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Articles by Colin Baumgart-Osborn
Single review: Bad Wave 'Coney Island Waltz' - Fortitude Magazine
Fortitude faves Bad Wave – aka Patrick Hart and Tucker Tota – are back with yet another instantly infectious banger that will without a doubt get your toes tapping. ‘Coney Island Waltz’ feels even more psychedelic than their previous releases, which is certainly not a bad thing. Combining fuzzy guitar riffs and synth-laden hooks with elements of woozy psychedelia, fans of MGMT and Animal Collective will definitely feel at home here.
Single review: Nick Wilson 'Get Up' - Fortitude Magazine
Ethereal artist Nick Wilson seems to have concocted the perfect formula for creating celestial electro-pop and we can’t get enough! His latest single ‘Get Up’ fuses together glitchy electronica with pop ballad-esque melodies to make a sound akin to the likes of Kevin Garratt or Aquilo, but with Wilson’s own unique twist. His mesmerising falsetto takes centre stage throughout, sending shivers down your spine as it does so. This artist is most definitely one to watch.
EP Review: Yanimal - Yanimal EP - Fortitude Magazine
Yanimal is the latest project of a synth player originally from Germany, who has spent the last decade on the London underground scene. During that time he has played keys and and synth in a number of bands including Dead Kids and I.R.O.K as well as turning his hand to production.
EP Review: Catgod - 'Heartbeat In My Hand' - Fortitude Magazine
If it’s genre-defying fusions of sounds you’re after, then Oxford band Catgod may be just what you’re looking for. Amalgamating influences from traditional folk and indie rock to trip hop and psychedelia, their new EP Heartbeat In My Hand is a captivating union of sounds.
Live Review: Courtney Barnett - The Roundhouse - Fortitude Magazine
Having been on tour recently taking in a number of venues and festivals, the star of Australian musician Courtney Barnett has been very much on the rise. In front of a bustling crowd at the Roundhouse, she demonstrated why this is the case with an incredible set. The first thing that struck me as she took to the stage was the strength of her voice which was in fine form.
EP Review: The Violet Kind - 'OXTR' - Fortitude Magazine
Having previously received support from M Magazine and The National, Scottish band The Violet Kind have released their innovative concept EP, OXTR. Tackling the reality of rape culture, the EP champions those brave enough to speak out, whilst standing with those who don’t feel able to. With each track addressing a different issue regarding the subject, the same rhythm continues throughout, representing the repetition of gender-based violence within society.
Single review: Nausica 'Black & White' - Fortitude Magazine
80s synth sounds are back in full force, you can’t deny, just accept it and enjoy the ride. German/Dutch quartet Nausica are the latest band to jump on this hot new trend and we think its bloody brilliant. ‘Black & White’ combines captivating electronic soundscapes with infectious jangly guitars and lead singer Edita Karkoschka‘s smooth, husky vocal to create a sound that feels both familiar and, at the same time, totally fresh. Fans of Bat For Lashes and Warpaint will feel at home here.
EP Review: Xqui - Brittania & Kindness - Fortitude Magazine
Released in April and May of this year respectively, Brittania and Kindness show two distinct sides of this secretive project. With virtually no information on the artist outside of their own Twitter (@xquimusic), the music is left to speak for itself. Whilst Kindness has an alien, wind-going-backwards sound to it, Brittania is more of a hymnal approach, drawn out to a dream, as though riding a travelator in the afterlife.
Live Review: Ramleh, Cafe Oto - Fortitude Magazine
Those familiar with the London power electronics scene will probably be aware of Gary Mundy and Broken Flag. Two years ago I had my skull spun around 360 degrees at a ‘Consumer Electronics’ gig in Leeds, Consumer Electronics’ founder Phillip Best is a former member of Ramleh (and of course, Whitehouse) so I expected a similar visceral and vitriolic Artaudian bombardment of the senses at this Cafe Oto gig.
EP Review: Fyfe and Iskra Strings - EP 1 - Fortitude Magazine
Foundation opens up with some elongated string notes which are accompanied by the gentle build up of percussive sounds. When the drums do drop in fully they have the echoic sound of a stripped down trap beat. Such an influence is also discernible on Hold Us Down with a vocal chant of ‘woo’ incorporated into the structure of the song’s rhythm. The central synth line, when laid down under the vocals the accompanying strings makes the song feel as if it has too many competing elements at times.
