ALBUM: Tallies – ‘Tallies’

Blending elements of shoegaze, jangly guitars and indie pop, there’s much to be excited about with the release of Tallies’ eponymous debut album. They are a Toronto-based four-piece, fronted by Sarah Cogan, with lead guitarist Dylan Frankland, bassist Stephen Pitman, and drummer Cian O’Neill. One of the themes of Tallies is the universal impact of adulthood hitting you whether you’re ready or not. It’s the band’s soundtrack for adjustment throughout a year of change.

Opening track ‘Trouble’ is a song about naivety and being unable to foresee potential danger, especially as a woman. ‘Mother’ touches on the transition from being an adolescent -dependent on your parents – to a mature, independent adult (“leave your past tomorrow, don’t leave those skulls to dry”). There is a mixture of joy, nostalgia and sweet sadness, like memories of lost childhood and adolescence put to music, in tracks like ‘Mother’, and ‘Eden’. The music may be uplifting but the lyrics offer a dark undercurrent, put to exceptional guitar lines.

A more reflective mood features in the swirling textures of ‘Trains and Snow’ and the dreamily acoustic ‘Midnight’, whereas lead track ‘Beat the Heart’ explores the lack of empathy that exists, capturing our ears with the perfect production of smooth pop vocals, melodic hooks. Similarly, ‘Easy Enough’ reflects on changing relationships, whilst ‘Giving Up’ addresses global warming (“the embers they’re burning… cover me like a white sheet…giving up, no sign of change”).

Listen to this album as you gaze out at the January moon, the dreamy memories of salad days in your ears, and you will love this album as much as I do. If you’re old enough to have danced to the likes of The Smiths, Cocteau Twins and The Sundays, then you’re in for a trip down memory lane, as Tallies rework the best of their influences into their own fresh sound. If not, then welcome to the rediscovery of a sound that remains timeless (if the music doesn’t grow old, neither will the fans!). 

Tallies is out now via Fear Of Missing Out Records.

Fi Ni Aicead
@gotnomoniker

Photo Credit: Alex Gray

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Track Of The Day: Maria Kelly – ‘july’

Having played at festivals such as The Great Escape and Electric Picnic, as well as sharing stages with the likes of James Vincent McMorrow and Lisa Hannigan, Irish artist Maria Kelly released her latest EP notes to self at the end of last year.

Taken from the EP, new single ‘july’ looks inward, exploring the idea that we are ultimately in control of how we feel, and must take responsibility for what we choose to dwell on. Another truly beautiful offering from Kelly, it flows with her silky smooth, emotion strewn vocals and a delicate, spine-tingling musicality. Oozing a heartbreaking sense of vulnerability, it sparkles with a mystical grandeur, creating a simply mesmerising slice of alt-folk. 

Directed by Gareth Walsh, watch the new video for ‘july’ here:

notes to self is out now via Veta Records.

Mari Lane
@marimindles

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Track Of The Day: Winter Gardens – ‘Coral Bells’

Brighton “dream punks” Winter Gardens have shared their latest single ‘Coral Bells’, released via Austerity Records earlier this month. The band take influence from 80’s post-punk, Factory, Postcard, 4AD, Creation era groups; and their new track is an anthemic blur of each of these elements.

Over the past six months, Winter Gardens have supported the likes of Say Sue Me, Magic Wands, Charles Howl and they opened 2019’s Rockaway Beach too, headlined by Gary Numan and Echo & The Bunnymen. The band will be releasing ‘Coral Bells’ on limited 7″ vinyl, which you can pre-order here.

To celebrate the release, Winter Gardens will by performing at Austerity Records’ label launch party on 22nd February at The Blackmarket VIP Venue in Hastings. Penelope Isles will headline the show, and there will be a DJ set from IDLES too (RSVP here). Watch the video for ‘Coral Bells’ below and follow Winter Gardens and Austerity Records on Facebook for more updates.

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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Track Of The Day: The Coathangers – ‘Bimbo’

Atlanta trio The Coathangers have shared their new single ‘Bimbo’ taken from their upcoming album The Devil You Know, due for release on March 9th via Suicide Squeeze Records. The track is a cathartic burst of melodic guitars and riot grrrl vocals that acknowledges the need to let go and move on.

Switching between gentle verses and a thumping chorus, ‘Bimbo’ is an ideal blend of The Coathanger’s garage-rock and punk sensibilities. Guitarist/vocalist Julia Kugel explains the track’s premise further: “‘Bimbo’ is a bittersweet note on love, self preservation, and letting go. It came together naturally and was one of the easiest songs to be written for the new record. It tells two sides of the story but still feels uplifting and positive. An acceptance of things the way they are.”

The single is accompanied by a cool new video, shot during The band’s last European tour by Mackenzie Sutch. The footage was shot mostly in Spain and Portugal and was edited by the trio’s good friend Nacho Montero.

Listen to ‘Bimbo’ below and follow The Coathanger’s on Facebook for more updates

The Devil You Know will be released on March 9th via Suicide Squeeze and is available to pre-order here.

Photo Credit: Matt Odom

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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