Track Of The Day: ECKOES – ‘Pieces’

Having been completely awestruck by London-based ECKOES when she played for us at The Finsbury a few months back, it was with excitement that I heard she was releasing a new single. And ‘Pieces’ does not disappoint.

Exploring what it means to be human and feel alive in a world that often feels disconnected, ‘Pieces’ oozes a majestic, sweeping power that’ll send shivers down your spine. Filled with rich, soulful vocals and a soaring, emotion-strewn splendour, it’s an utterly spellbinding offering.

‘Pieces’ is out now.

Mari Lane
@marimindles

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Album: MALKA – ‘Ratatatat’

“I wasn’t afraid, lyrically, of going back to my folk roots. I would write a lot of social commentary then and I’m quite politically aware; with 6DR there was a lot about what’s going on in the world, and with MALKA I kind of didn’t do that. I’d popped it up a little bit… but I went back lyrically to my roots and found a balance of who I wanted to be on this album.”

The second album from Tamara Schlesinger under her MALKA moniker (and her eighth overall) follows 2015’s Marching To A Different Beat. Musically, pop synths and tribal rhythms provide a bright counterpart to the shadow cast lyrically; in a time of societal upheaval and global uncertainty, Ratatatat provides a brief freedom from those fears, and a commitment to life-affirming art.

Opening with ‘Fell For You’ there is a hint of MIA, whilst the bubbling classic pop bass lines are reminiscent of The Cure; but there’s also an edge as chirps, chants and whoops play around a snapping beat. It’s a great introduction to a fascinating and immersive collection built on intricate details of loops, found sounds and repeating refrains.

‘Wonder Why’ may be the track that listeners are already familiar with – released between albums, it caught the ear of Lauren Laverne and made her best of the year list. It’s bright and brilliant pop, catchy in the ubiquitous way but with a depth and a creativity that delights.

There’s a definite theme to the melody throughout the album, but enough variety between tracks that the only sense of repeating is in the deliberate loops of beats and vocal. With lead vocals that are often sing song, and layered with deeper backing there is an Afrobeat element to these pop tunes, lifting them and embedding them in your head.

Intelligent, creative and as hopeful as it is reflective, this is an album to excite in all the right ways; a light in dark times.

Ratatatat by MALKA is out on 20 October 2017 and is available for pre-order here. And you can catch her live throughout November:

1 November – Sneaky Pete’s, Edinburgh
2 November – Hug and Pint, Glasgow
3 November – We Are Robots, London
13 November – The Walrus, Brighton
14 November – The Lexington, London
15 November – Hare & Hounds, Birmingham.

 

Sarah Lay 
@sarahlay

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LIVE: Beckie Margaret – The Waiting Room, London 28.09.18

(Originally posted on Gigslutz)

Familiarise yourself with the breath-taking talent of song-writer Beckie Margaret before she inevitably steps in to larger spotlights, performing to sold out crowds. She packed out The Waiting Room at her debut London gig on Thursday night (hosted by Parallel Lines), and proved that despite only playing live for the third time, she has a rare and precious gift for making music that can’t be ignored.

Inspired by the likes of Lucy Rose, Jeff Buckley and Bon Iver, Beckie’s songs are tender, intuitive and effortlessly delivered. She’s still at University in the final year of her song-writing degree, but there’s something about her voice and her stage presence that can’t be studied or learned in a classroom. It was a pleasure to behold someone so young look so comfortable whilst singing about love, life and trying to see the colour in the world when everything’s tainted by poor mental health.

Despite having only one single online at the time of the gig, Beckie’s set was full of modest, melodic songs which displayed her enviable musical and lyrical sensitivities. Supported by her label mates from Cool Thing Records (Luke & Jazz from Asylums played bass & guitar alongside her, whilst bassist Mike was on hand for guitar changes) Beckie performed her debut ‘Cars & Catacombs’ as well as her latest release ‘At Home (Where I Write)’ among other songs and all were delivered with elegance and precision. Her incredible cover of The Beatles’ classic ‘All You Need Is Love’ also acted as further proof of her remarkable and idiosyncratic style.

Beckie Margaret’s voice and natural charisma are unique and precious, and the Cool Thing Records family have clearly worked in harmony with her, nurturing and supporting her since the release of her debut single in 2016. We can’t wait to see what Beckie’s going to do next and we recommend you catch her now before she ultimately becomes uncatchable.

Support came from Calluna. Performing with a full band, front woman Heather shone (not just because of the glitter on her face) in the spotlight with her strong, sultry vocals. Perfectly billed alongside Beckie.

Follow Beckie Margaret on Facebook for more updates. Listen to her new single ‘At Home (Where I Write)’ on Spotify now.

Photo Credit: Kana Waiwaiku

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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