WATCH: Gender Chores – ‘Dysphurious’

Having shared stages with the likes of Problem Patterns, Strange New Places and Sister Ghost, and following the gritty energy of 2021’s ‘Night In The Woods’, Belfast punks Gender Chores have recently shared a new single. With songs defending reproductive rights, resisting the patriarchy and documenting the human cost of late-stage capitalism, they’re a true, riot grrrl-inspired DIY force to be reckoned with.

A reflection on coming out as non-binary – a subject that’s very close to the band’s hearts – ‘Dysphurious’ offers a truly uplifting dose of punk-pop, oozing a fierce colourful spirit. Filled with scuzzy hooks and a refreshingly honest lyricism, it’s an empowering ode to freeing yourself from the constrictions of conventional gender ‘norms’; an energising boost of confidence to be your true self in the face of adversity.

Of the track, the band explain:

“‘Dysphurious’ is a song about Sam’s early experiences of coming out as non-binary – not having a clear answer for people, feeling like you’re constantly explaining yourself, fearing rejection and mockery…The pressure to have all the answers can hold so many of us back from coming out, even to ourselves. You can interrogate yourself to the utmost degree, and those who want to will still write off you becoming who you are as a ‘phase’ or a ‘trend’. This song is about liberating yourself from that demand, and getting comfortable with your answer to the question sometimes being “I don’t know”.”

‘Dysphurious’ was recorded at Start Together Studios, and is accompanied by a brand new video, directed by Elspeth Vischer. Watch here!

Mari Lane
@marimindles

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ALBUM: Saint Agnes – ‘Bloodsuckers’

Emerging from the shadows of East London to resurrect their psych-twinged, self-described “disgusting rock,” Saint Agnes have developed “this terrible thirst” for confrontation following the release of their 2021 horror-chic EP, Vampire. Seeking to empower “the defeated, the crushed” – and yet, the ones who won’t remain dead – the disquiet quartet’s sophomore LP mutation is an emotionally charged, skull-rattling hybrid of grunge, punk and industrial metal. Bloodsuckers is one part Dracula and one part Frankenstein’s monster; an infectious do-it-yourself scorcher for the daywalkers who refuse to burn and a defiant fuck you to the true bloodsucker, motherfuckers!

Opening with the titular, thrashing lead single ‘Bloodsuckers’, Kitty A. Austen’s introductory whisper is followed by anthemic vitriol; drummer Andrew Head handling his sticks like hatchets over guitarist Jon James Tufnell’s feverish amplification. “Bloodsuckers! Who the fuck are you?” Embracing herself as a villainous femme fatale on ‘Animal’ through thirsty lyrics (“I’m the worst of the worst / From death to birth / From cradle to hearse / Motherfucker I’m cursed!”), Austen invites her detractors to fight until the feedback fades out. Take a deep breath, because once the bridge leads into the skull-crushing breakdown during ‘I Mean Nothing To You’, you’ll realise Saint Agnes have “got no more fucks to give!”

Alternating between misfit melody and whiplash-inducing groove, ‘Outsider’ is Saint Agnes’ gothic anthem for “the strong and the strange / the losers, the weirdos, the freak superheroes!” Austen welcomes you home: “I hope it makes you feel less alone / We might be damaged but that doesn’t mean we’re worthless / We might be broken but that doesn’t mean we’re not whole.” Whilst seemingly fearless, ‘This Is Not The End’ offers a moment of vulnerability; a heartfelt eulogy to Austen’s late mother and an exploration of grief. The track’s Nine Inch Nails-esque composition showcases Austen’s dexterity as a vocalist, reflecting her still-raw emotions. “Creating this album gave me a reason to get to my feet at a time when I really wasn’t sure if I could. I’ve tried to put everything I’ve been feeling into it, all the pain, the rage, the grief, even the unexpected moments of beauty and belief,” she comments about the process.

Producer, audio engineer and frequent NIN collaborator Sean Beavan saturates ‘Follow You’ with distorted, yet controlled chaos, before Saint Agnes bring the punk-edge to ‘I Am’; demanding reckless abandon with propulsive rhythm and guttural vocalisation. ‘At War With Myself’ and ‘Middle Finger’ deconstruct scuzzy hardcore punk, leaving behind only doom-laden hooks and aberrant effects, before German trap metal agitator Mimi Barks delivers the final death growl during ‘Body Bag’. Closing with ‘Forever and Ever’, the Death or Glory Gang decimate the scene before dawn, sinking their fangs into personal trauma to deliver an uncomfortable, yet rewarding self-produced rager.

“Bloodsuckers forever, Saint Agnes forever.”

