New Single Release: South Arcade “Nepo Baby”
New Single Release: South Arcade “Nepo Baby” Formed in Oxford in 2021, this alternative band is starting 2024 with a brand-new song. 22.01.24 Words by Azu Mugnier https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aa0caYfOhKY With vibes reminding of Avril Lavigne’s in the early 2000s, this single is a response to negative comments the band received saying how easy it is to enter the “fame” circle when you have parents with relationships in the milieu. South Arcade has made a social media breakthrough during the past two years. In doing so, all members received very unfavourable criticism accusing them of being ‘Nepo Babies’ themselves. The singer, Harmony Cavelle, said: “This song is a reply to all the negative comments that we have been receiving. / We wanted to do something fun and jokey.” “Ain’t even made it but you’re centre stage. Daddy’s paid” this song refers to the term ‘Nepo Baby’ which is commonly used to describe the children of those with connections allowing them to succeed in their careers. The song was written and created in collaboration with all four members: Harry Winks (guitarist), Cody Leigh Johns (drummer), Ollie Green (bass) and Harmony Cavelle (vocalist) after South Arcade guitarist thought of a potential mix idea. Since meeting at university all members have been working hard to release new songs as often as possible. This year, the band are aiming to release a song every five weeks, with a new single to be expected in February. With currently a bit more than 10,000 listens on Spotify, ‘Nepo Baby’ is the first in one of the many new releases that will be happening this year. It is also expected to be featured in the band’s Arc.Angel Tour taking place in March. View this post on Instagram A post shared by ✮ SOUTH ARCADE ✮ (@southarcade)
New Single Release: Beth McCarthy “IDK How To Talk To Girls”
New Single Release: Beth McCarthy “IDK How To Talk To Girls” TikTok star Beth McCarthy is back with her latest single “IDK How To Talk To Girls”, the title track from her recently announced upcoming EP. 18.01.24 Words by Rowan Driver https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KPFsS-SsmNs “IDK How To Talk To Girls” describes the thrill of initial attraction, and the subsequent apprehension and occasional hint of embarrassment that often comes with this. The song takes on a light-hearted tone, with undercurrents of the social anxiety McCarthy feels in her pursuit of women. McCarthy establishes herself as an obsessive overthinker, analysing her every move in a wave of so-called “gay panic” – the song deals heavily with themes of sexuality and self-discovery as McCarthy declares “I’m not usually like this, butterflies with girls hit different”. Queer people are often faced with an added anxiety even when it comes to harmless flirting, as deciphering whether the attraction is mutual can also mean deciphering whether another person is also queer. Short phrases of lyrics in quick succession over pulsating beats reflect the racing thoughts of this complex web of anxieties, translating these themes into an upbeat indie-pop, rock inspired soundscape. McCarthy has proven herself time and again a master of catchy hooks and dance-worthy beats; just six months ago she dropped the equally catchy, carefree “She’s Pretty”, which is also due to feature on the EP and features similar characteristics in its throbbing synths and energetic guitar riffs. Despite appearing on series 3 of BBC1’s The Voice a decade ago, McCarthy is probably best known for her videos on video-sharing platform TikTok. With over 766K TikTok followers, and over 15 million likes on the platform, McCarthy has certainly garnered herself a loyal following. McCarthy has used the platform extensively in promoting the song, creating a series of comedy videos in which she aims to prove she indeed doesn’t know how to talk to girls. McCarthy’s likeable personality and obvious sense of humour has made her increasingly popular as a content creator, and this infectious energy is something she translates into her songwriting – her lyrics are often written in a conversational manner and with an undeniable integrity, making them nothing short of relatable on a widespread and inherently human level. McCarthy concludes her confessional bridge in the song (in which she describes her awkward and obsessive try-hard approach to making conversation) by admitting that, when approached by a girl and asked her name, her nerves got the better of her: she couldn’t remember it. Aside from its comedic value, this only serves to highlight just how familiar McCarthy’s lyrics are – most of us can identify with the feeling of shooting our shot, only for it to dramatically miss, ricochet off every wall and come right back at us in a humiliating gut punch. We’ve all had at least on of those moments, and clearly McCarthy is no different. While three of the five songs to be featured on the upcoming EP have already been released, McCarthy has teased the remaining two on her TikTok account. If what we have seen from her so far is anything to go by though, there is plenty cause for excitement come release day on 14 February. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Beth McCarthy (@bethmaymccarthy) You Might Also Like
