Track Of The Day: Temples Of Youth – ‘Suburbia’

From The Kinks to David Lynch, Arcade Fire and Hanif Kureishi – the space between the city and the country has been occupying creative minds almost since its creation, with its blend of comfort and conformity, its security and secrets, kept behind double-glazing. Now it’s the turn of Winchester-based duo Temples Of Youth to turn their gaze on ‘Suburbia’, with pretty good timing, given that we’re almost all stuck in our residences right now.  

Where previous TOY releases have hewed more towards dream pop – such as last year’s ‘Rose Tinted’, or the chillwave/synthpop of 2017’s self-titled EP -, ‘Suburbia’ has the feel of stylised, passionate rock-pop with its Cult style guitar openings, straight out of the Billy Duffy playbook, and underlying synth chords. That drive doesn’t let up, either, in the minor key vocal harmonies by members Jo and Paul, or the song’s structure, with its two lyrical verses followed by a choppy riff middle eight, that falls away and lets the track finish with synths that rise like the start of a new day. 

Lyrically, the song is deceptively simple, with most lines containing monosyllables but evoking a story rich with mystery and emotion: “Meet me in suburbia / A place to live / A place to hide… Now there’s no turning back.”

Perhaps what’s most impressive here, as with all TOY releases, is that despite the band’s DIY ethos, ‘Suburbia’ sounds the equal in its production to anything you’re likely to hear threatening the charts. With a new EP due to be recorded at some point later this year, pandemic-permitting, it seems inevitable that Temples of Youth will be heard in homes up and down the land, before too long.

 

John McGovern
@etinsuburbiaego

 

 

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LISTEN: MAITA – ‘Someone’s Lost Their Goddamn Wallet’

“We’re all goners”, Maria Maita-Keppeler joyfully sings on MAITA‘s latest single, ‘Someone’s Lost Their Goddamn Wallet’. Lifted from the band’s debut album Best Wishes, (set for release on 15th May via Kill Rock Stars), the track is a light-hearted musing on the inevitable, and relatable human fear of death.

Formed of Maita-Keppeler (principle songwriter, guitars), Matthew Zeltzer (electric guitar), Nevada Sowle (bass), and Cooper Trail (piano/drums); Portland-based MAITA caught our attention with their tenderly frustrated sounds on single ‘Can’t Blame A Kid’ earlier this year. On new track ‘Someone’s Lost Their Goddamn Wallet’, the band cover a dark subject with buoyant guitar riffs and an energetic, catchy chorus.

Maita-Keppeler explains the context of the new single further: ‘Someone’s Lost Their Goddamn Wallet’ was inspired by my experience with college parties. Every weekend at some grimy house filled with young, drunk people, I would have that moment late at night where I stared into the crowd and remembered that death was waiting for all of us, regardless of how alive we felt. In those moments, everything would suddenly seem insignificant, and we became so naive and small. I wanted to hide the gravity of this truth within a song that felt vibrant and full of life, just as these dark truths were hidden for me within nights of intoxicated revelry. The song carries a different weight for me today, in the midst of this new Covid reality, where the dark truth seems more exposed than ever, and the quest for joy feels more urgent, almost desperate.”

The track is also accompanied by a video filmed during the current lockdown period, and features footage of the band’s friends and family. Watch the video for ‘Someone’s Lost Their Goddamn Wallet’ below and follow MAITA on Spotify and Facebook for more updates.

Pre-order your copy of MAITA’s debut album, Best Wishes, here.

Photo Credit: Ingrid-Renan

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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Track Of The Day: Problem Patterns – ‘Big Shouty’

Raging against inequality and the patriarchy, Belfast punks Problem Patterns have shared their latest single, ‘Big Shouty’. It’s a loud, no holds barred anthem that grapples with the frustrations of being told your “place” as a woman, in both the music industry and society in general.

Realising that four voices are louder than one, Problem Patterns opt out of the traditional band “front person” format, encouraging each member to step up and share their views. Together, Alanah Smith, Bethany Crooks, Beverley Boal & Ciara King use their collective talents to create riotous, energetic, feminist punk sounds and ‘Big Shouty’ is a shining example of this. It’s a brief, bold listen; speeding by in just under two minutes.

Based on the band’s own personal experiences, each verse tackles some of the sexist bullshit that Problem Patterns have come up against during their time together. Ciara’s verse recalls a recent incident where the band where listed as “best bands with lady bits”, Alanah speaks about the joys of “mansplaining” and Bev shares her feelings of rage towards those who abuse their powers and deny basic human rights. Drummer Bethany underscores all this righteous anger with her thumping beats.

Check out the video for ‘Big Shouty’ below.

Follow Problem Patterns on bandcamp, Spotify, Twitter, Instagram & Facebook

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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LISTEN: Mint Field – ‘Natural’

A hazy, off-kilter musing on the fluidity of language and life; Mint Field have shared their latest single, ‘Natural’. Released via Felte Records, the Mexico City-based group blur gritty guitar distortion with Estrella del Sol Sanchez’s gentle vocals to create their beguiling, grungy sounds.

Now formed of Estrella, Sebastian Neyra, and Callum Brown (Ulrika Spacek); Mint Field have moved cities and re-shuffled their line-up over the last year. Originally from the Mexican border town of Tijuana, the band now reside in Mexico City, and continue to create dreamy, distorted soundscapes. New track ‘Natural’ is a shining example of this, with its unusual rhythm section and layers of guitar. This is also the first time the band have introduced violin, strings and saxophone on to a track, with the help of guest collaborators Cathy Lucas (Vanishing Twin) and Nathan Pigott.

‘Natural’ is accompanied by a set of visuals (shot before the current lockdown), directed by Daniela Solis and Maria Ramirez. The footage captures the natural movement of light as time elapses, reflecting the themes of fluency and self-awareness within the song. The video was shot “all natural” too, with no post production effects. Watch the video below, and follow Mint Field on Spotify and Facebook for more updates.

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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