PLAYLIST: March 2022

The Get In Her Ears team have put together an eclectic mix of guitar tunes, post punk anthems, indie gems & immersive electronic sounds for your listening pleasure. Take some time to scroll through our track choices below and make sure you hit play on the Spotify playlist at the end of this post.

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

Charlotte Adigery x Bolis Pupul – ‘Ceci n’est pas un cliché’
‘Ceci n’est pas un cliche’ by Charlotte Adigery and Bolis Pupul, whose debut album Topical Dancer came out earlier this month. I had the absolute pleasure of interviewing Charlotte, where we talked about the new album, the therapeutic process of making music and the use of laughter to tackle complex topics and her lovely little baby Rocko also joined us for the chat. You can listen back to that interview on our latest Soho Radio show. (Tash Walker)

Julia-Sophie – ‘Dial Your Number’
The latest single from one of our favourites Julia-Sophie, whose new EP, it feels like thunder, has just dropped and it doesn’t disappoint. It comes as part of a trilogy of releases through Beat Palace Records, the new label set up by Anna Prior of Metronomy which has a heavy focus on championing women artists. Julia-Sophie will also be headlining our gig at The Shacklewell Arms on 1st June with support from Dewey and Maria Uzor. Grab your ticket via DICE here. (TW)

Ethel Cain – ‘Gibson Girl’
Since I heard her single ‘Crush’ last year, I have been compulsively listening to American songwriter Ethel Cain. Her heady, devastating tunes throw me off-kilter whenever I hear them and this track is no exception. Taken from her highly anticipated debut album, Preacher’s Daughter, which is set for release on 12th May, ‘Gibson Girl’ is a lustful, deeply provocative offering inspired by American model Evelyn Nesbit. Cain offers some more perspective on the track: “Being a woman is about never quite reaching a goal that someone else set for you. Under pressure to fit an impossible standard, I find myself daydreaming about what it would be like to be perfect in a way I can’t ever possibly achieve. I’ve always been in love with Evelyn Nesbit, the Gibson Girl, and thought she was the absolute pinnacle of feminine poise and grace. Whenever I start to lose myself and forget what I’m capable of, I just turn to her and she’s the greatest reminder.” (Kate Crudgington)

Ailsa Tully – ‘Salt Glaze’
The latest single from Welsh artist Ailsa Tully, ‘Salt Glaze’ offers a poignant reflection on the time that Tully and her partner spent in her late Grandmother’s house during the January lockdown last year. A truly immersive soundscape emanating a comforting warmth and exquisite captivating grace. You can watch the very cute video for ‘Salt Glaze’ here. (ML)

Tomberlin – ‘Tap’
I haven’t been able to stop listening to American songwriter Tomberlin since her single ‘Happy Accident‘ dropped into my inbox last month. Her poetic lyrics are so simple, yet they feel so profound and graceful when she sings them. This track is taken from her upcoming album, I Don’t Know Wo Needs To Hear This, set for release on 29th April via Saddle Creek, and it’s a beautiful musing on trying to disconnect from the digital world and focus on genuine human interaction – something we’ve all been craving since 2020. I think her opening line about over-using Instagram is superb: “Tap the heart until I hate myself / Hit the square, and rearrange myself / I don’t like it what it does to me / Never makes me want to laugh, or sing.” I can’t wait to hear Tomberlin’s songs live at St Matthias Church on 5th April. (KC)

Fears – ’16’
Transforming her ruminations on a troubled past relationship into an elegant, exquisitely raw offering, ’16’ is the latest release from Irish musician & producer Constance Keane aka Fears. Released via her own imprint TULLE, the track is a combination of meditative synth loops, tentative beats and the instrumentals of her late friend, classically trained cellist and trans rights activist Sophie Gwen Williams. These elements mesh together to create a truly soothing, magnetic soundscape. Accompanied by a beautiful video, shot & directed by Zoe Greenway – who performs alongside Keane in punk band M(h)aol – the visuals are a poignant tribute to Williams too. (KC)

Hannah Schneider – ‘Mirror Sphere’ (ML)
‘Mirror Sphere’ is the new single from Danish artist Hannah Schneider, who is also one half of GIHE faves AyOwA. Whilst more stripped back than we’ve come to expect from Ayowa, this solo venture maintains all the glistening majestic splendour and cinematic grace that we associate with Schneider, creating an enchanting hybrid of sounds. (ML)