Baby Said
Baby Said All Posts Back Nc Grey Heartworms Nuha Ruby Ra Yazmin Lacey Phoebe Troup Pem The Orielles Chisara Agor Eaves Wilder Nabihah Iqbal The Last Dinner Party Lizzie Berchie Emily Magpie TRUNC Cori Nora headboy Grove EJ AKIN Cloth Azamiah HONEYMOAN Laurent Tomike Tiiva Bleach Lab Slaney Bay Art School Girlfriend Tramlines MAVICA Claudia Fenoglio Kit Sebastian Fraudster The Deep Blue Rose Grey Viji Bishopskin Delilah Holliday Laurel Smith kinder this way Cherym Joy Mumford Low Hummer Sky Feliz The New Eves RUBII Oslo Twins Sunny Reyne Sorry Lime Garden PEARL Loraine James Hinako Omori FIZZ TIANNA CIEL Maria Uzor Beach Riot VV Brown Phoebe Hall Yumi and the Weather Trout Morgan Harper-Jones Eva Gadd Jockstrap Rat-Tails Jasmine Jethuwa The Redroom Coach Party Romy Izzy S.O Abbie Ozard Skarlett Riot Aziya Luz SOFY Sprints She's In Parties Joely June Sans Soucis Izzie Yardley Martha Goddard yeule Lola Wild Wings Of Desire Ego Ella May Dalia COURTNEY Bas Jan PYTKO shaene Nia Chennai Lunar June Dog Sport Pixey Alex Amor Hilary Woods Chubby Cat Cheery Ellie Bleach PinkPantheress Katy J Pearson Austel Samantha Lindo Kings Elliot Jæd All Day Breakfast Cafe Dutch Mustard Mary in the Junkyard Freak Slug Cleo Sol Fran Lusty Neya Gaby K Ellie Floyd CMAT THALA Etta Marcus Lucia and the best boys NXKXTA Eden Rain Becky Sikasa Rory Katie Gregson-Mcleod Portobello Nightbus Lip Filler Marika Hackman Bar Italia English Teacher Galya Bisengalieva Daisy and The Deadheads Elkka Sophia Alexa Girl Ray BLAB Meadow Meadow Gently Tender Sell By Belot Pencil wych elm Fi McCluskey O. Jasmine Knight Dionne Tapir! Man/Woman/Chainsaw SOFT LAD Florence Arman Carpark Picture Parlour Divorce Wolf Alice Clay Rings HotWax Rosie H Sullivan Sophie Faith mlbacard¡ NewDad Beabadoobee Masie Peters Ellie Evans Bekah Bossard Venus Grrrls Working Mens Club Liv East Talk Show Tragic Sasha Frankie Jobling MIMI Ladylike Bel Cobain Lambrini Girls Echo Juliet Headshrinkers Dea Doyle Linn Sandarin Vaermina E.M Kane Moon Idle Ashlie Skye Ouraa The Freakshow ELI Umarells Melanie Baker Vanity Fairy Fräulein Erin Bloomer yunè pinku Baby Said Sunflower Thieves Lo Lauren Willow Beggs Home Counties Lauran Hibberd Mariella Priya Ragu DEBUT SINGLE RELEASE – Baby Said ‘Fight’ 30 November 2023/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ARFcrQTCxeU You Might Also Like
Lauran Hibberd
Lauran Hibberd All Posts Back Nc Grey Heartworms Nuha Ruby Ra Yazmin Lacey Phoebe Troup Pem The Orielles Chisara Agor Eaves Wilder Nabihah Iqbal The Last Dinner Party Lizzie Berchie Emily Magpie TRUNC Cori Nora headboy Grove EJ AKIN Cloth Azamiah HONEYMOAN Laurent Tomike Tiiva Bleach Lab Slaney Bay Art School Girlfriend Tramlines MAVICA Claudia Fenoglio Kit Sebastian Fraudster The Deep Blue Rose Grey Viji Bishopskin Delilah Holliday Laurel Smith kinder this way Cherym Joy Mumford Low Hummer Sky Feliz The New Eves RUBII Oslo Twins Sunny Reyne Sorry Lime Garden PEARL Loraine James Hinako Omori FIZZ TIANNA CIEL Maria Uzor Beach Riot VV Brown Phoebe Hall Yumi and the Weather Trout Morgan Harper-Jones Eva Gadd Jockstrap Rat-Tails Jasmine Jethuwa The Redroom Coach Party Romy Izzy S.O Abbie Ozard Skarlett Riot Aziya Luz SOFY Sprints She's In Parties Joely June Sans Soucis Izzie Yardley Martha Goddard yeule Lola Wild Wings Of Desire Ego Ella May Dalia COURTNEY Bas Jan PYTKO shaene Nia Chennai Lunar June Dog Sport Pixey Alex Amor Hilary Woods Chubby Cat Cheery Ellie Bleach PinkPantheress Katy J Pearson Austel Samantha Lindo Kings Elliot Jæd All Day Breakfast Cafe Dutch Mustard Mary in the Junkyard Freak Slug Cleo Sol Fran Lusty Neya Gaby K Ellie Floyd CMAT THALA Etta Marcus Lucia and the best boys NXKXTA Eden Rain Becky Sikasa Rory Katie Gregson-Mcleod Portobello Nightbus Lip Filler Marika Hackman Bar Italia English Teacher Galya Bisengalieva Daisy and The Deadheads Elkka Sophia Alexa Girl Ray BLAB Meadow Meadow Gently Tender Sell By Belot Pencil wych elm Fi McCluskey O. Jasmine Knight