NEW EP RELEASE – Ego Ella May ‘Take It Easy (Miles’ Song)’
NEW EP RELEASE – Ego Ella May ‘Take It Easy (Miles’ Song)’ Ego Ella May beckons you to share a taste of warmth in mid-winter from her new track ‘Take It Easy (Miles’ Song)’. 07.12.23 Words by Holly Eve https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ueVjudrdOwI South London-based artist, Ego Ella May has recently released the third instalment of her Fieldnote EPs titled ‘Fieldnotes iii’. Among the tracks that explore Love, Loss and Struggle, one is dedicated to a friend or close companion of May. ‘Take it Easy (Miles’ Song)’ envisions a Neo-Soul ambience, comforting listeners in the accompaniment of groovy bass, gentle piano and crisp hi-hats paving a foundation for Ella’s smooth soulful voice. The song opens with a distorted guitar melody that phases into the audio growing louder by the second. A welcoming invitation into a calm and peaceful space. May’s mellow vocal hum floats across the top. Soft yet powerful when addressing the self-reflective lyric ‘take it easy’, learning to be patient and to nurture yourself when troubles may arise. The main chorus builds from a steady and relaxed start to a feeling of redemption in the rhythm section. Taking an elevation in key much like the message of the record. The piano ascends, dancing around the brighter notes and blending into the vocals; a lighter and airier tone fills the space. Quickly switching back to an acoustic freestyle, each instrument hops between slight time signatures and engulfs the listener into a rounded journey of self-fulfilment and momentary escape. As the track fades, a male voice, perhaps Miles, weighs in on growing up in a challenging London environment. Wanting to break free from the ‘rat race’. Once again it invites the listener into a raw experience addressing self-discovery and future ambitions, creating a sense of authenticity in the record. Ella’s talent crafts Spiritual, emotional and therapeutic guidance through sonic expression for many others who may be going through a similar situation. Noted as the last track on the record, it is only right to find a resolution to the EP, this may be the best example. ‘Fieldnotes iii’ is split into two halves delving into a place of mental anguish, challenges in life and questioning self-worth, notably found in ‘Undone’ and ‘Liminal Space,’ manifesting a better future to come by discovering the importance of healing. The second half of the album expresses the climb, conquering and flourishing in self-love, in ‘Take it Easy’ and ‘Higher Self,’ a powerful message in each record, gaining wisdom after every lyric. Although similar motives are expressed through the past two Eps, in the most recent release, her sound becomes its own. Finding her feet in a jazz/soul mixture comparable to Erykah Badu and Amy Winehouse. It’s a refreshing journey that outlines Love, heartbreak and solution in an uplifting view, very few can challenge her narration. You Might Also Like
NEW EP RELEASE – Eden Rain ‘But I’m Alright Now’
NEW EP RELEASE – Eden Rain ‘But I’m Alright Now’ Eden Rain releases delightful sophomore EP, ‘But I’m Alright Now’ 06.12.23 Words by Matt Sharp https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U-TTLVsJ4WI Originally from Leeds, now based in London, Eden Rain has been piquing interest with her regular stream of releases in 2023. This has culminated in her new 5-track EP, ‘But I’m Alright Now’. The project is composed of 4 previously released singles,as well as brand new track, ‘Ghost Girl’. The name of the project has a rather endearing origin story. ‘But I’m Alright Now’ was actually the punchline to a joke told by Eden’s father when she was younger. When in a session creating these songs, the true meaning of the joke suddenly becameclear, and Eden excitedly called her dad to tell him. Since this, the name has developed, and taken on new meanings. For Eden it is reminiscent of the idea of faking it till you make it, and trying to convince people you’re in a better place than you truly are. However, in talking about the project Eden expressed she was “proud and pleased to say that on a good day, I think I am actually alright now.” The project begins with one of my personal favourites, the effortlessly charming,‘Terry And Julie’. This tale of love meanders wonderfully between verse and chorus, with memorable lyrics present throughout. The