EP: Tina Boonstra – ‘City Of Doubt’

London-based singer-songwriter Tina Boonstra has just released her latest EP City of Doubt, featuring six powerful alt-pop songs. As a songwriter from a missionary family, Tina has honed her craft, bringing her songs to a wider audience, offering depth and emotional intensity; all of which can be heard in this new EP.

EP opener ‘Out of My Depth’ is a rage against the universe, with a stop-start rhythm, and a contrasting chorus. Similarly, title track ‘City of Doubt’ expresses the alienation of the daily grind using an industrial synth sound, but this time there is light and a feeling of rising above (“we’ll make it through’’).

The slower songs on the EP provide a balance, offering the listener a chance to reflect. ‘What is the Rush?’ reassures us that “this life is not a straight line… Beauty you’ll find as you go.” The lyrically beautiful ‘I Love you like Sunshine in Bangor’ has a dreamlike, cinematic quality, offering a “love that is honest in every way” as the sound of the organ drifts into the distance. ‘More Than Your Head’ and ‘Talk it Over’ are infectious, upbeat sing-alongs, which explore the power of community and authentic friendship. 

Overall, the themes of the EP come full-circle, from starting alone and in doubt, and finishing with being a part of a supportive community. It has a positive message, and we all need that, now more than ever. A collection of songs that will leave you seeking out more.

City Of Doubt is out now.

Fi Ni Aicead
@gotnomoniker

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LISTEN: October and The Eyes – ‘All My Love’

A sultry, melancholy-tinged electronic gem, New Zealand-born, London-based songwriter October and The Eyes has shared her latest single ‘All My Love’. Lifted from her debut EP Dogs and Gods, which is set for release on 20th November via KRO Records, the track is a bittersweet, yet swaggering extrapolation on desire and infatuation.

“’All My Love’ is unfortunately a love song – something I told myself I would never write yet here I am,” October and The Eyes reluctantly admits. “But it’s not all sweet. In fact, I would call it more of a lust song. It’s about being in love but lusting for something more. It’s about desire, greed, and infatuation with a stranger.”

“The song became strangely prophetic in recent months as I watched the one I once loved self destruct from afar ‘in tin cans and other crumbs of temporary self satisfaction’ – a line I wrote before I could even comprehend that it would become remotely true. Because of this, the song is now tainted with a strange sadness that I’ll carry with me every time I perform it.”

Despite her unease about writing about heartbreak, October and The Eyes has crafted a slick, hazy, kaleidoscopic-feeling on her new single. Written and produced in her bedroom in East London, her independent spirit is reflected in the tracks that make up her upcoming EP.

Listen to ‘All My Love’ below and follow October and The Eyes on Spotify and Instagram for more updates.

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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LISTEN: Bea Miller – ‘wisdom teeth’

A bittersweet pop tune that reflects on the loss of innocence, Bea Miller has shared her latest single ‘wisdom teeth’. Lifted from her new EP elated!, which is set for release on 23rd October, the track is an honest meditation on Miller’s childhood and the wavering levels of confidence she’s experienced while growing up.

“I used to be so happy / No matter what happened to me” Miller muses, juxtaposing memories of her carefree attitude with the brutal image of having your teeth pulled out. At twenty one years of age, her reflections will strike a chord with others going through a similar phase of uncertainty, but her lush vocals and buoyant synths on ‘wisdom teeth’ will soothe the painful sting of reality.

The track is accompanied by a video, shot and directed by Gina Gizella, in which Miller dominates the camera’s gaze. Watch the visuals for ‘wisdom teeth’ below and follow Bea Miller on Instagram and Spotify for more updates.

Photo Credit: Gina Gizella

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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Track Of The Day: Priya Ragu – ‘Good Love 2.0’

In a sleek and groovy nuance, Priya Ragu releases an irresistible genre-quaking single with her latest release ‘Good Love 2.0’. The Tamil-Swiss artist has handpicked the absolute salt of her inspirations and constructed a tune that is equally easy as it is innovative, showing clear influence from a multitude of styles.

Pulsing bass and glossy vocals make ‘Good Love 2.0’ a feel-good pop banger, but it is not until Priya’s alternative funk-fuelled post-chorus comes in that we understand the musical density of this tune. With a sea of charismatic hand drums and glitchy production, Priya and her team have engineered the most refreshing taste of R&B that reflects an earnest taste of the current scene.

With shades of artists like Orion Son and King Princess, Priya has used both tender, poetic lyrics and the artistry of sound production itself to paint the emotive picture for her story in ‘Good Love 2.0’. Presenting strong songwriting with clear-cut infatuation-filled lyrics, listeners have such an exhilarating, dreamy treat in store. Optimism and curiosity fuel Priya’s ripened sonic energy that could make anyone, even for just a moment, imagine the sun. ‘Good Love 2.0’ is a moment of contentment and positivity that we all so deserve.

‘Good Love 2.0’ is out now. Listen on Spotify.

Jill Goyeau
@jillybxxn

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