Track Of The Day: AGAAMA – ‘Blackbox Oracle’

An intoxicating blend of enigmatic vocals, heady electronic beats and jazz-inspired instrumentation, Birmingham-based artist, composer, vocalist and producer AGAAMA has shared her latest single ‘Blackbox Oracle’. Taken from her upcoming EP Wandering Worlds, which is set for release on 15th September via The state51 Conspiracy, the track explores our complex relationship with Artificial Intelligence, questioning whether we can live in harmony with the machines we have created.

“‘Blackbox Oracle’ is about our relationship with technology and how humankind draws closer to the singularity – the moment in time where the capabilities of AI will overtake the abilities of the human brain,” AGAAMA explains. The track’s title is the name of an imagined ‘AI’ lover, who AGAAMA toys with via her majestic instrumentation and seductive beats. “My body craves control” she confesses, resisting the urge to become “addicted to your code”, trapped in a push-and-pull scenario that has no concrete solution.

AGAAMA’s eclectic sounds stem from a childhood rich with varied musical experiences. Growing up in a British-Jamaican household, she was influenced by the contemporary classical tastes of her parent’s record collection, she sang in Church on Sundays, studied classical trombone as a teenager, but also spent her weekends raving to UK bass music and writhing in the mosh pit at metal gigs. This glorious array of musical experiences have all informed her work as AGAAMA, making her sounds as vast and altruistic as her collective memories.

Her upcoming EP, Wandering Worlds, reflects this kaleidoscopic musical vision perfectly, whilst also tapping into something darker. “I grew up listening to a lot of angsty, heavy music – metal, dubstep, prog rock and bass music. I wanted to make something where you could explore angst and frustration,” AGAAMA explains. “I found that having a space to release angst within music was healthy and helpful on my path toward healing. I really wanted to incorporate this brooding, meditative, almost primal thing that hooked me into music.”

AGGAMA has explored these instincts on her recent singles ‘Which Way’, ‘Sarehole Mill’ and on her latest cut ‘Blackbox Oracle’, which you can watch the captivating video for below.

Follow AGAAMA on Spotify, Twitter, Instagram & Facebook

AGAAMA UK Tour Dates 2022
22nd September – London, Hootenanny (with Jack Tyson Charles)
29th September – (EP Launch) London, state51 Factory
3rd October – Birmingham, The Night Owl

Photo Credit: Myah Jeffers

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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LISTEN: Grandmas House – ‘Body’

A brooding cacophony of post punk sound that was born from the desire to overcome the discomfort that facing your own reflection can cause, Bristol trio Grandmas House have shared their latest single ‘Body’. Released via Brace Yourself Records, the track is full of candid vocals, cathartic lyrics and boisterous riffs that aim to dismantle the strained relationships we have with our own bodies.

Formed of Yasmin Berndt (vocals, guitar), Poppy Dodgson (vocals, drums) and Zoë Zinsmeister (bass), Grandmas House combine gritty guitars, thudding percussion and a joyful dose of sarcasm to create their commanding and catchy anthems. Formed in late 2018, the band released their self-titled debut EP in October 2021, which covered everything from dismantling the patriarchy, to celebrating queer love, to a penchant for local pasties. Now, the trio are back with their new single ‘Body’, which they initially teased on their TikTok with a clip that has since gone viral, reaching over 400k views.

“‘Body’ is an anthem for anyone that’s ever felt uncomfortable in their own skin,” the band explain. “It’s an urgent statement about disassociation, feeling trapped and not recognising yourself in the mirror, it’s an ode to anyone who has ever felt different.” When the trio simultaneously chant “haven’t seen myself for a second of the day / it feels like everyone is growing / and I just stay the same”, they capture the uneasiness of existing in an insecure skin, whilst putting their own corrosive, riotous spin on this feeling to alleviate the pressure.

Listen to ‘Body’ below.

Follow Grandmas House on TikTok, bandcamp, Spotify, Instagram, Twitter & Facebook

Photo Credit: Harry Steel

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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Track Of The Day: Sprints – ‘Literary Mind’

A charged, euphoric rush of gritty guitars and cathartic vocals, Dublin four piece Sprints have shared their latest single ‘Literary Mind’. Released via Nice Swan Records and produced by Daniel Fox (Gilla Band), the track is a joyful, raucous ode to falling in love and fully submitting to the feeling, full of urgent riffs and heartfelt lyrics.

Fuelled by their need to create music which “matters and that means something,” Sprints have firmly established themselves as a compelling voice in the rock and alternative underground scenes since their inception in 2019, offering a refreshingly candid perspective on life, love and the politics that mar our experiences of both. The band’s new single ‘Literary Mind’ is a poignant and powerful anthem about overcoming unconscious bias, explicitly championing queer love and embracing the freedom that comes with this acceptance.

“‘Literary Mind’ is probably one of our most light-hearted songs in terms of subject matter, while still exploring something quite close to heart,” explains vocalist Karla Chubb. “It’s a real deep dive and exploration into the feeling of falling in love, particularly queer love, in which you feel like you’ve been conditioned to believe a heteronormative way of life is the only ‘right’ way to live, which leads to incredible difficulty and emotional oppression.

You push these feelings down, ignoring them, praying them away even but eventually with acceptance comes a rush of emotion that you never thought you’d feel. You unlock, finally, what it means to be happy and with it comes the rollercoaster of emotions, hot sweats, fever dreams, happiness, giddiness and excitement that we’ve tried to capture in the energy and pace of the song.”

Sprints will play a headline show at The Dome in Tufnell Park on 13th October. Grab your tickets here.

Watch the video for ‘Literary Mind’ below.

Follow Sprints on bandcamp, Spotify, Instagram, Twitter & Facebook

Photo Credit: Niamh Barry

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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Track Of The Day: Prima Queen – ‘Eclipse’

A buoyant guitar tune that laments the push-and-pull feeling of wanting to move on when you’re unable to forget the past, London-based Prima Queen have shared their latest single ‘Eclipse’. Produced by their friends The Big Moon, the new track brims with relatable romantic indecision, explored via Louise Macphail and Kristin McFadden’s clear dual vocals, chant-worthy chorus and rolling riffs.

“’Eclipse’ is about the hesitation of entering into a new relationship while you’re still reeling from a heartbreak that fucked you up,” the band explain about their new single. “It was quite a cathartic group experience recording the song – we got to sing the last chorus all together at the top of our lungs. We released a lot of pent up rage we didn’t know we had.” In their search for closure, Prima Queen have crafted an upbeat indie gem with a compelling narrative, that sees them trying to supress the pain of a past love by attempting to move on with someone new.

The new single is also accompanied by a video, directed by Max McLachlan. The visuals show Louise and Kristin performing a choreographed dance routine amidst a group of construction workers, navigating their way through an empty building and finding their way back to each other. Prima Queen will embark on their debut UK headline tour later this year (dates below).

Watch the video for ‘Eclipse’.

Follow Prima Queen on bandcamp, Spotify, Twitter, Instagram & Facebook

Prima Queen Tour Dates 2022
23rd November – Cluny 2, Newcastle
24th November – Broadcast, Glasgow
26th November – YES, Manchester
28th November – The Lexington, London

Photo Credit: Barbara Mrazkova

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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