protagonists of ‘Terry’ and ‘Julie’ are wonderful characters in this love story. On this we see excellent song-writing, over mellow production courtesy of Josef Page. Following the first track we have, ‘I Found My Brain’, which is brimming with relatable lyricism. This one is a slightly more energised offering, with a chorus primed for a live setting. “I found my brain last night, down the back of the sofa”, is a fantastic sentiment in which to base the song around. This track makes way to ‘Pet Names’. A more sombre expression, ‘Pet Names’ is a sweet indie pop number, discussing themes of love and a significant other. In this middle point of the EP, there comes across a theme of ups and downs across the project, with Eden Rain reflecting on her varying life experiences. ‘All Things Change’ is next in the track list. In ‘All Things Change’, themes of acceptance and the removal of caring stand out to me. Whilst it contains a certainamount of sadness, this song has a triumphant nature. There are brilliant, slightly tongue-and-cheek lyrics, to do with bathing with toasters, but the energy of the track remains jubilant. The pinnacle line of ‘All Things Change’, strikes as Eden Rainmaking peace with events in her life. I find this to be another stand out offering from the project. The EP reaches its conclusion with the highly emotive, ‘Ghost Girl’. The ghost metaphor is deeply compelling, and stirs reflection upon listening. “I’m a ghost at the party” is a line that stands out for its relatability. The production is floating and atmospheric, and provides the base for one of Eden’s best vocal performances yet. With this song we see a superb ending to a hugely captivating EP. Eden Rain recently excelled at her sold-out headline performance at The LowerThird in London. Another headline performance, this time at Oporto in her hometown of Leeds, suggests live performance to be an area she is not only comfortable in, butan area where she excels. Eden Rain is a young artist with a huge amount of promise, showcasing on this EP a song writing ability beyond her years. With these headline performances, and this dazzling new EP, Eden Rain is due to have a fantastic 2024. You Might Also Like
NEW SINGLE RELEASE – Head Ballet ‘Contact Lens’
NEW SINGLE RELEASE – Head Ballet ‘Contact Lens’ A funky sort of sadness grips me as I’m walking down the road listening to Head Ballet’s latest release 06.12.23 Words by Harvey John https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lYrZNAkBG9M The Manchester based electronic-dance band have pulled me out of this semi-bright British day (a taste of summer in this bleak winter) into a sense of loss. Usually I avoid this feeling, sadness. I don’t try to look back at past failings or feel their weight. And you know what? I feel good – I feel…released. The band’s latest song, Contact Lens, released on the 24th of November and weaves it way between joy and sadness – going from ‘holding hands’ and romantic notions to falling into ‘a cloud in such bad weather’. There’s a great sense of loss in these lyrics. The band lead singer and vocalist, Kiera Court, has a wispy sort of voice that carries the playful notes she produces and layers the undertones of someone with a heavy heart and a sense of loss. It’s a voice that you’d find instantly recognisable. If you put Head Ballet on a speaker in a room full of a thousand chatty people, those who fans would instantly feel their ears prickling up. Loss in for Head Ballet isn’t a losing someone, it’s losing the ability to see clearly – that what they’ve lost provided them with so much clarity that without it they feel almost blinded. The idea of losing innocence isn’t something that’s lost on this generation, and for a band that takes inspiration from its experiences – that formed during the height of lockdown – loss of clarity and feeling blind and confused is something that many of this Covid-kept generation can relate to. Contact Lens is a song that seeps pain like a dull ache, one that makes you want to cry – and that’s a compliment! Songs should feel emotionally evocative, not just passive tunes that you listen to while you’re on the bus or going for a run or leaving work. Sometimes you need to let your hair down, get out the Ben & Jerry’s, lie on your bed and listening to a sad song and let all that built up pressure free – utterly lose it, just ‘like a contact lens’. If you’re looking to see this band live and live within or can travel to London in January, then you are in luck! The band will be playing live in The Waiting Room in Stoke Newington. Tickets are available and can be found through the link in the bands Instagram bio. For those able to attend the show at 7pm on Wednesday 31st of January will be in for a treat! You Might Also Like
