Track Of The Day: Suggested Friends – ‘Cygnets’

Having been completely addicted to Suggested Friends‘ eponymous debut release over the last couple of years, and having being utterly charmed by them at numerous gigs in that time, I couldn’t be more excited to hear that they have just announced the release of their second album.

To coincide with the announcement, Suggested Friends have shared new single ‘Cygnets’. With totally dreamy harmonies and the distinctive heartfelt crystalline vocals of Faith Taylor, it’s filled with an infectious jangly scuzz and stirring raw emotion, complete with some impressive rollicking riffage. Of the track, Faith explains:

“This song documents the uneasy process of learning to trust yourself and therefore also trust other people. It refers to ‘digital birds’ because my bird-sound alarm clock mixed in with the sounds of the actual dawn chorus and became a metaphor for discerning which messages and voices to believe.”

‘Cygnets‘ is accompanied by a home-taped video filmed in Harper’s Ferry, Virginia, on the band’s recent 2018 US tour date. Watch now:

I just can’t get enough of Suggested Friends, and cannot wait for their new album Turtle Taxi, which is set for release on 4th October. Catch Suggested Friends live:

26th September – Metronome, Nottingham (supporting Camp Cope)
9th October – Shacklewell Arms, London (album launch show)
12th October – The Old Cold Store, Nottingham (Nottingham Pop All-Dayer)
25th October – DIY Space For London (Weenfest)

 

Mari Lane
@marimindles

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LISTEN: Chastity Belt – ‘Elena’

Dreamy, overlapping vocals and lush guitar sounds permeate ‘Elena’, the new single from GIHEs faves Chastity Belt. The track is taken from their fourth self-titled album which is set for release on 20th September via Hardly Art records, and Milk! records in Australia and New Zealand.

It’s a subtle, personal song inspired by the band’s love of author Elena Ferrante’s Neapolitan novels, which they all read over the course of last year. Bassist Annie Truscott explains further: “We individually related to the ways in which the main character’s sense of self is inextricably linked to her desire for love and validation, both from lovers and friends. The overlapping voices on top of the whimsical wave-like instrumentals captures the universal feeling of having a conversation with yourself about yourself.”

After taking a break from band life and pursuing their own solo endeavours, it seems that Julia Shapiro (vocals, guitar, drums), Lydia Lund (vocals, guitar), Gretchen Grimm (drums, vocals, guitar) & Annie Truscott (bass) have been refreshed by their time apart, which ironically seems to have brought them closer together. The band co-produced their new album with Melina Duterte (aka Jay Som), which sees them sharing lead vocals on different tracks, and working with different instruments such as violin (played by Annie), cello, trumpet and keyboards.

“I feel like this record is a really good representation of who we all are, and I feel like we’re at a point where we’ve really come into our own” explains Julia. New single ‘Elena’ sounds like the sweetest taste of what’s to come from a band who value time, authenticity, and celebrating long-term friendship both on and off stage.

Listen to ‘Elena’ below and follow Chastity Belt on Facebook for more updates.

Pre-order your copy of Chastity Belt’s new self-titled album here.

Chastity Belt’s 2019 UK Tour Dates (with GANG)
Oct 13 – Bristol, UK @ Thekla
Oct 15 – Leeds, UK @ Brudenell Social Club
Oct 16 – Manchester, UK @ YES
Oct 17 – Glasgow, UK @ Stereo
Oct 19 – Oxford, UK @ Ritual Union
Oct 20 – Cardiff, UK @ SWN Festival
Oct 21 – Brighton, UK @ Patterns
Oct 23 – Southampton, UK @ The Joiners
Oct 24 – London, UK @ Islington Assembly Hall

Photo by Beto Brakmo

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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Track Of The Day: Frankie Cosmos – ‘Wannago’

Ahead of the release of their fourth album next month, New York band Frankie Cosmos have now shared a food-filled new video for single ‘Wannago’.

Inspired by feelings of love and distance, ‘Wannago’ flows with lilting melodies and luscious harmonies, lead by vocalist Greta Kline, creating a twinkling indie-pop gem. Filled with moreish, deliciously sweet, sounds, and a sparkling allure, it will leave the ears utterly charmed and ready for seconds immediately.

of the track, Kline explains:

“‘Wannago’ is an older song that I thought would never come out. Every time we ever tried to arrange it we gave up or lied that we would come back to it later. It felt too hard, and I found some of the lyrics embarrassing. Then Alex encouraged us to give it another shot because he really loved the demo. We ended up all working together to turn this into a song that feels sparkly and distinct; and it’s really fun to play. I’ve accepted the cheesier lyrics as part of the youthful glow of the song, it feels very wide-eyed and is purely about love, distance, and life.”

Featuring comedian Catherine Cohen and directed by House Of Nod, the new video for ‘Wannago’ is out now. Watch here:

Close It Quietly, the upcoming album from Frankie Cosmos, is out 6th September via Sub Pop. Catch the band live in the UK in October:

16th October – The Haunt, Brighton
17th October – Exchange, Bristol
19th October – Belgrave Music Hall, Leeds
20th October – Delicious Clam, Sheffield
21st October – Night & Day, Manchester
22nd October – Islington Assembly Hall, London

Mari Lane
@marimindles

 

 

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Track Of The Day: Shari Vari – ‘Out Of Order’

Multi-talented artists and producers Shari Vari have shared their latest single ‘Out Of Order’ and it’s an alt-electronic gem. The Hamburg-based duo blend elements of techno, jazz, pop and their clear cut vocals to create a catchy three and a half minutes of electro-punk joy.

Shari Vari consists of Helena Ratka and Sophia Kennedy. Both are visual artists, producers and musicians who began working together after a joint art exhibition, releasing their debut EP Life Should Be A Holiday in 2017. The duo are currently preparing to share their debut album NOW via cult label Malka Tuti on 13th September.

Speaking about the new tracks on their upcoming record, the duo explain: “Time is ticking and the questions we have regarding time and action [are] the connecting element of the songs and tracks on the album. There is mostly a dark connotation in music and lyrics, but not without a joyful outlook, fun twists and a breeze of irony. The lyrics oscillate between film-like atmospheres, comic and dark story-telling, involving fictional characters. NOW connects the individual with the social persona, while the tracks take you on a trip from the boiler room next to our studio, to a chilly Sunday in the park. It’s more a stream of consciousness than a conceptual decision we made”.

We’re happy to join the duo on their musical journey regardless of the destinations they take us to. Watch the video for ‘Out Of Order’ below and follow Shari Vari on Facebook for more updates.

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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