Charlie Ashcroft’s Musosoup Round-Up August 2024
Charlie Ashcroft: Presenter @amazingradio, DJ @SomebodyTM_Club. Also a @QPR fan, a @RecCollMag columnist + #Spotify Playlist curator with @music_gateway
The second half of the summer brought some excellent releases with it. Here’s a hand-picked selection of great submissions I came across during the month of August.
Let’s begin with a big-riffed ball of energy from Shrewsbury-based outfit, The Straze. The band’s latest release ‘White Lies’ combines classic rock ‘n’ roll swagger with soulful exuberance.
‘Black Umbrella Romancer’ is a powerful statement of intent from Robot Hive, with pulsating synths, intoxicating melodies and a nod to early-era Queens of the Stone Age.
UNO MAS also made their return in August, with an indie-disco-ready slab of deliciousness named ‘Snake Eyes’. Genuinely one of my favourite singles they’re put out to date.
‘You’re Blue I’m Blue’ is a glorious piece of songwriting by First Day of Spring. With shades of 90s emo and slowcore-influenced bedroom pop, the results are tremendous.
Taking things in a slightly more electro-leaning direction, Sugartin impressed with their self-titled single release. The Stuttgart duo should appeal to fans of Goldfrapp and Ladytron.
An exciting new trio by the name of Two Strikes unleashed their first track called ‘Control’ a couple of weeks ago. One of those timeless, punk-inspired jams that’ll have you reaching for the rewind button. Excellent stuff.
I want to give a plug for a recent staple from my Amazing Radio show, in the shape of ‘House’ by GREG, which also jumped out from on my Musosoup feed. It’s raw, it’s catchy and it’s worth shouting about from the rooftops. A band to watch!
Having debuted back in 2020, LA-based Sam and the Sea have been going from strength to strength ever since. Latest song ‘Deny’ is genuinely superb, with intriguingly sparse verses and a series of gradual builds towards a lovely chorus.
Coraland is the musical alter ego of singer-songwriter Andy Hobson. He’s been on prolific form recently, with five releases in 2023 and another track called ‘Drift’ back in February this year. New single ‘Misfits’ is an undeniable synth-soaked pop gem. Excited to hear more!
Finally this month, to play us out, I give you Adrian and Adam, AKA The Melonbars. The Seattle’s duo newest offering is a brilliant symphony of cool art rock called ‘Last Chance to Eden’.