Track Of The Day: Blóm – ‘Toxic Dependency’

Comprised of former members of Tough Tits and Yume Hayashi, Newcastle Upon Tyne’s Blóm fuse together genres to create their unique DIY Queer Feminist anthems. And, having recently released a split EP with Leeds band Thank, they’ve shared an emotionally charged, rip-roaring track from the EP with us.

A raging cacophony reflecting on toxic relationships, ‘Toxic Dependency’ blasts out a furious, seething energy and angst-driven power, as the genuine fiery passion of the band bursts out of every screamed note. Of the track, the band explain:

“Part of the lyrics are about toxic relationships and being co dependent on people who are damaging. When you are trapped in these relationships you feel like you are submerged and it is hard to find people to support you to leave…  Other lyrics are pulled straight from passing comments toxic people have said to me, and regularly say to people presenting as female. The tone and delivery of these comments can shift the sincerity, knock your confidence and breed insecurities.”

 

Listen to Blóm’s split EP with Thank on Bandcamp now. And catch them live supporting Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs on the following dates:

5th April – The Haunt, Brighton
6th April – Esquires, Bedford

Mari Lane
@marimindles

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PREMIERE: Mesadorm – ‘When She’s in That Mood’

A gentle, evocative, charming listen; Mesadorm have shared their new single ‘When She’s in That Mood’ ahead of its official release via Babylegs Records on 29th March. The track is taken from the band’s upcoming acoustic album Epicadus, which will be released on 19th April.

The new LP was recorded live in Eype Church, Bridport, where PJ Harvey recorded Let England Shake. It features re-imagined songs from the band’s 2018 album Heterogaster and new compositions arranged for acoustic instruments.

Frontwoman Blythe was inspired to write ‘When She’s in That Mood’ after leaving her previous band Vaults in 2017. The song’s composition prompted her to think of a particular musical moment in Michael Nyman’s piece ‘The Mood That Passes Through You’ – written for Jane Campion’s award-winning 1993 film, The Piano.

Speaking about the track, Blythe explains: “After a few transcendental days holed up overlooking the Dorset coast and walking seaweed beaches in February 2017, my then boyfriend Tom jammed some chords on his guitar and I sang some lyrics I’d penned about my experience there. I later translated his guitar chords to my piano to develop it into a more complete accompaniment part…”

“The New Zealand coastline and atmosphere in that heady film, the Dorset coastline and the East Anglian coastline of my upbringing fused together in my mind as I wrote about the paradox of ‘choosing’ to evaporate the self in sex and love. I also reference a good friend of mine who inspired me with her spirit of surrender in this way – she, my muse, is dancing while I sing”

Blythe’s perceptive storytelling and Mesadorm’s collective musical precision as a whole are wonderfully demonstrated on ‘When She’s in That Mood’. Listen to the new track below, and make sure you catch the band on tour in April & May (tickets are available here).

 

Mesadorm Epicadus Acoustic Tour 2019
24th April – The Forge, Bristol
25th April – The Barrelhouse, Totnes
26th April – The Rose Hill, Brighton
27th April – St Mary’s Music Hall, London
28th April – Cobalt Studios, Newcastle
29th April – Hug & Pint, Glasgow
30th April – Secret Location , Edinburgh
1st May – Burton Arms, Manchester
11th May – Rodborough Church, Stroud
25th May – Kino, St Leonards, Hastings
26th May – Poltimore Festival, Exeter

Photo Credit: Sarah Cresswell

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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LISTEN: Arlo Parks – ‘Romantic Garbage’

Poet and producer Arlo Parks has shared her latest single ‘Romantic Garbage’, and it’s a lo-fi slow-burning gem inspired by the intensity of an old crush. The track is taken from her forthcoming debut EP Super Sad Generation, which is set for release on 5th April.

Speaking about the track, Arlo explains: “This is an old song I wrote and produced in my bedroom when I was 16… it’s about being both terrified of the vulnerability that comes with romantic love and so completely infatuated you start writing sappy, stupid poetry and want to be around them all the time”.

We’re big fans of Arlo’s affluent lyricism and understated beats and we can’t wait to hear her EP in full. Listen to ‘Romantic Garbage’ below and follow Arlo Parks on Facebook for more updates.

Photo Credit: Chris Almeida

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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Track Of The Day: New Haunts – ‘Escape’

Born from a desire to take back control of a lonely summer, Bristol based darkwave artist New Haunts‘ (aka Alice Sheridan) has shared her new single ‘Escape’. The song is a sci-fi synth encoded five minutes of yearning yet optimistic self-expression, and is one of two upcoming singles which will be included on her second LP, expected for release in Autumn 2019.

Speaking about the new track, Alice explains: “This song came into existence purely to facilitate my own escapism during a time when life felt very physically and mentally limiting. For various reasons I had to spend a lot of time cooped up on my own last summer, and I’m someone who gets cabin fever after a day so I was crawling up the walls. In order to preserve my own sanity I figured that I wouldn’t write something sombre or disconcerting for once – I wanted to write something dream-like and freeing; an escape-route away from everything. I hope it takes the listener there too.”

Produced by Kindest Cuts, New Haunts will be performing her music live at The Finsbury Pub in London on 29th March in support of Terminal Gods (RSVP here). Listen to ‘Escape’ below and follow New Haunts on Bandcamp and Facebook for more updates.

Photo Credit: Katie Murt Photography

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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