Track Of The Day: Salad – ‘Things In Heaven’

Having previously wowed us with the sparkling energy of their live set playing for us at The Finsbury back in late 2019 following the release of their most recent album The Salad Way, reformed ’90s legends Salad have now returned to our ears. As expected, the band have had to cancel many plans over the last couple of years, postponing tour dates and taking a pandemic-enforced hiatus; with changes to line-up, the band now spread across the country and personal bereavements and struggles taking hold, a bit of ‘Salad Mojo’ was lost. However, now – after an 18 month band hibernation – gigs have been rescheduled, and the band felt it was time to record something epic; a song worthy of this much-welcome come back. And so Salad returned to a song they’d started rehearsing at the end of 2019 – the poignant ‘Things In Heaven’.

Described by the band as “a somewhat derailed singer hauntingly persuading her loved one that there is beauty in this broken world“, ‘Things In Heaven’ offers an eerily majestic atmosphere. As the soaring, bewitching vocals of front woman Marjine van der Vlugt’s vocals flow, a sweeping, cinematic splendour shimmers alongside a whirring, ethereal soundscape. As its scuzzy effervescent hooks are propelled by an immense dramatic energy, it’s impossible not to become utterly immersed in its hauntingly captivating, celestial allure. ‘Things In Heaven’ will cast a spell over you; taking hold with its exquisite, other-worldly grace.

Of the meaning behind the track, songwriter Paul Kennedy explains more:

“Tom and Felicity live in Santa Maria, California. They’ve got a great relationship but Tom is prone to depression. One day, when they had planned to deal with various problems in their life, it was too much for Tom so they decided: hang that – let’s get in the car, get down to the beach, and go surfing. By the majesty of the open sea, Felicity opens Tom’s eyes to the wonders of the natural world.“

‘Things In Heaven’ is accompanied by a video, filmed and directed by friend of the band Nic Tuft. Depicting Marjine as a naked, tenacious mermaid emerging from the sea whilst battling crashing waves, it conveys the song’s theme of “the beauty that you can see in brokenness” perfectly.

‘Things In Heaven’ is out now via Three Bean Records. Download from the band’s website now. And you can catch Salad live on their upcoming tour:

10th September – Arts Centre, Colchester (supported by Piney Gir)
19th September – Bodega, Nottingham
26th September – Twickenham Festival
12th October – Komedia, Brighton (supported by Piney Gir)
24th October – The Lexington, London (supported by Piney Gir)

Mari Lane
@marimindles

Photo Credit: Keira-Anee Photography / @keiraanee

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Track Of The Day: Barry – ‘Neolithic Homosex’ / ‘No More Boys’

Having received acclaim from the likes of BBC 6Music’s Marc Riley, as well as sharing stages with Franz Ferdinand and Adulkt Life, South London based Barry follow their eponymous 2019 album with a new double A side release.

First up, ‘Neolithic Homosex‘ ponders the all-important issue of what gay sex was like in ancient times. Propelled by driving, breezy beats and joyously jangly hooks, whirring keys flow alongside brazen vocals and added cheering hand claps, oozing an uplifting, sunny energy. With a fizzing, playful charisma it offers a scuzzily splendid sonic delight.

Accompanying single ‘No More Boys‘ flows with a lilting zest as it reflects on those post-breakup feelings of self-pity, and unfulfilled promises to stave off any vices going forwards. With a twinkling musicality providing the backdrop for the refreshingly relateable, wit-tinged lyricism, it’s another buoyant belter; transforming life’s worries into fun-filled indie-pop goodness.

A band whose mission statement it is to “make you laugh and dance”, I’d say that Barry most certainly succeed in this. And I couldn’t be more grateful for this vibrant, quirky respite from the struggles of everyday life.

‘Neolithic Homosex’ / ‘No More Boys’ is out now. Download on bandcamp now.

Mari Lane
@marimindles

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Track Of The Day: BERRIES – ‘The Expert’

Bursting into your eardrums with a spiky guitar riff dancing around commanding vocals, the new single from London trio BERRIES tackles imposter syndrome with uncompromising grunge-fuelled power. Following latest single ‘Copy’ and the release of their recent EP Live From Big Smith Studios, ‘The Expert‘ showcases the band’s the ferocious energy and sparkling charisma once again.

A firecracker of a track, ‘The Expert’ balances jagged punk heaviness with evocative harmonies while the lyrics take down patronising know-it-alls in the process. The mid-track instrumental is nothing short of rock perfection with its immediate call to mosh-pit inciters, pairing super fuzzy bass with a climbing guitar solo and head-bang worthy drums. BERRIES’ urgency is infectious, and – as the last note rings out – you’re left inspired to stomp around and take back control from your own so-called ‘experts’.

Of the track, the band explain:

“Lyrically, ‘The Expert’ is based broadly around ‘imposter syndrome’ and the condescending controlling people who encourage this and internal struggles often felt… Instrumentally we wanted this song to build into itself, adding layers as we journey through the track. Starting off fairly minimal and finishing with layers of effects, fuzzy bass and drums, and the repetitive guitar riff which symbolises the loud and often unwanted voices heard all around.“

Leonie Bellini
@teenpeachmovie

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Track Of The Day: Bas Jan – ‘You Have Bewitched Me’

Having initially formed back in 2015, London experimental collective Bas Jan was co-founded by songwriter, vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Serafina Steer, and now features Rachel Horwood (Trash Kit, Bamboo, Jenny Moore’s Mystic Business), Emma Smith (the Elysian Quartet, Jarv Is, Seamus Fogarty) and Charlie Stock. Following 2018’s Yes I Jan, the ensemble has now shared their first new music in three years.

Propelled a swirling ethereal majesty, ‘You Have Bewitched Me‘ offers an effervescent reflection on the mesmerising power of first attraction and new love. As steady bass and sweeping strings flow, the track builds with a lilting, twinkling energy to a burst of vibrant colour and heartfelt blissful joy. With the delicate grace of its sparkling harmonies, ‘You Have Bewitched Me’ showcases the subtle power of crystalline voices coming together in unity to create a truly euphoric soundscape. As an eclectic array of shimmering sounds are interwoven with a captivating allure, ‘You Have Bewitched Me’ treats the ears to a beautiful calming cacophony.

Of the formation of the track, Serafina explains:

“It was a result of an Arts Council funded project… For Bas Jan to rehearse and record live at a performance space [Cafe Oto, London] during lockdown in Autumn 2020. It was then mixed by Capitol K at Total Refreshment Centre. ‘You Have Bewitched Me’ marks a new era of collaborative writing as a four-piece – more of which to be revealed soon.”

Watch the new video for ‘You Have Bewitched Me’ here:

‘You Have Bewitched Me’ is out now via Lost Map Records, as part of Lost Map’s PostMap Club monthly subscription service.

Mari Lane
@marimindles

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