Track Of The Day: Krush Puppies – ‘Slay The Dragon’

Having charmed us with their immersive live performances on more than one occasion, Alexa Daly, Jenny Wells, Jess McGill and Heather Britton – aka Krush Puppies – have been establishing themselves on the London scene for a few years now, with support slots for the likes of Squid and Sorry already under their belts. Now, they have shared a unique, medieval-inspired, new single.

Propelled by an eerie, synth-driven drive, ‘Slay The Dragon’ is a poignant reflection about “transcending the monsters we’ve all had to endure“. Showcasing the band’s swooning harmonious vocals, which flow throughout with a mystic allure, the track builds with a gritty, swirling energy and scuzzy hooks to a frenzied cacophony, suddenly coming to a halt with a resonant, impassioned wail. Oozing a whirring, bewitching splendour, it oozes a raw, haunting majesty reminiscent of fellow London post-punkers Goat Girl. Offering equal parts playful wit and angst-driven emotion, ‘Slay The Dragon’ cements Krush Puppies as definite ones to watch.

Recorded during Lockdown No.1, ‘Slay The Dragon’ is out now via Strong Island Recordings.

Mari Lane
@marimindles

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LISTEN: Tamara – ‘Best Advice’

Inspired by the post-breakup experience, Oxford’s Tamara brings us an honest telling of the net that supported her in her beautifully dainty track, ‘Best Advice’. It isn’t all advice given that we keep close to heart, but the pieces of insight that hit just right, we nestle close to indefinitely. 

Tamara sifts through these offerings as she builds self-knowing in the language of twinkling indie-folk. With a soft guitar warming the roots of ‘Best Advice’, Tamara allows her lyrics to take the forefront as she unravels her revelations piece by piece: “When someone shows you who they are, believe them, the first time.” It is clear that Tamara has formed new insights through this transitional period; lessons have been learned; a shimmering sense of optimism oozes throughout – a comforting reassurance that she will carry this knowledge into every experience she has to come.

Layered in the shadows of Tamara’s raw guitar, bass riffs scurry across the chorus in support of the pleasant mood she has established. It is this bare bones approach that highlights the full gravity of her storytelling. With a knack for therapeutic lyrics and rich, silky tones, Tamara’s ‘Best Advice’ is cathartically entrancing; a single moment of endearing reflection, captured in a long journey.

 

Jill Goyeau
@jillybxxn

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Track Of The Day: anrimeal – ‘Elegy For An Empty Ocean’ (The Silver Field Mix)

An atmospheric, soothing re-work of her original track ‘Elegy For An Empty Coffin’, London-based, Porto-born electronic artist anrimeal has shared her latest single ‘Elegy For An Empty Ocean’. Mixed by The Silver Field‘s Coral Rose, this beguiling new offering is one of many soft, magnetic lullabies that form anrimeal’s latest album Could Divine, Remembered.

Devised as a companion piece for her 2020 debut Could Divine, this collection of re-workings was inspired by demos, reflections, confessions, rituals and anrimeal’s own heartbeat. The result is a truly immersive audio documentary that demonstrates anrimeal aka Ana Rita de Melo Alves’ intricate approach to creating music. All profits from the release will be donated to Plataforma de Apoio aos Refugiados – a Portuguese refugee support organisation close to Ana’s heart supporting refugees in Portugal and around the world.

In the spirit of heightening and truly getting the most from her musical experiences, anrimeal is also selling a limited homemade scented candle and offering an opportunity for a one-on-one bedroom music production tutorial with her too. All info can be found on her bandcamp page.

Watch the accompanying video for ‘Elegy For An Empty Ocean’ below.

Follow anrimeal on bandcamp, Spotify, Twitter, Facebook & Instagram

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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WATCH: Stars & Rabbit – ‘Merry Alone’

Indonesian duo Stars & Rabbit reflect on isolation in the midst of a global pandemic with their new single ‘Merry Alone‘. Accompanied by a beautiful animated film, which features a character marooned in a candy coloured seashore, it’s an ode to human contact and connectedness.

As you might expect from Star & Rabbit, who are huge in their home country, ‘Merry Alone’ is twee indie-pop perfection. However, Elda Suryani’s otherworldly vocal and Didit Saad’s gentle, swooning guitar give the song a bittersweet quality too, evoking the sadness and longing that enforced solitude brought for so many of us. 

The song’s dream-like quality is cemented further through its lyrics, which ask “would you be, would you be, merry alone with me?”. It all feels beautifully magical, helping you to escape from the chaos and trauma of the last few months to a land of make-believe. It’s the musical equivalent of a big cosy cuddle with the people you love most, and I love it.

On Different Days, the upcoming new album from Stars & Rabbit, is out 25th June via Trapped Animal Records.

Vic Conway

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