LISTEN: Phia Sky – ‘fosn’

A fluctuating piece of ballad-tronica inspired by the un-nerving nature of a lucid dream, Manchester-based electronic artist Phia Sky has shared her latest single ‘fosn’. Inspired by video game soundtracks, human nature, toy instruments and field recordings, Phia’s self-produced new single is a fun slice of nightmare-pop exploring the strangeness of our subconscious thoughts via elasticated synths and erratic beats.

“‘fosn’ is a nightmare about waiting rooms and mysterious doorways,” Phia explains about the single. “It’s about trying to drop subtle hints of social discomfort (i.e knocking on the door, looking for the right key) but to everyone on the outside that clattering just sounds like normal speech. I tried to make the production match this, contrasting simple, hooky vocals with tangled synths and large beats.”

By fusing together an upbeat tempo with their ditzy synth textures, Phia has crafted an eccentric electro-pop soundscape that shimmers with unpredictability, reflecting the unusual nature of the dreams that informed it.

Listen to ‘fosn’ below.

 

Follow PHIA SKY on bandcamp, Spotify & Instagram

Kate Crudgington
kate_getinherears

Kate CrudgingtonLeave a comment

Track Of The Day: Pretty Happy – ‘Sea Sea Sea’

A cacophony of raw vocals, thumping beats and swirling guitar riffs, Cork art-punk trio Pretty Happy have shared their latest single ‘Sea Sea Sea’. Through raucous, contrasting rhythms and their blend of chaotic, melodic voices, the band take a dive into the murky waters of gender stereotyping, dismantling misconceptions about queer identity against a cathartic backdrop of post-punk noise.

Formed of Abbey Blake (guitar), Arann Blake (vocals, bass) and Andy Killian (drums), Pretty Happy have been busy cutting their teeth on the DIY Irish music and arts scene over the last few years. Abbey is a founder of Angry Mom Collective, a movement set up to challenge the gender imbalance in Irish arts, whilst Arann and Andy are keenly involved in the local drama and film scenes. Together, the trio combine their talents to create their distinctive sounds and ‘Sea Sea Sea’ is another eccentric taste of what’s to come from the band’s upcoming EP due for release later this year.

Delivering lines like “Your daughter wants to ride a motorcycle / You can’t handle it / She’s your only son,” in their direct, Cork intonation, the band attempt to subvert gender norms and erode the ignorance surrounding queer stereotypes, with the accompanying video reflecting this struggle. Directed by Abbey – who was nominated for Pinewood Studio’s ‘Lift Off First Time Film Makers Festival’ award for her work – the visuals show the protagonist digging into the sand before running full pelt into the sea to wash away the limiting and damaging tropes the band sing of.

Watch the video for ‘Sea Sea Sea’ below.

Follow Pretty Happy on bandcamp, Spotify, Instagram, Twitter & Facebook

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

Kate CrudgingtonLeave a comment

Track Of The Day: deep tan – ‘hollow scene’

Following their uplifting last single ‘camelot‘, and with acclaim from the likes of NME, So Young and BBC 6Music, Hackney-based trio deep tan have now shared another stirring taste of what’s to come from their upcoming debut EP.

Propelled by glitchy beats and whirring, twinkling hooks, ‘hollow scene’ captivates the ears with the vocals’ compelling seductive allure. Flowing with fuzzed-out shades of ’90s trip-hop, whilst maintaining its own unique sparkling edge and gently haunting majesty, it’s another truly spellbinding offering from the trio, oozing an exquisite rousing splendour. Of the track, the band explain:

“‘hollow scene’ is about the feeling of having to move through life with a certain level of detachment in order to function. Gatekeeping empathy for the sake of an easy life, if you will. It’s a pretty draining business, though, and can make any real search for meaning feel futile. Meursault was wrong and he was right. Robert Smith, however, is always right.“

 
‘hollow scene’ is out now, and is taken from deep tan’s upcoming EP, Creeping Speedwells, set for release on 4th June via Practise Music.

Mari Lane
@marimindles

Photo Credit: Timothy Casten

mariangelicalaneLeave a comment

Track Of The Day: Queens & Kings – ‘Going Through Hell’

Ahead of the release of their upcoming debut EP, Toronto-based, instrument-swapping garage rock duo Alissa King and Brendan Albert – aka Queens & Kings (a name to purposefully provoke thought about sexist language patterns) – have recently shared their impactful latest single.

Propelled by a fuzzed-out visceral energy and gentle blues-rock twang, ‘Going Through Hell’ reflects on the duo’s 10+ year relationship and the struggles they have gone through both personally and as a band. As Alissa’s gritty swooning vocals flow with a stirring, soulful drive alongside scuzzy hooks, it oozes a soaring, impassioned splendour. With shades of the likes of The Kills or Alabama Shakes, it’s a powerful Americana-tinged slice of garage-rock brimming full of anthemic emotion. A sizzling, poignant ode to learning to let go and move forwards in life.

Watch the new video for ‘Going Through Hell’, featuring footage of the duo from over the last 10 years, here:


‘Going Through Hell‘ is taken from Queens & Kings’ upcoming debut EP, set for release later this year. The EP has been made and mastered with the likes of Vic Florencia and Bill Skibbe from Third Man Records, as well as four time Grammy nominee, Howie Weinberg.

Mari Lane
@marimindles

mariangelicalaneLeave a comment