Track Of The Day: LIINES – ‘Sorry’

Having received acclaim from the likes of Sleaford Mods, John Kennedy and BBC 6Music’s Steve Lamacq, as well as blowing us away headlining for us at The Finsbury, Manchester trio LIINES consistently impress with their distinctive, raw post-punk. And latest single ‘Sorry’ is no exception.

Oozing the band’s trademark dark, brooding power, ‘Sorry’ builds with deep, intense bass lines, the gritty, commanding growl of vocalist Zoe McVeigh and Leila O’Sullivan’s consistent pummelling beats. Propelled by a thrashing sense of urgency, an eerie swirling majesty encompasses the listener, captivating the ears with its punk-fuelled bewitching allure.

Of the track McVeigh explains:

“… it’s about whether somebody is present or absent, you’re trying to make someone feel sorry for you, but as the song speeds up it becomes a bit more of a manic notion and sort of bordering on obsessive. LIINES songs are more of a mental state than a specific event – they are an emotion, a feeling.”

 

Produced by Paul Tipler (Elastica, Placebo), ‘Sorry’ is out now (with B side ‘On and On’), with a limited number of black 7” vinyl editions available for direct mail order and through independent record shops, via Reckless Yes. Order via LIINES’ Bandcamp now. 

 

Mari Lane
@marimindles

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Track Of The Day: CATBEAR – ‘Who Are You?’

A heady, retro-pop tune about the breath-taking nature of new found lust, London-based duo CATBEAR have shared their latest single ‘Who Are You?’. Full of lush synth sounds and snappy yet danceable beats, the track is an aural flirtation designed to provide a moment of joy during uncertain times.

“This was so much fun to write,” explains band member Zoe Konez. “I came up with the first half of the song on a train during my commute on one of the last days before [the first] lockdown and we developed it during those first few long weeks of quarantine where making music kept us going.” Along with bandmate Sarah Smith, Konez wrote, recorded and produced CATBEAR’s new music fromhome over the summer, an achievement that’s made even more impressive by the fact that Smith worked on the frontline in A&E for the NHS throughout the pandemic, and that Konez runs a music programme in a mental health hospital.

‘Who Are You?’ is a wonderfully upbeat escape from the pressures of the duo’s daily routine, brimming with that infectious and overwhelming feeling of attraction when you find your thoughts spiralling over a new crush. Listen to the new single below and follow CATBEAR on bandcamp, Facebook and Spotify for more updates.

 

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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ALBUM: Bitch Falcon – ‘Staring At Clocks’

An apt title for 2020, but one that would still resonate without the current social hellscape we’re living through, Bitch Falcon’s debut album Staring At Clocks is a blistering cacophony of grunge, post-punk and shoegaze inspired sounds. Set for release via Small Pond Records on 6th November, the Dublin trio’s first full length record sees them effortlessly galvanize their melodic tendencies with their trademark heaviness, resulting in a visceral yet graceful collection of noise.

Bitch Falcon have been cutting their teeth on the Irish and UK live circuits for the past few years, sharing stages with Girl Band, Fontaines DC, Torche, Black Peaks and Pussy Riot, as well as playing live for GIHE back in 2017. Since then, the band have been carefully channelling their formidable live presence into polished recordings, and Staring At Clocks is proof that they’ve mastered this craft. Opener ‘I’m Ready Now’ is an affirmation of this, filled with drummer Nigel Kenny’s racing beats, Barry O’Sullivan’s thundering bass lines and Lizzie Fitzpatrick’s powerhouse vocals.

‘Sold Youth’ intoxicates with its swirling grungy melodies, followed by the rapturous splendour of ‘Turned To Gold’. Despite being about the exhaustion that comes with stretching yourself emotionally thin for a loved one, the restless riffs and charged percussion on ‘How Did I Know?’ provide a fierce catharsis. The eponymous ‘Staring At Clocks’ is permeated by Fitzpatrick’s dreamy vocals, building towards a riotous outro full of bruising bass lines, manic guitar sounds and relentless drums. Exploring the fleeting feelings of running away and escaping your situation, ‘Test Trip’ is a formidable fluctuation of soothing and abrasive elements.

Effortlessly switching from a savage scream to a sublime extended yearning, Fitzpatrick’s elastic vocal ability never fails to impress throughout the record, and admiration for her natural talent swells with each listen. On ‘Martyr’, ‘Damp Breath’ and ‘Gaslight’ in particular, there’s even echoes of the mighty Bjork during her ‘Army Of Me’ era. Fitzpatrick’s intuition for knowing exactly when to unleash a cord-ripper, or to lull listeners with a hushed intonation is matched by Kenny’s razor sharp cymbal strikes and O’Sullivan’s brooding bass hooks and epic closing track ‘Harvester’ is a clear amalgamation of these talents.

An enviably strong debut, Staring At Clocks is propelled by gritty riffs, urgent vocals and a striking awareness of what it means to take your time, to reflect on what you’ve been through and to charge on through the dissonance. Bitch Falcon should take pride in this immense first full length offering and we can’t wait to hear it live when the coast is eventually clear.

Pre-order your copy of Staring At Clocks from bandcamp.

Follow Bitch Falcon on Instagram, Spotify, Facebook & Twitter for more updates.

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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Track Of The Day: Sister Ghost – ‘Season Of The Witch’

Previous winners of ‘Best Live Act’ at Northern Ireland’s Music Prize, and having previously wowed us with their contribution to The Fight Is Not Over – a live EP capturing the protest nature of many of Belfast’s bands, and addressing the need to continue pushing for more inclusive spaces – Sister Ghost last week shared a special Halloween Compilation EP, The Samhain Mixtape. Featuring covers from Shannon and Maeve, as well as special spooky tunes from a number of their favourite bands (including Party Fears, Alumna, Mom Fiend), it’s a perfect selection of seaonal treats!

Taken from the EP, Sister Ghost’s rendition of Donovan’s ‘Season Of the Witch’ provides the perfect Autumn soundtrack. As dark throbbing bass lines and jangling hooks create a playful sense of doom, it’s propelled by impassioned vocals and a seething energy, adding an underlying gritty power to the catchy spirit of the original.  

 

You can buy the The Samhain Mixtape for the suggested donation of £6.66 or Pay What You Can over on Sister Ghost’s Bandcamp. All proceeds will be going to Girls Rock School NI, the local Girls Rock chapter founded by Shannon from Sister Ghost. The organisation have been working online with young women and non-binary young people during lockdown to reduce isolation, create community and make music together.

 

Mari Lane
@marimindles

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