Track Of The Day: Brimheim – ‘poison fizzing on a tongue’

Crawling through an eerie landscape, Danish alt-pop artist Brimheim embodies regret and resilience in the climatic new track ‘poison fizzing on a tongue‘.  

Encapsulated in stuttering synths and minimalistic percussion, Brimheim’s track embodies a sonic slate that tastefully combines influences ranging from grunge to electronic aesthetics. Drawing from legendary artists such as PJ Harvey, Brimheim’s vocals flow over a track that feels older than its time in disposition. Well-crafted instrumentals ideally complement the classic warm tone of Brimheim’s voice, nestling her words perfectly into the track’s mix. 

Brimheim’s emotive melodies release an intense catharsis, comparable contemporarily to US electronic artist, Half Waif. Feelings of what Brimheim classifies as “mundane aches” grip the track as lyrics unravel a large realisation of toxicity. As she grapples with this complex interpersonal uprising, she is overcome with the reassuring feeling of knowing that she will indeed make it out alive.

Optimism resonates parallel with devastation in each layer of Brimheim’s poignant landscape. ‘poison fizzing on a tongue’ is the experience of a new, epiphanic lens, with the comfort and encouragement of the power of nostalgia.

Can’t Help Myself Into A Different Shape, the debut album from Brimheim, is out 28th January 2022 via W.A.S Entertainment.

Jill Goyeau
@jillybxxn

Photo Credit: Hey Jack

Track Of The Day: Pixie Cut Rhythm Orchestra – ‘Empty Envelope’

A disarming reflection on the emotional resurrection that occurs in the wake of a bad decision, Dublin-based trio Pixie Cut Rhythm Orchestra have shared their latest single ‘Empty Envelope’. Released via Anon Records, the track is a brooding, shoegazey lament inspired by a dream that vocalist & guitarist Sarah Deegan had about receiving an empty letter in the post.

Formed of Deegan, Alice Grollero (bassist) and Danni Nolan (drummer), Pixie Cut Rhythm Orchestra met via Dublin’s underground & DIY music scenes and began writing music together inspired by the sounds of Mitski, Angel Olsen, Kathleen Hanna and Sinead O’ Connor. The band deliver their observations on life with a raw sincerity, which previous single ‘I Didn’t Love You When I Said I Did and I Don’t Now’ achieved through its shimmering guitars & Deegan’s cutting lyrics. With their new single ‘Empty Envelope’, the band have crafted another slow-burning, moving ode to emotional resilience.

“‘Empty Envelope’ examines the process of burning everything down to rebuild from the ashes,” Deegan explains. “It’s about the cyclical nature of bad decisions.” Recorded by Sean Montgomery Dietz, mixed by Sean Montgomery Dietz and Shane Tobler and mastered by Blanka, ‘Empty Envelope’ smoulders with poetic unrest, guiding listeners through the relief and frustration that comes with moving forward after making a mistake.

Listen to ‘Empty Envelope’ below.

 

Follow Pixie Cut Rhythm Orchestra on bandcampSpotifyTwitterInstagram & Facebook

Photo Credit: Greg Purcell

Kate Crudgington
@kcbobcut

Track Of The Day: Fräulein – ‘Belly’

Originally hailing from Northern Ireland and the Netherlands respectively, London-based duo Joni Samuels and Karsten van der Tol – aka Fräulein – have been winning us over since we first became pretty obsessed with last year’s single ‘Drag Behind’. Now, following their majestic last single ‘Pretty People‘ and acclaim from the likes of BBC Radio 1’s Daniel P. Carter, they have shared the first taste of a new double a-side release.

Exuding a stirring sense of frustration, ‘Belly‘ is propelled by dark, sparse hooks and raw, loose beats as the sweeping, captivating allure of Joni’s vocals take centre stage. With shades of Rid Of Me era PJ Harvey, it flows with an eerie, spellbinding energy, interwoven with a gritty, grunge-fuelled drive. Building with a visceral power to a brooding, immersive cacophony, ‘Belly’ will take you on a fierce sonic journey; an evocative soundscape showcasing this innovative duo’s consistent ability to develop their exquisite musical prowess with each new release.

Of the meaning behind the track, Joni Samuels explains:

‘Belly’ is a song that is written around its lyrics. I’m talking about how creativity can be bloody and exhausting for some people but really organic and energising for some others.”

Fräulein headline The Windmill in Brixton on 25th October, tickets available here.

Mari Lane
@marimindles

Photo Credit: Emma Swann

Track Of The Day: Vulpynes – ‘Control Is Not What I Need’

Following last year’s acclaimed EP Us Against Them and having shared stages with the likes of Sleaford Mods and Deap Vally, GIHE faves Vulpynes have now shared a raging new single.

With ‘Control Is Not What I Need’, the Dublin duo ooze a frenzied angst-driven power as the gritty passion of Molly’s seething vocals rages alongside Kaz’s immense, thrashing beats. A reflection on addressing anxieties and letting yourself absorb your emotions, it offers an empowering energy as swirling hooks race with a frenzied sense of urgency. A riotous, grunge-fuelled anthem with shades of the fierce intensity of the likes of Distillers and L7, it perfectly showcases the duo’s unforgiving, fiery spirit and ability to create scuzzily smouldering blasts of punk-rock magnificence.

Watch the new video for ‘Control Is Not What I Need’ here:

Vulpynes will be playing live in Dublin at The Button Factory on 5th September. A limited number of remaining tickets are available here.

Mari Lane
@marimindles