Track Of The Day: MAITA – ‘A Beast’

A poignant, under-stated guitar ode to the difficulty and desperation that comes with heartbreak; Portland-based MAITA has shared their latest single, ‘A Beast’. Taken from their upcoming album Best Wishes, set for release on 3rd April via Kill Rock Stars, the track is a relatable, melancholy-tinged exploration of being able to forgive, but not forget.

Speaking about the track’s premise, songwriter Maria Maita-Keppeler explains: “’A Beast’ [is] a musing on the pain that one person is capable of causing another, and the endless potential for forgiveness that exists within that space. That forgiveness always comes with a price, however: the memory of it that we carry beneath our skin, as does the abused dog that flinches when you lift a hand to pet it.”

MAITA’s willingness to confront emotional uncertainty is what makes ‘A Beast’ such a compelling listen. The accompanying video also reflects the pain and isolation that underscores the track. Maria offers her thoughts on the setting for the visuals: “It was inspired by [the place] where I wrote the song, which was at an old studio apartment in Portland. Though spacious for a studio, [it] had the potential to feel claustrophobic and lonely at the same time, transforming into a hot-bed for creative angst and pining. I wanted the video to take place in a similar setting: an empty apartment to serve as a backdrop for the many stages of waiting- – the tenderness, the frustration, the desperation.”

We’re big fans of MAITA’s tenderly frustrated sounds. Watch the video for ‘A Beast’ below, and follow MAITA on Spotify and Facebook for more updates.

Photo Credit: Ingrid-Renan

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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ALBUM: Nova Twins – ‘Who Are The Girls?’

Driven by devious bass lines and ferocious lyrics, Nova Twins‘s debut album Who Are The Girls? is an aural uppercut that proves the London-based duo’s furious instinct for writing anarchic anthems. Formed of Amy Love & Georgia South, the pair have been praised by Rage Against The Machine’s Tom Morello for their genre-defying tunes and their debut LP is bursting with their trademark heavy sound.

Released via 333 Wreckords on 28th February, Who Are The Girls? is a raw, abrasive collection of thundering bass lines, uncompromising rhythms and wicked riffs. Opener ‘Vortex’ – home to the lyric the album is named after – is the perfect introduction to their noise. Swirling, distorted bass and pounding beats permeate the track, as vocalist Amy rips through verses with enviable vocal power. She possesses a stunningly clear voice; it’s as if she needs no amplification when switching between shouts, snarls, and smoothly delivered lines with ease.

‘Play Fair’ and ‘Taxi’ are assaults on the senses, with more of Georgia’s mind-melting distortion blaring throughout. Armed with her instrument and her pedal board, she executes ear drums with lethal force on the pulverising ‘Devil’s Face’. Listeners should heed Amy’s warning to “get out my way” on following track ‘Not My Day’, after which the brilliant ‘Bullet’ kicks in. The track is a powerful statement against street harassment and the myth that women are “asking for it” if they dress in a certain way. Amy’s lyrics are the ultimate weapon against such insults, making it crystal clear that those who touch without permission are not fucking welcome.

You can take a walk on the “wild side” when the belting ‘Lose Your Head’ bursts through, before being schooled by more of Amy’s savage lyricism on the menacingly slow ‘Ivory Tower’. Hair-raising screams and ear-shredding riffs dominate penultimate track ‘Undertaker’, before ‘Athena’ closes the record. Named after the Greek Goddess associated with warfare, it’s an apt way to end a collection of genre-defying, lethal new tunes.

Nova Twins’ battle cry for equality and diversity on Who Are The Girls? resonates long after their record stops spinning. They are a force for fun, for fury, and – most importantly – for change in an industry that still can’t/won’t book a female-fronted band to headline a major festival. Nova Twins have us riled, re-energised, and ready to ask for more.

Pre-order your copy of Nova Twins’ debut album here.
Follow the band on Facebook and Spotify for more updates.

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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WATCH: Noga Erez – ‘VIEWS’ (feat. Reo Cragun & ROUSSO)

The inimitable Noga Erez stylishly explores the absurdity of paying for exposure on social media on her brand new track, ‘VIEWS’. Collaborating with her partner Ori Rousso, and LA-based hip-hop artist Reo Cragun, Erez effortlessly commands attention in the striking video that accompanies the single.

After a string of stand-alone releases over the last two years (‘Bad Habits’, ‘Cash Out’, ‘Chin Chin’), ‘VIEWS’ is the first single lifted from Erez’s highly anticipated second album, which is set for release later this year. The Tel-Aviv musician’s clear vocals glide over slick beats and pop hooks to create an infectiously powerful anti-fakeness anthem.

Speaking about the track, Erez explains: “In my verse, I tried to voice that insecurity that can lead to people faking or buying views to portray an appearance of success. I wanted to relate to that feeling, not criticize. We thought it would be more interesting to have a counter perspective to mine so we reached out to Reo and he came back with his magnifying verse about (as I understand it) how this sort of stuff comes back to haunt you in the end.”

Directed by Indy Hait, the video for ‘VIEWS’ boasts some stunning choreography, and reflects the themes Erez that engages with throughout the track. She explains further: “VIEWS’ is one of those songs that was inspiring and easy to write a visual piece for. The “endless staircase” idea came to me after writing four treatments for the video. That’s when Indy came in and started to strip away all the bullshit, layer by layer. He stripped the idea down to its core and in his unique style and aesthetic, directed a piece that only has significant & memorable moments in it.”

Lyrically and visually, Erez’s new single is certainly memorable. “It just hit the fan…” she raps, and we couldn’t agree more. Watch the video for ‘VIEWS’ below, and follow Noga Erez on Facebook & Spotify for more updates.

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

Photo Credit: R604M

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Track Of The Day: MIRI – ‘Girls Just Want To Have Fun’

Having wowed us live on more than one occasion with her impassioned live performance, London based artist and friend of GIHE, MIRI, has now shared her new single.

A soulful, heartfelt rendition of ‘Girls Just Want To Have Fun’, it oozes the unique gritty power of MIRI’s emotion strewn vocals, alongside twinkling keys and a sweeping majestic splendour. Adding her own distinct vibes, MIRI has created a unique, stirring ode to the Cyndi Lauper classic. Of the single, MIRI explains:

“Girls Just Want To Have Fun has become very personal to me. There‘s so much I‘m able to express beyond the song itself. One of the most emotional times performing it was when I was guest hosting at Bar Wotever. I was asked to sing the song so that we could all pay tribute to the victims who lost their lives in the Manchester arena bombings.”

‘Girls Just Want To Have Fun’ is out now, with special artwork courtesy of our very own Paul Dawes.

Mari Lane
@marimindles

 

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