ALBUM: Divide and Dissolve – ‘Systemic’

“If you can imagine something ending, then it can end,” offered Divide and Dissolve‘s saxophonist and guitarist Takiaya Reed during an interview with Get In Her Ears back in 2021. Visualising a world without injustice is at the core of what Divide and Dissolve do. Their uniquely heavy sound is designed to erode the foundations of colonialism and liberate the land for indigenous communities.

Since the release of their debut album, BASIC, in 2017, Reed and her bandmate percussionist Sylvie Nehill have been honing their unique form of gargantuan-yet-graceful noise in order to help cauterize the wounds of colonialism. Their 2018 album, Abomination, and third record Gas Lit (2021) continued this necessary aural purge. Now, the band have shared their fourth offering, Systemic, and it’s equally as commanding and as poignant as its predecessors.

Released via Invada Records and produced by Ruban Neilson of Unknown Mortal Orchestra, Systemic continues to push Divide and Dissolve’s essential, empowering message into the ether. Fuelled by Reed’s distinctive, doom-ridden saxophone sounds and Nehill’s phenomenal percussion, the nine tracks that make up Systemic seek to undermine the separateness that colonialism enforces, and instead, engage listeners from all walks of life, uniting them in a sometimes blissful, but more often blisteringly heavy cacophonies of resistance.

From atmospheric opener ‘Want’ and the beautifully dense sounds of ‘Blood Quantum’, through to the majestic closing track ‘Desire’, Systemic is permeated with an altruistic blend of both overwhelming fury and unyielding optimism. Whether listeners are being pummelled by the crushing beats and riffs on ‘Simulacra’, or being lulled by the striking, melancholic sax sounds on the intro to ‘Indignation’ – before being hit with an obliterating volume shift two minutes in – Divide and Dissolve’s dynamic instrumentals assault the senses and reflect the complexities of the emotions and concepts they’re inspired by, including the strength of non-verbal communication.

The only words on Systemic are uttered on ‘Kingdom Of Fear’ by Minori Sanchiz-Fung, who the band have worked with on their previous records. “I have pleaded / let me return these songs to the dirt / cognizant of the wound / that has yet to heal” the Venezulan artist quietly urges, articulating and acknowledging the dispossession that occurs in the aftermath of colonial violence. This message resonates deeper alongside the band’s sublime, drone-like score.

Changing the heavy music landscape one record at a time, the patience and empathy that underscores Divide and Dissolve’s sound inspires a deep sense of awe and respect. “The album is a prayer to our ancestors,” Reed offers about Systemic, and what an awe-inspiring ode it is.

Divide and Dissolve’s new album Systemic is available to buy here

Follow Divide and Dissolve on bandcamp, Instagram, Spotify, Twitter & Facebook

Photo Credit: Yatri Niehaus

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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NEW TRACK: Wise Up – ‘House Cat’

A grungy, laid back ode to “nature’s most temperamental muse”, Dublin-based trio Wise Up have shared their latest single ‘House Cat’. Taken from the band’s debut EP, Soothe The Soul, which they released at the end of June, the track is described as “an anthem for all pet lovers and alt rockers who see themselves feeling like a house cat from time to time.”

Formed of Courtney from Canada on vocals and bass, Garry from Cork on guitar and vocals, with Juan from Venezuela joining on drums earlier this year, Wise Up have been jamming and recording tunes together since the beginning of 2022. Starting with the release of their debut single ‘Conjure The Feeling‘, the have steadily been sharing music over the past year, with the five tracks on Soothe The Soul being the culmination of their efforts over the past few months.

Citing Pixies, Pavement, Yard Act, Chastity Belt, Courtney Barnett and Big Thief as their main musical influences, Wise Up are motivated by the need to cut loose and enjoy the songs they’re performing, rather than agonising over being cool or counting the number of heads in the room. This energy shines through on latest single ‘House Cat’, which is a playful, melodic grunge tune celebrating introvert and extrovert qualities via the vessel of Courtney and Garry’s cat. The track is accompanied by a music video which follows the adventures of their feline companion Lucy, which the band filmed at Belfast Castle and gardens.

Watch the visuals for ‘House Cat’ below.

