EP: Temples Of Youth – ‘Temples Of Youth’

In the internet age, mature and fully-formed music can come from nowhere and stun instantly. And so it is with Winchester’s Temples of Youth – an electro-soul duo crafting well-worked and subtly smart neo-pop. Consisting of Paul Gumma’s precision hooks on guitar and Jo Carson’s synths, drums and, crucially, her rounded, emotive vocals, Temples of Youth have made quite the impression during their live dates, and previous singles ‘Amber’ and ‘Churches’ have met with critical success from the likes of Clash and Wonderland. Now comes their debut, self-titled EP.

Opener ‘Churches’, with its low-key guitar chords and bluesy lyrics sees the band at their most XX-ish. But as the song grows, it turns into something more than a mere facsimilie. With lyrics dealing with isolation – based on a real life experience of rejection from a religious group – the song’s sound also evokes the outsider-pop of Lonelady, Everything But The Girl and London Grammar.

Bluesy pop is a risky gamble: too much and it can sound maudlin. But on ‘Dunes’, the EP’s third track, Temples of Youth hit the sweet spot somewhere around the Chris Isaak-Lana Del Rey mark. As guitar notes roll like sea-waves on a winter’s day around bitter-sweet vocals, it’s a song that’s both chilling and warmly comforting – like the last, bright, dying embers of a fire.

‘Sometime’ is a gentle pop ballad with the feel of the better end of ’80s synth-pop in the manner of Talk Talk or Tears for Fears, whilst closer ‘Twice’ is even more stripped-back and, with its gently picked guitar, shows the influence of Nick Drake and Bon Iver – both cited as favourites of Jo and Paul’s in interviews.

But it’s second track ‘Amber’ that’s the standout. A sweeping epic, with synths in the cinematic mould of Vangelis, it invites the listener to dive into a world of “empires falling”, carried onward by a subtle yet driving guitar line and Jo’s voice at its very best. By the song’s synth and drum outro, you’ll be yearning to hear it again.

Live, the pair cut an impossibly cool swathe and are totally at home on stage amidst the dry ice. That feeling isn’t lost here, either. Ice-cold but with a certain confidence to back it up, Temples of Youth is an excellent introduction to a band whose grown-up pop music is primed for worship in 2018.

Temples Of Youth is out now. And make sure you catch the band in all their glory, headlining for us at The Finsbury this Friday 8th December!

John McGovern
@etinsuburbiaego

PLAYLIST: December 2017

The most wonderful time of the year is fast-approaching, and we’ve got no time to mess around (with the exception of the work Christmas party, those festive drinks tomorrow night, and that gig next week). Us Get In Her Ears grrrls have put together the best selection of treats since your Nan dished out the speciality Christmas-size box of biscuits. Lose yourself in the punk sass of Queen Zee, the important (and catchy) activism of Gaptooth & Sisters Uncut, the divine escapism of Black Gold Buffalo, the beautiful sounds of Amparo & Bjork and many, many more…

Queen Zee – ‘Idle Crown’
Hot on the heels of their last single ‘Fly The Pink Flag’, my absolute favourites Queen Zee have released brand new track ‘Idle Crown’; and it’s a riotous, hostile, smartly executed three and a half minutes of Marilyn Manson-esque garage punk. Released via the band’s own label (Sasstone Records), the Liverpool band have yet to record something I don’t instantly fall in love with. (Kate Crudgington)

Gaptooth (feat. Sisters Uncut) – ‘They Cut We Bleed’
A tribute to, and raising money for, Feminist direct action group Sisters Uncut – a charity who protest the life-threatening cuts to services for domestic violence – Gaptooth’s ‘They Cut We Bleed’ rages against the government with a frenzied, impassioned energy and empowering force. With shades of the likes of Le Tigre or MEN, it oozes whirring beats, glitchy electronic melodies and colourful uplifting vibes; the perfect call to arms that we need now more than ever. As Gaptooth says: “All these sexist, racist cuts, we don’t need ’em”. Watch the powerful video for ‘They Cut We Bleed’, featuring Sisters Uncut, here. (Mari Lane)

Sink Ya Teeth – ‘If You See Me’
‘If You See Me’ was the debut single from Sink Ya Teeth who signed to James Endeacott’s 1965 Records this year. The track is drenched in addictive beats and nods to post-punk royalty ESG. A particular highlight for me was watching Sink Ya Teeth perform this live at one of our Finsbury nights; catch them if you can, these guys are worth seeing live. (Tash Walker)

Anteros – ‘Love’
My eyes and ears are blossoming in to heart-shapes at the “effervescent pop” sounds on Anteros’ latest single ‘Love’. Produced by Charlie Andrew (Alt-J, Marika Hackman, Bloc Party), The London-based band channel Blondie and The Cardigans on their brand new ode to the all encompassing universal emotion. (KC)

