Track Of The Day: Guitar Gabby and The Txlips – ‘The Dead Pool’

Consistently partnering with Girls Rock Camps internationally and nationally to bring classes about home recording, equipment set up, copyright law and more to young girls setting out to become their own artist, Atlanta based Guitar Gabby and The Txlips‘ mission is to change the narrative in which the music industry showcases women. Here to remind the world that Pussy is Power, they carry just the sort of empowering message we need right now.

Following 2018’s EP ‘Queens Of The New Age’, brand new single ‘The Dead Pool’ is filled with scuzzed out riffs as Gabriella Logan’s seething growl soars, creating a grunge-fuelled impassioned anthem with shades of the likes of Alice In Chains. Oozing a gritty emotion, it’s a ferocious, empowering anthem; a completely necessary angst-driven offering for these strange times. 

 

The Txlips are set to release a new album later this year. In the meantime, you can check out some of their live sessions here.

Mari Lane
@marimindles

Get In Her EarsLeave a comment

Track Of The Day: Painted Zeros – ‘Commuter Rage’

“I don’t owe you anything” Painted Zeros‘ Katie Lau firmly states on her latest single ‘Commuter Rage’, a song that tackles the natural resentment towards those who invade your personal space. The Brooklyn-based musician & sound engineer blends elements of shoegaze and indie music with her cool vocals to set the record straight.

Lifted from her second album When You Found Forever, set for release on 29th May via Don Giovanni Records, ‘Commuter Rage’ is the sound of an artist who has had enough of making space for everyone else, and is ready to take it back for herself. “Go read a fucking book / don’t you fucking look at me / to teach you things that you are responsible for learning on your own” Lau sings, with quiet and relatable anger, over a deceptively sweet melody.

Lau is the focus of the visuals that accompany the single, directed by Jess Coles. She explains why she enjoyed working with Coles so much, and how the context of the video is linked to her growth as a musician: “I was excited to work with director Jess Coles for multiple reasons: we are both queer women, and her style of film-making mirrors the way I make music. I write, perform, record, and mix everything myself, and Jess directs, shoots, produces, and edits all of her own work.”

“While discussing video ideas over coffee, I mentioned that I felt like I had been hiding myself in the past;  hiding from taking ownership of Painted Zeros as my solo project, hiding my voice in my last album by burying it in my mixes, and that I didn’t want to hide or allow my art to be dictated by fear anymore. Jess suggested a music video that focused mostly on my face, with me and the sky as characters…I have to confess that a music video where my face is the unflinching focus was not the most comfortable idea for me to wrap my head around, but after working with Jess and seeing the outcome, I’m glad I did.”

“The chorus of ‘Commuter Rage (“I don’t owe you anything”) has become something of a personal mantra, a note-to-self when dealing with people who feel entitled to my time and energy. I wanted to write something that combined the feeling of being pissed off about injustice with a tongue-in-cheek (“be your benevolent overlord”) and ultimately joyous reclamation of my space/emotional boundaries.”

We’ve got all the time in the world for Painted Zeros’ music, and fully support her messages of self-autonomy and overcoming personal fears. Watch the video for ‘Commuter Rage’ below, and follow Painted Zeros on Facebook & Spotify for more updates.

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

Kate CrudgingtonLeave a comment

Track Of The Day: TOPS – ‘Colder & Closer’

In anticipation of their fourth full length record, Montreal rockers TOPS debut a shimmering new single and music video for ‘Colder & Closer’.

With an atmospheric and dewy soundscape, TOPS showcase a sophisticated and emotive arrangement that is just as groovy as it is lean. With shades of retro ’80s pop and the crispness of modern dream-pop, ‘Colder & Closer’ is a treat to the ears both in its melodies and production. The tone of this single seems to live in the breath of its perfectly decaying delays and echoing reverbs.

TOPS have done a compelling job to musically illustrate the whirlwind of emotions discussed in their lyrics by meticulously mirroring human emotions in every layer of this track.

While alluding to the irony of social distancing and physical closeness to others (a particularly poignant theme right now), TOPS creates a “slip into nostalgia” for listeners with feelings of hesitation met with an eagerness to love throughout the song’s narrative. Nowhere are these thematic perspectives of loneliness discussed explicitly, rather they are implied throughout – seeping from the song’s chilling vocals to the groaning synths.

TOPS have truly elaborated on the artform of their genre in ‘Colder & Closer’ and set a powerful standard for their upcoming LP I Feel Alive.

Directed by Mashie Alam, watch the new video for ‘Colder & Closer’ here:

I Feel Alive, the upcoming album from TOPS, is out 3rd April via Musique TOPS.

Jillian Goyeau
@jillybxxn

Photo Credit: Justin Aranha

Get In Her EarsLeave a comment

LISTEN: Zoe Wees – ‘Control’

A tender, deeply personal, uplifting offering; Zoe Wees has shared her latest track ‘Control’. The seventeen year old Hamburg-born singer uses her clear, powerful vocals to tentatively explore her struggles with rolandic childhood epilepsy.

“The sickness was stronger than me, and left scars that have become part of my life”, explains Wees about the condition. “Accepting them has taken so much time, but they make me what I am today: a fighter.” It’s this fighting spirit that underscores her lyrics on ‘Control’. Despite it’s upsetting premise, the track has a universal message of hope and recovery.

Wees is currently working on her debut EP, and with songs as poignant as ‘Control’, we look forward to hearing more from this promising young artist. Listen to the track below, and follow Zoe Wees on Facebook and Spotify for more updates.

Photo Credit: Svenja Blobel

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

Kate CrudgingtonLeave a comment