WATCH: Rats-Tails – ‘Coke In The 70s’

Born out of Covid solitude, Rats-Tails was formed by singer-songwriter Courtney McMahon and guitarist Chris Bull. Following last year’s debut single ‘Spine’, the ‘dream-rock’ band has already gained momentum and drawn in crowds at renowned London venues like The Windmill and the George Tavern, as well as supporting the likes of Tapir! and Honeyglaze. 

Playfully entitled ‘Coke in the 70s‘, their latest single is accompanied by a video described by the band as “Top of the Pops meets David Lynch” – an accurate description as the stage scene brought to mind Mulholland Drive. 

The track opens with ethereal swirls of guitar awash with shimmering cymbals, creating an eclectic blend of ’90s indie, shoegaze, and ’70s psychedelic rock. Drawing creative influence from bands like Siouxsie and the Banshees and My Bloody Valentine, as well as the compositions of Ennio Morricone, the song oozes a majestic cinematic quality.

McMahon’s velvety vocals take the spotlight in the more stripped-back verses as the melody draws you in, accompanied by relaxed guitar chops. The chorus, in contrast, is far more maximalist, featuring a lush soundscape of fuzzy, atmospheric guitars and more crashing cymbals. I’m one for a great outro, and Rats-Tails certainly deliver on this; blending delicate hispanic-sounding classical guitar, accompanied by harmonies and a gentle drum beat.

The lyrics deliver random bursts of imagery, with phrases like “TV license, Kanye West” but are personal to McMahon who has said that the track “recounts a tale of music after parties, covid delirium and grieving a family member”, whilst also noting “Coke in the 70s is a vignette of a very unlucky period in my life, yet it’s one of my favourite songs to play live”. This interplay between the upbeat and playful nature of the song and the darker subject matter offers a beautiful poignancy, and is a real strength of this sparkling track. 

https://youtube.com/watch?v=6xosRHapcQ0%3Fsi%3DweSdRUAjdWHQQTz6


Catch this single and more of what this exciting new band has to offer at their launch party at The George Tavern on the 14th October.

Ella Patenall
@ella_patenall

Photo Credit: Diego Hernandez

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LISTEN: Trinity Mei – ‘ever be right’

Trinity Mei is a folk singer-songwriter from the sun-soaked desert landscapes of Arizona. Having honed her musical prowess at the prestigious Berklee College of Music, she blends elements of traditional folk with aspects of electronica, giving her music a contemporary yet timeless quality. 

Her debut track ‘ever be right’ has introspective lyrics that delve into the common experience of entering a relationship where emotions aren’t reciprocated. She describes tender moments in the verses – “…we’ll stay up for hours until the moon is gone / talk about secrets till the light of dawn” – but questions in the chorus whether she will ever be right for them, noting her frustrations that “guess life’s not like the movies, your heart is out of range”. 

‘ever be right’ has a beautifully chilled out energy, characterised by mellow and gentle sounds. It’s built around lilting, strumming guitar and incorporates harmonising vocals, lush string swells, and textured synth parts – providing a perfect foundation for Mei’s smooth and soulful vocals, which captivate on first listen. The production is crisp and warm, drawing you in and holding your attention. Whilst there are no belting vocals, they are delivered delicately with an immersive dynamism and raw emotion, reflecting the subject matter and giving hints of the stirring alt-pop of Phoebe Bridgers or Billie Eilish.

Already, with this spellbinding debut, Mei has demonstrated sharp musicianship in constructing a stunning and intricate soundscape with a really strong vocal performance. I look forward to seeing what’s to come next from this artist.

Ella Patenall
@ella_patenall

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New Tracks: Lou Moon – ‘Driftwood’ / ‘Thunder’

‘Driftwood‘ is the perfect metaphor for a song that delicately floats along, conjuring up a warm summer’s evening by the ocean. It is one of two singles released by Welsh Bristol-based artist Lou Moon, taken from their upcoming debut EP Drifting I & II. 

‘Driftwood’ features a warm atmospheric guitar complemented by bright sparkling vocals that are brought to life with a touch of delay, whilst the piano chords sustained underneath give it further depth and body. The song is beautifully balanced and carefully delivered; you take in each word sung, bringing to mind the folky flavours of the likes of Laura Marling and This Is The Kit.

The earnest lyrics give a sense of freedom, as Moon explains: “It’s definitely comparable to the feeling of wanting to come out as queer all over again.” As someone who vividly remembers the weight of not “coming out” and the lightness of freedom following acceptance, this is a line that chimes with a stirring resonance.

Accompanying single, ‘Thunder‘, sounds more melancholic, based around rich strumming acoustic guitar. The similarly introspective lyrics about the vulnerabilities of relationships and using thunder as a metaphor for mental health are brought to life through lush vocal harmonies and fragile vocal delivery. The two songs perfectly complement each other. 

Moon describes the songs on the EP as “about relationships to the self, to others and to the natural world, as well as the fragility and intangibility of those things.” The songs were written and recorded over the last decade, with help from the musical friends and collaborators they found at university in London. They describe the project as an archival journey back into the experiences and emotions they’ve felt and the different people they’ve been over the last ten years. 

You can check out ‘Driftwood’ and ‘Thunder’ on Spotify, and keep your eyes peeled for the EP Drifting I & II, which is coming out later this year via Skivvy Records.

Ella Patenall
@ellapatenall

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LISTEN: Tally Spear – ‘alone again’

Hailing from London, queer alt-rock artist Tally Spear creates music that bridges the gap between pop and rock, and combines strong vocals, emotive lyrics and slick production. Having received received praise from Radio 1, BBC Introducing, Radio X and Kerrang!, she’s now shared her poignant latest single.

‘alone again‘ opens with a clear in-your-face vocal, followed by a thick heavy synth bass line and punchy electronic drums. It has an immediate energy which keeps it pacing forwards. The three part harmonies are a nice and satisfying touch, adding texture to a melodically sparse verse and bringing to mind artists like Billie Eilish and Aurora. 

The chorus is where the song really erupts and comes to life with metal-style heavy distorted guitars and a very catchy melody – “I fell in love but I don’t think I did it right”, Spear sings about the confusion that comes with love and dating. The move from electronic to thrashing guitars adds a unique edge, creating an interesting and engaging listen. ‘Alone Again’ is well-produced, taking elements from pop and EDM style – introducing an immersive fusion of sounds to excite your ear. 

Spear has said this is one of her favourite songs she’s written. On the lyrics she said: “‘alone again’ explores the confusion and conflict that comes alongside falling in love and dating, but at the same time it’s celebrating the love you have with yourself and your own company. I wanted the song to be vulnerable but also strong and independent”.

If you like this track, Spear released a 6-track EP in 2020 that is available on Spotify and she is currently gigging so keep your eyes open for new dates to be announced!

Ella Patenall
@ellapatenall

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