LISTEN: Harkin – ‘Body Clock’

A tender, intuitive offering that reflects on the idea of re-setting your boundaries during a time of great uncertainty, UK based multi-instrumentalist Harkin has shared her latest single ‘Body Clock’. Taken from her second album Honeymoon Suite, which is set for release on 17th June via her own label Hand Mirror, the track marks a shift in musical direction for the artist, caused mainly by the unexpected limitations of the Covid-19 lockdowns during 2020.

Recorded in the one bedroom flat that she shares with her wife above a pub, Harkin’s new album covers the spectrum of “love, grief, anxiety, resilience, danger, heartbreak and hope.” Creating her sounds in the same room where she existed on a day-to-day basis, where she held her virtual wedding reception and where she attended a funeral over zoom, her record feels like a deeply personal time capsule, but it’s one that listeners can open and share too. ‘Body Clock’ is the first of many singles that will resonate with those who had a similar experience during an unsettling and repetitive time.

Accompanied by a charming animated video created by Pastel Castle, ‘Body Clock’ is full of atmospheric electronics, soft vocals and glitchy beats. “I was a big fan of Pastel Castle’s work and felt like this song would be a perfect fit,” Harkin comments about the video. “I wrote and recorded it during lockdown in a flat with no outdoor space. My brother loaned me a Nintendo Switch and I found solace in games with large maps to explore. Songwriting and gameplay can both have the power to transport and the video Pastel Castle has created takes me on a beautiful and perilous quest.”

Watch the video for ‘Body Clock’ below.

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

Photo Credit: Kate Hewett

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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Track Of The Day: Breakup Haircut – ‘Out Of My Way (I’m Not Getting On The Nightbus)’

Having wowed us live with their scuzzy, joyous punk-pop at our January gig at The Victoria, First Timers Fest alumni Breakup Haircut have now announced the release of their debut album, which we could not be more excited about!

Taken from the album, latest single ‘Get Out Of My Way (I’m Not Getting On The Nightbus)‘ offers an ode to those of us who may not be too fond of big social gatherings. Flowing with a jangly, uplifting energy, it oozes a snarly wit as the band’s colourful charisma shines through. Another example showcasing Breakup Haircut’s ability to combine a radiant sparkling charm with a striking relatable poignancy. Of the track, Ishani from the band explains:

“I bill this as a song about hating parties, but I don’t actually hate parties. I just hate that I have to deal with the dichotomy of FOMO or being out past midnight and having to spend four hours or £60 (or both) getting home. I have held the belief for a while now that the best amount of people is four or less, so this song is in the spirit of that.”

Watch the quirky new video for ‘Out Of My Way (I’m Not Getting On The Nightbus)’ here:


Punk Dancing for Self Defence, the debut album from Breakup Haircut, is out on 15th July via Reckless Yes.

Mari Lane
@marimindles

Photo Credit: Akil Kanukuntla

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Track Of The Day: EFÉ -‘KIWI’

A laid back, breezy mix of dreamy vocals and hazy guitar riffs, Dublin based musician Anita Ikharo aka EFÉ has shared her latest single ‘KIWI’. Taken from her upcoming EP, VITAMIN-C, which is set for release in June, the track is a charming slice of indie pop that showcases the young artist’s ear for catchy melodies and sees her fully relaxing into her songwriting capabilities.

Co-produced with her best friend who.killed.romeo and mixed by Ben Baptie (Rex Orange County, Little Simz, Moses Sumney), ‘KIWI’ is EFÉ’s first new release since her 2020 self-made debut EP, What Should We Do This Summer?. Featuring singles ‘Garden’ and ‘Table For Two’, the record propelled EFÉ into the spotlights of the London and Miami music scenes, an experience that overwhelmed, but did not deter her from writing the songs for VITAMIN-C – with ‘KIWI’ being the first taste of what fans can expect from the record.

Accompanied by a music video which was conceptualised, directed and edited by EFÉ and her friends, the visuals reflect the artist’s fears about being unprepared and insecure in a situation she’s not entirely comfortable with. Full of bright colours and playful imagery, the footage beautifully underscores ‘KIWI’s buoyant sound.

“The video has a storyline of a girl who goes camping, she’s brought her laptop, fairy lights and cute magazines, but she can’t light a fire or even hunt for food,” EFÉ explains. “She is super scared cause she sees a bear but then she falls in love with the bear. It was definitely hard to make because it was very necessary that the right location was chosen as well as the right bear costume and right people to work with. I did cry a whole lot, scared nothing would come out right. I had so much fear around the video because of the huge pressure I put on myself to make it good. I also worked on some of the editing and colour grading so there was a lot I had creative control over. I think it was worth it in the end though and shows that hard work and the right people around can really pay off!”

Being around the right people has helped EFÉ blossom into the indie pop artist she is, something which was also aided by reading Rachel Chinouriri’s open letter to the music industry – in which she explained how she has been consistently and wrongly stereotyped as an R&B artist throughout her career – in January this year. Inspired by Rachel Chinouriri words, EFÉ simply wants to make her own music without the incorrect input of those who are clearly not listening to her music.

Listen to ‘Kiwi’ below.

Follow EFÉ on Spotify, Twitter, Instagram & Tik Tok

Photo Credit: Adam Kelleher

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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Track Of The Day: LibraLibra – ‘Here’s To You Mr Robinson’

Having previously blown us away with the unique energy of their live shows, as well as receiving acclaim from the likes of BBC 6Music, BBC Radio 1 and Clash for their pop-infused riotous offerings, GIHE faves LibraLibra are now set to release their second EP, Modern Millennial.

Taken from the EP, new single ‘Here’s To You Mr Robinson‘ offers a satirical FU to the UK Government and any other right wing cretins. Initially inspired by the Tommy Robinson milkshake-in-face incident, it’s driven by a frenzied electro-driven whirr as the impassioned vocal prowess of front-person Beth Cannon soars. Fusing together a bewitching honey-sweet allure with a fiercely gritty drive, it swirls with a ferocious energy and fizzing sense of urgency that demands multiple listens. An utterly necessary, instantly catchy raging anthem against the ‘Tory Purgatory’ we seem to be stuck in. Another epic, colossal cacophony showcasing the immense genre-defying power of this band on the rise.

Watch the wonderfully trippy new video (directed by Apple Shampoo) for ‘Here’s To You Mr Robinson’ here:

Modern Millennial, the upcoming second EP from LibraLibra, is out this Friday 25th March. Catch LibraLibra live on their current UK tour.

Mari Lane
@marimindles

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