NEW SINGLE RELEASE – Lip Filler ‘Limelite’
NEW SINGLE RELEASE – Lip Filler ‘Limelite’ 25.10.23 Words by Lea Grnova Lip Filler: West London’s Rising Indie Rock Sensation released a new song Lip Filler, an indie rock band from West London, consists of guitarists Jude and Verity, bassist Theo, drummer Nate, and vocalist and keyboardist George. They have released another brilliant song that you’ll want to play on repeat, “Limelite.” “Limelite” is the first song this quintet wrote together. It evokes a sense of freedom, adolescent foolishness, rebellion, and introspection, much like the colour palette of a moody sunset over a rugged coastline, where the crashing waves mirror the music’s dynamic and unpredictable nature. Lip Filler embodies a distinctive blend of raw, unpolished energy and emotional depth. They are like the musical equivalent of an intimate, dimly lit club where the sound reverberates with passion and authenticity. From subdued verses that hang in the air like a question mark to explosive choruses that burst forth with raw energy, Lip Filler has the potential to become THE indie rock band. If you are a fan of indie rock, this song will hook you within seconds and secure a place in your list of favourites. And if you are not typically a fan of this genre, this band might just change your mind about it. “Across seven songs, drinks are thrown and cigarettes are burned into the carpet in a display of unbridled energy that feels rarely achievable in this age. The five members treat a tiny bedroom as if it were an arena.” If you’re eager to catch Lip Filler in a live performance, mark your calendar for December 7th at The Windmill Brixton in London. Don’t forget to stay in the loop with their latest show updates and new song releases by following them on Instagram (@lipfillertv). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_3RY9uEpUg You Might Also Like Indie, Lip Filler, New Discovery, New Releases, Single, West London
NEW SINGLE RELEASE – Marika Hackman ‘Hanging’
NEW SINGLE RELEASE – Marika Hackman ‘Hanging’ 24.10.23 Words by Caitlin Taylor Marika Hackman has been a quiet leader of the British indie queer music scene for years. Marika Hackman has been a quiet leader of the British indie queer music scene for years. 2017’s ‘I’m Not Your Man’ and 2019’s ‘Any Human Friend’ are both beautiful albums exploring gender, sex and insecurity. Finally, after a 4 year musical silence, she’s announced her upcoming album ‘Big Sigh’ first with the single ‘No Caffeine’ and now with the haunting ‘Hanging’. The majority of the song is a gentle contemplation on an abusive relationship. Hackman quietly sings heartbreaking lines about being in love with someone who treats you with cruelty. “Remember when you said I’m a disease and how you’d like to kill me in your dreams” she murmurs in the second verse. But at the last moment she yells out as the instruments crescendo into a powerful ending as she decides to leave her partner. Hackman explained the meaning of this outro in a statement: “‘Yeah you were a part of me, i’m so relieved it hurts’ is describing how painful it still is to break up even if it’s not right.” “Hanging is reflecting on a difficult past relationship and how you can trap yourself in a situation where you’re unable to grow into the next stage of your life,” Although she has a loyal fanbase and has inspired many current artists, hopefully this will be the album that brings Hackman the love she deserves. She’s consistently been one of the best indie artists around, with an extremely strong backlog of music and only seems to be getting better as she ages, looking back in reflection at her past choices and mistakes. ‘Big Sigh’ is set to release in 2024, accompanies by a string of tour dates across the UK and Europe in March and April. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-MYQ0MWpVs You Might Also Like Brighton and Hove, Devon, Dream pop, Folk, Greater London, Industry Breakthrough, Marika Hackman, New Releases, Single
NEW SINGLE RELEASE – NightBus ‘Exposed to Some Light’
