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

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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.

Follow Something Leather on Spotify and Facebook for more updates.

Photo Credit: Jessie Morgan

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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Track Of The Day: Forever Honey – ‘Twenty-Five’

A buoyant, reflective guitar tune that contemplates growing older; Brooklyn band Forever Honey have shared their latest single, ‘Twenty-Five’. Lifted from their debut EP, Pre-Mortem High, set for release on 24th April, the uplifting track is accompanied by a set of visuals directed by Shayan Farooq & Tristan Oliveira.

Formed of Liv Price (lead vocals, guitar), Aida Mekonnen (lead guitar, vocals), Steve Vannelli (drums), and Jack McLoughlin (bass); Forever Honey blend elements of 80s pop music and 60s rock, together with personal experiences to create their shimmering indie tunes. ‘Twenty-Five’ is a shining example of this, with its jangly guitars and cool vocals.

The track’s context is rooted in gently helping women to accept that the ageing process is not something to be feared, it should be embraced, celebrated and spoken about; as it’s an inevitable part of life. The band’s video for ‘Twenty-Five’ reflects just that. Watch it below, and follow Forever Honey on Spotify and Facebook for more updates.

Pre-order your copy of Forever Honey’s debut EP, Pre-Mortem High, here.

Photo Credit: Kit Castagne

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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Track Of The Day: ECKOES – ‘The Light’

Having performed at the likes of Glastonbury and All Points East, and now signed to Goldie MBE’s new record label, London based artist ECKOES has now shared her latest single ‘The Light’

‘The Light’ is a delight in contradiction – crunchy and aggressive 8-bit style drum beats break against ECKOES’s smooth, fragile voice. Strobing synths and twinkling guitars lull you into a state of hypnosis only to be interrupted by a crashing cacophony, bringing to mind spaceships dropping from the sky in the classic video game Space Invaders. This is what it feels like to have your life fall apart. “I wrote this at a time when my life as I knew it had imploded…” says ECKOES of ‘The Light’; her constant refrain, “I wait”, evokes that feeling of not knowing where to go, waiting for a sign from the heavens, in this truly captivating soundscape. 

The single’s accompanying video is set on the edge of the world whilst dancer and choreographer Liza Van Der Smissen moves through ‘The Light’ in a beautifully choreographed contemporary dance piece as ECKOES, dressed in black veils, stands stoically as a haunting figure in the background. 

‘The Light’ is available to stream now on Spotify, Apple Music, Tidal, and Amazon Music. 

Aisha Kasmir
@aisha_vocal

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