Track Of The Day: EMA – ‘Dark Shadows’

EMA – aka Erika M. Anderson – returns to Europe next week to tour with Depeche Mode, but before she shares the stage with the iconic 80s band, she’s found time to share her new single from her upcoming EP, Outtakes From Exile, set for release on 2nd February via City Slang.

‘Dark Shadows’ is a blend of hazy vocals, sharply produced beats and opulent electronics, inspired by the film 20th Century Women. “I wrote ‘Dark Shadows’ for the film,” EMA explains. “I was intrigued by the premise — badass women living in 1970s Santa Barbara getting into punk. That’s all I knew! I wrote the song with that in mind. I think of it as a survivor song, someone leaving a dark past behind, emerging again into the world. Whoever it is, they’re definitely wearing sunglasses.”

Sitting comfortably in what she calls “The Outer Ring” of society – the zone between the country and the city, both literally and figuratively – EMA’s sound oozes an unease and intensity inspired by “material that speaks truth to power.” Rather than agonise, she organises synths and vocals to express her resistance against poverty and inequality – all whilst wearing those super cool shades she mentions.

Listen to ‘Dark Shadows’ below and follow EMA on Facebook for more updates.

Pre-order your copy of Outtakes From Exile here.

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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EP: ShitKid – ‘This Is It’

ShitKid has a penchant for apathetic, off-kilter lo-fi sounds and she’s set to share more of them on her upcoming EP, This Is It. The anti-popstar’s fourth record is set for release on 19th January via PNKSLM Recordings and it’s the perfect follow-up to her acclaimed debut, Fish.

ShitKid is the project of Swedish artist Åsa Söderqvist, who recorded and produced This Is It in her own bedroom, before handing over the material to be mastered by Luke Reilly. The EP opens with jaded track ‘Favourite Thing’, on which heavy bass & reverb align to communicate ShitKid’s simultaneous delight and dissatisfaction with a summer fling.

‘Oh Me I’m Never’ picks up the tempo, with pulsing, drone-like electronics and more of ShitKid’s deceptively sweet vocals. The pounding drums and jaded synths on third track ‘All My Fears’ will get your feet anxiously shuffling around the dance floor, while ‘High Way’ is an off-kilter extrapolation about life after quitting a job because you’re “lazy and bored.” Her apathy has an unusual, engrossing energy to it and penultimate track ‘Spring Theory’ will have you eye-rolling at your seasonal chores list, eager not to waste time on such mundane events

‘Yooouuu’ is an anti-love song, an extended farewell sponsored by “so many cups of coffee” and “cigarettes” culminating in a note “by the phone”. It’s a polished ending to this strung out set of sounds, all of which prove that ShitKid is anything but shit.

Pre-order your Limited Edition vinyl copy of This Is It here. Follow ShitKid on Facebook for more updates.

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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Track Of The Day: Soccer Mommy – ‘Your Dog’

An ultra cool indie tune about refusing to accept being second best in a relationship, Nashville native Sophie Allison – aka Soccer Mommy has shared a video to accompany her excellent new single ‘Your Dog’. The track is lifted from her upcoming album Clean, which is set for release on 2nd March via Fat Possum.

Soccer Mommy’s “soft anger” is perfectly displayed in her blending of sweet vocals and cutting lyrics on the single and the accompanying video sees her violently mock her desire to end the broken relationship she sings about. “’Your Dog’ comes from a feeling of being paralyzed in a relationship to the point where you feel like you are a pawn in someone else’s world,” Allison explains. “The song and the video are meant to show someone breaking away and taking action, but at the same time, it’s only a quick burst of motivation. It’s a moment of strength amidst a long period of weakness.”

Following a series of DIY Bandcamp releases and last year’s Collection, Clean is Allison’s journey out of her bedroom and into the studio with a full band. The new album has been produced by Gabe Wax (War On Drugs, Deerhunter, Beirut) and mixed by Ali Chant (Perfume Genius, PJ Harvey), so we’re sure it’s going to be an intricate, sharply executed piece of work.

Watch the video for ‘Your Dog’, check out her UK tour dates below. Pre-order your copy of Clean here.

Soccer Mommy UK Tour March 2018

3rd – Leeds – Headrow House
4th – Manchester – The Castle Hotel
6th – London – Moth Club
7th – Brighton – The Hope

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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Track Of The Day: Olivia Nelson – ‘Hideaway’ (ft. Jarreau Vandal)

Start your weekend right with the majestic, soulful sounds of London song-writer Olivia Nelson. The 21-year-old stepped on to the scene last year sharing her sound on singles ‘Cleopatra’ & ‘Up All Night’, and now she’s revealed her latest single ‘Hideaway’.

‘Hideaway’ is a buoyant R&B infused tune that proves this “millennial soulstress” is set for big things in 2018. With production from Soulection’s Jarreau Vandal, Olivia’s ability to bind her smooth vocals with her love of contemporary pop, funk & soul arrangements makes her stand out from the crowd.

Listen to ‘Hideaway’ below and follow Olivia Nelson on Facebook for more updates.

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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