Re-Covered: Sally Anne’s Illustrated Favourite Albums

If you’re anything like us, throughout Lockdown you may have been seeking refuge in some of your favourite records, perhaps rediscovering some old classics along the way. So, for this new feature, illustrator Sally-Anne Hickman re-imagines her favourite ten albums of all time by painting their covers in her own unique style, using watercolours.

Check out the second of Sally-Anne’s choices below, and keep your eyes peeled for the rest over the next few weeks… 

Janis Joplin- Pearl
Feisty blues rocker Janis Joplin was regarded as the best female rock singer of her generation and was a true original. The album Pearl, her final in her brief life, was more polished than her previous releases with a big band sound backing her undeniable vocal power. The songs are emotionally powerful and perfectly show her range of dynamics, from her softer blues singing to her tormented rasp which she was widely known for. Janis was a ’60s wild child who was not afraid to let it all hang out.

 

Sally-Anne Hickman
@sallyshinystars

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Track Of The Day: DEHD – ‘Loner’

After touring Europe with Twin Peaks last year, Chicago’s DEHD are coming to the international stage for the first time. This week the trio announced their new album Flower Of Devotion alongside killer lead track ‘Loner’.

‘Loner’ examines lead singer Emily Kempf’s need for isolation and time to focus on herself, following the band’s recent extensive touring period. Rather than focusing on the negative, ‘Loner’ speaks to the often cyclical nature of life. It’s a theme that runs throughout the album; at every turn, sadness is countered by joy, joy is tempered by sadness. Explaining this theme, Emily says:

“Being alone and grieving is very isolating… but then you come out of your little cave of grief, and your friends and family and partner are all there to pat you on the back and hold you until you have to go back into the cave of grief alone.”

Accepting your own need for isolation, especially during hard times can be liberating. A bittersweet sentiment we can all get behind at the moment.

‘Loner’ certainly provides us with a more polished sound than any of the tracks on the band’s 2019 debut Water, but it still packs the same raw edge that fans have come to expect from the trio. Emily Kempf’s vocal cuts through as distinctive and gritty as ever, backed up by spirited guitar and pulsating drums.

The accompanying video is a trip. Directed by Kempf with collaborator Ryan Hart and shot on location in Joshua Tree, and at beloved Chicago venue The Hideout, the video is a highly surreal clip and well worth a watch.

DEHD’s upcoming new album Flower of Devotion is set for release 17th July via Fire Talk, and is available to pre-order now.

Ellie Ball

Photo Credit: Alexa Viscius

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Track Of The Day: HAWXX – ‘Deadlands’

Having previously blown us away with their immense live show, rockers HAWXX invite us along on their latest journey where fierce vocals and palpitating bass pull us in close, on their latest single ‘Deadlands’. 

Lead singer Anna Papadimitriou emits a fierce tenderness within her vocals, demanding our fullest attention as each lyric carries a commanding urgency. The vulnerability is subtly woven throughout the velvet softness of the backing vocal harmonies. However, this is all soon sliced apart by the razor sharp riffs which create a whirlwind of a chorus. 

Of the track, HAWXX explain:

“… when something has consumed you to the point where you feel that you can’t come back from it, Deadlands is where you can take that toxicity…and destroy it!“

 

‘Deadlands’ is the first single taken HAWXX’s upcoming EP, and serves as a stark reminder as to how the band came to be worthy winners of the PRS Foundation’s Women Make Music Award. 

Nicky Lee-Delisle
@Nicky___Lee

Photo Credit: Kriz-p

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Track Of The Day: Tiger Mimic – ‘It Was Still Dark’

Having been due to play for us live at The Finsbury last month, GIHE faves Tiger Mimic are helping to ease the sadness of missing live gigs by sharing an exquisite homemade new video for their latest single ‘It Was Still Dark’.

Driven by thrashing beats, gritty racing riffs and the soaring sleek vocals of front woman Jess, ‘It Was Still Dark’ builds the tension as it’s propelled by a furious, frenzied energy. A truly addictive slice of anthemic, raw rock.

‘It Was Still Dark’ is accompanied by a wonderful animated DIY video, depicting the thrill and suspense of the lyrical storytelling of the track in a series of brilliant illustrations by guitarist Bram.

Produced by Kevin Vanbergen (Kid Kapichi, Nova Twins), ‘It Was Still Dark’ is out now. Listen on Spotify.

Mari Lane
@marimindles

Photo Credit: Alan Wells

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