LISTEN: Natalie and the Monarchy – ‘Envy the Villain’

A lavish reflection on the emotional toll a dual identity can take on your wellbeing, Liverpool-based American born artist Natalie and the Monarchy has shared her latest single ‘Envy the Villain’. Inspired by her own experiences as a professional dominatrix, the track is a “dark cabaret” of Natalie’s thoughts about her own struggles, with a riot grrrl, grunge-infused twist.

“The song’s title is referring to the self-destructive behaviour I experienced when taking on the role of ‘Mistress Veronica’ as a professional dominatrix,” Natalie explains. “It’s about wanting to be that confident and intimidating character 24/7 and the identity struggle that a lot of sex-workers have between the fantasy and the real world.” Marking her first release since her 2019 EP Pretty little Flower, ‘Envy the Villain’ is a playful dissection of the self, as well as a personal take on what it means to conceal, or reveal your true identity in a world that tries to “other” the experiences of women and of female sex workers.

The track is accompanied by a video, shot and edited by Jenn Cliff-Wilcocks and Richard Garland, which shows Natalie contrasting her “weaker, submissive” side against the devilish flair of Mistress Veronica, who is personified as a devil in latex leisurely eating cake.

Watch the video for ‘Envy The Villain’ below.

Follow Natalie and the Monarchy on bandcamp, Spotify, Twitter, Instagram & Facebook

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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EP: Gold Baby – ‘Rabbits’

Gold Baby’s debut EP, Rabbits, is a real treat for the ears and soul. The band – fronted by singer-songwriter Siân Alex – show their versatility with this accomplished and assured collection of lush, folk-infused dream pop.

Opener ‘Bodie’ is the soothing soundtrack we all need right now. With retro, woozy guitars and drums that thump like a heartbeat, it has echoes of ’60s girl groups. And like those glorious, bittersweet ballads that bands like The Ronettes or The Shangri-Las sang back then, ‘Bodie’’s lyrics dwell on loneliness and longing. It’s a real standout.

The band show their playful, experimental side with ‘2041’ – a punk-inspired number with jerky spiky guitars and a lo-fi, shouty chorus (“And I said NO!”) that act as the perfect foil to Siân’s pure, calming voice. It’s brave and brilliant; the sound of a band who refuse to be pigeon-holed and are keen to grow and evolve.

Closing tracks ‘Betty’ and recent single, ‘Captain Dorego’, are quieter, deeper and more confessional, reminiscent of Sufjan Stevens and The Unthanks – very much in the folk storytelling tradition. ‘Captain Dorego’ is particularly affecting, dealing with Siân’s experiences of being overstimulated by modern life. Something that, in these crazy times, we can all relate to.

Ultimately, with Rabbits, Gold Baby show that they can both soothe you and make you shimmy (check out the video for ‘Captain Dorego’ for more of the latter!). The band’s confidence and chemistry, coupled with Siân’s raw, self-revelatory songwriting and beautiful vocals, come together on this release to create something that’s pure magic. Listen if you want something pretty that packs a real punch!

Rabbits is out now. Download via Gold Baby’s bandcamp. 

Vic Conway

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Track Of The Day: Julia-Sophie – ‘and you know it’

Gothic tones swirl in a bath of glimmering synths as haunting vocals sing in Julia-Sophie’s second shimmering single, ‘and you know it‘. Dark, heavyweight pads modulate downwards and spiral into delays that descend with a cathartic grace. As the track begins to rise, it spins elegantly and captivates listeners from the very start with the art of juxtaposition.

It is with avant-pop artist Julia-Sophie’s vocal delivery that we first fully catch a true breath of her deeply emotional, electronic track that lives within a similar realm as pop artist/creator FKA Twigs. With recoiling chorus tones, ‘and you know it’ features a reflexive mix that triggers sonic elements interpersonally, emulating the ricochet of an overwhelmed mind. 

Crisp, echoing percussion and melodic synths keep the deep track mobile, never overstaying their welcome with each purging section. As articulate as the instrumentation and effects are throughout, Julia-Sophie’s lyrics take no step back in the stakes of embodying a raw, emotive spectacle. Themes of grief, fear of abandonment and the heartbreak of being misunderstood define Julia-Sophie’s story in a genuine, stirring way.

</3, the upcoming new EP from Julia-Sophie, is set for release 22nd April.

Jill Goyeau
@jillybxxn

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LISTEN: Alex Loveless – ‘Through 2 U’

A slow-burning, lo-fi offering full of hazy beats and brooding vocals, Hackney-based DIY electronic artist Alex Loveless has shared their latest single ‘Through 2 U’. Taken from their recent EP Phone Keys Wallet, released via Loveless’ own label Dirty Mind (named after their own club night inspired by the Prince record) the track is an intoxicating combination of smouldering alt-pop hooks and melancholy-tinged lyrics.

As with all tracks on Loveless’ EP Phone Keys Wallet, ‘Through 2 U’ was written, produced, mixed, mastered and performed entirely by Loveless. Their talent for crafting atmospheric, trippy electronic gems shines through on this latest single, which takes its musical cues from a diverse mix of material. From the shadowy sounds of Deftones and James Blake, to the lilting duelling flutes of Richard Wagner’s opera Tristan und Isolde, Loveless has filtered these elements into their own heady, alternative soundscape.

Listen to ‘Through 2 U’ below.

 

Follow Alex Loveless on bandcamp, Spotify, Twitter & Instagram for more updates.

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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