NEW SINGLE RELEASE – NightBus ‘Exposed to Some Light’ 24.10.23 Words by Amalia Castle Manchester trio, Nightbus, paint a dark and thrilling after-hour picture in their newest cinematic single ‘Exposed to Some Light’ Over the last year rising Manchester-based band, Nightbus, have been carving out a unique style laced with dark undertones and influences from the past and present. Yet this sound is distinct to the northern trio and is what they call ‘Late-night music’. Earlier this month, the band released their third track titled ‘Exposed to Some Light’, which is full of the sounds and sensations of high-speed, reckless after-hours. Opening with an addicting 80s-esque drum pattern, gritty chord progression and eerie synths, ‘Exposed to Some Light’ holds an unparalleled energy to a retro slasher film or 80s thriller. The band’s post-punk instrumentation crafts a perfect synergy with lead vocalist Olive Rees’ dramatic vocals, whose tone is reminiscent of Florence Welch or even a new age Siouxsie Sioux. Close your eyes, and ‘Exposed to Some Light’ transports you to a thrilling moment in the early hours, making bad decisions, and with total momentary freedom.The trio tell DORK how the track originated from a poem they wrote and since being shaped into the production it is today, has become a favourite during many of their live shows. Nightbus came together after teenage friends Zac Melrose (bassist) and Jake Cottier (guitarist and producer) began playing around with some tracks one summer and soon after they invited Melrose’s university friend, Rees (vocalist, synth player and guitarist), into the mix. The trio tell NME how their sound pulls on a host of influences, such as Joy Division, Fontaines D.C, New Order and The xx. Since working together and crafting their striking, cinematic sound they ironically call “electronic post-punk goth chic”, the band have attracted label attention leading them to their current four-part single release. They tell how these tracks hope to reflect the sensation of the chaotic Manchester nightclub scene, while also being fueled by a glum existentialism due to the UKs current political climate. The Manchester band have been on a high in their first year which is set to continue, following a number of headline shows, festival appearances, and various features in NME, DORK, Clash and a BBC Introducing feature from Amy Lamé. Alongside Nightbus’ exciting four-part single release, are a host of shows spanning the next few months. More info here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6rAIQGLD09Q You Might Also Like Electronic, Manchester, New Releases, Nightbus, On the Rise, Single
NEW SINGLE RELEASE- Morgan Harper-Jones ‘Boombox’
NEW SINGLE RELEASE- Morgan Harper-Jones ‘Boombox’ 24.10.23 Words by Hannah Ross ‘Boombox’: an indie-pop fusion about unrequited love, letting go and moving on. Morgan Harper-Jones released her newest single ‘Boombox’ earlier this month following the announcement of the February 23 release of her debut album Up To The Glass. Boombox’s upbeat melody and catchy chorus are coupled with deep, melancholy lyrics about the pain of fighting for the attention of someone who doesn’t make you feel enough. Harper-Jones said that the inspiration for Boombox came from a situationship she was in for three years where she felt the need to prove herself all the time. “I was giving them an ultimatum, but I was terrified that they’d say, ‘I’m sorry, I don’t choose you,’ because then I’d have to be the one to walk away,” she says. Boombox takes us on a journey from grasping for the attention of someone who makes you feel invisible, “If you never notice me, will I disappear,” to demanding an answer, “Let me in, or let me go.” “I believe that the definition of someone who is your person is someone who chooses you back. So, if they can’t choose you, no matter how much chemistry you have, they aren’t your person,” she says about moving on from a relationship that makes you feel unseen. Boombox serves as a reminder that letting go of someone who can’t give you what you need is painful, but eventually empowering. Harper-Jones has the unique strength of being able to express vulnerability through her lyrics which transform into powerful, defiant and relatable songs. She sings with honesty and passion well beyond her years, promising a bright future for the rising star. Harper-Jones’ music has blown up recently as her music was featured in Netflix’s international hit Love At First Sight, placing her in Shazam’s global Top 10. Her upcoming album deals with the all-familiar feeling that life passes us by too fast and that living in the moment can feel overwhelming. Up To The Glass is inspired by the feeling of wanting to slow down and be a part of the things around you. There’s “no choice” but to continue to make music for Harper-Jones, “For my own sanity I’ll write to make sense of my little world.” You Might Also Like Manchester, Morgan Harper-Jones, New Releases, Next Big Thing, Pop, Single