Single Review: Desert Clouds - Fortitude Magazine
Having had a few changes of line up since their initial formation back in 2008, London band Desert Clouds follow last year’s Time Distortions album with a brand new single. Oozing an eerie majesty, ‘Under Tons’ is inspired by the idea of walking towards a destiny that appears to be going nowhere. As the dark grandeur of David Land’s Mark Lanegan-reminiscent vocals flow alongside whirring psychedelic hooks, the track gradually builds to an immense climax.
Kate Nash - Yesterday Was Forever Album Review | Fortitude
Her debut album ‘Made of Bricks’, released in the pinnacle Golden Year of 2007, was home to ‘Foundations’ – a track so perennial that it’s still played on Radio 1 at least once a week (probably). Believe it or not, Yesterday Was Forever is Nash’s fourth studio album, and her sound has certainly developed over the last 10 years. Where Made of Bricks was cutesy and folky but with a steely, don’t-fuck-with-me undertone, her newest album goes straight in for the kill with blatant fury.
Single Review: HalfNoise - All That Is Love - Fortitude Magazine
‘HalfNoise’ is the solo project of Zac Farro of ‘Paramore’ fame. Over the last few years the venture has been gathering pace and ‘All That Is Love’ is a single from the forthcoming ‘Flowers EP‘. It is a song that manages to conjure up the heady feel of clubland rhythm, tempered with a tinge of psych-rock in the vein of newer ‘Tame Impala’.
Single Review: Leisure Tank - Higher - Fortitude Magazine
Having already gained support from sites such as Punktastic and Get In Her Ears, indie-rock powerhouse Leisure Tank have now released their electric new single, ‘Higher’. The track is brimming with palpitating drum beats and soaring guitar riffs, resulting in a compelling and off beat piece of alt-rock. Throw in K.C McKanzie’s distinctive vocals and the track is taken to a whole new level. The song is about the twisted feeling one gets when someone tells a one sided, self-pitying break up story.
Single Review: Snow Patrol - Life on Earth - Fortitude Magazine
Listening to the single for the first time, it feels very reminiscent of the band’s previous work. I honestly feel like this would fit perfectly in the band’s arguably most popular album ‘Eyes Open’, alongside slower songs like ‘Set the Fire to The Third Bar’ and ‘Make This Go On Forever’. The song still maintains the band’s themes of love, and is a wonderful slow piece of music, mirroring the style and tone of the band’s glory days from the mid-2000’s.
Single Review: Nûrnbear - Words (Can Tear Down Walls) - Fortitude Magazine
Having made an instant impression on the UK music scene through their release of single Isolation, picking up support from the likes of Clash Magazine in the process, Danish synth-pop band Nûrnbear return with their latest single Words (Can Tear Down Walls). Neatly blending memorable hooks, glitchy electro soundscapes and a powerful, politically charged narrative, Nûrnbear are another example of the burgeoning Scandi-Pop scene.
Album Review: Bryde - Like An Island - Fortitude Magazine
‘Bryde’ is the project of Sarah Howells, who is also part of the acoustic act ‘Paper Aeroplanes’. Since branching out on her own, she has released two EPs and developed a reputation as an excellent performer with a sharp eye for self-observational lyrics. Her debut album ‘Like An Island’ serves to cement that assessment. Across its eleven tracks ‘Bryde’ has crafted a multifaceted record that encompasses delicate introspective songs alongside, real powerhouse numbers.
Review: Maya Maya - LSD (ASAP Rocky Cover) - Fortitude Magazine
While the original is a soft love ballad – an interesting change to the rapper’s usual style – this cover, ups the psychedelic aspect and tranquillity of the original. Completely cutting out the rap section of the original, the song sounds like a softer version of something the likes of Tame Impala would release. The Scottish band from Glasgow is a brand-new project, still in its infancy. The band itself is made up of vocalist Clara Robb, and guitarist Anthony ‘Tony’ Millar.
