WATCH: Soft As Snow – ‘Pink Rushes’

If you’re seeking “an intense and intimate mental catharsis,” then Norwegian-born, Berlin-based duo Soft as Snow are the band to invest your listening time in. The pair are set to their debut album Deep Wave on April 6th via Houndstooth records, and they’ve shared a video for gently named single ‘Pink Rushes’, which is lifted from the record.

Together, Oda Egjar Starheim and Øystein Monsen create “oblique left-field pop” that recalls Cabaret Voltaire, Throbbing Gristle, deep Detroit techno and Fever Ray. They prefer to avoid laptops when creating music, opting for analogue machinery, samplers, live drums and processed guitars. ‘Pink Rushes’ is a solid example of this, with its pulverizing bass, intense rhythmic throbs and Oda’s “vocal witchcraft”.

Listen to ‘Pink Rushes’ below, and follow the band on Facebook for more updates.

Deep Wave is released on 6th April via Houndstooth Records.

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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Track Of The Day: Riè – ‘Benevolent Creature’

Having relocated to the UK following a successful career in Tokyo being signed to Sony Japan, Riè (pronounced ‘ree-ay’) delivers her pulsating new single ‘Benevolent Creature’.

With elements of inspiration from the likes of Björk, ‘Benevolent Creature’ deconstructs the way in which humanity faces up to its problems via pulsing, electronic beats. A melancholic piano score reels us into Riè’s world as subtle harmonies – coupled with distant violins – take us on a journey with her through otherworldly landscapes. As soon as the beat drops however, the fantasy transforms into a pulsating electronic anthem.

‘Benevolent Creature’ goes beyond the scope of traditional pop due to its powerful message -remaining strong to tackle our issues head on: “You don’t need to hold it back, pretend it’s fine when you want to scream out loud”, Riè tells us. The heightened pace of the bridge is suggestive of the anxieties we face in life, but as the tempo drops back down again, the listener is soothed once more. With ‘Benevolent Creature’ Riè demonstrates a gentle power which succeeds in lifting both our mood and our personal outlooks.

 

‘Benevolent Creature’ is out now. Catch Riè live at The Finsbury on 27th March.

Nicky Lee-Delisle
@Nicky___Lee

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ALBUM: Camp Cope – ‘How To Socialise & Make Friends’

A deeply personal record channeling frustration, disappointment & fear into a creative, cathartic force for change, Aussie rockers Camp Cope have released their highly anticipated second album How To Socialise & Make Friends via Run For Cover.

The album was recorded over two days at Holes and Corners in South Melbourne with Sam Johnson in October 2017 and has been met with as much excitement and acclaim as their self-titled debut, which was shortlisted for the Australian Music Prize. They sold out two shows at Sydney Opera House, headlined Melbourne’s Weekender Fest 2017 and toured the US for the first time in  2017 with Worriers. Now, they’re back with How To Socialise & Make Friendss, nine tracks that prove Georgia Maq (vocals/guitar), Kelly-Dawn Hellmrich’s (bass) and Sarah Thompson’s (drums) songwriting has been strengthened through experience and sounds as fresh, observant and witty as ever.

‘The Opener’ is a sarcastic, spot-on aural record of the pervasive misogyny female bands encounter in the music industry. “It’s another man telling us to book a smaller venue,” sings Georgia – daring her antagonist with the line “Tell me again how there just aren’t that many girls in the music scene” – before her aggressive Aussie intonation shows man-splainers exactly where they can take their opinions.

It breezes into the eponymous ‘How To Socialise & Make Friends’, which ruminates on personal lessons, unnecessary apologies and making more room for yourself, with Georgia’a image of riding a bike whilst “waving goodbye” resonating throughout. ‘The Face Of God’ is a raw account of sexual assault and the shame and isolation that follows such a traumatic experience. Lyrics like “I had to say ‘no’ and ‘stop’ more than once” and “I slept in the middle of the bed / in the comfort of my own choices” ring out with a simultaneous sadness and strength. The band have turned a sharp and unfair lesson into a brave, independent statement here.

Following track ‘Anna’ is a tune about sisterhood and female friendship and an excuse to “get it all out, put it in a song”, whilst ‘Sagan-Indiana’ is an ode to the peace you find in your interactions with kind strangers. ‘The Omen’ is a mature vow not to hurt the people we need the most, with the reflective and guilty line “we’ve all made our Mother cry,” whilst ‘Animal & Real’ is another tune about much needed self-acceptance.

The retrospective ‘UFO Lighter’ is apologetic – “I said I was sorry about that line / I only wrote it ‘cos it rhymed,” but defiant, “he expected that I was gonna fail and run back / well, fuck that” and precedes the emotional, stripped back album closer, ‘I’ve Got You’. Georgia sings of her late father’s battle with cancer here and how their separation has ultimately strengthened the bond between them.

Listening to Camp Cope’s How To Socialise & Make Friends is a rewarding, entertaining experience that’ll have you manically fluctuating between laughter, rage, grief and joy. It’s a record that feels entirely authentic and most importantly, one that shows all girls that you can break free from whatever, or whoever is holding you back.

How To Socialise & Make Friends here. Follow Camp Cope on Facebook for more updates.

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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Track Of The Day: Zola Jesus – ‘Bound’

A captivating sonic treat; singer, songwriter and producer Zola Jesus has shared ‘Bound’, the first single from her upcoming project Okovi: Additions. The new album, which is set for release on 16th April, is a set of remixes from her 2017 critically acclaimed album Okovi released via Sacred Bones Records.

‘Bound’ is one of four “experiential interpretations” on Okovi: Additions, with remixes by a diverse cast of artists spanning a spectrum of genres, including Johnny Jewel, Katie Gately, Wolves in the Throne Room and Joanne Pollock (formerly one half of Poemss with Venetian Snares’ Aaron Funk).

Listen to the powerful ‘Bound’ below and follow Zola Jesus on Facebook for more updates.

Pre-order your copy of Okovi: Additions here.

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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