EP: deep tan – ‘diamond horsetail’

Infectiously off-kilter, Hackney-based queer punk trio deep tan have re-emerged with their sophomore extended play, diamond horsetail; five minimalistic DIY tracks of uncompromising post post-punk. Following the shimmering psychedelic pop of 2019 singles ‘Air’ and ‘Shimmer’, and the haunting discordant hooks of their subversive debut EP – 2021’s creeping speedwells – diamond horsetail propels deep tan’s otherworldly sound into the exosphere through dissonant guitar riffs, eccentric bass-lines, syncopated rhythm, and intimate vocals. Embracing the seductive allure of their swirling sound, guitarist/vocalist Wafah Dufour, bassist Celeste Guinness and drummer Lucy Rushton will hypnotise listeners into questioning their identity.

Hitting hard with opener ‘beginners’ krav maga’, deep tan explore angular arrangement on a track that is as aggressive as its own namesake; contact combat! Juxtaposed over an irresistible twangy groove, Wafah’s soft, dexterous, and often critical vocals remind us that learning self-defence will unfortunately not help most women feel safe walking alone at night (male violence is an epidemic) – “I stand outside / I bide my time / Wait for the mood to pass / Night-time checklist / Keys in a fist / In the dark can’t relax.”

Inserting itself into your brain, ‘device devotion’ follows as an ode to deep tan’s browser history; the trio share their fascination with (and critique of) internet subcultures – from lobster erotica to vore-porn subreddits – hooking you in with delicate vocal notes and erratic instrumentation. The presence of the world wide web also influences ‘gender expansion pack’, a mostly instrumental track utilising WikiHow hypnosis through subliminal messaging. Underlying spoken word is low-pitched to a subliminal frequency allowing deep tan to challenge cis-het men – “the demographic that buys most of our vinyl” – into exploring their gender.

Caught with his hands down his pants, Rudy Giuliani’s public image melts under deep tan’s sardonic black humour during the “diss track you never asked for” ‘rudy ya ya ya’ – “We’re seeking law advice / ‘Cause he’s a legal eagle supersized / A considerable adversary / Rudy ya ya ya / Giuli ya ya ya!” – before the cathartic title track disturbs with abrasive outbursts of ancient and justified rage.

Maintaining their intensity, deep tan crescendo into a cataclysm of obliterating melody and anthemic vitriol; channelling the chaos of The KLF, the defiant attitude of The Slits, and the gloomy new wave of Joy Division. And yet diamond horsetail isn’t constricted by influence. Every detail has been carefully considered in the creation of deep tan’s strangely addictive sound, further developing their identity through ceaseless DIY punk energy.

diamond horsetail is out now via Practise Music.

Ken Wynne
@Ken_Wynne

Photo Credit: Alex Matraxia

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Track Of The Day: deep tan – ‘deepfake’

With acclaim from the likes of The Quietus, Wonderland and BBC 6Music already under their belts, Hackney based trio deep tan have previously lured us in with last year’s immersive debut ‘Air’. Now, with new single ‘Deep Fake’, they’re set to get our hearts racing once again.

With sonic inspiration from the cold-wave side of post-punk, ‘deepfake’ reflects on the strange internet phenomenon, and the worryingly sexist ways it is used in society. Oozing an eerily captivating splendour, pounding bass-lines underscore the twinkling twang of hypnotic hooks as the illustrious, swooning vocals flow. A swirling, alluring soundscape exuding a unique, dark majesty that’ll bewitch the ears on first listen. Of the track, the band explain:

“The song is a comment on consent. When deepfakes first emerged, they were considered a real political threat. However, they’re mainly used to degrade women. A report by Deeptrace Labs found that 96% of deepfakes online involve simulating porn of female celebrities (without their consent). This song is a comment on this strange internet subculture.”

