WATCH: HMS Morris – ‘Family Souls

‘Family Souls’ – the latest single by the Welsh art-rock band HMS Morris – is as fun and surreal as the band’s name suggests. A joyful collage of a song, it brings together elements of soul, funk and indie to create a bouncy pop banger that’s both experimental and perfectly polished.  

Reminiscent of Tuneyards, ‘Family Souls’ quickly wedges its way into your brain, as front person Heledd Watkins unleashes the song’s infectious, angular hook. When she dreamily utters “yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah” it blends jerky instrumentation with sweet pop harmonies like a wonky ’60s girl group. 

At the heart of the song is a creative conundrum. The lyrics explore why Watkins finds it hard to perform in front of her family or, as the band put it: “the dissonance between Heledd’s roles as a dutiful west-Walian daughter on one hand, and as a badass creative force to be reckoned with on the other.” As the front person of a band with such vibrant eccentricity, it’s hardly surprising that Watkins wrestles with this. But I hope she resolves it soon; if this song and the incredible video are anything to go by, her family are missing out on an incredible performer! 

Created by Trigger Happy Creative, watch the new video below:

‘Family Souls’ is out now via Bubblewrap Records.

Vic Conway
@thepicsofvic

killingfantasy65831 Comment

Track Of The Day: HMS Morris – ‘Partypooper’

Having previously beguiled our ears with singles such as ‘Poetry’ and ‘Babanod’, as well as wowing us with their live show at The Finsbury a couple of years back, Welsh indie-psych outfit HMS Morris have now shared an exuberant new track.

Sounding as wonderfully wacky as the name suggests, ‘Partypooper’ is a response to the mental highs and lows of being a musician. Offering an uplifting brass-led fusion of sounds alongside front woman Heledd’s quirky playfulness and vibrant energy, it’s a colourful, latin-infused cacophony, set to bring some sunshine to the dreariest of Autumn days. Of the track, Heledd explains:

“A great deal of us struggle with a little internal partypooper, a malignant imp who likes to wait until we’re at our happiest before screwing up her mean little face and blowing mightily on her shit-horn of doubt and regret, leaving our ears ringing and our confidence in tatters as she skips gleefully away.”


‘Partypooper’ is out now via Bubblewrap Collective. 

 

Mari Lane
@marimindles

Get In Her EarsLeave a comment

Track Of The Day: HMS Morris – ‘Poetry’

‘Poetry’, the new single from Welsh electronic-psych band HMS Morris, tackles the frequently written about subject of unrequited love in a uniquely refreshing way. The song reflects the sliding scale of madness that results from unreciprocated, obsessive love in quite a candid manner.

Beginning with some light-hearted, hypothetical quasi-stalking, singer Heledd Watkins then moves through self-criticism, recrimination, and finally a full-on banshee-wail of desperation. All the while, ’70s-esque guitar and layers of almost operatic backing vocals swell behind her, building and building to great effect. This talented group of musicians somehow manage to get the balance of retro psychedelia and forward-thinking electronics just right.

Structurally, the track was designed to be a ‘Bolero’ for the modern ages, packing the build-up of sound that ‘Bolero’ composer Maurice Ravel spent close to twenty minutes building, into a punchy four-and-a-half-minute single.

 

‘Poetry’ is out now on Cardiff based Bubblewrap records. The band were due to play a series of shows this summer, so keep an eye out for rescheduled dates.

Ellie Ball

 

Get In Her EarsLeave a comment

Track Of The Day: HMS Morris – ‘Babanod’

In a mesmerizingly glitchy new tune, Welsh psychedelia-smiths HMS Morris bring their listeners on an ethereal journey in ‘Babanod’.

With a swirling slow build at the song’s start, HMS Morris gracefully casts a spell made of warm synths and a pulsing back-beat that feels anthemic from the moment the haunting vocals begin. The mood established here is both adventurous and relaxing, providing a soundscape that can just as easily be danced to or studied to.

Branching across several sonic moods creates a captivating and accessible track, impossible to pigeon-hole into one genre. ‘Babanod’ has such rich tones impending from their entire instrumental mix, from explosive breaks at each chorus to dwelling atmospheres that linger throughout its verses, with dynamics playing a huge role in the soaring psychedelic sound. The never-ending layers of synth and a tasty use of sonic space is reminiscent of shoegaze but with a whisper of ’80s pop in its melodies throughout.

HMS Morris’ knowledge and creativity within the electronic-psych genre is expansive and satisfying. ‘Babanod’ is an odyssey that feels like an exciting exploration of self.

‘Babanod’ is out now via Bubblewrap Collective.

Jill Goyeau
@jillybxxn

Get In Her EarsLeave a comment