Track Of The Day: Indian Queens – ‘Bubblewrap’

A beguiling lament about the state of the planet, London three-piece Indian Queens have shared their latest single, ‘Bubble Wrap’. The track is lifted from their upcoming debut album God Is A Woman, which is set to be released via Cool Thing Records later this year.

Formed of sisters Jennifer (guitar/vocals) and Katherine (bass) O’Neill, and lifelong friend Matthew Dudan-Bick (drums), Indian Queens were born and raised in Hackney Wick. Influenced by the restless city that surrounds them, the trio’s soundscapes reflect both the darkness and the light on a personal, and a universal scale.

Underscored by a genuine fear surrounding the current climate crisis, ‘Bubblewrap’ smolders with its dense beats, atmospheric guitar and Jennifer’s captivating vocals. “We were born in plastic bags / conveniently stored / bubble-wrapped indoors”, she muses in the chorus, conjuring up images of over-protection and suffocation. Despite the track’s haunting context, Indian Queens still manage to lull their listeners into acceptance, and hopefully into action against the forces escalating climate change.

2019 saw Indian Queens invited to play Robert Smith’s Meltdown at Southbank Centre, sharing a line-up with Nine Inch Nails and My Bloody Valentine. If they continue to release music as compelling as their latest single, 2020 looks set to be another successful year for the trio. Listen to ‘Bubblewrap’ below, and follow Indian Queens on Facebook & Spotify for more updates.

Photo Credit: Kana Waiwaiku

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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LISTEN: Jackie Lynn – ‘Casino Queen’

Grab your silver cowboy boots, put on your sequin dress, and prepare to strut your stuff to ‘Casino Queen’, the latest single from Jackie Lynn. Taken from the band’s sophomore album Jacqueline, (set for release on 10th April via Drag City), the song is a driving, disco-infused offering from the mysterious American group.

Jackie Lynn is the fictional alter ego of songwriter Haley Fohr, who is also known for her work with indie folk project Circuit des Yeux. Along with band members Cooper Crain, Rob Frye and Dan Quinlivan, Fohr has returned to continue Jackie’s ongoing narrative on her new album.

‘Casino Queen’ is a pulsing, 80s tinged electro-tune that brims with confidence and attitude. “Girl you’re on a roll / the whole room wants to know / how they didn’t notice you” sings Fohr, over hypnotic beats and buzzing synths. The song is also accompanied by a video directed by both Fohr and Krzys Piotrowski.

Fohr kindly elaborates on the track’s visuals: “‘Casino Queen’ showcases a night in the life of Jacqueline. The song and video follow the letting go of an individual’s underdog mentality, realigning it with the winner’s place. What does it take to refocus one’s internal mirror and become a ‘Casino Queen’? All in due time shall we each define ourselves prosperous by way of intuition, self belief, nearby shoulders, a bit of luck, and maybe a wig.”

Watch the video for ‘Casion Queen’ below, and follow Jackie Lynn on Facebook and Spotify for more updates.

Photo credit: Evan Jenkins

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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LISTEN: Polly Money – ‘Roommate’

A sweeping, endearingly catchy ballad about falling head over heels in love; Polly Money‘s latest single ‘Roommate’ will make you go weak at the knees. Her lush vocals and hazy guitar sounds form the perfect backdrop for daydreaming about the one you love.

Polly explains the premise of the track further: “This song is the undeniable need to spend all of your hours lost in the person you love. Their place or yours it doesn’t matter as long as you are waking up next to them. It’s the surprise late night turn ups, it’s the falling head over and it’s wanting to build a home together. This song is for the hopeless romantics.”

Polly’s talent for turning universal feelings into shimmering guitar tunes has seen her support the likes of Muse and Gabrielle Aplin, as well as collaborating with new artists Denai Moore and Laurel. ‘Roommate’ is the aural equivalent of the lover’s body warmth she delights in singing about, and you can hear the track in all its live glory at Polly’s gig at Colours on 30th January (event info & tickets here).

Listen to ‘Roommate’ below, and follow Polly Money on Facebook & Spotify for more updates.

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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LISTEN: Aunty Social – ‘Cortex’

Overcoming nasty memories with the help of an unlikely fictional character, Aunty Social‘s latest single ‘Cortex’ is a gentle, upbeat offering. The song is lifted from her upcoming debut EP, The Day My Brain Broke, which is set for release on 6th March.

The Toronto-based bedroom-pop artist chose to look to 90s game Crash Bandicoot to help work through her trauma. Aunty Social (aka Daniela Gitto) explains further: “I decided to imagine the person who caused a lot of trauma in my life as the fictional enemy of Crash Bandicoot, named Cortex. When I was a child, I was so encompassed by the game that I would imagine all my peers as characters from it. My best friend would be imagined as CoCo Bandicoot, and anyone that did me harm would be Cortex. The song is bright and uplifting, so I decided to challenge that by masking the negative subject matter with childlike innocence.”

Gitto’s dark context on ‘Cortex’ contrasts well with her buoyant beats and video game analogies, giving the track a nostalgic glow. It’s laced with her soft vocals and summery synth sounds, easing the complex feelings explored in her lyrics.

Listen to ‘Cortex’ below, and follow Aunty Social on Facebook and Spotify for more updates.

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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