NEW TRACK: INDIGOS – ‘Hivemind’

A jaded, grungy anthem that tackles the grind of everyday existence under a capitalist society, alt-pop duo INDIGOS have shared their latest single ‘Hivemind’. Taken from the Bristol-based band’s upcoming EP, IN UTOPIA, which is set for release on 21st June, the track is an angst-ridden guitar tune inspired by the ‘Office Man’ scene in the documentary film Samsara, which highlights the despair lurking behind the modern 9-5 life.

Formed of Sophia Barnes (vocals and guitar) and Jack Croft (backing vocals and guitar), INDIGOS are inspired by the sounds of current alternative bands such as Wolf Alice and Sorry, as much as they are informed by the greats of the 90s grunge scene. They shared their debut self-titled album back in 2020, but were forced into hiatus due to founding member Jack falling ill with cancer. Now, after a successful remission period, INDIGOS are back and ready to share their new EP IN UTOPIA.

Described as a “sardonic take on modern Western life” that touches on themes of “media addiction, narcissism and depression,” the six track EP also taps into the personal hardships the band have faced in recent years. New single ‘Hivemind’ is the first offering from this not-so-rose-tinted vision. Through their swirling riffs, dual vocals and anxious lyrics, INDIGOS meander through an identity crisis, questioning how one can grasp a strong sense of self in a society that routinely places profit over people.

Watch the video for ‘Hivemind’ below.

Follow INDIGOS on Spotify, bandcamp, Twitter, Instagram and Facebook

Photo Credit: Ania Shrimpton

Kate Crudgington
@kcbobcut

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NEW TRACK: Mere Child – ‘Don’t Let Me Go’

A delicate rumination on grief and hope, independent artist Aimee Herbert aka Mere Child has shared their latest single ‘Don’t Let Me Go’. Written, recorded and produced in her “poorly soundproofed kitchen/conservatory”, Mere Child’s new track is a tender, atmospheric ode to persevering in the face of adversity.

Herbert started Mere Child as a solo project back in 2016, a few of years after her son was born and after the loss of her father prior to his birth. She felt the need to start writing and recording in a different way after these life events. Going solo seemed to fit with the content of her new songs, which were far more vulnerable and anxiety driven.

She released her first single ‘Not Good Enough‘ in 2016 and began playing live shows in London and Brighton, but the Covid-19 pandemic understandably put a stop to Herbert’s project for a while. Now, she’s back and ready to share her new music, with ‘Don’t Let Me Go’ being the first offering. Mixed and mastered by Julian Tardo at Church Road Studios in Brighton, the track is a poignant reflection on a difficult time. ‘Don’t Let Me Go’ shimmers with its melodic guitars, earnest lyrics and Herbert’s soft, clear vocals, which provide a lullaby-like comfort.

Speaking about her new single, the songwriter explains: “Battling depression and a creative lull, I wrote this song on an acoustic guitar late one evening. It sits somewhere between hope and trepidation. It’s the first new single in three years, with an EP to follow later in the year.”

Listen to ‘Don’t Let Me Go’ below.

Follow Mere Child on bandcamp, Spotify, Twitter, Facebook & Instagram

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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PREMIERE: Dream Phone – ‘Bad Girls’

Having been completely blown away by Oxford duo Dream Phone when they played live for us supporting Me Rex last month, I was thrilled to hear they’ll be releasing their debut EP in May. Counting BBC Radio 6Music amongst their fans, and sharing stages with the likes of Cheerbleederz and Supermilk, the duo started off as a pop-punk guitar and drums duo, before transforming into the wonderful auto-tuned glitch-pop sensation that we know today – ready to unleash more of their utterly unique sonic delights to the world.

