Track Of The Day: STRAIGHT GIRL – ‘Limón’

A vibrant, jagged electronic soundscape inspired by disjointed and self-critical thoughts, Leeds-based electropunk STRAIGHT GIRL has shared their latest single ‘Limón’. Released via Come Play With Me, the track is a cathartic new offering that sees the artist confront the darker parts of themselves and transform them into energetic, intensely danceable beats.

“I wrote ‘Limón’ in 2017 at a point where I was feeling a lot of shame about the person I felt I was,” explains STRAIGHT GIRL (aka Holly Readman, pronouns: They/Them.) “Feeling crushed by this immense disconnect between the things I was saying and the things I was thinking. It felt like this grotesque, sour monster was hiding within me, and I often wondered if the fact I harboured it inside meant that was who I was. I would imagine my head being squeezed like a lemon and feel the horrible, sour, bitter sting of shame pour out.” The result of this emotional squeezing is a stirring new “sad dance” banger.

Describing themselves as “fiercely and fearlessly queer,” STRAIGHT GIRL is a master at exorcising their demons and developing them into their own brand of “grave rave” sounds. ‘Limón’ is an exciting taste of what’s to come from this uncompromising artist over the next few months.

Listen to ‘Limón’ below.

Order your copy of ‘Limón’ on 7″ vinyl here.

Follow STRAIGHT GIRL on bandcamp, Spotify, Twitter, Instagram & Facebook for more updates.

Photo Credit: Andrew Benge (@andrewbenge)

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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LISTEN: Gazelle Twin & NYX – ‘Fire Leap’

A thrilling, nightmarish, pagan-inspired tune, Gazelle Twin and NYX Electronic Drone Choir have shared their new single ‘Fire Leap’. Taken from their upcoming album Deep England, which is set for release via NYX Collective Records on 19th March 2021, the track is a goose-bump inducing interpretation of the same song featured in the cult 1973 film, The Wicker Man.

Inspired by the songs that formed Gazelle Twin’s (aka Elizabeth Bernholz) critically acclaimed 2018 album Pastoral, Deep England continues the artist’s harrowing up of England’s “rotten past” and exploration of its uncertain future. GIHE were lucky enough to experience this collaborative effort live in 2019 at Southbank Centre’s Queen Elizabeth Hall (read the full review here), and we were dazzled by their ghastly yet glorious performance.

Speaking about their upcoming record, Gazelle Twin & NYX comment: “Here lies our ancient future, Deep England: our hope and compassion in the chokehold of power and glory. Hand in hand, here we cry our rage: summoning a lament into the ether, a divine androgynous force, a transcendental purge of the dizzying chaos of post-truth Britain.”

Listen to ‘Fire Leap’ below and pre-order your copy of Deep England here.

Follow Gazelle Twin on bandcamp, Spotify, Instagram, Twitter & Facebook

Follow NYX Drone Choir on bandcamp, Spotify, Instagram, Twitter & Facebook

Credits for Deep England
Adélaïde Pratoussy, Cecilia Forssberg, Elizabeth Bernholz, Natalie Sharp, Ruth Corey, Shireen Qureshi and Sian O’Gorman.
Co-produced by Marta Salogni, Sian O’Gorman (NYX) and Elizabeth Bernholz (Gazelle Twin)
Mix and additional programming by Marta Salogni
Mastering by Heba Kadry

Photo Credit: Jamie Cameron

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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Track Of The Day: ZAND – ‘Inappropriate’

An industrial-tinged pop tune that revels in the idea of not fitting the mould, Blackpool-based dark pop artist ZAND has shared their latest single ‘Inappropriate’. Lifted from their brand new EP UGLY POP (released today), the track is another stellar example of ZAND’s talent when it comes to creating savage yet sweet “ugly pop” gems.

“’Inappropriate’ is taking one of the words that has been used to patronise and belittle artists like myself who don’t fit a friendly, cookie cutter manufactured stereotype,” ZAND explains about the track. “[It’s] putting a sarcastic, embracive spin on it laced with a bit of irony. It’s a vent for the judgement I have faced in this industry by certain people. I’ve really enjoyed taunting those same people with my music.”

ZAND’s wit and defiance in the face of their critics shines through in their candid lyricism and polished, yet punishing beats. Produced by ZAND and DJ/producer Daktyl (Major Lazer, Halsey) and mixed by Thomas Mitchener (Frank Carter and the Rattlesnakes, La Roux), ‘Inappropriate’, like the other four tracks on the UGLY POP EP, is a delightfully wicked tune that celebrates self-autonomy and persevering in an industry that often tries to soften an artist’s unique edge.

“UGLY POP is a very intimate project to me, with it being the first body of work centred around my own genre as an ‘ugly popstar’” ZAND continues. “This EP acts as a little taster for this, and what UP represents. I’m stoked to be birthing this little batsh*t part of me out into the world” – and we’re stoked to be listening to more of ZAND’s warped and wonderful beats.

Watch the video for ‘Inappropriate’ below.

Follow ZAND on Twitter, Instagram & Spotify for more updates.

Photo Credit: Sophie Thompson

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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Track Of The Day: Clara Byrne – ‘Conflict Bound’

A poignant reflection on the pressures and contradictions we encounter living under capitalism, Irish songwriter Clara Byrne has shared her debut single ‘Conflict Bound’. Lifted from her upcoming debut album Handstitched, Byrne finds refuge from these overwhelming thoughts via her atmospheric alt-folk guitar sounds and patient vocal delivery.

“In a world filled with juxtaposed opinions and clashing ideals, it is getting progressively harder to know where to stand,” Byrne explains about her new track. “It can be nearly impossible not to get bogged down in fighting the opposition or slaving towards winning small mercies. It all seems so vast, so utterly impossible to grasp. But there are rare occasions when a clearing appears through the density. These moments when everything is laid out in its most digestible form, are worth waiting for.”

Through her sincere lyrics and rich vocals, Byrne navigates through “sheltered point(s) of view” and appeals to her listeners, asking them not to turn away from “systemic flaws”, but to unite together to dismantle them. The track is also accompanied by a video created by Rachel Noble, formed of scenes from global protests, deprived buildings and busy urban landscapes.

Listen to ‘Conflict Bound’ below.

 

Follow Clara Byrne on bandcamp, Spotify, Twitter, Facebook & Instagram for more updates.

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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