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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LISTEN: Danika Smith – ‘Sweet Mellow D’

A gentle, atmospheric folk tune about feeling content after a period of personal growth, Melbourne-based songwriter Danika Smith has shared her latest single ‘Sweet Mellow D’. Full of lush guitar sounds and soft vocals, Smith subtly fuses elements of jazz and soul music to create a soothing, wholesome soundscape.

“’Sweet Mellow D’ feels like a song of recognition of my personal growth,” Smith explains. “I believe we all have to go on a journey of healing within our lifetime. One of unlearning and relearning, in order to truly know ourselves and to live a life that is fulfilling and meaningful. I feel like I’m only starting to know myself now. The day this song was inspired, I was sitting there with the nylon on my lap, and I felt mellow and content. I thought about those swirling years of pain and confusion in contrast to the peace, and so I put it into song, with deep gratitude to the power of music.”

Smith’s gratitude unfolds over the course of the track, with her lilting guitar riffs and calm, clear vocals guiding her listeners along a similar journey. Co-produced with Grammy nominated engineer Nick Herrera, ‘Sweet Mellow D’ is the second single to be lifted from Smith’s highly anticipated debut album, which is set for release in early 2021. Listen to the track below and follow Danika Smith on bandcamp, Spotify & Facebook for more updates.

 

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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