ALBUM: Dott – ‘Heart Swell’

A shimmering blend of optimism and adrenaline, Galway band Dott‘s sophomore record Heart Swell lives up to its name. Released via Grave Face Records, from start to finish the album make your garage-pop loving heart palpitate with glee.

Upbeat single ‘Bleached Blonde’ opens the record, and it’s the perfect soundtrack for those who love sunshine, surfing and intensely singable choruses. If you’ve ever tried to surf on an ironing board (watch the video below, you’ll understand), you’ll sympathise with guitarist & vocalist Anna’s struggle when it comes to catching waves.

Activism and garage-pop collide in anthemic style on second track ‘Like A Girl’. The band released the song ahead of Ireland’s vote to Repeal the 8th Amendment on May 25th, but it rings out with truer intensity now the “yes” result has been confirmed. The song features an impressive guest appearance from Sadie Dupuis of Speedy Ortiz on guitar too.

The unapologetic, carefree ‘Not Sorry’ transitions gently into the restless bass lines and riffs on ‘Floating Arrows’, whic will keep your feet twitching and heads bopping. ‘Swim’ paints an enviable picture of losing yourself by the seaside, with Anna’s clear vocals as bright as the sun she sings of here. The eponymous ‘Heart Swell’ is a wonderful ode to finding love, a genuinely satisfying aural head-rush. It flows into the gentle sounding ‘Self-Help’ which shimmers with sensitivity. “I try to live my life without forgetting anyone,” sings Anna, a poignant and admirable sentiment.

‘How Do I Feel?’ is another joyous offering of buoyant guitar and feel-good lyrics, before listeners are urged to reject the “double standards” that girls are subject too on ‘You Don’t Have To’. The age of independence and ambition is reminisced about on ’18’, which fades effortlessly into penultimate track ‘Do Ya?”. The beautiful ‘Wedding Song’ closes the record on a reassuring note. Anna’s lyrics systematically strip away the traditions and expectations that come with wedding ceremonies, revealing the only thing that truly matters when you consider spending the rest of your life with someone: Love.

If you’re searching for the soundtrack to Summer 2018, invest in Dott’s second album Heart Swell now. Download it here.

Follow Dott on Facebook for more updates.

Photo Credit: Alison MW

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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Track Of The Day: Farao – ‘The Ghost Ship’

“It’s about losing a sense of direction, your fate being driven by something out of your control,” explains Farao about her latest single ‘The Ghost Ship’. With her floaty electronic sounds and magnetic beats, it’s easy to get lost in the multi-instrumentalist’s brand new track.

Originally from Norway but now based in Berlin, Farao has recently signed to Western Vinyl and is currently working on a new album, with more details to be released soon. “‘The Ghost Ship’ is about seeing the end of a relationship as an empty vessel, floating endlessly and eternally into nothingness,” Farao continues. Despite the sad context, the single is a hopeful, upbeat offering.

Listen to the track below and follow Farao on Facebook for more updates.

Photo credit: Kevin Bourland

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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Track Of The Day: LOTIC – ‘Hunted’

Described as a “high-camp, very abstract take on Queen of the Damned meets Lost Boys,” Berlin-based Lotic has shared a new video for their single ‘Hunted’. Directed by Matt Lambert who gave the above explanation, the dark, sensual, delightfully disturbing set of visuals are the perfect accompaniment to Lotic’s altruistic sound.

The opening lyrics to ‘Hunted’ – “brown skin / masculine frame / head’s a target / actin’ real feminine / make ’em vomit” – provided the perfect context for Lambert’s video: “We had this spontaneous idea of a cursed deity whose strength and sexual energy is fuelled by the souls of bougie white boys they seduced, and then murdered ritualistically in a small beach resort town.” This gritty backdrop is made all the more alluring by Lotic’s mesmerising beats and well-crafted electronics.

‘Hunted’ will feature on Lotic’s debut album Power, which is set to be released via Tri Angle Records on 13th July. “It originally started as an empowerment album,” explains Lotic. “I felt that I needed to offer something outside of myself, as sort of a healing moment.” Power will also be released on limited edition vinyl, housed in a die cut sleeve designed by Marwan Kaabour and will feature a vinyl only exclusive track called ‘Burn A Print’.

