NEW TRACK: Coolgirl – ‘Druid’s Hood’

A mesmerising blend of evocative beats and cell-tingling vocals inspired by the sounds on vintage video games, Dublin-based artist and producer Lizzie Fitzpatrick aka Coolgirl has shared her latest single, ‘Druid’s Hood’. Taken from her upcoming EP, Failed Reboot, which is set for release on 8th November via VETA Records, the track offers another intriguing insight into Coolgirl’s cinematic, synth-soaked universe.

GIHE fans will recognise Fitzpatrick as the front person of grunge trio Bitch Falcon, but under her solo moniker she uses electronics to create vivid, sometimes ambient, sometimes upbeat soundscapes. After releasing a handful of singles over the past few years – including recent tracks ‘Silverlight‘ and ‘High Altar‘ – Coolgirl is preparing to share her new EP, with ‘Druid’s Hood’ providing listeners with another captivating glimpse into the experimental world she inhabits.

“‘Druid’s Hood’ was written as a counterpart to the more poppy heavy tracks on the EP,” Fitzpatrick explains about the single. “I wrote it as it led me down a sci-fi path, almost like something out of a SEGA genesis game found deep in the bargain basket. Vocals appear only on this track on the EP and I wanted to mix the emotion of Kate Bush with the intensity of Karin Dreijer.” With her eclectic range of instruments – including a TR8, PRO-1, Tin Whistle and Korg DW6000 – and her Kate Bush/Fever Ray tinged vocals, Coolgirl evokes a potent feeling of nostalgia, whilst also retaining her fresh unconventional sonic perspective.

Coolgirl’s upcoming EP Failed Reboot will be released on digital platforms and on cassette tape. Described as “a warped and deep sound that delves deep in reverb while bouncing back to a steady dance beat,” the songs dissolve into each other in a way that is best appreciated when heard on tape. Pre-order your copy now.

Listen to ‘Druid’s Hood’ below.

Follow Coolgirl on bandcamp, Spotify, Twitter & Instagram

Follow VETA Records on bandcamp, Twitter, Instagram & Facebook

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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WATCH: Projector – ‘And Now The End’

Written as a response to a breakup scenario, but inspired by the general state of chaos that we currently live in, Brighton trio PROJECTOR continue to evolve their sound on their latest single, ‘And Now The End’. Accompanied by a beautifully shot video – the second in a trilogy of Cold War inspired films – the band question “Who do you think is winning now / and does it really matter anyhow?” via visceral riffs and cutting lyrics.

Ricocheting between spite and apathy at a disorientating pace, ‘And Now The End’ is permeated by brooding bass lines, sardonic vocals and gritty guitar FX. Together, these elements reflect the nihilistic attitudes that people often indulge in when they feel powerless in the face of overwhelming adversity. On the track’s writing process, bassist and vocalist Lucy Sheehan comments: “I was listening to Massive Attack’s Heligoland a lot, I wanted those bass lines that sounded like they could almost be a synth line, and guitars that could be noise samples.”

“Ed’s guitars are mostly noises created by dropping a Carl Martin Headroom on the floor,” Sheehan continues, “[and] as with all our stuff, Joy Division’s the major influence. That said, this wasn’t a cerebral process. We wrote ‘And Now The End’ in about half an hour, it came naturally. That’s why I think it’s probably the aesthetic signifier of the major piece of work we’re shortly about to announce…”

In the lead up to this news, Projector have announced their biggest UK tour to date, which kicks off in 2024. Fans can access tickets early in a pre-sale at 10am on Wednesday 4th October by signing up to PROJECTOR’s email list. The remaining tickets will be on general sale at 10am on Friday 6th October on the band’s website.

Watch the video for ‘And Now The End’ below.

Follow Projector on Spotify, Twitter (X), Facebook & Instagram

Projector UK Tour Dates 2024
22nd Fed – The Bodega, Nottingham
23rd Feb – The Green Door Store, Brighton
29th Feb – The Attic, Glasgow
1st March – The Castle, Manchester
2nd March – The Royal Oak, Leeds
22nd March – The Lanes, London
23rd March – Signature Brew, London

Photo Credit: Bridie Cummings

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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NEW TRACK: Hinako Omori – ’ember’

Following on from her previous single ‘cyanotype memories’ – an ode to surrendering to the unknown and finding peace within that process – London-based artist and composer Hinako Omori has shared her latest single, ’ember’. Taken from her upcoming album, stillness, softness…, which is set for release via Houndstooth on 27th October, the track is an uplifting sonic delight that encourages listeners to let go of the past and relinquish feelings of doubt.

