Track Of The Day: The Paranoyds – ‘Egg Salad’

Following the release of 2019’s album Carnage Bargain and tracks such as ‘Pet Cemetery’ and ‘Hotel Celebrity’, LA four-piece, Staz, Laila, Lexi and David – aka The Paranoyds – have now shared a new video for album track ‘Egg Salad’.

Oozing a jangling post-punk scuzz fused together with a sunny surf-rock energy, ‘Egg Salad’ is filled with fuzzed-out hooks alongside the band’s trademark languid insouciant vocals. Propelled by a seething angst-fuelled drive, it juxtaposes poignant lyrical observations and a scathing wit with a compelling, playful musicality. Building in tempo throughout, a striking grunge-fuelled anthem is created, with shades of the raw grit of the likes of Courtney Barnett.

Of the band’s name, The Paranoyds explain:

“We’re living in the dystopian future. Our lives are completely tracked and programmed, our extension of ourselves is a handheld computer with a microphone and camera that stays on while were unaware, and, on top of everything, the extreme right is gaining continuous world power… What isn’t there to be paranoyd about?”

‘Egg Salad’ is accompanied by a brand new video depicting “the glitzy & glamorous world of a teenage girl who, after accidentally catching a beauty pageant on TV, dreams of her rise to stardom & subsequent downfall…” (director Nicole Stunwyck). Watch here:

 Carnage Bargain, The Paranoyds’ latest album, is out now via Suicide Squeeze. Listen here.

Mari Lane 
@marimindles

Photo Credit: Little Ghost

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LISTEN: Marbee – ‘Music Box’

A nostalgia-tinged reflection on remaining faithful to your childish heart, Jakarta-born Melbourne-based musician Marbee has shared her debut single ‘Music Box’. Self-described as “a free-spirited bird with a punk collar around her neck,” Marbee blends dreamy melodies and soft vocals to create alt-pop tunes that shimmer with gentle optimism.

Proving that your imagination can flourish in young adulthood if you continue to nurture it with the same tenacity you do throughout childhood, ‘Music Box’ is Marbee’s musical statement about freedom of expression. “I intend to awaken happy and nostalgic feelings from childhood, mixed with shades of ‘rain and thunder’,” she explains, acknowledging that life isn’t always as sweet as her vocals suggest. “The repetitive melody imitates the cyclical tone of the music box,” she continues, “evoking the protective, albeit fragile shelter of human relations, as well as the enchanting and lulling attraction of music in its simplest mechanical form.”

Marbee’s appetite for exploration took her to a 100 year-old building to capture the “ancient atmospherics” of the xylophone that features on the track. Her playful outlook, attention to detail and willingness to try new things makes her debut offering ring with a simple, joyful charm.

Listen to ‘Music Box’ below.

 

Follow Marbee on Spotify, Instagram & Facebook

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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WATCH: Jules (feat. The Golden Phoenix) – ‘We Never Run’

Described as an anthem to encourage women to celebrate themselves and others, Jules’ ‘We Never Run’, featuring The Golden Phoenix, is an empowering and timely gift this week as we celebrate International Women’s Day. 

Swirling synth and a crisp drum track begin the tune with an infatuating energy, embodying a best friend grabbing your hand and pulling you out to the dance floor. The disposition of the mix is undeniably fun from the moment it begins, and ever more so with its accompanying music video that is both heartwarming and empowering. 

Self-love and confidence exist so strongly in the essence of Jules’ vocals, and her genuine spirit is felt by anyone listening. The track feels like both a reflective moment for Jules, as well as a token on how to move forward with resilience. Jules and The Golden Phoenix have made a moment to celebrate our accomplishments and pat ourselves on the back for a moment, something that is hard to allow ourselves at times. ‘We Never Run’ and its victorious message are proof that indeed we are stronger together, more resilient together, and even more beautiful as a whole than as individuals navigating this world alone.

 

Released ahead of Jules’ upcoming EP, Identity: WHO AM I, ‘We Never Run’ is out now. 

Jill Goyeau
@jillybxxn

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Track Of The Day: Zilched – ‘The Knife’

A murky grunge-pop tune exploring the unexpected emotions that continue to interrupt us after a breakup, Detroit-based musician Zilched has shared her latest single ‘The Knife’. Taken from her debut album DOOMPOP, released in 2020 via Young Heavy Souls, the track smoulders with a feeling of unrest, ushered along by reverb-heavy guitars and Zilched’s sweet yet sullen vocals.

“‘The Knife’ is about love/hate,” Zilched aka Chloë Drallos explains. Working through the simultaneous disbelief and genuine upset that follows heartbreak, Drallos’ new single fizzes was palatable yearning, reflected in the track’s accompanying self-directed video. “I wanted the video, with dancing improvised by Morgan McCaul, to visualize an inner monologue where those different emotional powers start to take over and ultimately lead to release of that power,” Drallos explains.

Inspired by 90s guitar icons like Nirvana and The Jesus and Mary Chain, Drallos channelled her influences into a collection of compelling noise-pop tracks on debut record DOOMPOP. “It’s an honest reflection of my attempts to grow up and make sense of absurdity,” she explains about the album. “I wrote the first song in my last month of high school at 18, and finished recording & producing just a month after my 20th birthday. With these songs, I wanted to go as deep into my insecurities and confusion, however immature I felt. Just write what I felt when I felt it in order to move on.”

Fuelled by her desire to move on from a difficult time, ‘The Knife’ is a cathartic slice of grunge-pop that gracefully faces up to the gritted teeth and flowing tears at the end of an intimate relationship.

Watch the self-directed video for ‘The Knife’ below.

Follow Zilched on bandcamp, Spotify, Instagram & Facebook for more updates.

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCult

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