Track Of The Day: Barry – ‘Neolithic Homosex’ / ‘No More Boys’

Having received acclaim from the likes of BBC 6Music’s Marc Riley, as well as sharing stages with Franz Ferdinand and Adulkt Life, South London based Barry follow their eponymous 2019 album with a new double A side release.

First up, ‘Neolithic Homosex‘ ponders the all-important issue of what gay sex was like in ancient times. Propelled by driving, breezy beats and joyously jangly hooks, whirring keys flow alongside brazen vocals and added cheering hand claps, oozing an uplifting, sunny energy. With a fizzing, playful charisma it offers a scuzzily splendid sonic delight.

Accompanying single ‘No More Boys‘ flows with a lilting zest as it reflects on those post-breakup feelings of self-pity, and unfulfilled promises to stave off any vices going forwards. With a twinkling musicality providing the backdrop for the refreshingly relateable, wit-tinged lyricism, it’s another buoyant belter; transforming life’s worries into fun-filled indie-pop goodness.

A band whose mission statement it is to “make you laugh and dance”, I’d say that Barry most certainly succeed in this. And I couldn’t be more grateful for this vibrant, quirky respite from the struggles of everyday life.

‘Neolithic Homosex’ / ‘No More Boys’ is out now. Download on bandcamp now.

Mari Lane
@marimindles

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Video Premiere: Tribes Of Europe & Barbara Stretch – ‘Rosalind’

Having previously garnered support from the likes of BBC 6Music, BBC Wales and Amazing Radio for previous singles ‘Let The Big Beat Save Your Southern Soul’, ‘The House You Built For Us‘ and ‘It’s a Lovely Day Tomorrow‘, Tribes Of Europe are back with an uplifting new offering. The alter-ego of Fenland-based Martin Elsey, for this current project he is joined by musicians Andy Gangadeen (Massive Attack, Chase & Status, Jeff Beck) and Chris Taylor (Poison Girls), with the distinctive vocals of jazz-punk icon Barbara Stretch (The Vernons), as well as additional input from the Ely Fallen Angels Choir.

Immersed in a swirling, psychedelic haze, ‘Rosalind’ is partly inspired by innovative DNA chemist Rosalind Franklin, whilst reflecting on feelings of not fitting into society’s prescribed norms. As sweeping, synth-driven hooks are propelled by an uplifting ’60s-inspired rockabilly energy and a sizzling soul-infused groove, Stretch’s glistening heartfelt vocals soar. As the shimmering allure of ‘Rosalind’s cinematic musicality builds, blissful harmonies flow with a euphoric splendour to create a perfectly sunny slice of neo-soul; a rapturous soundtrack exuding a much-needed vibrant joy.

Explaining the inspiration behind the track, Elsey explains:

“It’s about a girl whose hero is Rosalind Franklin. She also has a secret crush on a popular girl at school. It’s very intense, as these things tend to be when you want something really badly but can’t seem to find a way of getting it. The song is her imaginary conversation with Rosalind and the girl. Somewhere along the line I started thinking about Joe Meek as well, and he crept into the general vibe of the song … All these innovators who didn’t quite fit in with the norms of the day; maybe their sexuality or gender just didn’t quite click.”

Watch the wonderfully trippy new video for ‘Rosalind’, for the first time, now and prepare to lose yourself in its fizzing, colourful visuals:

‘Rosalind’ is out tomorrow, 20th August, via Integrity Records.

Mari Lane
@marimindles

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Track Of The Day: BERRIES – ‘The Expert’

Bursting into your eardrums with a spiky guitar riff dancing around commanding vocals, the new single from London trio BERRIES tackles imposter syndrome with uncompromising grunge-fuelled power. Following latest single ‘Copy’ and the release of their recent EP Live From Big Smith Studios, ‘The Expert‘ showcases the band’s the ferocious energy and sparkling charisma once again.

A firecracker of a track, ‘The Expert’ balances jagged punk heaviness with evocative harmonies while the lyrics take down patronising know-it-alls in the process. The mid-track instrumental is nothing short of rock perfection with its immediate call to mosh-pit inciters, pairing super fuzzy bass with a climbing guitar solo and head-bang worthy drums. BERRIES’ urgency is infectious, and – as the last note rings out – you’re left inspired to stomp around and take back control from your own so-called ‘experts’.

Of the track, the band explain:

“Lyrically, ‘The Expert’ is based broadly around ‘imposter syndrome’ and the condescending controlling people who encourage this and internal struggles often felt… Instrumentally we wanted this song to build into itself, adding layers as we journey through the track. Starting off fairly minimal and finishing with layers of effects, fuzzy bass and drums, and the repetitive guitar riff which symbolises the loud and often unwanted voices heard all around.“

Leonie Bellini
@teenpeachmovie

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Track Of The Day: Bas Jan – ‘You Have Bewitched Me’

Having initially formed back in 2015, London experimental collective Bas Jan was co-founded by songwriter, vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Serafina Steer, and now features Rachel Horwood (Trash Kit, Bamboo, Jenny Moore’s Mystic Business), Emma Smith (the Elysian Quartet, Jarv Is, Seamus Fogarty) and Charlie Stock. Following 2018’s Yes I Jan, the ensemble has now shared their first new music in three years.

Propelled a swirling ethereal majesty, ‘You Have Bewitched Me‘ offers an effervescent reflection on the mesmerising power of first attraction and new love. As steady bass and sweeping strings flow, the track builds with a lilting, twinkling energy to a burst of vibrant colour and heartfelt blissful joy. With the delicate grace of its sparkling harmonies, ‘You Have Bewitched Me’ showcases the subtle power of crystalline voices coming together in unity to create a truly euphoric soundscape. As an eclectic array of shimmering sounds are interwoven with a captivating allure, ‘You Have Bewitched Me’ treats the ears to a beautiful calming cacophony.

Of the formation of the track, Serafina explains:

“It was a result of an Arts Council funded project… For Bas Jan to rehearse and record live at a performance space [Cafe Oto, London] during lockdown in Autumn 2020. It was then mixed by Capitol K at Total Refreshment Centre. ‘You Have Bewitched Me’ marks a new era of collaborative writing as a four-piece – more of which to be revealed soon.”

Watch the new video for ‘You Have Bewitched Me’ here:

‘You Have Bewitched Me’ is out now via Lost Map Records, as part of Lost Map’s PostMap Club monthly subscription service.

Mari Lane
@marimindles

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