NEW TRACK: KÁRYYN – ‘Anthem For Those Who Know’

A poignant statement of self autonomy and the significance of advocating for yourself and others in the face of adversity, Armenian-American songwriter, composer & producer KÁRYYN has shared her latest single, ‘Anthem For Those Who Know’. Marking her first new music release in four years, the track is a defiant return to form for the musician, who seeks to motivate and comfort listeners through her determined vocals and potent lyrics, which soar over her considered instrumentation.

Co-produced with Hudson Mohawke and released via Mute, ‘Anthem For Those Who Know’ is a rumination on the importance of protest in all its forms. “I wanted to give this song to you now because I think it speaks to the moment,” KÁRYYN explains about the new release. “It’s about standing up with the magnitude of peace in the face of violence of any kind. This was my own personal protest song for the last few years, for myself and for my life.

The message of this song is about liberation; personal and collective. My hope is that it inspires strength in anyone who needs it, to speak truth to power, and cut through bullshit and illusions to say: ‘I’m not going to let fear imprison or silence me.’ I know what it’s like to be alone and afraid of being punished for speaking up. I also know the immense freedom that arises from embracing your worth & using your voice for the truth. If nothing else, know that you’re not alone, and if no one else knows, I know.”

Finding strength in the repetition of her mantra-like chorus – “I will be the collider / you will be dark matter / we will not be afraid / we will not be silenced ever” – KÁRYYN seeks to acknowledge and overcome the damaging effects of the past, and move forward with hope and peace into the future.

Listen to ‘Anthem For Those Who Know’ below.

Follow KÁRYYN on bandcamp, Spotify, Instagram, Facebook & X

Photo Credit: Allyson Schnaidt

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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ALBUM: ¡Ay Carmela! – ‘Tokens’

Tokens, the long-awaited second album by Bristol-based indie rock trio ¡Ay Carmela!, brims with sass and sincerity. At heart, this is a melancholic record, exploring themes of grief and disappointment, but it never feels like ¡Ay Carmela! want your pity. Front-person Carmela’s understated, downbeat vocal is supercharged by a banging rhythm section, giving the whole album a powerful swagger. 

The band wears their ’90s alt influences on their sleeves, and fans of Belly and Warpaint will find a lot to love on too. Opener ‘Host’ gets the album off to a memorable start with heavy guitars and punchy, powerful vocals that lure the listener in, before it builds to a proper pop chorus with swooning harmonies.

Recent single ‘Magnolia Walls’ is real standout. Carmela’s evocative, relatable lyrics reflect on ageing, the threat of unfulfilled potential and craving stability. “It used to be fun, living in a dump…”, she sings, “I thought I’d have moved on, instead I’ve just moved around.” ‘Rear View’ is another high point; it’s quieter and more intimate than some of the other songs on the album, bringing in keys rather than guitars, so we can really focus on Carmela’s vocal and lyrics. A torch song, tinged with nostalgia, it’s a beautiful portrait of loss and longing. 

It’s been seven years since the band’s debut album and it’s been worth the wait. With a new line-up and a different home city, the band seem re-charged and reinvigorated. And that’s a great thing, because songs as beautifully written and crafted as these need to be heard.

The band has been playing shows throughout 2023, and we’re super excited to have them playing for us at our next gig at Shacklewell Arms on 2nd February next year, supporting German dream-poppers Roller Derby with faves Panic Pocket. Nab tickets on Dice now!

Tokens is out now. Download / buy the album on Bandcamp now.

Photo Credit: Elise Wootten

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WATCH: Liv Wynter – ‘VIOLENCE’

An antagonistic, abrasive cry for autonomy and action, Trans and working-class artist and activist Liv Wynter has shared a startling set of visuals for their latest single ‘Violence’. Lifted from their recent EP of the same name, the track is a cathartic, urgent dismantling of transphobic hate and a radical cry for movement against it.

Having recently played gigs alongside other GIHE faves Scrounge, The Menstrual Cramps and Yakkie, as well as performing under their other moniker How To Catch A Pig, Liv Wynter has been a vital force in DIY music and activist spheres for many years. Now, they’re sharing new music under their solo name, with their three track EP, Violence, making a vehement and striking impact on those who have listened so far.

On the title track, Liv sets an unsettling scene; walking home alone in the dark, cold, pursued by a stranger who begins to spew vitriol and hate against trans bodies. In this moment of uncertainty, Liv chooses to respond to the “fight or flight” scenario with unfiltered rage. “I’m not here to convince anyone that we deserve to exist / I’m here to encourage violence” bites Liv, over corrosive FX and crushing, industrial beats. Their direct, no-holds-barred lyrics provide a visceral sense of relief and empowerment; even their menacing whisper of “I encourage violence” provokes a similar incendiary effect.

‘Violence’ is accompanied by a striking set of visuals, directed by Asher McLaughlin. They reflect the sequence of events Liv explores in their lyrics, enhancing the track’s defiant underlying message of radical love, and fighting back against those who attempt to push their hatred on to marginalised communities.

Watch the video for ‘Violence’ below.

Follow Liv Wynter on bandcamp and Instagram

Photo Credit: Jody Evans

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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NEW TRACK: Chelsea Wolfe – ‘Tunnel Lights’

Another dynamic, shape-shifting musing that seamlessly blends delicate keys and dense waves of sound, Chelsea Wolfe has shared her latest single ‘Tunnel Lights’. Taken from her seventh album, She Reaches Out To She Reaches Out To She, which is set for release on 9th February 2024 via Loma Vista, the track leans towards love and acceptance, as the artist actively chooses to step out of the shadows and embrace the light.

Exploring the cyclical nature of healing, Wolfe’s new album is described as “a rebirth”, breaking the physical and emotional chains that once prohibited this cathartic process. “It’s a story of freeing yourself from situations and patterns that are holding you back in order to become self-empowered,” she explains in more detail, and “an invitation to step into your authenticity.”

Whilst Wolfe explored this rejuvenation process on her previous singles ‘Dusk’ and ‘Whispers In The Echo Chamber‘, she fully embraces it on new offering ‘Tunnel Lights’. Tentative piano dissolves into waves of all-consuming sound, guided by her tender, idiosyncratic vocals. “‘Tunnel Lights’ is about actually living instead of just ‘getting by’,” she explains about the new track. “It’s about waking up to the fact that you’ve been languishing in the dark and it’s time to start taking steps towards the lights that’ll guide you out of the tunnel-cave.”

This single marks another poignant metamorphosis for Wolfe, which is reflected in the track’s accompanying video, filmed in Colombia and directed by longtime collaborator George Gallardo Kattah. Watch the video for ‘Tunnel Lights’ below.

Chelsea Wolfe will be playing London headline show at Heaven on Sunday 21st April 2024. Tickets are on sale now.

Pre-order Chelsea Wolfe’s new album She Reaches Out To She Reaches Out To She here

Follow Chelsea Wolfe on bandcamp, Spotify, Instagram, Facebook & Tik Tok

Photo credit: Ebru Yildiz

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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