this friday we’ve got fuzzy guitars, emotion and a raw sense of purpose. from introspective alt rock to big, statement-rock moments, these are the rock picks this week.
miss melody – quiet as a mouse
quiet as a mouse unveil a sharp indie rock cut packed with alt-rock character
miss melody rides on jangling guitars and a loose, 90s-leaning alt rock feel, balancing warmth with a gloriously scuffed edge. it’s got a fantastic melody , and i love the plaintive vocal delivery that serves it all up. there’s extra points for the first song i’ve ever heard that features a lyric about a ‘jacaranda tree’.
quiet as a mouse, the project of alex moran, continues to build on a songwriting style shaped by years across the uk and australia, with this release pointing toward a more expansive second album. and on the strength of this banger, we’re very excited to hear it.
thank u for making this quiet as a mouse 💫
annihilation – nilsa no one
nilsa no one serve up a gripping alt rock spiral that blurs euphoria and self-destruction
annihilation does not mess around, driving forward on distorted guitars and a pretty amazing pulsing bassline. the distorted noise, compelling guitar work and dark emotional undercurrent put this squarely on a rock path, but there’s a strong melody at the heart of ‘annihilation’ which we love. it’s also a concise statement, and as a paid up member of the ‘songs are usually a bit too long’ club, it really works.
nilsa no one, based in austin, texas, pushes further into a heavier alt rock direction here, using this release to explore the pull between indulgence and self-destruction with a sharp, reflective edge. hope there’s more coming from nilsa no one this year, it’s great.
thank u for making this nilsa no one 💫
lady liberty – kelsie kimberlin
kelsie kimberlin delivers a hauntingly beautiful rock statement to get us through difficult times
lady liberty unfolds with dramatic chords, forward thinking production and a really compelling vocal. there’s a sense of tension at the heart of it that speaks directly to the song’s message; concern of the lack of freedom in america. it’s a message that lands well, with this excellent song as the vehicle. it just flows beautifully, and is one of the best things we’ve heard this year.
kelsie kimberlin, an american-ukrainian artist, uses this release to reflect on themes of freedom and identity, framing the track as both a personal and political statement. essential stuff, and we hope kelsie keeps diving into such important subjects.
thank u for making this kelsie kimberlin 💫
i want it more than you – mick j. clark
mick j. clark serves up a classic rock stunner with a standout vocal performance
i want it more than you centres around bold instrumentation and a direct, anthemic feel that pushes its message to the front. the ingredients are all classic rock, a driving rhythm section, tasty guitar work, and strong production. but it’s the vocal phrasing and lyrics that wins the day here, with a costello-like presentation that really works; particularly in the verse.
mick j. clark, from croydon, channels resilience and personal drive into this release, aiming to create music that connects while carrying a wider sense of purpose. it’s a great track, and we’ll be diving into mick’s catalogue this weekend.
thank u for making this mick j. clark 💫
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