Track Of The Day: Emma Kupa – ‘Nawlins’

Having recently announced her upcoming debut solo album, and following last single ‘Nothing At All’, Emma Kupa has now shared ‘Nawlins’. Already a big fan of her band Mammoth Penguins, I’m no less in love with Kupa’s solo material, and this latest offering showcases why. 

Inspired by a period of travel and meeting new people, ‘Nawlins’ flows with lilting, folk-strewn melodies and Kupa’s distinctive raw vocals. Filled with a reflective, heartfelt lyrical storytelling and effervescent uptempo musicality, it builds with glistening whirring hooks to a stirring slice of perfect indie-pop. Of the track, Emma explains: 

“‘Nawlins’ is a song about a period when I was travelling around a fair bit visiting family for various reasons – a wedding, a elderly relative with cancer (see my song Katie NYC) and I’d end up hanging out with fun people I was put in touch with through friends and family here in the UK. It’s always good to know someone in a new place who can show you round, especially if you’re on your own.”

I just can’t get enough of the sunny yet reflective chiming offerings of Emma Kupa, and truly find everything she creates to be blissfully soothing and subtly uplifting.

‘Nawlins’ also features on Jeanie Finlay’s documentary about Indietracks – aka the loveliest festival in the world. And listening to this song just leaves me longing to sit in the damp grass in Derbyshire, local beer in hand; the sound of owls, steam trains and dreamy indie-pop wafting through the air. Bring on 2021…

Made with the help of Emma’s neighbour Sara (and her dance students), and edited by Darren Hayman, watch the beautifully choreographed new video for ‘Nawlins’ here: 


Listen to ‘Nawlins’ on Spotify now. It Will Come Easier, the debut solo album from Emma Kupa, is out 18th September via Fika Recordings. 

Mari Lane
@marimindles

Photo Credit: Debbie at Wolf James Photography

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LISTEN: Laura Fell – ‘Bone Of Contention’

London-based artist Laura Fell has announced her debut full-length album Safe from Me, via journal-turned-label Balloon Machine Records, and has dropped soaring lead single ‘Bone of Contention’ to celebrate.

A psychotherapist by day, Fell entered the realm of music at the age of 25 as her decade-long penchant for poetry progressed naturally into songs, and ‘Bone of Contention’ speaks clearly of Fell’s magnetic song writing abilities, elevated further by the expansive instrumentals and her husky voice.

Rich and atmospheric, the track boasts a refined, mature musicality which combines an echoey vocal quality with layered productions of synths and strings. With a touch of world-wise lyricism and meticulous arrangements, the single feels like the work of a veteran rather a woman making her way through life discovering new parts of herself.

‘Bone of Contention’ in Fell’s own words is an “exercise in anger,” as she learns to understand and embrace it, finding clarity and power within. The single paints a vivid picture of genuine emotions coloured by Fell’s imaginative wordsmithery and framed by her life experience.

Listen to ‘Bone Of Contention’ below and follow Laura Fell on bandcamp, Facebook and Spotify for more updates.

Malvika Padin
@malvika_padin26

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Video Premiere: LibraLibra – ‘Listerine’

With support from the likes of Radio X, BBC Introducing and Amazing Radio, Brighton-based LibraLibra have been firm favourites of GIHE for some time now, never ceasing to impress. Having just released their debut EP, they have now shared a brand new video for poignant EP closer ‘Listerine’.

A step away from the usual high energy riotous cacophonies of previous releases, ‘Listerine’ reflects on lingering painful memories. Showcasing the incredible soaring splendour and versatility of front woman Beth Cannon’s vocals with an almost operatic force, the track oozes a  glistening soulful majesty, creating a striking cinematic soundscape. With blissful twinkling keys providing the backdrop to Beth’s vocals, it’s filled with poignant, reflective lyricism as a raw, emotion-strewn power builds to a magnificent, immense anthem of self-realisation. Exuding an exquisite effervescent beauty and starkly stirring sentiment, it will sweep you off your feet with its spellbinding melancholic grandeur.

Of the track, Beth explains:

“It’s for anyone who can’t get rid of that bad taste in their mouth. A taste that haunts you, that makes you wanna scrub your mouth out with soap. Originally I wrote this to try and explain the meaning behind the song: There is this scene in the film ‘Eternal Sunshine Of the Spotless Mind’ by Micheal Gondry where Jim Carey’s memories are in the mist of being erased and he’s a child trying to hide from the erasure process with his memory of Kate Winslet as a kid and they are scared and they are running whilst the world collapses around them. ‘Listerine’ is built around the concept of wanting to go back and protect the younger you, to take their hand when their world is crumbling around them and tell them everything is going to be ok. Together we can run and together we will conquer even the darkest days. It’s a song of reflection and hindsight and like ‘Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind’ reminds us when it comes down to it even the most painful memories make us who we are. Now this still rings true but at 4.44am I’m lying here wanting to say more, but I can’t, not right now, the wounds are too deep, the pain is still so real and so raw even 17 years later, I can’t find the words to explain, it’s only through the music that I can find some sense of meaning and for me it provides a melancholic moment of hope.”

Watch the beautifully hand made new video for ‘Listerine’, created by Patrick Mcnaught, now:

Hail Mary, the debut EP from LibraLibra, is out now via LibraLibra Records. Listen on Spotify now.

Mari Lane
@marimindles

 

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Track Of The Day: Blonde Maze – ‘Not All Flowers Bloom’

Having been a huge fan of New York artist and previous guest on our radio show Blonde Maze for a long while now, I was excited to see that she has shared a brand new single.

Reflecting on the realisation that even though something is beautiful, it may not last forever, ‘Not All Flowers Bloom’ is an an utterly dreamy offering. As chiming beats and twinkling hooks accompany the beautifully luscious vocals, a truly euphoric electro-pop soundscape is created. Of the track, Blonde Maze expands: 

“Something may grow but not fully bloom. This song is about the acceptance and awareness of that realization. The cover art is a girl watering a flower that’s dying, trying to revive it. But she’s also looking out into the field of blooming flowers, because she knows in the back of her mind, her blooming flower is somewhere out there.”

‘Not All Flowers Bloom’ is a perfect example of Blonde Maze’s knack for creating exquisite soundscapes. I could listen to everything she creates on a loop forever – I just find her music so completely calming and blissfully cathartic. Essential listening for these anxiety-inducing times. 

Mari Lane
@marimindles

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