Due to the festive holiday slowdown, except for a few worthwhile releases. As was to be expected. Last Friday was mostly a disappointing one for new music. Therefore, today in place of my usual blog coverage, I thought I would share something that I find far more exciting with our readers. Which instead is the news about the film Roisin Murphy just released. Her latest album, “Roisin Machine“, was launched in October 2020. and therefore, it goes without saying touring around her newest body of work happened in a staggered fashion.

It is well-known how much of a creative force she is. Artistic pursuits are not the only thing she excels at. She also shines in the performance arena. Being able to return to touring must have come as a massive blessing. I feel sure any artist who had to scrap, cancel or postpone live shows through 2020 and 2021. Have appreciated the opportunities of live performances and touring that much more. This is especially true of Roisin as someone with a great deal of creativity.

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Taking the above on board. Roisin has unleashed the film “Roisin Machine” for our viewing pleasure, online. This concert is a 1 hr 30 min full of Roisin doing what she does best, being one of the coolest innovators in music, fashion and expressive arts of this day and age. I will not ruin this special experience with spoilers As in order to view. This incredibly gracious treat is available only to those who subscribe to Roisin’s newsletter (HERE). Email cluttering up our inboxes is not something we enjoy. In this instance, I feel it is worthwhile that you do so. When signed-up, there is an option of downloading the “Roisin Machine” film, which is exclusive to this mailing list. She also announced a new era is about to begin. So get excited. Since you will also get all the news on this first.

OK, as it is Christmas. I will let slip one tiny spoiler. She does indeed perform “Overpowered“, which is of course, one of Roisin’s biggest hits.

Connect with Roisin Murphy
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/roisinmurphy
Twitter: https://twitter.com/roisinmurphy
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/roisinmurphyofficial/

The post Catching up: Roisin Murphy appeared first on EQ Music Blog.

Fronted by sexy, energetic vocalist Mike Furey, Dangerous Muse are currently moving forward with numerous new projects including a brand new single release, an upcoming extended play entitled “Green”, and the unveiling of their long-awaited official debut album.

On the music scene since 2006, with the premiere of “The Rejection” and a recording contract with Sire Records, the growth of the once-duo act is evident and at the forefront when the collaborative group steps foot onto the stage with immense charisma and talent.

Performing live at the Tobin Center for Performing Arts in San Antonio, Texas on Sunday, Dangerous Muse amped up the large crowd with infectious tracks that span the group’s eight impressive years in the music industry before Erasure was ready to take the stage. The chance to open for Andy Bell and Vince Clarke is an experience Furey says has been nothing but “magical.”

“The whole entire band and the creative team are all fans of Erasure. Not only has it been inspiring, but it’s also been a lesson in composure,” Furey says. “When you are in the same room with people who have inspired you as a child, and your aspirations are on par with something they have already achieved, it’s an interesting thing to navigate. It’s a beautiful thing. It’s hard to find words for it. All I can say is it’s been an honor.”

While supporting Erasure on selected tour dates through Texas, including stops in Houston and Dallas, Dangerous Muse has been able to introduce their unique sound and hard-hitting stage presence to a entirely new audience.

As the group performed original tracks including “I Can’t Help It” and “I Want It All”, vocalist Furey lost himself in the music as he seductively worked his hips, garnering approval from the crowd, and eventually lost his shirt in the process, exposing a well-sculpted physique. When asked where the boost of confidence during his performances comes from, Furey says it’s all about the energy of the room.

“I love being in a new place and meeting new people,” Furey says. “Being in Texas for the first time has been really eye-opening, everyone seems to be really amazing and supportive and beautiful.”

Following the end of their supporting act duties with Erasure, Dangerous Muse will begin prepping for a special show with EQ Music Live in London on November 6th. The intimate show will be the first time the group has traveled to the United Kingdom to share their music with dedicated and devoted fans.

“We are totally excited. It will be great,” Furey says. “We are really looking forward to connecting with everyone out there because London, and the UK for that matter, have been really supportive of Dangerous Muse since the beginning, so it will be nice to finally make that personal connection.”

