WATCH: Æ MAK – ‘hey driver (!)’

A vibrant, catchy tune made with “100% childsplay and solo belly laughs”, Kitsch-bop Queen Æ MAK has shared her latest single, ‘hey driver (!)’. Taken from her new EP how to: make a kitsch pop song to show the world, which is released today (18th Sept), the Irish artist has crafted another polished art-pop offering with a dance routine that’s a joy to mimic.

Embracing production duties for the first time on her new release, Æ MAK – aka Aoife McCann – wrote and recorded her new EP during the Covid-19 lockdown period. She focused on making upbeat tunes that listeners could bop too, and the result is a candid and ultra fun aural “how to” on making music that’s joyous and uplifting.

McCann’s carefree attitude is best displayed in the accompanying music video for ‘hey driver (!)’, shot and edited by Tim Shearwood. Featuring her cousin Anyamanee Thungsombat and school friend Kavneet Kainth, the video shows the girls seamlessly executing dance moves such as the “bumble bee butt walk” and adopting the “casual horse rider” pose.

Watch the video below and follow Æ MAK on Facebook and Spotify for more updates.

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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Get In Her Ears w/ Julia-Sophie 17.09.20

Tash and Kate were back in the Hoxton Radio studio this week with loads of great new tunes from women and non-binary artists. They also caught up with the lovely Julia-Sophie to talk about her latest single ‘breathe’, her debut EP Y? and her recent airplay on Radio 6.

Listen back:

Tracklist
Jackie Shane – Any Other Way
Nova Twins – Play Fair
MJ Guider – FM Secure
ASHWARYA – BIRYANI
Cehryl – superbloom
Æ MAK – forevermorereplay
SHHE – BOY (Alva Noto Remix)
EFÉ – Table For Two
Jealous Of The Birds – Something Holy
Bad Honey – End of the World
Ella Grace – Pieces
ZAND – Slut Money
anrimeal – Marching Parades
Nayana Iz – Growing. Pains
Julia-Sophie – Breathe
**Julia-Sophie interview**
Asha Gold – Debut
Lili Grace – Silhouette
Otta – Just Like The Rain
Total Rubbish – Honey Ryder
MOURN – This Feeling Is Disgusting
CMAT – Another Day (kfc)
Mamalarky – Schism. Trek
Eilis Frawley – Stats
Synapson feat. Pongo – Lengueno
First Frontier – Take Cover
Anna Wolf – The Unfamiliar
Amy Winehouse – Tears Dry On Their Own

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Track Of The Day: King Hannah – ‘Crème Brûlée’

We have actually previously featured this song from Liverpool duo King Hannah as Track Of The Day way back when it was first brought to our attention in July last year, but – with its official release having just been announced on City Slang Records – we felt it only right to sing its praises once again.

In fact, ‘Crème Brûlée’ had me so completely hooked the first time around that the band even featured in my Ones To Watch for 2020 (hate to say I told you so…). It just completely cast me under its spell on first listen.

With a sweeping, ethereal power and the longing, impassioned vocals of Hannah Merrick that flow with a majestic musicality, it’s just utterly compelling; a stunning introduction to the band who I hope to hear a lot more from over the coming months. Although they’re just one single down, with already over 11,000 streams on Spotify and a sound as captivating and original as this, I have a feeling that they’ll be enchanting many more ears.

And now ‘Crème Brûlée’ comes complete with its own beautifully homemade, documentary-style new video. Watch now:

‘Crème Brûlée’ is out now via City Slang. Listen on Spotify.

Mari Lane
@marimindles

Photo Credit: Lucy Mclachlan

Get In Her Ears1 Comment

Track Of The Day: ZAND – ‘Slut Money’

A defiant, savage pop tune that celebrates self-autonomy and body positivity, ZAND has shared their latest single ‘Slut Money’. The self-described “ugly pop” star is taking aim at slut shamers on their new track, knocking down the haters with their gritty beats, sweet vocals and candid rap verses.

“While it’s a tongue-in-cheek bop, I wrote it as a liberating bite back at whorephobes,” ZAND explains about the new single. “[It’s] an ode to the community, as well as it being empowering for anyone who’s been judged for demonstrating their right to bodily autonomy and sexual liberation.” The Blackpool-born producer delivers these thoughts via unapologetic lyrics and dense beats on ‘Slut Money’.

“Why you complaining when it’s not your body?” ZAND repeatedly asks, reiterating the problem that patriarchal society has with judging the bodies of women and non-binary people. ZAND has a simple message for the haters though – “fuck you, pay me” – which is deftly delivered throughout the track. ZAND rightfully celebrates using your body in whatever way you want to, and unapologetically tells those who find it offensive exactly where to go.

Listen to ‘Slut Money’ below and follow ZAND on Instagram and Spotify for more updates.

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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