indie pop – Get In Her Ears

PREMIERE: DIVES – ‘Say’

Having formed back in 2016 at Pink Noise Girls Rock Camp and since shared stages with the likes of Courtney Barnett and L.A. Witch, Vienna trio DIVES have recently received acclaim for their beautiful recent session for NPR, and have now announced the release of their upcoming new album, following 2019’s debut Teenage Years Are Over.

Taken from the album, brand new single ‘Say‘ reflects on repeated patterns of behaviour in relationships, as it flows with a wonderfully scuzzy allure and rich, honey-sweet vocals. With shades of the sparkling zest of Alvvays or Lunar Vacation, a luscious slice of fuzz-filled surf-rock is created, propelled by jangly hooks and a shimmering lilting musicality. Instantly catchy, and impossibly uplifting, ‘Say’ offers a perfectly blissful end-of-summer anthem, glistening with a rippling sunny energy and immersive effervescent haze.

Of the track, the band explain:

“It’s about going in circles with one person over and over again, discussing the same topics, and reaching the limits of the relationship as you realize you can’t get out of the cycle even though you like each other so much.”

Watch/listen to ‘Say’ for the first time below:

‘Say’ will be available on all streaming platforms from tomorrow, 1st September. And Wanna Take You There, the upcoming second album from DIVES, is set for release 14th October via Siluh Records.

Mari Lane
@marimindles

Photo Credit: Marie Haefner

August 31, 2022August 31, 2022

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Track Of The Day: adults – ‘things we achieve’

Following the release of their debut EP The Weekend Was Always Almost Over back in 2018, and the split Space Armadillo EP with fellow GIHE faves Bitch Hunt in 2020, South London band adults have announced that their debut album will be released in October. And now, following recent single ‘all we’ve got // all we need’, they’ve shared another brand new offering.

Propelled by their trademark jangling melodies and buoyant scuzzy energy, ‘things we achieve‘ reflects on the pressures of living in a Capitalist society as honey-sweet vocals interweave between whirring hooks. Showcasing adults’ ability to juxtapose poignant subject matter with an irresistibly blissful, catchy musicality, this latest single offers a slice of gloriously fizzing indie-pop that’ll both uplift and inspire. I just can’t get enough of adults’ fuzzy, frenetic drive, with shades of the joyous, danceable allure of Los Campesinos, and eagerly await the full album release…

Of the track, the band explain:

“(the song’s about) how capitalism makes us forget what matters, how to be kind to people and to enjoy living…”

for everything, always, the upcoming debut album from adults, is out in October via Fika Recordings.

Mari Lane
@marimindles

August 22, 2022August 22, 2022

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FIVE FAVOURITES: Muna Ileiwat

London-based, New Jersey-born songwriter Muna Ileiwat creates tender indie pop tunes that are a blend of soft vocals, shimmering electronics and steady beats. Her debut EP, Twenty-Seven, released today (19th Aug) via Fear of Missing Out Records, explores the fluctuating nature of relationships in all their forms, and the resilience and freedom that comes with creating art for arts sake.

We think one of the best ways to get to know an artist is by asking what music inspired them to write in the first place. We caught up with Muna to ask about her “Five Favourites” – five songs that have inspired her song-writing techniques. Check out her choices below and scroll down to watch her video for ‘Pity Party’ at the end of this post.

1. Ms. Lauryn Hill – ‘I Find It Hard to Say (Rebel)’
This song made me want to learn guitar and start writing my own music. When I started guitar lessons I learned classical music. At the end of each lesson, my teacher and I would spend a bit of time learning a “pop” song. This was the first song I chose. I heard Lauryn Hill’s MTV Unplugged album a lot when I was young (my dad owned it on CD). I’m not really into live albums except this one I love. I’ve come back to this song throughout my life. It’s not a conventional structure and the lyrics are stunning. The song’s nearly 7 minutes long, but every time I listen to it, it feels like half the time, probably because it’s so moving. Lauryn Hill’s performance is so raw. Once I was old enough, I discovered the song was about the murder of Amadou Diallo.

