LIVE: NYX at Queen Elizabeth Hall, Southbank Centre, London (25.02.24)

Utilizing the power of the human voice and transforming it to provide a performance of cell-tingling virtuosity; the NYX Drone Choir debuted a darkly sublime electronic-choral composition at Southbank Centre’s Queen Elizabeth Hall last weekend. Performing a continuous 60 minute piece of work to a sold out venue, the choir shared their idiosyncratic sounds which fluctuated in volume and intensity, and shifted from seraphic to seance-like to provide an utterly captivating display.

The last time we saw NYX live, they were performing Deep England at The Barbican alongside Gazelle Twin, as part of the 50th anniversary celebration of the cult folk-horror film, The Wickerman. Despite witnessing this production between the two creative forces many times before, the repetition did not detract from the majestic power of the first listen, which retained its unique nerve-shredding energy. Knowing what the NYX Choir are capable of thanks to these special collaborative performances, it’s no surprise that their new solo work is equally as exquisite.

Developed during their residency as part of the Southbank Centre Studio programme in 2023 (a project which enables creative development and cross-art-form collaboration), NYX crafted an intense, primal, utterly distinctive blend of potent vocals, mesmerising drone sounds and captivating electronic soundscapes. Shrouded under heavy blue light whilst standing in a semi-circle on stage, each member of the choir was clothed in a costume that cut an intriguing shadow. Violinist Alicia Jane Turner was rooted in the centre, with the accompanying members Cecilia Morgan, Phoebe Pimlott, Rhianna Compton, Rachel Oyawale and Shireen Qureshi positioned either side of them, and composer Sian O’Gorman closest to the crowd, standing stage right.

To dissect specific elements of the performance is to do it a disservice. The fluidity that NYX instinctively embody when performing live is a true spectacle and a testament to their passion for using the human voice as a collective instrument. Sometimes their vocals are canonical, and at other points they remain silent to spotlight the powerful solo vocal of a specific choir member. Early on in the performance, one member is hunched over, making heaving motions with their body, expelling strange, guttural whisperings and noises as their fellow vocalists sing in sweet unison around them. This dynamic, shape-shifting style of performance is what makes NYX’s live shows so special.

This shape-shifting is literal too. Choir members assume different levels and positions throughout the piece. Some stand statuesque, whilst another might lay stationary on the ground. One member might be sat facing away from the crowd, whilst another moves slowly towards the front of the stage to stare directly into the audience. The potency of their live show is made all the more palpable by these simple but effective movements. There is an altruistic element to all that NYX do, and that is especially clear during these parts of their performance. It subtly manipulates the attention of the audience, encouraging them to observe the individuals or who working in harmony to create a powerful communal production.

Watching NYX live inspires a formidable level of concentration and deep listening. They have a sound that seeps through the skin and into the bones; amalgamating dense yet atmospheric drone textures with their utterly beguiling vocals. Their new composition is another compelling example of their innovative aural storytelling potential. It is a must see performance; truly eccentric and totally unforgettable.

Follow NYX on bandcamp, Spotify, Instagram, (X) & Facebook

Performance Credits
Composer: Sian O’Gorman
Costume Designer: Tom Scutt
Lighting Designer: Philippa Neels
Embodiment Director: Imogen Knight

Photo Credit: Joseph Lynn (@joelynntw)

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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WATCH: Joanna and The Dropouts – ‘Sold Your Soul’

An homage to old school horror in both style and substance, ‘Sold Your Soul‘ gives the classic tale of a deal with the devil a distinct Joanna and The Dropouts twist. 

The track kicks off with throbbing bass and quick drums to set the mood, perfectly matching the softly lit cocktail bar where the video takes place. A catchy upbeat guitar riff and resounding keyboard hooks create the kind of spooky vibes that suggest the most glamorous vampire you’ve ever seen will loom out of the shadows and offer you something irresistible. Building with driving, urgent beats, a sense of danger is generated, hinting at the trap you’re being lured into.

The opening lines evoke the age-old tale instantly: “You sold your soul for a cheap thrill”. The verses warn of the pitfalls of such an agreement, of the curse that comes hidden with the temptation the devil offers. But the chorus inevitably circles back to “Shaking heads with the devil / Gonna get me some trouble”. The final line of the chorus hammers home the message of the song, that taking the easy option, when rewards are not earned but come at an awful price, can never match a life experienced authentically – “Really living is the steepest risk”.

