NEW TRACK: Seraphina Simone – ‘Better Days’

Transforming her anxious thoughts about heartbreak into a vibrant anthem of hope, Seraphina Simone has shared her latest single ‘Better Days’. Following on from her bittersweet track ‘Liverpool‘ which she released last year, the London-based artist blends drum & bass rhythms, evocative synths and emotive lyrics on her new single to help her recover from the residual grief at the end of a relationship.

“‘Better Days is waking up at 4am with a heavy chest and a lump in your throat and a constellation of thoughts, worries and what-ifs pinballing around your head,” Seraphina explains about her new single. “but [it’s also about] knowing that somewhere in the future there’s a you that’s happier, and just trying to keep a hold of that thread. It’s panic and sadness and frustration and hope plaited together.” Seraphina’s resilience in the face of this lingering heartache permeates the track. Pairing her cutting lyrics with her soft vocals, she pacifies the ache of a past love and leans into the possibility of new future romance in the process.

Co-produced with Matt Wills (Charlotte Plank, Alice Merton), Seraphina’s ‘Better Days’ was premiered by Lauren Laverne on her BBC 6Music Breakfast Show, marking a successful start to 2024 for the artist. She’s currently busy working on her second EP, the follow-up 2022’s Milk Teeth, which should be released later this year. Seraphina has also announced a London headline show at The Courtyard Theatre on 24th April 24th. Grab a ticket here.

Listen to ‘Better Days’ below.

Follow Seraphina Simone via her Official Website, Spotify, Twitter (X), Instagram & Facebook

Photo Credit: Hannah Mould

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

Video Premiere: pink suits – ‘C.O.F.F.E.E.’

Ahead of the release of their upcoming second album, Dystopian Hellscape, in April, Margate duo pink suits have now given us another taste of what to expect from the collection. Harking back to their theatrical roots, ‘C.O.F.F.E.E.‘ mashes together a handful of vocal warmups that will be familiar to anyone who was ever part of a drama club. The tune maintains the duo’s signature pink suits punk twist, but marks a slight departure from the political rage typical of their other releases.

‘C.O.F.F.E.E.’ showcases both the skill, and the fun, that infuses every pink suits track with the raw, unfiltered emotion they are fast becoming known for. The screaming vocals, pounding drums and roaring guitars belting out playful upbeat riffs are as absorbing and addictive as anything they’ve released before. 

The track comes with a video that is as high-energy and playful as the track, and charming in its simplicity. The band run through the streets declaring their love for coffee and shot, snort and shower in it. The video makes clever use of limited resources to hammer home the pink suits brand, creating a delightfully engaging and witty visual skit.

While the subject matter on the surface may not seem as profound as the duo’s previous releases – not a biting take down of bigotry or a provocative examination of societal issues – its playfulness and silliness is meaningful in itself. Placed alongside pink suits’ riotous last single, ‘Refuse the Rules‘, although it appears to exude less protest energy as such, ‘C.O.F.F.E.E.’ subtly touches on poignant issues such as addiction and exhaustion. Of the track, the band explain:

“The song is about Coffee. Which is one of a few addictions in our life. One of the less harmful ones. And there is a real necessity to being able to scream together with frantic and childlike energy about it. To have some fun in the face of it all. A lot of our music and life is punk, protest, politics, sex, drugs and rock and roll, and – if you look closely enough – they are all hidden inside this daft little song…”

‘C.O.F.F.E.E.’ is genuinely fun, the kind of song you can enjoy, simply for the sake of enjoying it, the way you did when you were kid. It becomes a reminder of what the revolution is for – to create a world where everyone has the space, freedom and opportunity to be childlike and carefree, to create for the sake of creating and not as part of some larger movement; to appreciate art and beauty simply because it exists. It becomes a reminder to take and treasure those moments of unadulterated fun wherever you can.

In a world that is overwhelmed by issues begging for a lifetime of protest songs, ‘C.O.F.F.E.E.’ offers a break from the onslaught to pause and simply find joy where you can – whether that’s listening to a silly song, or appreciating a proper cup of coffee made in a proper copper coffee pot.

Watch the new video for ‘C.O.F.F.E.E.’ for the first time now:

pink suits’ second album, Dystopian Hellscape, is set for release on 1st April. And make sure you experience the immense energy of the duo live on their headline tour, details below. Tickets will be live soon, so keep an eye out on pink suits’ Instagram for info.

Kirstie Summers
@ActuallyKurt

NEW TRACK: SPIDER – ‘daisy chains’

Following on from last year’s smouldering single ‘straight out the oven‘, Irish-born, London-based alt-pop artist SPIDER has returned with a tenacious new anthem titled ‘daisy chains’. Taken from her upcoming new EP, an object of desire, which is set for release later this year, the track is a raucous ode to trusting your instincts and advocating for yourself when others encroach on your space.

“‘daisy chains’ is the epitome of ‘don’t take my kindness for weakness,’” explains SPIDER about her new single. “I wrote it about a really shitty experience where I continued being super kind to someone who invaded my personal space and made me feel really uncomfortable. I just didn’t think I was entitled to feeling weird about it and I didn’t feel like I could stand up for myself either. The lyrics are violent, but the invasion of someone’s space – in any type of way – is violent. Writing this song allowed me to reclaim that moment and properly feel the anger I had towards them without forcing myself to take the high road and ‘be above it.'”

Through her uncompromising lyrics and direct vocals, SPIDER explores these visceral and conflicting feelings. “I like to chase / and I hear that you’re a runner” she taunts over punchy beats and gritty riffs, gladly taking back control after feeling intense discomfort and unease about the situation. ‘daisy chains’ is aural proof that, as SPIDER states in her own lyrics: “I’ve got spine”. Her upcoming EP, and her previous releases (2022’s C.O.A, and 2023’s HELL OR HIGH WATER) all form what SPIDER coins as her “Unholy Trinity of Young Adulthood” collection. Through her music, she explores what it’s like to be a young black woman, coming of age in a Catholic household, and navigating the world and the music industry as a genre-blending and uncompromising new artist.

After watching SPIDER storm the stage at The Green Door Store for The Great Escape Festival in Brighton last year, we’re excited to share the news that she’ll be playing her first ever headline show at London’s Camden Assembly on 20th March. Grab a ticket here.

Listen to ‘daisy chains’ below.

Follow SPIDER on Spotify, Instagram, Twitter (X) & Facebook

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

PREMIERE: Sukie Smith – ‘Into The Light’

Having released critically acclaimed albums with her band Madam over the last decade, as well as collaborating with the likes of Tricky, multi-disciplinary artist Sukie Smith has now announced the release of her debut solo album, The Glass Dress and a Ringing Bell.

Taken from the album, new single ‘Into The Light’ reflects on summoning the power to leave a turbulent relationship that Smith found herself trapped in during lockdown. Showcasing her rich vocals alongside scuzzy hooks and a ’90s reminiscent whirring energy, a gritty, empowering spirit glistens throughout, creating an impassioned, yet catchy, indie anthem. A fierce ode to survival and understanding our own strength as women, from a truly innovative artist.

‘Into The Light’ is accompanied by an artfully created new video, directed by James Alexander, which beautifully portrays the sparkling energy and fizzing sense of celebration at the heart of the song. Watch, for the first time, here:

‘Into The Light’ will also feature an additional remix by Adam Franklin of Swervedriver, so keep your ears peeled for that too! The Glass Dress and a Ringing Bell, the upcoming debut album from Sukie Smith, is set for release on 8th March.

Mari Lane
@marimindles

Photo Credit: James Alexander