Taken from the EP, new single ‘Bad Girls’ offers a joyous ode to Buffy and Faith (from best TV show ever, Buffy The Vampire Slayer), celebrating friendship and discovering your “bad side” as Jenny Bell and Hannah Watts’ sparkling charisma and vibrant energy shine through. Showcasing the duo’s ability to combine quirky voice augmentation with infectious, synth-driven glitch-pop soundscapes, it harks back to the innovative layering and sampling of Kathleen Hanna’s solo Julie Ruin record; oozing a euphoric riot grrrl inspired drive, whilst maintaining Dream Phone’s trademark playful allure. Of the track, Jenny explains:

“Bad Girls is about the excitement of making a new friend who has a big influence on you, and finding your partner in crime. When we’re not jumping around in Dream Phone, we spend a lot of our downtime watching Buffy – and in the ‘Bad Girls’ episode I love that Buffy is able to cut loose with her new friendship with Faith. We originally wrote the song as a simple guitar and drums pop punk song, and recently transformed it into this new glitch-pop sound”.  

Since the immense excitement of seeing them live last month, it’s in no way an exaggeration to say that I have not stopped thinking about Dream Phone (aka my new favourite band)’s wonderfully wacky and truly original offerings, and will be hitting repeat on the glorious hype-pop tenacity of ‘Bad Girls’ for the foreseeable future.

So, don your knee-high boots and wooden stakes, watch the new video for ‘Bad Girls’, and feel instantly better about life!

The self-titled debut EP from Dream Phone is set for release on 19th May via Divine Schism.

Mari Lane
@marimindles

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NEW TRACK: CLT DRP – ‘New Boy’

A visceral, incendiary anthem exploring the conflicting thoughts in the aftermath of a breakup, Brighton Feminist Electro-Punks CLT DRP have shared their latest single ‘New Boy’. Released via Gallows’ label Venn Records, who the band have recently singed to, the track is a rush of potent emotion, from it’s candid opening line about barely affording therapy, to its various cathartic, noisy breakdowns.

“‘New Boy’ reflects a very manic immediate post-break-up brain. As if I was sitting in therapy desperately trying to figure out why it didn’t work,” explains vocalist Annie Dorrett. “I was switching from hyper-independence to then trying to find love literally anywhere else around me. A lot of questioning my gender, sexuality, and past painful history. Hence ‘New Boy’ — hoping for a new love interest but also me coming out of the heartbreak era a ‘New Boy’.”

Dorrett’s ruminations have resulted in an urgent four minutes of genre-bending sound. Their crystalline vocals cut through the cacophony of knockout drumming and corrosive riffs that are doused in FX, providing listeners with a burst of intense, vital energy. ‘New Boy’ is lifted from CLT DRP’s upcoming album, which is set for release later this year. The single is accompanied by a video, directed by Harry Steel, which shows the band in their natural habitat: sweating it out under a spotlight.

“The three of us have never actually featured in a music video together so we thought it was time to get a high energy group music video to really show the force that is the three of us playing live,” says Dorrett. “The playfulness and energy that comes with the excitement of the recorded sound. Harry Steel did an incredible job of capturing our natural performances, both as a team and individually. The video beams personality and attitude—it’s a perfect insight of what to expect from our band live.”

CLT DRP are gearing up for an extensive run of UK and EU live dates and festival appearances this year, including a support slot with label-mates Tokky Horror alongside the iconic Alice Glass. Full details below.

Watch the video for ‘NEW BOY’ here:

CLT DRP UK Live Dates 2023
08th Apr – TakeDown Festival @ Portsmouth Guildhall (UK)
26th Apr – Belgrave Music Hall, Leeds (UK) *^
27th Apr – Hug and Pint, Glasgow (UK)
28th Apr – The Lodge, Manchester (UK)
02nd May – Concorde 2, Brighton (UK) ^
03rd May – Voodoo Daddy’s, Norwich (UK)
04th May – Shacklewell Arms, London (UK)
05th May – Exchange, Bristol (UK)
06th May – Zerox, Newcastle (UK)
11th May – The Great Escape Festival, Brighton (UK)

^ w/ Alice Glass
* w/ Tokky Horror

Follow CLT DRP on bandcamp, Spotify, Twitter, Facebook & Instagram

Photo Credit: moralxdecay

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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