Listen to ‘deepfake’ now:

 

Mari Lane
@marimindles

Photo Credit: Mélia Beaudoin

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WATCH: Nuha Ruby Ra – ‘Erase Me’

For Nuha Ruby Ra, music is just one aspect of her work as a self-described “experimental artist”. Having emerged as part of the Vicious Collective – a collection of ziners, satirists and fashion designers, based in Hackney – music has begun to take centre-stage for Ra, following rave reviews of her appearances supporting Warmduscher (on whose recordings she has also appeared) and Snapped Ankles, as well as performances alongside some of the best emerging artists of last year, such as Amyl and the Sniffers, Bo Ningen and Bambara.

With such a diverse background in art and music, it’s perhaps no surprise that ‘Erase Me’, her debut single from the forthcoming How to Move EP, is a deftly crafted and deeply emotional performance, both in its lyrics and in the video, made by Ra in collaboration with her friend, Billie Turnbull.

Sonically, a repetitive piece, formed from warped percussion and a raw, softly detuned guitar line, ‘Erase Me’ has a dark psych feel, initially, that grows into something more foreboding through the industrial sounds that grow from the background of the track, into a roar by its close.

Lyrically, it’s similarly repetitive, particularly as Ra’s plaintive voice echoes the word “heavy”, just as the music starts to increasingly weigh on the listener. A tale of dark affections and addiction, it’s a grower, with the hypnotic effect of its sound mimicked by that of its simple-palette video, which features overlaid images of Ra dancing and singing against a black background, lit solely in a red or blue hue.

Given the balance of art, experimentalism, performance and pop in ‘Erase Me’, it’s perhaps no surprise that Ra’s diverse influences include the likes of Philip Glass, Brian Eno and Einsturzende Neubaten; the darkness of The Birthday Party, the auto-biographical hip-hop of Princess Nokia, and the Egyptian torch songs of Abdel Halim Hafez – presumably a reflection of her upbringing in Cairo. Similarly, her visual style – described by the single’s press release as “Grace Jones meets Fat White Family” and by Ra herself as “part-time punk, part-time goth” – is a unique mish-mash of old and new, art and fashion. And, with her mesmerising combination of imagery and sound, it seems unlikely that you’ll be erasing Nuha Ruby Ra from your mind, any time soon.

Check out Nuha Ruby Ra’s website and Instagram for more examples of her creativity.

John McGovern
@etinsuburbiaego

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EP: Indian Queens – ‘You When I Close My Eyes’

The ever cool Indian Queens have shared their debut EP You When I Close My Eyes, and it’s an atmospheric, driving compilation of sounds that prove the Hackney trio are set for big things. Released via Cool Thing Records, the EP is filled with hazy guitars, mesmeric vocals, and brooding percussion; making it the perfect soundtrack for an autumnal evening in London.

The record opens with title track ‘You When I Close My Eyes’, which was inspired by the binary opposites of “ugly and beautiful”. Jennifer O’Neill’s clear, strong vocals permeate the track, alongside sultry bass lines and grungy guitar riffs. ‘Wish You Well’ follows, blushing with an intense romantic need to be next to a lover, with its hushed vocals and catchy chorus.

The band’s first single ‘I Get No Rest’ – written during the midst of a massive political shift (Brexit, the general election) and in the wake of the tragic Grenfell Tower fire – is a response to the inescapable feeling that (as Jennifer puts it) “rich ‘important’ people were taking the piss out of our lives”. The song’s steady percussion and moody bass lines create a jaded, but seductively atmospheric tune that remains in the mind long after it stops spinning.

Equal parts driving and delicate, ‘Pretty Little Thing’ is as attractive to the ears as its name suggests. It’s an infectious blur of hypnotic vocals and shoe gaze guitar sounds, inspired by a childhood memory of being safe and happy in a Grandparent’s garden. This nostalgic undertone makes the track ring out with warmth and understated joy, before closing track ‘Us Against The World’ proves that Indian Queens have the potential to produce original, magnetic, meaningful sounds.

Together, Jennifer, Katherine, and Matt have created an EP that warrants all the praise it’s been receiving from critics and fans alike. It’s no surprise the band received a standing ovation earlier this year after their set at Robert Smith’s Meltdown Festival – You When I Close My Eyes is a stunning debut from this compelling trio.

Download Indian Queens’ debut EP here. Follow the band on Facebook for more updates.

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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