Watch the video for ‘Hunted’ below and pre-order your copy of Lotic’s Power here.

Follow Lotic on Facebook for more updates.

Photo credit: Matt Lambert

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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INTERVIEW: Hilary Woods

When news reached our ears that Dublin-based artist Hilary Woods had signed to Sacred Bones – a label which hosts our favourites Zola Jesus, Jenny Hval and The Soft Moon – our excitement for her debut album, Colt, gave us palpitations. Both Woods (a former member of JJ72) and Sacred Bones have a reputation for releasing altruistic sounds, so the pairing felt like a divine meeting of musical talent and opportunity.

Hyperbole aside, it’s clear from singles ‘Inhaler’ and ‘Prodigal Dog’ that Hilary Woods’ debut LP is going to be an exquisitely painful listen. Soaked in stark, minimalist, ambient electronic sounds that explore feelings surrounding grief and abandonment, her melancholic music is the perfect fit for venues like St. Pancras Old Church, which she headlines on 11th June (tickets available here).

We caught up with Woods to talk about her anticipations for this show, her multi-disciplinary creativity and what went into the making of her debut album…

Can you tell us a little bit about your recent single ‘Prodigal Dog’? What went into the making of this track, and why you chose to release it as a single?

I made the album without thinking of singles, pretty naïve really! But I think when ‘Prodigal Dog’ was suggested as a single it made sense. This was the first track I recorded in the record making process, bringing it to James we spent a lot of time on drum sounds and enjoyed layering vocals.

Your debut album has been described as “an intensely personal journey through grief, abandonment and mutating love”. How did you manage to translate these emotions into lyrics and music? Do you have a particular process when it comes to song-writing that you follow, or is it a more improvisational?

I’d say both, usually songs either arise after a lot of playing around and experimenting, or they just appear like a bolt. I think emotions and feeling are translated in any given process whether subconsciously or consciously.

You recently signed to Sacred Bones, who we love. What is it about the record label that drew you in? They’re on the ball when it comes to modern electronic music. Zola Jesus, Jenny Hval & The Soft Moon in particular are our favourites (and you of course)…

Thank you! I love their aesthetic, integrity and taste, that’s what drew me in, I’m a fan of many of my label mates.

You were a film, literature and fine-art student back in Dublin. Your music is intensely cinematic and your visuals are highly ornate: did studying a variety of subjects help you to develop your own sound and style easier than if you’d simply chosen to study one specific thing? Would you recommend a multi-disciplinary approach to other creatives?

I don’t know if I’d recommend anything! Everyone is on their own trajectory. In my case I was curious. I liked getting my hands dirty and the physicality of painting. Re studies: I went to college to get out of the house, literally. I needed some structure at that point in my life and I was lucky enough to be awarded some funding to go. It was all a bonus then to be super excited by what I encountered and be inspired by the material I was reading and seeing.

You described Colt as a way to “explore aloneness”, which is particularly poignant as many people use music to escape this feeling. What artists or bands do you listen to when you want to feel less alone?

Gosh, I think a good definition of a good film is one which makes you feel less alone, Music wise: I genuinely don’t have one specific answer to that, anything from Sybille Baier to Jlin to Father John Misty and beyond.

You have two upcoming London shows, St Pancras Old Church on June 11th and Southbank’s Meltdown Festival with Moon Duo on 20th June. What are you anticipating from these gigs?

I’m looking forward to them, they’ll be intimate and atmospheric.

Finally, you’ll be playing at The Sugar Club in Dublin on 14th September. It’s a hometown show, so are you anticipating something extra special from the night?

It’s always different playing at home, feels more vulnerable if anything. It’s a beautiful space with the best of promoters and a great PA and some good friends helping out. I have some plans for it, it’ll definitely be a special one for me.

Huge thanks to Hilary for answering our questions.
Colt is released via Sacred Bones on 8th June. Pre-order your copy here.

Photo Credit: Joshua Wright

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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