WATCH: Brutus – ‘Brave’ (Live at DAFT Studios)

Lifted from their second album, Unison Life, released in October 2022, Belgian heavy trio Brutus have shared a live video of their track ‘Brave’, along with news of a UK Headline tour this December.

Propelled by Stefanie Mannarts’ gritty vocals and immense drumming and full of stadium-sized riffs, the visuals – shot at DAFT Studios in Belgium – show the band doing what they do best; performing under the spotlight. “When recording a new album, you don’t always know in advance which songs will become very special in a live touring setting,” vocalist and drummer Mannaerts explains. “After touring for several months now, we know that ‘Brave’ is one of our favourite songs to play live. We’re excited to share this very early studio live video.”

Alongside guitarist Stijn Vanhoegaerden and bassist Peter Mulders, Mannaerts has been bringing the gargantuan sound of Unison Life to sold out crowds across Europe. Their relentless, genre-blending, powerful music has impressed the likes of Deftones, Dave Grohl, Simon Neil and many more.

Now, Brutus are gearing up for a summer of festival appearances in both the UK and further afield, before returning in December for a headline tour, including their biggest show to date at London’s Islington Assembly Hall. Tickets will go on sale later today (Thursday May 11th). All dates UK dates are listed below.

Watch the live video for ‘Brave’ here:

Brutus UK Tour Dates 2023
9th June – Download Festival
7th July – 2000trees
17th August – ArcTanGent Festival
7th December – London, Islington Assembly Hall
8th December – Brighton, Chalk
10th December – Bristol, Trinity
11th December – Manchester, Academy 3
12th December – Glasgow, G2
13th December – Birmingham, The Asylum

Follow Brutus on bandcamp, Spotify, Twitter, Facebook & Instagram

Photo Credit: Eva Vlonk

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

Kate CrudgingtonLeave a comment

New Track: Emily Magpie – ‘Down In The Deep’

Having been supported by the likes of Nabihah Iqbal on BBC 6Music and supported bands such as This Is The Kit and Let’s Eat Grandma, Bristol based Emily Magpie has been charming us with her whimsical dream-pop soundscapes for some time, and has now announced the release of her upcoming new EP, She. A project which is both deeply personal, and highly relatable, the collection offers a moving reflection on the self; exploring our place in society whilst showcasing her distinctive alt-pop sound.

Taken from the EP, new single ‘Down In The Deep‘ reflects on Emily’s experience of being a woman with a sparkling intimacy. Flowing with whirring keys and lilting melodies, it oozes a raw heartfelt emotion, instantly immersing the listener in a captivating, stirring majesty. With Emily’s trademark hypnotic splendour, her rich crystalline vocals shimmer with a celestial allure as the track builds with an ethereal twinkling grace. A blissfully soothing soundscape.

Of the EP as a whole, Emily explains:

“I created this EP to explore my own experience of being a woman- which is beautiful and messy! I wanted to extend this out in a universal way to others, all with their own unique stories and voices. The feminine, which exists outside of gender. There’s beauty, celebration, darkness and the unknown. Feminine energy is badass and there’s a massive history of it being suppressed which it’s important to challenge by us being heard.”

She, the upcoming EP from Emily Magpie, is set for release on 7th June via Def Pressé. Pre-save here.

Mari Lane
@marimindles

Photo Credit: Hannah Lisa

mariangelicalaneLeave a comment

New Track: ĠENN – ‘A Reprise (That Girl)’

‘A Reprise (That Girl)‘, the latest single from Anglo-Maltese quartet ĠENN, is deeply introspective; cleverly constructed to offer provocative commentary. While it has plenty of its own comments to make, it wants you to go on your own journey with the lyrics and the atmosphere generated by the music – it wants you to take the moment you spend with it and reflect on your own experiences of the world.

The track begins with a throbbing techno-infused bass line, accompanied by a repetitive, catchy drum beat that buries its way into your ear and refuses to leave. The two combine to create the sensation of a funky futuristic production line. The sound is hypnotic and dystopian and addictive; easy to picture glazed-eyed, blank-faced automatons moving to it. Of the track, ĠENN say that it’s designed to reflect “technological gratification”, and this comes through loud and clear in just the opening bars. The instinct to lurch towards technology after just a moment left alone with your own thoughts lurks there in the motions of the beat.

The vocals are delivered deadpan and low, subtle yet dangerous. They have the tension of an elastic band about to snap, of a predator preparing to leap. The lyrics are comprised of moments that create a complete picture of existence, from the perspective of someone floating through the day but not quite engaged with it. They capture feelings, the essence of an experience, more than explicitly describing a day in a life. It leaves you free to project on them whatever in your life inspires that sense of malnutrition, catharsis, futility, nature’s sedative.

The mood shifts from soft-spoken, passive apathy to revolutionary rage as the track ramps up into its climactic moments. It gives the song a sense of hope, if only people could throw off the shackles of repetitive oppression and work to rebuild the world in a more exciting way. It launches the song into its final, powerful declaration – “Death upon the mundane/Death upon the many” – creating an immense empowering anthem, oozing a fierce impassioned drive.

Mixed by Tom Hill and mastered by Katie Tavini, ‘A Reprise (That Girl)’ is out now via Liminal Collective. Catch ĠENN live at The Great Escape on 11th May at The Brunswick for Off Axis / Miro Co-labs stage.

Kirstie Summers
@ActuallyKurt

Photo Credit: Jordan Core

Kirstie SummersLeave a comment

WATCH: Marlody – ‘Runaway’

Marlody is a singer-songwriter from Kent signed to Skep Wax Records. Her acclaimed debut album I’m Not Sure At All came out last month, and ‘Runaway’ is the third single off the record; a delicate and enchanting song that will leave you wanting more. 

‘Runaway’ opens with warm organ keys flowing; the soothing allure drew me in immediately. Marlody’s clear and present vocals come in next, taking centre stage and demonstrating this is a no-frills, lyric and vocal-driven song. Marlody’s voice is beautifully soulful, you can hear the feelings ejected into the lyrics, poignantly reflecting on “being on the brink of oblivion: contemplating the beauty of nothingness but stepping back just in time”. The stirring words convey a sense of regret and longing, giving the song a melancholic feel tinged with a glimmer of hope. 

Although ‘Runaway’ remains pretty stripped-back in instrumentation and production, the vocal production captures every detail which makes you feel more connected to the words, immersed in its raw emotion. Some very subtle drums enter later on and satisfying vocal overlaps and harmonies give the track another moment of satisfying interest. It’s refreshing to hear a track that isn’t overloaded with sounds and noises, and allows the vocal to take precedence. 

Accompanying the song is a music video which shows a blurred figure from behind, walking through different pastoral scenes; a stunningly atmospheric visual which perfectly conveys the overall feel of the lyrics. Watch it now:

To hear this captivating voice is person, Marlody has upcoming gigs over summer in London and Kent including a date at London’s prestigious Bush Hall on the 20th May. Grab a ticket and check out the rest of her album, I know I will.

I’m Not Sure At All, the new album from Marlody, is out now via Skep Wax Records.

Ella Patenall
@ellapatenall

ellapatenallLeave a comment