Track Of The Day: Lotic – ‘Burn A Print’

Pulsing beats, jagged synths and beguiling vocals combine on Lotic‘s latest single, ‘Burn A Print’. Released via Houndstooth, Lotic’s mission is to “live life to the fullest by not giving a fuck about what anybody thinks”, something she clearly and defiantly communicates on her new track.

Born in Houston USA but now a familiar face on the Berlin underground club and electronic music scene, Lotic (aka J’Kerian Morgan) shared her debut album Power in 2018. The record showcased her vocal and songwriting abilities for the first time, consolidating her skills into a coherent message about transforming fear in to fierce autonomy. ‘Burn a Print’ continues this narrative, as Lotic explains: “to burn your print into this Earth, because when you go, you need to remind the future bitches that you was here.”

Through commanding beats and hypnotic vocals, Lotic leaves her mark on her listeners. “You know your worth / you know your value” she sings at the beginning of the track, re-affirming her message of independence and autonomy. With a name that means to “to inhabit rapidly moving water”, Lotic’s chaotic yet fluid soundscapes truly embody her passionate, fighting spirit. Listen to ‘Burn a Print’ below and follow Lotic on Facebook & Spotify for more updates.

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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LISTEN: Noise Noir – ‘Deep Blue Sea’

A a riff-heavy, grunge infused reflection on the destructive nature of depression and anxiety; Noise Noir have shared their latest single, ‘Deep Blue Sea’. Released via We Can Do It Records, the track’s gritty guitars, brooding bass lines and commanding vocals attempt to dismantle the stigma around mental health.

Formed of Kelly Chard (vocals), Anthony Hill (guitar), Elis Sarv (bass), and Luis Bezzi (drums), Noise Noir blend riotous riffs, crashing percussion and charged lyrics to create their unruly sounds, and new single ‘Deep Blue Sea’ is model example of this. The track was recorded by Matt Noades at Rubber Factory Studios and mixed by Tobias May (Sleeper, Yonaka, CLT DRP).

‘Deep Blue Sea’ is about “The feeling of depression, anxiety and how much it affects your everyday tasks.” explains vocalist Kelly Chard. “I feel like a lot of people don’t understand how easily and sometimes quite drastically it can change your emotions. It can feel like your own mind is against you and stops you from doing something as simple as getting ready or going to the shops.

There’s a lot of imagery in the song likening depression and anxiety to drowning and being drawn in by the devil. The chorus is a struggle with wanting to break free but being dragged back down again. I know a lot of people struggle with mental health issues and I want this song to be an anthem for them. Going through all this is extremely difficult and it makes you a stronger person; even if others might perceive it as weakness.”

Listen to Noise Noir’s single below and follow the band on Spotify and Facebook for more updates.

 

Photo by Keira-Anee
Edited graphics by Kelly Chard

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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EP: Sandunes – ‘Spare Some Time’

A calming, electronic mediation on the necessity of expressing emotion; Sandunes has shared her new EP, Spare Some Time. Released today (May 22nd) via !K7, the four track creation is an aural salve for overwhelmed ears, flowing with shimmering synth textures and soothing beats that remind listeners to take stock of the love in their lives.

Based in Mumbai, Sandunes (aka Sanaya Aredeshir) has focused less on musical technicality, and more on emotional catharsis on this collaborative offering. While for some this decision might compromise high production standards, that’s not the case here. Spare Some Time is equally as polished as Sandunes’ previous releases, which are predominantly created from her home studio in Bombay.

Ambient electronics and stretched out beats permeate opening track ‘Love It Less’. Featuring the smooth vocals of Jbabe, the track was crafted from an intimate jam session between the two producers. It blends seamlessly into the atmospheric ‘Burn Every Bridge’. “The only way out is through / Burn every bridge to you”, muses vocalist Landslands, cautiously urging listeners to let go of the past. Sandunes’ tentative beats and fluid synths help to relay this gentle message too.

“Bittersweet acceptance” sounds intoxicating on ‘Fifty Percent’, thanks to the soulful vocals of Mumbai songwriter Ramya Pothuri. The vulnerabilities expresses in the lyrics are softened by Sandunes’ use of bright electronics. Closing track ‘Simple Thing’ sees the producer subtly celebrating the restorative nature of love in all its forms, through uplifting synths and IAMI’s buoyant vocals.

“I feel like it’s very important for me to be prudent, but also celebratory about feminine freedom, as a working, performing, producing, musician from India”, Sandunes explains. Her ability to be clear about her her status, and the emotional response that sparks is what makes Spare Some Time such a cathartic, reassuring listen. “We’re deprived in our isolation of the tremendous benefit that togetherness and connection brings” she continues, but with records like this; that connection is ultimately strengthened.

Listen to Sandunes new EP on Spotify. Follow her on Facebook for more updates.

Photo credit: Viktor Sloth

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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VIDEO PREMIERE: Death Hags – ‘The Darkest Night’

A slow-burning, intoxicating soundscape that explores what the night can bring; Death Hags has shared visuals for her latest single, ‘The Darkest Night’. The track is lifted from her recent album, Big Grey Sun #2, which is the second part of an ambitious seven album multimedia project.

Based in L.A., electronic musician Death Hags (aka Lola G) fuses pulsing beats with dark, kaleidoscopic synth textures to create her captivating sounds. Inspired by two days worth of hallucinations caused by a dog bite, she released Big Grey Sun #1 in 2019. Album #2 quickly followed in March 2020, and continues to explore the eclectic nature of the human condition and all of its possible futures. ‘The Darkest Night’ is an extract from this continuing narrative.

“I started writing the song in the van during the drive back to L.A. from SXSW last year” explains Death Hags. “It came to life at Outside Inside Studio in Italy, with my friend Matt Bordin of the psychedelic collective Squadra Omega. Matt is a great producer and has some wonderful analog/modular synths that we used on this track. Not to be too on the nose, but I guess this track is about forging ahead into the night, to see what dawn brings.”

Watch the visuals for ‘The Darkest Night’ below and listen to Big Grey Sun #2 on bandcamp or Spotify.

Photo Credit: Louisa Zimmer

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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