NEW SINGLE RELEASE – MIMI ‘Copenhagen’
NEW SINGLE RELEASE – MIMI ‘Copenhagen’ 18.11.23 Words by Liesl Hammer The beginning of a success story. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uj6Q0xfL7YY On 7th November, the 24-year-old new and upcoming singer from south London Mimi Simmons, known as MIMI, released her brand new single “Copenhagen.” She started writing music at a young age and has always been inspired by artists such as Lana Del Ray and Florance and the Machine. With the demanding nature of the university, this was put on a back burner for a while. Luckily for us, she graduated in 2021 which can only mean one thing. More Music! Throughout her four songs, she discusses very heartfelt subjects that I’m sure many people in their 20s can relate to, namely heartbreak, longing, and figuring out how to grow up into an adult in this day and age. As a 20-something delusional romantic myself, MIMI is quickly becoming one of my favourite singer-song-writers and someone I will be sure to follow closely. MIMI released her debut single last August entitled “Oblivion Baby” with her producer and songwriter Jules Konieczny which has a similar soft sound to “Copenhagen” yet her voice is a lot more raw. She has performed at BBC Radio One as well as BBC Radio London and has been interviewed by BBC Introducing’s Jess Iszatt. “Copenhagen” explores her airy voice which captures the dreamy element of this song. It tells the evocative story of an unrequited, friends-to-lovers relationship. This indie vibe also reminded me of the amazing soundtrack from the hit TV show Heartstopper and I am therefore very much hoping for it to appear in its upcoming season three. From my initial listen, I was immediately transported into a romance novel where two friends go on holiday in an attempt to fix their friendship whilst grappling with the fact that they are falling for each other. This style of story-telling is very reminiscent of that of other successful, female singers like Maisie Peters and Taylor Swift, in particular, “In My Head” from her 2018 EP Dressed Too Nice For A Jacket and Taylor Swift’s “You Belong with Me” from her second album, Fearless. MIMI is set to release more music next year and, I for one, am hoping that this is just the beginning of her huge success story. You Might Also Like
DEBUT SINGLE RELEASE – The Freakshow ‘Girlies’
DEBUT SINGLE RELEASE – The Freakshow ‘Girlies’ 11.11.23 Words by Ricky Labrada The Freakshow’s track ‘Girlies’ is a tender song reminiscent of the early 2000’s garage rock scene from the United States back when The White Stripes and Cage the Elephant were new acts. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1eexJ09LMU On this song, The Freakshow follow in those footsteps with slow moody guitars, and a steady rhythm focused on the sad atmosphere. The track is the debut single for the group and is one that will not be to everyones taste. Yet, feels like a song that will resonate strongly for those who do likes it vibe and topic. ‘Girlies’ lyrics of wanting to be one of said girlies fit in line with the slow moody sound the track gives. The lyrics are somber in tone with the idea of longing for something you cant have embodying g the first couple of minutes. This idea is the prevailing theme throughout, as the chorus repeats the phrase “I want to be one of the girlies”. Other lyrics such as “Gender envy, I’m suffering from a case” and “I can put on a skirt any day,” show the singer delving into questions of sexuality gender dysmorphia. The somber mood that accompanies the single is one many can relate to, as even though it is a more normalised topic its is not universally accepted. Simultaneously, the track also wants to celebrate the beauty of femininity, a point further exasperated by that desire to be one of the girlies. This vibe being very low and slow isn’t an issue however as it gives an aura of reality for many. These points all beautifully culminate in a fast tempo ending which I view as somewhat happy. The lyrics are a strong point for the track even if they themselves are not relatable to myself. It is a more relatable and acceptable topic in the modern age and I hope that allows for future successes. The song is a good debut although I wonder if the themes will keep them locked into a niche audience or contrarily gain more attention. Overall, it is a great and moody track that reminds me of songs I grew up listening to. You Might Also Like
NEW ALBUM RELEASE – Maisie Peters ‘Good Witch (Deluxe)’
NEW ALBUM RELEASE – Maisie Peters ‘Good Witch (Deluxe)’ 12.11.23 Words by Eve Herzberg Tracks belonging to deluxe album extensions can be tricky creatures. