Carpe Carmina: carpe carmina selection

'Every selection is governed by general principles concerning truth, force, beauty ...' - Thornton Wilder

carpe carmina decided to showcase the best (this estimation is subjectively coloured) song of an EP, album or artist simply, in order to give its readers an impression of what to expect when getting more acquainted with the musician/band in general. The songs featured vary in style, genre, intensity and vibrancy, they are, however, all of distinctive compositional and lyrical finery, of instrumental and vocal beauty.

Baby, Just Do What You Got To

'Baby, Just Do What You Got To' bursts almost with instrumental energy early on, sets the pace boldly and in a fulminant fashion, continues to grow in melodic brio each second, as it seems. Thrilling tonal tension and zestful dynamics are the offspring of impulsive riffage, tenebrous bass swagger and stormily rhythmic, intensely clangorous drum momentum, throaty, hard-hitting and sassy vocals complement The Sneaky Nixons' boisterous rock'n'roll sound. Punkish sonic style and confident melodic groove from a promising, youthful liverpool 4-piece - carpe carmina is delighted. More please!

Reach out & listen to The Sneaky Nixons on ...

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.. bandcamp ...

Mug

It's with an edgy and authentic, dense and energetic feel that sonorously roaring, dimly wavering guitar play - at times roaming over upsetting tonal distortion - and ardent, solid vocals rise; a vigorously commanding, vibrant drum rhythm, however, engrosses 'Mug', it's what drives the raw, pleasingly pushy release of UK indie rockers Elephant Memoirs - who are set to release a new EP in august - it's what makes the song an urgently gripping, powerfully progressive one.

Reach out to Elephant Memoirs on ...

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Control

Fierce and excitingly quavering instrumental force is unleashed with 'Control', one that is rhythmically moderated by firm, confident vocals, one that is accentuated, amplified even due to a vividly melodious and subtly tense, insistently intensifying and gritty instrumental closure. Eventually, whatever name the liverpool rock/pop quartet decides to release music under - Native Wilderness/Peacebone (formerly known as CAVES) - there's compositional constancy to be found as the band treats their audience with bracing, feisty and dynamic songs bar none.

Reach out to Native Wilderness/Peacebone on ...

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Radio Forever

Perky and electrifying beats, hypnotic and dim tonal reverb, spirited and keenly resounding sonic accents compose an elusive, briskly swirling and brightly gleaming melodic atmosphere that is enhanced through a peppy, haunting vocal delivery. Vivacious electronic pop and playful synth magic - Masters of the Radio master it in a convincingly beat-driven and catchy way.

Reach out to Masters of The Radio on ...

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Sitting In Silence (release date: April 20th 2015)

Edingburgh rock outfit The Indos present an infectious yet dreamily resonant composition with 'Sitting In Silence', a captivating and breezy song rich in harmonies and atmosphere. Ludically melodious guitar serenades full of spirit accompany vibrantly ringing percussions, whilst warmly absorbing and passionately expressive vocals set the tone, lure the listener charmingly and fall into line with an overall blissfully sweeping, gently bluesy and blue instrumental setting.

Reach out & listen to The Indos on ...

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.. bandcamp ...

Stop Me Girl (taken from 'Your Eyes Are Made Of Gold' (EP))

Leicester-based singer/songwriter Matt Henshaw has composed a soulfully stirring and honest ballad with 'Stop Me Girl'. Passionately played piano melodies - sometimes resonating with alluring ambience, sometimes with bracing vitality - blend with ardent still sensitive vocal verve, add both melodic grace and buoyancy to an emotionally moving song that involves a strong, vivaciously glowing vocal performance.

The Way It Is (taken from 'Always In The Way' (EP))

A dashing and droning drum pulse, forceful and feisty guitar trembles, tenebrous bass reverb - NME Breakthrough Act of 2010, Matt Henshaw knows how energy-driven music should sound like - 'The Way It Is' impresses with sonorous and stormy melodic impetus, with sassy and fervent vocal blues, and whilst the singer/songwriter asks his audience to allow him just a minute of their time, you should instead grant him at least 4 to enjoy this vigorous and bold belter in all its compositional glory.

Reach out to Matt Henshaw on ...

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.. facebook ...
.. his official website ...
.. soundcloud ...
.. bandcamp ...

I Just Need Time

Ambient, apollonian and languorous melodic fluency is brisked up by rhythmic percussion vibrancy; bright and smooth vocal layers add to the breezily haunting and soothing tonal picture painted - Wolf River Harbor's debut single 'I Just Need Time' doesn't need time to grown on the listener, blithe, inviting harmonies and euphonious, calmly floating acoustic bliss captivate from the outset. A mesmerizing melodic marvel.

Reach out to Wolf River Harbor on ...

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When You're In Love

Vivifying, light acoustic guitar play, gracefully deployed, vividly pulsating percussions and sentimental, husky vocals rich in soul and warm radiance coalesce, evoke atmospheric melodic melancholia and dreamful, heart-redingly comforting instrumental and vocal ease. David Gaffney's romantic musical musings, the emotionality of 'When You're In Love' enchants, stirs to the very core and might leave some listeners indulging in sweet memories. Lovely!