Track Of The Day: Lala Lala – ‘Destroyer’

Originally from London, Chicago-based artist Lillie West – aka Lala Lala – initially starting the project as a means to process emotions and communicate things that she felt she could never say out loud. Now, following 2016’s debut Sleepyhead, she’s quit drinking, books her own DIY tours and has now announced her second album The Lamb. A reflection on finding strength in vulnerability, it addresses issues such as her fraught insecurity, struggles with addiction, and the loss of several people close to her.

Taken from the album, new single ‘Destroyer’ is a perfect slice of dreamy, lo-fi scuzz. Oozing West’s gritty, raw vocals and building to a sublime, twinkling chorus, it’s an infectious and affecting offering that leaves us longing for more of Lala Lala’s immersive creations.

Of the track, West explains:

“… (it’s) about retroactively realizing your feelings and trying to figure out what happened to get you where you are. Feeling out of control and like you’re stuck in a feedback loop.” 

Directed by West and Brielle Brilliant, the accompanying video finds Lillie protecting herself in an ongoing fight against destroyers. Watch it here:

The Lamb, the upcoming album from Lala Lala, is out 28th September via Hardly Art.

Mari Lane
@marimindles

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EP: Bad Sidekick – ‘Bad Sidekick’

Following the release of their previous singles ‘Circus’ and ‘Crook’, London/Bristol trio Bad Sidekick have shared their debut self-titled EP, and it’s a fistful of brooding indie noise.

“Everything I touch / it gets destroyed,” confesses vocalist Cooper Rose with her powerful Bristol intonation on opening track ‘Run Boy’. Guitarist Joe and drummer John create loops of fuzzy, furious sound as Cooper warns of the storm that’s coming. It bleeds into the snarling ‘I Ain’t Sick’ on which she oozes more enviably slick vocals, backed by a cacophony of guitar noise and thumping beats.

Bad Sidekick’s stellar song-writing skills are showcased on the gentler ‘Lost Cause’, which broods with quiet intensity before the drop-in. The spiralling ‘Romeo’ and penultimate track ‘Think About It’ are cut from the same cloth, full of visceral riffs and driving percussion that urge listeners to contemplate Cooper’s invitations.

A glitchy sampled recording opens final track ‘If I Were The Devil’, on which Cooper sings “I don’t wanna be like the others / trapped inside these dead eyes / waiting for the flames to turn me to ashes”. With her superb vocal delivery, there’s no danger of her burning out anytime soon, especially when paired with Joe’s razor sharp riffs and John’s knockout drumming. Together, Bad Sidekick have crafted a collection of infectious, gritty alternative anthems on their debut EP. We recommend you invest immediately.

Listen to Bad Sidekick’s debut EP on Spotify.
Follow Bad Sidekick on Facebook for more updates.

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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Track Of The Day: Talking Violet – ‘Sparjammer 67’

Sonically, shoegaze demands a delicate balance between sweet-natured, often murmured vocals, blazonic romantic lyrics and the swoop, whine and crunch of multiple guitar lines. Those elements are found to great effect in the music of Canadian band Talking Violet, and their latest track ‘Sparjammer 67’.

Formed in Windsor, Ontario in 2016, the group were initially a duo of Jill Goyeau and Jay Turnbull, with bassist/vocalist Nate Blackton and drummer McKenzie Burrows joining last year to fully round out the band’s sound. The lead to TV’s first single ‘Aspen’ last January and their debut EP Round Dreams in February. ‘Sparjammer 67’, also taken from the EP, sees the band go full visual in a video whose hazy purple lighting effects certainly live up to their colourful name.

Of all the tracks on Round Dreams, ‘Sparjammer 67′ is probably the closest to dream pop. Jill’s vocals are most reminiscent of Cocteau Twins’ Liz Fraser, with Jay’s up-stroked guitar chords giving the tune an opening shimmer.

Soon after, that shoegazey contrast pops up with McKenzie’s pounding drum flurries coming to the fore, announcing a gentle shift into a chorus. The guitars start to croon a little longer, Jill’s vocals get more warped and distorted and there’s just time for a five second stop before the song’s final thirty seconds sees her ask “What’s it like to feel alive?” and its guitar notes fade into the purple ether.

In a recent interview about ‘Sparjammer 67’, the band have said they want the song “to feel like a glimpse of light after an era of darkness”. And, with its bright shimmers and shiny hums, Talking Violet have created an ethereal, joyous track – but one that’s so thick and warm you can almost bathe in it. The band say the song’s lyrics are “largely inspired by… good friends and the way life can feel so easy with special people”. It’s appropriate, then, that Talking Violet are here to make your nights a little bit brighter.

Round Dreams, the latest EP from Talking Violet, is out now.

John McGovern
@etinsuburbiaego

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Track Of The Day: Anna Kairos – ‘Twilight’

Dark but delicate, Anna Kairos is a pianist and songwriter who creates atmospheric, pop-noir sounds. Her new track ‘Twilight’, taken from her debut EP Hosting Time, sounds as elusive as the time of day it’s named after.

Wavering vocals and rich piano textures communicate Anna’s feelings about broken relationships, freedom and pain in a delicate, powerful way. These explorations are not solely limited to ‘Twilight’, Anna’s debut EP, released via Berlin label Snowhite records, is laced with these sensibilities too. It’s a promising first offering from this talented newcomer.

Take a listen to ‘Twilight’ below and Follow Anna Kairos on Spotify and Facebook for more updates.

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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