Dionne Tapir! Man/Woman/Chainsaw SOFT LAD Florence Arman Carpark Picture Parlour Divorce Wolf Alice Clay Rings HotWax Rosie H Sullivan Sophie Faith mlbacard¡ NewDad Beabadoobee Masie Peters Ellie Evans Bekah Bossard Venus Grrrls Working Mens Club Liv East Talk Show Tragic Sasha Frankie Jobling MIMI Ladylike Bel Cobain Lambrini Girls Echo Juliet Headshrinkers Dea Doyle Linn Sandarin Vaermina E.M Kane Moon Idle Ashlie Skye Ouraa The Freakshow ELI Umarells Melanie Baker Vanity Fairy Fräulein Erin Bloomer yunè pinku Baby Said Sunflower Thieves Lo Lauren Willow Beggs Home Counties Lauran Hibberd Mariella Priya Ragu NEW SINGLE RELEASE – Lauran Hibberd ‘mary’ 4 December 2023/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TNknDPPJWcw 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
DEBUT SINGLE RELEASE – Baby Said ‘Fight’
PHOTO CREDIT: LAWRENCE HUGHES DEBUT SINGLE RELEASE – Baby Said ‘Fight’ If you have ever been enveloped by the cloak of patriarchy and are in need of a remedy, then this new single Fight by Baby Said will provide the perfect antidote for you. 30.11.23 Words by Laura Silk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ARFcrQTCxeU The short, snappy title Fight could not be any more suitable for this fast-driven, intense, pop-rock song. Within seconds we are thrown into an engine of female rage, consisting of heavy guitar riffs and powerful drums and the song only gains momentum throughout. The softer artist name of ‘Baby Said’ is the antithesis to this high-powered, mature, motivating soundscape. Fight was created during a five-hour journey whilst travelling to Wales and embodies the suffocation of female artists within the male dominated music industry. Baby Said are a UK based duo which consists of Veronica and Jess Pal, who are Italian/Punjabi sisters aged nineteen and seventeen retrospectively. This is Baby Said’s first single and it is clear they are here to stay and make their mark on the music industry. The female duo has already performed two hundred gigs across the UK. The sisters’ passions for music started at the early ages of six and four. The elder sister, Veronica, began her journey into music classically, achieving up to grade eight on the guitar before transitioning into the world of pop-rock and discovering the electric guitar. The younger of the duo, Jess, plays bass after being captivated by a live Måneskin performance in 2021. Not only are both talented instrumentalists, but strong vocalists, which is evident through this passionate retaliation to the times the pair have been shot down by men. The lyrics ‘move along let me sing this song’ emphasises their newly found position on the centre stage, this time it is all about them, about women. The song is a response to times where the duo has been ignored, underestimated and belittled. This is their Fight back and we should be scared. You Might Also Like
INTERVIEW – Izzy S.O Releases EP ‘Silly Me’
Photo By Cara Kealy INTERVIEW – Izzy S.O Releases EP ‘Silly Me’ 17.11.23 Words by Natasha Judge Izzy S.O is back with her sophomore EP ‘Silly Me’, a five-track release with new tunes ‘Growing Pains’ and ‘Do I Make You Feel Alive Yet’, which join the catalogue of reassuring coming of age songs. These tracks join recent singles ‘Would We Make It’, ‘Without You I Don’t Like Sundays’ – as well as title track ‘Silly Me’, which cleverly encapsulate the conflicting emotions of growing up and discovering who you want to be. Speaking about the EP, Izzy expressed that she likes to draw on her emotions during the songwriting process. She said: “I always like to write about how I’m feeling in the moment, and I think that’s been the overriding theme over the past few years is the complex emotions that come with growing up. “The change, the confusion, questioning who you are and what your childhood was really like looking back at it with a different perspective. “When the fear of life kicks in, you notice the things you cling to and then when you let go of the fear, what are the things that you actually want to keep around – who and what actually makes you feel good.” Impressively, Izzy’s creativity has been a constant in her life and she has been writing songs, short stories, and poetry since the age of seven. Izzy, said: “I don’t really think one came before the other, but I did cut music off for a bit as there was a lot of negative emotion around it and so poetry felt like a calmer outlet to process emotions. “But then as soon as I started properly writing songs again it was like I had all these songs stored in me that had been waiting for me to write them – writing is my favourite thing about music.” Newly