New Single Release: Angelica “Secret History”
New Single Release: ANGELIKA “Secret History” After making an epic entrance onto the music scene last year with her debut single James premiering on Wonderland Magazine, Greco-American artist ANGELIKA released her newest single Secret History. 15.01.24 Words by Georgina Shine https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AbLgbfufJ_8 The London-based creator is set to build upon her debut success with this deep dive into ANGELIKA’s consciousness as she takes listeners on an escape into a behind-the-scenes look at love and relationships and explores these little moments that happen behind closed doors when no one is watching. The song opens with a hint at the dreamy joy of the pairing on the song as it describes the feeling of finding the great wonders in the one person you love. But it then progresses to make it clear that this love seemingly didn’t last and didn’t turn into the hoped-for fairytale after all. The slightly sombre introduction at the start of the story is echoed within the rhythm as the focal sound point of the track opening is the drum beat It is heavy and its hard it’s what your ear is drawn to and it seems to mimic the heavy feeling of this happy dream being gone. As the sombre open fades, we then follow into the past of this love as ANGELIKA trails into what the love was like before it faded and the ‘secret history’ of this relationship is revealed. With this comes the fading of the heavy drum and the brighter backdrop starting to move to the forefront to accompany ANGELIKA’s vocal. The gentile rhythm starts to ring clearer and it brings in a starry-eyed step back in time to the happier history of the love that is being reminisced in the track. As a precursor to the second verse, there’s an instrumental moment that cements the transition into this tale of the shared secret history that listeners are getting to look in on. There is something uniquely special about this track as the combination of ANGELIKA’s vocals and the dreamy soundscape has audiences in this state of being drawn into the story that is unfolding that many will empathise with as they understand that intimacy of those private moments, but you can’t quite decide whether you’re reading a story being presented to you, or eavesdropping on a vocalised diary as a tale of a relationship once lived is recounted and relived. With an angelic and ethereal quality to her voice and a remarkable talent for taking the spoken word and turning it into something magically musically and moving, there is no doubt that ANGELIKA is an exciting artist who is one to watch.
New Single Release: Lucy McWilliams “Follow Me”
New Single Release: Lucy McWilliams “Follow Me” Lucy McWilliams mesmerises us with her new love song 12.01.24 Words by Mylo Castagnaro https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kraq-6Z2r94 Lucy McWilliams is a singer-songwriter from Dublin. In her first single titled ‘Fair Play’, she collaborated with another Irish artist, Malaki, and their song has reached over one million streams. According to McWilliams, her latest single ‘Follow Me’ is at its core ‘just a straightforward love song’. The lyrics tell the story of someone who has gone through many loves, hoping their current love will be their last. Imagine you feel lost, only longing to be found by the one you love and wishing they would take you ‘somewhere we can call home’. That is the setting for McWilliams’ song. As the title suggests, the chorus rather longingly, yet with a touch of desperation, wishes their loved one would follow them and ‘just stay’ with them. The words convey an honest insecurity, continuously wondering if the other person cares as much. This sentiment is exemplified in the second verse, which states ‘I feel so damn empty when you’re gone’. However, the melody and sound of ‘Follow Me’ are juxtaposed to its text. While the soft music is at times melancholic, it takes a joyful turn, especially during the chorus. It creates a hopeful tone to the desperation found in Lucy McWilliams’ lyrics. The song captures a paradoxical feeling, being insecure but simultaneously hoping your love will last forever. Only towards the end of ‘Follow Me’ does the singer acknowledge her confidence in their relationship. The first verse is repeated but with a slight change. Instead of asking to be taught how to love, McWilliams confidently states ‘You can teach me how’, being secure enough that this third second chance will finally be her last. As the chorus is sung one more time, we are left feeling more hopeful for their love – a beautiful, hopelessly romantic journey the talented Lucy McWilliams takes us on. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Lucyyyy (@lucymcwilliams_) You Might Also Like Bedroom, Dublin, Indie, Indie Pop, Lucy McWilliams, New Releases, On the Rise, Single
New Single Release: HUNNY BUZZ – “Not Your Place”
