Track Of The Day: WOLFS – ‘Take Me On’

An antagonistic anthem fuelled by driving beats and grungy guitar riffs, London-based duo WOLFS have shared their latest single ‘Take Me On’. Inspired by the need to reject the frustrating misconceptions that others often project on to us, the track is a riotous call to arms, full of cathartic vocals and defiant lyrics, urging listeners to persevere in the face of adversity,

Formed of drummer Rhi, and guitarist and vocalist Hannah, WOLFS were initially a four piece who formed via the Gumtree website. Just a few days before the band were set to record their first EP however, two of the members left, so Rhi and Hannah continued as a two-piece and have been making music together ever since. Despite living over one hundred miles apart for the first few years, the pair somehow made the band work, and both eventually moved to London after cutting their teeth on the Oxford and Reading live music scenes.

This resilient beginning has clearly shaped the duo’s sound and tenacious attitude to songwriting, something which their current single ‘Take Me On’ is brimming with. “‘Take Me On’ is a song that channels the frustrations of sexism and the people who underestimate you, which I think everyone can relate to in some way,” the band explain. The track is accompanied by a monochrome video, filmed at Glasshouse Studios in Oxford, which shows the pair performing live in the studio.

Watch the video for ‘Take Me On’ below.

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

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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Track Of The Day: Alex Lahey – ‘Congratulations’

‘Congratulations’, the latest single from Australian artist Alex Lahey is an irresistible slice of grunge-fuelled indie rock about your exes moving on and settling down with someone else. With its swaggering guitars and soaring vocals, it’s an anthemic, fist-pumping three-minutes, building from bittersweet to completely bad-ass.

Lahey’s songwriting and musicality really shine here. Reminiscent of Pixies and the incredible Du Blonde, this is lo-fi guitar rock delivered with such power, polish and energy that Lahey could have the power of a whole band behind her. I’m talking proper stadium rock vibes, and it begs to be played loud!

Emerging from the vibrant Melbourne scene that also gave us Courtney Barnett, ‘Congratulations’ shows Lahey is a force to be reckoned with. Her last new music in 2021, ‘On My Way’, made it to the soundtrack of Netflix’s The Mitchells Vs The Machines (NB. parents and carers to small people will have watched this at least a dozen times…) and with more new music to come from her this year, Lahey’s potential seems limitless.

‘Congratulations’ is out now via Liberation Records.

Vic Conway
@thepicsofvic

Photo Credit: Pooneh Ghana

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Track Of The Day: Rookes – ‘Consent’

Following the lavish storm of two critically acclaimed EPs, London artist Rookes gears up for their first full-length, POPNOTPOP, with a spunky first single, ‘Consent‘. 

Set for a November release, POPNOTPOP was self-produced while Rookes experienced the height of the London lockdown. However, this wasn’t all that the Tottenham artist was facing, and ‘Consent’ shines a light on just that. Laced in a sharp, alt-pop casing the captivating track swims through a pool of all the weighted revelations that come with processing a relationship breakdown. As the whirlpools of knowing begin to surface, Rookes showcases a musical maturity reminiscent of St Vincent to share their swirling story. 

With string-like synth pads, angelic background vocals and thumping drum beats, ‘Consent’ never lets up – keeping a catharitically strong energy for its entirety. As it builds in power with each section, Rookes pays off the past with each new dabble. By the track’s climax, layers of chorus and confident lyrics soar through sweeping, soulful vocals, feeling as though they have gone back and answered the call of “I have to turn the light on” from the track’s start. By the track’s anthemic finale, Rookes releases a euphoric, optimistic mix which can only be compared to turning on the lights after a power outage.

 Rookes’ ‘Consent’ is both the revelation and reward after an internal storm.

Jill Goyeau
@jillybxxn

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Track Of The Day: Wise Up – ‘Conjure The Feeling’

Fueled by their desire to make music that’s fun to play and that connects with their listeners, Dublin-based trio Wise Up have shared their debut single ‘Conjure The Feeling’. Full of grungy riffs, snaking bass lines and clear vocals, the track is an infectious offering of alternative noise, encouraging listeners to “embrace it all”, let go and stop sweating the small stuff.

Formed of Aoife from Dublin on drums, Garry from Cork on guitar and vocals, and Courtney from Canada on vocals and bass, Wise Up have been jamming and recording together since March 2022. After performing together at Gary & Courtney’s wedding reception, the trio decided to take Wise Up’s sound out into the “dodgy clubs” of Ireland, impressing their crowds of “drunk lads who who stay out late on a Wednesday night.”

Citing Pixies, Pavement, Yard Act, Chastity Belt, Courtney Barnett and Big Thief as their main musical influences, the band are motivated by the need to cut loose and enjoy the songs they’re performing, rather than agonising over being cool or counting the number of heads in the room. Wise Up are busy working on new recordings at Camelot Studios in Dublin, and will be booking more gigs around the city in the future, so keep your eyes peeled for more info from them soon.

Listen to ‘Conjure The Feeling’ below.

 

Follow Wise Up on Spotify, Twitter, Facebook & Instagram

Photo Credit: @paulmaxwellphotography

Kate Crudgington
@kcbobcut

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