The string of fall 2014 shows comes following the departure of one of the act’s founding members. Once a duo, Dangerous Muse now performs as a four-piece, with Chris Kling on drums, Ray Suhy on guitar and Walls O’Mara on bass.

Though the lineup change may still be fresh, Dangerous Muse sounded strong and focused as all the elements came together to set the mood for the rest of the night at the Tobin Center. The level of performance is certainly different than when the group formed in 2006.

“It’s interesting because the structure has changed since then, it used to be a duo. My former writing partner has since started his own project and left the band in 2012. There have been additions, subtractions, so it’s been a gradual process of development,” Furey says. “It has really grown into an amalgamation of many different creative forces. That’s how I envision Dangerous Muse as an entity, it’s a team of people with a united goal to do something that people haven’t seen before, and at the same time, pay homage to the past and to the greats.”

On top of touring with music legends, Dangerous Muse’s work includes credits as producers and collaborating with huge artists in the pop industry such as Lady Gaga, Tegan & Sara and Adam Lambert for remixes of the artists’ past singles. Dangerous Muse have been asked to contribute alternate renditions of “Bad Romance”, “Back In Your Head” and “If I Had You”.

“We are focusing more on original stuff, I love doing remixes and whatnot, but I’d rather be out on the road and getting new inspiration to work on even more new music,” Furey says. “That’s where my head is now.”

Having recently released the “Red” EP in 2013, supported by the single “Fame Kills” and its accompanying art video, Dangerous Muse are still hard at work with their next extended play titled “Green”. A third extended play, revealed to be titled “Blue”, is also set for a future release. The three different yet cohesive efforts will all eventually lead up to the group’s official debut album.

“Green”, set for release later this year, is being supported by new single “Pardonnez-moi”, a catchy dance track that fits perfectly with the electro-rock sound Dangerous Muse has crafted for themselves over the years.

“It means ‘forgive me’ in French,” Furey says of the latest single. “The concept for the song is the predicament of being in a crowded room and trying to get from one side to the other. It’s the idea of getting from one point to the next. We’re trying to metaphorically get through the room as well.”

In a style similar to Robyn’s “Body Talk” era, the three EPs, which will eventually form a debut album, each represent a different sound of Dangerous Muse, but still fall under the electronic genre they have become known for.

“’Red’ is more, I would say, dance/pop, ‘Green’ is more rock/funk and ‘Blue’ will be more along the lines of ballads, so in a way it’s kind of like different tastings. They are all within the electronic/rock envelope that Dangerous Muse operates within but its different sides,” Furey says.

Dangerous Muse have showcased their many sides while performing alongside Erasure on tour. The band gave memorable performances of their new single, a cover of Soft Cell’s “Sex Dwarf” and other tracks featured on their first two EPs before their 30-minute set was finished.

For those in the San Antonio audience who were experiencing the music of Dangerous Muse for the very first time, Furey says everyone will react to the group differently only because there are so many components to their style and sound.

“It’s really difficult to sum up Dangerous Muse because it involves so many different aspects,” Furey says. “What matters to me is giving a voice to people who don’t have one. When it comes to what Dangerous Muse is about, or what it represents, it’s different for everybody.”

With a new single out now, an EP on the near horizon and plans for a debut album in motion, Dangerous Muse seems to be constantly at work trying to get new music out to their die-hard fans. The band has their mind on what’s still to come, but choose to focus on living in the current moment.

“There’s lots of things in the works, but the thing is I don’t like talking about things that are in the works until they’re in stone, because things are always in flux at the same time, so it’s best to talk about what’s happening now, but lots of exciting things are on the way,” Furey says.

The post EQ Music Interview with Dangerous Muse appeared first on EQ Music Blog.

It was with a pop heart heavy of anticipation for indie group Autoheart’s debut long player that we openly embraced the release of “Punch” last year.

The debut album was an unequivocal presentation of acoustic, piano pop and soaring melodies wrapped up in sentiment, heartfelt vocal delivery and honeyed harmonies, sliding in jangly, chugging guitars, percussion and orchestral elements into it’s overall sound-picture of jaunty pop making. For as much as we waited out for it’s arrival, the notion of a follow-up so soon comes as a surprise and a welcome one at that!

