Track Of The Day: Hubert’s Friend – ‘Shipping Forecast’

Having recently got through to the quarter finals of the Isle Of Wight Festival’s Emerging Talent competition, it seems 2019 holds big things in store for London’s Hubert’s Friend. Formed back in 2014, and with a stream of singles over the last couple of years, they have now shared a powerful new offering.

Propelled by gritty, blues-driven riffs and the soaring, soulful vocals of front woman Elly Lock, ‘Shipping Forecast’ flows with an utterly immersive meandering desert-rock groove. And, with its dark, raw energy and massively infectious hooks, it’s sure to leave your ears hungry for more on first listen.

Listen to ‘Shipping Forecast’ here:

 

Mari Lane
@marimindles

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LIVE: Nik Void (supporting Gum Takes Tooth) – Electrowerkz 25.01.19

Surrounded by smoke and bathed in flickering coloured lights, Nik Void gave a masterclass in how to perform electronic music solo at Electrowerkz on Friday night. Supporting duo Gum Takes Tooth at their album launch for Baba Yaga’s Hut; Void’s obscure but intriguing soundscapes infiltrated the heads of her large crowd.

Positioned behind a desk overflowing with wires and synths, Void skillfully tuned and triggered her equipment, creating intense waves of experimental electronic noise. Many will be aware of Void’s history as one half of Factory Floor, and as one third of Carter Tutti Void, alongside Cosey Fanni Tutti and Chris Carter (Throbbing Gristle/Chris & Cosey) – but even without an understanding of her previous work, Void’s solo set is a truly remarkable experience.

The transitions between tracks are seamless, despite Void being open to “the creation of space for ‘mistakes’” in her music. The mood and tone are constantly in flux; sometimes droney and desolate, other times euphoric and uplifting. Despite her laid-back performance style, it’s easy to see that Void is a woman who is entirely immersed and in control of the jungle of wires that surround her. She moves with ease between synthesizers, making her technical set-up look like it requires minimal effort to manipulate.

There is something transformative about her sound; she communicates complex emotions in unconventional ways with only a few voice samples. She blends elements of techno, ambient, avant-garde and noise into a truly stunning performance, which is made all the more intense by the venue it’s set in. Track names and timings become unnecessary, as Void’s electronic craft-work eludes any kind of labeling or conventional measures/restraint.

At the end of her set, Void graciously bowed her head to the appreciative applause directed her way. Whether you’re a loyal follower or a new addition to the fan club, Nik Void’s live set is definitely going to appeal to anyone interested in diverse, original electronic music.

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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Track Of The Day: Ora The Molecule – ‘Sugar’

Having received acclaim from the likes of BBC 6Music and KCRW, Andalusia-based collective Ora The Molecule draw influence from an eclectic range of inspirations from Fleetwood Mac to St Etienne, and have now shared a captivating new single.

Sounding quirkily cool, ‘Sugar’ flows with glitch beats and whirring hooks that provide the backdrop for soaring, honey-sweet vocals, creating a truly dreamy soundscape that’ll capture the ears on first listen. Of the track, Ora The Molecule explain that it’s inspired by a “hedonistic satire of consumerism, ego and the deeply rooted human phenomenon that always needs more.”

‘Sugar’ is out now via Uhh Ahh Records.

Mari Lane
@marimindles

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Track Of The Day: Amahla – ‘Dorothy’s Verses’

Having played legendary venues such as The Jazz Cafe and The Roundhouse, and garnered support from the likes of BBC Radio 1 Extra and 6Music’s Tom Robinson, Hackney native Amahla was also been a recipient of the second ever MOBO Awards X Help Musicians Grant for her exceptional voice. Following the lush sounds of last year’s ‘Old Soul’, she’s now returned to grace our ears with poignant new single ‘Dorothy’s Verses’.

Exploring what truth is through the story of her grandmother, ‘Dorothy’s Verses’ flow with rich, impassioned vocals alongside luscious sweeping hooks, creating a truly dreamy – and deeply stirring – offering. Of the track, Amahla explains:

“‘Dorothy’s Verses’ is my grandmother’s story of looking at her life through a new lens of Alzheimer’s. But it’s also about the need to hear women speak from their truths. We’re living through Me Too, a movement where women are reclaiming their stories and pushing them into our collective memories, this is but/just one verse.”

Listen to the utterly spellbinding ‘Dorothy’s Verses’ here:

 

‘Dorothy’s Verses’ is out now.

Mari Lane
@marimindles

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