ALBUM: Boy Harsher – ‘Careful’

A record to cry, kiss, or dance to; Boy Harsher’s latest album Careful is a heated, heartfelt affair. Full of beats designed to ricochet around dark dance-floors or lonely bedroom walls, the Massachusetts duo blend nostalgic 80s percussion with sharp modern production to create an immersive, magnetic listening experience.

Formed in 2014, Jae Matthews and Augustus Muller released their first EP Lesser Man in the same year, and their sophomore record Yr Body is Nothing in 2016. Country Girl followed in 2017, and now the pair explore their “morose pop sound” further on their latest release. Named after the seemingly prophetic tattoo that Matthews has across her back, Careful smolders with a brooding, lusting aggression.

Inspired by traumatic personal experiences – the breakdown of a romantic relationship, losing a parent to debilitating illness, and a chronic fear of losing control – Boy Harsher offer a momentary glimpse in to their seething world via minimal electronics. The cinematic ‘Keep Driving’ opens the record, with whispered vocals and moody stretched out synths that could score a jaded night-ride, or an escape from a crime scene.

Hazy electronics, sultry vocals and 80s inspired beats combine in hypnotic style on ‘Face The Fire’, before the elusive ‘Fate’ bleeds in. It’s four minutes of off-kilter synths, breathy vocals and dance inducing beats. Grand synthesizers announce the arrival of next track ‘LA’, whist the throbbing synths and pounding beats on ‘Come Closer’ are intoxicating. It’s easily one of the strongest tracks on the record. ‘The Look You Gave (Jerry)’ flows in the same vein, before the punchy percussion on ‘Tears’ changes the pace. The track’s buoyant rhythms contrast well with the ominous, dramatic three minute interlude ‘Crush’.

Penultimate track ‘Lost’ meanders for just shy of five minutes, before the eponymous ‘Careful’ closes the record. It’s a brief affair with a mysterious voice sample, artistically book-ending this collection of alluring, seductive sounds. Whilst at points Boy Harsher’s Careful may may feel repetitive, it’s hard to deny the record’s flirtatious, infectious nature. Make sure you catch the band at HEAVEN on 27th February.

Order your copy of Boy Harsher’s Careful here.
Follow the pair on Facebook for more updates.

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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EP: Hockeysmith – ‘Tears At My Age’

Self-described as “Kylie on acid”, Falmouth-based Hockeysmith‘s new EP Tears At My Age is a sympathetic lo-fi dance-pop infusion designed to overcome romantic unhappiness. Released via Ex-Local in January, Hockeysmith (aka Annie Hockeysmith) has created four new tracks that cover uncomfortable emotions in a breezy, effervescent way.

Most listeners will be able to identify with the sentiments expressed in eponymous opening track ‘Tears At My Age’. It’s five minutes of ambient electronics that wash away the shame of tears shed by girls over their undeserving lovers. Hockeysmith has reclaimed these sad hours and transformed them in to something positive here via shoe-gazey synths and gentle vocals.

Up next is shimmering electro-pop gem ‘Lonely Loving Me’. Speaking about the track, Annie explains: “I wrote this in a cabin in Cornwall one winter after listening to tuns and tuns of early Kylie Minogue. It explores the idea of loving and being loved as an ambitious person. It can be lonely loving yourself and lonely for someone else”. It’s an 80s inspired feel-good tune designed to get you moving around like Minogue, whether in your bedroom or on the dance floor.

Inspired by both dance & rave subculture in her hometown of Falmouth and in the frequently visited Copenhagen, Hockeysmith’s love and exploration of these scenes shows clearest on the final two tracks of her EP. ‘Messed Up’ is six minutes full of excitable dance beats that form the perfect backdrop for getting “dressed up messed up” to. It’s an ode to the blissful but tainted state of diluting your sorrows on a night out, encouraged by siren-like synths and layered beats.’Dare You’ sees Hockeysmith’s former sadness come full circle, as she calmly embraces the idea of loving anew and moving on. More rave-inspired beats and gentle vocals combine in hypnotic fashion here, closing the EP on an optimistic note.

On Tears At My Age, Hockeysmith has crafted an intriguing mix of synth textures and beats inspired by her surroundings in Cornwall and experiences in Copenhagen that work together to distill any shame or uneasiness leftover from broken relationships. A definite mood-lifter.

Listen to Tears At My Age on Spotify. Follow Hockeysmith on Facebook for more updates.

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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LIVE: Nik Void (supporting Gum Takes Tooth) – Electrowerkz 25.01.19

Surrounded by smoke and bathed in flickering coloured lights, Nik Void gave a masterclass in how to perform electronic music solo at Electrowerkz on Friday night. Supporting duo Gum Takes Tooth at their album launch for Baba Yaga’s Hut; Void’s obscure but intriguing soundscapes infiltrated the heads of her large crowd.

Positioned behind a desk overflowing with wires and synths, Void skillfully tuned and triggered her equipment, creating intense waves of experimental electronic noise. Many will be aware of Void’s history as one half of Factory Floor, and as one third of Carter Tutti Void, alongside Cosey Fanni Tutti and Chris Carter (Throbbing Gristle/Chris & Cosey) – but even without an understanding of her previous work, Void’s solo set is a truly remarkable experience.

The transitions between tracks are seamless, despite Void being open to “the creation of space for ‘mistakes’” in her music. The mood and tone are constantly in flux; sometimes droney and desolate, other times euphoric and uplifting. Despite her laid-back performance style, it’s easy to see that Void is a woman who is entirely immersed and in control of the jungle of wires that surround her. She moves with ease between synthesizers, making her technical set-up look like it requires minimal effort to manipulate.

There is something transformative about her sound; she communicates complex emotions in unconventional ways with only a few voice samples. She blends elements of techno, ambient, avant-garde and noise into a truly stunning performance, which is made all the more intense by the venue it’s set in. Track names and timings become unnecessary, as Void’s electronic craft-work eludes any kind of labeling or conventional measures/restraint.

At the end of her set, Void graciously bowed her head to the appreciative applause directed her way. Whether you’re a loyal follower or a new addition to the fan club, Nik Void’s live set is definitely going to appeal to anyone interested in diverse, original electronic music.

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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