PLAYLIST: August 2024

The Get In Her Ears team have put together another mix of eclectic electronic tracks, alt-pop tunes, indie anthems and alternative & shoegaze sounds for your listening pleasure. Take some time to scroll through our track choices below, and make sure you press play on the playlist at the end of this post.

Follow GIHE on Spotify to hear all of our previous playlists too.

ARXX – ‘Trouble’
The latest single from biggest faves, Brighton duo ARXX, ‘Trouble’ showcases a bit of a grittier electronic side to the duo than we may be used to. Reflecting on the mixed feelings that follow a break-up, the track oozes a Peaches-esque bass-heavy seductive allure as it builds to a soaring, anthemic pop anthem. It’s wonderful to see Hanni and Clara experimenting with their sound and flexing their creative muscles so beautifully; whatever they create, whatever its genre or influences, ends up being an instantly addictive hit without fail, and leaves me filled with excitement about what they might do next. Following an incredible summer, wowing festival crowds across the country – including their first time at Glasto – ARXX will be releasing their second album on 4th October and playing a headline tour across the UK and Europe to celebrate. We can’t wait!
(Mari Lane – Managing Editor)

Circe – ‘Heaven’s The Other Way’
Following on from her bittersweet single ‘Blue Love’, this is the latest creation from dark-pop artist Circe. She captures a moment of intense loneliness on ‘Heaven’s The Other Way’ via her poetic lyrics, seraphic vocals and glistening electronics. Circe performed this track during her set supporting The Midnight at Camden’s Electric Ballroom back in July and it sounded just as rapturous in the flesh. Read the full review of her show here.
(Kate Crudgington – Features Editor)

Tiiva – ‘Golden’
Electronic artist, producer & GIHE fave Tiiva is back with this shimmering new single. Full of their lush vocals, lilting synths and evocative beats, ‘Golden’ explores the mixed emotions that come when you’re persevering through an uncertain time. Of the track, Tiiva explains: “‘Golden’ is about holding on when things feel like a lot, a conversation between two voices kindness and feeling overwhelmed and rebuilding.” (KC)

Ideal Host – ‘Dust Collector’
Created during a four day residency in a converted water mill in Llangollen in Wales, this is the latest single from indie band Ideal Host. ‘Dust Collector’ is their poppiest offering to date and I love the way Heather’s soft vocals blend seamlessly with buoyant riffs, lilting electronics and catchy beats. (KC)

Lazy Day – ‘Concrete’
Set to release their debut album in November, London based artist Tilly Scantlebury – aka Lazy Day – has now shared shimmering new single ‘Concrete’. Rippling with a stirring twinkling emotion, the track’s somewhat disjointed structure and fluctuating musical layers reflect the poignant sentiment of its lyrics: “Concrete was a helpful metaphor… It’s strong and sturdy, as well as being extremely heavy. It was a useful framework for thinking about relationships which felt stable, but at the same time weighed me down.Open The Door, the debut album from Lazy Day, is set for release on 8th November via Brace Yourself Records. (ML)

Cuushe – ‘Faded Corners’
A euphoric slice of ambient dream-pop, ‘Faded Corners’ is the latest single from Japanese artist Cuushe. Glistening with a spellbinding delicate splendour, a beautiful lullaby is created; set to soothe even the most anxious of minds as the summer comes to an end. (ML)

Grand Pax – ‘MB BB’
The latest single from London based queer artist Grand Pax, ‘MB BB’ flows with glitchy beats and dreamy synths as the sparkling splendour of her vocals soar. A blissful soundscape reflecting on the emotions following a break-up, she says of the track that it’s about wanting to hold onto something but knowing it’s not possible. It’s the process of it leaving your body, but acknowledging it as you let it go.” Crush, the new EP from Grand Pax, is out now. (ML)

