LISTEN: MOURN – ‘Men’

A rallying cry against toxic masculinity and street harassment, MOURN have shared their latest single ‘Men’. Lifted from their upcoming album Self Worth, which is set for release on 30th October via Captured Tracks, the song is an honest, cathartic purge of the distrust and anger many women suppress on a daily basis when they’re intimidated in public spaces.

“I don’t really trust men” the Barcelona trio admit over crashing drums and riotous riffs, fatigued by being spoken over, judged and exploited by the “fragile” eyes of men who believe women’s bodies are open to public criticism. MOURN are shouting back against this damaging and weirdly acceptable social behaviour, but like many women, the band have felt conflicted about facing this issue so directly.

“‘Men’ is about walking the streets and having to deal with looks, words and attitudes from different men,” MOURN explain. “To enter a store and be treated differently than male clients, and the same at work. This song portrays these situations and the frustration that comes with them. I’m sure there will be a lot of people that identify with these experiences, and being questioned for their identity. At the same time, I know there will also be people that are pissed or feel uncomfortable with these lyrics. But this is how we feel and no one can take our experiences from us.

These lyrics come from a sincere and confident mindset where we want to establish our validity and identity and not let it be broken. We talk about feelings we see in men because we feel they‘re taken into account more, and are imposed onto us. I also feel like with this quote being so long, it is like I’m trying to justify why we wrote about this topic, and the thing is, this in itself is an uncomfortable situation we’re being put through by society. In the end, it’s just a personal experience…lived by millions of people everyday.”

Watch the video for ‘Men’ below and follow MOURN on bandcamp, Facebook & Spotify for more updates.

Photo Credit: Cristian Colomer Cavallari

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

Kate CrudgingtonLeave a comment

Track Of The Day: First Frontier – ‘Take Cover’

Having been creating music together since last year, South London duo Helena Poole (who has previously played for us at The Finsbury in her other band Macadamia Sluts) and Paul Stafford – aka First Frontier – pride themselves on choosing hope over fear and play over fight. Now, having spent time writing together throughout ‘lockdown’, they are ready to share their debut single with the world. 

Focusing on what we can control and devote positive energy to, ‘Take Cover’ is propelled by scuzzy hooks and thrashing beats, creating a catchy slice of fuzzed-out garage rock, tinged with dark ‘80s nu-wave vibes and swirling harmonies. A truly uplifting offering, urging us to live in the moment to avoid burnout, its driving energy and shimmering spirit showcases a band to get excited about: I can’t wait to hear what First Frontier come up with next. 

 

Engineered by Brett Shaw (Florence and The Machine, Foals), ‘Take Cover’ is out 18th September. Pre-save here. And find out more about First Frontier on their website.

Mari Lane
@marimindles

Get In Her EarsLeave a comment

Track Of The Day: Hari Debi – ‘Cabron’

Filled with gritty guitar riffs, snarling vocals and crashing percussion, London based Hari Debi have shared their latest single ‘Cabron’. Lifted from their debut EP Loose Thread, which is set for release on 25th September via We Can Do It Records, the track is a riotous take down of the industry gatekeepers who attempted to stand in the way of band’s authenticity.

Formed of Maddy Jones (vocals) and Mark Docherty (guitar), Hari Debi take inspiration from The Kills, Saint Agnes and Dead Weather to create their bold rock and roll sounds. On ‘Cabron’ – which literally means “dumbass goat” in Spanish – the pair channel their frustrations at a former manager into abrasive riffs and bittersweet vocals. Docherty produced, mixed and mastered the track himself, adding an extra cathartic edge to the track’s context.

Speaking about the track, the band explain: “‘Cabron’ is a tale of seeking revenge on a villainous figure. The figure in question is a seedy ex manager whom Hari Debi parted ways with due to false promises and financial skullduggery. In writing what we thought was a simple revenge story the song became something more: an anthem for any person who feels downtrodden by the actions of someone else. Whether you’re fighting for equality, have just been dicked over, or you just hate your boss, we hope ‘Cabron’ scratches that revenge itch and helps you through the day. Screw the people standing in your way, if you have a dream chase it.”

Listen to ‘Cabron’ below and follow Hari Debi on Facebook, and Spotify for more updates.

 

Pre-order your copy of Hari Debi’s debut EP Loose Thread here.

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

Kate CrudgingtonLeave a comment

WATCH: Order Of The Toad – ‘Do It With Feeling’

Even though they began making music as flatmates in Glasgow, you’d be forgiven for thinking that Order of the Toad have their origins in sunnier climes. Taking their cue from the intersection of beat, electrified folk and psychedelia, the trio – made up of bassist Gemma Fleet (also part of The Wharves), lead guitarist Robert Sotelo and drummer Christopher Taylor – seem to have that focus firmly set on ’60s California, with latest track ‘Do It With Feeling’. Taken from forthcoming album, Re-Order of the Toad, this latest single follows July’s ‘Lady’s Mantle’ and their Rabbets EP, released in 2019, and finds the group in joyous form, that’s just slightly off-kilter.

Opening with a bassline that throws back to The Animals, the opening verse proceeds with a Byrdsy mix of finger picks and strummed guitar, that sound almost sitar-like. Melodic and gently trippy, the backing is given a warm topping courtesy of Gemma’s vocals, which, by the time the track’s chorus hits, have turned up the power to Grace Slick levels. In fact, that’s reflective of the structure of the whole, with a chorus that kicks the song up to fifth, via a delightfully old-school switch-up in its rhythm section and the whole band on backing vocals. 

The track’s middle eight though, wanders into far more psych territory, verging on something more drone-y, before that familiar melody returns and the chorus reprises. Just as you think the band will take their own order to “stop right now”, so the bass breakdown returns, ending things with just the slightest hint that they’ve gone off the rails.

The video for ‘Do It With Feeling’ sees the band making a series of poses in an aluminium foil draped, DIY photo studio, incorporating various colour filters, props, hats, their instruments and, of course, a life-size model of a toad. It reflects their own home-brewed take on another era’s experimentation and its surrealism, but also the song’s discussion of seeking that perfect take, as the group keep trying for the shot that’s just so, whilst its repetitive nature also matches the track’s earworm tendencies – one listen, and you’ll be humming it for days. And much as it may seem tricky to find new ways to explore the styles of the Nuggets era, it sounds like Order of the Toad have found it pretty easy: even if it is warts and all.

Watch the video now:

John McGovern
@etinsuburbiaego

 

Get In Her EarsLeave a comment