#NewMusicFriday – New releases from The Virginmarys, Echotape, Tarot Rats, and H.E.A.T.!

There’s so much great new music coming out at the moment! Today there are four fabulous releases that you’ll want to add to your collection.

The Virginmarys

After hearing the first single from the “Sitting Ducks” EP earlier this year, “Sweet Loretta”, I was really looking forward to this new release. I think The Virginmarys are one of those bands that always produce fantastic music, they never let you down! This new EP is brilliant. Four perfect songs.

It starts with the title track “Sitting Ducks”. This song has the heartfelt lyrics that I’ve come to expect from this band. This band’s songwriting is always full of depth and meaning. The chorus of “Sitting Ducks” is anthemic and catchy and just the type of thing that will go down well at live shows.

As well as producing some of the best new music, this band are one of the best live bands out there at the moment. Part of that, I think, is down to the fact that their songs speak to everyone; they deal with the common struggles that humans go through and create that connection between the band and fans that brings everyone together. The songs make you feel something and that’s so important and what’s lacking from a lot of music today.

Track two, “Sweet Loretta”, was featured as a track of the day here when it was released in March. It has all the hallmarks of a Virginmarys’ hit. It’s full of passion, deep lyrics, and heavy riffs.

“Through The Sky”, is an awesome introspective love song. A catchy and upbeat melody balanced with lyrics that evoke a sense of desire for something that is out of reach or unrequited. It’s full of depth and emotion and I would say it’s my favourite on the EP, but the problem is all the songs are my favourites 🙂 It’s sooo good.

The final song on the EP is “Sleep”. The slowest track on “Sitting Ducks”. It’s beautiful. The profound lyrics just grab you and don’t let you go. The music is mellow, a gentle backdrop to this expressive and emotive track.

Grab your copy:

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/…/al…/sitting-ducks-ep/id1263029091

Spotify : https://open.spotify.com/album/3uN7IzSQ0159swoYTxRww3

Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0742JDBRS

Signed CDs are available at: www.thevirginmarys.com

The Virginmarys will be playing three intimate shows to promote the new EP in November. Get your tickets here: https://myticket.co.uk/artists/the-virginmarys

Follow The Virginmarys:

Website: http://www.thevirginmarys.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheVirginmarysOfficial

Twitter: https://twitter.com/thevirginmarys

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thevirginmarys/

Echotape

Another of my favourite bands has released an EP today. Echotape have their own distinctive brand of rock/pop. They always produce great songs, so I was really looking forward to this release.

Purchase links:

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/this-could-be-anything-ep/id1265805105
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/7ovABp5KAuf8OxtBrfHwb5…
Napster: https://npstr.cm/1ivas0
Deezer: http://www.deezer.com/en/artist/1604001

Limited edition CD (first 25 will be signed): http://echotape.bigcartel.com/product/this-could-be-anything-cd-limited-edition-numbered

“This Could Be Anything” starts with their catchy pop single, “Forget It”.

It’s followed by a beautifully introspective song about love lost, “Out of Love”. This band have a knack for producing melancholy yet uplifting retrospective tracks with thought-provoking lyrics that evoke sentimental feelings.

Track 3 is “Don’t Want Anyone”, which has that trademark Echotape sound, with catchy melodies, anthemic choruses, and a dancey vibe.

The final track on the EP is “4AM”. It’s a heartbreaking love song with heartfelt lyrics. Beautifully composed and performed.

Catch Echotape on tour in the UK and Europe! https://www.facebook.com/pg/Echotape/events

Follow Echotape:

Website: http://echotape.co.uk

Facebook: http://facebook.com/echotape

Twitter: http://twitter.com/echotapeuk

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/echotape/

Tarot Rats

I featured “When We Were Young” from this EP as track of the day recently. Check it out here if you missed it: https://realrockandroll.wordpress.com/2017/09/12/track-of-the-day-when-we-were-young-tarot-rats/

What can I say about Tarot Rats? I love this band, they are one of the most creative and expressive bands out there at the moment. I’ve been following them since early last year when I interviewed them on the blog, and also featured their EP “Minor Arcana”.

Their new EP 3.0, released today, is a fantastic compilation of 5 songs that will restore your faith in the future of music. Tarot Rats write about life, observations on the world, relationships, and human nature. Singer Tim Hill has one of the best voices in rock: the type of voice you could listen to all day and never get enough of—it’s full of depth, and complements the music to create something special.

All five tracks on this EP are exceptional. The first, “War Begins in the Minds of Men”, is a gloriously prog rock offering that grabs you instantly with its smooth intro and it sets the mood for the EP with passionate vocals, and guitars that provide a dark and mysterious backdrop to the lyric driven song. There are catchy and melodic riffs. It’s a song that makes you think of the greats of rock and roll; a modern sound that’s fuelled by classic rock influences.

I love the nostalgic “When We Were Young”, which shows another side to the band. It’s an uplifting track with a catchy sound and funky bassline.

Track 3 is “The Hanged Man”, the longest song on the EP at nearly 6 minutes in length. It’s an epic song, and a good example of just how versatile and talented this band are as it changes mood throughout. It has a fabulous guitar solo, passionate vocals, and ends with with a great piano part.

“Business as Usual” is a short piano based song. Like an interlude. Heartbreakingly beautiful.

The final song is probably my favourite on the EP, “Plastic Rose”. It seems to be about the darker side of humanity and human nature. Thought-provoking and introspective. The guitars and melodies are addictive and the vocals exemplary.

Time after time, Tarot Rats surprise and delight with their very unique music.

Grab your copy of the EP:

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/3-0-ep/id1279296879

Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/3-0-Tarot-Rats/dp/B075F9NSZV/

Stream/add to your playlist, Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/03SBPD2hRTsvh9sEOCQ37W

Catch them for the EP launch tonight if you’re anywhere near Tunbridge Wells Forum. Details here: https://realrockandroll.wordpress.com/2017/07/02/gig-announcement-tarot-rats-and-empyre-tunbridge-wells-forum-22nd-september-2017/

Follow Tarot Rats:

Website: https://www.tarotrats.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thetarotrats

Twitter: https://twitter.com/tarot_rats

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thetarotrats/

H.E.A.T

Back in August I reviewed the excellent new H.E.A.T. album, “Into The Great Unknown”. It’s been released today. You can find out all about where you can buy it and read my review here: https://realrockandroll.wordpress.com/2017/08/19/pre-order-into-the-great-unknown-the-new-album-from-h-e-a-t/

Follow H.E.A.T:

Website: http://www.heatsweden.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/heatsweden/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/heatsweden

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heatsweden/