Real Big Sky – ‘Long Lost’
A brooding, atmospheric musing on feelings of loneliness and isolation, Gothenburg four-piece Real Big Sky have shared their debut single ‘Long Lost’. Full of moody guitar sounds, shiver-inducing cymbal smashes and melancholic vocals, the track is a captivating slice of dark indie noise. I can’t wait to hear the band’s self-titled debut album, which is set for release on the 13th of May. (KC)

Scrounge – ‘This Summer’s Been Lethal’ (ML)
South London duo Lucy and Luke aka Scrounge have now announced the release of their upcoming debut album, and we couldn’t be more excited. Taken from the album, ‘This Summer’s Been Lethal’ builds with a bewitching tension and potent beats, creating a stark soundscape. Oozing the duo’s trademark deep stirring allure and dark, compelling energy, an added uptempo edge propels the track, inciting a small glimmer of hope in these uncertain times. A swirling, immersive wall of sound, here Scrounge have showcased how they are consistently honing their sound; adding innovative layers to create resonant, cathartic anthems for the present day. (ML)

Oceanator – ‘Stuck’
I’m a big fan of this new single from Brooklyn artist Oceantor, taken from her excellently titled new album, Nothing’s Ever Fine, set for release on 8th April via Big Scary Monsters. I love the charging rhythms and doomy riffs on ‘Stuck’, which as Oceanator explains, is “about that feeling of all your collective traumas, disappointments, and general sadness just accumulating over the years and weighing you down more and more.” (KC)

Francis Of Delirium – ‘The Fun House’
“This is a call to arms” sings Jana Bahrich aka Francis Of Delirium in the opening to this single, instantly commanding listeners with her grungy riffs and clear vocals. A reflection on the manic and disorientating mindset that’s been accepted as “the new normal” over the past two years, Bahrich’s track is a cathartic rush of angst that questions what’s “left to believe” in such an overwhelming world. (KC)

Horsegirl – ‘Anti-glory’
I love this playful, rumbling cacophony from Chicago post-punk outfit Horsegirl. Taken from their debut album, Versions of Modern Performance, which is set for release on 3rd June, the band – formed of best friends Penelope Lowenstein, Nora Cheng and Gigi Reece – wrote ‘Anti-Glory’ “almost by accident” whilst messing around with an old song during rehearsals. When speaking about the track, the band say: “As always, this song and album are for Chicago, our friends, our friend’s bands, everyone who can play the guitar, and everyone who can’t play the guitar.” I like that! (KC)

Proper. – ‘Huerta’
Happy album release day to Brooklyn trio Proper.! The band have shared their new album, The Great American Novel, which is a punk infused concept record about how black genius is routinely overlooked and ignored. On this track ‘Huerta’, lead vocalist Erik Garlington evaluates his thoughts about his Mexican heritage, offering listeners an insight into what it means to censor or ignore parts of yourself and the impact this can have on your own identity, as well as the wider perception of this identity in predominantly white spaces. “If these audiences are going to be a voyeur to the Black experience, I want them to hear this record and learn about our identity crises,” Garlington continues about the band’s new album. Proper.’s unfiltered approach on ‘Huerta’ and The Great American Novel is a cathartic and necessary antidote to this voyeurism. (KC)

Petrol Girls – ‘Baby I Had An Abortion’
Highlighting the truth that everyone should have access to an abortion, without shame, ‘Baby, I Had An Abortion‘ oozes a brutal, unapologetic honesty, propelled by the gritty, seething force of Ren Aldridge’s vocals. An immense, empowering statement reflecting on Aldridge’s own experiences of having an abortion in 2018, it offers a poignant ode to bodily autonomy. A raging cacophony fuelled by a riotous catharsis that emits both joy and anger. (ML)

Problem Patterns – ‘Y.A.W’
A powerful, necessary anthem for women and girls who have spoken out against violent misogyny only to be told they’re “just a bitch who can’t take a joke,” it was a privilege to premiere Belfast Punks Problem Patterns video for their poignant new single ‘Y.A.W’ earlier this month. An acronym for ‘Yes All Women’ – antagonising the social media excuse ‘Not All Men’ – the track seethes with a righteous fury, underscored by Ciara’s King’s buzzing basslines, Beverley Boal’s striking guitar riffs, Bethany Crooks’ thudding beats and Alanah Smith’s crystalline vocals. It’s a visceral rumination on the universal rage and despair that permeates our consciousness in the wake of public violence towards women, in particular, the misogynist killings of Sarah Everard and Aisling Murphy. Watch the video here. (KC)

