Track Of The Day: ZAMILSKA – ‘Hollow’

Dense, rhythmic, hypnotic beats permeate Polish producer ZAMILSKA‘s new single ‘Hollow’, the first track released from her upcoming album due later this summer. The jagged soundscape combines techno textures and intriguing vocal samples to reflect “the anxiety of what we want vs what we get”.

From Silesia, the coal-mining region of Poland, Natalia Zamilska’s music combines both melodic and industrial elements in a beautiful yet brutal fashion. Her work has attracted the attention of Nine Inch Nails, who recommended one of her tracks on their official Spotify playlist and recently she stepped into the gaming world and contributed to RUINER (Digital Dragon Award 2018 winner Best Polish Game Soundtrack), which features her music heavily throughout.

ZAMILSKA has also garnered acclaim from Radio BBC 6 Music’s Iggy Pop, Mary Anne Hobbs and Tom Ravenscroft, and with her superb remix of Gazelle Twin’s ‘Belly of the Beast’ which was played on the ABC series How To Get Away With Murder.

With her ability to create beats that ricochet around our skulls and her obvious talent for collaborating, we’re biting our nails in anticipation of ZAMILSKA’s upcoming record. Listen to ‘Hollow’ below and follow ZAMILSKA on Facebook for more updates.

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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Track Of The Day: Tacocat – ‘Hologram’

A joyful poke at the dynamics of power; Seattle pop-punks Tacocat have shared their latest singe ‘Hologram’. The track is taken from the band’s upcoming album This Mess Is a Place, set to be released on 3rd May via Sub Pop.

We’ve been waiting for new Tacocat material since 2016 (when the band released their second record, Lost Time) and if their new single is anything to go by; This Mess Is a Place is set to be another buoyant, reassuring listen for these misguided and politically turbulent times.

“Just remember if you can, power is a hologram ” sings Emily Nokes during the chorus for ‘Hologram’, which dismantles the translucent nature of power via pop hooks and catchy lyricism. Tacocat excel at taking difficult political concepts and dismantling them in to bubble-gum sized chewable pieces.

Speaking about the new record, Emily explains: “We can examine some hard stuff, make fun of some evil stuff, feel some soft feelings, feel some rage feelings, feel some bitter-ass feelings, sift through memories, feel wavy-existential, and still go get a banana daiquiri at the end.”

You heard her – grab yourself a banana daiquiri and Listen to ‘Hologram’ below. Follow Tacocat on Facebook for more updates.

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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LISTEN: Varley – ‘Phantom Studies’

An understated, captivating listen: Berlin-based trio Varley have shared their new single ‘Phantom Studies’ released via Seahorse Music. It’s an introspective, atmospheric alt-folk gem that explores the breakdown of communication in a relationship.

Formed of vocalist Claire-Ann Varley and multi-instrumentalists Matthias Heising and Joschka Bender, Varley won us over with their stripped back live set at our at Notting Hill Arts Club gig last year. On their new single, the trio continue to give us goosebumps by delivering pitch perfect vocals over a hypnotic, dreamy soundscape.

Speaking about ‘Phantom Studies’, Claire-Ann explains: “Was it real? Did it actually exist and if so, did it exist in the way it appeared to me? ‘Phantom studies’ looks at the dynamic between two people who, although have the same daily routine, see things in a completely different way. It shows how memories can be warped and changed over time and how one person’s reality is not the same as another’s. It shows the breakdown in a relationship and communication and how sometimes even when we communicate our feelings they are not taken seriously”

If you’re a fan of Bon Iver, London Grammar or Daughter; then Varley’s music is definitely worth investing in. Listen to ‘Phantom Studies’ below and follow Varley on Facebook for more updates.

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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PREMIERE: Mesadorm – ‘When She’s in That Mood’

A gentle, evocative, charming listen; Mesadorm have shared their new single ‘When She’s in That Mood’ ahead of its official release via Babylegs Records on 29th March. The track is taken from the band’s upcoming acoustic album Epicadus, which will be released on 19th April.

The new LP was recorded live in Eype Church, Bridport, where PJ Harvey recorded Let England Shake. It features re-imagined songs from the band’s 2018 album Heterogaster and new compositions arranged for acoustic instruments.

Frontwoman Blythe was inspired to write ‘When She’s in That Mood’ after leaving her previous band Vaults in 2017. The song’s composition prompted her to think of a particular musical moment in Michael Nyman’s piece ‘The Mood That Passes Through You’ – written for Jane Campion’s award-winning 1993 film, The Piano.

Speaking about the track, Blythe explains: “After a few transcendental days holed up overlooking the Dorset coast and walking seaweed beaches in February 2017, my then boyfriend Tom jammed some chords on his guitar and I sang some lyrics I’d penned about my experience there. I later translated his guitar chords to my piano to develop it into a more complete accompaniment part…”

“The New Zealand coastline and atmosphere in that heady film, the Dorset coastline and the East Anglian coastline of my upbringing fused together in my mind as I wrote about the paradox of ‘choosing’ to evaporate the self in sex and love. I also reference a good friend of mine who inspired me with her spirit of surrender in this way – she, my muse, is dancing while I sing”

Blythe’s perceptive storytelling and Mesadorm’s collective musical precision as a whole are wonderfully demonstrated on ‘When She’s in That Mood’. Listen to the new track below, and make sure you catch the band on tour in April & May (tickets are available here).

 

Mesadorm Epicadus Acoustic Tour 2019
24th April – The Forge, Bristol
25th April – The Barrelhouse, Totnes
26th April – The Rose Hill, Brighton
27th April – St Mary’s Music Hall, London
28th April – Cobalt Studios, Newcastle
29th April – Hug & Pint, Glasgow
30th April – Secret Location , Edinburgh
1st May – Burton Arms, Manchester
11th May – Rodborough Church, Stroud
25th May – Kino, St Leonards, Hastings
26th May – Poltimore Festival, Exeter

Photo Credit: Sarah Cresswell

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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