LISTEN: Lauren Auder – ‘the ripple’

Lifted from her highly anticipated debut album, the infinite spine, which she shared last week (21st July), ‘the ripple’ is a thrilling, tenacious alt-pop gem that showcases London-based, French-born musician Lauren Auder‘s distinctive artistic talent. Produced by Mura Masa – one of the few collaborators on the record outside of Auder’s immediate creative circle – the track is a cell-tingling exploration of self-autonomy which, much like its namesake, ripples with intense emotion.

Like many of the songs that form the infinite spine, ‘the ripple’ is a potent, pop-drenched exploration and celebration of discovering your true self, and what it’s like being a trans woman in a world that increasingly tries to deny trans women the right to exist on their own terms. Described as “the monkey’s paw of having your voice heard,” ‘the ripple’ is Auder’s rallying cry “to accept, to be duped / to not grimace at the absolute”, a message that she fully delivers via racing, distorted electronics and cathartic screams that permeate the track’s chorus.

During the four years that the album was written, Auder was haunted by the question “what if we could rewrite history?” By shifting her musical direction away from her shadowy, intentionally experimental previous creations, Auder embraces gritty-yet-glistening pop elements and glossy aesthetics to work through her emotions and experiences. “Pop music is meant to be experienced openly,” she declares, and this underscores her desire to live freely in musical and wider societal spheres.

Working alongside GIHE favourite Jessica Winter, Dviance and Alex Parish, the infinite spine is a captivating, superbly produced collection of tracks that form a powerful, pop-infused statement of independence for Auder, and we can’t get enough of it.

Listen to ‘the ripple’ below.

Follow Lauren Auder on bandcamp, Spotify, Instagram, Twitter & Facebook

Photo Credit: Crowns & Owls

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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NEW TRACKS: AVR – ‘Confirm Humanity’ and ‘Nous Aimons on 80BPM’

Two tender, ambient musings on the complexities of human nature, multi-instrumentalist, producer and 4D pop artist AVR (formerly known as ANNAVR) has shared her new singles: ‘Confirm Humanity’ and ‘Nous Aimons on 80BPM’. The tracks are the first of three planed AA-side releases that are taken from AVR’s upcoming debut album, Salvation, which she will be sharing in October later this year.

On ‘Confirm Humanity’, AVR combines orchestral strings, dreamy electronics and the voices of a children’s choir alongside her own to explore a simple mantra: “How are we supposed to live with all the dark and doubt / inside of us / how can we let it out?” Her considered instrumentation and effortless blending of these human and digital elements reflects her belief that both can exist in harmony and enhance our connection with one another. The track acts as “a reminder to all of us, that in a more and more digitalised and fragmented world, we have the power to unite in our shared humanity and address the change we need to support the future of our planet and its inhabitants.”

Whilst ‘Confirm Humanity’ spans a wider, far-reaching concept, on her accompanying track ‘Nous Aimons on 80bpm’, AVR explores her more intimate thoughts. Described as “a love anthem for the ‘feeling everything all the time’ internet era, between lust and desperation, seeking for freedom but also for romance”, it’s a warm, sensual embrace. Both songs showcase the emotive, cinematic qualities of AVR’s sound, but on ‘Nous Aimons on 80bpm’ she revels in and celebrates her own vulnerabilities, mixing piano fragments from an unknown Debussy piece alongside high pop notes and glitchy 808 drum machine sounds to reflect the contradictions of romantic infatuation.

Following on from her previous EPs, Hallucination (2018) and Vibration (2019), AVR’s debut album Salvation will act as a bookend in this trilogy of her artistry. “I see myself in a tradition of artists who go all in for their artistic vision, owning the craft, with no compromises to playlist principles,” she explains about her process. “Everything I do is ultimately about freedom, and works musically in a landscape of references where Debussy, Rihanna and Bernini sculptures can freely collide.” We look forward to hearing more of her eclectic offerings later this year.

Listen to ‘Confirm Humanity’ here:

Listen to ‘Nous Aimons on 80BPM’ here:

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

Photo Credit: Alex de Brabant

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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Five Favourites: Ghost Car

Having released their epic debut album, Truly Trash, towards the end of last year, London band Ghost Car have previously received acclaim from the likes of Skunk Anansie’s Skin and DIY Magazine, as well as sharing stages with legends such as Beth Ditto and Amyl and The Sniffers. Showcasing their quirky, retro energy and trademark whirring soundscapes and honey-sweet vocals, the album is a pure post-punk delight; a whimsical, yet gritty, insight into the world of Ghost Car.

Originally due to be released by Burger Records, the band then pulled out of the planned album release as accounts of sexual assault and exploitation of women by associates of the label came to light. As activists for feminism and members of the LGBTQ+ community, Ghost Car practice what they preach, and aim to spread their mantra of inclusivity and equal rights as loud as possible.

We think one of the best ways to get to know a band is by asking what music inspires them. So, to celebrate the release of Truly Trash, we caught up with Ghost Car to ask about the music that has inspired them the most. See below for their choice of five favourite albums!