New Single Release: HUNNY BUZZ – “Not Your Place” Bristol’s newest four-piece, HUNNY BUZZ, are set to join the ranks of beloved indie-rock acts—if not for their effervescent melodies and fuzzed guitar riffs, then for the aloof relatability of vocalist Lyd Read’s songwriting and delivery. 11.01.24 Words by Sophie Abbott https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pGpO6FE_SOo Their latest single, “Not Your Place,” documents the aftermath of a breakup and its inherent contradictions: the lyrics “Now I’m with myself / I don’t feel insane, I don’t feel the pain” are followed up by a bridge of “If you see me around, I won’t shut you out.” It’s classic yet subversive, upbeat and rollicking. Read poses as a declawed Alanis Morrissette with her take on revenge, or lack thereof—“I hope that you find somebody, find somebody that you love all night / And I hope that you think about her, think about her the way you thought about me.” The track follows a formula familiar to fans of Beach Bunny and The Beths, a trademark of a promising new band growing confident in their sound and atmosphere. HUNNY BUZZ are fun, bright, and witty, sneaking in lines like “So tell your mother not to be such a bitch / You know I love her.” Details like these are what set “Not Your Place” apart from garden-variety breakup anthems; the intimacy and overfamiliarity of ex-lovers seep through the cracks of general middle-finger sentiments, leaving Read susceptible to the pain she claims not to feel in inevitable, microcosmic ways. The band’s website is currently teasing 2024 tour dates, as well as future projects. If this track is any indication, there’s no better time to familiarize yourself with the up-and-coming talent of Read and her bandmates (Rowan Barfoot on guitar, Ewan Base on bass, and Billy Pedrick on drums). I’m tempted to guarantee foot-tapping and head-bobbing, but then again, it’s not my place. View this post on Instagram A post shared by H U N N Y B U Z Z (@hunnybuzzband) You Might Also Like
NEW SINGLE RELEASE – CABL ‘See You In a Year and a Half’
NEW SINGLE RELEASE – CABL ‘See You In a Year and a Half’ The fresh Irish band you didn’t know you needed 08.01.24 Words by Kyle Roczniak https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o6h2aUsjuLY There’s an ever-growing sea of new artists trying to hit a breakthrough these days, making it rare that one captures the attention of listeners in the way that this one has. Introducing CABL, a Dublin-based 4-piece whose latest single ‘See You In a Year and a Half’ was spawned from their first time playing with drummer Eoghan Lynch. ‘See You In a Year and a Half’ is the title track from the band’s upcoming EP, expected January 12th, and is a satisfying smoothie of noisy ambient shoegaze (it doesn’t take much to notice the plethora of juxtaposing guitar pedal sounds) with noticeable post punk influences, be it the driving bassline or the punchy backbeat. The perfect blend. Frontwoman Ava Durran’s ethereal vocals are reminiscent of Cocteau Twins’ Elizabeth Fraser, and her lyricism is clever and draws on the emotions – “I’ll leave it all, come back and still I wish it was / But it never will be”. Durran’s writing focuses on heavy themes of longing and regret. CABL’s broad influences range from County Kerry’s Junior Brother, to viral sensations and indie folk legends Big Thief. The contrast of the band’s inspirations and their own music, however, is arguably their unique selling point, solidifying them as capable and adaptational, and able to balance earworm melodies and layers upon layers of thick textured ambience. View this post on Instagram A post shared by CABL (@cabl.band) You Might Also Like
NEW SINGLE RELEASE – Milly Upton ‘Wanna Get Out’
NEW SINGLE RELEASE – Milly Upton ‘Wanna Get Out’ Probably fitting for the time of year when many of us feel trapped at home, Milly Upton’s ‘Wanna Get Out’ is a beautiful contemplation on feeling trapped. 27.12.23 Words by Caitlin Taylor https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vcxm0I1sI4k As I write this on a 3 hour journey back to my hometown, the line “going to a place because other people need me there” particularly resonates. Upton grew up in Brighton, raised by a music teacher who encouraged her to pursue her talents by attending first the Sylvia Young Theatre School then Laine Theatre Arts. She remained in London as a singer/songwriter after she finished her studies but after an issue with her voice that resulted in surgery, she moved more into TV and film work. However, almost out of nowhere, in December she dropped this single . It’s gentle but impactful with Upton managing to balance both her storytelling with careful rhymes and wordplay. On Instagram she notes it was written with fellow musician Xav Clarke while they were in Cornwall: “It came to us in about 30 mins and has been stuck in my head since then. Cheerful and excited to leave this with you”. It closes with a gentle cacophony that sees her harmonising with herself as she begs to get out of the situation she’s in. Upton’s music releases are few and far between but she has a decent backlog for you to explore, in particular her Baby FM EP from 2019. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Milly🏆 (@millyupton_) You Might Also Like
NEW SINGLE RELEASE – Wyldest ‘Office Christmas Party’
NEW SINGLE RELEASE – Wyldest ‘Office Christmas Party’ Office Christmas parties can be incredibly awkward interactions with colleagues you haven’t been in contact with; or they can be the start of an budding relationship. 20.12.23 Words by Max Persad https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krMfC-DtmqU For Zoe Mead aka Wyldest, both seem to be the case. This new release melodically is insanely dreamy. The chords carry us through a love story while Wyldests’ carefully constructed and soft lyrics narrate a beautiful scene. In her magical music video, Wyldest takes us to a bar in Tallinn, Estonia: a group of young office workers come together for festivities. Wyldest describes this experience as “The phenomenon where a group of people who work together gather in a dark room, showing a version of themselves that’s more honest and present”. The song emanates a feeling of freedom, you are no longer constrained in your corporate surroundings and can feel human again. And when alcohol is involved anything can happen. The song certainly achieves a fuzzy, romantic feeling in its conveying