Track Of The Day: Maria BC – ‘The Only Thing’

A gentle musing on relinquishing yourself to the feeling of being in love again and having that feeling reciprocated, Maria BC has shared their latest single ‘The Only Thing’. Taken from their debut album Hyaline, which is set for release on 27th May, the track is a disarming, tender reflection on the serenity that sets in once you are fully “seen” by your partner in a new relationship.

Following on from their dreamy debut EP Devil’s Rain (2021), on Hylaine, Maria BC has created another tender collection of songs that “Let the world wash over you…rather than trying to pin it to one single thing.” This immersive quality is captured beautifully on ‘The Only Thing’, through Maria’s tentative guitar picks, atmospheric beats and soothing vocals.

“The track is about allowing yourself to be seen fully by another person. When you find they aren’t afraid, you realise you shouldn’t be either,” Maria explains about their new single. “It took me a bunch of tries to finish the arrangement for this one. It felt too sparse, while the song is about that full, effervescent, sun-is-coming-up feeling of new love. I spent several weeks adding parts and scrapping them — you know, getting nowhere. Then, at some point, I realised the refrain of another song I was working on had the same chord progression as ‘The Only Thing’ refrain. I turned that into a kind of counter-melody, Liz Fraser style, and I think it tied the whole thing together.”

The new track is accompanied by a beautiful video, shot by Olivia Q. Pintair and choreographed and Performed by C Green. Watch it below.

Follow Maria BC on bandcamp, Spotify, Instagram, Twitter & Facebook

Photo Credit: Ulysses Ortega

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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LISTEN: Evie Balfe – ‘According To Maybe’

‘According To Maybe‘, the latest single from Lincoln-born London-based artist Evie Balfe, is an echoing and life affirming anthem for anyone with a taste for indie electro-pop who needs a cheeky self esteem pick me up…

Evie’s intoxicating vocals swim effortlessly through this track creating a melody of gorgeous moods which shift from conversational to commanding as she, rightly, reminds us “not to live according to maybes”. Evie’s vocals – which carry a certain flirtatiousness to them –  invite us into a sea of soothing electro beats. There’s a sense of Alice going down the rabbit hole here as the track leads us from from blink-and-you’ll-miss-it percussion phrases, to moments where all production is pulled away leaving only the vocals to mesmerise us.

The balance between all these changing directions is brokered perfectly and, though it’s intense, this track feels full without being busy. There’s also enough passion and heart shining through each verse to ensure Evie’s true intention is never lost as she calls for us to garner enough self confidence to carve the life for ourselves we truly deserve, without ever settling for less. A welcome addition to any feel good playlist.

Do I Feel Like I’m Happy Now, the upcoming album from Evie Balfe, is set for release soon… Keep your eyes and ears peeled!

Tutku Barbaros
@tutkubarbaros

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Track Of The Day: King Hannah – ‘All Being Fine’

Having been massive fans of Liverpool duo Hannah Merrick and Craig Whittle – aka King Hannah – for a couple of years now, we’re extremely excited to hear about the release of their debut album later this month. And, with acclaim from the likes of The Guardian, Stereogum and Brooklyn Vegan already under their belts, it seems as though this year is going to see big things for them.

Taken from the album, latest single ‘All Being Fine‘ is a beautifully atmospheric offering. Flowing with an eerily captivating energy, as jangling hooks and sparse beats accompany Merrick’s trademark rich, sultry vocals, it builds with a dark, iridescent splendour, drenched in a subtle, swirling scuzz. Oozing a gritty, spellbinding allure akin to the likes of PJ Harvey, this new track showcases King Hannah’s own unique, majestic grace and exquisite ability to create soundscapes with a truly compelling ethereal power.

Directed by Whittle, watch the sunny new video for ‘All Being Fine’ here:

I’m Not Sorry, I Was Just Being Me, the upcoming debut album from King Hannah, is set for release on 25th February via City Slang. Pre-order here.

Mari Lane
@marimindles

Photo Credit: Katie Silvester

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Track Of The Day: Panic Shack – ‘Mannequin Man’

Cardiff band Panic Shack describe their upcoming debut EP as “raw, honest and always chaotic”, and new single ‘Mannequin Man’ is the ideal track to showcase the band. Upbeat and fun throughout, it’s just under three minutes of pure joyous energy.

Every element of this track, from the sound to the aesthetic, has a camp ‘80s vibe. In the accompanying video, the band are dressed in leopard-print leotards and leg-warmers as they bounce around, as the music blends a simple drum beat with rolling bass and the kind of strings you can’t help but get stuck in your head.

The whole atmosphere is infectious – it’s impossible to watch the video and not feel the itch to bop along with it. Shot in front of a green screen, it is definitely to the band’s credit that they’ve managed to work around the limitations of a peak-pandemic release to create something so fun.

The lyrics specifically refer to one subject – the titular Mannequin Man – but are vague enough that it’s easy to project meaning into them. Lines like “Do you even feel? Do something! Show me you’re real!” feel like there is hidden depth within them. Perhaps the man in question is emotionally unavailable… Maybe he “better run as fast as you can” because the narrator has finally given up on a connection. So, I found it really fun to learn that the song is simply a reaction to the band meeting a man whose job to was to be a real-life mannequin. I like that this song has taught me that that is a job that exists. I have so many questions and I’m enjoying wondering how and why you might end up in that career. The song effortlessly captures the fun inherent in the idea and stays with you in the same delightful way.

Baby Shack, the debut EP from Panic Shack, is out on 8th April via Brace Yourself Records. Pre-order here.

Kirstie Summers
@ActuallyKurt

Photo Credit: Ren Faulkner

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