LISTEN: People Club – ‘Francine’

A soulful offering that explores what it’s like to love someone who’s caught in the grip of addiction, Berlin-based indie band People Club have shared their latest single ‘Francine’. Taken from their upcoming EP Take Me Home, which is set for release later this year, the track navigates the difficult subject by blending lush synths and lo-fi guitars with yearning, passionate vocals.

“‘Francine’ is a song about commitment and how love can fade away leaving only wickedness behind,” the band explain. “The song speaks from the voice of a partner whose lover is helplessly addicted to drugs.” The sadness in this narrative voice is encapsulated in the repeated lyric “I often said ‘I wonder if you love me / or if you just need company,'” before the yearning chorus of the eponymous name takes hold. The five-piece gently traverse their narrator’s spiral of doubt through moody, Motown-infused grooves.

‘Francine’ is accompanied by a stylish monochrome video, shot in wintertime in Berlin and directed by Felix Spitta. “The video is a play on the old idiom of ‘being your own worst enemy’,” the band explain, “a phrase which quite beautifully captures the inner critic which we know so well, especially during the course of the pandemic.”

Watch the video for ‘Francine’ below.

Follow People Club on bandcamp, Spotify, Instagram, Twitter & Facebook for more updates.

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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Track Of The Day: Bleach Lab – ‘Old Ways’

An atmospheric lament about being caught in emotional purgatory, South London-based Bleach Lab have shared their latest single ‘Old Ways’. Taken from their upcoming EP A Calm Sense of Surrounding, which is set for release on 19th March, the track is a bittersweet, stirring reflection on the conflicting emotions we experience following a difficult break-up.

“’Old Ways’ explores the angry side of the grieving process at the end of a relationship,” vocalist Jenna Kyle explains. “Anger towards the way in which they treated you but also towards oneself for still missing them regardless.” Through her emotive vocals and earnest lyrics, Kyle explores the urgent need to get past this stage of grief, with guitarist Frank Wates’ fluid riffs softening the sharp edges of her words.

Working through unexpected grief majorly informed the songs on Bleach Lab’s upcoming EP. The death of bassist Josh Longman’s father and the breakdown of Kyle’s long-term relationship seeped into the band’s song-writing, as they began to musically explore the five stages of grief – anger, denial, bargaining, depression and acceptance. ‘Old Ways’ deals with the first of these stages, breaching the habit of self-flagellation in an attempt to find emotional relief during a traumatic time.

Listen to ‘Old Ways’ below.

 

Follow Bleach Lab on Spotify, Instagram, Twitter & Facebook for more updates.

Photo Credit: Isy Townsend

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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LISTEN: Softcult – ‘Another Bish’

A 90s inspired guitar tune that defies the feeling of being overlooked and underestimated, Canadian duo Softcult have shared their debut single ‘Another Bish’. Informed by their love of Bikini Kill and Smashing Pumpkins, the band blend atmospheric guitars, energetic percussion and bittersweet vocals to create their hazy, antagonistic sounds.

Formed of Ontario-based twins Phoenix and Mercedes Arn Horn, Softcult cut their teeth playing live shows in their local town of Kitchener before moving on to bigger audiences on the North American tour circuit. Their experiences of playing and working within a male-dominated industry formed the foundation for their current sound, which is born from the desire to resist and relieve the pressures of existing in a patriarchal world.

‘Another Bish’ is an ultra cool example of what their resistance sounds like. Despite its confident delivery, the track aches with subdued anger, as the band say “even the baddest bish probably has a little bit of self doubt” at some points. With lyrics like “It feels like I’ve been pulling teeth / just trying to break off from your leash,” the duo reveal their desire to break free from the restrictions that they’ve encountered so far, whether that’s internally or externally.

Watch the self-directed video for ‘Another Bish’ below.

Follow Softcult on Spotify, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter for more updates.

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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LISTEN: Kalbells – ‘Purplepink’

A vibrant, cosmic synth-pop tune that stimulates and celebrates the senses, Kalbells have shared their latest single ‘Purplepink’. Taken from the band’s upcoming album Max Heart, which is set for release on 26th March via NNA Tapes, the track is a buoyant mix of soft vocals, angular guitar riffs and lush elongated keyboard sounds.

Formed of Kalmia Traver (Rubblebucket), Angelica Bess (Body Language), Zoë Brecher (Hushpuppy, Sad13) and Sarah Pedinotti (Okkervil River, LipTalk), Kalbells are a band who promote genuine self expression, celebrating their queerness through their upbeat, psych-infused sounds. The band worked alongside Luke Temple to co-engineer their new album, which they describe as a “portrait of badass women harnessing their improvisational magic.” Single ‘Purplepink’ is the manifestation of this collective energy.

Filled with lush lyrical images like “a floating slice of angel cake / is one way I describe this lake,” the track is an effervescent, funk-infused slice of synth-pop designed to transport listeners away to a world of delightful rapture. The single is accompanied by a colourful video, conceptualized and directed by Lisa Schatz. The visuals show the Kalbells as warrior space queens, shimmering alongside animated rocket ships and a 30 foot hologram of American musician Maddie Rice riffing on guitar.

Watch the video for ‘Purplepink’ below.

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

Photo Credit: Amanda Picotte

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

Kate CrudgingtonLeave a comment