WATCH: Maria Uzor – ‘Sometimes They Look At You’

Following recent spellbinding singles such as ‘Ventolin’ and ‘Over This‘, Norwich artist Maria Uzor has now announced the release of her upcoming debut solo album, Soft Cuts, due out next month. Having wowed us with the sparkling energy of her live show numerous times, and with acclaim from radio pioneers such as Amy Lame on BBC 6Music and John Kennedy on Radio X, as well as collaborations with the likes of Rozi Plain, Chk Chk Chk and Acid Klaus, we could not be more excited about this… !

A taste of what’s to come, latest single ‘Sometimes They Look At You‘ reflects on crossed wires and clashing perspectives with a sizzling driving energy. Propelled by glitchy hooks and a swirling funk-fuelled groove, it builds with searing electronic beats as Uzor’s fierce majestic allure soars throughout. Interspersing somewhat eerie sounding samples with twinkling interludes, it showcases this innovative artist’s ability to create truly unique soundscapes; ‘Sometimes They Look At You’ offers a fusion of vast layers of sound to create an immersive, invigorating cacophony.

Of the track, Uzor explains:

“I came away from a conversation with someone and wondered why we always seemed to have crossed wires. It was like nothing each of us said ever landed with the other… I realised it was because I was talking from a place of possibilities and they were talking from a place of absolutes. Two very different languages…’Sometimes They Look At You’ is about that… about recognising that language and communication is so much more than the words that come out of your mouth.”

‘Sometimes They Look At You’ is accompanied by a captivating new video, filmed by Andi Sapey and edited by Uzor herself. Watch here:

Soft Cuts, the upcoming debut album from Maria Uzor, is set for release on 13th October via Castles In Space. And catch Maria live at a number of live dates to accompany the release, including The Windmill in Brixton on 18th October – see you there!

Mari Lane
@marimindles

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NEW TRACK: NewDad – ‘Angel’

A magnetic, heady guitar tune exploring noxious behaviours in romantic relationships, Galway alt-rock four piece NewDad have shared their latest single ‘Angel’. Taken from their upcoming debut album, Madra, which is set for release on 26th January 2024 via Fair Youth/Atlantic Records, the track is inspired by the destructive relationship between characters Rue and Jules in hit TV show Euphoria.

Initially guided by the sounds of Pixies, The Cure and Slowdive, NewDad blend cinematic influences with personal epiphanies to create their bittersweet shoegaze sounds. Their debut full length record Madra – which means “dog” in Irish – is a culmination of these inspirations, centered around reflections on self-sabotage, self-medication and depression, whilst finding catharsis in being openly vulnerable about these issues.

Written in their home city of Galway, before the band relocated to London this year, Madra was produced by NewDad’s long-time collaborator Chris W Ryan (Just Mustard) and mixed by Alan Moulder (The Smashing Pumpkins, Nine Inch Nails, Wet Leg). Vocalist and guitarist Julie explains more about the themes behind the band’s upcoming record: “Madra explores various difficult parts of the human condition and the idea of the title is that these feelings that come up are sometimes ones you can’t escape – feelings that follow you around like a dog. We had an amazing team around us who helped bring these songs to life and we’re so excited for this album to be out in the world. We hope that people connect with the songs and that Madra can be a comfort to everyone who listens.”

Opening single ‘Angel’ is a culmination of these elements. Fuelled by hypnotic riffs, brooding bass lines and Julie’s distinctive, lullaby-like vocals, it’s a melodic musing on the spiralling nature of toxic romance. Listen to ‘Angel’ below.

NewDad UK & Ireland Tour Dates 2023 & 2024
1 Dec 2023 – Galway, Roisin Dubh
24 Feb 2024 – Leeds, Belgrave Music Hall
25 Feb 2024 – Manchester, Band On The Wall
26 Feb 2024 – Glasgow, St Luke’s
28 Feb 2024 – Dublin, Button Factory
2 March 2024 – Birmingham, O2 Institute
3 March 2024 – Bristol, Trinity
5 March 2024 – London, Koko

Follow NewDad on bandcamp, Spotify, TikTok, Twitter (X), Facebook & Instagram

Photo Credit: Zyanya-Lorenzo

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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LISTEN: ME REX – ‘Eutherians (Ultramarine)’

Their two EPs and incredible 51-track project designed for shuffle play have marked ME REX out as an incredibly exciting band to watch. Their latest single, ‘Eutherians (Ultramarine)‘ comes alongside the announcement of their forthcoming album, Giant Elk. If the rest of the project is as captivating as the single, then it’s going to be an unmissable release.

The track begins gently, with soft guitars and a light upbeat rhythm; from the first bars, the vocals ache with feeling and hint at the journey the song intends to take you on. The music swells together into a throbbing chorus that burrows into your head and stays with you long after the song ends – it’s difficult not to keep tapping along to the addictive beat.

‘Eutherians (Ultramarine)’ is about the fear of losing a part of yourself, but it has an overall sense of excitement to it. It surges into its most climactic moments, echoing the way that emotions overflow when you’re contemplating the universe and your tiny, insignificant space in it. As scary as the introspection the song contains might be, it’s beautiful as well. 

The repeated “deep, deep, deep, deep ultramarine” of the unknown – whether you’re looking up to the stars or down to the depths of the ocean – evokes that terror and fascination in equal measure. But, as the song goes on, the refrain flows with a bright, bouncy energy; like the beginning of a great adventure, getting all the more thrilling and colourful with each time it repeats.

‘Eutherians (Ultramarine)’ is a deeply reflective song. If you let it, it will take you to that introspective place that can be intensely painful or blissful, but either way rewarding and profound.

Giant Elk, the upcoming debut album from ME REX, is set for release on 2nd October, via Big Scary Monsters. Pre-order here.

Kirstie Summers
@ActuallyKurt

Photo Credit: Benjamin Whitley

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NEW TRACK: shaene – ‘sad’

A dreamy, melancholic rumination on a dark and complicated time, Leeds-based songwriter shaene has shared her latest single ‘sad’. Taken from her self-produced debut album, time lost / time regained, which is set for release on 1st September, the track is a reflection on the songwriter’s feelings of intense self doubt and alienation, filtered through a soft, shoegazey lens.

Having spent years writing and performing in multiple DIY bands across Yorkshire, shaene has been embedded in the Leeds DIY community for a number of years. She’s supported acts such as Lande Hekt and M(h)aol under her new moniker, but now she’s preparing to release her first full length solo record.

Starting life as a bedroom project during lockdown, before developing into a full band, shaene’s time lost / time regained is an album that’s inspired by her own experiences as a trans woman, her neurodivergency and the depth of emotions that surround these aspects of her life. Her new single ‘sad’ touches on these themes and gives listeners a poignant first hint at what the full album will sound like.

“‘sad’ is about being lodged in a deep depression, convinced that everybody would be better off without you around,” shaene explains. Her intimate, confessional lyrics are accompanied by considered, shimmering instrumentation that helps to ease the pain of the alienation that initially inspired the track. shaene’s willingness to share these thoughts is what makes her music so earnest and inspiring, and we look forward to hearing more from the songwriter in the lead up to her debut album release.

Listen to ‘sad’ below.

Follow shaene on bandcamp, Spotify & Instagram

Photo Credit: shaene

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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