LISTEN: heka – ‘(a) wall’

An affecting experimental folk track that explores the subtle, slow-burning power of anger, Italian-born, London-based multi-disciplinary artist heka has shared her latest single ‘(a) wall’. Released via Balloon Machine Records and taken from her upcoming EP (a), the track is an atmospheric, jazz infused offering that radiates with a calm, melancholic energy, immersing listeners into “a noir backdrop of retro sci-fi gloom.”

“I guess the song is an ode to anger,” heka aka Francesca Brierley explains. “Not in an absolute sense, but as the cathartic alternative to the numb powerlessness that can take over and swallow every other emotion when we find ourselves in a painful or shocking situation. ‘Hate’ in this sense is seen as a way to eventually move past the grief, especially in the face of someone else’s lack of action, or evasiveness, which can be overwhelmingly paralysing.”

With the help of co-producer Ed Tullet (Novo Amor, Hailaker) and trumpet player Jemima Coulter (Hailaker), heka overcomes this emotional apathy via her tentative vocals, lo-fi beats and the clear, cutting notes of Coulter’s trumpet. heka’s upcoming EP (a), which is set for release on 17th May, is a collection of soundscapes that soothe and scald the ears in equal measure, and ‘(a) wall’ is the first hint of what we can expect from this evocative, experimental artist.

Listen to ‘(a) wall’ below.

 

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

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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Track Of The Day: Foxgluvv – ‘1:00am’

A playful, funky disco-pop tune designed to be the soundtrack to your late night solo bedroom karaoke session, self proclaimed “dyke pop princess” Foxgluvv has shared her latest single ‘1:00am’. Full of lush vocals, shimmering electronics and dancing beats, the track marks the beginning of the popstar’s new musical direction, but still fizzes with her trademark sultry charm.

After taking a break from music and releasing a fun cover of Lady Gaga’s ‘Beautiful, Dirty, Rich‘ in November last year, Foxgluvv has channelled her love of 70s disco and camp extravagance into her latest musical offering. Working alongside her long time collaborator Scott Colcombe, on new single ‘1:00am’ Foxgluvv explores the melancholy thoughts that run through her mind in the small hours during a restless night. Colcombe’s polished production gives her anxious notions a confident sheen, as her dreamy vocals float above dancing rhythms and retro-pop synths.

Foxgluvv has also shared a self-directed music video to accompany the single, which she explains is a “classic ode to the history of disco aesthetics mixed in with contemporary pop set-ups,” influenced by her love of LGBTQ+ music scenes.

Watch the video for ‘1:00am’ below.

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

Photo Credit: Abby Robson

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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Track Of The Day: Hadda Be – ‘Wait In The Dark’

Following the jangly energy of latest single ‘Another Life’, London-Brighton band Hadda Be (fka Foundlings) have now shared a brand new offering taken from their upcoming debut album.

Propelled by scuzzy riffs and thrashing racing beats, ‘Wait In The Dark’ shows us a heavier side to Hadda Be than what we might be used to, proving them as a band who are able to constantly hone their sound, reluctant to be pigeon-holed into any one genre.

With a gritty, frenzied energy and shades of the whirring splendour of Sonic Youth, it builds with a frenetic tension to a magnificent, swirling cacophony. Oozing a riotous, grunge-infused spirit, it offers all the fuzzed-out, angst-driven power we need to motivate us through the next few months, when hopefully brighter things – and the possibility of live music – will be on the horizon.

Of the track, the band explain:

“’Wait In The Dark’ is a direct and visceral reaction to the turbulent political and cultural times we find ourselves in. There’s a lot of anger and passion in this song. It felt liberating to have a moment on the album where we really let loose, not allowing ourselves to be wrapped up in analytical posturing. Like with our first ever single, ‘Misery’, the track started off with a bass line and everything else was built up from there. We’re particularly excited about getting this one out on the road.”

Filmed remotely during lockdown and directed by Chris Tomsett (AKA Innerstrings), you can watch the psychedelic new video for ‘Wait In The Dark’ here:

‘Wait In The Dark‘ is out now. Another Life, the debut album from Hadda Be, is set for release 30th April via Last Night From Glasgow.

Mari Lane
@marimindles

Photo Credit: Luthiem Escalona

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LISTEN: King Hannah – ‘State Trooper’

Following the release of their utterly captivating debut EP Tell Me Your Mind and I’ll Tell You Mine, Liverpool’s King Hannah have now shared a sweeping new offering.

A cover of the Bruce Springsteen 1982 track, ‘State Trooper’ is a beautifully bewitching listen. Maintaining all the gritty charm of the original, but with an added majestic splendour, the swooning hypnotic grace of Hannah Merrick’s vocals ripples alongside scuzzy hooks and a dark, spellbinding energy. A truly exquisite rendition of a song from one of my all-time favourite albums. It’s pretty hard to do The Boss justice (speaking as a mega super fan!), but King Hannah have managed it with flying colours – adding their own ethereal grandeur, they have succeeded in making it completely their own.

Of the decision to cover the track, the band explain:

“We have always loved the Bruce Springsteen album Nebraska, how sparse and raw it sounds, and how it is effectively a live demo recording. We wanted to keep that live-feel when covering ‘State Trooper’ and so we tracked the song live in our little home studio. We tried to do justice to the atmosphere of the original when arranging the track, with rumbling tom-heavy drums, warm creamy guitars and intimate slap-back vocals.”

Tell Me Your Mind And I’ll Tell You Mine, the new EP from King Hannah, is out now. Catch the band on tour later this year:

16/10/21: District – Liverpool  
20/10/21: YES (Pink Room) – Manchester
21/10/21: Hyde Park Book club – Leeds
22/10/21: Broadcast – Glasgow
23/10/21: Star and Shadow Cinema – Newcastle  
24/10/21: The Cookie – Leicester
25/10/21: Jericho Tavern – Oxford
26/10/21: Hare & Hounds – Birmingham
27/10/21: Lexington – London
28/10/21: Hope & Ruin – Brighton
29/10/21: The Louisiana – Bristol

Mari Lane
@marimindles

Photo Credit: Craig Whittle

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