Track Of The Day: Aphty Khéa & a.Blubox – ‘Pengvibe 2.0’

A hypnotic remix of her original 2020 single, Aphty Khéa has teamed up with London-based, Italian-German duo a.Blubox on her latest single ‘Pengvibe 2.0’. Released via Slow Dance Records and featured on their annual compilation EP which is due on 26th January, the track is a cinematic re-working of Khéa’s original glitchy, intoxicating beats.

Currently based in Kreuzberg in Berlin, Aphty Khéa is a half Greek, half British artist who combines sonic and visual elements to create her stimulating, exciting electronic music. “‘Pengvibe2.0’ is the socially distant, post-party, pre-comedown twin of ‘Pengvibe’,” explains Khéa about the new remix. “In times where it’s impossible to chill on a stained sofa in the downtempo room whilst listening to strangers tell you stories you won’t remember, you have no choice but to construct an intimate, homely alternative.”

“Moving from the living room to the kitchen and hoping ‘Chatroulette’ will connect you with another dance-deprived person somewhere on the inter-web is the placebo a lot of us are currently settling for. As time passes by in the digital COVID age, and you slowly start to feel like you might just be living in the Matrix, everything creatively collaborative is inevitably achieved through zeros and ones. And through zeros and ones, between Berlin and London, is how this sonic re-imagination was conceived.”

Khéa’s new single is accompanied by a self-directed video, which offers a “much needed eye-break” around the roads of Khéa’s childhood hometown in Greece. Combining her cinematic visuals with her energetic sounds, ‘Pengvibe 2.0’ is an essential slice of escapism during these uncertain times.

Watch the video below.

Follow Aphty Khéa on Instagram, Facebook & Spotify for more updates.

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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WATCH: Tamar Aphek – ‘Russian Winter’

A brooding mix of distorted bass lines, cutting vocals and thumping beats, Israeli rocker Tamar Aphek‘s latest single ‘Russian Winter’ is a sonic force to be reckoned with. Taken from her upcoming album All Bets Are Off, set for release via Kill Rock Stars on 29th January, Aphek has shared a new video to accompany the beautiful, yet desolate track.

“‘Russian Winter’ is my first concept music video,” Aphek explains. “It was developed in a few stages. First, a visual translation of my personal feelings in light of the collapse of the frameworks and creative endeavours in which I was involved with before the coronavirus, hours of brainstorming with the director Amir Buxbaum on how to transform the ideas into a music video, and finally diving with the animator in a symbolic ocean of images. We are facing huge changes in our old familiar world – I wanted to include images like the cycle of the four seasons – hoping that by sticking to the common place it will help us move forward into the unknown world.”

Hailed as “Israel’s guitar goddess” by Timeout in Tel-Aviv, Aphek’s contemporary rock sounds mark her out as an exciting talent in the world of guitar music. The experienced instrumentalist produced her new record by herself, working alongside the mastering talents of Daniel Schlett (War on Drugs, DIIV) and Greg Calbi (John Lennon, Bob Dylan, David Bowie) to finalise her sound. ‘Russian Winter’ is the third single to be released from the album, showcasing Aphek’s ability to dismantle the world around her through commanding vocals and a cacophony of guitar noise.

Watch the video for ‘Russian Winter’ below.

Follow Tamar Aphek on bandcamp, Spotify, Instagram, Twitter & Facebook for more updates.

Photo Credit: Guy Nahum Lëvy

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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Track Of The Day: REYKO – ‘Saturday’

A jagged, electro-pop tune exploring the mixed emotions that come with an unexpected change, London-based duo REYKO have shared their latest single ‘Saturday’. Following on from their previous singles ‘The Game’ and ‘Panic’, this new track sees the pair navigate the euphoria and uncertainty of a life-changing event through a blend of hushed vocals, edgy riffs and poppy beats.

Formed of vocalist Soleil and producer Igor, REYKO first began making music together for the final project of Igor’s masters degree in music production. The pair released their self-titled debut album in 2020, blending elements of electro, indie, pop, hip-hop and trap together to create their intoxicating sounds. Since then, the duo have been steadily sharing new music and single ‘Saturday’ is another upbeat offering.

The track is designed to remind listeners that change is an inevitable part of life, which we all need to accept and embrace. It’s also accompanied by a video shot and directed by James Ayling, which features Soleil and Igor searching for each other around an industrial estate. Watch the video for ‘Saturday’ below.

Follow REYKO on Instagram, Twitter, Spotify and Facebook for more updates.

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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Track Of The Day: Bait Bag – ‘Safe Word’

A riotous drop-kick to one of the worst years in global history, US riot grrrls Bait Bag have shared their latest single ‘Safe Word’. Full of sardonic lyrics and punk-infused riffs, the track is a vigorous farewell to 2020 and more specifically, to the last four years of tyrannous American politics.

Formed in the summer of 2018 by North Haven Island-based pals Fiona Robins, Claire Donnelly and Courtney Naliboff, Bait Bag are inspired by the sounds of Sleater-Kinney, Blondie and Le Tigre. They’ve channeled their collective energies into new single ‘Safe Word’, a track that encourages listeners to dance and swirl around in the ashes of this “dumpster fire” of a year.

“This is the song to blast at midnight with a glass of champagne and all your friends on Zoom,” the band explain. With its crashing percussion, energetic guitars and relatable lyrics – “Hey man, stop the world I wanna get off!” – it’ll be hard not to bop along with the grrrls as they enthuse about the exhaustion that came with the continuous flow of bad news this year.

With songs intended to “empower and excite, or at least give other frustrated people something to flail around to,” Bait Bag’s latest single is a strong opening track for the soundtrack of 2021.

Listen to ‘Safe Word’ below.

 

Follow Bait Bag on bandcamp, Spotify, Facebook, Twitter & Instagram for more updates.

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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