Track Of The Day: draag – ‘Ghost Leak’

A hazy ode to feeling inconsequential; L.A, shoegaze outfit draag have crafted a strung out, dreamy soundscape on their latest single ‘Ghost Leak’. The track is lifted from their upcoming EP Clara Luz, which is set for release on 21st February.

draag was originally a solo project, fronted by Adrian Acosta who was trained as a mariachi singer by his Father. After exploring the worlds of underground punk, no wave, and experimental jazz, Acosta soon met and added Jessica Huang, Nick Kelley, Ray Montes and Shane Graham to draag’s lineup. Together, the five piece create music that’s  garnered comparisons to My Bloody Valentine and Sonic Youth.

Speaking about their latest single, Jessica Huang explains: “‘Ghost Leak’ is the feeling of being completely invisible and inconsequential. It is also a message to someone we lost — to let them know they weren’t invisible.” draag’s new EP has been underscored by personal hardships, illness and isolation, but there’s a sense of hope that filters through their muddy soundscapes, making it easy to escape into their music.

Watch the video for ‘Ghost Leak’ below, and follow draag on Facebook for more updates.

Photo Credit: Devonte Johnson

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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Track Of The Day: Aisha Badru – ‘Soil’s Daughter’

Following captivating tracks such as ‘Bridges’ and ‘Splintered’, and 2018’s debut album Pendulum, New York’s Aisha Badru has now announced a brand new EP along with a poignant new single.

Reflecting on the need to protect our environment and looking back to our collective roots, ‘Soil’s Daughter’ is filled with an ethereal charm as Badru’s luscious, celestial vocals ooze a stirring, thought-provoking lyricism. Radiating a sparkling majesty and subtle, soulful power, it’s a truly beautiful ballad; a moving and sincere offering at a time when our world is literally burning, and things feel like they’re falling apart. Of the track, Badru expands:

“This is me reflecting on the world, and this huge disconnect between us as a people and us with the planet… ”

Witness the exquisite sound of ‘Soil’s Daughter’ here:

Transcendence, the upcoming new EP from Aisha Badru, is out 7th February via Nettwerk.

Mari Lane
@marimindles

Photo Credit: Jeff Trapani

 

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EP: Tape Runs Out – ‘Talking Through Walls’

In a glistening manner, indie/electronic band Tape Runs Out take listeners down a lively new exploratory path in their newborn EP, Talking Through The Walls. Like cutting a crisp corner, the wind of the EP’s overturning tone provides a sense of urgency throughout this twinkling release that allows intricacy a spotlight, and quietness its space. In Talking Through The Walls‘ opening track ‘Make It Work’, the feeling of nostalgia is set for the record that stands parallel with the smell of untouched stories. With a shoegaze-strewn, dream-like element to the sonic landscape, Tape Runs Out lay out a bed of travel where moments of swelling synth and shiny guitar can be immortal. 

The freshness of Talking Through The Walls resides in Tape Runs Out’s ability to introduce folk sounds and timbres that ever so unexpectedly fit the band’s sonic language. ‘Ice Cream Soup’, found halfway through the release, bends in ways sounding both digital and analog as synths mimic a traditional guitar slide. There is a distinct and quirky charisma embodied in what Tape Run’s Out have stumbled upon here.

Ending the EP with lullaby-like elegance, ‘My Childhood Hands’ is an emotionally enduring mural painted with background samples that sound like home. As the pulsing keys initiate the song, here there remains room for listeners to have their own moment with the piece before the tremolo begins to shift the song’s footing. As the drifting instrumentation builds, listeners shuffle along picking up tiny yet significant elements that gradually layer in the mix like a story. This tasteful font in which Tape Runs Out have written their EP so strategically in, illustrates the band’s attention to detail. Talking Through The Walls is an instrumental adventure worth the conquest. 

Talking Through Walls is out now via Kuang Grade Recordings. Listen on Spotify.

Jill Goyeau
@jillybxxn

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EP: ARXX – ‘Wrong Girl, Honey’

Following up their last EP, Daughters of Daughters, garage rockers – and GIHE faves – ARXX returned in November with Wrong Girl, Honey. A jamming blend of early ’90s influence and thoroughly modern melody, their second EP is a highly-listenable peek into the Brighton duo’s repertoire.

I feel dead lucky to be able to say I’ve seen ARXX play live several times. I’m going to be honest: I see a lot of bands. I even see a lot of bands I really enjoy, but ARXX are on another level. Last May, I caught them playing a packed VANS store during The Great Escape, and people were streaming out of the door, beers-in-hand.

When a band can impress you live as well as on a record, you know you’re onto something wild, and beautiful, and immense.

Wrong Girl, Honey opens with the anthemic power-chord-driven ‘Iron Lung’, a track that packs fifty punches into three minutes. Guitarist and singer Hannah always delivers unforgetable riffs while drummer, Clara, gives it her all on the skins. Every track on the EP is memorable and vast, widely building in tension throughout, before leaving you with ringing ears and a desperate craving for more.

The EP closes with a change of pace with ‘The Storm’, a song that opens with just Hannah and a palm-muted guitar. Conjuring feelings of long-gone 1950s dance halls, of unfilled dance cards and swing, with lyrics examining what it means to be young and in loss (“I wish I was more than this”), it only adds to the brilliance of this band.

Wrong Girl, Honey is an expansive exploration of not just a tribute to the riot grrrls who came before, but a band who knows music and knows how to speak to a new generation of girls who know their worth. Girls ready to fight for it.

 

Wrong Girl, Honey is out now. Listen on Spotify, or buy on Bandcamp now.

Em Burfitt
@fenderqueer

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