Track Of The Day: anrimeal – ‘Elegy For An Empty Ocean’ (The Silver Field Mix)

An atmospheric, soothing re-work of her original track ‘Elegy For An Empty Coffin’, London-based, Porto-born electronic artist anrimeal has shared her latest single ‘Elegy For An Empty Ocean’. Mixed by The Silver Field‘s Coral Rose, this beguiling new offering is one of many soft, magnetic lullabies that form anrimeal’s latest album Could Divine, Remembered.

Devised as a companion piece for her 2020 debut Could Divine, this collection of re-workings was inspired by demos, reflections, confessions, rituals and anrimeal’s own heartbeat. The result is a truly immersive audio documentary that demonstrates anrimeal aka Ana Rita de Melo Alves’ intricate approach to creating music. All profits from the release will be donated to Plataforma de Apoio aos Refugiados – a Portuguese refugee support organisation close to Ana’s heart supporting refugees in Portugal and around the world.

In the spirit of heightening and truly getting the most from her musical experiences, anrimeal is also selling a limited homemade scented candle and offering an opportunity for a one-on-one bedroom music production tutorial with her too. All info can be found on her bandcamp page.

Watch the accompanying video for ‘Elegy For An Empty Ocean’ below.

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

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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ALBUM: Fears – ‘Oíche’

An intuitive artist who has transformed her darkest moments into graceful electronic soundscapes, Fears aka Constance Keane has shared her debut album Oíche. Released via her own label TULLE, the Irish-born, London-based musician balances her intense ruminations on trauma alongside delicate synth loops and tentative beats to shine a light on a personal metamorphosis.

Much like the coarse fabric she used to create her unique dress on the album’s artwork, Fears allows her lived experiences to take up space and permeate this record, which swells with unflinching honesty and elegance. Oíche – meaning “night” in Irish – is a graceful collection of shadowy lullabies that spans five years of emotional territory for Fears, and the result is a truly immersive and enlightening body of work.

Since it was written & recorded in the music room of the hospital she was once an inpatient in, opener ‘h_always’ has remained untouched. “I’m black and blue / on the inside too” she softly repeats, juxtaposing her emotions alongside ward paraphernalia and atmospheric guitar lines, capturing a mindset that is revisited, dismantled and rebuilt over the course of Oíche.

She taps into the fluctuating nature of her mental health with magnetic synths and soft percussion on tracks like ‘bones’, ‘daze’, ‘vines’ and ‘Blood’, each embellished with vocals that ache with gentle sincerity. Her cyclical, buoyant synth loops mirror intrusive or recurring thought patterns, whilst her lyrics capture the mental push-and-pull of processing, accepting and learning to let things go. This is epitomised on ‘Fabric,’ which resonates deeper each time it’s listened to.

Her moving account of gripping her knees tightly while confessing “I’m so sorry for the mess I a made” on ‘dents’ is deeply affecting and marks a change in the record’s tone. The instantly mood-lifting ‘Brighid’ – a home-recording of Fears’ sister and late Grandmother in casual conversation – invites listeners to share in an intimate family moment. It beautifully precedes ‘tonnta’, where Fears weaves memories of her Grandmother into her lyrics, crafting a fitting tribute to the person who originally taught her how to sew.

The resilience of her familial relationships are acknowledged on the album’s poignant closing track ‘two_’. Whilst it centres around Fears’ own experiences of self-harm, the repeated sentiment “If not for my family / I’d never have healed” is deeply moving. It’s this unwavering love and support – whether from others, or mined from deep within herself – that’s helped to shape Oíche and why it’s such a cathartic, cohesive collection of songs.

It is a privilege to listen to this considered, intensely personal record.

Order your copy of Fears’ debut album Oíche here

Follow Fears on bandcamp, Spotify, Instagram, Twitter & Facebook
Follow TULLE on Instagram & Twitter

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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Track Of The Day: Fräulein – ‘Pretty People’

Originally hailing from Northern Ireland and the Netherlands respectively, London-based duo Joni Samuels and Karsten van der Tol – aka Fräulein – have been winning us over since we first became pretty obsessed with last year’s single ‘Drag Behind’, and then continued to be totally hooked on its follow up, ‘Mary’. So, we were excited to hear that they have now shared an equally impressive new offering.

Reflecting on the shallow world of fashion, ‘Pretty People’ is inspired by a party that Joni attended at which it was highlighted that if you didn’t fit the right look, clothes or clock in the right number of followers online, you’d be dismissed. Propelled by sparse beats and stripped back hooks, the track builds with a captivating dark energy as Joni’s sweeping vocals create a majestic, grunge-infused atmosphere.

Oozing that trademark whirring, lo-fi twang that we’ve come to know and love from previous singles, ‘Pretty People’ showcases the duo developing and honing their sound with a more polished finish. With an anthemic scuzz, Joni’s vocals flow with a visceral passion, exuding a bewitching, gritty splendour.

Of the track, the duo sum-up: “The song is about refusing to be small, even if the people around you are telling you to be.”

And so my obsession with Fräulein’s sound continues. I cannot recommend these two strongly enough; I really think they have something wonderfully nostalgic, yet ultimately unique, to offer. And, as soon as it is safe to do so, I cannot wait for them to blow us away live at one of our gig nights!

Shot by Emma Swann and edited by Luke Macpherson, and filmed entirely on Mini DV tape, watch the new video for ‘Pretty People’ now:

Mastered by Noel Summerville (The White Stripes, My Bloody Valentine), ‘Pretty People‘ is out now via Practise Music. If you’re lucky enough to have tickets, you can catch Fräulein live at The Windmill, supporting Butch Kassidy, on 26th May.

Mari Lane
@marimindles

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Track Of The Day: Mumble Tide – ‘Sucker’

A charming cacophony of grungy guitars and bittersweet vocals that celebrates the feeling of moving on, Mumble Tide have shared their latest single ‘Sucker’. Marking their first piece of new music since their 2020 debut EP, Love Thing, this new offering sees the Bristol-based duo urge listeners to shrug off the weight of the world’s expectations and walk away with their heads held high.

Formed of Gina Leonard and Ryan Rogers, Mumble Tide originally met through a Gumtree ad and began making music from their bedroom under the supervision of Furbs the Furby, who nods approvingly as the pair create their casual-yet-cool sounds. Everything the band create is entirely self-produced, including their own videos and artwork, proving that all you need is good company and a comfortable atmosphere to make meaningful art.

“This one is just a super fun track we threw together. It’s about feeling confident and free and moving on, or at least trying to,” explains vocalist Gina about ‘Sucker’. “It’s about throwing the baggage off your shoulders and strutting away…but also accepting that it’s not that easy.” With its catchy chorus and rolling rhythms, Mumble Tide’s new single is a carefree slice of 90s-esque guitar music that fizzes with understated joy.

Listen to ‘Sucker’ below.

Follow Mumble Tide on bandcamp, Spotify, Twitter, Instagram & Facebook

Kate Crudgington
@kcbobcut

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