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ION’s “Homesick”: A Thrilling Journey Through Tribal Soundscapes and Modern Vibrancy

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The alternative indie scene has been electrified by the latest release from emerging artist ION, whose new track “Homesick” is an audacious addition to his rapidly growing repertoire. Serving as the final single from his eagerly anticipated EP, “Like A Sickness,” this song delves deep into the intertwined themes of insanity and spiritual preservation, all while maintaining a sound that is as innovative as it is timeless.

A Revival of Ancient Sounds

What sets “Homesick” apart is its ambitious intent to revive the ancient purpose of sound. In a musical landscape dominated by synthesized beats and electronic overtones, ION dares to look back, drawing inspiration from the primal rhythms that have connected humanity for centuries. The track is built around pulsating tribal drums that throb with an almost hypnotic intensity, coupled with lush synths that infuse a modern vibrancy into the soundscape. The result is an anthem that feels ritualistic and uplifting, inviting listeners to embark on their own spiritual journeys.

ION’s music is not merely a passive listening experience; it is a call to reflect, to reconnect with the essence of our shared past. In “Homesick,” he honors indigenous traditions and emphasizes the power of community—a force that transcends time and space. The track’s tribal elements are more than stylistic choices; they are a celebration of heritage and a nod to the timeless power of music as a communal and spiritual experience.

Roots in the Highlands

ION’s deep connection to his roots is unmistakable. Raised in the picturesque Balkan highlands of Kosovo, he was immersed in the natural beauty and rich cultural traditions of the region from an early age. This upbringing has profoundly influenced his artistry, infusing his music with a sense of authenticity that resonates with listeners on a primal level.

This grounding in nature and tradition is evident throughout “Homesick,” where the organic and the electronic merge seamlessly. The track is a testament to ION’s ability to bridge the gap between the ancient and the modern, creating a sound that is at once familiar and refreshingly new.

Influences and Innovations

ION’s musical influences are as diverse as his sound, drawing inspiration from artists like Pantha Du Prince and Al Dobson Jr. These influences are apparent in his ability to create expansive soundscapes that blend the meditative with the danceable, the sacred with the secular. By incorporating elements of tribal house and alternative indie, ION has carved out a niche that is uniquely his own.

“Homesick” is not just a track; it’s an exploration of sound as a medium for spiritual expression. ION’s ability to infuse his music with both ancient and contemporary elements sets him apart in a crowded field, marking him as a significant new voice in the genre.

The Future Looks Bright

With growing press coverage from influential platforms like Clash and Earmilk, and a visually stunning music video that has garnered attention at global film festivals, ION is clearly an artist on the rise. His work is gaining traction not just for its sonic innovation but for its ability to evoke deep emotional and spiritual responses in listeners.

“Homesick” is more than just a song; it is a vibrant call to reconnect with our shared history, even as we forge a path toward a more enlightened future. ION’s unique blend of tribal sounds and modern vibrancy has not only added a thrilling new dimension to the alternative indie scene but has also solidified his place as an artist to watch in the coming years.

As anticipation builds for the release of “Like A Sickness,” fans and newcomers alike can expect more of the boundary-pushing artistry that ION has already begun to master.

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Acclaimed US singer-songwriter Juliet Lloyd to tour the UK for the first time this summer.

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Shortly after releasing her sophomore album in 2007, US-based singer-songwriter Juliet Lloyd walked away from music completely for more than 10 years, feeling burned out and unhappy with her career progression like so many other independent artists. After going through a divorce in 2019 and in the midst of a global pandemic, she found herself pulled back toward the siren call of songwriting and again making the leap to pursue it full time. Her latest album ‘Carnival’, released in 2024, is in many ways the culmination of those decisions, and the reintroduction of an artist who now has the wisdom of experience.

There’s an unmistakable urgency you can feel when a song is written and performed from a place of complete honesty. That feeling permeates ‘Carnival’. “I’ve always been envious of writers who say they write songs because they have to, because they had these things they just had to get out of themselves,” Juliet says. “I had never really felt that way until this album. I’ve become someone who writes because they have to.”

Stylistically, ‘Carnival’ draws on a range of influences from Laurel Canyon-era singer/songwriters, to Lilith Fair rockers, to confessional country/folk balladeers, to indie pop. The central theme of the record and that of its title track is not being too precious about any one experience or decision. Take them for what they are, live in the moment, and move on when they’re done. It acknowledges also that memory can be subjective, and ambiguous—was an experience ultimately a good thing or a bad thing? And whose memory can you rely on to determine the answer to that question?

‘Carnival’ doesn’t just deal with the complexities of ending relationships, it also deals with all the feelings that come with moving on. The album’snine songs feature evocative storytelling that reveals a simple truth: when the carnival inevitably leaves town, you’re left with an empty parking lot. And how you remember, it is a choice. As Juliet sings in the title track, “If only there was a way you could bottle up that feeling / and you’d drink it in / when the days are short and you long.”

Across her 20+ year career, Juliet has been admittedly stylistically non-monogamous. Her first full-length album, ‘All Dressed Up’, was released in 2005 and was heavily jazz-influenced- a label that she rejected at the time. “I am a piano player and a woman, so I was immediately compared to Norah Jones—and I bristled at that,” Juliet says. “Listening back now, I can totally see that it was true, and it of course wasn’t a bad thing.” Her follow-up release ‘Leave the Light On,’ came out two years later and featured a slick piano-pop production that led to five of its songs being placed on reality TV shows on MTV and VH1. Coming back after her 10-year break from writing and recording, Juliet released ‘High Road’, a collection of five Americana/soul-tinged songs produced by Jim Ebert (Meredith Brooks, Shai) that earned her widespread recognition and songwriting awards both in her home region of DC as well as nationally.

Now with her first ever UK tour scheduled for July 2025, Juliet has also dropped a completely brand-new single ‘Wild Again’, which like ‘Carnival’, was written with and produced by Todd Wright (Lucy Woodward, Butch Walker, Toby Lightman). ‘Wild Again’, however, charts yet another new step in Juliet’s journey.

Carnival’, is full of deeply personal songs that are drawn from my real-life experiences and relationships. Coming out of that album cycle, I was feeling a little exhausted by my own navel-gazing and I was craving inspiration elsewhere. So, a lot of the songs I’m writing now are an evolution of sorts – focused more on external stimuli and finding the personal stories and humanity in that. Wild Again is a perfect example of this,” she explains.

The idea for ‘Wild Again’ was born out of a NY Times podcast Juliet listened to about the real-life efforts to return the whale that played Willy in the iconic movie ‘Free Willy’ back into the wild.

“It’s an insane, heartbreaking story that asks all kinds of thorny questions about human responsibility and humility and what’s the “right” thing to do and is that the same as the “kind” thing to do. There was a line that one of the trainers said in the podcast, explaining that they were trying to “train him to be wild again.” The complete absurdity of that statement hit me in the moment, and I immediately started jotting down lyrical ideas”, Juliet says.

Catch Juliet Lloyd on her UK tour this July:

1st July: The Folklore Rooms / Brighton
2nd July: The Hyde Tavern / Winchester
3rd July: Hen and Chicken / Bristol (CRH Music promotions)
4th July: Artisan Tap Hartshill / Stoke-on-Trent

5th July: Waggon & Horses, Nottingham

6th July: Cafe#9 / Sheffield
7th July: Hyde Park Book Club / Leeds
10th July: FortyFive Vinyl Café / York
11th July: The Muddy Puddle / London
13th July: The Wrotham Arms / Broadstairs

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