EP: Gold Baby – ‘Rabbits’

Gold Baby’s debut EP, Rabbits, is a real treat for the ears and soul. The band – fronted by singer-songwriter Siân Alex – show their versatility with this accomplished and assured collection of lush, folk-infused dream pop.

Opener ‘Bodie’ is the soothing soundtrack we all need right now. With retro, woozy guitars and drums that thump like a heartbeat, it has echoes of ’60s girl groups. And like those glorious, bittersweet ballads that bands like The Ronettes or The Shangri-Las sang back then, ‘Bodie’’s lyrics dwell on loneliness and longing. It’s a real standout.

The band show their playful, experimental side with ‘2041’ – a punk-inspired number with jerky spiky guitars and a lo-fi, shouty chorus (“And I said NO!”) that act as the perfect foil to Siân’s pure, calming voice. It’s brave and brilliant; the sound of a band who refuse to be pigeon-holed and are keen to grow and evolve.

Closing tracks ‘Betty’ and recent single, ‘Captain Dorego’, are quieter, deeper and more confessional, reminiscent of Sufjan Stevens and The Unthanks – very much in the folk storytelling tradition. ‘Captain Dorego’ is particularly affecting, dealing with Siân’s experiences of being overstimulated by modern life. Something that, in these crazy times, we can all relate to.

Ultimately, with Rabbits, Gold Baby show that they can both soothe you and make you shimmy (check out the video for ‘Captain Dorego’ for more of the latter!). The band’s confidence and chemistry, coupled with Siân’s raw, self-revelatory songwriting and beautiful vocals, come together on this release to create something that’s pure magic. Listen if you want something pretty that packs a real punch!

Rabbits is out now. Download via Gold Baby’s bandcamp. 

Vic Conway

killingfantasy6583Leave a comment

Track Of The Day: Julia-Sophie – ‘and you know it’

Gothic tones swirl in a bath of glimmering synths as haunting vocals sing in Julia-Sophie’s second shimmering single, ‘and you know it‘. Dark, heavyweight pads modulate downwards and spiral into delays that descend with a cathartic grace. As the track begins to rise, it spins elegantly and captivates listeners from the very start with the art of juxtaposition.

It is with avant-pop artist Julia-Sophie’s vocal delivery that we first fully catch a true breath of her deeply emotional, electronic track that lives within a similar realm as pop artist/creator FKA Twigs. With recoiling chorus tones, ‘and you know it’ features a reflexive mix that triggers sonic elements interpersonally, emulating the ricochet of an overwhelmed mind. 

Crisp, echoing percussion and melodic synths keep the deep track mobile, never overstaying their welcome with each purging section. As articulate as the instrumentation and effects are throughout, Julia-Sophie’s lyrics take no step back in the stakes of embodying a raw, emotive spectacle. Themes of grief, fear of abandonment and the heartbreak of being misunderstood define Julia-Sophie’s story in a genuine, stirring way.

</3, the upcoming new EP from Julia-Sophie, is set for release 22nd April.

Jill Goyeau
@jillybxxn

Get In Her EarsLeave a comment

LISTEN: Alex Loveless – ‘Through 2 U’

A slow-burning, lo-fi offering full of hazy beats and brooding vocals, Hackney-based DIY electronic artist Alex Loveless has shared their latest single ‘Through 2 U’. Taken from their recent EP Phone Keys Wallet, released via Loveless’ own label Dirty Mind (named after their own club night inspired by the Prince record) the track is an intoxicating combination of smouldering alt-pop hooks and melancholy-tinged lyrics.

As with all tracks on Loveless’ EP Phone Keys Wallet, ‘Through 2 U’ was written, produced, mixed, mastered and performed entirely by Loveless. Their talent for crafting atmospheric, trippy electronic gems shines through on this latest single, which takes its musical cues from a diverse mix of material. From the shadowy sounds of Deftones and James Blake, to the lilting duelling flutes of Richard Wagner’s opera Tristan und Isolde, Loveless has filtered these elements into their own heady, alternative soundscape.

Listen to ‘Through 2 U’ below.

 

Follow Alex Loveless on bandcamp, Spotify, Twitter & Instagram for more updates.

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

Kate CrudgingtonLeave a comment

Track Of The Day: Bait Bag – ‘The Pattern’

A lo-fi, woozy tune about star signs, destiny and finding joy in the unknown, Maine-based trio Bait Bag have shared their latest single ‘The Pattern’. Released on 26th March to coincide with the appearance of the Worm Moon – which is thought to mark the arrival of spring – the track is “a little wink and a nod” to those who find comfort in the power of the cosmos.

Formed in the summer of 2018 by North Haven Island-based pals Fiona Robins, Claire Donnelly and Courtney Naliboff, Bait Bag are inspired by the sounds of Sleater-Kinney, Blondie and Le Tigre. Driven by a collective desire to escape the constant flow of bad news, the band blend playful lyrics with raucous, dancing beats to create bright moments of catharsis, but on their new single ‘The Pattern’, they’ve taken a leap into psychedelic territory. 

“Whether you start your day with Chani Nichols, or can’t tell a Pisces from a pescatarian, this song provides a fun dance break and the opportunity to tell yourself, ‘I’m fine’ (even if you aren’t)” the band explain about the track. Full of wah-guitar, farfisa and soft layered vocals, ‘The Pattern’ is a buoyant trip through astrology and a charming distraction for those who would rather let these thoughts float over their head.

Listen to ‘The Pattern’ below.

 

Follow Bait Bag on bandcamp, Spotify, Facebook, Twitter & Instagram

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

Kate CrudgingtonLeave a comment