On her upcoming record, Omori retains the soothing, enigmatic qualities of the tracks that formed her debut album, …a journey – which featured on Get In Her Ears’ Albums Of 2022 list – but she expands her use of synthesizers and seraphic vocals further. She continues to trust her intuition and channel her emotions into idiosyncratic sounds, but this time she has leaned into a more contemporary, song-based structure.

Whilst her debut album concentrated on healing others with invigorating, ambient sounds and field recordings, on stillness, softness…, Omori looks inward and gently dismantles the barriers that held her back from finding peace within herself. ’ember’ acknowledges this important on-going process, with its shimmering synths, soft vocals and earnest lyrics offering a glimpse of the respite this can provide.

“The idea behind ’ember’ is noticing that our attachment to the past can cloud our perception of situations,” explains Hianko, “and the importance of breaking through these barriers we place on ourselves to build a healthier, compassionate relationship with ourselves and others.” Urging her listeners to “break free” from their chains, Omori delivers another captivating, altruistic piece of music that resonates further each time it’s listened to.

Listen to ’ember’ below.

Hinako Omori UK & EU Live Dates 2023
24/11 – Teatro Principal, Ourense – Spain
25/11 – L’Archipel, Paris – France
29/11 – Alphabet, Brighton – UK
30/11 – Belgrave Music Hall, Leeds – UK
01/12 – The Deaf Institute, Manchester – UK
02/12 – ICA, London – UK
04/12 – Zonzij, Amsterdam – Netherlands
06/12 – XENON (Huset), Copenhagen – Denmark
07/12 – Volksbuehne (Roter Salon), Berlin – Germany
09/12 – Botanique (Witloofbar), Brussels – Belgium

 

Follow Hinako Omori on bandcamp, Spotify, Instagram, Twitter (X) & Facebook

Photo credit: Luca Bailey

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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LISTEN: Hilary Woods – ‘Where The Bough Has Broken’

A hypnotic instrumental inspired by a deep love for the city she grew up in, Irish artist Hilary Woods has shared her latest single ‘Where The Bough Has Broken’. Lifted from her upcoming album, Acts Of Light, which is set for release on 3rd November via Sacred Bones, the track is an atmospheric ode to communal growth and memory, with an accompanying video that pays homage to the seemingly minor moments that play a role in creating these things.

Following on from her second full length record Birthmarks (2020), and her hypnotic EP Feral Hymns (2021), Woods has expanded and experimented with her sound even further on her upcoming album. Written, recorded, mixed and produced by Woods over the two years she spent between the west coast of Ireland and Dublin, Acts Of Light includes a myriad of idiosyncratic sounds.

The record features choristers of the Palestrina choir together with the voices of the Galway City Chamber Choir, that Woods captured in the Pro Cathedral Dublin. Strings by Oslo-based musician Jo Berger Myhre appear throughout, and all the tracks are interspersed with field recordings that Woods captured during her time spent travelling through the north west of Spain. These influences have culminated into the nine “hypnotic dirges” that make up Acts Of Light, with single ‘Where The Bough Has Broken’ being the first hint of what’s to come.

Shadowy and evocative, the track is a deep rumination inspired by Woods’ memories of living in Dublin, which she captures in the accompanying self-directed visuals, made with footage from RTE Archives. “Made from old newsreels of archive footage, this video muses on the beauty of community and resilience, made to a piece of music that celebrates connection and the specificity and transience of time, space, and human expression,” Woods comments. “This music video is a visual love letter to the Dublin City I grew up in, to the spirit of familial roots and the extraordinary moments in ordinary life that leave their lasting impression.”

Watch the visuals for ‘Where The Bough Has Broken’ below.

Hilary Woods Ireland & UK Tour Dates 2023
25/10/2023 IRL Dublin The Gallery space at The Complex
26/10/2023 IRL Dublin The Gallery space at The Complex
30/10/2023 UK Liverpool Kazimier Stockroom
31/10/2023 UK Brighton Rose Hill Arts
01/11/2023 UK London Cafe OTO
02/11/2023 UK Bristol Cube Cinema
03/11/2023 UK Newcastle Cobalt Studios
04/11/2023 UK Manchester The White Hotel
05/11/2023 UK Leeds Headrow House

Pre-order Acts Of Light here

Follow Hilary Woods on bandcamp, Spotify & Instagram

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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