WATCH: Charlotte Carpenter – ‘You’re My Reason Why’

To celebrate the release of her new album A Modern Rage, East Midlands singer-songwriter Charlotte Carpenter’s latest single ‘You’re My Reason Why‘ is accompanied by a cinematic video telling a dystopian gay love story. Charlotte Carpenter has previously released a string of successful EPs, which have garnered attention from tastemakers such as The Line of Best Fit, through to rock bible Classic Rock, and has received airplay from the likes of BBC 6Music, BBC Radio 2 and Virgin Radio.

‘You’re My Reason Why’ is a beam of light amongst a collection of darker-edged songs on the album. It has a sad, yet resolute, feeling, evidenced in the slow piano keys at the start – “Even if the world will fall apart, I’ll still be here falling down for you”. A burst of guitar builds towards the emotional chorus, as the uplifting message that love will sustain any disaster oozes through the shimmering musicality. Reflecting on Carpenter’s fond memories of spending time with her wife in a rural cottage during lockdown, it offers a heartfelt twinkling emotion and stirring grace.

Full of references to older technology, and harking back to a more innocent time – whilst exuding a subtle sense of foreboding – the video offers the perfect accompaniment to this comforting yet poignant ballad. If you require an “end of the world love letter to your other half”, this song is the one. 

Of the meaning behind the track, Carpenter explains:

“I can honestly say, they were some of my favourite times together. It put so much into perspective for me. I had stripped away all of those routines and expectations, and I found what I truly valued in life, which is love and time.”


A Modern Rage, the new album from Charlotte Carpenter, is out now.

Fi Ni Aicead
@gotnomoniker

Photo Credit: Fraser West

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ALBUM: REWS – ‘Meridians’

A raucous ode to persevering in the face of adversity and making yourself stronger in the process, Northern Irish songwriter Shauna Tohill aka REWS has created a gritty lament to hard-earned resilience on her latest album, Meridians. An empowering blend of heavy riffs, defiant vocals and pop-rock melodies, Tohill effortlessly delivers her assertive, cathartic energy across each of the album’s eleven tracks.

The follow up to 2020’s full length record Warriors, the independently released Meridians rings out with REWS’ trademark passion, mettle and charisma. A reflection on her experiences as a woman in the music industry, the pitfalls along the way and the strong mindset that’s born from carving out your own path, Tohill’s songs chime with a complimentary mix of relatable strife and carefree infectious attitude.

Kicking the album off with the driving beats and grinding riffs of ‘The World That You Left Behind’ and ‘Pretty Face’, Tohill asserts herself with two riotous statements of self autonomy. This is something which permeates Meridians. The album’s title alludes to both “a circle of constant longitude passing through a given place on the earth’s surface” and a practice in acupuncture referring to the “set of pathways in the body along which vital energy is said to flow”. Tohill has evidently been mindful of this, as Meridians flows with her vibrant, tenacious spirit.

This is best observed on cathartic anthems ‘Breathe Into Me’, ‘Not Your Soldier’ and ‘Lock Your Horns’, on which she overcomes feelings of exhaustion, burnout and indecision and transforms them into brooding pop-rock melodies. The songwriter’s vocals are the lifeblood of the album, her voice as commanding in its quieter moments as it is at full volume, highlighted at several points on the record. Tracks like ‘Misery’ and ‘Tears Of A Lion’ fluctuate between vulnerable lyrics in verses and powerful riff-heavy choruses, which makes for invigorating listening. The aptly named ‘On My Back (Giant’s Roar)’ sees Tohill flex her vocal range superbly, and will no doubt be a highlight when heard in a live setting.

Fuelled by the desire to liberate herself and encourage listeners to reject the expectations of others in order to live an authentic life, Meridians marks a new era of independence for REWS. Tohill has always provided her fans with with hefty riffs and chant-worthy choruses on her previous records, and the anthems on Meridians flow in that same vital vein.

