LISTEN: Amaroun – ‘Rise’

Having received support from the likes of BBC Radio 1’s Huw Stephens and BBC 6 Music’s Chris Hawkins, GIHE fave Jay Brown – aka Amaroun – returns to grace our ears with the fifth in a string of new singles she is releasing each month.

Flowing with shimmering hooks and glitchy beats alongside Brown’s rich, emotion-strewn vocals, ‘Rise’ continues the theme of being a queer woman, which has run throughout each of the tracks she’s released this year. Oozing a stirring, effervescent power, juxtaposed with a gritty energy, it’s a truly poignant reflection on rising up against oppression.

Of the track, Amaroun explains:

“When you fall or get knocked down, do not stay down, do not let them hold you down,  rise up, rise up against oppression. If you are marginalised, if you are queer, it’s hard out there! Tell your story proudly, see yourself, your change and your journey as beautiful and as growth. You are an ever changing authentic being so just be exactly that.”

 

Co-written with Boris Labant, ‘Rise’ is out now.

Mari Lane
@marimindles

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Track Of The Day: Sophomore – ‘Social Distancing’

Grunge may not traditionally be the most uplifting genre, at least not in its earliest ’90s incarnation. But pandemic-related times call for pandemic-related responses. And where else could they come from but the epicentre of Australian cool, Melbourne, and one of its more recently emerging groups: Sophomore. A four-piece that combines members of Valentiine and Get in Her Ears faves Mannequin Death Squad, ‘Social Distancing’ is only the band’s second single, following debut ‘Sally’ and a raft of shows across their home country, which have earned them heaps of praise from the local press.

‘Social Distancing’, as the name would suggest, was written at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic which perhaps belies its, ultimately, optimistic message. Making perfect use of lead guitarist Vanessa and rhythm guitarist Elly’s Celebrity Skin-era Hole-style harmonies, its lyrics talk of “the lonely getting lonelier” and the “penniless stay[ing] poor”, amidst “lies in the news” but promise that, as a people, “we will rise again”. 

Linking the unrelenting pressure of media panic to a condition that leaves its victims unable to breath is a neat touch, as the song encourages its listener to pull back from misinformation and, by extension, consider others. To this end, its video also serves as a smart combination of Max Fleischer-style cartoons, public information movies about disease – both in black and white – and DIY shots of friends, family and fans of the band in colour, harking back to what the band refer to as “simpler times”.

Although it’s said to be a curse to live in “interesting times”, Sophomore are certainly making the best of it, and by repurposing the Pixies quiet-loud-quiet template, they’ve refashioned an old genre into something relevant. For so many bands, being stuck inside and unable to gig could be damaging, but, judging by their socials, the Aussies seem to be just as committed to getting their sound out as ever through online gigs and interviews. And, on the strength of the two singles to date, a post-pandemic world keen to hear some new music could be just the right springboard for the effervescent foursome. Don’t keep your distance from this band.

John McGovern
@etinsuburbiaego

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WATCH: Moon Palace – ‘Who You Are’

Gratitude, acceptance, and a beautiful message of hope underscores Moon Palace‘s latest single, ‘Who You Are’. Created during lockdown, the Seattle-based band have shared an accompanying video for the track which shows how they’ve been supporting each other during this uncertain time.

“Do you ever share who you are?” they tentatively ask throughout the song, cautiously challenging listeners to be vulnerable and to let others connect to their thoughts and feelings. “‘Who You Are’ is about navigating difficult or volatile relationships” the band explain. Moon Palace navigate this difficulty via direct lyrics and tentative guitar sounds.

The single’s accompanying visuals act as a “Quarantine Time Capsule” for the band, who came up with the idea during isolation. They explain further: “Prior to the pandemic we were listening to a lot of Sonic Youth, The Gossip, Talking Heads, Duran Duran, Big Thief and sending each other text messages with their songs so that we could listen to sounds that inspired us at practice together. Social isolation has brought a new challenge in collaboration. Cat, Jude, and one of their best friends and video editor Lindsay Martin sat around on a sunny spring day during a socially distanced backyard hang, and talked about creating a video to show their experience in Seattle during the pandemic.”

“We asked our friend group to send 10 second video clips that portray their experience in isolation. We hoped to gain clips documenting our collective reality to show joy and bring comfort and delight to viewers. We also felt nostalgia for playing live in our favourite music venues such as The Tractor Tavern, Clock-Out Lounge, The Wildrose and so many more. Shut down venues and the incredible murals have centre stage in this video.”

Hopefully, Moon Palace will be able to return to these Seattle venues to play their optimistic, shimmering sounds for a live audience soon. Watch the video for ‘Who You Are’ below and follow Moon Palace on Facebook and Spotify for more updates.

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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Track Of The Day: Ishani – ‘Unkind Vibrations’

Having previously released songs that are cerebral, deeply personal, and ethereal, up-and-coming singer, songwriter and producer Ishani has now shared her latest single. 

‘Unkind Vibrations’ mood and vocal stylings are reminiscent of ’90s alt-pop band Sneaker Pimps – gritty, feminine vocals over sinking beats and trippy melodies. Repeating the words “this is my reality”, Ishani sings of breaking through the daze of overwhelming news and going on a “visual diet” so she can focus on her music; the one thing that gives her clarity. Steezo jumps in with a few bars on his destiny as a musician, having epiphanies after lucid dreaming.

With minimal accompaniment from quintessential trip-hop snares and spare bass lines, Ishani uses a cacophony of her layered vocals to create an atmosphere of anxiety before finally resolving in spinning and glitchy echoes. A soulful and poignant anthem for the times we now find ourselves in. 

‘Unkind Vibrations’ is the first single from Ishani’s upcoming EP, co-produced with Zaflon, which will debut in late summer. Listen now on Spotify, Apple Music, and Soundcloud. 

 

Aisha Kasmir
@aisha_vocal

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