LISTEN: M(h)aol – ‘Gender Studies’

A rumbling cacophony of post-punk noise designed to dismantle the misconception that gender is binary, Irish feminist post-punk band M(h)aol have shared their latest single ‘Gender Studies’. The title track from their debut EP, which is set for release via TULLE on 29th October (digitally) and 15th January (physically), the song is a brief but powerful statement on the empowering feelings that come with challenging gender norms.

Currently based between Dublin, London and Bristol, M(h)aol (pronounced “male”) are formed of Róisín Nic Ghearailt, Constance Keane, Jamie Hyland, Zoe Greenway and Sean Nolan. Together, the band aim to rattle the male dominated post-punk scene with their urgent, gritty sounds, with previous singles ‘Laundries’ and ‘Asking For It’ being the perfect instigators for this pursuit. Now with ‘Gender Studies’, M(h)aol have further cemented their statement against toxic patriarchal standards, rejecting damaging gender stereotypes.

Accompanied by a monochrome video that contrasts traditional images of femininity with cutting lyrics about an individual’s frustrations & realisations about gender constraints, ‘Gender Studies’ seethes with a righteous fury whilst also offering a raw catharsis, recognising the freedom that comes with choosing to see past patriarchal boundaries.

Watch the video for ‘Gender Studies’ below.

M(h)aol UK Tour Dates
1st November – Rough Trade, Bristol
2nd November – The Hug And Pint, Glasgow
3rd November – The Talleyrand, Manchester
4th November – The Shacklewell Arms, London

Follow M(h)aol on Spotify, bandcamp, Facebook, Twitter & Instagram

Photo Credit: Susan Appleby

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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Track Of The Day: Stay Sleeping ft. Spike Pop – ‘The Dark’

An evocative dark-wave gem that filters feelings of hesitation and anxiety through a vampiric lens, London-based musician and producer Stay Sleeping has shared her latest single ‘The Dark’. Featuring fellow London-based musician Spike Pop and released via independent Birmingham label Ezi Deth Rekords, the track is a haunting rumination on understanding lust, desire and learning to recognise the forces that form your own identity.

Formed in London as her own solo project after playing in several different musical outfits (including feminist post-punk/synth-pop trio Candy Cane), Stay Sleeping aka Izzy is a goth latinx who is heavily influenced by the shadowy sounds of electronics and death-wave. Working from her home DIY studio, she crafts bewitching soundscapes that provide a glance behind the veil of fear, anxiety and appetite, exploring them through her bittersweet, gothic tunes.

“I guess the song is about getting over the fear of knowing yourself and being able to be ok with it,” explains Stay Sleeping about her new single ‘The Dark’. “Whether that’s coming to terms with your mental health, sexuality or just life in general. Especially with everything that’s been going on in the world.” Stay Sleeping explores these feelings through the medium of a female vampire in the track, who is ultimately hesitant to explore her bloody fantasies.

Listen to ‘The Dark’ below.

 

Follow Stay Sleeping on bandcamp, Spotify, Instagram & Facebook

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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LISTEN: Grandmas House – ‘Girl’

A playful ode to the joys and frustrations of queer love, Bristol punk trio Grandmas House have shared their latest single ‘Girl’. Taken from their upcoming self-titled debut EP, which is set for release on 15th October via Brace Yourself Records (JOHN, Nuha Ruby Ra, Laundromat, Peeping Drexels), the track is a headrush of rumbling bass lines, surf-pop melodies and gritty vocals.

Formed of Yasmin Berndt (vocals, guitar), Poppy Dodgson (vocals, drums) and Zoë Zinsmeister (bass), Grandmas House formed in late 2018 and were busy cutting their teeth on the UK gig circuit before Covid-19 put an abrupt stop to live music. The trio decided to use their time in the following lockdowns constructively, quickly writing and recording new material, including their upcoming EP. Balancing their thoughts on capitalism and gender inequality alongside everyday annoyances and joys, the band have crafted a playful yet passionate collection of anthems that provide intense moments of catharsis.

Their latest single ‘Girl’ captures a slightly softer moment, mirrored in the track’s upbeat tempo and witty call and response vocals. Grandmas House are now gearing up for their forthcoming UK tour, which includes opening slots with IDLES, Katy J Pearson, TV Priest and a own headline show at The Windmill in Brixton on 3rd November.

Listen to ‘Girl’ below.

Follow Grandmas House on bandcamp, Spotify, Instagram, Twitter & Facebook

Photo Credit: Rosie Carne

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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EP: Porij – ‘Baby Face’

Balancing their love for pop & dance music alongside their social and emotional conscience, Manchester-based four piece Porij have created a bright, spirited collection of songs on their new EP, Baby Face. Whether they’re trying to rebuild the rattled confidence of women walking alone at night on buoyant opener ‘Nobody Scared’, or soothe the sting of a brief break-up on ‘Divine’, Porij do it with playful flair and infectious optimism via their dancing beats and quirky electronics.

Greatly influenced by the carefree time they spent studying, living together and playing to crowds who craved a mixture of genres in Manchester, Porij have leaned into their poppier tendencies on this latest offering. Whilst their debut EP Breakfast hinted at a love for the genre, on Baby Face they unabashedly embrace the joy that comes with writing a succinct pop song. “We’re all pop people,” vocalist & keyboardist Eggy explains. “A lot of bands are quite anti-pop, but I think the art of writing pop is ridiculous! Pop is hard to write.”

Finding method in their “mish-mash” of pop and dance, the bandmates have written four fun-sounding tracks fuelled by everything from lust to disgust. Penned after Eggy learned about the origins of the Reclaim the Night marches whilst watching a crime documentary on Netflix, ‘Nobody Scared’ is designed to empower listeners with its mantra-like chorus, lulling them into a state of security. There’s a healthy dose of self-love on ‘Divine’, with Eggy’s smooth vocals urging listeners to declare “Bitch, I’m divine” when they reach those “pearly gates.”

Guitarist Tommy’s lilting riffs on ‘Ego’ slide smoothly over drummer Tom’s buoyant percussion and James’ edgy basslines, but it’s the pure UK garage club vibes of ‘Can’t Stop’ that provides the real dancefloor-filling energy. They linger on and provide a remedy for the post-hook up blues. Lusty closer ‘Heaven Knows’ pleases with its direct lyrics, contrasting synth sounds and more of the band’s playful beats. It bookends their joyful dive into pop, patriarchy and finding pleasure in skipping through genre loop holes.

Light in all the right places, Porij’s new EP Baby Face provides a brief but lively distraction from everyday life.

Porij’s new EP Baby Face is set for release on 22nd September.

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

Kate Crudgington
@kcbobcut

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