Sweeping Promises – Hunger For A Way Out

Cece: This masterpiece came out during lockdown and I immediately became obsessed with it. I always thought that a good lo-fi sound can cut through you way better than overly produced music and this album is proof of it. I haven’t heard something so genuine, direct, and beautiful in a long time. It has all been recorded live, using the “single-mic” technique which creates a perfectly unique and nostalgic sound. Lira’s vocals are incredible and a big inspiration for me, I always keep her style as a reference when I need to push my singing to something less obvious and it’s a good reminder to not detach myself and sing with the heart, not just using my voice.


Du Blonde – Homecoming

Clara: We’ve been asked to play with Du Blonde and we didn’t know much about her. When we checked out one of her video clips to check the vibes, I got super excited, and what an album this is! I could feel that same crazy excitement as when you were in your teens and you got a new record. She’s fun, she’s so talented, she’s so sincere! And she wrote, recorded, produced and released this album herself – how amazing. Loving the ‘90s vibes, but also the romantic chords of ‘Take Me Away’ sending me back to a love song from the ‘50s.


Stiff Little Fingers – Inflammable Material

Maeve: This is one of the greatest albums ever written in my opinion. I got a lot of my musical understanding from my mum – she was in her 20s during the troubles and told me stories of going to see SLF in Belfast and having punk music as a release for all the political chaos happening around them. The start of ‘Johnny Was’ gives me chills and there’s nothing better than screaming ‘Suspect Device’ with my mum really loud.


Deerhoof – The Magic

Laura: I’ve been a fan of this band for a long time, but only bought this album quite recently at the independent label fair – tempted by the white vinyl and the fact it’s released on Upset! The rhythm… It’s brilliant! I really enjoy how it switches tempo and mood often, and you can see the band’s many influences worn on their sleeves! Recorded in 2015, it’s raw and full of experiments – I love the way it takes your hand and leads you through their world. Plus, Satomi’s voice is iconic.


X – Los Angeles

Maeve: I only found out about this album from Cece recently when she said “you need to listen to this album, you’re gonna love it” and she was right. One of the great things about Ghost Car is that we all have such varying different music tastes – we know each other so well, and are constantly discovering new music together. I love the intensity and grit of this album and it got me really excited to write some new bangers with the girls.

Cece: X was a late discovery for me too and I knew it would quickly escalate to my top 10 after listening to ‘Your Phone’s Off the Hook, But You’re Not’ – a brilliant song where you can see a great example of perfect harmony between male and female vocals. I was also quite amazed to find out that was produced by ex-Doors keyboardist Ray Manzarek. X had a huge impact on the ‘80s punk scene and without them we wouldn’t have loads of the great bands that we have today. For example, would Kathy Valentine ever have joined The Go-Go’s if she hadn’t met Charlotte Caffey at the X gig at the Whisky at Go Go in 1980…?

Massive thanks to Ghost Car for sharing their Five Favourites with us! Their debut album Truly Trash is out now via One Little Independent Records. Watch the video for album track ‘Conch Pearl’ below:

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Track Of The Day: Ghost Car – ‘Conch Pearl’

With a chaotically wonderful feminist energy, London-based international punk quartet Ghost Car debut their latest spunky single ‘Conch Pearl‘. Continuing on their garage-pop path, Ghost Car come out eager with an undeniably grungy, racing drive that is sure to have you head-banging on first listen.

Reminiscent of The Runaways as well as LA based social-pop band LavaLove, ‘Conch Pearl’ feels both old and new when it comes to the track’s disposition. Whimsical, swinging vocals give Ghost Car a vintage ’60s energy, draped over overdriven, explosive rock guitar that oozes a fierce, raw emotion. And what is baked out of these juxtaposing influences feels glamorous and cathartic.

‘Conch Pearl’ is captivating and quick-witted from its start with a riff-driven intro that sets the rest of the track off to the races. Rolling drums stop for nobody, fuelling the track with a frenzied urgency. Ghost Car ask “What do you see?” as a repetitive, punk refrain that feels intimidating in the best way possible. Of the track, the band explain:

“It’s a feminist commentary on women/queer community being ‘shrunk down’ to fit a mould. The idea of a conch shell closing up, closing yourself off to the world vs opening up. We wanted to use the obsession with the pearl to represent the possession that is sometimes manifested towards women, something all of us have experienced first-hand at some point in our lives”.

This latest offering from Ghost Car is tough, empowered and dainty all at once. As ‘Conch Pearl’ oscillates, the song’s build never loses motivation – adding in more guitar, increasingly energized drums and layers of niche vocal yelling sounds to bring the track to a roaring climax. It does not let go of you – and keeps you utterly immersed for its whole ride. A short, sweet blast of glistening post-punk energy.

Truly Trash, the debut album from Ghost Car, is set for release on 28th October via One Little Independent Records.

Jill Goyeau
@jillybean

Photo Credit: Patrick Smith

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