LISTEN: Caswell – ‘Surface’

It’s annoyingly English of me to open a music review with a comment on the weather, but I’m going to do it anyway… It’s almost March. It’s basically sunny. And I’m not falling over in the dark anymore on my way to the tube after work. Clearly alt-pop artist Caswell saw this coming, because she’s just released her brightest, most colourful single to date, Surface, ahead of her EP later in 2019, and it’s an exciting sign of things to come.

Previously, Caswell has written downtempo electronic soul-type tunes – imagine if Banks wrote songs in major keys – and gained some decent traction, including a performance at Latitude and plenty of support from BBC Introducing. Now, with this latest release, she’s dialled up her jazzier roots, and it’s added a new strength to her sound.

Added to the songwriting, the combination of Caswell’s vocal performance and plush production from David E. Sugar and Hugh Fothergill makes for a track that will cheer you up until it’s actually, properly springtime.

 

In Turquoise, the upcoming EP from Caswell, is out 5th April.

 

Frances Salter
@goodcanarymusic

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LISTEN: IRAH – ‘Unity Of Gods’

Scandinavian artists have the uncanny ability to make haltingly beautiful music, and newcomer, Copenhagen-based duo IRAH, continues this legacy with their latest single ‘Unity of Gods’.The ethereal track is the latest tease of the upcoming album Diamond Grid.

Adi Zukanović lays the solemn groundwork of keyboard and swelling pads for Stine Grøn’s hushed vocals as the two traverse the spiritual soundscape of ‘Unity of Gods’, whilst lyrically, the track is awash with a sense of tenderness and longing – “Let my breath be your breath / Unity of Gods / Oneness with all that is / You greet me with love once again.”

It’s not hard to feel a sense of enlightenment with the new single, as it drips with atmospheric ambience, not different from music your yoga instructor might play during a cool down.

Somewhat appropriately, the name IRAH was conceived after Stine encountered a higher being with the same name in meditation. This vision came to be a conceptual mantra for both Stine and, I can only imagine, what is to come with Diamond Grid.

Diamond Grid, the upcoming album from IRAH, is out 24th May on Tambourhinoceros.

Luke Janke
@jankeleg

 

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Premiere: HEZEN – ‘Bring Your Alibi’

Reflecting on themes of femininity, strength, and vulnerability in her work, London-based French artist HEZEN has previously charmed our ears with the spine-tingling sounds of ‘Oil Fire’, and is now back with a powerful new offering.

Inspired by an imaginary meeting between The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo protagonist Lisbeth Salander and the grim Harvey Weinstein, ‘Bring Your Alibi’ is a reflection on the #MeToo movement and the sense of justice and social upheaval it has hopefully brought. Propelled by glitchy beats and twinkling hooks, it flows with sweeping, honey-sweet vocals, oozing a soaring majestic power. Deeply poignant and resonant in tone, HEZEN has created an utterly infectious alt-pop anthem with stirring, dark undertones.

Of the track, she explains:

“The #MeToo movement had a profound effect on me. It felt like an incredible shift – I remember feeling so much admiration for the people who found the courage to tell their story. I was inspired to channel that resilience and courage – it’s like a feminist retelling of David vs Goliath.”

Listen to ‘Bring Your Alibi’, for the first time, here:

 

‘Bring Your Alibi’ is out tomorrow, 22nd February. And you can catch HEZEN live on 27th February at SET, Dalston.

Mari Lane
@marimindles

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Comic Review: The Empty Page – ‘When The Cloud Explodes’

A first in our new feature of ‘Comic Reviews’ – where illustrator Sally-Anne responds to a new track with her wonderfully unique drawings – we had a listen to the immense new single from GIHE faves, and previous headliners at The Finsbury, The Empty Page.

‘When The Cloud Explodes’ is out 22nd February. Have a listen here:

 

Sally-Anne Hickman
@sallyshinystars

Photo Credit: Asupremeshot

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