‘Sold Your Soul’ plays with an iconic story, and makes a lot of stylistic choices that you’d expect to go with it. The bar bathed in red light, the decorative plants that draw attention to the thorns on beautiful roses. But Joanna and The Dropouts infuse the song with so much of their own personality that it still feels original, despite the clear nods to their influences. It is incredibly easy to be drawn into all the fun the band are evidently having with both the track and video.

Watch the spooky new video for ‘Sold Your Soul’ here, ahead of the release of Joanna and The Dropouts’ upcoming new EP:

Kirstie Summers
@ActuallyKurt

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WATCH: pink suits – ‘A Comprehensive Breakdown of How Trickle-Down Economics Works’

Ahead of the release of their upcoming second album, Dystopian Hellscape, on 1st April, Margate duo pink suits have shared a compelling new single. The ambitiously titled ‘A Comprehensive Breakdown Of How Trickle-down Economics Works‘ promises to condense a volatile debate that economists have examined at great length into the (impressively, impossibly brief length) of a single track.

Trickle-down economics is the idea that it is beneficial to all of society to offer tax breaks to the wealthiest individuals and businesses in the world, allowing them to keep more money in their own accounts rather than the government re-distributing it to meet the needs of wider society. The logic behind this is that the hyper-rich will use that wealth of their own volition to stimulate the economy through their own purchases as well as developing businesses that provide jobs to working class people, as well as supporting social causes out of the goodness of their own hearts.

In a world where everyone has a fixed maximum capacity on the amount of money and assets they can have, this would make some element of sense, as they would be forced to redistribute those resources somehow anyway. However, in the real world, where the wealthy are not only allowed but actively encouraged, rewarded and honoured for hoarding more resources than they could ever possibly need, this simply isn’t the case. Studies conducted over many decades show that there is no correlation between more wealth and higher economic output and that the opposite is significantly more likely as the gap between rich and poor widens at increasingly alarming rates. When poor people have money, they have no choice but to spend it on the essentials that keep them alive and stimulate the economy. When rich people have money, they are free to let it gather dust indefinitely, rendering huge amounts of global resources with zero economic value.

In writing a song that is just four seconds long, pink Suits have refused to engage with arguments from ideologues who ignore basic facts of reality. They have refused to repeat easily accessible, readily available information. They have made a statement that if you’re not prepared to do your own homework, it’s not their job to educate you. If you want to look like a clown jabbering on about something you demonstrably know nothing about, then you are more than welcome to, but you are not entitled to their time or attention and you should consider yourself grateful that they dignified your argument with these four sweet, simple seconds.

Watch the epic accompanying video and read more about what pink suits have to say about the track below:

Kirstie Summers1 Comment

LISTEN: Sick Day – ‘Overexposure’

A sonic exploration of insecurity, whether rational or otherwise, Chicago-based guitar band Sick Day have shared their latest single, ‘Overexposure’. Taken from their upcoming EP of the same name, which is set for release in March 2024 via Substitute Scene Records, the track is a swirling, grungy reflection on feelings of self-doubt, and the way that this affects us as we move through the world.

Formed in 2019, just before the Covid-19 made sick days perpetually relevant, Sick Day consists of songwriter and vocalist Olivia Wallace, drummer Ryan Donlin, bassist Kaity Szymborski and cellist Chaepter. Together, the band create emotionally charged guitar tunes about the everyday struggles of life, romance, and as the band put it themselves: “the general difficulties of being alive.” They deliver these sentiments wrapped in infectious pop rock melodies and relatable lyrics, with their latest single ‘Overexposure’ being a prime example of these talents.

“‘Overexposure’ evokes feelings of anguish, turmoil, self-doubt…a reclusive state where everything feels bigger than usual and you begin to doubt your perception of the world around you,” explains bassist Kaity. “Is everything out to get me? Probably not. But in a death by a thousand cuts, you begin to pin yourself as the common denominator, and thus amorphously the cause of your daily struggles…It makes me think of the state of mind when ordinary daily occurrences and minor inconveniences can topple you over because of your own inner turmoil. A sort of breaking point that sends you spiraling inwards, doubting yourself and your perception of reality”

Despite this melancholy context, the single and the band’s upcoming five track EP, Overexposure, will provide a cathartic, buoyant space for listeners to spiral in solidarity. Listen below.

Follow Sick Day on bandcamp, Spotify, X, Instagram & Facebook

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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