LibraLibra – ‘Here’s To You Mr Robinson’ (ML)
GIHE faves LibraLibra today release their second EP, Modern Millenial. Taken from the EP, latest single ‘Here’s To You Mr Robinson’ offers a satirical FU to the UK Government and any other right wing cretins. Initially inspired by the Tommy Robinson milkshake-in-face incident, it’s driven by a frenzied electro-driven whirr as the impassioned vocal prowess of front-person Beth Cannon soars. Another colossal cacophony showcasing the immense genre-defying power of this band on the rise. (ML)

Projector – ‘Play Along’
A brooding exploration on “the cognitive dissonance that allows you to feel like you are god’s gift, whilst simultaneously feeling like a piece of shit,” I love this new track from Brighton trio Projector. Splicing the dual vocals of Edward Ensbury and Lucy Sheehan with angular riffs, restless rhythms and ominous synths, the track marks new sonic territory for the band and I’m looking forward to seeing what they do next. (KC)

Body Type – ‘Buoyancy’
A rousing, energetic slice of indie punk, this fun new single from Australian trio Body Type is taken from their debut album, Everything Is Dangerous But Nothing’s Surprising, which is set for release on 20th May 20th. Inspired by a text exchange between bandmates Annabel Blackman and Georgia Wilkinson, ‘Buoyancy’ lives up to its namesake and is all about “grappling with internal inconsistencies and moral ambiguities in an incoherent style.” The band also say it’s “a personal reminder that when certain things are rendered uncertain, those you love are an eternal rudder.” C.U.T.E. (KC)

Breakup Haircut – ‘Out Of My Way (I’m Not Getting On The Nightbus’) (ML)
Having wowed us live with their scuzzy, joyous punk-pop at our January gig at The Victoria, Breakup Haircut have now shared a jangly new offering, dedicated to those of us who may not be too fond of big social gatherings. ‘Get Out Of My Way (I’m Not Getting On The Nightbus)’ flows with a jangly, uplifting energy and snarly wit as the band’s colourful charisma shines through. Breakup Haircut are set to release their debut album on 15th July via Reckless Yes. (ML)

girlhouse – ‘paul blart mall cop’
An honest musing about her experience of living with depression, this is a tender but buoyant new offering from US bedroom-pop artist Lauren Luiz aka girlhouse. Through her confessional lyrics and catchy melodies, she explores what she calls “the ultimate dilemma as a person that has dealt with depression for the majority of their life – not wanting to live but not wanting to die.” Despite its heavy context, girlhouse delivers her observations with earnest and cathartic flair. (KC)

BEORMA – ‘Without You’
A bittersweet reflection on losing someone you love and as a result a part of yourself, Birmingham-based band Beorma have shared their latest single ‘Without You’. Mixing R&B and indie pop sensibilities with a smooth heartfelt vocal, the track is an unexpectedly upbeat listen, brimming with emotion and a melody that warmly rushes the senses. (KC)

Amaroun – ‘Brown Skin Beauty’
A poignant offering reflecting on a personal journey of building in confidence to having the freedom to feel comfortable in your own black queer skin, this latest single from GIHE fave Amaroun flows into the ears with a sweeping ethereal soundscape. As her soaring, luscious vocals ripple atop the shimmering musicality, a truly blissful offering oozing a sparkling majestic grace is created. Mars, the upcoming debut album from Amaroun, is set for release on 3rd June. (ML)

King Hannah – ‘All Being Fine’
Having just released their debut album, I’m Not Sorry, I Was Just Being Me, Liverpool duo King Hannah have been firm favourites here at GIHE for a while now. Latest single ‘All Being Fine’ flows with an eerily captivating energy alongside Merrick’s trademark rich, sultry vocals. Building with a dark, iridescent splendour, it oozes a gritty, spellbinding allure, showcasing King Hannah’s unique, majestic grace and exquisite ability to create soundscapes with a truly compelling ethereal power. (ML)