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eIm7y6vW9Es&list=PLhMZfq_yW1TT-Qf0GlOIHLyxsVH00a5Wz It’s hard to know what you’re going to get, and there’s always the worry of getting more of the same, without the excitement and quality of the initial album release. But for Peters’ Good Witch (Gingerbread Man Records), the deluxe version holds some of the most powerful potions and pieces. On October 27th, Maisie Peters released 6 new tracks – the same day as Taylor Swift dropped her long-awaited 1989 (Taylor’s Version) re-recording. A brave move? A strategic move? The true mark of a trickster is pulling off both at once , and in the wake of Halloween no less. As her second full album, Good Witch doesn’t necessarily venture into unknown territory. It’s not a rebrand, second albums rarely are. It’s the more intense younger sister of her album “You Signed Up For This”. It has a clearer message. Maisie’s known for her 90s Teenage Dirtbag-esque sound, with lots of girlish angst shaken in there. Think Veronica from Heathers scribbling curses in her diary while wearing a monocle. Her lyrics are very honest. Not in a raw, heart-wrenching way. In a simple, relatable way. Dedicated to the victims of the 21st century inflated male ego. Good Witch has a distinct take on girlhood. Maisie’s coven is not the ring of dark figures, singing ethereal incantations of anger in the woods that you might expect. The coven is just a crowd of young women. Her songs, pure pop joy. She does not scream into the void, she dances in the revelry of kinship born from bad dating experiences. This album is a celebration of the togetherness that comes from girlish wrath. And we, the listener, are her most beloved little witchlings! “Holy Revival” and “Guy on a Horse” are simply ruthless. As the young princess of scream-talk, Peters gives her exes much needed reality checks, and doesn’t hold back. But neither song is about winning some argument over a particular ex-boyfriend, they’re about chanting with her fans about the lessons they’ve all had to learn. “I bet you’re all wondering who Andrew is, and that is really not important, stay with me, it’s what he represents.” She’s having a world of fun being sneaky, twisted and patronising. Impressing us with her sarcastic quips, she opens “Guy on a Horse” with: “Cause I’ve played Wembley Stadium, like, is that hard?”. It’s all very Elle Woods: “What? Like it’s Hard?”. Anderfjärd’s production weaves a metallic quality in these songs, brightening Peters’ words. With light under her lyrics, Peters becomes a mistress of myth and anecdotes. “Yoko” and “The Last One” are her slower songs. They are caught in the epidemic that is crippling nostalgia at the ripe age of 23. And Maisie’s distinctive silvery timber sweeps over the storytelling ever so sweetly. At times these songs sound like you’re hearing them from a friend across the phone, but the phone is made of a beautiful alien precious metal. If you’re listening in order, these last 6 tunes are sarcastic yet sugary continuation, with a just a little extra grit. Maisie can help you find magic and wizardry even as Halloween has faded. For her, it seems it is not in cauldrons and dark woods, but in unadulterated girliness and cheek. You Might Also Like
NEW ALBUM FEATURE – SOFY ‘Chaos & Commotion’
Photo By Moja (@Moja.wtf) NEW ALBUM FEATURE – SOFY ‘Chaos & Commotion’ 27.10.23 Words by Scott Rudd An electrifying debut revelling in love, anxiety, heartbreak and Richard Curtis from one of Britain’s most exciting up-and-coming artists Debut projects, whether in music, film, television, books, and so forth, often leave the audience wanting more. This is usually due to the quality and content of the project, and it’s not a devastating or detrimental experience for an artist. However, SOFY’s debut mixtape, ‘Chaos and Commotion’ (Chess Club Records), manages to surpass these early-stage challenges and delivers one of the most impressive and exhilarating debuts I’ve encountered from a UK artist in a long time. She seamlessly blends indie, hip-hop, pop, and noise, making it seem as though she’s a seasoned veteran in the industry, although I’m certain she will become one in due time. Clocking in at a pleasant, albeit all too fleeting, 29 minutes, the 9 tracks on ‘Chaos & Commotion’ confidently showcase a unique and stylish approach to pop music that I wasn’t aware I needed until now. It’s quintessentially British and unapologetically so. The album kicks off with a rather raucous track, ‘Yoyo,’ in which SOFY passionately expresses her feelings of being toyed with. Her vocals are modulated, giving them a 90s Lo-Fi rock record feel, reminiscent of Blur’s self-titled project. At times, it can be a challenge to discern her lyrics amid the wall of noise generated by the guitars, drums, and DJ spins. Following ‘Yoyo,’ ‘Ashley Cole Type Beat,’ which I previously covered upon its release (you can read my coverage here: link), maintains the high energy but in a more polished and rapid style. ‘Socks’ slows down the tempo a bit, but it’s a welcomed change. It’s a heartfelt love song that fearlessly embraces the romanticized aspects of Britain. SOFY compares her life to a Richard Curtis movie, brimming with optimism, which is a breath of fresh air, especially in the midst of the challenging times we’re living in. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wkx4bdbHXc4 ‘Timothée Chalamet’ is a steamy track that explores the passionate embrace of a lover. It features what I believe to be SOFY’s best performance on the album. By this point in the project, it becomes evident that her talent for writing hooks and choruses is undeniable. Each and every song on this project boasts hooks that have the potential to bring the house down when she embarks on her upcoming tour in the coming months. ‘Breathing Exercises’ is a poignant exploration of anxiety, with SOFY at her most observant, both for the better and worse for the artist. Sonically, this track falls somewhere between calm surf rock and upbeat chamber pop, creating an exceptionally well-balanced composition. On the other hand, ‘No Drama’ takes a complete 180-degree turn from the previous song, with SOFY’s