Sonia Stein – ‘Do You Love Me?’
‘Do You Love Me?’, the new single from London based artist Sonia Stein, oozes gloriously sunny, uplifting ‘80s pop vibes, catchy hooks and rich luscious vocals. Of the track, Stein explains: “Do You Love Me is a song that is quite a bright and light approach to a feeling that’s a bit darker and heavier…” The track’s accompanied by a fantastic Vogue-inspired, pastel-filled video, which you should definitely feast your eyes on now. (ML)

Amparo – ‘Reset’
If I could…I would have chosen everything that Amparo has released this year, constantly creating such beautiful dreamy soundscapes but if forced (and I am being forced) I’d go with ‘Reset’. A firm favourite of mine taken from Amparo’s EP Isolated Islands which has a melodic-chill atmosphere created with the idea of being enjoyed whilst exploring the outdoors.  Absolutely excellent listening. (TW)

Black Gold Buffalo – ‘Pearls Deep’
If you’re in search of musical escapism, you’ll find it in Black Gold Buffalo’s latest track ‘Pearls Deep’. Written on a stormy night in a tower block somewhere near the A10, the East London band have said the single is about “wanting to escape a brooding mood in the city, to just get up and go somewhere and nowhere.” It’s the first single to be taken from the band’s long-awaited debut album, which is due to be released in March 2018. (KC)

Gold Baby – ‘Feed It!’
In addition to featuring members of some of our favourite bands (like Long Teeth), newcomers Gold Baby create their own hugely infectious offerings. Filled with all the jangly melodies, sumptuous vocals and whirring scuzzy goodness you could ever desire, debut single ‘Feed It!’ is a sunny-sounding slice of indie-rock ruminating on the times in life where we feed it (“the little voice of misery”). A solid gold debut that leaves us eager for more. (ML)

Polo – ‘Gold Horizons’
I was introduced to this track by Mari, so shout out to her for that. This has got to be the catchiest track of the year for me, which makes a change from my normal graveyard, self-deprecating morose electro. Press play for Polo. It’s worth it. (TW)

Björk – ‘The Gate’
One of my 2017 New Year’s Resolutions was to listen to more of Bjork’s music, so the release of her tenth studio album Utopia has arrived just in time for me to fulfil that promise. It’s a superbly produced, delicately sung, gem of an album that brought a tear to my eye on first listen. ‘The Gate’ is a particular favourite because it blends vulnerability and strength in a delightfully idiosyncratic way. (KC)

The Go! Team – ‘Mayday’ 
If you’re anything like me, and Thunder Lightening Strike provided the soundtrack to many a teenage night out, you’ll be as excited as I am to hear The Go! Team’s magnificent new single ‘Mayday’. A morse-code inspired, soul-infused belter of a track, it races with all the frenzied energy and playful joy that we’ve come to know and love from the band – an instant ear worm, and essential dance-inducing addition to any festive party playlist. (ML)

Smerz – ‘Because’
Low slung rhythms, crunching beats and those ever so distinctive vocals, Because in short is some of the best obscure techno-pop around. Copenhagen based duo delivering distorted electro tracks, a perfect mix of minimal futurism and experimental nostalgia.  I’m so into this track, it makes me feel like I want to don a heavy orange bomber jacket, an East 17 style beanie and head down to some industrial rave in a warehouse and two-step the night away. (TW)

Track Of The Day: Anteros – ‘Love’

Our eyes and ears are blossoming in to heart shapes at the “effervescent pop” sounds on Anteros‘ latest single ‘Love’. Produced by Charlie Andrew (Alt-J, Marika Hackman, Bloc Party), The London-based band channel Blondie and The Cardigans on their new ode to the all-encompassing universal emotion.

‘Love’ follows on from Anteros’ previous single ‘Bonnie’, which will be released on vinyl as a AA-side in Flying Vinyl’s December boxset. Speaking about the track, frontwoman Laura Hayden says: “Everyone is so scared, the world is so fragmented. Love is self explanatory, really, in the general sense of the word. It’s about putting LOVE first: before race, before fear, before hate, before greed.”

This year, Anteros have played sold out shows alongside Two Door Cinema Club, Sundara Karma and Blaenavon, made a splash on the pages of NME, Sunday Times Culture and Vogue and begun work on their debut album, due for release next year.

Listen to ‘Love’ below.

‘Love’ is available digitally now. Follow Anteros on Facebook for more updates.

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

Track Of The Day: Feral Five – ‘I Want You’

Following the success of singles such as ‘Kiss’ and ‘Neurotrash’, and support from the likes of BBC 6 Music’s Steve LaMacq and Shaun Keavney, our favourite electro-punk duo Feral Five are back with another innovative offering.

Just in time for the festive period, ‘I Want You’ is a whirring assault on crass commercialism and a feminist call to reject the trash and go for what you really want. Filled with swooping glitchy beats, twinkling ’80s reminiscent synth hooks and soaring, resonant vocals, it’s the perfect antidote to the saccharine drivel you can find yourself inundated with at this time of year.

A gritty sonic delight, ‘I Want You’ is all you could ever need in your ears this Christmas.

 

‘I Want You’, the new single from Feral Five, is out 8th December.

Mari Lane 
@marimindles