Jenny Hval – ‘Year of Love’
In the run up to seeing Jenny Hval in April, I’ve been filling my ears with the fruits of her latest album Classic Objects, including this song ‘Year of Love’. It’s such a gentle song with those distantly haunting vocals of Hval swooping over like melodic drones, bliss. (TW)

Pongo – ‘Doudou’
‘Doudou’ is the latest release from Angolan-Portuguese artist Pongo who has often been described as the new diva of kuduro – and for good reason! Since her debut, Pongo has never stopped renewing the heritage of this genre by feeding it with sounds from all over the world. Just like this one. (TW)

Introducing Interview: King Hannah

Having been massive fans of Liverpool duo Hannah Merrick and Craig Whittle – aka King Hannah – for a couple of years now, we’re extremely excited to hear about the release of their debut album, I’m Not Sorry I Was Just Being Me, later this month. And, with acclaim from the likes of The Guardian, Stereogum and Brooklyn Vegan already under their belts, it seems as though this year is going to see big things for them.And, with their knack for creating a beautifully atmospheric musicality, paired with Merrick’s trademark rich, sultry vocals and a spellbinding, iridescent splendour, the album promises to be a truly compelling listen.

We caught up with Hannah and Craig to find out more about the album, what inspires them and what’s next… Have a read!

Hi King Hannah, welcome to Get Inn Her Ears! Are you able to tell us a bit about how you initially started creating music together?
Craig: We met when working in a bar together, but I had seen Hannah performing at a university band night a few years before and she had blown me away with how good she was. So, we quite quickly got to talking about music and got along really well, then eventually we would meet up before night shifts and play music together. It was a very slow, natural process for us – getting to know each other, figuring out what we liked in music and how we wanted to sound.

I’ve been a big fan of your exquisite, spellbinding sounds for some time, but who would you say are your main musical influences?
Thank you so much! And thank you for being so supportive for so long, longer than anyone else! You were one of the first sites and radio shows to shout about ‘Creme Brulee’, back when we self-released it!! Our influences change a lot from month to month, but our biggest influences at the minute are artists like Bill Callahan, Mazzy Star, Courtney Barnett, PJ Harvey, Silver Jews… People who make honest, real music.

You’ve just announced the release of your debut album I’m Not Sorry I Was Just Being Me – which is so exciting! Are you able to tell us a bit about it? Are there any particular themes running throughout the album?
Yeah, we are super excited! And nervous, but mostly excited. We wrote, recorded, mixed and mastered the record in about eight months, which is really quick for us. It was full on. There are no intentional themes; we didn’t set out to write about anything in particular, but there is a definite feeling of nostalgia and sentiment on the album, and quite a few of the songs tend to be about childhood and memories and the warmth that they bring to us.

Do you have a favourite track on the album? And if so, why?
C: I have a few! I’m really liking one called ‘Go-Kart Kid (HELL NO!)’ at the minute. I remember Hannah showing me this song on her acoustic and being blown away, I felt like I was right there with her during her childhood, her writing is so vivid and personal. I just love it. And then it also has this grungy, sludgy, 90s end that is really loud and aggressive. It has a bit of everything that we like in music.
Hannah: I’m big into that one too but also really like ‘The Moods That I Get In’ and ‘A Well-Made Woman’. When touring the UK last October, we experimented a little with a few of the songs live, ‘The Moods That I Get In’ being one of them and it completely grew into this body of work that no one expected. And I just love ‘A Well-Made Woman’ as it’s so dark and sounds like it’s from the 90s… well it does to me at least! Plus Craig’s guitar work is phenomenal, as always.

How have you found recording and promoting an album during these strange times?
Well, we have nothing to compare it to really! The recording process was probably helped by the fact the world wasn’t fully open – it gave us more time to devote to the writing and making of the album, and we used that as much as we could.

How is the music scene in Liverpool at the moment? Would you say live music has made a full recovery after the last couple of years?
We have weirdly never really felt a big part of the Liverpool music scene. We’ve always just quietly done our own thing, building towards this. I don’t think the music scene has fully recovered – some people are still rightly apprehensive about being in crowded spaces, and gigs can be cancelled at such short notice if cases rise or someone tests positive. We think that uncertainty and apprehension will be lingering for a long time over live music, unfortunately.