Follow Wise Up on Spotify, Twitter, Facebook & Instagram

Kate Crudgington
@kcbobcut

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NEW TRACKS: AVR – ‘Confirm Humanity’ and ‘Nous Aimons on 80BPM’

Two tender, ambient musings on the complexities of human nature, multi-instrumentalist, producer and 4D pop artist AVR (formerly known as ANNAVR) has shared her new singles: ‘Confirm Humanity’ and ‘Nous Aimons on 80BPM’. The tracks are the first of three planed AA-side releases that are taken from AVR’s upcoming debut album, Salvation, which she will be sharing in October later this year.

On ‘Confirm Humanity’, AVR combines orchestral strings, dreamy electronics and the voices of a children’s choir alongside her own to explore a simple mantra: “How are we supposed to live with all the dark and doubt / inside of us / how can we let it out?” Her considered instrumentation and effortless blending of these human and digital elements reflects her belief that both can exist in harmony and enhance our connection with one another. The track acts as “a reminder to all of us, that in a more and more digitalised and fragmented world, we have the power to unite in our shared humanity and address the change we need to support the future of our planet and its inhabitants.”

Whilst ‘Confirm Humanity’ spans a wider, far-reaching concept, on her accompanying track ‘Nous Aimons on 80bpm’, AVR explores her more intimate thoughts. Described as “a love anthem for the ‘feeling everything all the time’ internet era, between lust and desperation, seeking for freedom but also for romance”, it’s a warm, sensual embrace. Both songs showcase the emotive, cinematic qualities of AVR’s sound, but on ‘Nous Aimons on 80bpm’ she revels in and celebrates her own vulnerabilities, mixing piano fragments from an unknown Debussy piece alongside high pop notes and glitchy 808 drum machine sounds to reflect the contradictions of romantic infatuation.

Following on from her previous EPs, Hallucination (2018) and Vibration (2019), AVR’s debut album Salvation will act as a bookend in this trilogy of her artistry. “I see myself in a tradition of artists who go all in for their artistic vision, owning the craft, with no compromises to playlist principles,” she explains about her process. “Everything I do is ultimately about freedom, and works musically in a landscape of references where Debussy, Rihanna and Bernini sculptures can freely collide.” We look forward to hearing more of her eclectic offerings later this year.

Listen to ‘Confirm Humanity’ here:

Listen to ‘Nous Aimons on 80BPM’ here:

Follow AVR on bandcamp, Spotify, Twitter, Facebook & Instagram

Photo Credit: Alex de Brabant

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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NEW TRACK: Nina Keith – ‘Blow Up Yr Life (U Need To)’

A comforting, gentle reminder to let go of negativity and doubt, LA-based trans artist, producer and composer Nina Keith has shared her latest single, ‘Blow Up Yr Life (U Need To)’. Featuring the vocals of indie pop artist Barrie and composer and musician Qur’an Shaheed, the track is a considered, delicate blend of lilting electronics, fragmented voices and crisp production, all of which melt together to create an exquisite, emotive listening experience.

Mixing classical, contemporary and experimental elements into her production, Keith’s skills as a multi-instrumentalist are all the more impressive when you take into consideration that she did not undertake any formal training. Born in Philadelphia, Keith took a DIY route into music, relying on her own ears, experiences of EMDR therapy and her musings on life, death and the afterlife in order to translate her feelings into sound. The result was her debut album, MARANASATI 19111, which she released in 2019, and now she is back with her new single ‘Blow Up Yr Life (U Need To)’.

“Lately the more I wear the turmoil of my life on my sleeve the more often I find myself in conversations with strangers and loved ones that reach a similar end,” Keith explains about the context of her new track. “I can never be the one to tell someone to burn it down and start over. They see the ash stains on my shirt and ask to borrow a match so they can play with it, save it for later, but sometimes it’s like ‘girl, the house is already on fire, you can’t stay in there’. This song is sort of a small prayer in lieu of words I can never seem to speak in those moments. Divorce your husband, start an onlyfans, borrow friend’s hormones, take them for fun, sell your stuff, buy rare beanie babies with the money, whatever you have to do. There is only so much time left.”

This quiet urgency permeates ‘Blow Up Yr Life (U Need To)’, which was written during a turbulent time when Keith was moving to Los Angeles. The song is accompanied by visuals that were created by Canadian artist Nik Arthur. They follow the movement of evaporating water droplets, which beautifully compliment the rippling, shimmering quality of Keith’s composition.

Listen below ‘Blow Up Yr Life (U Need To)’ below.

Follow Nina Keith on bandcamp, Spotify, Twitter & Instagram

Photo Credit: Mad Bishop

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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