Track Of The Day: The C33s – ‘Benzodiac’

Named “the future” by BBC 6Music’s Chris Hawkins, The C33s are back and leave no listener’s head unturned in their latest surf-rock plea to tackle life’s harsh realities riff-first. It’s been a long roadmap, two lockdowns and one cancelled Christmas since last year’s single ‘Harpurhey Hostility‘ took a political dive into Mancunian society’s most disenfranchised, but The C33s are back with new track ‘Benzodiac’ – the newest addition to their bible of uncompromising home-truths.  

‘Benzodiac’ is the first single and the title track from the 3-piece punk outfit’s new EP and was fuelled by the band’s frustration at the closure of the live gig scene last year. For that reason, it’s production clings as close as possible to the raw live experience, taking the Californian genre to dizzy new heights before slamming you back down to a gritty-garage reality that the band have best described as “concrete surf-rock”. 

The single is explained by the band as “a frank observation of addiction, renewal and rebirth”, but prepare to be anything but sedated as an intoxicatingly slick and progressive guitar riff provided by Cav Green pulls you in, making it the perfect soundtrack for your favourite desert cult-classic film. We are thrown into epic surroundings with urgency as this track builds with Judy Jones storming in raucously on the kit whilst Ste Phillips fuels the anticipation with an exhilarating and palpitating bass line, meeting the perfect use of a tantalising reverb and echo-inducing delay during Cav’s guitar solo.

What’s exciting about this track is Cav’s move to a more spoken-word style vocal like that of The Damned’s 1977 release Damned Damned Damned, while the delivery of lyrics like “the universal will just to become” resemble the more recently fashioned passionate and punchy vocal of Idles’ frontman Joe Talbot. Not to forget Judy’s rousing dual harmonies throughout and her first-class punk yelp that creates the ideal sought after abrupt cliff-hanger ending to this single that paves the way for a future that is The C33s.

The new from The C33s, also entitled Benzodiac, is set for release in August on Rare Vitamin Records, and will available to purchase on 10” vinyl, CD and cassette.

Lauren Roberts
@robauren

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Track Of The Day: IDestroy – ‘G.O.D’

Having received acclaim from the likes of BBC Radio 1, BBC 6Music and Radio X for their debut album We Are The Girls, Bristol trio IDestroy are back to blast into our ears with an immense new single.

Reflecting on the complications of social media, ‘G.O.D’ is propelled by a seething energy and fierce raucous power as frenzied beats and swirling, riotous riffs race alongside the gritty, raging vocals. An empowering rock anthem that fizzes with a ferocious, angst-driven majesty, it’s a totally infectious offering that demands multiple listens. Of the track, the band explain:

“G.O.D was inspired by the disconnect between people’s online status versus reality. It represents the conflict of exaggerated or elaborated attitudes and behaviours through social media, which is a juxtaposition against their lived experiences.“

Watch the new video for ‘G.O.D’ here:

‘G.O.D‘ is out now.

Mari Lane
@marimindles

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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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