ALBUM: LIINES – ‘Stop-Start’

LIINES‘ debut album has a tendency to skip from one track to the next barely taking a breath – rarely has a title seemed more fitting than Stop-Start. The band’s name, too, couldn’t be more fitting given their principal musical style of post-punk, with vocal, guitar, bass and drum lines all competing for prominence. If the cyclical nature of things means that musical movements are revived about every twenty years, then LIINES are perfectly placed for indie’s re-embrace of post-punk, a movement which dominated in the early 2000s.

First track ‘Shallow’ kicks things off and gets to express-train speed in seconds, with its choppy guitar line, and Zoe McVeigh’s vocals reminiscent of Sleater-Kinney’s Corin Tucker. ‘Never There’ follows with a drive like that of Silence Yourself-era Savages. ‘Be Here’ is similarly unrelenting with its garage rock feel.

But this isn’t just a bouncing alt. rock album – behind the pace you’ll find sinister guitar solos and basslines that bubble like poisonous liquid. By ‘Find Something’ and its oppressive post-punk aura – coming off like Interpol hanging out with PINS, before halting abruptly – the album has its immense, dark hooks lodged into your brain.

‘Cold’ chills things down noticeably, coming as close to balladeering as Stop-Start gets, with Zoe’s vocals nearing a torch song style plea. ‘Blackout’ is constructed around another sinister guitar line, before ‘Disappear’ merges that sound with straight-out stomp via a flurry from drummer Leila. ‘Hold Your Breath’ is a broken love-song, whilst ‘Never Wanted This’ sounds like PJ Harvey fronting Breeders. Former bassist Steph’s deceptively simple rhythm work kicks off closer ‘Nothing’ and, as album closers go, it’s a banger with shades of Pixies in its structure and a wailing Zoe at its centre.

Whilst the two bands have a different emphasis, contemporaries Desperate Journalist’s 2017 album Grow Up is perhaps the most apposite point of comparison for Stop-Start, with both bands taking the best of their indie/alt predecessors and blending it into something that’s fresh.

Between them, LIINES and producer Paul Tippler (known for his work with indie luminaries such as Elastica, Idlewild and Stereolab) have created a sound combining riot grrrl disquiet, post-punk gloom and new-wave urgency. Despite losing a bassist (Steph Angel now replaced with Tamsin Middleton), the trio have crafted a debut that promises to be the pulsating start, rather than the end, of LIINES. A truly impressive debut from the Manchester trio.

Stop-Start is out now via Reckless Yes Records.

 

John McGovern
@etinsuburbiaego

Julie Hawk’s Top Ten Female Artists @ Liverpool Sound City

With Liverpool Sound City coming up this weekend, we spoke to Julie from GIHE favourites HAWK about her top ten picks of female bands and artists to catch at the festival.

HAWK will be playing at Liverpool Sound City on Saturday 5th May at Birdies Bar for The Local.

Read about Julie’s picks here (including some of our own faves!), and have a listen to the playlist in preparation for the weekend!

Average Sex – Ugly Strangers
I can’t think of a better time of year to discover this band. Hazy summer slacker vibes
summing up my lowest-common-denominator feelings with sweet guitar refrains and
refreshingly blunt lyrics.

Peaness – Same Place
Super hooky with really satisfying vocal harmonies throughout. I am dancing in the mirror in
the ’90s all over again.

The Orielles – Sugar Tastes Like Salt
I have been wanting to see this band for ages, mostly because Mari from GIHE always has
such good things to say about them! Sugary guitar sounds cut through dissonant hooks and
dripping attitude. Roll on LSC!

Wye Oak – Civilian
Okay, I know Wye Oak has released plenty of stunning music since ‘Civilian’ but this song
gives me such intense nostalgia for my early days in London trying to find some foothold in
music. I love how it constantly rumbles forward from a place of reflection to one of intense
movement and presence.