NEW SINGLE RELEASE – Portobello ‘Lose My Mind’
NEW SINGLE RELEASE – Portobello ‘Lose My Mind’ 24.10.23 Words by Genevieve Pughe Some of the finest sounds often emerge from a rich collaboration of diverse influences, and Portobello’s track Lose My Mind is not lacking in this effect Entering the scene in 2017, the London based group of 4 nestles in a groove reminiscent of Tom Misch, and are definitely one to watch after being recognised as a BBC introducing track of the week. Portobello have crafted a sound which is almost playful, where male and female vocals seamlessly dance with one another. The velvety blend of Andrew Burns and Lucy Bisset voices effortlessly connect with the fun and soulful instrumentation, which you can clearly tell is a product of masters of their trade. When speaking to Andrew Burns about the inspiration behind ‘Lose My Mind’, he revealed that the iconic guitar lines were the skeleton for the song, building the tune around the voice of the instrument. The guitar solo in ‘Lose My Mind’ speaks for itself, as it builds its contagious rhythm that left me craving more of the infectious funk. ‘Lose My Mind’ was recorded at ZigZag Studios, run by Harri Chambers. When speaking with the band they told me how Chamber’s is one of the most hardworking and passionate people they have met, and how fitting the track sounded paired with the studio’s rooftop views capturing the city. When listening to ‘Lose My Mind’, you can’t help but picture the city basking in the last of the late evening sun, keeping you mentally in summer for 4 minutes longer. You Might Also Like Uncategorised
NEW SINGLE RELEASE – The last Dinner Party ‘My Lady of Mercy’
NEW SINGLE RELEASE – The last Dinner Party ‘My Lady of Mercy’ 23.10.23 Words by Caitlin Taylor It’s almost impossible to believe that The Last Dinner Party have only officially released 3 singles as they’ve definitely entered the British music scene with their axe swinging. They’ve supported Florence & Machine, played Glastonbury and just this week made their debut on Later… with Jools Holland, it’s impressive for a band who had relied on building their name through word of mouth on the London music circuit until April of this year. Following on from their previous two releases ‘Nothing Matters’ and ‘Sinner, both dramatic love songs, in their latest release ‘Lady of Mercy’ the band professes their love to the religious (and modern feminist/queer) icon Joan of Arc. In a statement the band said “’My Lady Of Mercy’ is about being a girl, a girl looking up at a painting of Joan of Arc for the first time and thinking that she looks so brave and so beautiful that she wants to kiss her. And maybe she also wants to kiss the girl who stands next to her in the school choir… The lyrics explore the anguish of a teenage crush that can only be described through the bloody, carnal language of religious experience.” The most raw and intense of their releases so far, the chorus features gasping breaths and screeching backing vocals. It’s fun to see the band expressing less control than the carefully controlled verses of ‘Nothing Matters’. The track ebbs and flows with epic howling builds that lead to a choir of voices screaming “strike me through the heart”. The band have said that their sound is heading somewhere “darker, heavier” and that their main influences at the moment are Nine Inch Nails, PJ Harvey and Roxy Music, however the Kate Bush energy is still present in Abigail Morris’s bellowing gothic vocals. It’s clear through their styling and lyricism that the band is heavily inspired by medieval aesthetics and stories, with references to arrows, swords and stabbing. Religion is also a recurring theme, often juxtaposed with queerness. The single was produced by James Ford, who has previously worked with Florence & The Machine, Artic Monkeys and The Last Shadow Puppets Unfortunately their tour is sold out for the rest of this year but they are going on to support Hozier afterwards. Their next UK solo show will be at London’s The Roundhouse in February. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mV76WmC5I4s You Might Also Like Folk-Rock, Folklore, Greater London, Industry Breakthrough, New Releases, Pop-Folk, The Last Dinner Party
NEW SINGLE RELEASE – Abbie Ozard ‘days like these’
