August music reviews: Luna and the Lime Slices, The Blooms, KAP, Soul Infinity Orchestra, Ardency and GIRLBAND!
Luna and the Lime Slices
Red Room (Single)
After winning the Ultimate Battle of The Bands at Metronome last year, earning them a slot on the Confetti stage at Splendour, Luna and the Lime Slices have wasted no time making an impression on Nottingham's music scene. If you've managed to catch them live, you will surely have been captivated by their harmonies, which have always been top notch from the start of their career, as well as their ability to go from soft and dreamy to loud and in your face in the matter of moments. Red Room falls into the latter of this spectrum of their sound, capturing a darker side of the band than their debut single Back To You. Keep an eye out for their five-track EP, coming soon. Gemma Cockrell
The Blooms
Entwined (Single)
Entwined by The Blooms, the indie rock band hailing from Derby, presents a tune that is similar to Catfish and the Bottlemen blended with Wunderhorse. The acoustic guitar and percussion in the intro, followed by a robust drum kickstart, establishes a dynamic foundation. However, the frequent stop-start nature creates an intriguing rhythmic pattern, contributing to the song's unique character. The singer's distinctive voice, drawing comparisons to Yard Acts' vocalist, adds a layer of individuality to Entwined. The track's emphasis on build-ups keeps the listener on edge, making it an engaging experience. While the stop-start elements may add complexity, they contribute to the overall dynamic nature of the song, showcasing The Bloom's impact within the indie rock genre. Entwined is a notable addition to The Blooms' fast growing catalogue. Conall Stacey
KAP
The Pieces (EP)
Crafted as part of her participation in the Youth Music Charity Incubator Programme, generously sponsored by the People's Postcode Lottery, KAP's debut EP The Pieces spans genres from RnB to UK Garage, each track serving as a testament to her talents as both an artist and producer, since she co-produced the project. Taste, the second track, showcases her talents as the sole producer, while you'll see other familiar Notts names such as 80p&Chewsday elsewhere on tracks such as One in a Million. Smooth and soulful, while simultaneously uplifting and upbeat, The Pieces is a remarkable debut EP from one of Nottingham's most talented artists. Gemma Cockrell
Soul Infinity Orchestra ft Nãnci Correia
Impossible (Single)
Impossible is the first release from Nottingham-based collective Soul Infinity Orchestra. This ambient electro track features Nãnci Correia's evocative vocals, blending future garage sounds with synthetic bass and organic orchestral elements. Think 808 State meets N-Trance... in a good way. Keep an eye out for more releases, coming soon. Rachel Imms
Ardency
The Crystal EP (EP)
Nottingham based four piece Ardency are back with a new four track EP. Its slim sixteen minute run time is packed with emotive songs, featuring lush organ refrains, glittering synths, melancholy strings and screaming guitar. Nick Edgar's haunting vocals weave their way throughout the record evoking a sense of wistful nostalgia. The band brings their own personal growth to the record, which comes to us now, fifteen years on from their outstanding debut album Dear Human. However this could just be a fleeting reunion with Ardency, as they have no plans to perform live or to produce more music as a band, but as the band say “We said that back in 2007." We can only hope that they start making those plans soon. Rich Higton
GIRLBAND!
Heartbreak Town (EP)
Sometimes a band appears fully-formed and ready to conquer: GIRLBAND! are the next. They’ve made fans of police officers while practising in a living room and now bring The Heartbreak Town EP, music that is bold and confident. The tracks here are lyrically weighty and unafraid of embracing melody. The expansive, Americana infused title track leads beautifully to rebellious feminist anthem 21st Century Suffragette, before snarling live recordings conclude. The songwriting is vulnerable yet defiant, personal yet universal, world-weary yet wide-eyed. You can hear the influence of Joan Jett in the grit-flecked vocals; echoes of The Strokes and Springsteen in the perfectly judged guitar work, with the songs tied together by metronomic drumming. Expect big things. Kieran Lister
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