Track Of The Day: Landshapes – ‘Drama’

GIHE faves, and one of the first guests that we had on our radio show back in 2015, Landshapes have recently announced their long-awaited upcoming new album, set for release next month.

Taken from the album, new single ‘Drama’ reflects on the imbalance of emotional labour that’s often seen between men and women. Propelled by a steady, jazz-infused bass-line, it soars with a whirring synth-filled musicality and sweeping electro-driven hooks as the lustrous distinctive power of Luisa Gerstein’s vocals flows. With an uplifting, shimmering energy, it’s an utterly spellbinding soundscape that’ll captivate on first listen with its majestic funk-fuelled groove. Of the track, Gerstein expands:

“(it’s about) the imbalance of emotional labour that can happen between men and women, and in those instances all the work women often have to do to manage and protect fragile egos. The choruses offer something a bit more sympathetic…”

‘Drama‘ is out now, along with accompanying single ‘Let Me Be‘. Both are taken from Landshapes’ upcoming new album, Contact, set for release on 20th November via Bella Union.

Mari Lane
@marimindles

Photo Credit: Coen Rees

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Track Of The Day: Fran Lobo – ‘Monster’

Jagged electronics, pulsing beats and striking vocals permeate ‘Monster’, the latest single from London-based artist Fran Lobo. Lifted from her new EP Brave, which is set for release on 19th June via via Slow Dance Records, the track is a collaborative effort exploring the frustrations surrounding identity, relationships, and reality.

Speaking about the track, Fran explains: “[It] started from a jam on a Volca sample I’d bought myself, and evolved into an embodiment of frustration with identity, relationships and dreams/reality. The song includes the voices of Deep Throat Choir, LIPS and the Roundhouse Choir, Jemma Freeman on guitar, [and] samples, rare drum machines and synthesisers”.

Fran’s fusion of voices, sounds, and themes makes ‘Monster’ a cohesive, impressive listen. The track is accompanied by a set of visuals that also hold significance for the artist: “The video is a journey from London to Southern India and back, exploring the displacement and search for identity experienced as a child of the diaspora. It deals with the idea of family, belonging and friendship and in doing so, asks audiences to question their own sense of identity.”

Watch the video for ‘Monster’ below, and follow Fran Lobo on Facebook & Spotify for more updates.

Photo credit: El Hardwick

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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Track Of The Day: Peggy Sue – ‘Motorcade’

Set to release their fourth album early next year, London duo Peggy Sue – Katy Young and Rosa Slade – have charmed our ears over the last few years, not only with their own band, but as part of the incredible 30-strong singing group Deep Throat Choir (whose rendition of ‘Baby’ I recently walked down the aisle to). Having taken a bit of a hiatus from writing together, they’ve now reunited and found themselves again.

Taken from the upcoming album, new single ‘Motorcade’ flows with the pair’s distinctive rich vocals as it interweaves lilting ’60s inspired melodies and a ’90s garage scuzz. Inspired by feelings of being honest with yourself when ending a relationship, luscious harmonies float along a bright, uplifting soundscape, building with a shimmering energy to create a magnificently more-ish dose of sunshine to aid these cold, rainy days. Of the track, the band explain:

“‘Motorcade’ is about recognising the difference between what you need and what you want… and asking for it as fast and loud as you like. I wrote it in the first wave of relief after a big break-up – it was probably the first moment that I was ready to be a bit mean and honest about it all…”

Made with artist and friend Catherine Repko, watch the new video for ‘Motorcade’ here:

Vices, the upcoming album from Peggy Sue, is set for release 21st February 2020 via French Exit.

Mari Lane
@marimindles

 

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LIVE: Deep Throat Choir @ Purcell Rooms, Southbank Centre, 02.04.19

Following a breathtaking and truly immersive performance from opening act Mich Cota, Deep Throat Choir take to the stage in the intimate setting of The Purcell Room at The Southbank Centre, and my Tuesday immediately improves by 100%.

Since I first saw Deep Throat Choir here at The Southbank Centre for Women Of The World festival about five years ago, the Luisa Gerstein-lead group have grown in both size and power. What started as a small, acapella singing group accompanied by drums has now developed into a large collective of female-identifying musicians and vocalists, creating an uplifting force of nature in the sound they deliver.

Treating us to a mix of covers and originals – old and new – they start off with a dazzling new number before luscious offerings from their debut album Be OK, including the soaring harmonies of ‘The Wave’ and the exquisite soulful splendour of ‘Hey Mami’. Brightening a wet and windy evening with the matching oranges and pinks of their outfits accompanying the empowering sweeping vocal melodies they create together, they continue to take my breath away with a unique arrangement of one of last year’s innovative collaborations with Simian Mobile Disco.

Filling the intimate venue with their immense vocal majesty, I’m once again reminded that seeing Deep Throat Choir live never fails to inspire and lift the spirits. And, as they close the set with their shimmering rendition of Amy Winehouse’s ‘In My Bed’, I’m left with a euphoric sense of joy; epitomising the exceptional power of women coming together to create, they unite their voices to summon a force that is truly awe-inspiring.

Mari Lane
@marimindles

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