WATCH: Æ MAK – ‘hey driver (!)’

A vibrant, catchy tune made with “100% childsplay and solo belly laughs”, Kitsch-bop Queen Æ MAK has shared her latest single, ‘hey driver (!)’. Taken from her new EP how to: make a kitsch pop song to show the world, which is released today (18th Sept), the Irish artist has crafted another polished art-pop offering with a dance routine that’s a joy to mimic.

Embracing production duties for the first time on her new release, Æ MAK – aka Aoife McCann – wrote and recorded her new EP during the Covid-19 lockdown period. She focused on making upbeat tunes that listeners could bop too, and the result is a candid and ultra fun aural “how to” on making music that’s joyous and uplifting.

McCann’s carefree attitude is best displayed in the accompanying music video for ‘hey driver (!)’, shot and edited by Tim Shearwood. Featuring her cousin Anyamanee Thungsombat and school friend Kavneet Kainth, the video shows the girls seamlessly executing dance moves such as the “bumble bee butt walk” and adopting the “casual horse rider” pose.

Watch the video below and follow Æ MAK on Facebook and Spotify for more updates.

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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Track Of The Day: ZAND – ‘Slut Money’

A defiant, savage pop tune that celebrates self-autonomy and body positivity, ZAND has shared their latest single ‘Slut Money’. The self-described “ugly pop” star is taking aim at slut shamers on their new track, knocking down the haters with their gritty beats, sweet vocals and candid rap verses.

“While it’s a tongue-in-cheek bop, I wrote it as a liberating bite back at whorephobes,” ZAND explains about the new single. “[It’s] an ode to the community, as well as it being empowering for anyone who’s been judged for demonstrating their right to bodily autonomy and sexual liberation.” The Blackpool-born producer delivers these thoughts via unapologetic lyrics and dense beats on ‘Slut Money’.

“Why you complaining when it’s not your body?” ZAND repeatedly asks, reiterating the problem that patriarchal society has with judging the bodies of women and non-binary people. ZAND has a simple message for the haters though – “fuck you, pay me” – which is deftly delivered throughout the track. ZAND rightfully celebrates using your body in whatever way you want to, and unapologetically tells those who find it offensive exactly where to go.

Listen to ‘Slut Money’ below and follow ZAND on Instagram and Spotify for more updates.

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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LISTEN: MOURN – ‘Men’

A rallying cry against toxic masculinity and street harassment, MOURN have shared their latest single ‘Men’. Lifted from their upcoming album Self Worth, which is set for release on 30th October via Captured Tracks, the song is an honest, cathartic purge of the distrust and anger many women suppress on a daily basis when they’re intimidated in public spaces.

“I don’t really trust men” the Barcelona trio admit over crashing drums and riotous riffs, fatigued by being spoken over, judged and exploited by the “fragile” eyes of men who believe women’s bodies are open to public criticism. MOURN are shouting back against this damaging and weirdly acceptable social behaviour, but like many women, the band have felt conflicted about facing this issue so directly.

“‘Men’ is about walking the streets and having to deal with looks, words and attitudes from different men,” MOURN explain. “To enter a store and be treated differently than male clients, and the same at work. This song portrays these situations and the frustration that comes with them. I’m sure there will be a lot of people that identify with these experiences, and being questioned for their identity. At the same time, I know there will also be people that are pissed or feel uncomfortable with these lyrics. But this is how we feel and no one can take our experiences from us.

These lyrics come from a sincere and confident mindset where we want to establish our validity and identity and not let it be broken. We talk about feelings we see in men because we feel they‘re taken into account more, and are imposed onto us. I also feel like with this quote being so long, it is like I’m trying to justify why we wrote about this topic, and the thing is, this in itself is an uncomfortable situation we’re being put through by society. In the end, it’s just a personal experience…lived by millions of people everyday.”

Watch the video for ‘Men’ below and follow MOURN on bandcamp, Facebook & Spotify for more updates.

Photo Credit: Cristian Colomer Cavallari

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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LISTEN: Total Rubbish – ‘Honey Ryder’

The name’s Rubbish, Total Rubbish, and they’re a Philadelphia-based trio who craft grungy-yet-poppy guitar tunes about everything from “Bond Girls” to odd-end jobs. Their debut single ‘Honey Ryder’ shares its name with the first ever Bond Girl featured in the 1962 film Dr. No, and the band describe it as an ode to “the first babe in a long line of babes.”

Formed of Bre Steinfeldt (bass), Cass Nguyen (guitar) and Kiki Schiller (drums), Total Rubbish recently signed to Born Losers Records to release their upcoming record, Triple Negative on the 20th September. ‘Honey Ryder’ is lifted from the EP, and it’s a sweet taste of the band’s talent for combining melodic vocals with dense, swirling riffs.

Inspired by the likes of The Dandy Warhols, Veruca Salt and the Velvet Underground, the ironically named Total Rubbish are ready to deliver their bittersweet take on disappointing relationships, new beginnings and historical babes with their upcoming EP. Listen to ‘Honey Ryder’ below and follow the band on Facebook, Instagram and Spotify for more updates.

Photo Credit: Caro Ramirez

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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