Track Of The Day: Sophie Kilburn – ‘Movements’

Sophie Kilburn’s anthemic new release is sure to cause a ‘movement’. Whether it takes you driving down a palm-tree lined highway, dressed in a biker jacket with the wind blowing in your hair, or dancing the hazy night away in a club, the music is beautifully transformative. The inspired and confident first instalment from Kilburn’s debut EP, ‘Movements’ is filled with an infectious euphoria, providing an exciting insight into what’s to come from the artist.

Bold and assured, Kilburn’s vocals emphasise the empowering nature of the music. Explaining the concept behind the track, she explains:

“… This song is all about a relationship that has broken down. When your gut is saying something is wrong but neither of you are saying anything. You know you are losing them, but you’re still besotted… It is about overcoming the fear of something ending and voicing your feelings in order to regain control of the situation…”

‘Movements’ is a supremely well-crafted indie-pop song; whilst Kilburn delivers captivating vocal hooks, driving rhythms roll alongside synths and guitars in a sleek and beautifully polished production. 

Self-described as the “English Haim sister from a Northern mister”, Sophie Kilburn’s sound harks back to Americana and influences of the late 1970s, with a modern twist. Born from a challenge on social media, set by fans, to write a song with the word “hip-thrusts”, ‘Movements’ was then developed by Kilburn into this utterly blissful banger

We love what we’ve heard so far from Sophie Kilburn and we’re really excited to hear what comes next with the debut EP!

My Room Made Public, the debut EP from Sophie Kilburn, is set for release in July this year.

Jazmine Kelly
@surfjaz

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WATCH: Zoee – ‘Host’

From her upcoming debut album Flaw Flower, Zoee has gifted us with her second single ‘Host’ – a mix of retro-wave synths and ethereal vocals set to a film noir music video that tips its hat to The Twilight Zone. 

The opening shot of ‘Host’ centres on a hand mirror surrounded by swirling smoke, a perfect accompaniment to the winding, high pitched synths that open the track. Smoke and mirrors recur as motifs throughout the video as Zoee’s spoken word verses describe the lies and half truths that keep a jilted lover trapped in the memory of a broken relationship. Zoee takes on the role of femme fatale, wandering through a confusion of woods as if disconnected from reality in a state of suspended animation. 

Both the track and the music video are highly stylised, standing in stark contrast to the plainly stated candour of the lyrics. Zoee’s spoken word verses contain lyrical gems like “You said that ‘I need to be alone babe’, so why is it you’re not on your own babe?”. Her delivery in a canny and circumspect London accent suggests that this jilted lover grasps the truth of the relationship’s demise, but is unwilling to let it go. As the track draws to a close, the synths and smoke slowly fade, making way for a deliciously earthy solo on grand piano accompanied by a pattern of bright lights reflected in the mirrored surface. The effect is hopeful, implying that this otherworldly state of disconnect for our femme fatale may yet come to a close.

‘Host’ is an incredible showcase of Zoee’s artistic prowess as she delves into the personal. The video is a visual feast (a particular must watch for eyebrow and fashion enthusiasts), perfectly complementing the diaphanous, airy grace of Zoee’s music.


‘Host‘ is taken from Zoee’s debut album Flaw Flower, set for release on 25th June via Illegal Data.

Kate Sullivan

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Track Of The Day: Cherym – ‘Listening To My Head’

Having received acclaim from the likes of NME, John Kennedy at Radio X and Tom Robinson on BBC 6Music, as well as recently landing themselves on Spotify’s The Punk List, Derry trio Cherym have now bounced back into our ears following previous single ‘Kisses On My Cards’ with a brand new offering.

Inspired by the Netflix series Dirty John, ‘Listening To My Head’ is a sunny, jangling slice of punk-pop. Propelled by driving beats and an uplifting, empowering energy, swirling hooks accompany luscious angst-driven honey-sweet vocals. An instantly catchy offering harking back to my favourites of the early Noughties, its vibrant, lilting refrains will stick in your ears on first listen, demanding multiple plays and frenzied dances around the living room. Of the track, the band explain:

“This is a song we wrote after Hannah watched the Netflix series Dirty John. It’s written from the point of view of Betty Broderick, wife of Dan Broderick, a successful business man who used Betty to gain his success, tormented her life, left her penniless in the divorce settlement, took full custody of their children, and abused her throughout their relationship. In the end she ended up killing him…and his lover, but that’s beside the point. This is Betty’s song…”

Oozing a wonderfully fuzzy sense of nostalgia as the tongue-in-cheek wit of the lyrical storytelling and a colourful charismatic musicality flows, ‘Listening To My Head’ is guaranteed to put a smile on your face, a clench in your fist and a spring in your step in the face of cheating men everywhere. And it has secured Cherym as a new favourite band for sure.

‘Listening To My Head’ is out now via Alcopop! Records. Catch Cherym live with labelmates (and GIHE faves) cheerbleederz throughout October. Tickets and details here.

Mari Lane
@marimindles

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Track Of The Day: Talking Violet – ‘Caterpillar’ / ‘Superego’

After taking listeners on an audible odyssey with their ethereal extended play, 2018’s Round Dreams – and following last year’s singles, ‘Bloom’ and ‘Indigo’ – Ontario four-piece Talking Violet have returned with ‘Caterpillar’ and ‘Superego’; two solid tracks of dreamy distortion and angsty lyricism which secure the band’s place as alt-rock scientists of dream-pop.

Self-described as “the loudest sleepy band you’ve ever heard”, Talking Violet have wasted no time pushing the boundaries of alternative rock with a cacophony of sonically sound elements; slowing down only to gaze at their guitar pedals. In their laboratory/studio, the Canadian quartet have cultivated their sound, crafting shimmering soundscapes that transcend genre.

First, guitarist Jay Turnbull provides lead vocals on the anxiety-driven ‘Caterpillar’, a hopeful song of self-discovery, and an ode to those of us that feel unsure of ourselves and the journey ahead: “It describes going through a time in my life where I was dealing with intense daily anxiety and felt unsure of how I was going to achieve the goals I set for myself.” From Jay’s strummed guitar melodies to the hazily picked shoe-gaze tones of guitarist Jill Goyeau, ‘Caterpillar’ is seething with emotion; further elevated by bassist Nate Blackton and Jill’s vocal harmonisation.

Next, Talking Violet tackle unhealthy friendships with ‘Superego’; a brooding performance from Jay, who reflects upon his own hesitation to end a close friendship, and accept that it was time to move forward. Jay’s haunting lyrics (“So if you stop and ask why I’m not around / Hope it doesn’t take long to figure it out”) are juxtaposed against a fuzzy soft/loud/soft dynamic reminiscent of The Smashing Pumpkins, building to a crescendo of distorted guitars, pulsating basslines, and Jeremie Brousseau’s crashing percussion.

Through the experimental use of guitar effects, Talking Violet have developed a dense, atmospheric sound that captures the feeling of dreams. So, grab your dream-pop mixtape, add ‘Caterpillar’ and ‘Superego’ to the tracklist, close your eyes, and press play.

Ken Wynne
@Ken_Wynne

Photo Credit: Kamryn Cusumano

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