Track Of The Day: Dott – ‘Extra Introvert’

A tender, buoyant guitar tune that helps to playfully shake off feelings of social anxiety; Dott have shared their latest single, ‘Extra Introvert’. Self-described as a “sombre summer bop”, the track confronts the “Lockdown Anxiety” many of us have been dealing with during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Galway-based dream-poppers Dott were in the middle of recording their third album, the follow up to 2018’s Heart Swell, when the pandemic put an abrupt stop to proceedings. ‘Extra Introvert’ was recorded in a cottage in Leitrim with Frankie Pollard (Oh Boland) and mastered by Steve Fallone (The Breeders, Alvvays), and provides a breath of fresh air for anyone who’s been feeling apprehensive about re-joining their social circles.

The accompanying video features the band’s vocalist Anna using her smart phone to interact with friends again, and by “friends” we mean some very, very cute dogs. Most people have been extra reliant on their devices to help them socialise during the lockdown period, so the video is shot vertically and best appreciated on a phone screen. The visuals compliment the upbeat nature of the track perfectly, proving there’s still space for joy and distraction even when you’re not feeling your best.

Watch the video for ‘Extra Introvert’ below and follow Dott on Facebook & Spotify for more updates.

Photo Credit: Kim McCafferty

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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Track Of The Day: The Ghost of Helags – ‘Chemistry’

Smooth vocals, echoing beats and sultry synth textures disarm listeners on ‘Chemistry’, the latest track from The Ghost of Helags. The Berlin-based duo penned the track after a late night drive from Vienna to Prague, reflecting on their feelings of loneliness and longing.

Formed of Swedish born Teresa Woischiski and John Alexander Ericson, The Ghost of Helags combine sharp production with their love of dream pop and David Lynch’s shadowy film scores to create their brooding electronic sounds. “There’s nothing left out there that makes me scared, nothing” sings Woischiski on ‘Chemistry’, which centres around both the intimate power and fear of being completely by ones self.

“The song was written in January this year on a foggy late night drive from Vienna to Prague” reflects Woischiski. “We didn’t meet many cars and it was a very dense fog so it felt a bit like driving through outer space.” This feeling of other-worldliness permeates the track, allowing momentary escape from all earthly doubts and fears.

Listen to ‘Chemistry’ below and follow The Ghost of Helags on Facebook & Spotify for more updates.

 

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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Track Of The Day: Temples Of Youth – ‘Suburbia’

From The Kinks to David Lynch, Arcade Fire and Hanif Kureishi – the space between the city and the country has been occupying creative minds almost since its creation, with its blend of comfort and conformity, its security and secrets, kept behind double-glazing. Now it’s the turn of Winchester-based duo Temples Of Youth to turn their gaze on ‘Suburbia’, with pretty good timing, given that we’re almost all stuck in our residences right now.  

Where previous TOY releases have hewed more towards dream pop – such as last year’s ‘Rose Tinted’, or the chillwave/synthpop of 2017’s self-titled EP -, ‘Suburbia’ has the feel of stylised, passionate rock-pop with its Cult style guitar openings, straight out of the Billy Duffy playbook, and underlying synth chords. That drive doesn’t let up, either, in the minor key vocal harmonies by members Jo and Paul, or the song’s structure, with its two lyrical verses followed by a choppy riff middle eight, that falls away and lets the track finish with synths that rise like the start of a new day. 

Lyrically, the song is deceptively simple, with most lines containing monosyllables but evoking a story rich with mystery and emotion: “Meet me in suburbia / A place to live / A place to hide… Now there’s no turning back.”

Perhaps what’s most impressive here, as with all TOY releases, is that despite the band’s DIY ethos, ‘Suburbia’ sounds the equal in its production to anything you’re likely to hear threatening the charts. With a new EP due to be recorded at some point later this year, pandemic-permitting, it seems inevitable that Temples of Youth will be heard in homes up and down the land, before too long.

 

John McGovern
@etinsuburbiaego

 

 

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Five Favourites: TOPS

Having just released their new album I Feel Alive, Montreal band TOPS create shimmering, atmospheric offerings, compellingly combining modern dream pop with shades of synth-driven ’80s soundscapes.

We think one of the best ways to get to know a band is by asking what music inspires them or influences their writing. We caught up with Jane Penny and David Carriere from TOPS, who have shared their “Five Favourites” – five albums that they’ve found particularly influential. Check out their choices below, and make sure you take a listen to the new album!

Jane’s Choices:

Berntholer – My Suitor
I was obsessed with this album’s title track when we were making the first TOPS record. They’re an avant-pop/post-punk band from Belgium. There’s something so provocative in the way Drita Kotaji sings English with a French accent. That and the minimalist production combine to make it into this catchy pop song, I love it. It’s a song I’ve been returning to a lot lately.

China Crisis – Flaunt The Imperfection
When David and I got together to make I Feel Alive we realised we’d both been obsessing over this band. He has this on vinyl and we’d listen to it while we made coffee before heading to the basement to work. I love the production, the feel is good, the songwriting is timeless. They’re a British new wave band, and yet this album is produced by Walter Becker from Steely Dan. I love all their records, but this one has a special place in my heart. Marta, who plays keyboard in TOPS, saw them live recently. I guess they still play shows! She said they sounded great.

Prefab Sprout – From Langley Park To Memphis 
Prefab were extremely formative for TOPS. When the band started we were brought together by a shared love of their record Steve McQueen. I chose From Langley Park to Memphis though, because it’s their most TOPsy record, and the most similar to our new album I Feel Alive. The first song is a bit of a stinker, but it also contains the words “Hot Dog, Jumping frog, Albuquerque”?! which is so entertaining. The second song ‘Cars & Girls’ is a certified hit. The production on this album is impeccable. The synths are super glossy, everything is light and groovy. It’s upbeat, great sound palette. ‘Nightingale’s’ is my personal favourite, especially this 12” remix. This is a record to put on when you’re hanging out at home and want something smooth and casual, with the occasional opportunity to giggle at the cheesiness of it.

David’s Choices:

Missing Persons – Spring Sessions M
Big fun, absolute slay masters bringing punk and glam energy to the mainstream with the proclivity of prog perfectionists. All fronted by fashion forward, proto-Gwen Stefani, truth teller Dale Bozzio. Just gets me going.

Gil Scott Heron and Brian Jackson – 1980
To me this is a retro-futuristic funk masterpiece! Extremely groovy tunes paired with Gil’s warmth and subdued delivery are the perfect setting for these songs about personal pressures, societal woes, and fears of the future.

Massive thanks to Jane and David for sharing their Five Favourites! I Feel Alive, the new album from TOPS, is out now via Musique TOPS.

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