As we’re a new music focused site, are there any other upcoming artists or bands you’re loving right now that you’d recommend we check out?
C: I don’t know what the cut-off for ‘new’ music is, but I’m in love with a band called Babehoven at the minute, and their album Nastavi, Calliope. I think they’re based in Portland, and they make this beautiful, lo-fi, intimate music. Their latest single ‘Fugazi’ is on repeat in my bedroom right now.
H: I’m absolutely shocking for discovering new artists… It’s something I really need to get better at!! When I ‘discover’ an artist, I later discover that they’ve been around since the ’90s!

In addition to the album release, what does the rest of the year have in store for King Hannah?
C: We have our first ever EU tour and our first ever US tour coming up! Which is so surreal, it still hasn’t sunk in that we will be playing in all these wonderful places.
H: Totally!! We often get asked how all of this feels, but honestly, it’s all happening so fast that we very rarely actually sit down and chat the whole thing through! It’s a whirlwind and we’re so incredibly grateful. Thank you so much for having us and again, for your continued support!! You guys are the best!!

Massive thanks to Hannah and Craig for answering our questions!

King Hannah’s debut album I’m Not Sorry I Was Just Being Me is out this Friday, 25th February via City Slang. And, for a taster, watch their latest video for spellbinding single ‘All Being Fine’ here:

Track Of The Day: King Hannah – ‘All Being Fine’

Having been massive fans of Liverpool duo Hannah Merrick and Craig Whittle – aka King Hannah – for a couple of years now, we’re extremely excited to hear about the release of their debut album later this month. And, with acclaim from the likes of The Guardian, Stereogum and Brooklyn Vegan already under their belts, it seems as though this year is going to see big things for them.

Taken from the album, latest single ‘All Being Fine‘ is a beautifully atmospheric offering. Flowing with an eerily captivating energy, as jangling hooks and sparse beats accompany Merrick’s trademark rich, sultry vocals, it builds with a dark, iridescent splendour, drenched in a subtle, swirling scuzz. Oozing a gritty, spellbinding allure akin to the likes of PJ Harvey, this new track showcases King Hannah’s own unique, majestic grace and exquisite ability to create soundscapes with a truly compelling ethereal power.

Directed by Whittle, watch the sunny new video for ‘All Being Fine’ here:

I’m Not Sorry, I Was Just Being Me, the upcoming debut album from King Hannah, is set for release on 25th February via City Slang. Pre-order here.

Mari Lane
@marimindles

Photo Credit: Katie Silvester

LISTEN: King Hannah – ‘State Trooper’

Following the release of their utterly captivating debut EP Tell Me Your Mind and I’ll Tell You Mine, Liverpool’s King Hannah have now shared a sweeping new offering.

A cover of the Bruce Springsteen 1982 track, ‘State Trooper’ is a beautifully bewitching listen. Maintaining all the gritty charm of the original, but with an added majestic splendour, the swooning hypnotic grace of Hannah Merrick’s vocals ripples alongside scuzzy hooks and a dark, spellbinding energy. A truly exquisite rendition of a song from one of my all-time favourite albums. It’s pretty hard to do The Boss justice (speaking as a mega super fan!), but King Hannah have managed it with flying colours – adding their own ethereal grandeur, they have succeeded in making it completely their own.

Of the decision to cover the track, the band explain:

“We have always loved the Bruce Springsteen album Nebraska, how sparse and raw it sounds, and how it is effectively a live demo recording. We wanted to keep that live-feel when covering ‘State Trooper’ and so we tracked the song live in our little home studio. We tried to do justice to the atmosphere of the original when arranging the track, with rumbling tom-heavy drums, warm creamy guitars and intimate slap-back vocals.”

Tell Me Your Mind And I’ll Tell You Mine, the new EP from King Hannah, is out now. Catch the band on tour later this year:

16/10/21: District – Liverpool  
20/10/21: YES (Pink Room) – Manchester
21/10/21: Hyde Park Book club – Leeds
22/10/21: Broadcast – Glasgow
23/10/21: Star and Shadow Cinema – Newcastle  
24/10/21: The Cookie – Leicester
25/10/21: Jericho Tavern – Oxford
26/10/21: Hare & Hounds – Birmingham
27/10/21: Lexington – London
28/10/21: Hope & Ruin – Brighton
29/10/21: The Louisiana – Bristol

Mari Lane
@marimindles

Photo Credit: Craig Whittle