Track Of The Day: HAVVK – ‘Home’

Having been big fans of Dublin-based HAVVK since they headlined our first gig at The Finsbury back in 2016, we have been continually impressed and consistently charmed by all they’ve created since. Now, having received support from the likes of BBC 6Music’s Lauren Laverne and John Kennedy on Radio X, and following 2019’s debut full length album Cause & Effect, the trio have announced a brand new album set for release in July this year.

The first single to be shared from the album comes in the form of ‘Home’ – a stirring reflection on appreciating those closest to you. Propelled by a shimmering ethereal fuzz, the track showcases the soaring celestial majesty of front woman Julie’s vocals, as they float with an impassioned splendour over scuzzy hooks and a gritty, driving energy. Fusing together tinges of ’90s grunge-fuelled angst with twinkling shoegaze sensibilities and the band’s own unique poignant grace, it’s a truly captivating soundscape.

Of the track, Julie explains:

“‘Home’ is about the freedom of youth and being oblivious to the protections you have around you. It’s about appreciating the people who have always been there for you even when you were at your worst – even if you weren’t grateful for it – and who’ve helped you get back up again every time. I feel really connected to this song right now. Over the past year, we’ve all had our social structures pulled out from underneath us and we’re missing the basic nourishment of human connection. I do miss the obliviousness of normal life (and dancing, and gigs, and hugs!), but I hope I’ll go back to the world a bit more grateful – far less transactional – and really value the humans around me.”

Produced by Rocky O’Reilly, ‘Home’ proves once again that HAVVK are a band on the rise; one who are consistently honing and developing their sound, continuing to impress and enchant the ears, not content to stick within the confines of any one sonic genre.

 

‘Home’ is out now, taken from HAVVK’s upcoming second album Levelling, produced by Rocky O’Reilly and set for release in July this year.

Mari Lane
@marimindles

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WATCH: Separatr – ‘Appetite’

Having put out a song every two months throughout 2020, Seattle-based duo Stephanie Melvin and Joe Douglas – aka Separatr – ended last year with the release of their latest single ‘Appetite’.

Reflecting on that all-too-common period in which a crush can become self-destructive, ‘Appetite’ is a compelling, genre-defying cacophony. Fusing together gritty alt-pop and a driving grunge-fuelled melancholy, along with shades of a frenetic drum ‘n’ bass inspired energy and everything in-between, it’s propelled by propulsive beats and swirling hooks; building with an increasing tension to a frenzied climax. A truly captivating soundscape that’ll seduce the ears with its eerie majesty.

‘Appetite’ is accompanied by an innovatively created video, the honey sweet hues of which match the luscious allure of Melvin’s vocals perfectly. Watch here:

‘Appetite’ is out now via Big Hare Records, taken from Separatr’s upcoming new album, set for release this Summer. You can also listen to the band’s weekly podcast here.

Mari Lane
@marimindles

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Track Of The Day: BAXTR – ‘Grace On Fire’

Following last year’s ‘Bloom’ and ‘Feathers’, London trio Floss, Bash and Keiko – aka BAXTR – have now returned to uplift our ears with their latest buoyant single.

Reflecting on the feelings of helplessness that come with seeing someone you love suffer, ‘Grace On Fire’ is a sweeping slice of alt-pop. Propelled by an uplifting energy, it oozes nostalgic tinges harking back to the anthemic indie classics of the early noughties, whilst maintaining its own unique shimmering power. As Floss’ honey-sweet vocals flow with a celestial majesty throughout, the track builds with explosive, soaring riffs and a swirling heartfelt emotion to create something truly stirring, leaving you longing for more of BAXTR’s infectious energy. Of the track, singer Floss expands:

“This song is semi-autobiographical. I have been both ‘Grace’, and the person watching ‘Grace’ suffer. I know what it’s like to look on and helplessly whilst someone goes through a painful transition. In my limited experience it seems that watching someone suffer, for whatever reason, can be full of so many different emotions. I’ve come to realise that the only thing that is true in every case, every time, is that it’s not your job to save someone else. Nobody wants to witness the fall of a great monument and symbol of hope and faith (ie: someone you believe in). We mostly all want to believe we can prevent that from happening to someone we love, but sometimes we can’t.
These days, I try not to overlook those simple yet precious 3 words that did so much to help douse my own flames… ‘are you ok?’”

‘Grace On Fire’ is accompanied by a twinkling new video, filled with bubblegum pastel-hues, perfectly conveying the effervescent emotion of the track. Watch it now:

‘Grace On Fire‘ is out now, and was produced by Tristan Ivemy (Frank Turner, Lottery Winners).

Mari Lane
@marimindles

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LISTEN: Blonde Maze – ‘Fade Into You’

Following last year’s ‘To The Moon’ and ‘Not All Flowers Bloom’, GIHE fave Blonde Maze has now shared an exquisite rendition of a Mazzy Star classic.

Oozing all the poignant, rich emotion of the original, Blonde Maze’s ‘Fade Into You’ adds her own unique blend of soaring electronics and uplifting chiming beats to create a truly stirring offering steeped in a euphoric, ethereal splendour. With its soothing, shimmering grace, it’s another blissfully cathartic creation from Blonde Maze, showcasing her ability to take an already beautiful track and transform it into something that is completely, undeniably, and majestically, her own.

Listen now on Spotify:

 

Mari Lane
@marimindles

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