NEW SINGLE RELEASE – Abbie Ozard ‘days like these’ 19.10.23 Words by Teguan Harris Abbie Ozard sings about the darkness of social media with enchanting and angelic harmonies in her new single, ‘days like these’ Manchester-born indie and alternative artist Abbie Ozard releases her dreamy new single titled ‘days like these.’ This is her second single release of this year, following her September single ‘I don’t know happiness without you’. Abbie composes this new single with natural sound and organic instrumentation, as its lyrics focus on social media compulsions and growing up with social media being on the frontal side of our brains. The song’s theme is the dark side of the internet, using the dark and light paradox to express the loss of innocence because of social media, with girls learning they are unlovable unless their face is ‘tuned enough’. With innocent harmonies and pure melodies, Abbie asserts that we never meant to know this much about each other, see ourselves in such an exposed way, or expose ourselves to heavy knowledge that was enough to transform how we see, think or feel about ourselves. Abbie releases ‘days like this’ and ‘I don’t know happiness without you,’ with a debut album slated for release in early 2024 under her record label, House Anxiety. Abbie has a habit of creating dreamy, seraphic and innocent harmonies and melodies with enchanting instrumentals, acoustic sound and a natural, angelic voice. Combining her angelic voice with her seraphic melodies and aesthetic, she explores coming-of-age themes, innocence and nostalgia through her lyricism. Abbie enchants her fans and the indie music scene with her soft, angelic and enticing artistic style, aesthetic and vision, earning support from critics and radio presenters. Abbie’s unique talent and discography have gotten her accolades, opportunities and praise. From releasing her enthralling EP ‘Water Based Lillies’ in 2022 to performing a set on Glastonbury this summer, Abbie’s year in music has been more than successful; BBC 1 Radio presenter and former bandmate of The Saturdays’ Mollie King featured her single ‘I don’t know happiness without you’ on Future Pop; Abbie performed at Abbie McCarthy’s Good Karma Club early this spring; she supported artists Lauren Hibberd, Phoebe Green and Whenyoung during their shows; her 2022 single ‘ford (drive)’ was BBC Introducing’s track of the week on BBC Radio 1 earlier this year. This winter, she is supporting Briston Maroney on their tour. With her early successes as a young artist and a debut album on its way to us, Abbie is only going up from here, set to take over the indie and alternative music scene. https://youtu.be/oALDQxAOlJ4 You Might Also Like Abbie Ozard, Britpop, Indie, Manchester, New Discovery, New Releases
NEW SINGLE RELEASE – RØRY ‘BLACK HEARSE’
NEW SINGLE RELEASE – RØRY ‘BLACK HEARSE’ 19.10.23 Words by Taniya Khan RØRY’s Black Hearse: A Hard-Hitting Tale Weaved With Love More often than not, you encounter a piece of art that lives in your heart rent-free. I felt a similar emotion when I first listened to Rory’s Black Hearse. It is a song by Roxanne Emery, also known as Rory, released in 2023. It is a hauntingly beautiful song about love, pain, and loss. It’s a song that would not only soar but twinge your heart in pain. Yet, it’s a discomfort you’ll be grateful for. You won’t be called a lover, if you escape the pain. While our hearts long for love, who equipped us to handle the lingering pain that often accompanies it? You stand on the precipice of love, ready to dive in, yet the fear of being wounded holds you back. In a paradoxical twist, what if you find solace in embracing the pain itself? Almost as a shield against the vulnerability of love. These are some thoughts that Rory’s latest song brew in my mind. It’s a complex dance, a paradox of the heart, where you willingly invite pain in, believing that by accepting it, you gain a form of control, an immunity to deeper hurt. In doing so, you navigate the delicate balance between experiencing the depths of love and protecting your heart from its potentially shattering aftermath. It’s a testament to the intricate nature of human emotions, where the very thing that might wound you becomes, in a way, your armour against further injury. The lyrics, “I’m only getting married if I’m living in a black hearse,” encapsulate a poignant sentiment about love and the inevitable pain intertwined with it. In these words, there’s a striking juxtaposition of love’s joyous