Track Of The Day: Mint Field – ‘Jardin de la Paz’

A soothing tonic for minds that are scarred from the stresses of modern life; Tijuana-based psych trio Mint Field have shared their new single ‘Jardin de la Paz’. Translating roughly as ‘Peace Garden’, the track is taken from the band’s upcoming EP Mientras Esperas, set for release on 1st March 1st via Innovative Leisure.

Following the success of their 2018 debut Pasar de la Luces, and now with bass player Sebastian Neyra on board; Amor Amezcua and Estrella del Sol Sánchez continue to make thought provoking music with a shoegaze, dream-pop feel. Their new EP focuses on themes of connection with the modern world and how our own well-being is affected by it.

On new track ‘Jardín de la Paz’, the trio tackle these feelings with understated vocals and melodic guitar sounds, helping listeners to acquire the peace of mind the group are searching for. Listen to the new single below and follow Mint Field on Facebook for more updates.

Photo credit: Adriana Tangassi

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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ALBUM: Desperate Journalist – ‘In Search Of The Miraculous’

I’ve gone In Search of the Miraculous later than others; in fact, this retro-feel record is my first dance with Desperate Journalist (however much I might relate to their name). Although it may only be my first, this album is the third outing from the London band whose tunes, at least now, echo the ’80s of The Cure and the most underrated A Flock of Seagulls.

Similarly, In Search of the Miraculous also conjures the nation’s feelings on what’s going on with the country and beyond. Though in songs such as ‘Cedars’ lead singer and songwriter, Jo Bevan, sings of interconnectivity, there’s still something about the songs that reads as political, as prophetic; both comparative to the era before Morrissey outed himself as too much of a dick and dissonant.

Where ‘Cedars’ speaks of love, ‘International Waters’ holds nothing back on the state of the world. Furthermore, the clear influence of the heady gothic edge of the ’80s on In Search of the Miraculous is full of current sounds. Full of influence from London as it is under 40 and maybe above, maybe below, but always in the shadows of the 1%.

For me, the clear winner of the record comes with the closer. And trust me, it’s hard to pick a winner from a batch of great songs. That said, there’s a lot in the spangling Pearl Thompson-esque riffs of closing track ‘To Be Forgotten’ to make the record feel like the closing of a journey that you’ll only want to start over again.

Bevan’s vocals are the highlight of the album, but it’s impossible to say anything other than the fact that Desperate Journalist works as a fourpiece and, was any of those pieces displaced, it would disrupt the ‘Ocean Wave’. Desperate Journalist’s newest album is as much a must for hardcore ’80s enthusiasts as those who’ve never even heard of a Smith.

In Search Of The Miraculous is out now via Fierce Panda. Catch Desperate Journalist live:

14th March: Birmingham – Hare and Hounds
15th March: Manchester – Deaf Institute
16th March: Glasgow – Broadcast
21st March: Bristol – Exchange
22nd March: Nottingham – Bodega
23rd March: Leeds – Lending Room
5th April: London – The Garage

Em Burfitt
@fenderqueer

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WATCH: POZI – ‘Watching You Suffer’

If I could describe ‘Watching You Suffer’ from London trio Pozi in one word, it would definitely be quirky… With a raw punk energy and attitude, the track resonates a strong sense of emergency and alarm, coupled with a dystopian DIY music video that surely helps the case.

The main female character is alone in the midst of a sterile world inhabited by human-like, faceless creatures dressed in red, the colour of danger. The raw vocals are reminiscent of The B-52s and the lack of guitars is a definite innovative plus – with the violin and its mid-track solo being a key highlight of the song. The growling, constant bass-line continues to evoke the sense of urgency, and is almost lifelike, emulating  the music video’s main character’s sense of loneliness and of being misunderstood.

Pozi’s violin driven punk surely makes the trio a stand-out act that you should definitely keep your eyes and ears on!

Watch the new video for ‘Watching You Suffer’ here:

PZ1, the upcoming album from POZI, is out 5th April via Prah Recordings.

Janelle Borg

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LISTEN: Caswell – ‘Surface’

It’s annoyingly English of me to open a music review with a comment on the weather, but I’m going to do it anyway… It’s almost March. It’s basically sunny. And I’m not falling over in the dark anymore on my way to the tube after work. Clearly alt-pop artist Caswell saw this coming, because she’s just released her brightest, most colourful single to date, Surface, ahead of her EP later in 2019, and it’s an exciting sign of things to come.

Previously, Caswell has written downtempo electronic soul-type tunes – imagine if Banks wrote songs in major keys – and gained some decent traction, including a performance at Latitude and plenty of support from BBC Introducing. Now, with this latest release, she’s dialled up her jazzier roots, and it’s added a new strength to her sound.

Added to the songwriting, the combination of Caswell’s vocal performance and plush production from David E. Sugar and Hugh Fothergill makes for a track that will cheer you up until it’s actually, properly springtime.

 

In Turquoise, the upcoming EP from Caswell, is out 5th April.

 

Frances Salter
@goodcanarymusic

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