Yellow Belly – ‘Crux’
This atmospheric track by Australian-born, Cardiff based experimental musician Yellow Belly is taken from her recent album, Ghostwriter. The record is a hypnotic reflection on a difficult time for the artist, explored through her shape-shifting electronica, melancholic lyrics and hushed vocals. (KC)

Chelsea Wolfe – ‘Tunnel Lights’ (††† Remix)
The original version of this Chelsea Wolfe track – taken from her excellent seventh album, She Reaches Out To She Reaches Out To She – was already a shape-shifting, shadowy offering, but this treatment by ††† (Crosses), featuring Chino Moreno’s distinctive vocals and Shaun Lopez’s industrial beats, is equally as intense. It’s lifted from her remix EP, UNDONE, which is out now via Loma Vista. (KC)

Birthday Problem ft. HAVVK – ‘Same Face’
I have been consistently impressed by everything that Irish collaborative electronica project Birthday Problem have released this year. Formed of Matt Harris and Rocky O’Reilly, ‘Same Face’ is their fifth single, featuring vocals from GIHE fave Julie Hawk (HAVVK). Haunting synths, layered vocals and sparse beats all combine to create another disarming and unusual listen from this eclectic pair. (KC)

Nina Eba – ’13’
I love this track by Ukrainian-born, Austrian-based producer & songwriter Nina Eba, which is taken from her self-released debut album, MORPHO. Inspired by the metamorphosis of the morpho butterfly, the record reflects on Nina’s experiences to self-acceptance and unrequited love. Nina’s sound is reminiscent of FKA Twigs, Bjork and Sevdaliza. (KC)

Lollise – ‘Iron Woman’
Brooklyn via Botswana Afro-Futuristic artist Lollise tackles an important issue on her zealous single ‘Iron Woman’, which is taken from her upcoming album, I hit the water, set for release on 6th September. Through her intense electronics, driving beats and direct lyricism, she explores the plight of black women who suffer from severe fibroids who are often overlooked by the US health care system. Lollise explains the context of ‘Iron Woman’ further: “Most of my black friends with uteruses have had hysterectomies or undergone multiple myomectomies. In this song I talk about my experiences dealing with fibroids and menorrhagia going in and out of various emergency and hospital rooms. “Phallic science” talks about male dominance in science and how much money is allocated to studying men’s virility and very little is dedicated to women’s health and black women’s health specifically.” Watch the track’s accompanying video here. (KC)

Midwife – ‘Vanessa’
On this slow-burning, atmospheric track, Colorado based musician and producer Midwife personifies and pays tribute to her old tour van ‘Vanessa’. Lifted from her upcoming album, No Depression in Heaven, which is set for release on 6th September via The Flenser, it’s another disarming piece of her blissful ambient shoegaze. I can’t wait to hear the record in full. (KC)

Tanukichan ft. Wisp – ‘It Gets Easier’
I’m new to California based artist Tanukichan, but when I saw that she had collaborated with shoegaze star Wisp, I instantly became a fan. ‘It Gets Easier’ is a dreamy blend of their lush vocals, swirling riffs and their driving beats. The track is featured on Tanukichan’s upcoming EP, Circles, which is set for release on 20th September. (KC)

the IV – ‘Same Old Story’
This brooding new anthem from elusive band the IV dropped into my inbox earlier this month. Created by vocalist and drummer Ingvild Nærum, ‘Same Old Story’ reflects on our role as consumers of culture through the lens of Freud’s dream-work theory. The rumbling bass lines, atmospheric riffs and staccato drumming make for captivating listening. (KC)

Hello Mary – ‘Down My Life’
New York trio Hello Mary continue to impress me with each single they share from their upcoming second album, Emita Ox. Set for release on 13th September, the record showcases their ability to blend their quiet-to-loud vocals, grungy riffs, considered instrumentation, and bruising beats perfectly. The band will be making their London live debut at The Shacklewell Arms in Dalston on 4th September and they’ll be playing at The Windmill in Brixton on 5th September too. I’ll be there on the 5th to hear ‘Down My Life’ in the flesh. (KC)

