Track Of The Day: Ailsa Tully – ‘Sheets’

Following acclaim for previous singles ‘Greedy’ and ‘Parasite’ from the likes of The Line Of Best Fit and Clash Magazine, Welsh artist and GIHE fave Ailsa Tully has announced the release of her upcoming EP next month. Taken from the EP, she has now shared a brand new poignant offering.

Flowing with a shimmering, stripped back musicality, ‘Sheets‘ insightfully reflects on those first moments of waking, as your senses gradually start to stir whilst limbs stretch amid the crisp white linen. Combining lilting melodies with Tully’s crystalline, honey-sweet vocals, it oozes an immersive, delicate emotion and sparkling grace. There is something uniquely captivating about the juxtaposition of the vocals and the rippling instrumentation; the gentle build up and crescendo evoking images of waves delicately crashing against swathes of sand. Of the track, Tully explains:

 “’Sheets’ is about restlessness and trying to let yourself be still. It’s about waking up and feeling the anxious urge to be productive, to wash your clothes, to make your bed, but forcing yourself to slow down in order to share a moment with someone.”

With a heartfelt splendour, ‘Sheets’ offers an exquisite slice of folk-strewn indie, resonating with a glistening allure and subtle, yet stirring, sentiment. A simply beautiful creation that tugs at the heartstrings, leaving us eager to hear Tully’s upcoming EP in full.

 Holy Isle, the upcoming EP from Ailsa Tully, is set for release 20th August via Dalliance Recordings.

Mari Lane
@marimindles

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LISTEN: Hushtones – ‘Sinking’

If you’re searching for a tune to complete your summer playlist, look no further. This slice of pure sunshine from Liverpool psych-rockers Hushtones layers golden vocals with lush keys and a gentle hit of guitar fuzz, peaking with an irresistibly catchy chorus perfectly designed for a beach road-trip. 

Taken from their upcoming debut album Greetings From The Other Side, ‘Sinking’ introduces itself with a bouncing drumbeat and gorgeous, euphoric harmonies, before launching head-first into a sky-scraping chorus and a frolicking guitar solo. Further amping up the sunshine is the ’60s/’70s rock tinge that weaves its way throughout, grounding the glossy melodies in a crunchy bass and retro synths.

Of their writing process, the band explain: “We were really lucky ‘cos we were able to write, create and build this album during the bizarre months of 2020… We have poured our hearts and souls into this body of work from start to finish. There have been actual tears! But we’re really proud of it and so excited for people to finally hear it.” 

Greetings From The Other Side, the upcoming debut album from Hushtones, is set for release 6th August.

Leonie Bellini
@teenpeachmovie

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WATCH: Bnny – ‘Sure’

Following previous singles ‘Ambulance’ and ‘Time Walk, Chicago-based siblings Jess and Alexa Viscius – aka BNNY – have now announced their debut album, set for release next month. Ahead of the album, they’ve just shared dreamy new single ‘Sure’ – a nostalgic blend of Americana, dream-pop and country music.

Ethereal vocals and lilting guitar are both drenched in reverb that builds into a fuzzy soundscape. The sound is both warm and dark. ‘Sure’ is the kind of song you’d expect to find playing at the Roadhouse in Twin Peaks, simultaneously capturing scenes of beer spilling off rowdy customers, a flickering neon light at the bar, a tender moment of young lovers slow-dancing, and maybe even a fight breaking out between crowds of bikers. It’s perfect for your late night, rainy day playlists.

‘Sure’ creates an opportunity for introspection through its repetition and the ethereal space it creates. The waltzing guitar and lilting drums are meditative as they create an effortless dreamy ambiance. Capturing a beautifully understated moment, ‘Sure’ finds Jess Viscius circling around the song’s titular word and testing its meanings and applications: “sure” as an affirmation, “sure” as a guarantee, “sure” as an exhausted acquiescence. This repetition of the word ‘sure’, combined with the repetition of the simple chords, has an hypnotic effect. Viscius’ breathy vocals are haunting, yet, like a lullaby, the gentle whispers also provide a reassuring sense of comfort. Meanwhile, the lyrics contemplate a balance between moments of light and the inevitable contrasting darkness that contrasts it; sunrise versus the night, death versus life. Of the track, Jess explains:

“‘Sure’ is about love and its loss… ‘Sure’ is about apathy and denial. It’s about disillusionment in the wake of death. It’s about finding strength and meaning in the steadfastness of nature.”

The accompanying video is a cinematic vignette set in an uncanny world where people seem to move in slow motion, disassociated. Capturing the same darkness and familiarity conveyed in the song, you can see the musical elements of the song played out visually. The protagonist walks in a dream state to a hazy bar filled with cowboys, Americana seeps through the screen whilst you can picture the reverb bounding between the walls of the bar.

Everything, BNNY’s debut album, is set for release on 20th August via Fire Talk. Pre-order here.

Jaz Kelly
@surfjaz

Photo Credit: Alexa Viscius

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Five Favourites: F.R.U.I.T.Y

Following the release of ‘Bela Lugosi’s Dead’ and ‘Not Quite Exceptional’, Belfast-based queer artist Dan O’Rawe – aka F.R.U.I.T.Y – has now shared the first single from their upcoming debut EP, set for release next month. Propelled by off-kilter glitchy beats, ‘U.P.S‘ offers a wonderfully quirky, futuristic soundscape whilst reflecting on themes of identity in O’Rawe’s trademark deadpan Northern Irish drawl. As twinkling hooks flow with a cinematic splendour, it’s a glistening, uplifting slice of alt-electro-pop; a perfect soundtrack to woozy summer evenings. Of the track, they comment: “… it’s the summer loving comedown. The doubt, the reflection and the ending of those summer days… something underscored by the blissed-out, but tired, mind...”

We think one of the best ways to get to know an artist is by asking what music inspires them. So, to mark the release of ‘U.P.S’ today, we caught up with Dan to ask about their “Five Favourites” – five songs that they love the most. Check out their choices below and scroll down to listen to ‘U.P.S’.

Easy Life – ‘A Message to Myself’ 
I absolutely vibe so hard with this song, there is a tremendous flow to the lyrics that I am obsessed with. It speaks for itself, just be yourself. I love how much they reflect what is happening right now. In twenty years’, time, I can picture myself feeling super nostalgic for this time already. They also sent me this little merch air freshener fish with the single, which was a fun bonus!  

Remi Wolf – ‘Shawty’ 
Whenever this song comes on, I feel energised. It is so damn fun. I love lyrics that follow a mundane narrative, I know that is bizarre, but it is just really relatable. The layered vocal style she uses is something I take inspiration from. It has an early 2000s vibe; I can feel the low-rise jeans with a thong showing energy.  

Tayo Sound – ‘Cold Feet’ 
I like how this song starts with that initial infatuation with someone, the woozy start when you are so nervous you get mad butterflies. It has a tasty hook. It is easy, breezy & fresh. I always find myself attracted to that in music. Music tends to have a big effect on my mood for the day, this song always makes me feel sunny and chill.  

Ms. White – ‘Fuck Men’ 
… because Fuck Men. Haha.  

Kojaque – ‘Town’s Dead‘
Some local talent representation with Kojaque. The lyrics are so well written, a deep sense of humour but making a bunch of decent points too. There is a big punk energy to this one – it sounds like it would be unreal live (hit me up for a support slot Kojaque… Or a date, whatever’s easiest for ya!).

Massive thanks to Dan for sharing their Five Favourites!

F.R.U.I.T.Y, the eponymous debut EP, is set for release on 5th August. Listen to new single ‘U.P.S’ now:

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