WATCH: Projector – ‘And Now The End’

Written as a response to a breakup scenario, but inspired by the general state of chaos that we currently live in, Brighton trio PROJECTOR continue to evolve their sound on their latest single, ‘And Now The End’. Accompanied by a beautifully shot video – the second in a trilogy of Cold War inspired films – the band question “Who do you think is winning now / and does it really matter anyhow?” via visceral riffs and cutting lyrics.

Ricocheting between spite and apathy at a disorientating pace, ‘And Now The End’ is permeated by brooding bass lines, sardonic vocals and gritty guitar FX. Together, these elements reflect the nihilistic attitudes that people often indulge in when they feel powerless in the face of overwhelming adversity. On the track’s writing process, bassist and vocalist Lucy Sheehan comments: “I was listening to Massive Attack’s Heligoland a lot, I wanted those bass lines that sounded like they could almost be a synth line, and guitars that could be noise samples.”

“Ed’s guitars are mostly noises created by dropping a Carl Martin Headroom on the floor,” Sheehan continues, “[and] as with all our stuff, Joy Division’s the major influence. That said, this wasn’t a cerebral process. We wrote ‘And Now The End’ in about half an hour, it came naturally. That’s why I think it’s probably the aesthetic signifier of the major piece of work we’re shortly about to announce…”

In the lead up to this news, Projector have announced their biggest UK tour to date, which kicks off in 2024. Fans can access tickets early in a pre-sale at 10am on Wednesday 4th October by signing up to PROJECTOR’s email list. The remaining tickets will be on general sale at 10am on Friday 6th October on the band’s website.

Watch the video for ‘And Now The End’ below.

Follow Projector on Spotify, Twitter (X), Facebook & Instagram

Projector UK Tour Dates 2024
22nd Fed – The Bodega, Nottingham
23rd Feb – The Green Door Store, Brighton
29th Feb – The Attic, Glasgow
1st March – The Castle, Manchester
2nd March – The Royal Oak, Leeds
22nd March – The Lanes, London
23rd March – Signature Brew, London

Photo Credit: Bridie Cummings

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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WATCH: Yay Maria – ‘L’Appel Du Vide’

Derby’s Yay Maria is back with ‘L’Appel Du Vide’ – a sunny bubblegum bop that fizzes with energy. While the song packs a proper electro pop punch, the lyrics are at odds with this lightness. Exploring themes of addiction and trauma, they are unafraid to discuss darker and more challenging issues. And, at a time when the trans and non-binary communities are subject to such hostility in the UK, it’s more important than ever to draw attention to these realities.  

While it doesn’t shy away from darkness, you’d be mistaken if you thought ‘L’Appel Du Vide’ was a sad song. Joyous and defiant, this is an anthem to empower and excite people. It’s accompanied by a fully animated music video, which brings together beautiful psychedelic colours, unexpected mythical guests, and a healthy dollop of northern deadpan humour! The effect is irresistible.

Along with the rest of her upcoming EP, Maria says that ‘L’Appel Du Vide’ is something of a love letter to the Queer community. She says: “I made this EP for Queer people in the sense that I feel there is a lot of negative coverage of the trans & queer community currently. So I wanted something that was just for us. Something that is audibly enjoyable whilst talking about real stuff.” 

The result is a real gift to anyone who might need it. It’s a song that’s going to mean the world to people. And this is a musician that’s going to mean the world to people too. In Yay Maria, we have a figurehead; a cheerleader who encourages the community and its allies to keep fighting and have fun. 

‘L’Appel Du Vide’ is taken from Yay Maria’s upcoming EP, Superbia, which will be released on 20th October via I’m Not From London records. Pre-order here.

Vic Conway
@thepicsofvic

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New Track: She’s In Parties – ‘L Word’

An intimately poignant second single, ‘L Word‘ by Essex band She’s In Parties captures the internal conflict of letting someone know the true depths of your feelings for them. It begins softly, with a gentle beat and lilting vocals, complemented by a twinkling guitar riff that repeats like a delicate dance throughout the track.