Girl Gordon – ‘The Need’
I love the gritty, reverb-heavy intro to this sardonic anthem by Cincinnati-based DIY indie punks Girl Gordon. ‘The Need’ is taken from their recent EP, Corruptor, and it “speaks to the pressures of societal beauty standards” that are often perpetuated by social media. (KC)

Scrunchies – ‘Generator’
The latest single from Minneapolis based Scrunchies, ‘Generator’ blasts into the ears with its raw punk energy. New favourites for sure, I can’t get enough of this new riot grrrl-inspired band’s scuzzy hooks and fierce empowering allure. ‘Generator’ is taken from Scunchies’ new album Colossal, one of the last albums that the legendary Steve Albini recorded and mixed. It’s also accompanied by a fantastically fun music video, created in collaboration with Los Angeles-based “dance aerobics celebration” Pony Sweat – watch it here. (ML)

Rottweiler – ‘Sarah’
This slow-burning single from Brighton rockers Rottweiler showcases their ability to balance atmospheric riffs with powerful vocals and crashing percussion. Inspired by the likes of Jeff Beck, Smashing Pumpkins and Paramore, ‘Sarah’ is a swirling cacophony of angst-ridden noise. (KC)

Queen Cult – ‘To Be A Boy’
Having released their new EP Be Better earlier this month, our favourite Macclesfield trio, Queen Cult have been wowing us for a couple of years now with their fierce raging energy and captivating charisma. Taken from the EP, ‘To Be A Boy’ showcases all their is to love about Maisie and co; propelled by the immense gritty power of her vocals, it explores themes of gender dysphoria and expectations of AFAB people growing up in a small town with a stirring honesty and raw emotion. A band on the rise, and for good reason, we can’t wait to see what Queen Cult have in store for us next. (ML) 

Berries – ‘Watching Wax’
The latest single from long time faves Berries, ‘Watching Wax’ offers our first taste of the London-Brighton band’s new material ahead of the release of a new album, set for release in October. With the distinctive twang of the band’s trademark scuzzy riffs and front person Holly’s lush syrupy vocals, I just can’t get enough of its racing fierce energy and gritty allure. (ML)

Um, Jennifer? – ‘Went On T’
‘Went On T’ is the latest single from New York trans-punk duo Um, Jennifer? It’s another refreshing blend of the band’s quirky humour and personal reflections on gender politics. Speaking about the track, the band explain: “‘Went On T’ is the indie rock anthem calling you back home to yourself. It’s about taking your own body back from those that claim to love you. It’s a reminder not to take on anybody else’s shit.” (KC)

Fightmilk -‘No Souvenirs’
To say I’m excited about the new album from total faves and all round great humans Fightmilk may be an understatement. Set for release on 15th November via Fika Recordings / INH Records, it’s been three years in the making and promises to showcase how the band are consistently evolving their unique sound. To celebrate the album announcement, the band have now shared its title track, ‘No Souvenirs’. A beautifully poignant reflection on loss, it oozes an anthemic raw emotion and exquisite shimmering splendour. Losing a friend to suicide just over a decade ago, it’s taken songwriter Lily until now to be able to put her feelings into words: “It’s finally exactly what I wanted to say, and I think he’d have thought my band sucked, but that’s alright.Pre-order No Souvenirs here, and book tickets to the launch show at Paper Dress Vintage here. (ML)

Jemma Freeman – ‘Hoping For A Miracle’
An unexpected new single from immense songwriter and performer Jemma Freeman, ‘Hoping For A Miracle’ was written, recorded and mixed in their bedroom, causing them to be apprehensive about sharing it with the world. But we’re so glad they did! “The queer, sad, banger you need to blast through any unexpected summer break up.”, it’s propelled by fuzzy hooks as the raw, gritty power of Jem’s distinctive vocals soar. A fizzing psych-rock anthem showcasing their ability to weave together a rich musicality with their trademark frenzied energy. ‘Hoping For A Miracle’ is the b-side to fellow surprise, and beautifully vulnerable, single ‘Alien’. (ML)

