Track Of The Day: Bas Jan – ‘You Have Bewitched Me’

Having initially formed back in 2015, London experimental collective Bas Jan was co-founded by songwriter, vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Serafina Steer, and now features Rachel Horwood (Trash Kit, Bamboo, Jenny Moore’s Mystic Business), Emma Smith (the Elysian Quartet, Jarv Is, Seamus Fogarty) and Charlie Stock. Following 2018’s Yes I Jan, the ensemble has now shared their first new music in three years.

Propelled a swirling ethereal majesty, ‘You Have Bewitched Me‘ offers an effervescent reflection on the mesmerising power of first attraction and new love. As steady bass and sweeping strings flow, the track builds with a lilting, twinkling energy to a burst of vibrant colour and heartfelt blissful joy. With the delicate grace of its sparkling harmonies, ‘You Have Bewitched Me’ showcases the subtle power of crystalline voices coming together in unity to create a truly euphoric soundscape. As an eclectic array of shimmering sounds are interwoven with a captivating allure, ‘You Have Bewitched Me’ treats the ears to a beautiful calming cacophony.

Of the formation of the track, Serafina explains:

“It was a result of an Arts Council funded project… For Bas Jan to rehearse and record live at a performance space [Cafe Oto, London] during lockdown in Autumn 2020. It was then mixed by Capitol K at Total Refreshment Centre. ‘You Have Bewitched Me’ marks a new era of collaborative writing as a four-piece – more of which to be revealed soon.”

Watch the new video for ‘You Have Bewitched Me’ here:

‘You Have Bewitched Me’ is out now via Lost Map Records, as part of Lost Map’s PostMap Club monthly subscription service.

Mari Lane
@marimindles

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Track Of The Day: Trash Kit – ‘Horizon’

Having wowed us at one of our first nights at The Finbsury, Rachel Aggs (Sacred Paws, Shopping), Rachel Horwood (Bamboo) and Gill Partlington (Bas Jan), aka Trash Kit, have been firm favourites for some time. And now, following 2014’s Confidence, they’ve announced their upcoming new album, and shared a video for its uplifting title track, ‘Horizon’.

Inspired by how people interpret the planet and Aggs’ love of guitar music from Zimbabwe, ‘Horizon’ oozes a shimmering effervescent joy and swirling sparkling energy. Interweaving twinkling hooks, jangly beats and funk-fused bass lines, its cascading sun-filled vibes build to a wonderfully life-affirming climax and rejuvenating euphoric haze.

Of the track, Rachel Aggs explains:

“The song is quite literal, thinking about the edge of the earth – how people interpret the planet, how you can sometimes forget the enormity of the world and the universe and how small that can make you feel.”

Filmed by Upset The Rhythm at Brimham Rocks in North Yorkshire, the joyous new video for ‘Horizon’ is the perfect accompaniment to the track’s radiant energy. Watch it here:

Horizon, the upcoming new album from Trash Kit, is out on 5th July via Upset The Rhythm. Pre-order here.

Mari Lane
@marimindles

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Track Of The Day: Bamboo – ‘Weeping Idols’

Following 2015’s Prince Pansori Priestess and 2017’s The Dragon Flies Away, London/Brighton duo Rachel Horwood (Trash Kit, Halo Halo) and Nick Carlisle (Peepholes, Don’t Argue), aka Bamboo, have now announced a brand new album.

Taken from the album, new single ‘Weeping Idols’ is an uplifting and subtly captivating offering. Propelled by a thunderous sense of urgency, a twinkling soundscape is created as swirling interwoven melodies and chiming hooks provide the backdrop for Rachel’s soaring majestic vocals.

Musically inspired by Jodorowsky’s graphic novel The Incal, ‘Weeping Idols’ uses religious references and criticism of the Catholic church within its lyrics to tackle more personal issues, oozing a poignancy akin to the sweeping ethereal power of Kate Bush.

Filmed and edited by Jack Barraclough, watch the new video for ‘Weeping Idols’ now:

Daughters Of The Sky, the upcoming new album from Bamboo, is out on 14th June via Upset The Rhythm. Pre-order here.

Mari Lane
@marimindles

 

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