EP: The Ethical Debating Society – ‘Mutual Indecision’

Writing bubblegum pop melodies before tearing them apart with riot grrrl moxie, The Ethical Debating Society’s (TEDS) DIY punk attitude and multi-faceted lo-fi sound has been preserved on their latest six track extended play, Mutual Indecision; a collection of previously unreleased songs recorded at Sound Savers – Mark Jasper’s Hackney warehouse studio.

Produced by Jasper (Witching Waves), mastered by Dai Jones, and released by Radical Possibilities, the Mutual Indecision EP features vocalist/guitarist Tegan Christmas, vocalist/guitarist Kris Martin, and drummer Eli Tupa obliterating rough DIY indie with cathartic and justified rage! Opening with pop-punk anthem ‘Poor Liam‘, the three-piece examine the “alright-jack-shit generation” under the microscope; the “petri-dish for patriarchy”. “You have, and you are, a tool / That’s so fucking precious…”

‘Emoticon‘ – another whiplash-inducing headbanger – disturbs with distorted chaos, Tegan and Kris harmonising over obnoxious guitar riffs, frustrated with social change. Kicking over her drum kit and strapping on her guitar, Eli shreds lo-fi sludge on ‘Prawn Operation‘; screaming Spanish lyrical angst against male entitlement, before switching back to percussion for the punishing ‘Paywall’ – life as commodity: “Buy, buy, or bye bye.”

‘Pantomine‘ follows with equally irresistible visceral lyricism; challenging alpha male bullshit as abrasive riffs strain under the ferocity of raw instrumentation. Closing with ‘London Particular‘, the London-based trio implore you to look around: your estate regenerated and community lost… “…the fog clears and your heritage has gone. Now all the flats and all the shops ask you for money you haven’t got.”

Following their 2015 debut LP, New Sense, and in anticipation of their long-awaited sophomore record, Mutual Indecision delivers equally spontaneous scuzz, sounding as if TEDS got together in the studio, hit record on analog, and jammed unapologetically through the feedback – an imperfect punk record that is chaotically perfect.

mutual indecision e.p. by the ethical debating society

Catch The Ethical Debating Society playing live for us next month, on 19th May at Shacklewell Arms, supporting Hypsoline with Rom Coms. Tickets here!

Ken Wynne
@ken_wynne

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New Track: lobby – ‘in the wall’

‘in the wall’ is the debut track from new London supergroup lobby – a collaboration made up of Lottie Pendlebury (Goat Girl) and Toby Evans-Jesra (leather.head), with trusted friend Josh Gormley on drums. As a fan of their two other bands, I was intrigued to hear this new project. 

‘in the wall’ opens with a clean ’90s midwest emo styled-guitar riff followed by a satisfyingly driving drum beat on the toms. It’s like a warm embrace and I’m instantly captivated. Pendlebury and Evans-Jesra’s soft honey-like vocal harmonies enter before she drops out and Evans-Jesra continues with a low vocal drawl, reminiscent of The National’s Matt Berninger, with a hint of Elliot Smith.

A beautifully atmospheric track, it blends folk and alternative rock – creating warm summer vibes with a hint of nostalgic melancholy, bringing to mind artists like Phoebe Bridgers and Big Thief. There are ethereal synth lines intertwining between the vocals and a fiddle-like violin part, giving it a folky flavour until – half way through the track – a sax and synth are introduced, offering the listener a pleasant surprise and adding to the already textured soundscape. The song becomes more chaotic, lifting it to an enchanting new dimension. 

The track was recorded and mixed by Jamie Neville Neville (Pumarosa, PVA) at Teeth Studios in South East London. On recording the songs Evans-Jesra explains:

“We recorded this song in 2021 with Jamie at Teeth Studios, a place we were really drawn to after hearing our friends in Gentle Stranger’s record. It had a really unique live improvised and kind of erratic sound that felt fitting for Lobby. It’s an old song of mine that Lottie and Josh brought a really fresh and creative energy to.” 

‘in the wall’ is a strong debut from lobby, who have already played gigs at iconic London venues like The Shacklewell Arms and Ivy House. Their music blends genres and times, and I will be keeping a close ear to the ground for their next release and future gigs. 


Ella Patenall
@ellapatenall

Photo Credit: Josh Evans-Jesra

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WATCH: Girl Ray – ‘Everybody’s Saying That’

Following the release of 2021’s ‘Give Me Your Love’, London trio (and GIHE faves) Girl Ray have now shared another much-anticipated buoyant new single.

Reflecting on themes of new love and self-doubt, ‘Everybody’s Saying That‘ is propelled by a swirling disco-inspired energy, oozing the band’s colourful charisma and uplifting charm. Flowing with funk-fuelled hooks and a sparkling danceable allure, it showcases the smooth lilt of Poppy Hankin’s distinctive vocals perfectly. Fizzing with all the shimmering blissful zest that we’ve come to know and love from Girl Ray, it’s the perfect Friday anthem; just one listen will elevate your spirits, leaving you ready to hit the dancefloor/roller-disco/bedroom with a revived sense of optimism.

Of the track, Hankin explains:

“The lyrics on this single were inspired by the straight-to-the-heart simplicity of the disco greats. I wrote it while missing my partner while on tour in 2020, and it plays on themes of new love and self-doubt. Musically we took reference from the nu-disco resurgence that seemed to be taking off in 2020, in particular from the likes of Kylie Minogue (Disco), Jessie Ware (What’s Your Pleasure?), Dua Lipa (Future Nostalgia) and Róisín Murphy (Róisín Machine). We were really inspired by all of these women re-imagining disco.”

‘Everybody’s Saying That’ is accompanied by a joyous Studio 54-inspired new video, directed by Alice Harding. Watch it here:

‘Everybody’s Saying That’ is produced by Poppy Hankin and Ben H Allen (M.I.A, Christina Aguilera), and is out now via Moshi Moshi Records.

Mari Lane
@marimindles

Photo Credit: Chiara Gambuto

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WATCH: Ritual Forms – ‘Down’

A brooding, atmospheric soundscape that explores the way our moods fluctuate during uncertain times, Ritual Forms have shared their latest single ‘Down’. Lifted from their upcoming debut album, Nighttime Economy, which is set for release on 2nd March, the London-based trio’s new offering is another captivating blend of hypnotic loops, steady beats and intoxicating vocals.

Formed during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2021, good friends Anna Marcella, Curtis Elvidge and Joe Cross decided to combine their distinctive musical backgrounds into a new project. Under the moniker of Ritual Forms, the trio wanted to remove all of their self-imposed constraints and rediscover themselves in an a new and uninhibited creative process. This culminated in their debut single ‘Dreaming‘, which seamlessly shifts between the lighter and darker shades of human emotion, and the band’s latest offering ‘Down’ flows in a similar shadowy vein.

“’Down’ was planted in retro territory when Curtis created a warped 90’s hip-hop sample, which in turn inspired me to create impactful lyrics and groove melodies around a unique song structure,” vocalist Anna explains about the track. “The lyrical backdrop here is both personal and politically charged, but we wanted to layer sounds and textures to bring a sullen and dreamy vibe that represents both the anxious undertones many of us are feeling, along with the flow and relief of moving forward.”

Ritual Forms will be playing a FREE show at Hoxton Underbelly on Wednesday 25th January in order to celebrate the release of their new single.

‘Down’ is accompanied by a cinematic monochrome video which you can watch below.

Follow Ritual Forms on bandcamp, Spotify, Twitter, Instagram & Facebook

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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