Twenty years since her debut album, Peakahokahoo, Kansas-born London-based Piney Gir has returned to grace our ears with her new EP Cosmic Upside Down, completing a mystical-themed trilogy which follows Alchemy Hand in 2022 and Astral Spectra in 2021.
To celebrate the release, Piney has shared a beautiful new video for EP track ‘Witches & Covens’. With a laid-back pacing and almost jazzy feel, the track is complemented by warmly delivered, resonant vocals with an exquisite timeless grace. Bringing to mind artists like Weyes Blood, Lana Del Rey, and Suzanne Vega, the shimmering and swirling sound effects in the background give it an ethereal quality. As saxophones harmonise beautifully at either end of the track, a further warmth and richness exudes, as the catchy riffs stay with you long after the song finishes.
Accompanying the lush soundscape is a delightfully charming video, created using nostalgic and sophisticated stop-motion animation. Featuring a moving scene with the created animals in a seemingly cosy home environment, but clearly experiencing some conflict with each other, it was created and directed by Rhys Williams (of Williams Brothers Creative) and based around his doodles, forming part of its own animated world that you’ll want to immerse yourself in fully after watching.
Despite the track’s lilting, upbeat vibes, it actually offers a reflection on unresolved pain and betrayal. Piney explains “‘Witches & Covens’ is quite a vibe-shift from the other tracks on the EP – the other tracks are more strident and assertive, uplifting and bittersweet, or magical and mystical, but this is my ‘embracing the darkness’ track, because sometimes you just gotta go dark for a bit.”
For those, like me, curious and excited to hear what the rest of the EP has to offer, Cosmic Upside Down is available to listen to on all streaming platforms. Released on No Distance Records, the EP was produced and mixed by Tomas Greenhalf at Direktorenhaus and mastered by Kevin Tuffy at Manmade Mastering. Check out the video for ‘Witches & Covens’ below!
Catch Piney Gir celebrating twenty years since her debut album, live at The Lexington on 13th October, with a superstar line-up featuring Anat Ben-David (Chicks On Speed), Psycho Delia and a DJ set from Chewy She. Nab tickets now!
Ella Patenall
@ellapatenall
Get In Her Ears 
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