Maria Kelly – Small Talk
My friend and label-buddy. This woman’s voice has a special place in my soul.

Amaroun – Made a Fire
This is just wonderfully dreamy, infectious alt-pop. But there’s nothing throw-away about it – the depth and tone of her voice takes her music from catchy to deeply resonant.

Super Organism – Everybody Wants to be Famous
When I first heard this song, I decided immediately that it would probably be the soundtrack
to my summer. That was back in January, so we’re nearly there.

Berries – Faults
I saw these guys last summer at Head for the Hills and was totally floored. Since then, their music has been there for me when I need to not give a fuck. Thanks Berries!

Rews – Shine
This band are an absolute power-house and deserve all the attention they’re getting right
now. I’m told they must be seen live to be believed, so they are top of my LSC bucket list!

Gaffatape Sandy – Beehive
Probably my favourite new discovery from the LSC line-up! Energetic garage punk with
interweaving lead vocals. For nights when pre-drinks turns into a perfectly messy house
party.

PLAYLIST: May 2018

Bin your umbrellas and bust out your sunglasses: May marks the beginning of UK Festival season! Whatever the weather, we’ve got a brand new collection of music to see you through the next month. Maybe you’re going to see Bjork or The XX at All Points East (25th May – 2nd June), or perhaps you’re treading the pebbles for The Great Escape Festival in Brighton (17th-19th May)? Either way, scroll through our tracks and listen to our Spotify playlist for new music inspiration…

Yeah Yeah Yeahs – ‘Zero’
All Points East Festival kicks off on May 25th with headliners LCD Soundsystem in Victoria Park, and Yeah Yeah Yeahs are performing on the same bill. They have four albums worth of gems to pick from, but I’ve chosen ‘Zero’ from 2009’s It’s Blitz! purely because I love watching Karen O parade through the streets in her studded leather jacket in the accompanying video. I’m planning to mimic her every move/cry when I hear it live (it’s my birthday, and I’ll cry if I want to). (Kate Crudgington)

Janelle Monae – Pynk (feat. Grimes)
What a song, what a woman. The first note of ‘PYNK’ right the way through to the end is pure and simple PLEASURE. Janelle Monae collaborating with Grimes has delivered us a pure slice of vagina-pop, where the video is as important as the music. The description of which declares “PYNK is a brash celebration of creation. Self love. Sexuality. And p-ssy power!” Need I say more. (Tash Walker)

Amaroun – ‘Indecisive’ 
Written about emerging from a period of deep denial, ‘Indecisive’ – Amaroun’s latest captivating single – oozes a sweeping emotive power and heartfelt lyrical richness. And, as Jay Brown’s stirring vocals sing the perfectly relatable “I can agoraphobic, London can be overwhelming. Yes, I am addicted, I’ve learnt to live through all the noise”, it’s impossible not to be completely swept away by this dreamy sonic delight. (Mari Lane)

Elsa Hewitt – ‘Catvision’ 
My favourite festival – The Great Escape – takes place this month, and I’ve started putting together a list of artists I want to catch when I’m down in Brighton. The experimental electronic sounds of Elsa Hewitt have been swirling around my skull since I discovered her on the website, so I’m keen to hear ‘Catvision’ live when she plays at the KOMEDIA Studio Bar on Saturday 19th. (KC)

Alyss – ‘Envirus’
Producer and singer Alyss’ EP 3EARTH was released last week and it is gold. Taken from the EP, Envirus is dense in its electronic production, tribal in its beats and soulful in the vocals – needless to say the results are addictive. (TW)

Art School Girlfriend – ‘Measures’
Another artist I’m hoping to catch at The Great Escape, I’ve been soothed by the somber, subdued sounds of Art School Girlfriend. She’ll be playing at The Walrus on Friday 18th. (KC)

