LISTEN: Husk – ‘My Innocence’

Having previously treated our ears to uptempo pop gems ‘Heal With Time’ and ‘Below The Neck’, and having received acclaim from the likes of BBC 6Music’s Tom Robinson, BBC Radio Cymru’s Janice Long and Gaydio, Manchester based trans masc, non-binary artist HUSK has now shared a brand new single.

Propelled by glitchy, tribal beats and a fiery, vibrant groove, ‘My Innocence‘ oozes a swirling, empowering energy. With an uplifting passion, HUSK’s distinctive, sweeping vocals flow as a shimmering euphoric splendour glistens with every note. A fiesty pop banger, it’ll leave you feeling energised – ready to hit the dance floor with loved ones and unite in the celebration of queer love and diversity.

Of the track, HUSK reflects: “I just wanted to make a song that you could dance to about new exciting queer love.“

They have certainly succeeded in this with ‘My Innocence’! And at a time when it is more important than ever to spread the message of equal rights for all, and love and solidarity within the LGBTQIA+ community and its allies. So, press play, turn it up and celebrate queer joy!

Mari Lane
@marimindles

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Track Of The Day: BECAH – ‘Reminders’

With her debut EP Freak on its way, Northern Irish alt-indie artist, BECAH, has released ‘Reminders‘ – an utterly captivating new single. It’s a powerful expression of vulnerability, with honest lyrics and underpinned by brooding instrumentation.

‘Reminders’ is a soundbath of sweet tones, with sweeping synthesisers, jangling guitar and BECAH’s heavenly vocals, all fusing together to build a hypnotic atmosphere. Although there is a fuzzy sweetness in the instrumentation, there is an underlying darkness to the track. It is constantly building and there’s a cinematic drive, reminiscent of bands like Muse. Every instrument seems to create tension, pulsating and building with an epic grandeur.  

BECAH’s combination of powerful instrumentation with her expressive vocals and lyrics is truly poignant; there is an empowering element to the song, revealing a strength in being vulnerable. The subtle layering of their vocals really emphasises this duality. The vocals are tender, almost fragile, but they are layered to create power, whilst still conveying vulnerability. Musically BECAH reveals shades of singer-songwriter greats such as Jeff Buckley, Norah Jones, and contemporaries such as Phoebe Bridgers.

Of the track, BECAH reveals: 

“I wrote ‘Reminders’ in the aftermath of a very toxic relationship with a past girlfriend. The coinciding music video, filmed by Chris McCann and directed by John Dynes and Chris McCann, presents a glimpse into that story – the good times I had with her in the beginning, to its violent turn. The lyrics speak of the struggle I had to feel like myself again, and how all my attempts to push away all the little details and memories of that time felt futile.”

Watch the stirring new video for ‘Reminders’ here:

Freak, the upcoming debut EP from BECAH, is set for release later this year.

Jaz Kelly
@surfjaz

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LISTEN: Grandmas House – ‘Golden’

A seething criticism of capitalist greed and the chronic misuse of power, Bristol queer punk trio Grandmas House have shared their latest single ‘Golden’. Taken from their upcoming self-titled debut EP, which is set for release on 15th October via Brace Yourself Records, the track is a gritty, thundering reflection on the apathetic outlook of the organisations that profit from the suffering of others.

Formed of Yasmin Berndt (vocals, guitar), Poppy Dodgson (vocals, drums) and Zoë Zinsmeister (bass), Grandmas House formed in late 2018 and were busy cutting their teeth on the UK gig circuit before Covid-19 put an abrupt stop to live music. The trio decided to use their time in the following lockdowns constructively, quickly writing and recording new material, including their latest single ‘Golden’.

“We wrote ‘Golden’ about the government and other big powerful organizations ruling the show and getting richer from each other, whilst literally destroying the world,” the band explain. Berndt’s distinctive, raspy vocals and noisy guitar riffs rage over Dodgson’s thudding beats and Zinsmeister’s rumbling bass lines, combining to create a raucous, commanding take down of the forces that continue to oppress us.

To accompany the new single, Grandmas House have announced a string of live dates across the UK, including a headline show at The Windmill in Brixton on 3rd November. Check out their socials for the rest of their upcoming tour dates.

Listen to ‘Golden’ below.

Follow Grandmas House on bandcamp, Spotify, Instagram, Twitter & Facebook

Photo Credit: Rosie Carne

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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Track Of The Day: MEI – ‘Let Dusk Welcome Me’

Following acclaim for previous singles ‘See Us’ and ‘Happy Man’ from the likes of The Independent and Gal-Dem, London-based artist MEI has just released her new EP, Hard Way Around The Sun. A poignant collection reflecting on the turmoil of the last year – from personal struggles such as recovering from Covid and the breakdown of a relationship, to more social issues like tackling racial injustices – it acknowledges the challenges we’ve been through whilst offering a cheering sense of hope and resilience.

Taken from the EP, latest single ‘Let Dusk Welcome Me‘ provides a welcome pool of tranquility. Interweaving a lilting jazz-infused groove and funk-fused beats, it ripples with the smooth allure of MEI’s lush, soulful vocals, oozing a swirling ethereal atmosphere with horn arrangements courtesy of Cassie Kinoshi. As the beautifully blissful soundscape flows, it calms the senses and uplifts the mood with its woozy, soothing energy and empowering spirit, building to a buoyant pop anthem; a ray of enriching sunlight at a time when many of us need it the most.

Of the track, MEI expands:

“‘Let Dusk Welcome Me’ is full of metaphors describing my experience surviving COVID 19 and specifically the first time I left home for a walk after believing that I might not survive. It was dusk, my favourite time of day and there was this incredible orange and pink light, the air was so fresh and raw in my lungs and it was a moment I’ll never forget.”

Watch the animated visuals for ‘Let Dusk Welcome Me’ here:

The Hard Way Around The Sun, the new EP from MEI, was created with an all-female team and is out now. Listen here.


Mari Lane
@marimindles

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