commitment, symbolized by marriage, and the sombre imagery of a black hearse, traditionally associated with death and sorrow. It conveys the notion that, for some, the idea of fully embracing love is inseparable from the understanding that pain and heartache may come with it. It’s a reflection of the vulnerability that accompanies love, where the fear of emotional wounds can be so profound that it colours one’s perspective on commitment. The lyrics suggest a readiness to face the potential hardships of love, as symbolized by the hearse, almost as a prerequisite for entering into a lifelong partnership. It’s a poignant commentary on the complex and often bittersweet nature of romantic relationships, where the anticipation of love is entwined with the acknowledgment of the pain that may be part and parcel of the journey. The song ends with a slow fade-out, leaving the listener with a sense of both sadness and hope. What makes Rory’s Black Hearse such a special song is its raw and honest portrayal of the feelings a lover is trapped in. Rory does not shy away from the pain and anguish that comes with losing a loved one. She also sings about the hope that comes from knowing that we will see them again someday. Rory’s Black Hearse is a song that will stay with you long after you take your earphones off. Sometimes, isn’t it beautiful to simply dwell in the concoction of emotions? You’ve got your midnight jam! https://youtu.be/4OmC7bNKOwM You Might Also Like Alternative Rock, General and Greater London, New Releases, Next Big Thing, Pop Punk, Rory, Single
NEW ALBUM RELEASE – Bishopskin ‘Babble’
NEW ALBUM RELEASE – Bishopskin ‘Babble’ 18.10.23 Words by Jack Dixon + Genevieve Pughe Birthed from stories of British Folklore and surounded in religious undertones, Bishopskin releases their debut Album ‘Babble’ Bishopskin is unparalleled at integrating sounds and influences of British folk music that have long been dormant, from the incorporation of strings and woodwind to unique choral arrangements that tie in the album’s religious artistic roots. The history of British and pre-reformation catholic folklore sound like trumpets in the ears of listeners, not afraid to take up space to grow within a timeless movement of music. Since first forming in lockdown as the brainchild of Lead vocalist Tiger Nicholson and guitarist James Donovan, Bishopskin has been unrelenting in pushing musical boundaries. Now having grown to include seven more collaborators, each member of Bishopskin brings a totally unique perspective to the band’s already eclectic sound. When listening to Babble as a whole, the sound creates what it says on the tin, the distinct Babble of a vibrant community. The opening track, Ave Maria, wastes no time incorporating the religious symbolism that comes to define the entirety of the album. The greeting of ‘Good morning my Lord, I’m sorry’ cuts clear as the lead vocalist struggles with his personal vision of faith, staccato vocal features and long phrases mimicking a cry for help. A folklore prayer is thus created like stories around a campfire, creating the chill of an English winter night which passes through generations. The soprano sounds later in the track ring like sirens, echoing themes similar to classical hymnal arrangements by the likes of Schubert and Mozart, a personal and modern prayer rooted in timeless tradition. Mothers Steel Bike calls to mind the idea of a lost Blakean image of England, with Nicholson emphasising his vision to embrace the England that ‘lies sleeping underneath these rolling hills’. Ethereal harmonic layers allow listeners to journey to an otherworldly space, in which vocal percussion and drums paint an idyllic soundscape of the ‘forest and the night’. Msb features a guitar and violin duo, with flamenco sounding melodies creating a call and response effect between the singer and the instrumentation. This playful musical interlude is a continuation from the previous track, building in spirit to capture the sense of freedom they both represent. We see the track Hey Little Sister begin with Hana Miyagi’s lament of the violin, later progressing into a fiddle like groove to showcase the versatility of the beloved classical string instrument. Another honourable mention would have to go to Tati Gutteridge, for a saxophone solo which definitely is a highlight of the track. Hey Little Sister is one of the more pointedly Christian tracks on the album, exploring the importance of