Rookes – ‘The Game And The River’
Having supported the likes of Stealing Sheep and She Makes War and set to play at The Great Escape later this month, Birmingham artist Rookes graces our ears with her new single ‘The Game And The River’. Filled with the stirring passion of her deep emotion-strewn vocals, it flows with twinkling folk-tinged melodies and a subtle, soulful splendour, making for a truly uplifting slice of heart-warming alt-pop. (ML)

LIINES – ‘Cold’ 
Manchester trio LIINES have been a long term favourite of ours, especially since blowing us all away their riotous, impassioned energy at The Finsbury a couple of months back, and so we’re beyond excited that their brand new, debut album is due for release on Friday! An immense blast of post-punk perfection, latest single ‘Cold’ is an epic taster of what’s to come. (ML)

Chroma – ‘Vampires’
Chroma were recommended to me by the marvellous Queen Zee (interview coming soon to the website!), so I’m chuffed that both bands will be in Brighton for The Great Escape. I’m excited to see Chroma in the flesh at Latest Music Bar on Thursday 17th – potentially my first gig of the festival! (KC)

Suzie Stapleton – ‘Negative Prophet’
Exuding a dark, brooding atmosphere, ‘Negative Prophet’ is Suzie Stapleton’s protest in an oversaturated world where the powerful feed on the powerless. As the immense power of her deep, raw vocals drift alongside reverb-strewn, blues-ridden hooks, it’s a majestic, and spine-tinglingly captivating, creation. We can’t wait to see Suzie headline for us at The Finsbury next Friday, 11th May! (ML)

Men I Trust – ‘Show Me How’
Canada’s Men I Trust first came to my attention when elusive electronic producer H1987 remixed their track ‘You Deserve This’. I love the reassuring nature of their psych-tinged, lo-fi indie anthems, and I’m hoping to catch them at Komedia on Thursday 17th for their Great Escape set. (KC)

i2m1 – ‘Illusion’
i2m1 is the solo recording project of Irene Carson from Colorado Springs. Starting back in 2015, it has since developed into a multimedia project featuring artist Graham Gale. Their second release Zoo is a collection of 20 songs, “one made for a year of my life..” Irene explains, which reflect her ongoing story. ‘Illusion’ is all synth-laden and dreamy pop – a big slice of me which has me going weak at the knees. (TW)

S4U – ‘Refrain ft JD Reid’
Refrain is the latest single from Londoners S4U featuring JD Reid, which is set for release on 1st June via Different Recordings. Low-slung R&B, and dark electro base all mixed together with some heavy 90s influences. Yes. Please. (TW)

Track Of The Day: Kagoule – ‘Bad Saliva’

Last week I was charmed for the second time seeing Nottingham’s Kagoule live at Islington Assembly Hall – a couple of years ago, I caught them there supporting PINS, and last Thursday supporting Drenge. Both times as equally engaging and enjoyable to watch, though last week I sadly didn’t bump into bassist Lucy in the loos.

Both times I’ve been lucky enough to see the trio live they’ve wowed me with their distinctive infectious sound and sparkling stage presence (and this time, drummer Lawrence earned extra brownie points for sporting a Slint tee), and both times I’ve been left eager to hear more from them. So, I’m in luck, as Kagoule have just announced the release of a brand new album later this year.

Taken from the album, new single ‘Bad Saliva’ is filled with whirring, jangly hooks as racing, calypso-reminiscent beats flow, with shades of GIHE faves Sacred Paws. Oozing a twinkling musicality and glistening scuzz-filled charm, it’s sure to provide some much needed sunshine to your ears on this gloomy Monday. Despite its somewhat unappealing name, ‘Bad Saliva’ is a truly delectable sonic delight.

Of the track, the band explain:

“Bad Saliva is a track about turning off the path you find yourself on; the temptation to make a change and the anxieties of then making it.”

 

Strange Entertainment, the upcoming album from Kagoule, is out later this year on Alcopop! Records.

Mari Lane
@marimindles