On the back of the critical acclaim of “Punch” the indie-pop collective breathe life out of rare material and oddities from their back catalogue to present their sophomore album “DEMOS”.

Sketched out into a tracklist of songs flagging some which that didn’t quite make their way onto the final cut of “Punch” and together with the addition of a number of demo versions of tracks to be found on “Punch” including their haunting breakthrough song “The Sailor Song”.

The tracklist reads thus:

1. Jealousy
2. Santa Fe (demo)
3. The Sailor Song (demo)
4. Life Is Confusing
5. Gold
6. January (demo)
7. The Confession
8. Shoot An Arrow
9. Edit
10. A Little Longer

In the time honoured teaser fashion, the stripped versions of “Jealousy” and “Santa Fe” are now revealed, bringing to light the beautiful intricacies of Autoheart’s bittersweet melody making.

A full album of such standing is already sounding astoundingly good news if you ask us, albeit that at the present time it is just on paper alone.

Although, placing a pre-order through the bands chosen digital distributor Bandcamp will instantly deliver “Jealousy” free gratis.

The post Listen To: “Jealousy” and “Santa Fe” from Autoheart’s New Album “DEMOS” appeared first on EQ Music Blog.

Photo: Myles Pettengill

It doesn’t happen so often, when I am sent an unassumingly presented debut album as introduction to a new band or new artist who are totally unknown to myself, that I am greeted by the immediate allure of expectancy of something special the instant I’ve cracked open the first track. Yet that is exactly the case of what my experience extended too when I was approached by New York native Noosa.

In immersing myself into the debut long player “Wonderland” and taken aback in entirety by it’s overall expanse of poise and beauty, here I had a full album which also has made for one of the most easily joyus listening experiences that an independently released debut album has ever offered to me.

“Wonderland” is awash with the endless allure of sweeping synth orchestrated melodies that are entwined with a distinctively cultured eclectic blend of dreamy indie pop natured tracks that in coming together form a coherently exquisite collection of tracks, all at the vocal direction of Noosa in collaboration with producer Mickey Valen.

Imagine if you will a sunnier version of Lana Del Rey whose sitting on a similar dream pop cloud as Say Lou Lou and you are someway into the understanding of the free-flowing sound of Noosa.

Particularly, the overall sense of organic energy is fully in evidence with intensifying rise and fall of the dewy sweet “Begin Again” and further explored in the heartfelt delivered tracks “Love” and “Wildfire”. “Golden One”, “Clocktower”, “Forest Lane” “Stranger” and “Walk On By” are each defined by a more cinematically reaching aura owing to the use of orchestral elements that inject an additionally effective layer of poignancy to these authentically honest numbers. The track that juts out of the pack is “Sail”, bringing with it a sunny warmth of nostalgia, of a golden sandy surfs up beach past, it adds in just a touch of quirky into the wondrously enchanting equation that spans the complete album.

The delicately light and airy eclectic stirrings of Noosa are willing to be consumed by suitably discerning ears that are craving of one of the most pleasingly gratifying independently released debut albums that has come to light so far this year.

The post Emerging Artist: Noosa appeared first on EQ Music Blog.

English singer-songwriter Foxes has been under the radar of many since the release of her well-received debut EP and now, following the release of critical darlings including “Youth” and “Warrior” and a shared Grammy Award win with producer Zedd for their breakout hit “Clarity“, all eyes are on the talented 25-year-old beauty and her new Glorious debut album.

Foxes did not stop with her Billboard top ten dance collaboration. She quickly followed it up with the Fall Out Boy album highlight “Just One Yesterday” and two equally brilliant singles of her own, “Let Go for Tonight” and “Holding Onto Heaven“. The tracks preceded her much buzzed about debut album, which hit a minor release date setback in February. Now out for listening pleasure in May, Foxes shows her audience a darker side to her usually bright exterior.

