ALBUM: Pet Crow – ‘Take The Edge Off’

Smashing through insecurities and personal ailments in refreshing garage-pop style; Derby-based band Pet Crow have returned with their second album, Take The Edge Off. Self-released in the UK on 7th Feb, it’s an apt title for a collection of songs that provide momentary relief from the everyday stresses of being an adult.

Formed of Danielle Ross, Dan Barradell, Sean Kenny, Conor Wallis, and Sophie Prosay; Pet Crow are facing up to their demons on their sophomore record. Speaking from direct experience; the band explore anxiety, depression, drug addiction, recovery, OCD, and ADHD across the ten tracks on Take The Edge Off.

The first three songs – ‘Limbo’, ‘Insomnia’ and ‘NOCD’ – fly by in a blur of fuzzy guitars, punky percussion, and moody vocals. They’re restless, cathartic laments about not being able to switch off, or switch back on when you most need to. The band channel not having a clear direction in life into well directed sounds on ‘What We Doin’, whilst the riotous ‘One Whole Summer’ is a strung out two and a half minutes about cutting loose, and the repercussions of going wild a little too often.

‘Controlling’ explores a toxic relationship, but the buoyant, surf-rock guitars distract from the darker context of the song. The same can be said for eponymous track ‘Take The Edge Off’, which does exactly that for just shy of two minutes. The band are “flitting between caring, and care free” on ‘Hostage’, and the manic instrumental mid-way through penultimate track ‘Scars’ is equally as freeing.

The joyfully named ‘Prick’ closes the record. It’s an infectious four minute take down of another toxic relationship, and the repeated line “You make me sick” will draw a wry smile across your face as you sing along to the catchy guitar riffs. Pet Crow firmly believe you can dance and sing your way through your problems, and Take The Edge Off will help you to do just the same.

Pre-order your copy of Pet Crow’s Take The Edge Off via Bandcamp
Follow Pet Crow on Facebook for more updates.

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

Kate CrudgingtonLeave a comment

Track Of The Day: Mentrix – ‘Walk’

Captivating vocals, atmospheric electronics and commanding percussion collide on ‘Walk’, the latest single from Sufi-inspired singer and composer, Mentrix. The track is lifted from her debut album, My Enemy, My Love; which is set for release via her female-led record label, House of Strength, on 3rd April.

Born in Iran but now based in Berlin, Mentrix (aka Samar Rad) blends her experiences of eastern and western culture, along with traditional Sufi instrumentation to create her beguiling, bold soundscapes. Mentrix moved to France aged eight to escape war in her home country. At age fourteen, she moved back and had to relearn her Farsi mother tongue from scratch. She then spent time in the UK before settling in Germany. Her extensive travels and multiple influences – from Latin, French Literature, The Qu’ran, to traditional Persian poetry – give her music a diverse and fascinating edge.

Her single ‘Walk’ is accompanied by an equally fascinating set of visuals, which Mentrix produced herself. The footage contains motifs that symbolize womanhood, unity, solidarity and spirituality, from the urban scenes in Tehran, to the beautiful dunes of the Iranian desert. “It is very important for me to associate my music with the landscape of Iran,” explains Mentrix. “I am forever attached to my birth place, and my identity and aspirations are very rooted in Iranian culture. Since the West so often portrays Iran in a questionable way, I feel obliged to share its diverse and positive faces to the world.”

Mentrix plans to do just that with her debut album, My Enemy, My Love. It’s a powerful exploration of female resilience, independence, and what happens when women are caught between two cultures, each filled with their own flaws and freedoms. Watch the video for ‘Walk’ below, and follow Mentrix on Facebook & Spotify for more updates.

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

Kate CrudgingtonLeave a comment

LISTEN: Paint Factory – ‘Listen To Her Speak’

A brooding, atmospheric, electro-pop gem; London trio Paint Factory have shared their latest single ‘Listen To Her Speak’. The track is a reflection on the current environmental crisis, and how governments continue to ignore activist’s pleas to act now.

Influenced by the likes of The 1975, Massive Attack & Tune Yards, Paint Factory named themselves after the building they create their sounds in; a converted paint factory in South West London. Over dense beats, colourful synth textures, and clear vocals, the band vent their various frustrations about the state of the planet on ‘Listen To Her Speak’.

The group stand with the ‘Music Declares Emergency‘ initiative, and continuously strive to speak up about the current climate and ecological emergency. Listen to their new track below, and follow Paint Factory on Facebook & Spotify for more updates.

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

Kate CrudgingtonLeave a comment

Get In Her Ears w/ Salvation Jayne 30.01.20

This week, Kate and Mari were back on the air with some of their favourite new music from the likes of Snarls, Polly Money, Wilsen, Nuala Honan and Chromatics.

They also had Salvation Jayne live in the studio for a chat about their new single ‘Coney Island, Baby!’, and a couple of exclusive acoustic tracks.

Listen back here:

Tracklist
Lady Gaga – Telephone (feat. Beyonce)
Brooke Bentham – Control
Wilsen – Feeling Fancy
GENN – Du Da Dance
Aunty Social – Cortex
The Just Joans – Dear Diary, I Died Again Today
Captain Handsome – I Wish I Had A Dog
Hilary Woods – Prodigal Dog
Clare Kelly – Less Alone
SASSY 009 – Lara (feat. Clairo)
Chromatics – TOY
Grawl!x – Epicene
Polly Money – Roommate
Nuala Honan – Slow Down
Big Joanie – Fall Asleep
Salvation Jayne – Coney Island, Baby!
**Salvation Jayne Acoutic Tracks**
VUKOVI – Violent Minds
Indian Queens – Bubblewrap
Snarls – Walk In The Woods
Amaroun – Perish
Duck – C/Rage
Eliza Shaddad – Same As You
Paint Factory – Listen To Her Speak
Ennieloud – The Best I Can
Pom Pom Squad – Cellophane (FKA Twigs cover)

Kate CrudgingtonLeave a comment