Track Of The Day: Chorusgirl – ‘No Goodbye’

Following 2015’s wonderful self-titled debut, GIHE faves Chorusgirl have now announced their long-awaited new album Shimmer And Spin, and we couldn’t be happier for them. Chronicling a tense year, created during a period of crippling anxiety and a relentless string of bad luck and bad news, the new album is the result of immense hard work and dedication from Silvi, Faith, Udo and Michael. Of the writing process, Silvi explains:

“There was barely a month without bad news on a personal and wider level, and at the end of that year, my anxiety started to spike badly. The album became a very important anchor. Every note and lyric were raked over and looked at twice; we were hacking and honing away at the songs for months, trying to craft some sort of sculpture of our state of mind.”

Taken from the album, new single ‘No Goodbye’ is filled with jangly hooks and sunny uplifting beats, despite perhaps a lingering dark undercurrent. As Silvi’s distinctive, lush vocals soar throughout, effervescent harmonies and impressive driving riffs flow, creating Chorusgirl’s utterly unique, shimmering sounds. Another truly dreamy slice of scuzzy, sparkling garage-pop, ‘No Goodbye’ proves that it’s impossible to listen to Chorusgirl and not feel instantly better; their tunes just seem to be the perfect antidote to all life’s troubles. And the fact that the band overcame so much to create this new album just makes them all the more inspiring.

Chorusgirl honestly are one of my favourite bands of the last few years, and this latest offering – and the determination that went into creating it – showcases exactly why.

 

Shimmer And Spin, the upcoming new album from Chorusgirl, is out 16th November via Reckless Yes. Catch Chorusgirl live:

9th Nov: London, The Victoria
16th Nov: Nottingham,Rough Trade
17th Nov: Sheffield,Audacious Art Experiment
18th Nov: Newcastle,Head of Steam
19th Nov: Glasgow,Broadcast
21st Nov: Oxford, Common Ground
22nd Nov: Bristol, Hydra Cafe
23rd Nov: Coventry,The Tin

Mari Lane
@marimindles

LISTEN: iiola – ‘Sickly Sweet’

Prepare to be swept away by the sound of iiola‘s new single ‘Sickly Sweet’. The songwriter (formerly known as Shannon Saunders) has shared a stripped back version of the track, and it drips with sugary melancholy. It’s the second single taken from her debut EP Chrysalis, which is set for release later this month.

Speaking about her new track, iiola explains: “‘Sickly Sweet’ is about that horrendous stomach dropping jealousy you feel when you see somebody you used to date happily moving on with somebody else. It’s a bittersweet, physically sickening feeling. I think a lot of us can relate to that one no matter how amicable the break up is.”

Whilst the original music video for the single shows how you can get rid of these bitter sweet feelings, iiola’s new visuals are as clean and as charming as the stripped back version she delivers. ‘Sickly Sweet’ (co-produced by Toby Scott and Paul Harris) instantly charted on Spotify’s New Music Friday in the UK alongside 10 other major international territories including USA, Canada and Germany and has quickly notched up six figure streaming numbers, an impressive feat considering it’s only her second release under her new moniker.

Listen to ‘Sickly Sweet’ below and follow iiola on Facebook for more updates.

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

Track Of The Day: She Makes War – ‘Devastate Me’

If you’re looking for a colourful way to neutralise the noise that social media overload can create – look no further than She Makes War‘s new video for her latest single ‘Devastate Me’. The bright visuals show the Bristol-based artist & producer playing her buzzing guitar riffs and giving absolutely no fucks about her online presence. The track is taken from her upcoming album Brace For Impact, which is set to be released on October 5th.

Speaking about the track, She Makes War (aka Laura Kidd) explains: “I wanted to make something bouncy and fun, an antidote to the self-indulgent testosterone-fuelled ‘rock’ videos of the past and present, something that doesn’t take itself so seriously but can still accentuate a killer riff. So here it is. I can rock out without my cock out. My balls are nowhere near the wall. Let’s celebrate our individuality, let’s have some fun.”

It’s this fusion of fun and freedom that makes Kidd’s music so catchy, and her buoyant attitude and blistering guitar riffs make ‘Devastate Me’ an infectious dose of punk-infused pop. A fiercely devoted, independent DIY force, She Makes War has crafted her success from a close relationship with fans, placing importance on her music’s physical form and an emphasis on the live experience. She Makes War will be heading out on tour this October (dates listed below), and she’ll be playing the immense Loud Women Festival this weekend at Tufnell Park Dome (get your tickets here).

Watch the video for ‘Devastate Me’ below and follow She Makes War on Facebook for more updates.

Pre-order She Makes War’s new album Brace For Impact here.

She Makes War UK Tour Dates 2018
18/10 – Leeds, Brudenell Social Club
19/10 – Glasgow, Hug & Pint
20/10 – Manchester, Castle Hotel
23/10 – Leicester, Firebug
24/10 – Norwich, Epic Studios
26/10 – Sebright Arms, London
27/10 – Brighton, Hope & Ruin
31/10 – Birmingham. Hare & Hounds

1/11 – Oxford, Jericho Tavern
2/11 – Southampton, Heartbreakers
3/11 – Bristol, Thekla

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

Track Of The Day: Ishani – ‘Dark Angel’

Following releases such as ‘Don’t Stop The Fight’ and ‘Insomnia’, innovative songwriter Ishani has returned to immerse our ears in another powerful and socially aware offering.

In a bid to raise awareness for Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, ‘Dark Angel’ sees Ishani address the death of two loved ones in a beguiling soundscape. As her rich, soulful vocals soar alongside whirring beats and intricate, twinkling layers of sound, something truly majestic is created. A dark, yet necessary, subject matter, set inside a beautifully stirring slice of infectious electro pop.

Of the track, Ishani explains:

“This song was pure therapy. It has helped me cope with the death of two of my friends, both of which turned my whole world upside down. I hope this song can help others. So many people are affected by suicide, whether it is the death of someone close to us or an idol.”

So, on World Suicide Prevention Day, take a moment to listen to this poignant offering, and reflect on what we can do to help those in need.

 

Mari Lane
@marimindles