Track Of The Day: BRUTUS – ‘Victoria’

Raw vocals, charged percussion and rapturous riffs punctuate ‘Victoria’, the latest single from Belgian heavy trio Brutus. Taken from their upcoming third album Unison Life, which is set for release on 21st October via Hassle Records/Sargent House, the track is a cathartic reflection on teenage angst, inevitable growth, and the solidarity that comes from facing up to these parts of life together.

“‘Victoria’ is about getting older,” explains vocalist and drummer Stefanie Mannaerts. “You know grown-up life is lurking around the corner, but you’re not afraid of what’s coming, because we’re all going to go down together.” This heavy comradery permeates ‘Victoria’, from the way Mannaerts joyfully exclaims “wake me up inside / when the light strikes again” in the chorus, right the way through to the lyric that inspired the title for the band’s new album: “This is our unison life, my friend / this is the end,”

Dissecting the darker, more desperate parts of the emotional spectrum was the focus for the songs that form Brutus’ upcoming album, Unison Life. “I wanted every song to feel like the last song we’ll ever write,” Mannaerts comments about its conception. “It killed me inside because it’s almost an impossibly high standard, but that was my personal goal for this album. It was a two-year quest of trying to do better.” This version of “better” has manifested itself in Brutus’ recent singles ‘Dust’ and ‘Liar’, with latest cut ‘Victoria’ once again hitting the “impossibly high standard” that the band originally set for themselves.

Bassist Peter Mulders adds that the new track is a nostalgic moment for the band, going “back to the old Brutus days.” This is reflected in the accompanying video, directed by Jonas Hollevoet. The visuals show the band in different locations around Belgium, trying to find the balance between being young and old, isolated and connected, still and transitory.

Watch the video for ‘Victoria’ below.

Pre-order your copy of Brutus’ new album Unison Life here

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

BRUTUS UK Tour Dates 2022
16th Nov – Bristol, The Fleece
17th Nov – Manchester, Rebellion
18th Nov – Glasgow, Audio
19th Nov – Leeds, Lending Room
21st Nov – Brighton, Patterns
22nd Nov – London, The Garage

Photo Credit: Kemizz

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

Kate CrudgingtonLeave a comment

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

Kate CrudgingtonLeave a comment

Track Of The Day: th’sheridans – ‘Luka’

Following last year’s career-spanning compilation, featuring tracks from over a decade on the scene, indie-pop faves th’sheridans have now returned with a delightful brand new release.

A cover of Suzanne Vega’s 1987 poignant country-pop classic, ‘Luka‘ is propelled by spangly, strummed hooks and an immersive scuzzy whirr. Whilst maintaining all the heartfelt twinkling emotion of the original as it tackles the song’s affecting theme of child abuse, th’sheridans have managed to add their own unique fuzzy musicality and a delicately melancholic sense of reflection. With a shimmering sense of nostalgia, they have created a wonderfully effervescent rendition; oozing a beautifully lilting grace and captivating charm.

‘Luka’ is accompanied by an original b-side, ‘Proving Yr Humanity‘. Fuelled by a raw, impassioned emotion and stark, stripped-back musicality, it’s a short, sharp blast of folk-infused, stirring and socially aware “critical pop for radical purposes”.

The artwork for this release is by beloved cult comics artist and illustrator Vanesa R. Del Rey.

‘Luka’ / ‘Proving Yr Humanity’ is out now via Eatery Records.

Mari Lane
@marimindles

mariangelicalaneLeave a comment

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

Kate CrudgingtonLeave a comment