LISTEN: CIEL – ‘Same Old Times With U’

Full of lush guitars, soft vocals, and dreamy synths; Brighton-based CIEL‘s new offering ‘Same Old Times With U’ is tinged with romantic melancholy. The track is lifted from the band’s debut EP, Movement, released today (April 10th) on all digital platforms.

Formed of Dutch musician Michelle Hindriks, Jorge Bela Jimenez (guitar, synths), Kieran Mansfield (bass) & Lawrie Miller (drums), CIEL enlisted the help of Producer Jack Wolter (Penelope Isles) to create the atmospheric sounds on their new EP. ‘Same Old Times With U’ is an emotive track that tentatively explores personal struggle over hazy guitars, Hindriks’ pensive lyrics, and swelling percussion.

Speaking about the band’s debut EP, Hindriks explains: “It’s about moving away from a more introspective period in which I felt quite distant from other people and moving into a new phase of my life in which I was able to open up. We’re now releasing [it] in a time in which we are forced to distance ourselves from one another; but I feel more connected to the people around me now that I did before”.

CIEL have supported the likes of Hatchie, Sasami and Penelope Isles, and are set to play more of their exhilarating live shows once we’re all out of lockdown. Listen to ‘Same Old Times With U’ below, and follow the band on Facebook and Spotify for more updates.

Photo Credit: Jantina Talsma

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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LISTEN: Spiritbox – ‘Blessed Be’

Self described with their tongue placed firmly in cheek as “spooky-scary, but also artsy-fartsy”, Spiritbox was formed by Courtney LaPlante and Michael Stringer to avoid stagnating creatively within their former band, the Louisiana metalcore five-piece, iwrestledabearonce.

Joined by Bill Crook, Spiritbox followed their impressive 2019 EP Singles Collection with the release of ‘Rule of Nines’ late last year; a song that was nothing less than an assault on the senses. Now, the Canadian trio have taken on a more melodic approach on their latest single, ‘Blessed Be’, but that familiar darkness still lingers… “Offer me / I have the heart of a coward…”

From the ethereal, palm-muted guitar soundscape to LaPlante’s brooding vocalisation – alternating between a layered wall of sound consisting entirely of LaPlante’s layered harmonization and her head-banging guttural growl – ‘Blessed Be’ hooks you in with its whiplash-inducing groove. It is the track’s reflection on relationships however, that has us looking inwards; analysing our own insecurities. “Serotonin like a loaded gun / I am a coward, you pull me up / into a place where there’s nothing that’s left for me / But insecurity.”

Once the bridge leads into the skull-crushing breakdown, Spiritbox have decimated the scene, conjuring an infectious combination of electronic instrumentation and progressive – almost mechanical – djent-inspired guitar riffs. LaPlante admirably shreds her vocals during this emotional climax – alternating between beautiful melodies and aggressive vitriol – reaffirming why Spiritbox are one of the most exciting progressive metal bands emerging from the underground.

Spiritbox are have recently toured Europe with After the Burial, Make Them Suffer and Polar on the Behold the Crown Tour (which sadly had to be cut short).

Ken Wynne
@Ken_Wynne

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LISTEN: Daily Thompson – ‘Seafoam’

Fuelled by the spirit of grunge and raw 90s guitar noises; German three-piece Daily Thompson have shared their latest single, ‘Seafoam’. The track was written by bassist Mercedes Lalakakis, and marks the first time she’s stepped into the song-writing limelight.

‘Seafoam’ is an enjoyably unpolished offering, reminiscent of the sounds of 90s bands like Sonic Youth and Dinosaur Jr. Lalakakis’ assertive vocals float confidently over the band’s gritty riffs and crashing percussion, providing a strung-out few minutes of alternative noise.

Daily Thompson have been busy cutting their teeth on the live scene over the last few years, playing at Reeperbahn Festival, Orange Blossom Special Festival, and sharing stages with the likes of Dinosaur Jr., Liam Gallagher, Maximo Park, Portugal The Man, and many more.

Listen to ‘Seafoam’ below, and follow Daily Thompson on Facebook for more updates.

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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Track Of The Day: OHMME – ‘Ghost’

Buzzing guitar riffs, smooth dual vocals, and yearning lyrics combine on ‘Ghost’, the latest single from OHMME. The track is lifted from the band’s upcoming album, Fantasize Your Ghost, set for release on 5th June via Joyful Noise Recordings.

Formed of Sima Cunningham and Macie Stewart; Chicago-based OHMME blend driving beats and brooding, distorted guitars to create their deceptively simple, catchy songs. On ‘Ghosts’, the pair meander through snaking riffs and restless lyrics to relieve the feeling of being stood still. This need to travel and keep on the move influenced their upcoming album Fantasize Your Ghost, which is referenced in the track’s chorus.

The track is accompanied by a colourful video, directed by Austin Vesely. The band explain how the visuals came to life: “We’d been kicking around the idea of doing something like the ‘Pop Musik’ video by M, but darker. There’s a lot of darkness these days, but it’s important to keep dancing. Austin said, “fancy ghosts?” and “can I press order on these California King satin bed sheets?” and we said “Yes, and YES!””

Now that’s the kind of offer you can’t refuse. Watch the video for ‘Ghost’ below, and follow OHMME on Spotify and Facebook for more updates.

Photo credit: Ash Dye

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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