Premiere: LORI – ‘I’m Still Here’

Known to us as the magnificent front-woman of rockers Weekend Recovery, songwriter LORI has now announced her debut solo EP, set for release next month via Criminal Records.

The second single to be taken from the EP, and the collection’s title track, ‘I’m Still Here’ offers a reflection on LORI’s recent mental health journey. Propelled by swirling, electro-infused hooks, LORI’s emotion-strewn crystalline vocals soar throughout with an empowering sentiment. Oozing a sweeping subtle power and shimmering emotive energy, it’s a perfectly heartfelt alt-pop gem; a much-needed stirring message of resilience and self-love. A huge step away from the ferocious punk-pop of Weekend Recovery, ‘I’m Still Here’ channels LORI’s distinctive impassioned spirit in a sparkling new direction.

As LORI reiterates the refrain “I’m still here. I survived”, I can’t help but feel extremely grateful that she got through everything to be where she is today; offering this deeply moving, and instantly catchy, survivor anthem.

Listen to ‘I’m Still Here’, for the first time:


‘I’m Still Here’ is out tomorrow, 27th August. LORI’s solo EP of the same name is set for release on 3rd September via Criminal Records. Catch LORI live:

6th Sept: Sidney & Matilda, Sheffield
7th Sept: Hope and Anchor, London
8th Sept: The Prince Albert, Brighton
9th Sept: Dead Wax Digbeth, Birmingham
10th Sept: Chameleon Arts Cafe, Nottingham
11th Sept: Santiagos, Leeds
12th Sept: Retro, Manchester

Mari Lane
@marimindles

Photo Credit: Keira Anee

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LISTEN: Blonde Maze – ‘Being Pulled’

Having fallen in love with everything that GIHE fave Amanda Steckler – aka Blonde Maze – has created so far, it was quite literally music to my ears to hear that she has now shared a brand new single. Following the sparkling grace of ‘I Think About‘ (a collaboration with Attom), and numerous other dreamscapes including ‘Diamond Eyes’ and 2019’s ‘To The Moon, ‘Being Pulled‘ is the latest taste of the New York artist’s upcoming album.

Flowing with glistening, chiming hooks and twinkling keys, ‘Being Pulled’ is inspired by “the conflicting feelings of wanting to move forward while being pulled backwards by your memories; about wanting to move on, yet not wanting to let go of past emotions.” With a gentle heartfelt emotion, it builds with a glitchy electro-infused energy to a swirling, euphoric soundscape. Bathing the ears in shimmering ripples of dreamy reflection and oozing a woozy, hypnotic splendour, it offers an equally perfect accompaniment to a moment of solitary tranquil catharsis, as it does to an invigorating dance with loved ones into the early hours.

As Amanda’s luscious vocals flow with a blissful haze, I can’t helped but ‘be pulled’ into the truly exquisite enchanting allure of ‘Being Pulled’. Blonde Maze has once again provided the perfect soothing tonic; the beautifully calming and delicately uplifting soundtrack that I so desperately needed this week.

Mari Lane
@marimindles

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LISTEN: Daisy Coburn – ‘My Paradise’

Having previously released music with her project Daisy Dares You and with years of experience playing in various other bands, last year innovative artist Daisy Coburn released her debut solo EP, and has now shared her new single, ‘My Paradise’. A festival ready stomp-through-the-woodlands-until-you-find-a-magical-clearing type listen, it’s utterly enchanting as airy chimes weave through swirling guitars and trundling bass, creating a beguiling indie track which is as whimsical and eerie as Alice heading down the rabbit hole. 

As Coburn’s vocals whisper, we’re treated to the unique, celestial Tinkerbell-like quality of her voice: delicate without being fragile, emanating light while a darker mischievousness lingers too (making the accompanying press image of Daisy bathed in absinthe green light pleasingly fitting). 

Her self-written lyrics are a call to get up and discover yourself, to stop making the same mistakes. Her admission that “my paradise is that you’d think twice” is particularly poignant advice given the knowledge that her career has seen a decade’s worth of iterations – you may remember her from various outfits including The Duke Spirit. 

While there are nods to her history, there’s an unrelenting sense of Daisy’s evolution as an artist. Having left the industry as a teenager, her return is wise, well crafted and extremely welcome. As ever, it’s refreshing to hear an artist truly find her sound and it’s with great excitement we await forthcoming EP Cut The Demon.

Tutku Barbaros
@tutkubarbaros

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Track Of The Day: BECAH – ‘Reminders’

With her debut EP Freak on its way, Northern Irish alt-indie artist, BECAH, has released ‘Reminders‘ – an utterly captivating new single. It’s a powerful expression of vulnerability, with honest lyrics and underpinned by brooding instrumentation.

‘Reminders’ is a soundbath of sweet tones, with sweeping synthesisers, jangling guitar and BECAH’s heavenly vocals, all fusing together to build a hypnotic atmosphere. Although there is a fuzzy sweetness in the instrumentation, there is an underlying darkness to the track. It is constantly building and there’s a cinematic drive, reminiscent of bands like Muse. Every instrument seems to create tension, pulsating and building with an epic grandeur.  

BECAH’s combination of powerful instrumentation with her expressive vocals and lyrics is truly poignant; there is an empowering element to the song, revealing a strength in being vulnerable. The subtle layering of their vocals really emphasises this duality. The vocals are tender, almost fragile, but they are layered to create power, whilst still conveying vulnerability. Musically BECAH reveals shades of singer-songwriter greats such as Jeff Buckley, Norah Jones, and contemporaries such as Phoebe Bridgers.

Of the track, BECAH reveals: 

“I wrote ‘Reminders’ in the aftermath of a very toxic relationship with a past girlfriend. The coinciding music video, filmed by Chris McCann and directed by John Dynes and Chris McCann, presents a glimpse into that story – the good times I had with her in the beginning, to its violent turn. The lyrics speak of the struggle I had to feel like myself again, and how all my attempts to push away all the little details and memories of that time felt futile.”

Watch the stirring new video for ‘Reminders’ here:

Freak, the upcoming debut EP from BECAH, is set for release later this year.

Jaz Kelly
@surfjaz

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