Page 51 - NLP244603 "NE Volume" Magazine (56pp 240 x 170 self cover)
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THIEVES OF LIBERTY ‘BACK AGAIN’ EP
NE VOLUME RATING:
JOHN POPE QUINTET ‘MIXED WITH GLASS’ SINGLE
DOCKSUNS ‘SHARE THE NIGHT’ SINGLE
In fine style, Thieves of Liberty return with the aptly-named ‘Back Again’ EP.
A regular fixture in the North East scene, the hard- rocking foursome received high
NE VOLUME RATING:
Jazz music hasn’t quite hit the stride it once held in its heyday - we are past the prime of Miles Davis and Duke Ellington - but the John Pope Quintet look to
NE VOLUME RATING:
Sunderland-based indie-rock outfit Docksuns have just dropped
their new single, ‘Share the Night’ – and it’s an instant classic. Following on
praise with lead single ‘Ain’t Going Down’ earlier this year - and the subsequent EP doesn’t disappoint. With a new style and a new line-up, they’re ready to evolve and grow to the next level whilst retaining
the raw talent of previous work like ‘Auf Wiedersehen’ but pushing it in a bold new direction. With a sound now more akin to Black Star Riders and Slash, the blues-rock band are a powerful force, unleashing attitude and virtuoso and providing us with a familiar sound and yet all their own.
The outfit have recently toured alongside Less Than Jake, Goldfinger and Save
Ferris on the main stages at O2 Academy venues across the UK so we’re expecting big things from them this year. You can listen to the EP now on all major streaming platforms. WAYNE MADDEN
DEAN PARKER
‘THIS ALL TASTES LIKE YESTERDAY’ EP
bring soul back to the saxophone-oriented stylings of this genre. Not quite the pace or tempo of those stalwart musicians, but strong enough to spark life into the North East jazz scene, the John Pope Quintet
is a strong five-piece that collect all the usual tempos and pitches available in a jazz rendition. While it doesn’t feel like there is much room for innovation or spontaneity, ‘Mixed with Glass’ is a strong soundscape. As strong as the many greats of the genre, the John Pope Quintet have a marvellous titular track on their hands, promoting the album with a flourish and real style.
And with an all-star line-up made up of dynamic Northern musicians, with an abundance of experience and knowledge, this is one tight group. You can listen to the track now at soundcloud.com/johnpope. EWAN GLEADOW
from their previous release, ‘Dancing on the Radio’, which received critical acclaim, the four-piece haven’t experimented
too much – but there was no real need to. They’ve found their own indie-rock style and they’re sticking with it – and why not? ‘Share the Night’ is a love song filled with beautifully written lyrics. And the accompaniment is so gentle, helping to lean the emphasis onto the meaning
of the song. This stunning single has just been added to my chill-out playlist – and
I suggest you do the same.You can listen to ‘Share the Night’ now on all major streaming platforms. You can also catch the Sunderland outfit live at our very
own NE Volume Music Bar in Stockton on Friday 19th August. Tickets, priced
at £5.00 in advance, are available at seetickets.com. CALLUM ROLLO
VIOLECTRIC
‘GET WHAT I WANT’ SINGLE
NE VOLUME RATING:
Newcastle-based Dean Parker has been cooking up his new EP, ‘This All Tastes Like Yesterday’, a five- track masterpiece that is a feast for the ears. Featuring
CHRIS KELLY
‘BETTER DAYS’ SINGLE NE VOLUME RATING:
NE VOLUME RATING:
‘Get What I Want” is the debut single from rising stars, Violectric – and it’s an absolute stunner. It’s an instantly catchy track filled with
debut single ‘Smoke’, a hit-the-ground- running hit for Dean, as well as follow-up single ‘Norah’, it’s filled with emotive demonstrations of Dean’s raspy vocals.
In addition, there are three new numbers. ‘Old Romantics’ is a touching, sentimental track that will fill your heart with love; ‘You’ is a powerful ballad that draws you in and lets you scream out loud when you need that release; and closing out the EP is ‘Waiting In The Wings’, a modern classic that will have you feeling nostalgic for
the past yet ready for the future. After
a culmination of six months of shows, releases and rave reviews, Dean Parker has been working his socks off recently – and it’s paying off. This is a stunning piece of work inspired by Jeff Buckley and Jackson Browne. You can listen to the EP now on all major streaming platforms.
GEORGINA SHINE
‘Better Days’ is the latest single for Newcastle indie-folk singer- songwriter Chris Kelly, who could be the answer to anyone who wishes that The
Gaslight Anthem would just bring out some more music already. Kelly has toured the UK and Europe with his acoustic sound and is back with a bittersweet ode to waiting through hard times to get to better days. The song is simple throughout: the lyrics are easy to learn and the chorus is easy to sing along to, both verbally and relatable to anyone a little down in the dumps, and the instrumental consists
of a steady drumbeat and a very typical sounding guitar interjected with some twinkly riffs. Kelly ends the song with a guitar solo reminiscent of classic American rock, and overall that is how I would describe the single – a classic. For fans of Brian Fallon and Tom Petty, this track is unmissable. You can listen to ‘Better Days’ now on all major streaming platforms. MOLLY WROE
an indie-rock overtone, dark riffs and poppy vocals. Obviously inspired by the likes of Wolf Alice, Foo Fighters and Arctic Monkeys, with its grunge, rock and indie amalgamation, this is an intoxicating hit that will have you listening on repeat. Having formed in 2021, Violectric have already headlined The Independent in Sunderland, with support from Ivy Sky and Sporting Ties, and I’m expecting big things from them this year. With the rise of female vocalists increasing in recent times, with bands like Millie Manders
& the Shut Up and Cage Fight, we may well find Violectric gaining popularity and a large fan base very quickly. You can listen to ‘Get What I Want’ on all major streaming platforms now. So what are you waiting for? CALLUM ROLLO
ALBUM REVIEWS // NE VOLUME MAGAZINE // 51
