NEW TRACK: Montauk Hotel – ‘Dive’ (Come Afloat)

A bittersweet reflection on the conflicting feelings that come with returning to your hometown, Dublin-based trio Montauk Hotel have shared their latest single ‘Dive (Come Afloat)’. Marking the indie-pop band’s first release since 2019, the new track is laced with shimmering guitar sounds and soft vocal harmonies, which soften the feelings of discontent and disappointment that are explored in the lyrics.

“‘Dive (Come Afloat)’ reflects on the uncertain border that separates present from future, hesitation from release, uneasiness from comfort and deceit from honesty,” the band comment about their new single. “The song discusses friendship, insecurity and feelings of homecoming in a motionless town.” Montauk Hotel capture this feeling of sinking and re-surfacing through their use of crystalline 80s inspired guitar lines, gentle beats and buoyant, lullaby-esque vocals.

Montauk Hotel released their self-titled EP in March 2017, and their 2019 singles ‘Stains’ and ‘White Billboards’ were playlisted on Spotify New Music Friday, as well as receiving support from Nialler9, RTE, 2fm, The Thin Air, The Last Mixed Tape and BBC Radio. Now, with more new music on the horizon, the band are looking forward to returning to the live scene again, after previously headlining shows at Whelans, The Workman’s Club, The Sound House, Bello Bar and Roisin Dubh.

The band have also previously supported international acts such as Goat Girl, PINS and Beauty Sleep, and have appeared at festivals such as Electric Picnic, Other Voices, Groove Festival, Sea Sessions, Vantastival and Sunflower Festival.

Listen to their latest single ‘Dive (Come Afloat)’ below.

Follow Montauk Hotel on bandcamp, Spotify, Twitter, Instagram & Facebook

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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LIVE: Alvvays @ Islington Assembly Hall, 07.10.22

A rainy Friday night in North London and what better way to soothe our dampened spirits than with some shimmering surf-pop sounds…

Thankfully, we arrive at the springy-floored Islington Assembly Hall in time to catch support act Lande Hekt. Though you may know her from her band Muncie Girls, her debut solo album, Going To Hell, was one of my favourites of last year and live, her songs are no less special. Starting off with a few captivating solo offerings, Hekt treats us to beautifully heartfelt songs covering themes ranging from the struggles of coming out, to comforting times with her cat Lola. With a lilting musicality and stirring, luscious vocals, she kicks off our evening with a collection of shimmering soundscapes, all delivered with a raw emotion.

Having been a huge fan of Canadian band Alvvays since falling in love with their self-titled debut album upon its release in 2014, I’m not quite sure why I’ve not yet seen them live, and so it’s with an apprehensive excitement that I await their arrival to the stage – that feeling of having waited so long for something, that you can’t help but worry that it won’t live up to your high expectations…

However, I’m soon to be proved wrong as Molly Rankin and co. take to the stage amidst a sea of adoring cheers filling the packed out venue (it’s the most busy I’ve ever experienced it and I’m a little miffed about being stuck behind one of the tallest people I’ve ever seen, but I’ll try not to dwell on that…). As they kick off the set with the dreamy musicality of second album Antisocialites‘ opening track ‘In Undertow’, I’m instantly immersed in the sparkling splendour of Alvvays’ trademark swirling surf-pop energy. And I feel very lucky to witness the band’s shiny new line-up (with the addition Sheridan Riley and Abbey Blackwell now forming the seamless rhythm section) first hand.

Introducing themselves, Rankin oozes an infectious sense of excitement as she tells us that today is the day of release for their brand new album, Blue Rev, and informs us that the set will consist of some newer songs from the record, as well as “some oldies – gotta include those crowd pleasers too!” before diving into one of said new tracks, ‘Very Online Guy’. With a more synth-driven sound than previous offerings, it fizzes with a whirring energy alongside Rankin’s rippling crystalline vocals.


And from new to old as the band flow smoothly into the first track from their 2014 debut, ‘Adult Diversion’. Propelled by lilting hooks and a buoyant, uplifting energy, the large crowd sway along with a joyous sense of unity to Rankin’s luscious vocal tones, as the raw power of Riley’s thrashing beats shines through. Twinkling with a whimsical allure, ‘Plimsoll Punks’ proves to be another crowd favourite before perhaps the band’s most famous song ‘Archie Marry Me’ sees each and every one of us sing along to each and every word, and I find myself getting quite emotional; the track’s dreamy grace and twinkling romanticism holding a special place in my heart (it was even featured on my wedding playlist), and – despite not being able to see the stage – live, it is every bit as beautiful as I could have hoped for.

Interspersed between the shimmering musical offerings, Rankin interacts with the crowd, oozing an endearing charm – apologising for her lack of vocal strength which is feeling strained as they come to the end of their tour, and receiving mixed reactions as she shares that she was going to wear an Arsenal jersey to the show. However, despite her apologies, her vocals glisten with a soaring majesty throughout truly captivating renditions of ‘Dreams Tonite’ and ‘Party Police’ to draw the set to a close.

After we cautiously make our way to the back of the room, Alvvays return to the stage for a very welcome encore of old favourites. After the sparkling emotion of ‘Atop A Cake’ shimmers with a scintillating allure, the band offer the final track of the night, another one from their debut album, ‘Next Of Kin’ – a perfectly euphoric way to end what has been a blissfully exquisite experience (and it seems my apprehension of being disappointed was totally unfounded).

Mari Lane
@marimindles

Photo Credit: Eleanor Petry

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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

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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

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