LISTEN: ESYA – ‘Nothing’

One of the most talented and easily recognisable bass players of recent times, Ayşe Hassan has shared her latest single ‘Nothing’ under new moniker ESYA. Having played in Savages, Kite Base​ and 180db, the musician has embarked on a new solo project designed to delve in to the obscure and absurd nature of life.

Taken from her upcoming EP ​Absurdity of ATCG (I) which is set for release on 24th May, ‘Nothing’ is driven by Hassan​’s trademark thunderous bass lines. It’s been described as “an existential industrial pop exploration” acknowledging and grieving the “profound impact of our relationships, choices and experience”. Both musically and vocally, EYSA’s music is an intense and brooding affair; propelled by a marked urgency to tell the truth.

The new EP is the second in a series of ESYA’s self-released works exploring the “myriad manifestations of selfhood through a whirlwind of FM and analog synths, drum machines and vocals”. Incorporating sounds and visuals recorded at significant points throughout the last year – and with the record taking it’s name from the building blocks in human DNA – ESYA is delving in to transgressive audio visual territory and we can’t wait to hear more.

Listen to ‘Nothing’ below and catch ESYA live at her EP launch at The Glove That Fits on 30th May (tickets here).

Photo Credit: Chiara Ceccaioni

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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WATCH: Thallo – ‘I dy Boced’

Gentle, soothing sounds and startling visuals come together on ‘I Dy Boced’, the latest release from Welsh artist Thallo. Premiered on Welsh blog Y.Selar last week, the songwriter’s talent for creating sounds that are easy on the ear shines through on her new single.

Roughly translated as ‘In Your Pocket’, Thallo’s new song is a fusion of archaic lore and personal experience, mixing elements of jazz, folk and electronica. Accompanied by a six-piece band and their celestial instrumentation, Thallo sings her pretty lyrics in both the Welsh and English language.

“Described as “a paradoxically bittersweet rose-tinted fantasy” ‘I Dy Boced’ is an intriguing release from an intriguing newcomer. Watch the video for the single below, and follow Thallo on Facebook for more updates.

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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Track Of The Day: After London – ‘Do You Want Another World?’

A brooding new offering that laments the struggle between what you have and what you could have if you tried something new; After London have shared their latest single ‘Do You Want Another World?’. Released via Roadkill Records, the London alt-rockers have created something that’s garnered comparisons to early Wolf Alice.

Vocalist Frankie Ward’s range is showcased wonderfully on the new single, backed by atmospheric guitar and bass riffs provided by her brothers Will and Bryon. Drummer Jake Palmer and violinist Alex Tiffany complete the line-up, and together the five piece build a melodic soundscape incorporating all of their musical elements fluidly.

Speaking about the track, Frankie explains: “Sonically, we wanted to create a landscape that had groove and relief in its verse, which would then hit a wall of sound and noise in the chorus. In a way, the music reflects the choice between tearing something up and starting over or trying to make the best of what you have.”

Listen to ‘Do You Want Another World?’ below and follow After London on Facebook for more updates.

Photo credit: Keira Cullinane

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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LIVE: The Coathangers @ Arts Club Loft, Liverpool, 30.04.19

Why aren’t The Coathangers better known? It’s a question that occurs whilst writing this review. Perhaps, with their self-titled debut coming along in 2006, they emerged at a time when bands were pretty uniformly all-male and ironically pro-choice band names were unheard of. Whatever the case, it’s led them here, to a smallish loft venue in Liverpool on a Tuesday, calling in support from two of the city’s emerging punk acts.

Piss Kitti take to the stage by degrees, with guitarist Dominic, bassist Quinn and drummer Daniel already onstage and set up before lead singer Esme followss. The group are joyously unrefined and uncoordinated, whilst the set is shallow fried DIY punk – all power chords and burps down the mic, shrieks and thuds. But there’s social commentary too: “We always get told off for doing this one because it’s about the lad bands round here that are absolute melts”, Esme announces before the band crash into ‘Bore’.  It’s ironic, and perhaps deliberate, that it has the best chorus of the set.

After Salt the Snail tell us “We’ve got absolutely nothing to say”, we wait for what seems an age for The Coathangers to appear. When they do, they creep on in darkness – so dark, in fact, that the gold lamé hooded dresses worn by all three of them are quite startling when the lights come up. It’s an eerie opening too, with jungle sounds and the bassless lilt of ‘Lithium’ and its tale of medication, sung sweetly by singer/guitarist Julia.

In some ways, it belies the rest of the show, most of which flits between Julia’s vocals and the gritty Wanda Jackson pipes belonging to drummer Stephanie. The set is largely taken from new album The Devil You Know, with several album track highlights that reflect the band’s duality: ‘5 Farms’, a straight up garage slammer that meanders into swing; ‘Stranger Danger’, equal parts creepy and bluesy; ‘Hey Buddy’, a maraca-backed cool AF 70s rocker.

But The Coathangers are more in-sync than in-opposition: bassist Meredith takes lead vocals on ‘Memories’, and towards the end of the set, the band have all swapped roles, with each taking a turn on lead vocals and drums. At one point, the band finish a song and collapse into laughter. It’s an insight into Coathanger World, and helps explain the trio’s willingness to go on making music, for over ten years and across six albums. “We’ve been on tour for five months!”, offers Stephanie, by way of explanation.

There’s a smattering of older tracks for the diehards in the room – the titular track from previous LP Nosebleed Weekend, its lead single and the band’s signature tune ‘Make It Right’, and ‘Shut Up’ from 2014’s Suck My Shirt – before the band close with fan favourite ‘Squeeki Tiki’, featuring Julia playing the song’s hook on a dog’s squeaky chew toy, before they strut off, those dresses flashing gold. There’s no encore, after a set with very little bantering with the crowd and no endless tune-ups. Just 45 minutes of pop-rock, garage and Runaways-style punk performed with a minimum of fuss. It’s worth its wait.

John McGovern
@etinsuburbiaego

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