Track Of The Day: Ailbhe Reddy – ‘Looking Happy’

Transforming the crushing sadness that comes with seeing your ex “enjoying” their life on social media into a buoyant alt-folk gem, Ailbhe Reddy has shared her latest single ‘Looking Happy’. Lifted from her upcoming debut album Personal History, which is set for release on 2nd October, the track taps into the feelings of inadequacy we all experience when the FOMO unexpectedly hits whilst we’re scrolling through our ex’s newsfeed.

“We should all know by now that what people present online is a shiny happy version of events, but sometimes it’s impossible to have that logic when you’re hurting,” explains the Dublin-based musician. “Most people have probably ended up scrolling through the online profile of an ex and feeling like their life is full of fun parties and holidays, because that’s all people show of their life online.” Reddy’s willingness to expose these well known but often ignored behaviours is what makes ‘Looking Happy’ so painfully relatable.

Fortunately, Reddy has given fans a healthy dose of humour to offset the track’s sad context in the form of a child’s birthday party in the accompanying video for ‘Looking Happy’. “I’ve been to a lot of parties in my life where I feel bummed out but put on a happy face, so I thought it would be funny to have all these fun scenarios and look really glum,” she explains. “The blooper reel is definitely longer than the music video itself as it was incredibly difficult to keep a straight face on the bouncy castle!”

Watch the video for ‘Looking Happy’ below.

Follow Ailbhe Reddy on bandcamp, Spotify, Twitter, Instagram & Facebook

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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LISTEN: CATBEAR – ‘Girl Crush’

A dreamy electro-pop rumination about wanting a friendship to turn into something more romantic, CATBEAR have shared their latest single ‘Girl Crush’. Written during the Covid-19 lockdown, the London-based queer duo playfully ponder the “could-have-beens and what ifs” when it comes to thinking about that certain someone.

“The quiet streets of lockdown London and the amazing weather we had influenced the summery chilled vibe on this song,” explain CATBEAR, who are formed of Zoe Konez and Sarah Smith. “We were listening to a lot of 80s and 90s alternative pop, but also loving the current pop sound of Caroline Polachek, The Japanese House and Rina Sawayama too.” This merging of influences resulted in the lush, dreamy sounds on ‘Girl Crush’.

Recorded and produced in Konez’s home studio in Brixton, the single is a completely DIY affair, with Smith laying down her vocals in her spare room wardrobe. The duo’s charming pop creations about relatable concepts are a welcome distraction for anyone caught up in a crush during these unusual times.

Listen to ‘Girl Crush’ below and follow CATBEAR on bandcamp, Facebook and Spotify for more updates.

 

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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ALBUM: The Gravity Drive – ‘The Wildlight’

The Gravity Drive are a harmony driven, alternative pop band led by spouses Elijah and Ava Wolf. They independently release records on their own label from their house near Bridport in Dorset. Having received acclaim from the likes of BBC Radio 2, their second album, The Wildlight, features a series of powerful songs that promote self-worth, self-discovery and self-actualisation. They cover different styles (psychedelia, pop, dance) and embellish the atmosphere of the songs by experimenting with sounds. The result is an upbeat, inspirational album which showcases their range.

Opener, ‘Hits Like a Fix’, is a gentle intro; a piano-led pop ballad, with cinematic leanings, the prophetic lyricism shines through with a poignancy – “we lost our freedom to the fever again”, suggesting the chemistry of fated love.

Loving relationships are also explored in songs such as ‘Shooting Star’, ‘Inside Out’, and the beautifully lyrical ‘Forever’ – inducing romanticised longings.

There are also heavier moments… as more rock-inspired songs also stand out with enlightening themes of self-empowerment. For example, title track ‘The Wildlight’, ‘Kaleidoscope’, and closing track ‘Wake of the Dawn’ have a spiritual and theatrical feel in their exquisite layering of voices and thrashing guitars, creating a majestic, sweeping atmosphere.

The collection ends with a bang to the rallying cry of “This is a call”… And so it is. This album will have you believing in the power of Love, and the light at the end of the tunnel. What more do you need in these strange times?

 

The Wildlight is out now. Listen on Spotify or buy on iTunes.

Fi Ni Aicead
@gotnomoniker

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LISTEN: BAXTR – ‘Feathers’

Following their uplifting debut offering ‘Bloom’, London alt-pop trio BAXTR are back with a catchy brand new single.

‘Feathers’ is a sunny slice of pop-punk filled with a fuzzy contagious spirit and explosive fresh energy. An empowering anthem celebrating self-love and each of our own unique beauty, it’s inspired by the band’s own journey with self image, acceptance and expression of sexuality. The band add:

““Hell hath no fury like a woman who refuses superficial, unrealistic, heteronormative beauty ideals constructed by a patriarchal society and perpetuated by systemic sexism and consumerism. Show… your… FEATHERS!”

Listen to ‘Feathers’ now:

 

Mari Lane 
@marimindles

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