Track Of The Day: Gender Chores – ‘Night In The Woods’

Having shared stages with the likes of Problem Patterns, Strange New Places and Sister Ghost, Belfast’s Gender Chores first blasted into our ears with the seething energy of 2019’s Womansplain. With songs defending reproductive rights, resisting the patriarchy and documenting the human cost of late-stage capitalism, they’re a true, riot grrrl-inspired DIY force to be reckoned with, and so we were super excited to hear that they’ve shared a brand new track.

A slice of fast-paced punk-pop, and inspired by a video game of the same name, ‘Night In The Woods’ reflects on slum landlords and the high costs of living in the city, despite continually decreasing low living conditions. Propelled by racing beats and fuzzy uptempo riffs, the gritty, refreshingly honest lyricism subtly rages with raw, conversational vocals: “I can’t afford the rent, and I really miss my pets” – a sentiment that is all-too relatable as someone who spent eight years renting in London.

As the track builds with a swirling, playful energy, it ends on an immense whirring cacophony – a scuzzy sonic storm, reminiscent of both a distorted video game and the frenzied state of reality right now. ‘Night In The Woods’ is a raging punk anthem, truly of our times; despite being coated in a buoyant, quirky charm, it’s no less powerful in its explicit enraged message.

Of the track, singer and bassist Sam explains:

“I think there’s a collective fury at the looming gentrification of Belfast. There’s outrage at the fact that it costs so much to live where we want to live.” 

‘Night In The Woods‘ is out now and was written and recorded with artist development program Scratch My Progress.

Mari Lane
@marimindles

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Five Favourites: Noga Erez

Having first fallen in love with innovative Tel Aliv artist Noga Erez after seeing her captivating live performance at Visions Festival back in 2017, we have been mega fans of her immense sounds.

About to release her much anticipated second album, Kids, she has become known for her commanding, defiant beats and prides herself on artfully creating immersive videos to visualise the meaning behind her tracks. We caught up with Noga to find out about the five music videos that inspire her most. Read about her choices below, and make sure you check out her video for ‘You So Done’ at the end of this post!

Tyler, The Creator – ‘Yonkers’
That is for me the bible of one location, one-liner videos. The video with the cockroach. There’s so little in it, yet so much in it at the same time. I watched this video about a million times when I was trying to figure out how to make a minimalist video work.

Flying Lotus, Kendrick Lamar – ‘Never Catch Me’ 
This is the video I send people when I either want to talk about story-telling or colour. It’s a beautiful cinematic piece, that is a full emotional journey between deep sadness and pure joy. It’s lit and coloured beautifully.

Billie Eilish – ‘Bury A Friend’  
This is just so bold for an artist in the eyes of the mainstream to make such a video. I love the transitions between the rooms, the images of the hands, and obviously the needles in the back. So dark and so, so good.

Radiohead – ‘Daydreaming’ 
This song/video has made me cry so many times, I’m not exaggerating. Something about Tom Yorke in this video -knowing his biography, but also, regardless. There’s something so emotional about a person continuously walking and opening doors, it feels to me like a biographical video – something that is told from the point of view of a person who has experienced so much pain, and love. And in the end he gets to the top of the snowy mountain, and it’s like he dies, but is also back in the womb, and this is the type of shit that makes me shiver.

Rosalia & Travis Scott – ‘TKN’
I do love a good dance video every now and then, and this is one. It’s not just a dance video. And that’s what I love about it. Rosallia is this mother figure to a bunch of kids (who happen to be amazingly charismatic dancers), and every single move in that choreography is spot on.  

Massive thanks to Noga for sharing her five favourites with us! 

Kids, the new album from Noga Erez, is out tomorrow 26th March via City Slang. She will also be doing a special live stream of the album on 1st and 2nd April, tickets here. Watch her video for ‘You So Done’ here:

 

Photo Credit: Shai Franco

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Track Of The Day: ARXX – ‘deep’

Following last year’s emotion-driven ‘Call Me Crazy’, and with acclaim from the likes of BBC Radio 1’s Huw Stephens, John Kennedy on Radio X and BBC 6Music’s Steve LaMacq, GIHE faves ARXX are back with a swooning new single.

An empowering ode to leaving behind all your anxieties and getting what you want, ‘DEEP‘ is propelled by a sweeping, impassioned energy. Interweaving a more electro-infused, glitchy sound than previous releases with their signature ferocious grunge-fuelled drive, it instantly hits you with its raw, anthemic rush and gritty, sensual prowess. Showcasing the fierce power of Hanni’s vocals alongside Clara’s distinctive thrashing beats and scuzzy riffs, it oozes an immense, stirring splendour reminiscent of alt-pop heroes HAIM. A swirling slice of rousing power-pop that leaves me longing to see the Brighton duo in all their live glory once more.

Consistently honing their sound with each offering, impossible to pigeonhole into one genre, ARXX continue to impress us with everything they do and remain one of the most exciting bands I’ve ever come across. I can’t wait to hear where they take our ears next!

‘Deep’ is produced by Steven Ansell and mastered by Katie Tavini (Pillow Queens, Arlo Parks). And, to coincide with the release of ‘DEEP’, ARXX will be sharing a special remix EP, featuring the likes of Dream Wife’s Alice Go, Anna from Brighton’s LIME and Linda Buratto.

Mari Lane
@marimindles

Photo Credit: Jessie Morgan

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Video Premiere: Hazel Iris – ‘Needles’

With acclaim from the likes of Lauren Laverne on BBC 6Music, and having worked with Grammy award winning Tom Biller on her album Nine Sisters, classically trained, Berlin-based, musician and songwriter Hazel Iris is known for her intricate sonic tapestries and rich lyrical storytelling. Fusing together elements of folk, indie, classical and traditional songwriting, her creations consistently remain truly unique and emotionally poignant.

Collaborating with London-based filmmaker Mona Najma, Iris has now shared a new video for her track ‘Needles’. Reflecting on the power of womanhood, and the anthropomorphic relationship between woman and nature, it’s propelled by a twinkling majesty, flowing with a sparkling uplifting splendour as the ethereal grace of Iris’ vocals captivate the ears. Accompanying the sweeping, effervescent musicality, the video features beautiful pastoral imagery as a woman makes her way through the forest. An utterly enchanting tranquil soundscape bringing a subtle message of hope, now that spring has arrived, with an equally stunning cinematic visual to match.

Of the significance of the video’s imagery, Iris explains:

“Historically forests have often represented a space where “women” can roam free in folklore, which is why it stylistically takes inspiration from films such as Daughters of the Dust, The Company of Wolves, and Valerie and her Week of Wonders.“

Filmed in the Berlin forest Grunewald, with archival footage of the Californian Yosemite Valley, watch the exquisite new video for ‘Needles’ here: 

Mari Lane
@marimindles

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