of two protagonists; co-workers “Julie” and “Mindy” as they navigate the difference setting of a Christmas party. Wyldest comments on these characters ‘not being able to express themselves in the cruel light of day due to the fear of rejection and need to maintain professionalism’. A hazy Christmas time setting amidst the portrayal of a new relationship really makes you feel warm and satisfied inside. Wyldest summaries this perfectly stating, “Christmas is a time for us all to drop the shackles of everyday life, have fun and tell people how we feel.” It’s a time for adventure and looking towards new beginnings and the hope for a brighter future. This song makes you feel exactly that. Could this new Christmas song become a cult classic? I sure hope so! Zoe’s portfolio of music is already immensely strong and we wait eagerly for her next releases in the New Year! You Might Also Like
INTERVIEW – Mollie Coddled @ Manchester’s Year’s End Festival
Photo by Kyle Roczniak INTERVIEW – Mollie Coddled @ Manchester’s Year’s End Festival “I’m sweating my tits off! Don’t wear knitwear on stage.” Sound advice. 14.12.23 Words by Will Knights Arguably the best dressed (or most overdressed) act at Manchester’s Year’s End Festival, Mollie Coddled owned her unique display of intimate indie pop clad in a stylish knit hood. The staunch honesty of her music and effervescent live performance creates a whole new world through the candour of her lyrics. Everyone’s friends at a Mollie Coddled show – so much so that she recognised someone in the crowd halfway through her set. Flanked by her band, Liv and Luke, in the smoking area of the Deaf Institute (with accompanying Mancunian weather), we caught up with the Leeds-based performer as she reflected on 2023. This has been a big year for you, playing Leeds Festival, supporting Ellie Dixon on her tour, what’s been your highlight? To be fair, the tour with Ellie Dixon was really cool, when we played in London, that was the biggest venue we’ve ever played. It was almost a thousand people which was pretty cool because I’m just from a farm, y’know what I mean? How did that tour come about? So, a little bit of backstory – me and Ellie are internet friends through posting Easy Life covers and we messaged each other like “what the fuck, we keep covering the same songs”, so we became friends and she had me on her tour which was really sweet of her. It was the most welcoming experience to be on tour with her because she’s so lovely. What have you got planned for 2024? New music – lots of it. I’ve been working on it for a long time so I’m very excited to finally put it out and hopefully another tour towards the end of the year and some more headline shows. Photo by Kyle Roczniak You’re a very DIY artist and self-produce your music – walk us through your creative process. It mainly consists of crying! I guess writing songs is like journalling, and getting out your emotions and all your trauma out on paper so you don’t have to think about it. It’s like ranting to someone and sending a message except you don’t send it to someone, you play it to loads of people on a stage instead, which is probably worse, but here we are. You’re very open about being neurodivergent, what is it like being neurodivergent in the music industry? I feel like a lot more people than you’d realise are neurodivergent in music but the don’t talk about it or don’t realise it, they just think they’re creative. Most of the musicians I know are also really weird, we’re all really weird not going to lie [laughter]. It’s hard sometimes because getting on a stage is really anxiety inducing but it makes it well worth it at the end of the gig when people come up to you and tell you they enjoyed it or related to the songs. It affirms you that you’re doing the right thing by playing to people because sometimes you don’t want to talk about these kinds of things to someone in person but when people say they relate to it, that makes it all worth it. It’s easier to say it to no one and then say it to everyone rather than one specific person too. Photo by Kyle Roczniak Your personal life and professional life must mix a lot, do you find you have to separate them? It’s really hard not to think about music all the time, especially having autism, when people ask me what my hobbies are, I say music because it might be my job but it’s still what I do in all my spare time. It’s all I think about so it’s difficult sometimes to turn your brain off from it but it’s my life. What do you think can be done to remove the barriers that women face in the music industry? Even though there is progression, there’s still a lot of negative energy toward women and people of marginalised genders in the music industry from the patriarchy. Even male sound engineers or male bands that might be on the same bill as you don’t always give the support or the kind interaction that they could give you. Sometimes you get underestimated and that’s a very widely shared experienced between women and non-binary people in the music industry. There’s a lot more support for getting women and non-binary people on lineups now which is nice, but it is the bare minimum. A lot more can be done within the industry so people change the way they interact with women and non-binary and trans people to be more welcoming because it’s scary when you’re in that marginalised community because you don’t know how people will treat you. View this post on Instagram A post shared by ❁ mollie coddled ❁ (@mollieiscoddled) 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 – 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
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