LIVE: The Joy Formidable – The Lexington, 22.08.18

Almost six years to the day since they last played the venue, The Joy Formidable made a triumphant return to The Lexington to perform to a sold out crowd on Wednesday night. Ritzy, Rhydian and Matt are masters of loud-and-quiet alternative anthems and despite being absent from the London live scene recently, the trio have lost none of their momentum.

Opening their set with the riotous and rarely played ‘Greyhounds In The Slips’, the band tore through the song with impressive precision and energy. ‘I Don’t Want To See You Like This’ followed, before the all-encompassing ‘The Greatest Light Is The Greatest Shade’ took hold, filling the venue with foot-thumping and chants of appreciation. At the close of the song, guitarist & vocalist Ritzy and bassist Rhydian addressed the “familiar faces” in their crowd, and banter about her “mountain troll” clumsiness – as well as drummer Matt’s intake of walnuts and whisky – drew laughs from their loyal fans.

The trio eased into a stellar rendition of ‘Ostrich’, which unlike the recorded version, hosted a calmer intro, reflecting Ritzy’s words about the song’s theme of “moving on and forgiving” people. With their fourth album AAARTH due for release next month, the band then showcased some of their new material, including latest single ‘The Wrong Side’ which rang out with trademark Joy Formidable intensity.

Hitch track ‘This Ladder Is Ours’ thundered through after, before the band briefly left the stage, returning for a knockout encore. Between the blur of ‘Buoy’ – which was given similar treatment to ‘Ostrich’ – and final track ‘Whirring’ the band took time to remind fans that next year marks the tenth anniversary of the release of their debut EP, A Balloon Called Moaning. Ritzy promised the band would be celebrating the occasion with some intimate acoustic shows, then promptly apologised for not playing the acoustic dates she promised last time she was in town, when the band played Oslo in Hackney.

In one final six minute frenzy of riffs and raucous drumming, the band threw themselves and their instruments around the stage during ‘Whirring’, leaving their crowd fired up with the promise of seeing them in town again soon. The Joy Formidable have been on the musical radar for almost a decade, and last night’s performance proved they’ve got another decade’s worth of raw live power in them.

Support came from the wonderful Bryde – who performed with a full band – who TJF heartily praised.

Pre-order your copy of The Joy Formidable’s AAARTH here.
Follow the band on Facebook for more updates.

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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Track Of The Day: Eliza Shaddad – ‘This Is My Cue’

Gentle reverb and gorgeous vocals permeate Eliza Shaddad‘s new single ‘This Is My Cue’, taken from her upcoming album Future, released on the 26th of October via Beatnik Creative.

Recorded in the same studio in Devon where she worked on her Run & Waters EPs with Mercury-nominated collaborator Chris Bond, ‘This Is My Cue’ is an atmospheric break-up song that quietly broods before breaking away from a bad relationship. Speaking about the track, Eliza explains: “This song is about freedom and anguish and trying to find the strength of mind to end things.”

Born to Sudanese and Scottish parents and raised across seven countries, Eliza is the descendant of a long line of progressive artists and academics dating back to the 1800s. She holds an MPhil in Philosophy, speaks four languages and is a graduate in Jazz from the Guildhall School.

Her academic accolades are impressive enough, but Eliza also finds time to run events as part of female arts collective Girls Girls Girls, which she co-founded with fellow musician Samantha Lindo, and which works to empower women within the arts through special cross-disciplinary events across the UK, and to raise awareness and funding for the anti-Female genital mutilation charity ‘Orchid Project’.

With a work ethic this strong, Eliza’s career is sure to blossom in to something wonderful. Listen to ‘This Is My Cue’ below and follow Eliza Shaddad on Facebook for more updates.

Photo Credit: Mel Tjeong

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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Track Of The Day: Ailbhe Reddy – ‘Shame’

With her latest poignant single, Ailbhe Reddy’s Emerald Isle roots shine through with her strong, Celtic vocals. 

‘Shame’ perfectly encapsulates the stigma which surrounds depression as well as the perception society has of the illness. “I also wanted to write a song about depression which you could kinda dance to.” Reddy admits, and – given that dancing helps relieve the symptoms of depression – Shame is so much more than simply a showcase of Reddy’s talents.

Steady clicks of the beat draw us into the track as an electo-pop current rides on the waves underneath light, airy harmonies. Reddy’s vocals contain the strength of her Irish heritage as she sings “I try not to let it win, but it’s so deeply engrained.” A minimalist approach to the track places more emphasis on the importance of the subject, as the bass gently builds before the passionate outburst of the bridge.

There has been more openness in recent years within the music industry on the topic of mental health and ‘Shame’ is a track which poignantly opens up the discussion again with a touching frankness.

‘Shame’ is out now. Stream on Spotify.

Nicky Lee-Delisle
@Nicky___Lee

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EP: Argonaut – ‘The New Argonaut EP’

Whilst the original Argonauts were heroes of ancient times, sailing off on an epic quest in search of mythic treasure, the more singularly named Argonaut represent a group of indie-pop heroines creating their own musical treasure. Since releasing third album Forever last year, the band have undergone a line-up change, incorporating additional female members including former luminaries of legendary indie groups Hefner and Monochrome Set and UK Riot Grrrls Linus. Despite that lineage, the five-piece are still true to their DIY roots, The New Argonaut EP was recorded near live at Bally Studios with reassuringly light production.

The Riot Grrrl + indie-pop sandwich structure of the band is reflected in the EP’s running order. Opener ‘You Are’, with its gutter-deep bassline, Slits-style harmonies and choppy lead guitar, has a sinister and bitter irony in its simplicity. “You are a beautiful creature” is the refrain in the chorus – a celebration of women, possibly, or maybe also a comment on the less than charming ways men like to describe them. Closer ‘Girl Talk’ reprises the deep-bass and slashy guitar, but in more praiseworthy, upbeat style. It’s middle-eight handclaps are soulful (and almost gospel) in nature, before its closing coda goes into Le Tigre anthemic electro-rock, underscored by a swirly guitar line that shimmers before crunching the EP to a close.

Inbetween are two classic slices of off-kilter indie-pop. The first, ‘Since Yesterday’, is a cover of Glasgow duo Strawberry Switchblade’s song of the same name. Where the original was an electronic melange, this is a stripped-back version with the synths replaced by guitar feedback. It’s a reminder of the inherent contrast at the heart of twee indie: beautiful harmonies meeting angular post-punk experimentation. Following the cover is a return to one of Argonaut’s own songs – ‘March!’, taken from Forever. With its swoopy, pleading vocals, crooning guitars and deliriously contrasting male backing vocals, the track could be plucked directly from the Sarah Records back-catalogue.

Released on Analogue Rock – run by one former bassist, Joules – and available exclusively through KeyMailOrder – run by a different former bassist, Paul, The New Argonaut EP is indie through and through. The band’s press release, penned by their own guitarist, even mentions that the band had stormed through the recording session in just six hours: two hours less than originally booked. And, if it’s not the most slick and stately voyage you’ll ever embark on, at least with Argonaut, you’re not going to feel fleeced.

The New Argonaut EP is out 24th August, order it here. Catch Argonaut live at Byline Festival this Sunday, 26th August.

John McGovern
@etinsuburbiaego

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