LISTEN: CATBEAR – ‘Girl Crush’

A dreamy electro-pop rumination about wanting a friendship to turn into something more romantic, CATBEAR have shared their latest single ‘Girl Crush’. Written during the Covid-19 lockdown, the London-based queer duo playfully ponder the “could-have-beens and what ifs” when it comes to thinking about that certain someone.

“The quiet streets of lockdown London and the amazing weather we had influenced the summery chilled vibe on this song,” explain CATBEAR, who are formed of Zoe Konez and Sarah Smith. “We were listening to a lot of 80s and 90s alternative pop, but also loving the current pop sound of Caroline Polachek, The Japanese House and Rina Sawayama too.” This merging of influences resulted in the lush, dreamy sounds on ‘Girl Crush’.

Recorded and produced in Konez’s home studio in Brixton, the single is a completely DIY affair, with Smith laying down her vocals in her spare room wardrobe. The duo’s charming pop creations about relatable concepts are a welcome distraction for anyone caught up in a crush during these unusual times.

Listen to ‘Girl Crush’ below and follow CATBEAR on bandcamp, Facebook and Spotify for more updates.

 

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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Track Of The Day: Tolü Makay – ‘Don’t Let Go’

An understated, beautifully soothing listen that encourages listeners to embrace hope, Tolü Makay has shared her latest single ‘Don’t Let Go’. The Nigerian-born, Ireland-based artist gently reassures her listeners to let go of their fears through her smooth vocals, tender lyricism and jazz inspired instrumentation.

Inspired by the likes of Erykah Badu, Nina Simone, Amy Winehouse, Asa and Labrinth, Makay first realised her talent for singing in church, and it’s a talent that continued to blossom as she embraced writing songs for herself. ‘Don’t Let Go’ sees her practising self compassion whilst navigating her “emotional transition from fear to hope.”

The track’s accompanying video was shot and directed by Fiona-Louise Ntidendereza on 16mm film, and shows Makay during some of her most relaxed moments. The visuals reflect Makay’s message of empowerment and self belief, providing a warm and bright insight in to the sounds on her forthcoming debut album.

Listen to ‘Don’t Let Go’ below and follow Tolü Makay on Spotify, Facebook and bandcamp

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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Track Of The Day: MOURN – ‘This Feeling Is Disgusting’

A bright burst of guitar noise to counteract feelings of anxiety and uncertainty, Barcelona trio MOURN have shared their latest single ‘This Feeling Is Disgusting’. Lifted from their upcoming album Self Worth, which is set for release on 30th October via Captured Tracks, the song is an energetic effort to reclaim some kind of confidence when thinking about the future.

“The song is really about…being anxious about what’s going to happen, not knowing if you’re going to be able to earn a living or not,” the band explain. Juxtaposing their serious unease with curt and relatable lyrics like “it sucks”, MOURN’s latest offering is as honest and cathartic as its title suggests. “It’s a really happy song,” the trio continue, “but one that represents being stressed out. The idea of ‘I don’t know if I’ll be able to afford an apartment any time soon, but hey, let’s dance and have fun!’ That’s the concept behind it.”

This duality is explored further in the accompanying video, directed by Alex Fernández. The visuals show the group in therapy, playfully trying to work though their feelings of angst and anxiety. The band want listeners to know that it’s “ok to go to therapy and to take care of yourself,” and that feeling unhappy is not a permanent state of emotion. It’s this mindset that fuelled their new album Self Worth, which looks set to be a riotously uplifting listen.

Watch the video for ‘This Feeling Is Disgusting’ is below and follow MOURN on bandcamp, Facebook & Spotify for more updates.

Photo Credit: Cristian Colomer Cavallari

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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LISTEN: Lotic – ‘Cocky’

Experimental sounds and assertive lyrics combine with dramatic flair on ‘Cocky’, the latest single from Houndstooth signee Lotic. Following on from her previous single ‘Burn A Print’, Lotic continues her message of self-belief and empowerment on this defiant new track.

“‘Cocky’ is a song for the girls,” explains Lotic. “It’s a reminder to always recognize and demand your worth. It grants permission to radically stand in your truth, even when it may shock or offend, and most of all it’s a celebration of growth, prosperity, and confidence.” It’s this traffic-stopping attitude that fuels the demanding, energetic nature of Lotic’s electronic tunes.

Born in Houston USA but now a familiar face on the Berlin underground club and electronic music scene, Lotic (aka J’Kerian Morgan) shared her debut album Power in 2018. The record showcased her vocal and songwriting abilities for the first time, consolidating her skills into a coherent message about transforming fear in to fierce autonomy.

As with all her releases, Lotic declares that her mission is to “live life to the fullest by not giving a fuck about what anybody thinks,” which she effortlessly achieves on ‘Cocky’. Listen to the track below and follow Lotic on Facebook & Spotify for more updates.

 

Photo credit: Philip Primus

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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