Track Of The Day: Panic Pocket – ‘Mr Big’

Having stolen our hearts playing live for us at The Five Bells last month, London duo Sophie Peacock and Natalie Healey – aka Panic Pocket – have now shared a totally infectious new single.

Inspired by too many formative Sex And The City marathons, ‘Mr Big’ is an uplifting ditty about desperately wanting your close friend to stop defining herself by her relationship status and focus instead on friendship. Flowing with a twinkling charm and the duo’s impeccable tongue-in-cheek wit, the track oozes honey-sweet harmonies alongside shimmering melodies and a gritty synth-driven energy. Strewn with memorable SATC quotes, highlighting the importance of friendship – “Don’t laugh at me but maybe we could be each other’s soulmates” – it’s another luscious (and super relatable!) slice of indie-pop from the duo, showcasing all there is to love about them.

Of the track, Natalie elaborates:

“Sophie and I probably spend too much time watching TV. But whatever your thoughts on SATC (and OK, it hasn’t dated well!), you can probably relate to having someone close to you who spends all their time distracted, wondering where they stand with a potential – and probably unworthy – partner. This song is our Miranda moment; getting real about how toxic the subject of your best friend’s obsession really is.”

Released as a pay-what-you-want Bandcamp release, alongside sparkling feminist festive number ‘Mrs Santa’, ‘Mr Big’ is out now.

 

Mari Lane
@marimindles

Photo Credit: Carl Farrugia

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WATCH: Noise Noir – ‘I Don’t Need You’

Garage rockers Noise Noir have shared Jessica Jones style vigilante visuals to accompany their debut single ‘I Don’t Need You’. The footage – shot and directed by Sergio Angot – shows band members actively taking down those who think it’s okay to harass women in public or private places.

Speaking about the video, vocalist Kelly Chard explains: “I wanted the video for ‘I Don’t Need You’ to be a hyperbole of the feelings I felt when writing the song. Sexual harassment is very present in London, and I wanted to play a Jessica Jones type character in the video. So instead of feeling emotionally strong, I felt physically strong enough to fight off bad guys. Reaching equality is very close to our hearts, so I wanted to highlight sexual harassment and domestic abuse. The video is set in various locations in London throughout the day to show how harassment and violence can happen on the streets in broad daylight, behind closed doors, and in a public busy surrounding.”

Recorded by Margo Broom (Big Joanie, Yassassin), mixed by Greg Burns of Sit Down, and released through Kelly’s independent record label We Can Do It, ‘I Don’t Need You’ is a seething attempt to shout back and empower those who have felt vulnerable or victimised by street harassment. Together; Kelly, guitarist Anthony, bassist Elis & drummer Davide are here to set the record straight through vicious riffs and powerful vocals. Watch the video for ‘I Don’t Need You’ below and follow the band on Facebook for more updates.

Photo Credit: Jessie Morgan

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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Track Of The Day: Ishani – ‘Stormy Emotions’

Lamenting the transition from heartbreak in to a new phase of independence; Ishani‘s latest single ‘Stormy Emotions’ fuses trip-hop beats and industrial-pop in sublime style. Brooding, hypnotic and sensual; the single is a cathartic electronic outpouring of personal relief.

Born and raised in Bangalore in India, Ishani later obtained a degree in TV, Film & Radio in Singapore before moving to London to study Audio Engineering at Alchemea & Point Blank. Her music often centers around difficult themes – single ‘Don’t Stop The Fight’ explores the horrific social effects of rape, whilst ‘Dark Angel’ was inspired by the loss of two of her friends to suicide. Despite these traumatic contexts, Ishani’s music breeds an atmosphere of strength and independence, and ‘Stormy Emotions’ is another example of her ability to shine a light on a truly dark situation.

Speaking about the track, Ishani explains: “This song is about the death of a relationship and the overwhelming pain that can come with that. It is also however about moving into a new phase of life.” Ishani’s musical efforts have not gone un-noticed this year; she was made a BBC Introducing artist by Bobby Friction, and she continues to impress bloggers and radio hosts (including us) across the web. Listen to ‘Stormy Emotions’ below and follow Ishani on Facebook for more updates.

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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EP: Maria Kelly – ‘Notes To Self’

Notes to Self is the new EP from Maria Kelly, an Irish alt–folk artist now based in Berlin. It features four songs dealing with themes of holding on, hiding behind, letting go and how we must do all three in order to move on. All were inspired by a diary Maria kept documenting her feelings on relocating to a new country.

Opener, ‘Prelude’, sets the mood with Maria’s soft, melodic vocals, acoustic guitar and a lovely production which blends delicate synth sounds, enhancing the song and opening it up. It sums up the feelings of holding onto memories, as the song builds up and ends on the words “replay it”. ‘june’ is an intimate communication poignantly capturing feelings of restlessness – “does the city feel this crowded to you?” 

‘july’ is confessional, conveying the idea that we are ultimately in control of how we feel, and must take responsibility for what we choose to dwell on. Building to a lovely lyrical chorus – “… don’t fight it, hold on tight” – the pace and pitch of the music and voice blend perfectly into the powerful emotional ending. 


Closing track, ‘august’, is my favourite, showing Maria coming out the other side, and taking a new direction. More uptempo than the previous songs (“the taste of something new, something I can hold on to, something that isn’t you”), the electric guitar brings it to life juxtaposed with Maria’s gracefully soaring and cooing vocals; the sound of falling in love.

I don’t want a lot for Christmas, but I do want this EP. Overall, the production is superb, never interfering with the delicate beauty of Maria’s song craft. If ever you have felt isolated and vulnerable, these songs capture the mood beautifully, bringing you heartwarming introspection and the feeling that everything will be all right in the end.

notes to self is out on 7th December 2018 via Veta Records.

Fi Ni Aicead
@gotnomoniker

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