LISTEN: Sydney Sprague – ‘i refuse to die’

A stirring piece of guitar-pop that encourages listeners to try their best against the odds, songwriter Sydney Sprague has shared her latest single ‘i refuse to die’. Released via Rude Records who Sprague has recently signed to, the track is a fiery ode to persevering with what you love, even when the world is getting you down.

“This song is a desperate wish for good luck,” explains Sprague. “Looking around at the world [today] it feels like it didn’t work.” Despite the unfortunate timing of the release, ‘i refuse to die’ is still a catchy track that urges listeners to resist the forces of negativity. Brimming with the 90s guitar pop vibes that Sprague loves, her blend of modest yet confidence-boosting lyrics – “I can do that thing I said I’d never / I think it’s time to try” – gracefully compliment her melodies.

“I’m so grateful that I get to continue to do what I love thanks to Rude Records,” comments Sprague about her recent signing. “To have the support of this team, especially during this odd time, is a literal dream come true. I can’t wait to show you what we’ve got planned.” Listen to ‘i refuse to die’ below and follow Sydney Sprague on Spotify, Instagram & Twitter for more updates.

Photo Credit: Natasha Wilson

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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WATCH: Serena Isioma – ‘King’

An intoxicating blend of smooth vocals and jangly guitars, Chicago-based musician Serena Isioma has shared their latest single ‘King’. Full of seductive beats and brooding bass lines, the track is a shimmering reflection on the problematic friendships 20-year old Isioma has found themselves in.

“’King’ is about remembering your worth,” the songwriter explains. “I used to have a lot of rich friends. I would do anything to please them so they would let me live their lifestyles. After cutting those friends off then going through a period of isolation, I saw history repeating itself when I got in a new entanglement.” Isioma unravels these ties through catchy melodies and empowering lyrics.

‘King’ is accompanied by a beautiful set of visuals, directed by Michael Del Rosario. “I’m sick of seeing white cisgender people dominate the alternative world simply because there is nothing alternative about that,” Isioma explains. “I’m so happy that I was able to showcase black femmes as the stars of the ‘King’ music video. Black femmes deserve the world.”

Watch the video for ‘King’ below and keep your eyes peeled for Isioma’s new EP The Leo Sun Sets, set for release later this year.

Follow Serena Isioma on Spotify & Facebook for more updates.

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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Track Of The Day: M(h)aol – ‘Laundries’

A brooding reflection on the grim realities that “fallen women” faced in Ireland’s infamous Magdalene Laundries, inter-sectional feminist post-punk band M(h)aol (pronounced like “male”) have shared their first single after a five year hiatus, titled ‘Laundries’. Through scathing vocals, thudding beats and distorted riffs, the group ruminate on the cruel past of these oppressive institutions.

Currently based between Dublin, London and Bristol, M(h)aol are formed of Róisín Nic Ghearailt, Constance Keane, Jamie Hyland, Zoe Greenway and Sean Nolan. Together, the band aim to shake up the male dominated post-punk scene with their urgent, shadowy sounds and new single ‘Laundries’ is the perfect instigator for this pursuit.

Fueled by relentless, crashing percussion and candid lyricism, ‘Laundries’ acknowledges “the shame of our secrets / the stain of our days”, shedding light on the uncomfortable truth behind the brutal religious institutions, the last of which closed its doors in October 1996. The track acts as a poignant reminder to both Ireland and the rest of the world that challenging oppression and misogyny is a collective responsibility, and the only way we can prevent such cruelty from happening again in the future.

Listen to ‘Laundries’ below and follow M(h)aol on bandcamp, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for more updates.

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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LISTEN: H A Z E – ‘King’

A cinematic soundscape about emotional independence, H A Z E (aka Hazel Smith) has shared her debut single ‘King’. The track, which was co-arranged by collaborator and guitarist Jamal Aggoun, blends acoustic guitars and electronic sounds to form a beguiling backdrop against which H A Z E explores the power dynamics that come with reaching for self autonomy.

Formerly the lead singer of rock band D’Haze, Smith now performs under the H A Z E moniker and has shifted to a dark-pop, electronic focused sound. On ‘King’, her clear vocals float above brooding guitars and hazy electronics, with her mantra-like lyrics encouraging empowerment and self-rule.

H A Z E will be releasing a video to accompany the single on 16th November, directed by Lawra EB. The visuals follow the narrative of a queen falling into madness. Listen to ‘King’ below and follow H A Z E on Spotify, Facebook & Instagram for more updates.

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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