EP: Sextile – ‘3’

Lovers of deviant but dance-able noise with an appetite for all things electronic should submerge themselves in the sound of Sextile‘s latest EP, 3. The L.A. duo released the record through Felte last week, and its a smoldering collection of tracks that seethe with an industrial, punk-infused bite.

The new release follows the band’s 2017 album Albeit Living and early 2018’s ‘Current Affair’ single. After various line-up shifts, Sextile are now comprised of Brady Keehn and Melissa Scaduto, who now favour synths over guitars. 3 was recorded in Los Angeles at their home and practice space using a KORG MS-10, a sequencer, a Fender Stratocaster and a LinnDrum.

3 jolts in to life with jagged synth grooves on ‘Disco’. The song would fit perfectly in a dimly lit basement bar, with moody vocals and snapping percussion punctuating the track. ‘Drop You’ follows with more of the pair’s fast-shifting drum beats, hazy synth textures and rowdy guitar riffs.

Midway through, ‘Paradox’ breaks in with its manic blur of synths and bass lines, leaving no room for respite. Prepare to lose your head to the penultimate ‘Spun’, which is two minutes of abrasive synths and punk-like vocals, that buzz with Sextile’s trademark intensity. This buzz bleeds in to final track ‘Hazing’, which is fueled by more jagged synth sequences, foreboding electronics and strung-out vocals.

Sextile are skilled in their ability to create infectious noise that urges listeners to dance, rebel, and reach out in to new sonic territories; and 3 is a short but savagely sweet example of this. Invest now.

Sextile UK 2018 Live Dates
Sept 18 London, UK @ Electrowerkz
Sept 19 Brighton, UK @ Hope & Ruin
Sept 20 Portsmouth, UK @ The Edge Of The Wedge

Follow Sextile on Facebook for more updates.

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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EP: Petrol Girls – ‘The Future Is Dark’

Defiant, driven, and militant in their cause to give the voices of their sisters a platform; Petrol Girls have shared their latest EP The Future Is Dark (released via Hassle Records). It’s a blistering collection of anti-patriarchy, anti-capitalist anthems that will inspire listeners to stand up, speak out, and be counted.

The EP is named after a Virginia Woolf quote that writer Rebecca Solnit uses as a starting point for her essay ‘Woolf’s Darkness’, in Men Explain Things To Me. Solnit writes about accepting uncertainty and not fearing the dark or the unknown. Her sentiments reflect Petrol Girls’ unwavering belief in the strength of sisterhood, and speaking out against oppression.

The riotous ‘Survivor’ opens the record, and is inspired by the growing movement against sexual violence. Vocalist Ren’s powerful voice declares “It was my anger that kept me alive” over thrashing guitar riffs and heart-thumping percussion. It’s another much needed shout-back track, dismantling the damage caused by pervasive and traumatising sexual assaults. The slightly softer, but equally as striking ‘Sister’ follows – championing the power of sisterhood. It’s a reminder to cherish and nurture relationships with sisters from all walks of life.

The track ordering on The Future Is Dark sends just as seminal a message as the individual songs that form it. It begins with feelings of anger and isolation (‘Survivor’), fades in to relief, support and recovery (‘Sister’), before closing track ‘Strike’ reinforces the need to keep fighting, and to persevere against forces that continue to oppress us all (even if you fuck up from time to time).

Petrol Girls are experts at taking their anger and transforming it in to a force for change, self-expression, and most importantly – reassurance for listeners who need love and guidance in such turbulent political times. The future may be dark, but with Petol Girls around, it’s certainly not void of hope.

Order your copy of The Future Is Dark here.
Follow Petrol Girls on Facebook for more updates.

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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Track Of The Day: DOLLS – ‘Pink Bones’

Ambiguity, strung-out riffs and a catchy chorus combine to make London duo Dolls‘ latest single ‘Pink Bones’ another grunge-pop gem. The track is taken from their upcoming debut EP Pop The Bubble, set for release on 21st September via Mondo/Death Waltz records.

‘Pink Bones’ was one of the first songs the pair wrote together after meeting through mutual friends and Facebook messages. Speaking about the track, drummer Bel explains: “I believe this song is like one of those abstract paintings, it can mean many different things to whoever listens to it; and we like keeping it that way. Otherwise it ruins how far your imagination can go!”

Dolls have been gigging around London relentlessly for the last few years, and are more than ready to release their Pop The Bubble EP, which they worked on with producer Jim Sclavunos (The Horrors, The Wytches, Du Blonde). The EP will be released on limited edition multi-coloured and etched vinyl, and will be available to buy at Dolls’ Rough Trade in-store gig on Monday 24th September.

Listen to ‘Pink Bones’ below and follow DOLLS on Facebook for more updates.

Photo Credit: Gabrielle Hall.

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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WATCH: Ah! Kosmos – ‘Wide’ (feat. Özgür Yılmaz)

A mesmerising montage of striking, sensual images make up the new visuals for Ah! Kosmos‘s new video ‘Wide’. The track is taken from her upcoming second album Beautiful Swamp, which is set for release on October 5th via Compost Records.

Born in Istanbul and now based in Berlin, Ah! Kosmos (aka Başak Günak) is a sound designer, producer and multi-instrumentalist. She sweeps listeners up in to a rapture with her intense soundscapes filled with rhythmic guitar melodies, and her collaboration with guitarist Özgür Yılmaz on ‘Wide’ is another stunning example of this.

The breathtaking new video – directed by Berlin-based artist Harun Güler – perfectly compliments the track’s atmospheric guitar, captivating percussion and hypnotic vocals. The visuals provide further insight in to her upcoming album Beautiful Swamp, as Ah! Kosmos explains: “Swamp as an image represents this album’s process. Sinking into the step that I’m taking, and taking the next move from that sunken space. The ground was pulling me in and this slowly let me find my sensibility, softness, flexibility and also power”. This flexibility and power has been developing since her 2015 debut record Bastards, and we can’t wait to see where it takes her sound next.

Watch the video for ‘Wide’ below and follow Ah! Kosmos on Facebook for more updates.

Photo Credit: Fürkan Temir

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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