Reviews – Page 277 – Get In Her Ears

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

Having been pretty obsessed with their 2017 album Swear I’m Good At This since it came out, the return of Alex Luciano and Noah Bowman – aka Diet Cig – to my ears could not be more welcome. Ahead of the release of their second full-length, Do You Wonder About Me?, next month, the duo have shared a brand new single.

Flowing with Luciano’s luscious honey-sweet vocals, infectious jangly melodies and all the twinkling energy I need now more than ever, ‘Who Are You?’ is a delectably catchy slice of dreamy indie-pop. Juxtaposing an emotion-strewn lilting charm and subtle gritty angst, it’s a shimmering, sunny delight; perfectly uplifting isolation listening, leaving me desperate to hear the album in full as soon as possible.

Of the track, the band explain:

“‘Who Are You?’ is for anyone who’s ever received a completely self-serving apology from someone who’s hurt them. I learned that healing doesn’t wait for an ‘I’m sorry’ to appear, and it can feel silly to have one arrive when you’re completely over it. This song takes these bad feelings and turns them into a fun upbeat jam to dance around in your kitchen to!”

Do You Wonder About Me?, the upcoming second album from Diet Cig, is set for release 1st May via Frenchkiss Records. Pre-order here. Diet Cig were due to be touring the UK over the next month, but have now re-scheduled their dates to the Autumn (with some dates supported by GIHE faves Charmpit!):

18th November – Rough Trade, Bristol
19th November – The Bodega, Nottingham
20th November – YES, Manchester
22nd November – The Hare and Hounds, Birmingham
23rd November – Broadcast, Glasgow
24th November – Belgrave Music Hall, Leeds
27th November – The Dome, London
28th November – Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff

Mari Lane
@marimindles

April 15, 2020

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LISTEN: Madge – ‘Ethanol’

A gritty, electronic pop tune that explores self-destructive tendencies; non-binary artist Madge has shared their latest single, ‘Ethanol’. Released via 22TWENTY, the track is a chaotic blend of dense beats, hushed vocals, and manic synth textures.

Having just been announced as an artist in residency for ‘Future Classics x Dropbox’, LA-based Madge has been attracting attention in all the right places with their one-person show.

Madge extrapolates about the context of the ‘Ethanol’: “Inherited trauma as compulsive self-destruction. For every garbage fire I put out in my brain, I find myself dumping gasoline on another. I find myself wondering if I just accept this state of things. I created this song with Lecx Stacy who brought in the grit and grime to my vision.”

This “grit” along with some catchy dance beats makes Madge’s music an explosive, energetic affair. Listen to ‘Ethanol’ below, and follow Madge on Spotify & Facebook for more updates.

Photo Credit: TSARINA MERRIN

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

April 15, 2020

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LISTEN: Bugeye – ‘When The Lights Go Out’

As the nation sits at home, drinking too much booze and slathering themselves in hand sanitiser, Bugeye’s new single, ‘When The Lights Go Out’, feels incredibly relevant. With lyrics that focus on escapism, it’ll have you raising your fist, or a lukewarm can of Strongbow, in solidarity.

“I like to drink…”, sings front-person Angela Martin, “I like to lose myself…” And in times like these, who couldn’t emphathise with that? Not to say that ‘When The Lights Go Out’ is a downer, far from it. In fact, I feel a little gutted that, for the time being, it will just be played in homes, rather than blasted across crowded dance-floors like it deserves.

A swaggering piece of disco-punk, the song blends crunchy rock ‘n’ roll guitars and snarling vocals with swirling keyboards and poppy harmonies. A total earworm brimming with attitude, it charges you up and makes you want to move your feet. Even if it is just around your sitting room.

Bugeye have been around since the late ‘90s and their experience really shows on this single. Polished, professional and unashamedly poppy, it makes you wonder what other gems can be found on their debut album, which is out in the summer.

Produced by Paul Tipler, ‘When The Lights Go Out’ is released 24th April. Bugeye’s upcoming debut album is due for release in June.

Vic Conway

April 14, 2020

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EP: Something Leather – ‘Midnight Reverie’

Like stumbling through a distorted, pleasant daydream; Brighton trio Something Leather‘s debut EP, Midnight Reverie, is a cinematic blend of old and new sounds. Released via We Can Do It Records on 17th April, the band have created four tracks showcasing their talent for crafting psych-infused music, that explores the dark and the light within us all.

Formed of Phillie Etta Jane (vocals/organ), Greg Pass (guitar) and Mike Nussbaum (drums), Something Leather have been cutting their teeth on the London & Brighton live circuits for a few years now. The vintage 70’s Philips organ that Phillie plays is fixed up with old parts of her grandmother’s first colour TV, and combines perfectly with Greg’s distorted guitar, and Mike’s rhythmic drum beats. Engineered, mixed and produced by guitarist Greg, and mastered by Tim Rowkins at Hell Yeah! Mastering; Midnight Reverie is the product of the band’s hard work so far.

A smouldering, existential exploration of where we are, vs where we want to be; opener ‘Trip To The Sun’ is loosely inspired by the character of Icarus from Greek mythology. The band articulately describe the context of the track as “a sarcastic take on the ‘Fall of Icarus'”. It deals with our constant desire to escape from a deadly routine, and the fear that pushing too far might consume you. It has a frenetic pace, western B-movie shootout feel and layers of post-punk and Psychedelia on top.”

A dark, swirling mix of distorted guitar riffs and eerie organ noises, ‘Farewell Fareworse’ was born from the anxious thoughts surrounding co-dependent relationships, and the need for self autonomy. “It’s a bitter ode to personal traps and never-ending dilemmas” explains Phillie. The trio navigate this bitterness with impressive energy, over crashing beats and hypnotic vocals.

The solitary, strung out sounds of ‘Midnight Dive’ bring a change in pace, as Phillie muses about “going to the beach without my baby”. It’s a cinematic, moody lullaby; reminiscent of early Wolf Alice tracks like ’90 Mile Beach’. The dysfunctional, disorientating ‘Down Another One’ closes the EP with a blur of whispers, startling organ noises, and whirling guitar riffs.

Midnight Reverie is an impressive, polished debut from this exciting Brighton band. Drawing from the past, but rooted in the present; Something Leather’s EP is a frantic carousel of noise that will have you circling back for multiple listens.