Track Of The Day: Alaskalaska – ‘Still Life’

Fresh after announcing their upcoming album Still Life, South London band ALASKALASKA have released the record’s title track in an exploratory and curious single. Arriving this Autumn, Still Life will embrace a free-form electronica disposition filled with digital sounds, rich melodies, drum machines and the sparse involvement of acoustic instrumentation. 

With the latest single of the same name, Alaskalaska grasp at a knot tangled by existential dread and the simplicity of life’s simple pleasures, painting an enchanting teaser for the album. Paired with an abstract music video, ‘Still Life’ builds a world with melodic, arpeggiated synths and circular lyrics. With a lyrical refrain building the tension, ALASKALASKA’s story feels interpersonal – oozing a profound immersive soundscape, spinning thoughts of uncertainty. 

Building with intensity, layers of sound are interwoven, building to a climax of fuzz emulating irritation. This distinct arrangement later comes to a burst as the tension of ‘Still Life’ peaks. Eerie reverbs and modulations shift the tone of ALASKALASKA from left to right, delving into a sonic chaos that pays off as stirring, ethereal vocals echo in the background.  

As the track settles, ‘Still Life’ remains in the back of listeners’ minds; swirling and dancing around our thoughts; creating a sparkling moment for reflection. ALASKALASKA has set the scene for a captivating ‘Still Life’ – one that is multidimensional and full of character.

Of the track, the band explain:

“‘Still Life’ asks is what is supposed to connect us on a worldwide scale being used more for vanity/ego, distraction or even surveillance/control? ‘Look at it breed, modern greed…’. It’s a bit of a cautionary tale, much like 1984…if you get my drift. Still though, there are glimmers of hope – ‘I’ve got the seed in my pocket….’ as in I’ve got seeds to sow, seeds to grow. Small gestures can make big changes.”

Watch the stirring new video for ‘Still Life’ here:


Still Life, the upcoming new album from ALASKALASKA, is set for release on 14th October via Marathon Artists.

Jill Goyeau
@jillybxxn

Photo Credit: Abi Sinclair

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Track Of The Day: Bad Sidekick – ‘Lemon Eyes’

Inspired by the cute nickname that vocalist Cooper gave to her cat, Bad Sidekick‘s latest single ‘Lemon Eyes’ is a buoyant ode to genuine, selfless love. Taken from the band’s upcoming debut album Daily Lottery, which is set for release on 19th August, the track is full of upbeat riffs, tender lyrics and Cooper’s charming Bristolian intonation, warmly reflecting on the joy that comes with nurturing someone you love, and watching that relationship blossom into something truly comfortable and secure.

Formed of Cooper Rose (vocals), Robbie Jenner (bass), Joe Blount (guitar) and John Blount (drums), Bad Sidekick create alt-rock anthems inspired by the nuances of everyday life. Based between London and Bristol, the band released their debut self-titled EP back in 2018, and since Robbie Jenner joined the ranks earlier this year, they’ve been busy writing and recording their debut album, Daily Lottery. They released the gritty, eponymous track from the album as a single earlier this month, but with their new single ‘Lemon Eyes’ the band showcase their softer side, courtesy of a catchy chorus and playful riffs.

To celebrate the release of their upcoming record, Bad Sidekick will be playing an album launch gig on the 19th August in Bristol at The Crofters Rights, supported by Annabel Allum, Sit Down and Holy Reptile. They will also be playing a London show on 3rd September at The Finsbury Pub supported by The Baby Seals, Brie and Holy Reptile.

Listen to ‘Lemon Eyes’ below.

 

Follow Bad Sidekick on Spotify, Twitter, Instagram & Facebook

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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WATCH: Brutus – ‘Liar’

Gritty vocals, powerhouse percussion and charged riffs punctuate ‘Liar’, the latest single from Belgian trio Brutus. Taken from their upcoming third album Unison Life, which is set for release on 21st October via Hassle Records/Sargent House, the track is a heavy lament that criticises the lies we tell ourselves in order to keep a false and temporary sense of calm.

“When things get a bit more difficult or when relationships demand too much energy, I choose to avoid confronting things, or just lie about it for the sake of keeping the peace,” vocalist and drummer Stefanie Mannaerts explains about the context of the new single. “At that point, it just seems like the easy thing to do so that nobody gets hurt. But in the long run, those well-intentioned lies will catch up with you, and the peace you thought you’d found turns out to be an illusion.” Through her instinctive, thudding beats and primal vocals, Mannaerts shatters these illusions amidst a cacophony of riffs from guitarist Stijn Vanhoegaerden and bassist Peter Mulders.

The single is accompanied by a video, directed by Maximiliaan Dierickx and shot in the desert near Marrakech and Essaouira in Morocco. The visuals reflect the duality expressed in Mannaerts’ lyrics, and how masking your true feelings ultimately only leads to further disappointment. Dissecting the darker, more desperate parts of the emotional spectrum fuelled the creation of Brutus’ new album Unison Life. “I wanted every song to feel like the last song we’ll ever write,” Mannaerts comments about its conception. “It killed me inside because it’s almost an impossibly high standard, but that was my personal goal for this album. It was a two-year quest of trying to do better.”

Pre-order your copy of Brutus’ new album Unison Life here.

Watch the video for ‘Liar’ below.

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

Photo Credit: Eva Vlonk

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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Track Of The Day: Miya Folick – ‘Nothing To See’

Emotional, raw and beautifully resilient, Miya Folick‘s latest single ‘Nothing To See’ is a tender ode to rediscovering yourself in the aftermath of a painful breakup. Taken from her new EP 2007, which is set for release on 9th September via Nettwerk, through her clear vocals, candid lyrics and considered instrumentation, Folick accepts that love makes fools of us all, and gracefully reclaims the time she spent changing herself to suit the needs of an unappreciative lover.

“This song is about falling in love with someone emotionally unavailable,” explains the LA based songwriter. “Someone whose feelings and desires were so obscured to me and themselves, that I had to become a detective. I studied their life for clues and tried to fit the role of the person I thought they’d like. Eventually we broke up, and I realized that I’d lost the plot on my own life. My body and personality and life were so populated by the interests of this person, that once they were gone, there was nothing left to see. But, to me, this song isn’t bleak. I think there’s power in being brave enough to say ‘I was made a fool by you.’”

Despite the single’s painful context, ‘Nothing To See’ is a merciful, cathartic offering that reminds listeners that whilst unhealthy romantic infatuation can be draining, there’s comfort in knowing you can break free from the toxic cycle and rediscover your autonomy in the aftermath. This type of personal epiphany permeates the tracks on Folick’s upcoming EP, 2007, on which she scrutinises and forgives herself for feeling things so intensely.

Watch the visualiser for ‘Nothing To See’ below.

Follow Miya Folick on Spotify, Twitter, Instagram & Facebook

Maya Folick Tour Dates 2022 (supporting Tove Lo)
29th October – Olympia Theater, Dublin, IE
1st November – SWG3 Galvanizers, Glasgow, UK
2nd November – Academy, Manchester, UK
3rd November – O2 Institute, Birmingham, UK
5th November – The Roundhouse, London, UK

Photo Credit: Jonny Marlow

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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