Hayley Whispers

*** If you are familiar with the heavy sound that Saharas' previous single 'Sweat' emanates, you may be surprised by their latest offering. However, the slight change in the band's musical arrangement is both refreshing and revitalising. Ditching the robust riffs, 'Shake My Fever' has the Windsor-based four-piece leave their alt-rock roots behind and experiment with a more dreamy landscape. As the reverberating guitar riffs dance around melodically in this spacious three minute track, we are slipped into the intimacy of the lyrics. A talent that has not been lost in SAHARAS' change in direction. In fact, it feels as if Saharas are at home and perfectly comfortable. Delivering a more mature sound, 'Shake My Fever' has shown us a side to Saharas that is looking to stick around for a while. Their new approach, with its unique and airy feel, is blossoming into something vastly impressive. 

*** As the summer draws to a close, we find ourselves desperately searching for something to keep the feeling of summer alive. And, with their overall feel-good aesthetic, Dutch Criminal Record 's new EP might be exactly what we have been looking for. Drawing inspirations from the likes of Two Door Cinema Club and Vampire Weekend, the Chichester based four piece make music that displays no resemblance to their countryside upbringing. Lyrical themes of escapism lace intricately over upbeat, summery tracks in beautiful contradiction. And with their unique production method and their 'no-frontman' concept, the six track EP is also personal and authentic. Opening track 'Waiting on the Weekend' with its beachy, slick guitar riffs, sets the musical landscape for the EP. Tracks 'Carelessly' and 'In The Moment' are both reminiscent of The Beach Boys' surfer rock sound and carefree attitude of the sub-genre. In contrast, 'Britpop'

**** We are three Slaves albums in. You should know how it goes by now. Isaac Holman and Laurie Vincent, who make up the British punk revival duo, have always been loud-mouthed and straight to the point. The socio-political views saturated with anger that plagued their debut told us upfront about the entire Slaves concept. And that concept has seeped through perfectly onto the third album. Acts of Fear and Love has the familiar yet somewhat charming aggression of any Slaves album. The distorted guitars mangled with the chaotic drums of 'The Lives They Wish They Had' show less political angst and more personal vendettas. However, there is a spark with this album that ignites it and sends it higher than their previous work. 'Photo Opportunity' sees the guitars slowed down to simple chords and the vocals softened as they tell all about the personal struggles with fame. In a similar respect, 'Daddy' is a witty observation of a midlife crisis.  Slav

       Performing on Wednesday 7 February Support from Lauran Hibberd   **** The idyllic musical boutique known as Heartbreakers is oozing with girl power. Dressed in glitzy denim, Portsmouth-born and the best fit for a modern day indie-pop singer Jerry Williams dazzles from the offset. The sweet and giggly Williams opens her set with ‘Mother’ displaying her sassy and uplifting stage presence. Showcasing a lot of new material, ‘Cocktails with my Cousin’ is reminiscent of a drunken night out whilst ‘David at the Bar’ speaks volumes of Williams’ ability to write a song from just about any life experience. Singing about an alcoholic she met at a bar who promised he’d stop drinking if she wrote a song about him, the lyrics “here’s a good life” echo throughout an attentive venue. The intermittent smoke machine adding some extra ambience. ‘Gameshow’, written about the death of a family friend, is played without a guitar as Williams soaks in every word, as the crowd onc

Tipped for great things in 2018, Leeds-based indie-pop band Heir are truly something special. With their ability to combine powerful harmonies and infectious rhythms, they create modern pop music that is slowly grabbing the nation’s attention. I spoke to keyboardist Sam Luca in late 2017 to reminisce on the year gone by, the humble beginnings of Heir and what the band want from the year ahead. 1. What was your highlight of 2017? That is a very tough one. Reading and Leeds Festival was wicked. It’s also been lovely to simply be able to fully realise and release music that represents the five of us. That sense of collaborative pride and achievement is not something we’ll ever take for granted. The highlight for me I think though was touring in Europe. When you are in a place that is so completely unfamiliar but you are still being met with so much warmth it gives you a rather magical feeling. 2. So, how did you get started as a band? We all met at

'Deep City Diver' by Deep City Diver Tracklist: 1. Easy Prey 2. Everyone Is Alone 3. As The Crow Flies 4. Living in the Hyphen 5. Down on Wreckyn Street, I'm Ruined 6. Another World 7. Nothing Hurts 8. Honeyeater 9. Youth **** In 2009, a year when Lady Gaga was beginning to dominate the fashion world with obscure outfits and the concept of 'indie music' was rarely discussed, a teenage Ryan Nicolussi penned 'As The Crow Flies' - a heartwarming tale about being there for somebody when they feel they need to escape reality. Fast forward 6 years to 2015, somewhere in Hackney, Nicolussi's young vision is brought to life through the birth of three piece band Deep City Diver . Their self-titled debut is guitar pop at its finest. Nicolussi's singular voice transforms themes of love, loss and escapism into a beautiful and captivating debut. Album opener 'Easy Prey' is reminiscent of Catfish and the Bottlemen be