LISTEN: Billie Flynn – ‘Hey Stranger’

Debut single ‘Hey Stranger‘ by Cornish artist Billie Flynn is an emotive and ethereal summer treat. Gentle as the winds, crashing as the waves – a track you can almost feel on the surface of your skin. 

Recorded between her home studio and remotely during lockdown – with beautifully pitched production by JMAC – this song  bends time as it conjures thoughts of past relationships. Flynn’s unique vocal style is delicate – breathy, floaty and melodic – but simultaneously packing its own punch. There’s command in her tone as she sings up with refreshingly direct lyrics about that standard scenario we all wonder about: in her own words “It’s about seeing someone again that isn’t in your life anymore and hoping that they’re proud of who you are now.” Deliciously relatable – “Well…are you proud?”, I ask myself before getting swept up in the melody again. 

This is a track which undulates and surprises over and over again as it confidently takes on many instrumental turns and changes in pace, culminating in a textured, echoing climax before being neatly stripped all the way back down again for a final glorious flourish of Flynn’s uniquely elemental voice. An absolute journey of a track, which summons much excitement for future EPs.

‘Hey Stranger’ is out now via Never Fade Records.

Tutku Barbaros
@tutkubarbaros

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Track Of The Day: BAXTR – ‘In Pop We Trust’

Following buoyant releases such as ‘Grace On Fire’ and ‘Bloom’, and having received acclaim from the likes of BBC Music Introducing, London trio Floss, Bash and Keiko – aka BAXTR – are back with a blast of pink, fuzzy energy, guaranteed to put a smile on your face and leave your ready for sunny days and balmy evenings with friends (if this rain ever stops!).

Propelled by an anthemic, uplifting energy, ‘In Pop We Trust‘ is a wonderfully joyous ode to all things pop and the happiness that it can bring. Oozing an effervescent, euphoric power as vocalist Floss Mackintosh’s rich, impassioned vocals soar, it combines a kitsch honey-sweet allure with racing, raucous hooks, creating a frenzied, fun-filled floor filler. A totally necessary, blissfully vibrant accompaniment to your Friday, firmly cementing BAXTR as a band on the rise; and I cannot wait to find out what they have in store for us next.

Of the meaning behind the track, Floss expands:

“I was on my way back from Specsavers. Thanks to my new goggles I was able to read a sign that said “In *something* we trust”. I can’t remember exactly what it was advertising, as I filled in my own blank immediately; Thinking to myself, what is it I trust in? What has never let me down…?
… To me, it feels as if this song is our theme tune. After the year we’ve all had, now more than ever I think we should all be revelling in the things that truly bring us bliss. If pop music does that for you… then crank this song!”

‘In Pop We Trust’ is out now, but keep your eyes peeled for a wonderfully wacky new video being shared next week!

Mari Lane
@marimindles

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Track Of The Day: Evil House Party – ‘Head Held High’

A captivating synth-pop tune that laments the struggle of trying to survive in the real world whilst also trying to fulfil your dreams, Copenhagen-based duo Evil House Party have shared their latest single ‘Head Held High’. Taken from their debut EP Grand Theft Audio, which is set for release on 24th September via Third Coming Records, the track is a heady, bittersweet reflection on personal uncertainty.

“I think a lot of people can relate to the feeling of life passing them by,” vocalist Emma Acs explains, “the song is a state of mind really. Like the disappointment of life not keeping up with the pace of their dreams.” Written during a time when both Emma and fellow band mate Jacob Formann were broke, moving around and feeling restless, ‘Head Held High’ is designed to resurrect feelings of confidence when you’re at an all time low.

Following on from their debut single ‘Wicked‘, ‘Head Held High’ smoulders with the duo’s trademark restlessness. Described as “a fugitive road journey, a febrile whirlwind of moods, incandescent like a city on fire,” their debut EP Grand Theft Audio looks set to be just as captivating.

Listen to ‘Head Held High’ below.

 

Follow Evil House Party on Spotify & Instagram

Photo Credit: Frederikke-Agnete Svarre

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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WATCH: S.A.A.R.A – ‘Forest’

A sultry blend of jazz, dance and classical elements that explore the fine line between fantasy and reality, EDM artist and composer S.A.A.R.A has shared a video to accompany her new single ‘Forest’. Treating her musical output as a “fantastical playground” that allows her to explore these boundaries, her new visuals are a hazy reflection on the juxtapositions we encounter in both our real, and our online lives.

“I have quite a visual approach to song-writing and production,” S.A.A.R.A aka Sara Belle explains. “I want to create atmospheres and experiences for the listener which can be transposed into the arrangement.” Through her lush synths, dancing beats and smooth vocals, S.A.A.R.A captivates her listeners and transports them into the dreamlike state reflected in the video for ‘Forest’, directed by Emily Seale-Jones.

“I wanted to create something that captured the magical and haunting quality of the track whilst also acknowledging S.A.A.R.A’s unapologetic approach to making music,” Emily comments. Through her use of slow motion and kaleidoscopic transitions, Emily compliments S.A.A.R.A’s intoxicating rhythms, as she comprehends what it means to connect and disconnect from technology and bring ourselves back to the moment.

Watch the video for ‘Forest’ below.

Follow S.A.A.R.A on bandcamp, Spotify, Twitter, Instagram & Facebook

Photo Credit: James Chegwyn

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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