released track ‘Do I Make You Feel Alive Yet’ has a distinct Avril Lavigne feel to it with a catchy guitar riff, whist taking a more sexuality focused approach lyrically. The song pushes back against judgement which can be often shown against women for promiscuity and instead depicts feelings of owning passionate desire. Photo By Cara Kealy When approaching the writing process, Izzy stated how some tracks start as poems or a voice note on her phone. Izzy, said: “It will just be an idea that pops into my head when I’m doing normal life things and then I’ll take that into a writing session and turn it into a full song. Or, I’ll go into a writing session with nothing, and we’ll play a few things and then I’ll start writing stuff down and see what emotion it sparks.” The ‘Silly Me’ EP certainly has a nostalgic 90s feel with Nirvana and Alantis Morissette as big inspirations for Izzy S.O, as she admires the way they bring humour into lyrics so you’re not entirely sure of their perspective. Izzy, added: “The main thing with the track ‘Silly Me’ itself was leaning into the fun and chaos around a situation. “I think the melodrama of it was important to give me the freedom to say whatever I wanted without having to censor any of the lyrics.” Photo By Cara Kealy The new body of work, which is a mix of alt-rock and indie genres, was created alongside producer Dustin Dooley. The pair are already working on the next EP with hopes of releasing a single in the new year. Izzy recently played the new tracks at her EP launch at Strongroom in London. Accompanied with friends, she found it to be a fun experience and feels the live shows are starting to get a rockier edge. She said: “I think the new tracks bring a whole new energy to my set. “I was so scared to sing ‘Do I Make You Feel Alive Yet’ because it’s quite hard to sing but in a way, I think that fear made me decide to not care and just really go for it. “People were shouting along and dancing, by the end a few people actually screamed at me, it made me realise just how fun a live show could be.” Staying in Strongroom until close, the ‘Silly Me’ celebrations continued with a dance in Sunset Bar and plans are in the works to continue celebrating the release weekend in Edinburgh. Looking forward, Izzy expressed her excitement for the next instalment of songs and figuring out new sounds, as well as more gigs in the pipeline. From navigating love, acceptance and all the feelings in-between and as new track ‘Growing Pains’ portrays the loss of the “safety net” from teenager years to adulthood. Izzy S.O is an artist to watch and the EP makes as a healing soundtrack to validate any feelings of existential fear of growing up or developing as a person. The Silly Me is out now and can be found here: LINK (https://ditto.fm/silly_me). You Might Also Like
NEW SINGLE RELEASE – Izzy S.O ‘Silly Me’
NEW SINGLE RELEASE – Izzy S.O ‘Silly Me’ 01.09.23 Words by Hannah Fitzhugh ‘Raised on a diet of musical expression and creativity,’ British singer-songwriter, Izzy S.O is back with a bang after a year off with the release of her angsty pop-punk anthem, ‘Silly Me’. The single explores the tumultuous emotions of heartbreak. Izzy S.O could arguably be a Gen Z rebirth of our favourite pop punk princess Avril Lavigne providing a sense of 2000s nostalgia. Though taking influences from other alt-pop artists, Izzy’s sound remains fresh and her fiery personality shines through. Not only is the single catchy, it’s addictive. The lyrics describe perfectly the frustration of being in a relationship with a narcissist. The verse ‘Guess I forgot the whole world revolves around you, cos’ every time we talk we just go in circles,’ echoes the devastation when you realise someone hasn’t been truthful, ‘So self-absorbed, So full of shit, You can’t commit to anything’. The intention behind these hard hitting lyrics and Izzy’s vulnerability is something that resonates with many of her fans. Describing the toxic relationship that inspired this track, Izzy confessed her ‘emotions were on overdrive and it was easier to feel angry than to feel sad.’ She elaborates, ‘Silly me reflects on all the moments in that relationship where I wasn’t being honest about how certain things were making me feel.’ With female artists such as Olivia Rodrigo and Billie Eilish being some of the biggest names in music right now, women appear to be leading the pop-punk revival and Izzy S.O’s ‘Silly Me’, is no exception. The artists’ ‘rough around the edges’ sound signals the much awaited come-back of this era, and Izzy is certainly paving her way in the industry. You Might Also Like Uncategorised