Track Of The Day: GHUM – ‘Get Up’

Having wowed us on numerous occasions with their immersive live performances, and with support slots for the likes of Dream Wife and Muncie Girls, GIHE faves GHUM are now set to captivate our ears once more with their upcoming new EP, The Coldest Fire.

Taken from the EP, new single ‘Get Up’ flows with deep, dark bass lines, as scuzzed-out whirring hooks are propelled by a gritty energy to accompany Laura’s swirling, steely vocals. Building to a hauntingly anthemic offering, ‘Get Up’ perfectly showcases GHUM’s goth-tinged, sparkling majesty and bewitching charisma, proving this band to be deserving of every success they earn.

Of the upcoming EP, the band explain:

“These songs have a power and fire about them but they also feel hostile and mysterious at times, which is a trait you’ll find across all the songs we write… The title also perfectly describes us as a band. We’re very different people, with a mix of personalities (and star signs!) covering three of the four elements; fire, water and air. It’s the combination of that fire with the colder elements of water and air which make GHUM – we’re a mix of passion, anger, logic, precision, timidness, volume and emotion, all at the same time. All the songs on the EP talk about love, but the kind of unpredictable, cold and fiery love that exists through life.”

Listen to ‘Get Up’ on Spotify now, or on Bandcamp below:

 

The Coldest Fire, the new EP from GHUM, is out 28th June via Everything Sucks Music.  Catch GHUM live at the launch party on 13th July at The Shacklewell Arms.

Mari Lane
@marimindles

Photo Credit: Poppy Marriott

 

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LISTEN: Shitkid – ‘Detention’

A grungy, gleeful take-down of a juvenile punishment; Shitkid have shared their latest track ‘Detention’. The single is the title track from the “anti-pop star’s” upcoming record (due out in May) and it’s just as catchy as their previous release ‘Summer Break’.

Originally the solo project of Åsa Söderqvist in 2015, Shitkid has now become a two piece; with new bandmate Lina Molarin Ericsson performing with Söderqvist under her mischevious moniker. Their new album [DETENTION] was recorded at Stockholm’s Country Girl Studios with producer Lovina Isaksson, and cut almost entirely live by an expanded lineup including Söderqvist, Ericsson, guitarist Arvid Sjöö and drummer Josefin Ahlqvist Lyzwinski.

Speaking about the upcoming release, Söderqvist explains: “I started listening to the bands that I loved in school again, and I felt inspired by it. It’s a genre that’s quite embarrassing to go back to, and I knew that would make it really fun. I used to be emo in 2008, and now nobody plays that music anymore! There’s nothing about being kids and nobody understanding you. It felt like time to bring it back.”

We’re all about the emo renaissance. Listen to ‘Detention’ below and follow Shitkid on Facebook for more updates.

Photo Credit: Moa Romanova

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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EP: LIERS – ‘Elixir’

Formed by lead singer Liz Seaver, Dublin’s LIERS spent most of 2018 cutting their teeth on the Irish live music scene. Performing at Electric Picnic and supporting bands like Fangclub (alongside Vulpynes) at popular Dublin venue Whelan’s; LIERS have taken a few moments away from the stage to share their debut EP Elixir. 

Released in January of this year, the record opens with title track ‘Elixir’. It’s a blend of 90’s tinged guitar sounds, with quiet verses leading in to loud choruses in true grunge style. LIERS cite Foo Fighters, Nirvana, Smashing Pumpkins, and Alanis Morrissette as some of their influences, so it’s clear from the offset their EP is going to be full of power chords and powerful vocals. ‘Universal Female’ flows in the same vein, with Liz’s strong voice leading over a rush of alternative sound, designed for when you’re feeling “perfectly imperfect”.

Third track ‘Can’t Got Back’ is a melodic reminder to reluctantly move forward, even if it makes you rage and cry, whilst the penultimate ‘Realise’ is a plunge in to heavier riffs and percussion, detailing an emotional breakthrough in its lyricism. Closing track ‘Host’ is a shimmering slice of open-hearted garage rock, ending the EP on a strongly optimistic note.

Whilst their name suggests deception, it’s clear that LIERS are able to communicate their love of 90s music in an honest and melodic fashion through the five tracks that form their debut EP Elixir. Liz, Ed (lead guitar), Stephen (bass) and Ronan (drummer) should take pride in this impressive debut.

Listen to Elixir on Spotify. Follow LIERS on Facebook for more updates.

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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ALBUM: Queen Zee – ‘Queen Zee’

Making weirdness in to wonderful, inclusive, explosive new tunes; GIHEs favourites Queen Zee have shared their debut self-titled album and it’s every bit as glorious as we’d hoped. Released via their own label Sasstone Records, the group have created ten tracks that gleefully cut down any of the forces that attempt to stand in the way of equality.

The tongue-in-cheek ‘Loner’ opens the record, and it’s an in-your-face anthem taking the piss out of being a solitary, socially inept loser. Zee’s vocals dominate the track as swirling guitar and non-stop percussion keep the riot going. It’s followed by the equally punchy ‘Lucy Fur’ and ‘Sissy Fists’, which are belting fusions of grunge & punk. The latter smashes apart any associations of weakness and is a proper hardcore two minutes of pure adrenaline.

‘Idle Crown’ is a riotously executed piece of Marilyn Manson-esque pop sleaze. The narrative centers around two LGBTQ+ characters trapped in a toxic heteronormative relationship, who are unable to live as their true selves. It’s hard to resist screaming along to the chorus of ‘Porno’ and ‘Victim Age’, both of which will have you kicking and screeching around a dance floor.

The album’s standout track is undoubtedly ‘Boy’. It’s an anthem for trans-gender rockers and their allies who refuse to be ignored, or oppressed by transphobic or homophobic attitudes. “You can try and bury my head in the sand, but that won’t make the body at the surface a man’s” sings Zee, as manic guitar and heart-pounding drums smash out for just shy of five minutes. ‘Hunger Pains’ follows with Zee’s ravenous screeching and more trademark corkscrew guitar riffs, whereas the brief interlude ‘Anxiety’ is a mellow yet candid admission to not feeling well.

Whether you admit to it or not, we can all relate to closing track ‘I Hate Your New Boyfriend’. It’s a hilariously vicious take-down of a misogynistic partner who drains your friend and by default drains you too. Turn it up extra loud anytime you know said antagonist is in the vicinity. With their punk attitude and ability to write abrasive and infectious tracks, there’s no danger of Queen Zee being melted in to a “masculine mould” – and we’re rejoicing in support of this “whipping girl born into a big man’s world”. What a debut, invest immediately.

Photo Credit: Jon Mo Photography

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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