The sense of internal conflict is beautifully demonstrated by the vulnerability in the delivery of the vocals, as well as the relatable, guarded lyrics, “Afraid to say the L word / Afraid to let my guard down”. The titular ‘L word’ carries a lot of weight, lent power by the way the ethereal and haunting vocals drift between the soft verses and the howling chorus.

While the conflict at the core of the song might not seem all that catastrophic to describe, the delivery of the vocals draws out the gut-wrenching reality of such an intense and personal anxiety in a way that aches with vulnerability. You can’t help but feel the torture of the anxiety, regardless of whether or not it’s a flavour of insecurity you’re especially familiar with.

The way the vocals and instruments ramp up into a howl in the choruses evoke the way the anxiety roils and churns, corrupting into a feeling that could be beautiful. ‘L Word’ takes on a bittersweet flavour as the feeling of love for someone, which should be a joy to share, is tainted by the fear and uncertainty behind the impending confession. The song thrusts all that emotion into an unbearable wave of agony culminating in crashing drums, screaming guitars and roaring vocals. The repeated “I didn’t mean to say that” is heartbreaking. It validates the fear, robbing the potential connection of its joy and injected regret instead, the repetition feeling much like the endless cycles of anxiety-induced heart palpitations and gasps for breath.  Then, as it winds down to a soft, solemn close, that contrite final line leaves the track’s haunting vulnerability to linger with you long after the music fades away.

End Scene, the debut EP from She’s In Parties, is set for release on 6th October via Submarine Cat records. And you can catch them live supporting Bleach Lab, and on some select headline dates, including at Third Man Records, throughout November – more info here.

Kirstie Summers
@ActuallyKurt

Photo Credit: Polocho

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NEW TRACK: Hinako Omori – ’ember’

Following on from her previous single ‘cyanotype memories’ – an ode to surrendering to the unknown and finding peace within that process – London-based artist and composer Hinako Omori has shared her latest single, ’ember’. Taken from her upcoming album, stillness, softness…, which is set for release via Houndstooth on 27th October, the track is an uplifting sonic delight that encourages listeners to let go of the past and relinquish feelings of doubt.

On her upcoming record, Omori retains the soothing, enigmatic qualities of the tracks that formed her debut album, …a journey – which featured on Get In Her Ears’ Albums Of 2022 list – but she expands her use of synthesizers and seraphic vocals further. She continues to trust her intuition and channel her emotions into idiosyncratic sounds, but this time she has leaned into a more contemporary, song-based structure.

Whilst her debut album concentrated on healing others with invigorating, ambient sounds and field recordings, on stillness, softness…, Omori looks inward and gently dismantles the barriers that held her back from finding peace within herself. ’ember’ acknowledges this important on-going process, with its shimmering synths, soft vocals and earnest lyrics offering a glimpse of the respite this can provide.

“The idea behind ’ember’ is noticing that our attachment to the past can cloud our perception of situations,” explains Hianko, “and the importance of breaking through these barriers we place on ourselves to build a healthier, compassionate relationship with ourselves and others.” Urging her listeners to “break free” from their chains, Omori delivers another captivating, altruistic piece of music that resonates further each time it’s listened to.

Listen to ’ember’ below.

Hinako Omori UK & EU Live Dates 2023
24/11 – Teatro Principal, Ourense – Spain
25/11 – L’Archipel, Paris – France
29/11 – Alphabet, Brighton – UK
30/11 – Belgrave Music Hall, Leeds – UK
01/12 – The Deaf Institute, Manchester – UK
02/12 – ICA, London – UK
04/12 – Zonzij, Amsterdam – Netherlands
06/12 – XENON (Huset), Copenhagen – Denmark
07/12 – Volksbuehne (Roter Salon), Berlin – Germany
09/12 – Botanique (Witloofbar), Brussels – Belgium

 

Follow Hinako Omori on bandcamp, Spotify, Instagram, Twitter (X) & Facebook

Photo credit: Luca Bailey

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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