Pretty Bitter – ‘Never Better’
Washington D.C based indie-pop group Pretty Bitter teamed up with fellow indie rockers Flowerbomb to release a split EP, titled Take Me Out, at the beginning of August. ‘Never Better’ is the opening track on the record and it’s buoyant mix of indie guitar twangs, catchy melodies and bittersweet vocals. (KC)

Soccer Mommy – ‘M’
Nashville indie artist Sophie Allison aka Soccer Mommy is back with this lush single and news about her upcoming album, Evergreen. Set for release on 25th October via Loma Vista, Allison has used her innately raw songwriting techniques to move through the lingering effects of deep personal loss that affected her before she began writing this new record. (KC)

Emily Wurramara – ‘STFAFM’
Having just released her new album Nara – a celebration of rebirth -, multi-award-winning lutruwita/Tasmania-based artist, activist, author and proud Warnindhilyagwa woman Emily Wurramara has now shared new single ‘STFAFM’ (stay the fuck away from me!). Propelled by her lush, soulful vocals, it offers a fiercely empowering energy; an uplifting ode to finding inner peace and motivation. (ML)

Joanna Sternberg – ‘A Country Dance’
One of my most listened-to artists of the last couple of years, Brooklyn artist Joanna Sternberg has now shared a stirring new stand-alone single. Featured in upcoming film, Between The Temples, ‘A Country Dance’ was inspired by Joanna’s close friend Sami Bronowski, who was the first person to encourage Joanna to sing in public. Showcasing the exquisite vulnerability and raw emotion of their vocals, it flows with beautifully lilting melodies, shimmering with an uplifting, heartfelt grace. (ML)

Rubie – ‘Death By Catgirl’
Following her beautifully heartfelt last single, ‘To Change’, GIHE fave Rubie has now shared ‘Death By Catgirl’ – written from the perspective of a “hot, on the rise trans woman microcelebrity, throwing off her furs and meaning business”, it’s propelled by a colourful funk-fused groove as swirling, jazz-tinged melodies ripple alongside the majestic captivating allure of Rubie’s distinctive vocals. ‘Death By Catgirl’ is taken from Rubie’s upcoming second album, Seek Sisters, which is due out on 22nd September via Pressing Up Club. (ML)

Husk – ‘Open Waters’
Very different in sound from what we might remember of Husk’s previous releases, this new single sees the Manchester based artist experiment with traditional Irish folk music, adding their own distinctive queer electronic edge. Reflecting on their first experience of swimming in the Irish sea with a sparkling energy, and switching between English and Gaelic throughout the track, they explain: “There’s some things that I needed to say, but English couldn’t do it justice, so I switch between the two; it’s a creative choice… I’m saying that the whole world is with us in that moment, a whole world was connected to us through the water. And, with, sea swimming, it’s so cold that you can only think about your fundamental instincts, and it felt elemental.” (ML)

Gossip – ‘Move In The Right Direction’
Finally getting to see Gossip at All Points East last week really did exceed all expectations. The empowering energy and fiercely immersive charisma of Beth Ditto is unmatched, and it was an experience filled with tonnes of queer joy and overwhelming emotion. “I’ll hold back tears / Move in the right direction / Face my fears / Move in the right direction” – and hearing this song live just hit particularly hard. (ML)

LISTEN: Witch Weather – ‘Hazy’

Following on from their previous release ‘Don’t Need‘ – a brooding blend of grunge-infused riffs and punk attitude – Pennsylvania-based indie/punk/goth duo Witch Weather have shared their latest single ‘Hazy’. Taken from the band’s upcoming self-titled album which is set for release on 13th October, the track is a fuzzed up, buoyant reflection on seasonal mood changes and transient feelings of hopelessness.