NEW SINGLE RELEASE – Josie Oliver ‘Tomorrow’
NEW SINGLE RELEASE – Josie Oliver ‘Tomorrow’ Josie Oliver wishes for a better ‘Tomorrow’ in her new single 06.12.23 Words by Giulia Castagnaro https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rgec8J9GYbM Josie Oliver is a UK-based singer and artist. She recently released her fourth single titled ‘Tomorrow’. This song starts with a beautiful piano intro, inviting the listener into an emotional space. The melody of ‘Tomorrow’ maintains a rather sad undertone which accompanies us throughout. The lyrics present a moment of heartbreak and how although we know someone is not good for us, we might still endure the pain instead of letting them go. Josie Oliver explains that just like a bitter pill that is hard to swallow, she will wait out the pain until tomorrow. The song captures a feeling of nostalgia for what once was. It presents a longing so strong that even though it now turned into pain, you are unable to let go of what is hurting you. As Josie expresses, it has become a habit, and ‘you are one of the worst of them’. While at the beginning of the song, the lyrics indicate a sense of pride for her stubbornness to move on, ultimately, there is anger and pain in holding on just as much as there is in letting go. Holding on to this habit will not make the pain go away. Just like Josie’s feelings, her song becomes something you cannot let go of. I have been listening to ‘Tomorrow’ every single day, immersing myself in her wondrous melody and heartfelt lyrics. The song paints a bittersweet, yet beautifully painful experience, leaving the listener wanting to know more about how this heartbreak came to be. Any indie fan will love Josie Oliver’s ‘Tomorrow’ as it hits home with a theme all of us can relate to. You Might Also Like Indie, Josie Oliver, New Releases, On the Rise, Pop, Single
GIG REVIEW – SOFY @ The Grace, Islington – 4th Dec 2023
GIG REVIEW – SOFY @ The Grace, Islington – 4th Dec 2023 Fresh from the release of her outstanding debut mixtape, Leicester’s very own SOFY has kicked off her supporting tour for “Chaos & Commotion.” I was fortunate enough to attend the first night of a three-date residency at The Grace in the heart of Islington. 05.12.23 Words by Scott Rudd The evening began with a couple of Super Bocks and a fantastic opening set by Dublin-based artist and producer Chameleon. His fusion of indie and melodic hip-hop created vibrant and breezy vibes as the room slowly filled in anticipation of the main event. After a brief half-hour break, SOFY and her accompanying band took the stage, receiving rapturous applause from her dedicated rat army. She delivered a stacked setlist, encompassing every track from ‘Chaos & Commotion,’ the majority of tunes from both ‘Bored In Colour’ EPs, and a beautiful rendition of Paramore’s ‘The Only Exception.’ Her vocals ranged from powerful to tender with effortless grace. The band skilfully recreated the crisp studio sound, maintaining that quality on stage while incorporating exciting new instrumental breaks that pleasantly took me by surprise. The performance kicked off with ‘Yoyo,’ instantly sparking excitement and engagement from the crowd, who were in top form with their participation and encouragement. Throughout the show, I couldn’t shake the feeling that this performance deserved a larger stage. This isn’t to diminish The Grace; cosy shows often surpass arena performances. However, I couldn’t help but envision this set easily filling out the nearby venue, The Garage. It underscored SOFY’s confidence as a performer, suggesting that a jump in capacity wouldn’t faze her and, if anything, would enhance the show’s atmosphere. A pleasant fluctuation in tone helped balance out the intensity of the show, with more solemn and focused songs like ‘Fiesta’ and ‘No Drama’ strategically placed between the rowdier tunes such as ‘Timothée Chalamet’ and ‘Ashley Cole Type Beat.’ This thoughtful arrangement prevented the sense of time from moving too swiftly, leaving me thoroughly satisfied by the end. The encore, featuring the previously mentioned ‘The Only Exception’ by Paramore, ‘Socks,’ and ‘Supermarket,’ sent the crowd away in high spirits, concluding an exceptionally grand time at The Grace. Sofy generously joined the crowd after the show, expressing sincere gratitude to attendees, taking photos, signing records, and engaging in chats with fans, myself included. The remaining tour dates include two more nights at The Grace, followed by shows at Leicester’s Y Theatre and concluding at Manchester’s Yes Basement. If you have the chance to attend any of these upcoming dates, I highly encourage you to do so. You Might Also Like
NEW SINGLE RELEASE – PROJECTOR ‘No Guilt’
NEW SINGLE RELEASE – PROJECTOR ‘No Guilt’ PROJECTOR are one of the many notable talents to emerge from Brighton in recent years, with their upcoming album ‘NOW WHEN WE TALK IT’S VIOLENCE’ reflecting the evolution of a band that have drifted into the spotlight and reached a new heights since their debut back in 2017. 05.12.23 Words by Kristian Floate https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_IGxhwkT2UM Aside from the indisputable growth in production quality, PROJECTOR have a firm footing on a sound that holds a fusion of stylistic influences, while pioneering their own sound altogether at the same time. Their latest single ‘No Guilt’, taken from their debut album due to release in February 2024 with Venn Records, is a prime example of PROJECTOR’S rock-ready versatility – with vocals that offer an essence of Interpol and the early days of the Kaiser Chiefs, while layering twangy guitar hooks that wouldn’t go unnoticed in a Squid single, or a release from fellow Brightonians KEG. This familiarity, infused with refreshing chant-worthy vocal screams and infectiously energised noise, pushes PROJECTOR to untapped terrain that has taken the trio to the mainstream rock scene with flying colours. With endless Spotify playlist features and BBC Radio 6 airplay, the self-produced trio are turning heads already. ‘No Guilt’ is built on a simple foundation of four ascending notes, which quickly blossoms into a gritty stop-and-start rock ballad of intense rock experimentalism. Released alongside a cinematic retro-esque music video filmed at Duke of York’s Theatre, ‘No Guilt’ pushes listeners into the artistic flair that PROJECTOR have developed and perfected in recent years. The raw, emotional angst of PROJECTOR is channelled seamlessly to the live stage, and with 15 UK/EU tour dates across February, March and April, their newest offering will be guaranteed to leave their mark on rock, grunge and pop fans alike. Whether you’re an advocate for vinyl, CD or digital, their debut album is ready to pre-order in all three mediums – so get your 2024 listening off to a strong start! Album Pre-Order – NOW WHEN WE TALK IT’S VIOLENCE | PROJECTOR (bandcamp.com) Tour Tickets – Live – Projector (projectorprojector.co.uk) You Might Also Like
OCTOBER ALBUM RELEASE – Priya Ragu ‘Santhosam’
OCTOBER ALBUM RELEASE – Priya Ragu ‘Santhosam’ The Tamil-Swiss artist Priya Ragu takes us through her liberating journey to happiness on her debut album. Bursting with colour and inspiration. 05.12.23 Words by Nat Kossyvaki ‘Santhosam’ – meaning ‘happiness’ in Tamil – is a fresh explosion of energy, vibrant colours and addictive tabla rhythms. It celebrates happiness and life. Once again Ragu collaborates with her brother, producer Japhna Gold and takes her ‘ragu-wavy’ one step further. The blending of sounds from Tamil tabla beats with Western old-school RnB and sonic pop influences creates the unique style of this powerful brother and sister duo. In her 2021 debut mixtape ‘damnshestamil’ Ragu introduced this unique new style and gave us a first taste of what she’s capable of. Now in ‘Santhosam’ we see her in another level of bloom, in her element, confident, celebrating her true self. The album was released on October 20th by Warner UK, along with a mini album commentary series ‘The Road to Santhosam’ which gives an insight into Ragu’s family story and the elements she took from her cultural upbringing to make this record. The album artwork, designed by Indian artist Manuja Waldia, expresses Ragu’s duality of her identity as an artist. We see her standing in front of the ruins of golden Tamil temples, which represents Sri Lanka’s civil war that led to her family’s