New Track: ĠENN – ‘A Reprise (That Girl)’

‘A Reprise (That Girl)‘, the latest single from Anglo-Maltese quartet ĠENN, is deeply introspective; cleverly constructed to offer provocative commentary. While it has plenty of its own comments to make, it wants you to go on your own journey with the lyrics and the atmosphere generated by the music – it wants you to take the moment you spend with it and reflect on your own experiences of the world.

The track begins with a throbbing techno-infused bass line, accompanied by a repetitive, catchy drum beat that buries its way into your ear and refuses to leave. The two combine to create the sensation of a funky futuristic production line. The sound is hypnotic and dystopian and addictive; easy to picture glazed-eyed, blank-faced automatons moving to it. Of the track, ĠENN say that it’s designed to reflect “technological gratification”, and this comes through loud and clear in just the opening bars. The instinct to lurch towards technology after just a moment left alone with your own thoughts lurks there in the motions of the beat.

The vocals are delivered deadpan and low, subtle yet dangerous. They have the tension of an elastic band about to snap, of a predator preparing to leap. The lyrics are comprised of moments that create a complete picture of existence, from the perspective of someone floating through the day but not quite engaged with it. They capture feelings, the essence of an experience, more than explicitly describing a day in a life. It leaves you free to project on them whatever in your life inspires that sense of malnutrition, catharsis, futility, nature’s sedative.

The mood shifts from soft-spoken, passive apathy to revolutionary rage as the track ramps up into its climactic moments. It gives the song a sense of hope, if only people could throw off the shackles of repetitive oppression and work to rebuild the world in a more exciting way. It launches the song into its final, powerful declaration – “Death upon the mundane/Death upon the many” – creating an immense empowering anthem, oozing a fierce impassioned drive.

Mixed by Tom Hill and mastered by Katie Tavini, ‘A Reprise (That Girl)’ is out now via Liminal Collective. Catch ĠENN live at The Great Escape on 11th May at The Brunswick for Off Axis / Miro Co-labs stage.

Kirstie Summers
@ActuallyKurt

Photo Credit: Jordan Core

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Track Of The Day: ĠENN – ‘Catalyst’

Taken from their excitingly diverse recent EP Liminal, the latest track by Brighton based four-piece ĠENN is a perfect slice of high-energy post-punk. 

‘Catalyst’ delivers on the fizzing chemicals its title promises; a spiky minor-key riff from Janelle Borg collides with Leanne Zammit’s stormy bass, while vocalist Leona Farrugia’s striking command to “stay awake” would jolt even the most bleary-eyed into action. The sonic intensity is complete with heavy, punching drums from Sofia Rosa Cooper, as crowd-chants and climbing chords build the energy to fever-pitch. At its crest the song swells into a rousing call to arms, a sparkling rallying cry for mass revolution both personal and international. As Farrugia explains: “Lyrically the track could be interpreted as a cry for collective change, but I had, in fact, began writing from my own perspective, realising the ‘revolution’ one can make within their own approach to everyday life; changing the rhythm of my thoughts to achieve freedom from unhealthy traditions.”

Finding freedom in frenzy (the band’s name means exactly that in Maltese) is ĠENN’s great strength, as they hop around genres to produce an increasingly exhilarating body of music.

Liminal, the latest EP from ĠENN, is out now. Catch them live at their Autumn run of dates next month – tickets here.

Leonie Bellini
@teenpeachmovie

Photo Credit: Holly Whitaker

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LIVE (Photos): LIINES @ The Grace, London, 09.09.2021

It’s been a long eighteen months, but gigs as we know and love them are slowly starting to return… Following an epic night capturing Berries at The Grace last month, our photographer Jon Mo returned to the North London venue last night to witness the swirling force of GIHE faves LIINES live.

Kicking off the night, Anna Vincent (Heavy Heart, Happyness) charmed the crowd with the glistening allure and heartfelt emotion of her lilting soundscapes. A perfectly dreamy start to the night.

Next up, previous headliners of more than one GIHE live night, ĠENN deliver an energy-fuelled set. Oozing their immense, empowering spirit alongside impressive riffs and racing beats, they never fail to enrapture the crowd with their unique charisma and buoyant spirit.

Celebrating the release of their potent new single, ‘Keep On Going‘, long-term faves and previous GIHE headliners LIINES don’t disappoint, blasting out their brooding, relentless sonic explosions with a frenetic sense of urgency. As Zoe’s distinctive raw vocals soar, the Manchester trio prove once again that they’re a truly sublime force to be reckoned with.

Photo Credit: Jon Mo / @jonmophoto

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ALBUM: ĠENN – ‘Liminal’

Made for playing loud, Brighton-based genre-blenders ĠENN have released Liminal, an extended play that takes us on an audible journey of post-punky psychedelia. Following the release of their debut record, 2018’s Titty Monster (released under their previous name, Cryptic Street), ĠENN left their Maltese archipelago in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea to shoegaze at the British seaside, crafting six tracks that clearly define their transition to a more free-flowing sound, whilst still staying intrinsically true to their DIY punk-rock ethos.

Opening with ‘Feel’, Leanne Zammit’s funky basslines and Leona Farrugia’s ethereal vocals build to a hypnotic hazy, wavy kaleidoscopic conclusion of psychedelic instrumentation; perfectly encapsulating all the elements of seventies acid rock such as The Doors. Next up, Janelle Borg hooks us in (pun intended) with a cacophony of melodic guitar riffs on ‘Mackerel’s Funky Mission’, whilst Leona’s seductive spoken word escapism is steeped in mesmerising, rolling percussion, courtesy of Sofia Rosa Cooper. It’s fun to pretend you’re something else, so why not pretend to be a fish?

’23rd March’ – a date we here in the UK will not reflect upon with any warmth – forces us back to reality with passionate lyrics concerning the current political landscape, written in the style of Maltese expression. Leona prays for the souls of an inept Government and their failure in handling Covid-19, Brexit and Black Lives Matter. “I’m just gonna say a lil’ prayer for your soul / Yeah, we ain’t gonna stop ’cause you told us so!”

Chants for revolution see ĠENN exploring darker territories with the more politically direct and raw ‘Catalyst’; a furious combination of scuzzy guitar riffs, rumbling beats, and anthemic, indignant Riot Grrrl lyrics rallying for change: “We’re awake now / Stay awake now!”

‘Just Another Sad Song’ follows with a slow burn of emotionally-driven melody, making way for Janelle’s guitar to flourish – a tender moment further showcasing the versatility of the band – before ‘Falling Out’ concludes Liminal with an upbeat fusion of fuzzy basslines, grungy guitar licks, disco-influenced percussion, and a catchy Warpaint-esque chorus that will stay with you long after the needle is lifted.

With Liminal, ĠENN have produced an infectious record that frequently flirts with psychedelia and flows with pop sensibilities; 22 minutes of raw, escapism-fuelled post-punk – worthy of repeat spins – that displays the passion and confidence of a band not afraid to experiment with their sound without compromise. “Take me to my destination / You know where I wanna go!”

Liminal is out now via Everything Sucks Music.

Ken Wynne
@ken_wynne

Photo Credit: Bridie Florence

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