky enough to welcome these fellas back to play what was meant to be a SXSW warm up show at the beginning of March before you know what started to cause all its problems. Marsicans latest release, written during their times last across the pond in Toronto and New York, tells the tale about the importance of being around the right people, regardless as to where you are in the world. I think we can all agree that this is a message that we can all relate to in these difficult times and as per usual, Marsicans are a band that we all need in our lives to help keep us smiling and feeling good. Never has a band made me smile over the years as these fellas have done and I hope this latest single ‘Sunday’ does it for you too.

Debut album ‘Ursa Major’ available to pre order now – out 22nd May 2020
On tour in October:
For more information visit http://www.marsicans.co.uk