listening to the plan God has for you when faced with hard times. Once again Bishopskin vividly paints forgotten England, surrounding the listener with a cacophony of sound that brings to mind the liveliness and joviality of an old Tavern. Tribute to tradition is mimicked further in the reconstruction of the hymn swing low sweet chariot, Come Home. The low bass tones paired with the drill device of sweeping percussion provide a soft hopeful lullaby, shifting into a guitar riff which mirrors a folk style jig. The tremolo of the violin, cymbals crashing like waves, and climbing of the singer’s vocal range set Born in high tension. The track directly covers themes of national identity in a defiant tone, growing in passion before shifting smoothly into spoken word in a way which defies form and genre. National identity resumes in the adaptation of the 14-century hymn of pilgrimage, Stella Splendens, which heavily incorporates conventions of Ukrainian folk. The band’s willingness to push the boundaries of folk music manifest in the pursuit of this track’s unorthodox sound. Tati Gutteridge and Tabitha Avazato utilise their crisp vocal blend to pass lyrical ideas through the group for Holy Mary, like a classic folk song sung in the round. Hypnotic repetition and plucked guitar strings resemble rain tapping on a windowpane, conducting a trancelike experience of faith and community. Bishopskin strips back their performance style as the album progresses. With Larks Prayer and Down on the Moor introducing a more conventional style, embracing stripped back vocal and instrumental performances that pay homage to sounds of the 1970s folk revival. Donovan when speaking about the album’s relationship with faith states, ‘“I think everyone has the capacity and the desire to feel something a bit spiritual’. Perhaps these tracks seek confirmation of the spirituality that can be enjoyed by all, not just the experimental. In their press release, Bishopskin claimed Jerusalem as the ‘founding document’ for the group, making it fitting to pay homage in the closing piece. Bishopskin’s Jerusalem imparts the same feelings of hope and renewal that William Blake professes so beautifully. The isolated piano and raw vocals leave listeners with an intimate last taste of Bishopskin, with newborn cries echoing the newfound and assembled faith that is Babble. https://youtu.be/KPxoPWKNfzs?list=OLAK5uy_khLv5fUpWcVefdbIi0RLuIDg_5Z2V1Yl0 You Might Also Like Album, Bishopskin, Folklore, Greater London, Jazz, New Discovery, New Releases
NEW EP RELEASE – Slaney Bay ‘Why Does Love Mean Loss?’
NEW EP RELEASE – Slaney Bay ‘Why Does Love Mean Loss?’ 16.10.23 Words by Abby Vauls Slaney Bay touches on family loss and the teenage experience in new EP Slaney Bay are an alternative-indie trio of childhood friends from South-West London. The band came onto the music scene in November 2022, with the release of their first EP, “A Life Worth Living” – a coming of age album that explores the difficulties of navigating growing up. They bounced off the success of this well received debut, performing as support for acts including Sinead O’Brien and Bleach Lab. The band have, as of September this year, released their second EP, “Why Does Love Mean Loss?” – a beautiful nostalgic EP that perfectly sums up the teenage experience. The soft indie acoustic sound exquisitely compliments the poetic, whimsically whispered lyrics from this EP. In such a short number of tracks, the EP successfully ranges from a wild, youthful energy that reminds you of how fun and twisted it was growing up, to the soft sadness that accompanies growing older, and the losses we face. The particular loss of Caitlin’s grandfather inspired my favourite song of this EP, “Family Tree” – an emotional tribute to the struggle of dealing with the loss of a loved one. The guitar (Will Nicola-Thompson) and bass guitar (Joel Martin) compliment Caitlin’s voice perfectly, as she sings about the beauty of resembling those who raised us, ‘thank God the apple never fell far from the family tree’. The song finishes with a clip of her grandfather talking – the perfect nostalgic end to this beautiful ode. Be sure to catch this sure-to-soar-to-stardom band at their headline show on November 3rd at Colours Hoxton, London, to be guaranteed an incredible live performance, as well perhaps, to shed a tear or two. https://youtu.be/LcS1vuekdNo You Might Also Like EP, Indie, New Releases, Slaney Bay, South-West London