Track Of The Day: Lala Lala – ‘Diver’

Following previous albums Sleepyhead and 2018’s The Lamb, Chicago-based artist Lillie West – aka Lala Lala – has now announced the release of a brand new LP, I Want The Door To Open. Set for release in October, the collection offers an epic sonic exploration of persona and presence; a subtle insight into an artist’s quest to fully be themselves in a world full of barriers.

Epitomising the album’s themes of self-discovery and growth, first single ‘Diver‘ flows with a shimmering haze and magnetising allure. Oozing Lala Lala’s trademark dreamy, lo-fi scuzz, it builds with a cinematic splendour and subtle grandeur as layers of almost orchestral musicality (with contributions from musician Nnamdi Ogbonnaya) are interwoven to create something beautifully stirring. Exuding a raw emotion and sweeping ethereal grace, it offers an endearing intimacy; exposing us to West’s refreshing honesty and a heartfelt vulnerability. An exquisite exploration of life’s journey to find our true selves.

Of the track, West expands:

“I want total freedom, total possibility, total acceptance. I want to fall in love with the rock. (The rock in question is a reference to Sisyphus, the mythical figure doomed by the gods to forever push a boulder up from the depths of hell.)… I think it’s easy to feel like we keep making the same mistakes over and over again, that we’re Sisyphus. The key is falling in love with the labor of walking up the mountain.” 

Directed by Brielle Brilliant & West, ‘Diver’ is accompanied by a glistening new video. Watch it now:

I Want The Door To Open, the upcoming new album from Lala Lala, is set for release on 8th October via Hardly Art.

Mari Lane
@marimindles

Photo Credit: Michael Schmelling

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Track Of The Day: Dawn To Dawn – ‘Care’

Montreal based trio – Tess Roby, Adam Ohr and Patrick Lee – aka Dawn to Dawn – are due to release a full length LP in spring 2022 and are drip feeding singles throughout this year as an advance taster – ‘Care’ is the latest of these. It’s a gentle and stylish ode to the sheer joy felt when dancing away summer nights.

The track opens with laidback synths treading lightly over a chilled-out drum loop. First impressions are that this is either the song that you dance to at 3am in the club once the DJ has their flow on and the dance-floor is in full swing, or the song in your headphones the next morning as you make your way home. Roby’s shimmering vocals act as an extra textural layer rather than a front and centre feature of Dawn to Dawn’s sound. Long, warm, and breathy, the delivery is so sensual and relaxed you can almost hear the sunrise. The lyrics are minimalist, depicting a dance-floor crush walking away in the sunrise as the encroaching light cuts off the chance to catch up to them. 

Dawn to Dawn have also created a stunning video clip to go with the track. Shot on 16mm, it has the feel of a ’70s/’80s home video and depicts three friends dancing wildly in the studio, driving the streets in early morning sunlight, sharing a glass of wine. Scenes are non-chronological and recreate the sense of lost time so familiar to anyone who has had a massive night out dancing with friends. 

Watch the new video here:

‘Care’ is out now  and is available on bandcamp.

Kate Sullivan
@katesullo

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ALBUM: Eliza Shaddad – ‘The Woman You Want’

Desiring to be the best person she can be, in spite of not always feeling capable of accomplishing said desire, Sudanese-Scottish artist Eliza Shaddad challenged herself to create an emotionally honest album; unafraid of showing her true vulnerable self, to both herself and the listener.

Following the release of her debut record, 2018’s Future – and EPs, 2020’s Sept ~ Dec, 2016’s Run, and 2014’s Waters – Eliza’s sophomore effort, The Woman You Want is the culmination of a year-long self-reflection and reconciliation of her identity. A collection of nine deeply personal tracks that demonstrate resilience, insecurity, and raw emotion.

Opening with the jangling guitars of ‘The Man I Admire’, Eliza explores contrasting themes of intimacy and melancholy (“Darling I know you feel blue / But where is the man I admire?”), her soft vocals dovetailing into the compassionate folk-rock anthem ‘Heaven’, a poignant reminder that life can get better – “Yeah, I want you to keep holding on / I know life can be unkind / And you’ve got heaven on your mind / But I want you to keep holding on.”

Eliza wears her influences on her sleeve for ‘Fine & Peachy’, channelling nineties legend Alanis Morissette, and proudly sticking her middle finger up with brutally honest, sick-of-this-shit lyrics (“Fuck you just tell me what you want to say / Instead of screwing with my head for days”), complemented by the rebellious groove of guitarist Michael Jablonka and drummer Glyn Daniels, known for their work with Micheal Kiwanuka and The Staves respectively.

The ethereal guitar melodies and syncopated drum beats of the introspective title track, ‘The Woman You Want’, lead into shimmering distortion and electronic experimentation on ‘The Waiting Game’ and ‘Tired Of Trying’; beautiful, haunting, and reminiscent of Björk, post-1995’s Post. ‘In The Morning (Grandmother Song)’ follows as a delicate yet complex soundscape of soaring multi-layered instrumentals infused with Eliza’s mesmerising voice; a crescendo of emotion showcasing her impressive vocal range. Next, ‘Now You’re Alone’ starts off somber, lonely, but as Eliza’s initial near-whisper grows louder with intensity – an orchestral swell backing the heart-wrenching lyrics – the song becomes cathartic; one you will find yourself singing along to in those dark moments of isolation.

Closing the album is ‘Blossom’, a song that radiates positive energy and encapsulates the record’s central theme: growth.

Produced by BJ Jackson, and recorded at her home studio/bedroom in Cornwall, The Woman You Want is the evolution of Eliza Shaddad’s career and womanhood, an intimate insight into Eliza as an independent artist – a friend, a wife, a daughter/granddaughter. A self-proclaimed “ethereal grunger growing up”.

The Woman You Want is out now via Rosemundy Records/Wow and Flutter. Order here.

Ken Wynne
@Ken_Wynne

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Track Of The Day: Vulpynes – ‘Control Is Not What I Need’

Following last year’s acclaimed EP Us Against Them and having shared stages with the likes of Sleaford Mods and Deap Vally, GIHE faves Vulpynes have now shared a raging new single.

With ‘Control Is Not What I Need’, the Dublin duo ooze a frenzied angst-driven power as the gritty passion of Molly’s seething vocals rages alongside Kaz’s immense, thrashing beats. A reflection on addressing anxieties and letting yourself absorb your emotions, it offers an empowering energy as swirling hooks race with a frenzied sense of urgency. A riotous, grunge-fuelled anthem with shades of the fierce intensity of the likes of Distillers and L7, it perfectly showcases the duo’s unforgiving, fiery spirit and ability to create scuzzily smouldering blasts of punk-rock magnificence.

Watch the new video for ‘Control Is Not What I Need’ here:

Vulpynes will be playing live in Dublin at The Button Factory on 5th September. A limited number of remaining tickets are available here.

Mari Lane
@marimindles

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