Single Review: Salt Cathedral - No Love - Fortitude Magazine
‘Salt Cathedral’ is a duo of Colombian musicians now based in New York who play an innovative brand of Electro-pop. Their single No Love is a breezy track full of unexpected flourishes and sonic additions. The song is peppered with bleeps and layered vocal samples that build up into a collage-like sonic backdrop. It is an arresting combination that manages to generate an unusual approach to the instrumentation, stitching together discordant elements, without feeling cluttered.
Album Review: Call Me Malcolm - I Was Broken When You Got Here - Fortitude Magazine
The subject of mental health is one of modern society’s hot button topics. We live in a world that paradoxically has never dedicated more time and resources to the field while simultaneously neglecting the needs of millions through stigma and lack of understanding. To speak candidly at length is to tear open old wounds in public view, but in so doing can prove therapeutic for both the speaker and the listener.
Single Review: Hvmmingbyrd - Papillon - Fortitude Magazine
Having previously received praise from publications such as Nialler9 and Gigslutz, as well as being featured on Channel 4’s Made In Chelsea, Hvmmingbyrd now return with their celestial new single ‘Papillon’. The track is brimming with dreamy melodies and echoic vocals from Deborah Byrne and Suzette Das, produced by the ladies themselves. The song explores the ups and downs of creative euphoria to self-doubt.
Single Review: Tuesday Syndicate - Hourglass - Fortitude Magazine
Having already wowed crowds at the Isle of White Festival and the Shepherd’s Bush Empire, Devon’s Tuesday Syndicate have returned with the release of their heartfelt new single Hourglass. An emotive indie-pop gem, Hourglass soars from the first note; Tuesday Syndicate expertly producing the kind of cinematic soundscapes that have become synonymous with the likes of James Bay and Bear’s Den.
Single Review: The 286 - 'Time Immemorial' - Fortitude Magazine
Becoming known across London for their vibrant, energy-fuelled live performances, musical collective The 286 have now stripped back their sound for new single ‘Time Immemorial’. ‘Time Immemorial’ flows with delicate finger-picking, as catchy Beatles-inspired melodies are interwoven with sweeping strings and classical musicianship. A truly heartfelt ballad, it’s propelled by the rich, impassioned vocals of Spencer Hannabus, oozing a soaring romanticism, and creating the perfect love song.
EP Review: Acrylic - All I Am - Fortitude Magazine
The EP begins with ‘Where I Lie’ which is a brooding and introspective number undershot by a tight rhythm section and punctuated with swirling guitar effects.
Single Review: Megan Airlie - 'After River' - Fortitude Magazine
Scottish singer-songwriter Megan Airlie has just released her stunning new single ‘After River’. Filled with twinkling, finger-picked melodies and Airlie’s rich, sweeping vocals, ‘After River’ tackles the issue of poignant issue of mental health. Of the track, Megan explains: “It concerns mental health… It was birthed from one of the hardest times of my life and was the first song I had written in a year.
Single Review: Daughter - Burn It Down - Fortitude Magazine
It’s a moody beast of a track, extremely powerful and beautiful at the same time. Destruction of the mundane things in life is one of its core themes, the track is awash with emotion. Lines such as “Momma told me all of this is, just a place we have to settle for, Less than anything we dream on we’ll continue to be disappointed”, paint a bleak picture that Torna would love to escape by burning it all down. “I’ll set fire to the whole place, I don’t even care about our house”.
Kendrick Lamar's "To Pimp A Butterfly" 3 years on
If he’s not already, Kendrick Lamar is well on his way to becoming one of the greats, and To Pimp A Butterfly is an integral part of his legacy. With his third album, Kendrick expressed himself once again as one of the most gifted writers of his generation, providing a truly emotive, honest and immersive concept album.
Single Review: Indigo Husk - Not Feeling Better - Fortitude Magazine
‘Not Feeling Better’ is the latest release by London based indie-garage rock outfit ‘Indigo Husk.’ It is a high energy, boisterous single with a real chant-along chorus and a full-bodied sound, which is bolstered by the addition of some brass. It’s an upbeat indie number informed by the freneticism and spontaneity of punk. Things get started with a shouted count in, accompanied by a drum roll before the chorus part sets things off properly with fast-paced whoops and vibrancy.
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