Track Of The Day: Gold Baby – ‘Philadelphia’

A dreamy lamentation about going too far, but realizing it way too late; Gold Baby‘s new single ‘Philadelphia’ is a bittersweet indie ballad that brims with buoyant guitar sounds and front woman Siân’s charming vocals.

The London-based band have undergone lineup changes over the few months, but members Siân and Scott have shown resilience in the face of adversity, and are now supported by loyal friends and musicians when playing live as a full band.

Described as “what it might sound like if Norah Jones wrote a Weezer song”, Gold Baby blend catchy, melodic guitar sounds with confessional lyricism, and latest single ‘Philadelphia’ is another shining example of this. Mixing the narratives of a night spent lost in Pennsylvania, with that of a Mexican fisherman lost at sea; Siân’s ambiguous lyrics will conjure up images of strange familiarity, even if you can’t directly relate to the track’s context.

Gold Baby will be releasing more new music in 2020, but before that, they’ll be playing live for us at The Finsbury Pub on Friday 8th November alongside Cozy Slippers, Macadamia Sluts, and a secret headliner…(event details here). Listen to ‘Philadelphia’ below and follow the band on Facebook for more updates.

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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EP: Foxcunt – ‘A Visit From Foxcunt’

Who wouldn’t want a visit from Foxcunt? Fuelled by a shared love of “cider, art and dismantling state oppression”, which are, in my book anyway, ingredients for a top night, their latest album is riotous, shout-along political punk, as outspoken as their deliciously swear-y name suggests.

The band take shots at the patriarchy, post-Brexit Britain and the stress and monotony of life today. Current single ‘Anxiety Dream’ is a clear standout. Its crunchy guitars have a nervous, post-punk energy, intensified by the lyrics, which list the worries from an anxious brain. Meanwhile, ‘Competition’, with its homage to punk classic – Jilted John’s ‘Jilted John’, asks why, if life isn’t supposed to be a competition, “why are you always trying to win?”

Feminist-anthem-in-the-making, ‘Make Her Smaller’, could become the first dancefloor-filler to rail against gaslighting, coercion and emotional abuse. But while its post-punk brilliance and poppy harmonies will have you raising your fist in the air, ‘Rip Yr Fucking Cock Off’ is angrier, feistier and calls for direct action. It could start a movement, or a fight. Depending on the amount of Strongbow you’ve consumed.

Their ode to post-Brexit Britain, ‘BSE’, asks us to consider whether we’re as ‘great’ as we think, recalling the days of so-called Mad Cow Disease. A duet with alternating shouts of “Creutzfeldt!” and “Jakob!”, it channels a kinda wayward Nancy Sinatra and Lee Hazlewood.

In addition to the musical nods, the band wear their influences on their (album) sleeve, too. With artwork seemingly inspired by sloganeering feminist artist, Barbara Kruger, the band’s passions are everywhere.

Ultimately, A Visit From Foxcunt is an angry, joyous and empowering experience. But, while the band are blistering on record, I can’t help but think their energy will translate even better live. Next time they play ‘round my way, they’re definitely getting a visit from me!

 

A Visit From Foxcunt is out today, available on Bandcamp and Spotify. You can catch Foxcunt live at our monthly Finsbury night on 13th December!

Vic Conway

Photo Credit: Micky Strickson

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Track Of The Day: Dishpit – ‘Seven’

Foreboding bass lines and snarling vocals fuse together in angst-ridden style on Dishpit‘s latest single ‘Seven’. The track is accompanied by a DIY-style video that shows the band skulking about on the streets and messing around on the subway.

Formed of Nora (vocals/guitar), Jack (drums) and Brianna (bass/backing vocals), Dishpit take their name from the time they spent cleaning away the grease from dirty dishes in the establishment where they first met. It’s a fitting beginning for a band who’s sound is equal parts filthy and melodic.

Their new single ‘Seven’ has been described by Nora as “the most literal track from the album”. It’s about her previous lover who only told her “these things on speed”. Nora’s strung out guitar sounds and elongated groans perfectly reflect the frustration of the situation she found herself in, and Jack & Brianna’s rhythm section mirror the sense of longing and irritation.

We’re big fans of this Montreal-based trio, and we’re looking forward to hearing their debut album – produced by Steve Albini – once it’s fully fleshed out. Watch the video for ‘Seven’ below and follow Dishpit on Facebook for more updates.

Photo Credit: John Johnson

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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EP: Vulpynes – ‘Dye Me Red’

With four unforgiving, relentlessly scuzzy songs, Irish grunge duo Vulpynes release their second EP Dye Me Red.

Kicking off the stormy ride with a riveting riff dripping in fuzz, Molly and Kas launch their EP’s roller-coaster ride with ‘I Can’t Sit Still’: immediately introducing listeners to a perfect taste of what’s to come. Tastefully driven angst spoken through guitar tones meets hard hitting vocal melodies that marry in a chaotic yet sparse way. No matter the moment, Dye Me Red hosts a harmony between noise and sparseness throughout, allowing each instrument their room to thrive and dance within their own vein. With such tight instrumentals in correspondence to rebellious, catchy melodies, Vulpynes draw wisps of early Foo Fighters or The Distillers with a chanting tone throughout the whole of this EP. 

It is hard not to feel Riot Grrrl energy with the powerful vocal doubles coating Dye Me Red. At just the right times, listeners feel like they’re invited to the party with the EP’s punchy communal vocal layers. ‘Bitches Are Like Waves’, the follow up track to ‘I Can’t Sit Still’, serves a protest-like disposition. As much as this song emotes lyrically, it also draws severe attention with its instrumentals. With delicate percussion sounds in a punk setting and classic guitar character, Vulpynes do an incredible job of showcasing the dance-ability of electric guitar. It is indeed hard to sit still throughout the journey of this EP’s sounds, there is truly an undeniable movement to it. 

In more ways than one, Vulpynes embody their lyrics – “won’t settle down, gotta settle up” -throughout their music that doesn’t wait for anyone. ‘The Hunt’, the EP’s finale, is a noisy, ghostly outro that haunts the EP with its feet sturdy in the ground. With elements reminiscent of Kim Gordon, Molly and Kas leave us with a hushy universal sentence: “I am not your prey.” Through their bold lyrics, sharp instrumentals and unique chemistry, Vulpynes create a space for everyone to celebrate themselves as emotional human beings. Dye Me Red is an empowering, charging EP for anyone seeking a release. 

 

Jillian Goyeau
@jillybxxn

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