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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Track Of The Day: Table Scraps – ‘Threads’

Following the savage energy of last year’s ‘Doom Generation’, and having previously wowed crowds at SXSW, Birmingham trio – and GIHE faves – Table Scraps have now announced their new album, set for release in September. Originally conceived as a concept album in 2018, where a band emerges from the rubble of a post-apocalyptic event, after the events of the last couple of years, the doom-filled theme of the collection now seems more resonant than ever before.

Taken from the album, latest single ‘Threads‘ is propelled by a seething energy and gritty, swirling power as ferocious hooks race alongside fierce, thrashing beats. As an immense, impassioned drive builds an eerie sense of impending doom – “united by our gloom / we sense impending doom…” – the track blasts into the ears with a raging, psych-metal spirit, providing a perfectly riotous catharsis. Oozing a poignant sense of urgency, it’s an intense, blazing anthem for these scary times we currently find ourselves in.

‘Threads’ is accompanied by a trippy new lyric video. Watch it now:

Coffin Face, the upcoming new album from Table Scraps, is set for release on 24th September.

Mari Lane
@marimindles

Photo Credit: James Brown

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LISTEN: Kristen Merritt – ‘I Don’t Think ABout You’

‘I Don’t Think About You’ is the woozy new single from Brooklyn-based artist Kristen Merritt. With heartfelt lyrics and laid-back instrumentation, this neo-soul groove is the perfect soundtrack for bright summer mornings. ‘I Don’t Think About You’ is positive and light, sung from the perspective of someone who has found clarity and has been released by it. It feels as though each word is sung through a smile, creating a warm and inviting soundscape.

Describing her music as “high-key” (high energy) neo-soul, you can hear the influence of Lauryn Hill and Erykah Badu in Merritt’s slick and chilled-out arrangements, with lush keyboard flourishes highlighting the soulful lyrics. She also cites inspiration from her contemporaries, H.E.R. and Daniel Cesar.

‘I Don’t Think About You’ comes together magically with live instrumentation, it oozes a sincere human quality and vulnerability. The smooth and spacious percussion is reminiscent of Motown recording, providing a soothing groove. To accent the music, the guitar plays jazzy chords that add to the woozy ambiance. Smooth and sweet, Merritt’s vocal melody meanders up and down, flowing effortlessly as it leads the song. The vocal melodies and harmonies interweave and overlap, creating delicious textures and easing transitions into new musical ideas and sections.

Of the meaning behind the track, Merritt reveals: “It is the song of coming to terms with feelings for someone, feelings that you denied, for feeling as though they were misplaced on that person. In coming to terms with these feelings, I have reflected in the lyrics the ‘five stages of grief’: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and finally, acceptance. There is also an additional component of something almost happy/joyous in that acceptance, content with the understanding of the situation, even if it didn’t pan out how you wanted it to.”

‘I Don’t Think About You’ is accompanied by a vintage-inspired, artfully created new video, directed by Marissa Yates. Watch here:

Joi, Kristen’s debut album, is set for release 14th September.

Jaz Kelly
@surfjaz

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