Track Of The Day: Kinney – ‘Unravel’

An ethereal escape is immediately abound in ‘Unravel’, the latest release from LA based indie-electronic artist Kinney. Following on from her 2020 EP So Glad You Exist, the track depicts one piece in the spiralling puzzle of Kinney’s deja vu centered vision.

With elements of minimal acoustic guitar, euphoric vocal layers to dynamic production components, Kinney’s artistry is difficult to pinpoint. ‘Unravel’ is a song without isolation, following no script but emotion. The track begins with solitude – nothing but Kinney’s echoing, choral vocals and a modest guitar track. But during this time, it slowly begins to simmer with electro-tinged hooks, basking in its own lustral reflections while expanding gradually. Lyrically exploring vulnerable moments and the anxieties of massive shifts in our lives, Kinney is experiencing her fears just before she leaps.

On the cusp of diving into a new way of being, ‘Unravel’ is a satisfying anthem for rebirth that captures sonic metamorphosis reminiscent of Bon Iver and FKA Twigs. It is evident that Kinney’s artistic voice knows no bounds of genre nor wisdom. Kinney’s ‘Unravel’ pushes for risk taking with hands of sweeping sonic fluidity. A truly majestic soundscape.

Watch the stirring video for ‘Unravel’ now, which was created with Kinney along with a crew of friends, including Valentina Ayeyu as director, Ben Goodman as DP and Brooke Burgstahler as producer.


‘Unravel’ is out now via Bad Owl, an indie label and creative house focused on promoting female vocalists.

Jill Goyeau
@jillybxxn

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WATCH: SOFT LAD – ‘Singapore’

An upbeat, cathartic reflection on the tender and important time between a break-up and moving on to something new, SOFT LAD has shared her debut single ‘Singapore’. Full of relatable lyrics, shimmering melodies and soft vocals, the track is a comforting exhale providing listeners with an optimistic moment of clarity.

SOFT LAD aka Sophie Galpin has spent the past fourteen years as a multi-instrumentalist playing alongside the likes of Tom Greennan, The Breeders, James Vincent McMorrow, Jessie Ware and most recently SOAK and SELF ESTEEM. Now, she’s stepping into the spotlight to share her brand of honest pop, with her debut single focusing in on the multi-faceted nature of queer relationships. “Now I don’t have to wait for your updates, honey / well I can heave a sigh for the last time, and leave you behind” she muses, her vocals floating over buoyant riffs and driving beats.

“This song describes a break-up and that bit initially after where you look back for one last time, then take that first step forward as a person on your own in the world,” Gaplin explains about ‘Singapore’. “You feel like shit, and your friends tell you that you’re going to be fine and although intellectually you can rationalise it, you can’t truly feel it for a while until you get the perspective. And intertwined with that feeling of loss, you also have this feeling of relief of at least knowing where you stand and breathing it all out. You suddenly have time and re-realise you can do whatever you want at any given time.”

Accompanied by a video directed by Olivier Richomme and Sarah Jenny Johnson, ‘Singapore’ is SOFT LAD’s optimistic statement about life after love, and it’s gentle euphoria is infectious.

Watch the video for ‘Singapore’ below.

Follow SOFT LAD on Twitter & Instagram

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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LISTEN: BLAB – ‘Gemini’

A guarded, but playful reflection on the pain of unrequited love filtered through an astrological lens, Southend-based multi-instrumentalist BLAB has shared her latest single ‘Gemini’. Released via Cool Thing Records, BLAB combines catchy guitar riffs with her bittersweet lyrics to work through her mixed emotions.

“’Gemini’ is my sad girl-astrology-emo-garage-anthem,” BLAB aka Frances Murray explains. “It’s about unrequited love but I didn’t want it to feel super sad. I kinda love how it’s super garage-y and ravey, but the lyrics are really heart-breaking, a bit like ‘Mr Brightside’. When I start dating someone, I always find out their star sign and try to suss them out a bit, see what I’m working with personality-wise. I always end up looking past the bad aspects of someone and this song is the realisation “oh, you’re such a Gemini” like, I now see you for who you actually are. I hope people can two-step and cry to this tune at the same time because that’s what I’ll be doing.”

Through her catchy beats and direct lyricism, BLAB cuts through barbed emotional moments on ‘Gemini’, softening unsettling realisations like “she looks like me and I look like her / a trait that I despise.” With her previous singles ‘Eton Mess’, ‘Casual Sex’, ‘RIP’ and ‘Insurance’, BLAB firmly communicated her anti-establishment, anti-ego message. With ‘Gemini’, she reaffirms her narrative of independence and individuality, but showcases a slightly softer side, tinged with a relatable melancholy.

BLAB is currently working on her debut album with Sam Duckworth (Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly) and Rees Broomfield at SS2 Recording in Southend, channelling her riot grrrl attitude into a collection of witty, infectious anthems.

Listen to ‘Gemini’ below.

Follow BLAB on Spotify, Instagram, Twitter & Facebook

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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Track Of The Day: Queen Cult – ‘A Song About Consent’

Following acclaim from the likes of BBC Introducing for their debut single ‘Shindigger‘, and support for explosive recent offering ‘Show & Tell‘, Cheshire band Queen Cult have been fast making a name for themselves. Consisting of front person Maisie Johnson and bassist Leila Jacklin, as well as Brodie Carson on drums and Piers Jarvis on guitar, the band pride themselves on their LGBTQ+ identity and sharing their queer, politically-charged messages with the masses; and, having recently pulled out of Hit The North festival due to allegations against promoter SSD Concerts, their dedication to smashing the patriarchy and standing up for what’s right remains steadfast and unwavering.

With a gritty, seething energy, brand new single ‘A Song About Consent‘ offers an all-too-resonant message about the challenges women and girls have to face every day in the face of the male gaze. With an impassioned, angst-driven power, it’s a swirling statement of intent, raging with a poignant fervour against men’s entitlement over our bodies. As front person Maisie fiercely proclaims that “consensuality is a thing”, she assures us that our voices should be heard; that we are entitled to have control over own bodies, and should feel safe in this knowledge. With a blazing grit, the track pulls no punches as it rages against the culture of victim blaming and society’s expectation that we are responsible for changing ourselves to protect us from harm, rather than holding the perpetrators of abuse to account. Of the meaning behind track, Maisie comments:

“Watching the news about the murder of Sarah Everard by a policeman hit us immensely. Seeing it unfold into what didn’t seem real. We questioned our upbringings, what our mothers told us whilst growing up. Things to remember to keep safe. And realising just how messed up that is. We wrote this song because we were shook by the idea of having to change anything about simply existing as a woman in this world. We do not stand for inequality. We do not stand for abuse. We stand for consent, decency and respect.” 

Another immense slice of pop-infused rock ‘n’ roll from Queen Cult, ‘A Song About Consent’ builds with a stirring tension and soulful raw emotion, alongside sweeping fizzing riffs, to offer a completely necessary and ferociously poignant listen, fuelled by a colossal, and instantly catchy, musicality. So, blast it into your ears, immerse yourself in its riotous catharsis, and stand up and join the fight against the patriarchy now!

Watch the new video for ‘A Song About Consent’ now:


‘A Song About Consent’ is out now. Catch Queen Cult live in Manchester at The Castle Hotel on 18th November – tickets here.

Mari Lane
@marimindles

Photo Credit: Debbie Ellis / A Supreme Shot

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