If It's Too Loud...

Oh, wow this song. The latest song from Sing Again Syren is just pure rock. "Cast Away" is being compared to other artists like Heart, The Runaways, and Babes in Toyland, and I can't say I disagree with that at all. I'd also throw in a more straightforward rock version of Sarah Shook with all the country stripped out. There's been a lot of talk about who will be the future savior of guitar driven rock. Sing Again Syren are the closest thing I've heard to rock's savior. If you have an appreciation for classic hard rock with all pretension stripped away, you really need to check out "Cast Away." You can listen to "Cast Away" below. The song is currently available as a single via Veta Records. For more on Sing Again Syren, check them out on Facebook and Twitter .

I've never truly been one for traditional Celtic music, but the latest single from Sive changes the format around just enough to make it interesting for me. Her latest single, "Quietly," will completely appeal to fans of NPR's Celtic music show. There is definitely enough of the Celtic folk tradition there. But Sive, aka Sadhbh O'Sullivan, mixes it up just enough. She brings in enough odd experimentation through jazz elements and some more classical, almost film score like instrumentation to keep the listener on their toes. Plus, "Quietly" continuously morphs throughout its four minute length. It could almost be multiple songs, but it does keep a certain thread during all the changes. "Quietly" is perfect for Celtic music die hards and anyone who loves unique music. You can listen to "Quietly" below. The song is available now as a single via Veta Records. For more on Sive, check out her website .

Photo by Ryan Shockey Davis Ireland's Maria Kelly is set to release an EP that chronicles her move from Dublin to Berlin. The first single off of that EP, "june," embodies the uncomfortable feelings associated with a move not just to a new city but a new country. Kelly's voice is absolutely beautiful and will suck you in. It's the instrumentation that is slightly uncomfortable. It's filled with twinkling electronic sounds and just the slightest hints of guitar. While sounding beautiful, it does give the listener a sense of discomfort and anxiety, but it's completely worth listening to. You can hear "june" below. Maria Kelly's new EP, notes to self , will be released on Veta Records. For more on Maria Kelly, check out her website .

Photo by James Byrne If you're from Manchester, starting a band is a damned if you do/damned if you don't proposal. How do you not start a band when your city has such a rich and legendary history? But... how do you start a band when your city has such a rich and legendary history? I'm not saying Stalagmites are the next legendary Manchester band, but based on "Binary," they're off to a good start. "Binary" borrows pretty heavily from multiple genres. It could just be that the opening (and repeated) riff is very reminiscent of "Bastards of Young," but there's more than a hint of The Replacements here. You're going to hear a ton of modern post punk, but the more palatable Interpol variety than Gang of Four. When the guitar isn't sounding like The Replacements, it swirls around on the line between shoegaze and psychedelia. It's a great blend that takes a few of the most copied genres but puts them together in a way we...