PREMIERE: Naoise Roo – ‘Sick Girlfriend’

A slow-burning guitar tune that satirizes the representation of women with mental health issues; ‘Sick Girlfriend’ is the latest single from Irish artist Naoise Roo, set for release on 27th March. The track is lifted from her upcoming EP of the same name, due on 24th April.

Produced by Liam Mulvaney (Girl Band, The Radio, Fionn Regan) and featuring Daniel Fox (Girl Band) on bass and Rian Trench (Solar Bears) on drums and synths; Naoise Roo’s new EP is an exploration of women’s experiences in the music industry, and the stereotypes that continue to burden women who struggle with poor mental health.

Speaking about the eponymous track, Naoise explains: “I wanted to write something that showed the objectification that I’ve seen depicted, and in turn, the reality I’ve experienced within relationships having suffered with mental health issues all my life”. Despite these setbacks, Naoise continues to move forward by creating relatable, optimistic indie offerings.

Listen to ‘Sick Girlfriend’ below, and follow Naoise Roo on Facebook & Spotify for more updates.

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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Track Of The Day: Fran Lobo – ‘Monster’

Jagged electronics, pulsing beats and striking vocals permeate ‘Monster’, the latest single from London-based artist Fran Lobo. Lifted from her new EP Brave, which is set for release on 19th June via via Slow Dance Records, the track is a collaborative effort exploring the frustrations surrounding identity, relationships, and reality.

Speaking about the track, Fran explains: “[It] started from a jam on a Volca sample I’d bought myself, and evolved into an embodiment of frustration with identity, relationships and dreams/reality. The song includes the voices of Deep Throat Choir, LIPS and the Roundhouse Choir, Jemma Freeman on guitar, [and] samples, rare drum machines and synthesisers”.

Fran’s fusion of voices, sounds, and themes makes ‘Monster’ a cohesive, impressive listen. The track is accompanied by a set of visuals that also hold significance for the artist: “The video is a journey from London to Southern India and back, exploring the displacement and search for identity experienced as a child of the diaspora. It deals with the idea of family, belonging and friendship and in doing so, asks audiences to question their own sense of identity.”

Watch the video for ‘Monster’ below, and follow Fran Lobo on Facebook & Spotify for more updates.

Photo credit: El Hardwick

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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Track Of The Day: Guitar Gabby and The Txlips – ‘The Dead Pool’

Consistently partnering with Girls Rock Camps internationally and nationally to bring classes about home recording, equipment set up, copyright law and more to young girls setting out to become their own artist, Atlanta based Guitar Gabby and The Txlips‘ mission is to change the narrative in which the music industry showcases women. Here to remind the world that Pussy is Power, they carry just the sort of empowering message we need right now.

Following 2018’s EP ‘Queens Of The New Age’, brand new single ‘The Dead Pool’ is filled with scuzzed out riffs as Gabriella Logan’s seething growl soars, creating a grunge-fuelled impassioned anthem with shades of the likes of Alice In Chains. Oozing a gritty emotion, it’s a ferocious, empowering anthem; a completely necessary angst-driven offering for these strange times. 

 

The Txlips are set to release a new album later this year. In the meantime, you can check out some of their live sessions here.

Mari Lane
@marimindles

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Track Of The Day: Painted Zeros – ‘Commuter Rage’

“I don’t owe you anything” Painted Zeros‘ Katie Lau firmly states on her latest single ‘Commuter Rage’, a song that tackles the natural resentment towards those who invade your personal space. The Brooklyn-based musician & sound engineer blends elements of shoegaze and indie music with her cool vocals to set the record straight.

Lifted from her second album When You Found Forever, set for release on 29th May via Don Giovanni Records, ‘Commuter Rage’ is the sound of an artist who has had enough of making space for everyone else, and is ready to take it back for herself. “Go read a fucking book / don’t you fucking look at me / to teach you things that you are responsible for learning on your own” Lau sings, with quiet and relatable anger, over a deceptively sweet melody.

Lau is the focus of the visuals that accompany the single, directed by Jess Coles. She explains why she enjoyed working with Coles so much, and how the context of the video is linked to her growth as a musician: “I was excited to work with director Jess Coles for multiple reasons: we are both queer women, and her style of film-making mirrors the way I make music. I write, perform, record, and mix everything myself, and Jess directs, shoots, produces, and edits all of her own work.”

“While discussing video ideas over coffee, I mentioned that I felt like I had been hiding myself in the past;  hiding from taking ownership of Painted Zeros as my solo project, hiding my voice in my last album by burying it in my mixes, and that I didn’t want to hide or allow my art to be dictated by fear anymore. Jess suggested a music video that focused mostly on my face, with me and the sky as characters…I have to confess that a music video where my face is the unflinching focus was not the most comfortable idea for me to wrap my head around, but after working with Jess and seeing the outcome, I’m glad I did.”

“The chorus of ‘Commuter Rage (“I don’t owe you anything”) has become something of a personal mantra, a note-to-self when dealing with people who feel entitled to my time and energy. I wanted to write something that combined the feeling of being pissed off about injustice with a tongue-in-cheek (“be your benevolent overlord”) and ultimately joyous reclamation of my space/emotional boundaries.”

We’ve got all the time in the world for Painted Zeros’ music, and fully support her messages of self-autonomy and overcoming personal fears. Watch the video for ‘Commuter Rage’ below, and follow Painted Zeros on Facebook & Spotify for more updates.

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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