WATCH: Macon Heights – ‘The Line’

Formed just this year, Scottish duo Macon Heights are already making quite an impression with their unique style of dystopian electronica.

Flowing with whirring electro hooks and immense, soaring vocals, new single ‘The Line’ is filled with an ’80s inspired, synth-filled scuzz. Accompanied by a video that incorporates elements of the lyrics – including feelings of isolation, displacement and being pushed to the edge – it’s an innovative sonic delight.

Produced in collaboration with Gregor Fergie and make-up artist Erin Culley, watch the vibrant new video for ‘The Line’ here.

Mari Lane
@marimindles

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Track Of The Day: New Optimism – ‘Jetsetters’

Playful electronics and pop hooks galore, NYC’s New Optimism has shared her latest track ‘Jetsetters’. The track is taken from her upcoming EP Amazon To LeFrak, which will be released via Phantom Limb on 27th July.

A co-founder of Cibo Matto and a collaborative partner of Gorillaz (she was the voice of Noodles), The Beastie Boys & John Zorn, it’s no wonder New Optimism’s (aka Miho Hatori’s) sounds are sharply produced and catchy as hell. Her previous experiences have informed the strange, all encompassing experimental pop music she creates now under her new moniker.

The name New Optimism “is a response to the post-postmodernist term ‘New Sincerity’, pertaining to contemporary anti-cynical and anti-ironical earnest creative expressions,” Miho explains. “‘New Optimism’ as a title means the opposite of this”.

We’re intrigued by Miho’s unusual new project. Listen to ‘Jetsetters’ below and follow New Optimism on Bandcamp for more updates.

Photo Credit: Kimisa.H

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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Track Of The Day: Kiran Leonard – ‘Paralysed Force’

Following last year’s innovative Derevaun Seraun and its absolutely spellbinding predecessor Grapefruit, Manchester’s Kiran Leonard is back with news of an upcoming new album, Western Culture. 

Taken from the album, ‘Paralysed Force’ is a heart-wrenchingly beautiful creation. Perhaps more melodic in the conventional sense than some previous offerings, Leonard hasn’t lost any of the raw, soaring emotion and rich, intricate musicality I’ve come to know and love. I don’t like to focus on an artist’s age, but I feel like I’ve be a fan of Kiran Leonard forever, and yet he’s still just 22; from the frenzied intensity of ‘Pink Fruit’, to the sweeping, cinematic splendour of ‘Living With Your Ailments’, and now the impassioned majesty of ‘Paralysed Force’, he never fails to draw me in and create something truly epic. From first being blown away by him at Green Man Festival back in 2015, and then again at The Victoria and The 100 Club the following year, he continues to captivate with his  impressive sonic soundscapes.

Of this latest track, Leonard explains:

“‘Paralysed Force’ is about how insecurities you should settle within yourself often get transplanted onto other people you know. Projecting the question towards another allows you to shirk responsibility for your own wellbeing, but all this does is suspend the issue at hand, and prolong an inevitable falling back.”

The first album of Kiran Leonard’s to have been made in a professional studio, Western Culture is due for release 19th October via Moshi Moshi. Catch Kiran Leonard live at the following dates:

26th August – Leeds, This Must Be The Place
29th August – London, The Victoria
30th August – End of the Road Festival
8th September – Manchester, Partisan

Mari Lane
@marimindles

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LIVE: Shamir @ Camden Assembly, 27.06.18

On what’s now becoming a ‘normal’ sweltering London day last week, I battled my way across the sweat-filled city to Camden Assembly.

And I’m mighty glad I did, not least because I discovered a new favourite band in the night’s openers, Handsome Eric. Starting off with a few solo numbers before being joined by the rest of his band, Stephen O’Dowd immediately captivates with his raw, honest emotion and scuzzy no-frills charm. As whirring hooks and a driving energy bring to mind Manchester artist, and personal favourite, Kiran Leonard, it’s love at first listen. I’ve fallen head over heels with their lush, impassioned, lo-fi fuzz.

I first became a fan of Shamir upon hearing the frenzied joy of 2014’s ‘On The Regular’, and my love continued to grow when I saw him live at Visions Festival the next year, and he gave me the sweetest of hugs when I told him I was a fan. However, since then, Shamir has grown up, matured and created a sound that is entirely his own, honing it perfectly to suit the person that he is today.

As a sparkling Shamir takes to the stage, he informs us that set opener ‘I Can’t Breathe’ is about police brutality – a sombre, but necessary, start. Immediately exuding a heart-rending raw emotion, the moving beauty of Shamir’s vocals and the delicate simplicity of the melody ooze an endearing vulnerability as the track builds to a poignant climax.

Whilst a step away from the uptempo set that I caught at Visions Festival three years ago, it’s no less wonderful, In fact, more so; to see Shamir come into his own, and present his true self to us on stage, is a breath of fresh air on this humid evening.

Continuing with an angst-driven energy, Shamir introduces ‘You Have A Song’ with an honest wit – “I only write songs about people I hate…”, before expressing his disdain for ‘Straight Boy’s. Touching on the affecting theme of mental health on ‘Room’ (“a song about depression… it’s a happy song though.”) and ‘Glass’ (“about not letting shitty people break you..”), he lays his soul bare with a shimmering, empowered passion.

Upping the tempo for ‘90s Kids’ and (“an unexpected cover”) Ariana Grande’s ‘No Tears Left To Cry’, Shamir’s colourful energy continues to uplift and inspire as the set draws to a close. Returning to the stage solo, for a brief encore of the only offering from 2014’s Ratchet we’ll hear – he lets the audience choose ‘In For The Kill’ as the final song of the night, and instantly all my troubles float away as his distinctive sweeping vocals and vibrant emotion fill the air.

More like witnessing a stirring work of art than simply your average ‘gig’, Shamir’s set exudes a poignant relevance with all that’s going in the world, revealing a gritty edge that I hadn’t before witnessed. A welcome edge, proving Shamir to be one of the most necessary and unique (and indeed loveable) artists around today; and one whose voice we need now more than ever.

Mari Lane
@marimindles

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