Buy your copy of REWS’ new album Meridians here

Follow REWS on Spotify, Twitter, Facebook & Instagram

REWS UK Tour Dates 2023
Wed 25th Oct: The Forum, Tunbridge Wells
Thurs 26th Oct: Bear Cave, Bournemouth
Fri 27th Oct: West End Centre, Aldershot
Sat 28th Oct: The Exchange, Bristol
Sun 29th Oct: Bodega, Nottingham
Mon 30th Oct: The Grace, London
Tues 31st Oct: Deaf Institute, Manchester

Wed 1st Nov: Zerox, Newcastle
Thurs 2nd Nov: Classic Grand, Glasgow
Fri 3rd Nov: Key Club, Leeds
Sat 4th Nov: The Live Rooms, Chester
Sun 5th Nov: The Asylum 2, Birmingham

Photo Credit: Shona Cutt

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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NEW TRACK: Dermabrasion – ‘Halberdier’

An ominous cacophony of industrial-tinged post punk, Toronto-based duo Dermabrasion have shared their latest single ‘Halberdier’. Taken from their upcoming debut album, Pain Behaviour, which is set for release on 26th January 2024 via Hand Drawn Dracula, the track is a heavy, brooding gothic anthem that rumbles with discontent.

Formed of Adam Bernhardt and Kat McGouran, Dermabrasion bonded over a shared fascination with punk music, the occult and the corporeal form. They released their debut EP, Luminate, back in 2021, but now the pair are gearing up to share their first full length record. Inspired by Roman Catholicism, LaVeyan Satanism, genre fiction and how these elements affect their outlook on their sense of power, shame and duty; Dermabrasion’s Pain Behaviour is a formidable concoction of post-punk, industrial and metal influences, culminating in a sound they’ve coined as “death rock and roll.”

Produced by Josh Korody (Fucked Up, Nailbiter, Breeze, Beliefs, Vallens), Pain Behaviour looks set to be a compelling listen, with first single ‘Halberdier’ offering a potent introduction to the record. Borrowing its title from a guard who wielded an ancient form of weaponry (the halberd), through their heavy hooks and gloomy vocals, Dermabrasion command the authoritative energy of a Halberdier, immersing their listeners in a shadowy, abrasive ether of noise.

The track is accompanied by a video, formed of a series of clips captured by members of the crowd at a Dermabrasion show in Toronto’s east end during the summer. It captures the gritty, grimy energy of the underground scene the band have cut their teeth playing live on over the years.

Listen to ‘Halberdier’ below.

Pre-order Dermabrasion’s debut album Pain Behaviour here

Follow Dermabrasion on bandcamp, Spotify & Instagram

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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WATCH: Grrrl Gang – ‘Cool Girl’

Plunging you immediately into the fray, Indonesian rising stars Grrrl Gang’s new video for ‘Cool Girl‘ takes place in the throbbing crowd of a gig. Both track and video capture the tragically relatable feeling of isolation despite being surrounded by people, in all respects, should be your community. 

The song kicks off bouncy and energetic, with a pounding drum beat and screaming guitars. Aggressive vocals are juxtaposed against vulnerable lyrics as the camera narrows in on the one person in the audience not quite smiling. She drains her drink and threads her way through the broiling crowd, as the dim lighting combined with the glare of spotlights creates a foggy atmosphere. The closeness of everyone jostling and roaring along with the song makes the whole scene feel somewhat claustrophobic, and her evident discomfort is punctuated by quick cuts to the band and to the people around her, and the repeated “I wish I was a cool girl”.

The lyrics offer a snatch of insight into the girl’s headspace. Delivered with a rage that is amplified by the vulnerability in the words, the song craves such unattainable attributes as being comfortable in your own head – “I can be alright when I get with myself”. The track then drops to a much slower tempo; with a spiralling shriek of guitars, the camera focuses again on the girl, who has finally let go and allowed herself to become one with the crowd. She dances and jumps effortlessly along with them, smiling in a way that seems genuine. The bodies and hands around her no longer feel like they are trapping her, but are a safe, protective comfort. The repeated lyrics continue – “I wanna tear my skin apart/It never glows in the dark” – but they are softer. The insecurities haven’t gone entirely, but they’re no longer strong enough to stop her enjoying herself and embrace the joy of the moment, until eventually they fade away altogether.

Watch the wonderfully uplifting, yet subtly poignant, new video now:


Spunky, the debut album from Grrrl Gang, is out now via Trapped Animal, and via legendary label Kill Rock Stars in America.

Kirstie Summers
@ActuallyKurt

Photo Credit: Tiny Studio

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