The singles released from the effort thus far, the sorrow-filled “Youth“, the joyous, upbeat “Let Go for Tonight” and the uplifting, choir-like “Holding Onto Heaven“, are great cuts from the record, giving listeners a perfect sense of what kind of artist Foxes really is. All three tracks are soaring definitions of unique yet modern pop with a huge splash of personality and gorgeous vocals to match.

However, the singles are just the tip of the greatness the new album brings. The haunting atmosphere that the album surrounds the listener in immediately begins to roll in with “Talking To Ghosts“, the opening track of pure heartache that Foxes seems to be singing to her past lover. “White Coats” is a previously released, experimental pop track which paints a slightly darker, unstable picture when on the topic of love. It’s a message on whether or not love is really the cure or the reason for sickness.

Foxes may be known for her attention-grabbing, somber-sounding vocals, but the artist does enjoy toying with production and different genres influences on her official debut. While the title track subtlety dives into the EDM world as a thumping ballad built around a solid chorus, “Echo” feels like more of a rock creation sounding similar to “Heads Will Roll” by The Yeah Yeah Yeahs.

As she sings of taking the embarrassing morning walk of shame in “Night Owls Early Birds“, Foxes seems to finally let loose for once, not to be taken too seriously, on a song that could become the new weekend jam. One of the effort’s brightest moments, “Shaking Heads“, comes off as an anthem for the young and foolish as 80s-like production and chaotic drums and beats come together for a message of joy and optimism hidden underneath all the layers.

Critics came to expect many ballads from Foxes, her voice can hit any note, and on “Night Glo” she cuts back on all the background noise to really let her vocals shine. The moody, personal pop ballad is supported by a simple piano as the song embodies the somber nature of most of the album’s track list. The closing effort, “Counting the Saints“, is an epic, melodramatic number where the artist sings “love isn’t always fair, but that’s reason to be so cruel to me, hold on to what is there,”, proving to be a bittersweet end to the record.

Glorious is just that… glorious. It is a near-perfect, effortlessly pop sounding debut from the talented Foxes. Besides her top notch vocal performances, which should be commended across the reviewer board, the artist does have a unique way of hitting every chord of the listener with her solid songwriting. The album dives in and out of dark, personal material and the light and airy pop/dance affairs that show range yet remain consistent and will just make listeners smile. Foxes certainly does not disappoint with her crisp, clean and modern brand of musicality.

The post Glorious by Foxes – Album Review appeared first on EQ Music Blog.

I’m coming at this with a fresh perspective as much as singer Alex Newell is doing so in covering drum and bass act Sigma’s chart smash “Nobody To Love”. Since believe it or not I have never watched a single episode of Glee, which Alex is cast in as character Wade “Unique” Adams, so I have absolutely no previous insight upon this vocal talent.

All I know is that when I hit play on this effervescent rendition of one of this summers key tracks, I found it all to be mightily impressive. It was a case of instantly becoming hooked under the spell by Alex’s unabashedly pop spectacular larger than life vocals that stopped me in my tracks.

Of course I’m not so un-clued up with regards to the show to be aware that show-stopping covers are what Glee thrives upon. Although, this particular cover holds equal relevancy aside from the high profile TV role, since it serves as a precursor to the release of Alex’s own debut of material since recently inking to Atlantic Records.

Recorded so there’s no trace of drum and bass present from the original. “Nobody To Love” has been blitzed over by Alex’s pop projected high energy identity and there isn’t anybody whose going to say that he doesn’t totally own this interpretation. I’d say he smashed it!

The post “Nobody To Love” (Sigma Cover) by Alex Newell appeared first on EQ Music Blog.

Photo: Ben Watts

For as many people that applauded Ed Sheeran for his debut into pop with his folky-beatboxing-rap stylings there are as many that labelled the flame haired singer / songwriter as delivering beige pop.

Right about now is the time to quosh the naysayers, as Ed prepares to launch his sophomore album “X” the highly anticipated follow-up to the critically acclaimed “+”.

I will confess as far back as 2010 was when I first heard Ed perform at my local big summer music festival, which always has been a got-to event for myself, seeing as opportunities for large scale concerts had been on the slow-side to take grasp on the little plot where I live in East Anglia (Thankfully these type of events are now growing in momentum).