2. Yeah Yeah Yeahs – ‘Maps’
An indie gem. I have such a soft spot for Karen O, she’s so badass! Yeah Yeah Yeahs were one my first introductions to indie music (this song in particular). There’s something so understated and vulnerable about the chorus line – “wait, they don’t love you like I love you”. It’s hard to convince me that a guitar solo is ever cool, but Nick Zinner’s solo in this is very cool. I got so wrapped up in the story behind this song. Music is so much about storytelling. You get a unique perspective into the deepest parts of people’s inner emotional states, the things people want to talk about, but just don’t know how. In the music video, Karen O is apparently crying real tears because her boyfriend was hours late to the shoot, right before her tour. There’s speculation that the song title is an acronym for ‘My Angus Please Stay’ and even though Karen O has never confirmed it, this kinda makes me love the song more. It really hurts. You feel her disappointment when the person you love can’t show up for you in the ways you need.

3. Selena – ‘Como La Flor’
I spent my early childhood in the US and Selena was always on the radio. I can’t begin to explain how much I love her and what she represents. Her outfits – incredible. Her voice – flawless. Her stage presence – mesmerising. Her music crossed cultural boundaries. That’s so powerful. Her iconic performance of this song at the Astrodome can bring me to tears. I’ve watched that performance a billion times. She was so talented. Her music is a nostalgic part of my childhood.

4. Solange – ‘Losing You’
The synths, chord progression, harmonies, production, the video – I love this song! It’s so fun! It’s melancholy cloaked in catchy hooks. I love the simplicity of the lyrics. Nothing is hidden under metaphors. I find songwriting like this bold. You can’t disguise your vulnerability under fancy wordplay. It’s direct. I’m a big Dev Hynes fan so the fact that he co-wrote this explains why it’s so goddamn good. I’ve always appreciated Solange’s holistic approach and commitment to her art. The video manifests a sense of community. It reminds me of Curaçao and that island life.

5. Robyn – ‘With Every Heartbeat’
I’ve always admired Robyn’s songwriting. She’s so inspiring and her music is so cathartic. This song has everything you need – a sweeping orchestra and driving beat. The lyrics are a perfect blend of hopefulness and devastation, particularly in the chorus. Robyn is so good at finding that balance, and nothing hits like a pop song about the realisation that you have to leave someone behind even though it hurts. I dream, and will continue to dream of writing a Robyn equivalent one day.

Thanks to Muna for sharing her favourites with us! Watch her video for ‘Pity Party’ below.

Pre-order Muna Ileiwat’s debut EP, Twenty-Seven, from Rough Trade here

Follow Muna Ileiwat on Apple Music, Spotify, Twitter, Instagram & Facebook

Photo Credit: Guy Gotto

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

August 19, 2022

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Track Of The Day: Muna Ileiwat – ‘Pity Party’

A lo-fi indie pop gem that gently shrugs off the frustrations caused by someone else’s “bad behaviour”, London-based, New Jersey-born songwriter Muna Ileiwat has shared her latest single ‘Pity Party’. Taken from her debut EP, Twenty-Seven, which is set for release on 19th August via Fear of Missing Out Records, the track is a hazy blend of soft vocals, shimmering electronics and steady beats over which Muna calmly refuses to take on extra emotional labour.

After going through a break-up at the start of the pandemic, Muna avoided screens and social media and turned to songwriting in order to process her emotions. The result is her debut EP, which explores the fluctuating nature of relationships in all their forms, and the resilience and freedom that comes with creating art for arts sake.

“I was trying to not be too precious about my songwriting or my art in general. It’s hindered me in a lot of ways in the past –– writer’s block that eventually turns into existential creative anxiety,” Muna explains. Her latest single ‘Pity Party’ is a natural product of this mindset. Inspired by an event that happened on the last night of her twenty-seventh year, the track is a quietly confident ode to self-autonomy.

“That year marks a time when I became somewhat of an open book,” Muna explains further. “I had no time for people’s bullshit and decided I was just going to start tackling life with 100% conviction.” This conviction is explored through lilting keys and Muna’s clear, cutting lyrics on ‘Pity Party’. Muna will be celebrating the release of her debut EP with a live show at The Shacklewell Arms in Dalston on 19th August.

Watch the video for ‘Pity Party’ below.