LISTEN: REYKO – ‘Hierba Mala’

Soft vocals and atmospheric electronics combine on ‘Hierba Mala’, the latest single from London-based electro-pop duo REYKO. Translating in Spanish as “bad weed”, the song personifies a toxic person and the struggle of someone who’s trying to separate themselves from this unhealthy union.

Consisting of vocalist Soleil and producer Igor, REYKO began making music together on the final project for Igor’s masters degree in music production. Since then, the pair have been busy creating their sultry sounds by mixing numerous styles together, including elements from genres like electro, indie, and trap.

Drenched in lo-fi beats and cinematic synths, ‘Hierba Mala’ is a brooding two and a half minutes of uncertainty, accompanied by an equally moody set of visuals that show the duo walking around London at night. With their soothing, catchy electronic tunes, REYKO continue to impress us with their intoxicating music.

Watch the video for ‘Hierba Mala’ below and follow the band on Facebook for more updates.

Kate Crudgington
@kcbobcut

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ALBUM: Piney Gir – ‘You Are Here’

Charged by a ’60s reminiscent dreamscape energy grounded in the roots of art rock’s demeanour, Piney Gir demands your undivided attention. Known for her eclectic style ranging from alt-folk to retro pop, she takes us to a new exploratory world in her new album You Are Here.

Opening the record with striking spikes contrasted by distances, ‘Admiral Fleets’ serves as the ideal intro track, feeding us whispers of sounds that are to come as the record continues. The pounding drums and intriguing vocal melodies are immediate hooks that keep listeners pulled along for the album’s duration. With moments of pure boldness and others of soft vulnerability, what stays constant is the resilient rhythmic drive of these songs. Even in the quietest moments of You Are Here, a dynamic bass line, groovy keys and retro-sounding guitar tones carry its stories to a dance floor for your feet. 

In songs like ‘Little Cop’ and ‘Peanut Butter Malt Shop Heartthrob’, both lyrically and instrumentally, the wit of the arrangements is floating in the sky where “…sherbet umbrellas will sing for us.” It’s almost impossible to visualize this record without images of candy skies and a breeze of a sunny day. Even ‘Variety Show’, a song asking for someone’s belief in love, has an optimistic feeling reminiscent of the folky tones of Angus & Julia Stone. Regardless of subject matter, You Are Here continues to lift. 

Psychedelic guitar riffs as in the outro of ‘We’ll Always Have Paris’ grounds the emotional experience of the record and ties it to the human infatuation with nostalgia. With both memories of pure bliss and others of bittersweetness, Piney Gir serves a wide palette of reflection and celebration. Brass and string arrangements coupled with vocal duets, provide the sense of a collective experience to the stories told, and make for a brilliantly paced record that is sure to captivate. You Are Here keeps your head in the clouds.

You Are Here is out 1st November via STRS Records. And we can’t wait for Piney Gir to headline for us at The Finsbury in the new year, on 14th February 2020!

Jillian Goyeau

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LIVE: HIDE – The Shacklewell Arms, 03.10.19

A primal, urgent, gripping performance: Industrial/electronic duo HIDE unleashed a torrent of brutal sound upon their Dalston crowd as part of their co-headline tour with Kontravoid on Thursday night.

Opening with ‘Chainsaw’, taken from the band’s latest album Hell Is Here (released on Dais Records), vocalist Heather Gabel and percussionist Seth Sher performed their aural exorcisms beneath frantic strobe lights.

The lyrics to ‘Chainsaw’ are informed by the street harassment Gabel has received in real life. Dressed like a misogynist’s nightmare with her unhinged grin and heavily blackened eyes & lips; she violently screamed the words “Smile! Bitch!”, throwing their abuse back in to the ether with scathing vitriol.

HIDE’s originality as a band lies in their undermining of patriarchal forces through powerful lyrical statements and abrasive noise. The pair transform fear and vulnerability in to distracting industrial tunes, and the impact of their efforts are best appreciated when seen and heard in a live environment.

Gabel’s frenzied, intense performance style perfectly accompanied Sher’s pulverizing beats. Between songs and blackouts, she removed articles of her clothing and continued to dominate the stage with her jagged movements and inescapable stares. By the time the duo performed ‘Raw Dream’, Gabel’s battle cries were fully fleshed – perfect for an anthem that tackles the imbalance of power.

Despite the brevity of their set, the impact of HIDE’s performance is one that lasts long after the strobes have finished flickering. Their thought-provoking, caustic, vital shows are a much needed antidote to the hellish reality they challenge through their art.

Follow HIDE on Facebook for more updates.

Kate Crudgington
@kcbobcut

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LISTEN: LUNIR – ‘Cubs’

Having formed in Edinburgh back in 2015, Becky Sikasa and David Scobie – aka LUNIR – have since received praise from the likes of Vic Galloway on BBC Radio Scotland and Amazing Radio’s Jim Gellatly, and are now ready to grace our ears with their uplifting new single.

Inspired by childhood memories of feeling carefree, ‘Cubs’ oozes an infectious chilled out groove as the luscious, sweeping vocals of Sikasa flow. Filled with sparkling harmonies and vibrant, euphoric vibes, it’s guaranteed to warm the coldest of hearts this Autumn.

 

Mari Lane
@marimindles

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