A certain amount of pride bristles from myself for our local popstar, which is locally felt, as in recognising his achievements Ed now has a stage named after him at that very same annual music festival and that’s a big deal where I’m from!

To be honest there are just too many good egg stories to share about Ed Sheeran and what he has been giving back to my local community since he hit the big time, that I couldn’t possibly touch the surface upon it, yet it endears and music aside the boy is just instantly likeable.

Ok so that’s my pitch for championing Ed Sheeran, let’s go in on the new single, as I consider “Sing” the one that’s going to make the dismissive’s think again!

Practically anything that Pharrell is involved with at the present is deemed hotter than hot, and guess what…….. Pharrell is in on this one as a collaborator, so by default it’s already amazing.

Ed’s vocals appear to have gone up a notch raised in much more of a falsetto range and “Sing” is evermore the buzzy and upbeat for it. Also, surely I’m not the only one who is thinking “hammer time” when reaching that ooh whoa segment of the chorus.

I wouldn’t bullshit on you. This song IS cool! Right down to the wayward alter-ego puppet involved video.

This has quite restored my faith in all things pop orientated on this slow-burning week.

The post Watch “Sing” by Ed Sheeran appeared first on EQ Music Blog.

Since the return a week ago, the murkiness remains of whether La Roux is now a solo venture or a bone fide collective effort. Although, it has come to light that Ben Langmaid is no longer part of the picture and that Ian Sherwin is the name linked alongside the upcoming sophomore album “Trouble In Paradise” as co-producer.

Serving upon the buzz track “Let Me Down Gently” that was released last week, an accompanying video clip suited to the brooding nature of the track has now appeared.

Concentrated on panned shots of Elly Jackson seated in an otherwise empty room, escape comes via a rooflight during the tracks breakdown which then relocates to an outside environment somewhere in the misty countryside where we see Jackson running across dewy fields, with her spectacular auburn fringe flailing about in the breeze, ending with Jackson walking towards a setting sun.

Can safely conclude from that little lot that this visual is perhaps is centered on putting a few things to bed and with the subsequent arrival of a new dawn imminent see that this train of thought most likely correlates with the re-birth of La Roux.

“Let Me Down Gently” is available instantly when placing a pre-order for the album “Trouble In Paradise”

The post Watch “Let Me Down Gently” by La Roux appeared first on EQ Music Blog.

Ooh can you feel the drama coming on! Well you soon will be, seeing as Monarchy’s visual for “Living Without You” is now publicly available for viewing consumption!

As ever, it’s a beautifully captured art piece which speaks so many volumes. One of the kind that will undoubtedly bring something different to light with every viewing.

A video chocka of dark imagery depicting a destructively volatile relationship is carried through via visions of dark arts practices, exorcism’s and well the overall feeling of something being ripped apart.

In a week where we have seen two very artsy pop videos break out, I’ll be honest I’m preferring the execution of Monarchy’s over Royksopp and Robyn’s more dizzying effort for “Sayit”.

The post Watch “Living Without You” by Monarchy appeared first on EQ Music Blog.

It is specifically with endearing intent that we lavish the terms of one of our new favourite Swedish pop pixies towards Frida Sundemo, being that the up and coming talent has caught hold of our attention on a number of occasions now since we were first introduced via “Indigo”.

Most recently Frida re-emerged onto the pop arena with a full EP release “Lit Up By Neon” to which we found ourselves suitably dazzled especially by the lead single “Drawn To You”.

Our exact words on it were “Beat driven and blissed out, spinning it’s cosmic disco intentions out unto another dimension”.

Newly released to go alongside this glorious synth pop morsel comes the video promo clip featuring Frida out for a morning power jog, only that’s not exactly the case, it’s more to do with the heavy featured theme of running to meet up with your destiny that is channelled through the lyrics.

There is something so sweet natured about this video. Mostly that it really doesn’t take anything away from the song at all.

Oh and another thing Frida sure does know how to impressively wear a fringe or bangs as the Americans will call it!

The post Watch “Drawn To You” by Frida Sundemo appeared first on EQ Music Blog.