migration, while the Swiss mountains loom in the background symbolising her home. In ‘Santhosam’ Ragu takes us through her journey to finding her purpose in life and music – to finding happiness. It’s an empowering story about personal liberation from sociocultural expectations, finding the confidence in her vision and being able to breathe after a long time of being ‘suffocated’. The record possesses a power to heal and uplift, creating a cathartic – almost euphoric – emotion that you want to bring on the dancefloor! Ragu starts off strong with fast tabla beats and powerful vocals on ‘School Me Like That’ which represents breaking free from limitations – escaping family pressures and the societal expectations to get married and settle down. ‘One Way Ticket’ follows and brings in a pop-disco energy, reminiscent of Dua Lipa’s ‘Future Nostalgia’, and releases an unbeatable desire to dance and connect with your inner rhythm. The striking ‘Black Goose’ and its reprise ‘Let Me Breathe’ were written in 2020 as a response to the BLM protests that emerged after George Floyd’s murder by the police in the US. Ragu here takes a political stance and sings about the realities of police brutality, calling for solidarity and mercy. ‘Black Goose/Let Me Breathe’ was also featured in A Colours Show shortly before the release of the album, with Ragu giving a powerful performance. ‘Easy’ draws on UK garage beats, giving a strong taste of urban London with classic cars and iconic outfits in the music video. While the closing track ‘Mani Osai’ is a beautiful and intimate family collaboration between Ragu, her brother and father. As 2023 has already been a shape-shifting year for Priya Ragu, 2024 is set to be even more exciting with the kick-start of her US tour, followed by a short EU and UK tour and finishing at the legendary venue KOKO in London on April 26th. “It’s all in my hands right now, it’s all in my hands right now” (#9 Adalam Va!) And this is just the start for Priya. Highlight Songs: One Way Ticket, Hit The Bucket, Mani Osai https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dnz2qED-vqg
NEW SINGLE RELEASE – Mariella ‘Clueless’
NEW SINGLE RELEASE – Mariella ‘Clueless’ A laid back, R&B groove is the vibe for upcoming artist Mariella’s fourth-ever single release named ‘Clueless’. Listeners won’t be able to help bobbing their head to this progressive soul. 04.12.23 Words by Sophie Coombs https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zU2Izpv6zCg It’s difficult to believe the artist has less than 1,000 followers on Instagram and under 10,000 monthly listeners on Spotify. With silky smooth vocals and vulnerable yet poetic lyrics about unrequited love, it’s no surprise Mariella has previously been featured as one of BBC’s ‘Future Artists’. Comparable to Jorja Smith and Mahalia yet with her own unique sound and vocals, Mariella’s ‘Clueless’ is a versatile single for listeners. Add it to study, work, drive, or pre-drink playlists and it won’t be out of place. Mariella takes listeners on an exploration of heartbreak and healing through her lyrics. So many of us can relate to the realisation of what is actually happening rather than what we perceive, and this is captured perfectly with lines such as: “Oh my gosh, I’ve been so foolish romanticising you.” And: “There’s nothing to say that could take away the shame knowing you didn’t feel the same.” Vulnerable, heart-wrenching lyrics contrast with the upbeat tone of the song which perhaps suggests the protagonist has reached the stage of acceptance with their heartbreak. It is this mixture of lyrics and a slick R&B sound that creates such a wonderful listening experience. The single remains in-line with Mariella’s previous releases such as ‘Disconnect’ and ‘Natural’ but has a more mature, refined edge. She is evidently a songwriting powerhouse who can combine her words with her soulful sound. ‘Clueless’ feels like an evolution of Mariella’s music rather than a change in direction and with such raw talent as displayed in her latest release, there’s no doubt this is only the beginning of a very exciting musical journey for her. You Might Also Like
NEW SINGLE RELEASE – Lauran Hibberd ‘mary’
