WATCH: Mags On Earth – ‘Tulip Stone’

Influenced by her constantly changing surroundings and by the pressures associated with youth and living in the moment; Mags On Earth has shared her beautifully dreamy single ‘Tulip Stone’.

Born in Sweden, raised in Germany, and now living between London and Paris; Mags On Earth combines her love of these numerous city-scapes with the melancholic lyrical sensibilities of artists like Lana Del Rey and Bat For Lashes. ’Tulip Stone’ was recorded with producer Jose Manuel Cubides in London, and deals with “wondering what else life could be looking like right now, and the pressure of spending your youth in a certain way and how time keeps passing”.

The single is accompanied by a delicately shot video that Mags On Earth directed herself. Speaking about the footage, she explains: “I spent a month in Paris last October and was so inspired by the atmosphere. Paris has that authentic beauty and elegance that I strive for in my visuals, even in its less pretty parts. Paris is always Paris. And to me it feels kind of faded in the colours which really works well with the theme behind ‘Tulip Stone’”.

The new single is taken from Mags On Earth’s debut EP Girl in the City (available online now), which laments the “mundane in-between-feeling-stuck state of longing for something more, thinking nothing is ever enough”. Enter the dreamy world of Mags On Earth by watching the video for ‘Tulip Stone’ below, and catch her live on 4th March at Sebright Arms.

Follow Mags On Earth on Facebook for more updates.

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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ALBUM: Boy Harsher – ‘Careful’

A record to cry, kiss, or dance to; Boy Harsher’s latest album Careful is a heated, heartfelt affair. Full of beats designed to ricochet around dark dance-floors or lonely bedroom walls, the Massachusetts duo blend nostalgic 80s percussion with sharp modern production to create an immersive, magnetic listening experience.

Formed in 2014, Jae Matthews and Augustus Muller released their first EP Lesser Man in the same year, and their sophomore record Yr Body is Nothing in 2016. Country Girl followed in 2017, and now the pair explore their “morose pop sound” further on their latest release. Named after the seemingly prophetic tattoo that Matthews has across her back, Careful smolders with a brooding, lusting aggression.

Inspired by traumatic personal experiences – the breakdown of a romantic relationship, losing a parent to debilitating illness, and a chronic fear of losing control – Boy Harsher offer a momentary glimpse in to their seething world via minimal electronics. The cinematic ‘Keep Driving’ opens the record, with whispered vocals and moody stretched out synths that could score a jaded night-ride, or an escape from a crime scene.

Hazy electronics, sultry vocals and 80s inspired beats combine in hypnotic style on ‘Face The Fire’, before the elusive ‘Fate’ bleeds in. It’s four minutes of off-kilter synths, breathy vocals and dance inducing beats. Grand synthesizers announce the arrival of next track ‘LA’, whist the throbbing synths and pounding beats on ‘Come Closer’ are intoxicating. It’s easily one of the strongest tracks on the record. ‘The Look You Gave (Jerry)’ flows in the same vein, before the punchy percussion on ‘Tears’ changes the pace. The track’s buoyant rhythms contrast well with the ominous, dramatic three minute interlude ‘Crush’.

Penultimate track ‘Lost’ meanders for just shy of five minutes, before the eponymous ‘Careful’ closes the record. It’s a brief affair with a mysterious voice sample, artistically book-ending this collection of alluring, seductive sounds. Whilst at points Boy Harsher’s Careful may may feel repetitive, it’s hard to deny the record’s flirtatious, infectious nature. Make sure you catch the band at HEAVEN on 27th February.

Order your copy of Boy Harsher’s Careful here.
Follow the pair on Facebook for more updates.

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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Track Of The Day: Seraphina – ‘Kingdom Come’

The latest release by Seraphina, ‘Kingdom Come’ showcases her powerful vocals as they soar over this fiery track. All devils and churches, you can hear the influences of gospel, blues and soul all building into the song’s feverish crescendo. Of the track Seraphina told us:

“‘Kingdom Come’ is about the addictive power of doomed desire – like a cult promising salvation it draws you in and once you sense the shadows it’s too late to pull away from the thrill. The desire can be for anything or anyone – but it has a silken touch and iron grip.”

This is the first in a trio of tracks which she’ll be releasing over the first half of 2019, supported by the MOBO Help Musicians Fund.

You can hear more from Seraphina via Soundcloud and Instagram.

Tash Walker
@maudeandtrevor

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EP: Hockeysmith – ‘Tears At My Age’

Self-described as “Kylie on acid”, Falmouth-based Hockeysmith‘s new EP Tears At My Age is a sympathetic lo-fi dance-pop infusion designed to overcome romantic unhappiness. Released via Ex-Local in January, Hockeysmith (aka Annie Hockeysmith) has created four new tracks that cover uncomfortable emotions in a breezy, effervescent way.

Most listeners will be able to identify with the sentiments expressed in eponymous opening track ‘Tears At My Age’. It’s five minutes of ambient electronics that wash away the shame of tears shed by girls over their undeserving lovers. Hockeysmith has reclaimed these sad hours and transformed them in to something positive here via shoe-gazey synths and gentle vocals.

Up next is shimmering electro-pop gem ‘Lonely Loving Me’. Speaking about the track, Annie explains: “I wrote this in a cabin in Cornwall one winter after listening to tuns and tuns of early Kylie Minogue. It explores the idea of loving and being loved as an ambitious person. It can be lonely loving yourself and lonely for someone else”. It’s an 80s inspired feel-good tune designed to get you moving around like Minogue, whether in your bedroom or on the dance floor.

Inspired by both dance & rave subculture in her hometown of Falmouth and in the frequently visited Copenhagen, Hockeysmith’s love and exploration of these scenes shows clearest on the final two tracks of her EP. ‘Messed Up’ is six minutes full of excitable dance beats that form the perfect backdrop for getting “dressed up messed up” to. It’s an ode to the blissful but tainted state of diluting your sorrows on a night out, encouraged by siren-like synths and layered beats.’Dare You’ sees Hockeysmith’s former sadness come full circle, as she calmly embraces the idea of loving anew and moving on. More rave-inspired beats and gentle vocals combine in hypnotic fashion here, closing the EP on an optimistic note.

On Tears At My Age, Hockeysmith has crafted an intriguing mix of synth textures and beats inspired by her surroundings in Cornwall and experiences in Copenhagen that work together to distill any shame or uneasiness leftover from broken relationships. A definite mood-lifter.

Listen to Tears At My Age on Spotify. Follow Hockeysmith on Facebook for more updates.

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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