Listen to Bloodsuckers on Spotify

Ken Wynne
@Ken_Wynne

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WATCH: Hinako Omori – ‘cyanotype memories’

A mood-lifting soundscape that offers listeners a moment of respite in an uncertain world, London-based artist and composer Hinako Omori has shared her latest single ‘cyanotype memories’. Taken from her upcoming album, stillness, softness…, which is set for release via Houndstooth on 27th October, the track is an ode to surrendering yourself to the unknown and finding peace within that process.

Following on from her recent single ‘foundation’, on ‘cyanotype memories’ Omori continues to trust her instincts and channel them into a more contemporary, song-based structure. Whilst her new efforts retain the wonderful soothing and enigmatic qualities of the tracks that formed her debut album, …a journey (which featured on Get In Her Ears’ Albums Of 2022 list) they expand and showcase her songwriting talents further. Guided by her wonderfully clear, gentle vocals, on ‘cyanotype memories’ Omori is “a careful observer among the chaos”, exploring the altering states of emotion and the often turbulent pace of life through her hypnotic synths and evocative beats.

“Synths really do respond to how you’re feeling,” Omori offers. “There have been times where I’ve felt stressed and my synth would go out of tune. I took it to a repair place once, thinking that something was wrong with it, but it was fine; I think it was to do with my energy levels. So when I sit down and write something, whatever comes out is relevant to how I feel in that moment because the synthesiser is responding to it. The music really becomes a map of my emotions.” Commenting on ‘cyanotype memories’, she explains: “[it’s] about reconnecting and returning to our inner stillness, and surrendering to the unknown. We ultimately don’t have control over how anything external might pan out, but when we trust our inner compass things seem to be revealed to us in the most beautiful and unexpected way.”

Paying attention to the physiological effects of music is something that’s deeply important to Omori. She blends her wonderfully heightened awareness of this alongside beautiful aesthetics, with cyanotope printing being a strong inspiration for this track and the accompanying photography and artwork for her new album. “I was fascinated by the idea of cyanotype printing,” she continues, “the act of placing an object on paper, and exposing it to UV light – the longer the object is focused under the light, a stronger or more detailed image can form on the paper. I thought there was a similarity in focusing and redirecting our thoughts to create new neural pathways in our brains, with the repetition of these thoughts creating stronger paths.”

This idea is explored further in the beautifully shot accompanying video for the track. Directed by Thomas Harrington Rawle & Cathal Mckeon and featuring contemporary dancer Chihiro Kawasaki, the monochrome visuals are a stunning blend of shadows and silhouettes, with Kawasaki improvising her movements in the lights which were programmed live by Richard Brade.

Watch the video for ‘cyanotype memories’ below.

Hinako Omori will be playing a headline show at London’s ICA on December 2nd
Tickets are available here

Follow Hinako Omori on bandcamp, Spotify, Instagram, Twitter & Facebook

Photo credit: Luca Bailey

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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TRACK PREMIERE: Ich Bin Finn – ‘Summer Girlfriend’

A sultry, grunge-infused ode to the rush of feelings that come with a new found seasonal crush, London-based rockers Ich bin Finn have shared their latest single ‘Summer Girlfriend’. Taken from their upcoming album, Breakfast Pizza, which is set for release via Roadkill Records on 11th August, the track is a sweet celebration of the transient nature of summer infatuation.

Formed of Finn D’Albert (guitar, vocals), Kim Watson (bass, backing vocals) and Mike Brown (drums, recorder, backing vocals), Ich bin Finn are a proud, vehemently DIY band. The trio enjoy working together and alongside their friends to create their playful, garage rock sounds, and their latest single ‘Summer Girlfriend’ is no different. The track’s artwork features Mike’s son, Wilfred, and the album which it’s lifted from was mixed and mastered by close friend of the band Tom le Beau Morley.

As the title suggests, ‘Summer Girlfriend’ is all about the precious new days of dating someone when the summertime finally kicks in. With their snaking riffs and relatable lyrics, Ich Bin Finn explore the sweet behaviours we indulge in, from eating ice cream together, to showing affection by softly applying sun cream to each others skin. This tender, sentimental mood underscores many of the tracks on the band’s upcoming album, Breakfast Pizza.

“These songs have an optimism and poetic vulnerability about them,” bassist Kim explains. “From lonely post break-up reflections, to a sense of new found freedom to venture out, dive in and explore new romantic possibilities.” Kim and her wife Angie created the artwork for the album together too, further emphasising the love and passion that has gone into the band’s new project.

“It’s all about treading that tightrope between freedom and loneliness,” guitarist and vocalist Finn adds. “Pizza for breakfast? Freedom. Pizza for every meal? Loneliness.” However you view these things, we’re sure that Ich Bin Finn will have a song on Breakfast Pizza that will resonate with you.

Listen to ‘Summer Girlfriend’ below.

 

Follow Ich Bin Finn on bandcamp, Spotify, Twitter (X), Instagram & Facebook

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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