vocals gliding effortlessly over a sumptuous beat. If any traces of anxiety lingered from ‘Breathing Exercises,’ ‘No Drama’ eradicates them completely. The influence of modernized rocksteady and ska takes center stage on ‘Wet Paint,’ a tale of admiration and temptation. It explores the notion of giving in to that glimmer of hope, even when you know it’s the wrong time and place—a pipe dream about love. ‘He’s Not You’ is an anthemic ballad that practically begs for an encore, with its intense build-up leading to a beautifully executed climax. The album concludes with ‘Supermarket,’ which wraps things up nicely, despite its moody and regretful content. What stands out most is SOFY’s ability to handle themes like heartbreak and loss in a way that doesn’t come across as cringeworthy, a pitfall that many artists in a similar vein often stumble into. There’s really nothing to complain about here, except for the desire to hear more from this exciting new talent in a genre that’s already quite crowded. With her witty songwriting and keen ear for production choices, SOFY appears to be forging her unique path in the music world, and I’m eagerly following her every step of the way. Chaos & Commotion will be released on 27th October via Chess Club Records https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hJcOqVDHADU You Might Also Like Greater London, Hip-Hop, Indie, Leicester, New Releases, SOFY
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 EP RELEASE – Trout ‘Colourpicker’
NEW EP RELEASE – Trout ‘Colourpicker’ 08.09.23 Words by Caitlin Taylor Trout’s Second EP ‘Colourpicker’: A Deep Dive into the 23 year olds compelling blend of personal storytelling and musical experimentation On the last day of August, Trout released their debut EP ‘Colourpicker’. Cesca Challis, the person behind Trout, is a Copenhagen born, Wales raised and Liverpool based 23 year old. It may be surprising to learn that they aren’t from London as their music fits in with the bands currently dominating the indie scene in the capital. However, that’s not to say their style is derivative. The fact that they recorded and produced the album in their bedroom and the influence of their synesthesia add personal touches to this release as they said to DIY: “the production is like an extension of my songwriting, and I can’t imagine just stopping after the writing part. It’s so personal to me so I couldn’t imagine handing it over to someone else, for now at least.” Originally released in May, the opening track ‘gutter’ provides a gentle if melancholic start to the EP with heavy guitars joined by distorted instrumentals. The raspy vocals tell the story of how it feels to deal with a friend who refuses to acknowledge or understand your depression, something Challis is familiar with as she described to The Line of Best Fit: “they believed it wasn’t a real thing or something people choose to feel, which is equally hilarious as it is tragic”. This reflection on how mental health can affect relationships sets the tone for the rest of the EP. It’s followed by ‘in my room’, a song they state on Instagram is “very special”. It’s a love song musically in the vein of Sorry’s ‘Favourite’ and lyrically similar to The Moldy Peaches’ sweet but slightly disturbing indie classic ‘Anyone Else But You’ with lines like “be the places I ignore, the hairs on my bed, be the mould growing up my door”. The grungy backing track and Challis’s breathy vocals make this one of the stand out songs. ‘sad sad sad sad sad’ is another song focused on the hopelessness of depression, its dark lyrics contrasted by some beautiful vocals from Challis and a slightly more positive sound. The shoegaze influence is clear here and continues to very much present throughout the rest of the tracks. The shortest song ‘words’ begins just like a boygenius or Phoebe Bridgers song, Challis’s voice is soft as she questions “why does this happen?”. But then towards the chorus things start to distort and twist, vocals are reversed and synths are introduced. This is the EP at its most experimental and this combination of styles is something I’d like them to pursue further. Another early release, this time from June, ‘garden’ returns to a more traditional indie style, a self deprecating love song not too dissimilar from a Porridge Radio track. For lack of a better word the song trudges along with a consistent thudding drum beat and bass line but that isn’t a negative, it suits Challis’s heavy lyrics about a complicated romance: “I wanna know you, forget about me”. They close out with ‘bugs’, a song very much in line with the rest of the album dripping with metaphors of flies invading their home. This is perhaps where Challis’s songwriting shines best. Despite the dramatic guitars at the end, it still flows pretty seamlessly back into the opening track making this an EP you could definitely listen to on repeat with ease. This probably isn’t music you’d listen to to put a smile on your face, it’s too laced with self-criticism. But it is one for lonely bus rides at 2am or sitting alone in the kitchen eating ramen after a breakup. It may not be groundbreaking but it is good indie music, an enticing taster for what’s to come. Recently signed to Chess Club Records (Alfie Templeman, Coach Party) and approved for the PPL Momentum Accelerator Fund, this looks like the start of some big positive changes for Trout. You Might Also Like Uncategorised