NEW SINGLE RELEASE – Lauran Hibberd ‘mary’ Lovers of indie-rock with a dash of nostalgic 2000s-esque sound will have Lauran Hibberd’s latest single ‘mary’ on repeat for months. 04.12.23 Words by Sophie Coombs https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TNknDPPJWcw The single comes in advance of Hibberd’s second album ‘Girlfriend Material’ which is due to release in March 2024. One hopes it is an excellent taster of what to expect in the album by the Isle of Wight-born artist. ‘mary’ combines a sound similar to Olivia Rodrigo’s ‘Sour’ with early-noughties rock plus a Hibberd twist to create a fresh yet familiar anthem. The song would not be out of place as a TikTok trending sound nor as a scene opener in the likes of ‘Mean Girls’. The single tells a tale of the protagonist falling for the eponymous Mary during a double date with her boyfriend and the aftermath of the two women beginning a relationship. It oozes the excitement and anticipation that comes with a budding new romance. Its chorus hits you all at once, featuring powerful drums and Hibberd’s impassioned lyrics which will be stuck in your head hours after playing: “This has never happened to me before, where I ditch the guy for the girl next door.” Parallels between the verses are to be noted too and spotlight Hibberd’s songwriting skills. Witty comparisons between her (ex)boyfriend and Mary allow a glimpse into the singer’s humorous personality. Hibberd’s hook brings the song to its crescendo, with catchy lyrics and toe-tapping beat. Throughout the single, instruments used are as compelling as Hibberd’s vocals and this is most evident in the final moments. The song finishes with the most commanding line used throughout: “Everybody wants a Mary.” This song cannot be reviewed without mentioning its themes of LGBTQ+ relationships. Katy Perry’s 2008 ‘I Kissed a Girl’ was praised for its representation of the LGBTQ+ community, and Hibberd’s ‘mary’ is a strong reminder of the progress made in the past 15 years. The experience of a same-sex relationship is normalised and sung about just as heteronormative relationships have been for the past centuries. This single tells so much more than a story of two women in the early stages of their relationship, it tells of the development our society has made in accepting LGBTQ+ love for what it is – love. You Might Also Like
NEW SINGLE RELEASE – Home Counties ‘Wild Guess’
NEW SINGLE RELEASE – Home Counties ‘Wild Guess’ Indie-fans, we have good news for you: The London-based band Home Counties is back with a new single and a new album announcement! 04.12.23 Words by Céline Galletti https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2wEIO047ec Their new song “Wild Guess” is not afraid to experiment: synth music, guitar, rhythmic beats and soft vocals are married together to produce an irresistibly catchy rhythm. At points, the amalgamation of different sounds will be almost cacophonical, but the band manages to make it all work perfectly together and create a very rich musical universe. Clapping, maracas, whistles, soft percussions, choruses and synthetics give rhythm to the main singing voices, a male/female duo that harmonises together beautifully. I challenge anyone to try not to dance along, I guarantee that it will be extremely difficult. But don’t get fooled by the cheerful rhythm, as the lyrics are drastically more bitter. The band reportedly wanted to give voice to the shared fears of young generations by exploring their own various anxieties. They ask us the enigmatic question “In what way do you suffer?”, giving for granted that we are in fact suffering, and inciting us to name our fears. They talk about the fear of old age, of life passing you by, of financial responsibility and phone addiction, and create a parallelism with ecological catastrophes, thus echoing a lingering ecological anxiety: “Like a river full of dirt, I’m hurt, has we burn”. The tonal contrast between the lyrics and the rhythm creates a bittersweet ironical tone: after all, it is better to sing about your problems than cry about them. Home Counties are the voice of a generation, and what a harmonious voice that is. Their full EP “Exactly as it seems” comes out on the 3rd of May 2024, and they will be touring in the UK from the 7th of May onwards. This marks their comeback after a couple years off the radar, and the band is clearly fresh of new ideas and creative inspiration. Give them a look if you want something to brighten up your winter playlist, and keep up with their newest updates on their Instagram @homecountiesband. You Might Also Like