Influenced by bands such as Siouxsie and The Banshees, Against Me!, Fugazi, Screaming Females and Depeche Mode, Witch Weather create “sad queer indie punk for your sad queer enjoyment.” Formed of guitarist & vocalist Kaitlynn Autumn and bassist & vocalist Juliann Frances, the duo work through feelings of confusion, frustration and self-loathing on their upcoming record, all aided by hefty guitar licks and rumbling bass lines. The lyrics on the album are also inspired by Kaitlynn’s experience of being a trans woman, learning to be confident in her identity and following her journey from “confused to closeted, to out and doing her best.”

On ‘Hazy’, the band reflect on feelings of self-hatred and the effects of seasonal depression, all underscored by Kaitlynn’s riffs, considered lyrics and Juliann’s thundering bass lines. “Hazy is a song meant for anyone who’s ever felt lost and directionless and maybe just doesn’t even quite want to be alive,” explains Kaitlynn in more detail. “The thought, ‘what am I doing here, how did I let myself get to this point’, was a pretty common one at the time that this song was written. Whether that thought be in reference to being at a truly awful job, stagnating in transition, or a whole host of other problems that were going on…”

“It was a challenge to write, but definitely something that was really rewarding and let us know that we were going in the right direction creatively. Lyrically it felt really cathartic to write as well, and is mostly in reference to a really tough ‘mental health relapse’ that happened over the winter. While that time is over now, the song still holds true and even as the writer, it keeps finding new ways to be relatable in day to day life.”

Listen to ‘Hazy’ below.

Follow Witch Weather on bandcampSpotifyTwitterFacebookInstagram & TikTok

Visit Witch Weather’s website here

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

NEW TRACK: Witch Weather – ‘Don’t Need’

A brooding blend of grunge-infused riffs and punk attitude, Pennsylvania-based indie/punk/goth duo Witch Weather have shared their latest single ‘Don’t Need’. Taken from the band’s upcoming album which is set for release in October 2023, the track is a cathartic anthem about letting go of hypocrisy and refusing to let people keep you from achieving your full potential.

Influenced by bands such as Siouxsie and The Banshees, Against Me!, Fugazi, Screaming Females and Depeche Mode, Witch Weather create “sad queer indie punk for your sad queer enjoyment.” Formed of guitarist & vocalist Kaitlyn Autumn and bassist & vocalist Juliann Frances, the duo work through feelings of confusion, frustration and self-loathing on their upcoming record, all aided by hefty guitar licks and rumbling bass lines. The lyrics on the album are also inspired by Kaitlynn’s experience of being a trans woman, learning to be confident in her identity and following her journey from “confused to closeted, to out and doing her best.”

“’Don’t Need’ was me finally figuring out how to write an angry song,” Kaitlynn explains about the new single. “Normally when I try to do it the song turns into something sad and depressing but in this case we finally executed the way I would have liked. Especially on the album version of the track. Lyrically it’s about being fed up with being taken advantage of. Recording the guitar solo made me want to explode, it’s not hard to play by any means I just kept messing it up.”

“’Don’t Need’ was really fulfilling for me to sing since I have been really self-conscious about my voice,” adds bassist Juliann. I was always told I wasn’t a singer and that was the first time I felt I accomplished something vocally. Prior to this single, I pretty much only wrote and played my bass lines. I was and still am a part of songwriting decisions like song form, theme, etc. But this was the first time I performed something else on a recording which led to me doing backups on other tracks as well. it’s been a good confidence booster because even though I took vocal lessons in college, and no shade to that teacher, I just still hadn’t really found my voice, and now ‘Don’t Need’ has allowed me to start that journey.”

From their sharp focus on having their voices heard, to their raw punk spirit, Witch Weather’s new album looks set to be a frenzied, tenacious statement of independence and we look forward to hearing it in full.

Listen to ‘Don’t Need’ below.

 

Follow Witch Weather on bandcamp, Spotify, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram & TikTok

Visit Witch Weather’s website here

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut