Get In Her Ears w/ Brix Smith-Start 20.02.20

Kate & Mari were back in the studio this week with plenty of new music from the likes of MAITA, MIRI, LegPuppy, Bad Bones, HMS Morris, Li Yilei, Am.I & Charlotte Spiral.

They were joined by the incredible Brix Smith-Start, who spoke about her last three albums with Brix & The Extricated, and her experiences over the years as a trailblazer in the music industry.

Listen back here:

Tracklist
Lizzo – Juice
LegPuppy (feat. Josefin Ohrn) – Secret Friend
MAITA – A Beast
DRAMA – Years
MIRI – Girls Just Want To Have Fun
MEI – I Don’t Know What’s Next
Lido Pimienta – Eso Que Tu Haces
Bad Bones – Beg
Desire – Bizarre Love Triangle (New Order Cover)
Alessi’s Ark – Woman
Shoulder Season – Clean Lines
Brix & The Extricated – Wolves
RUNAH – Same Face
Li Yilei – A Star Without Guidance
HMS Morris – Babanod
Hilary Woods – Orange Tree
Girl Ray – Friend Like That
Am.i – Millenial
Chloe Foy – Callous Copper
Charlotte Spiral – Wide Eyed
Nirvana – Heart-Shaped Box
Kate Tempest – People’s Faces

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PREMIERE: Lewin – ‘Sorrow’

Ahead of the release of her upcoming debut album, songwriter and musician Jara Holdert, aka Lewin, has now shared her poignant new single.

Written while she was still in a relationship with her muse and producer Aaron Ahrends, ‘Sorrow’ imagines how her love might leave her. Filled with shimmering melodies and the impassioned rich tone of Holdert’s soaring vocals, it oozes a heartfelt delicate emotion, resulting in a truly stirring and thought-provoking slice of melancholic alt-folk, with shades of the blissful allure of Laura Marling.

Adding an immense poignancy, ironically a year after writing the song, the song’s prophecy seemed to come true; Ahrends moved away to Berlin without warning, thus ending their relationship and leaving Holdert heartbroken.

Releasing ‘Sorrow’, Lewin has shared a live rendition capturing the raw energy of her performance, ironically recorded by Ahrends who stopped filming before the end of the song, and so the video then switches to moving footage of the landscape seen on a train journey to Berlin.

Watch the beautifully heart-rending video here:

‘Sorrow’ is out tomorrow, 21st February.

Mari Lane
@marimindles

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Track Of The Day: Girl Ray – ‘Friend Like That’

Following the recent release of their second album Girl, and having charmed us on more than one occasion with their joy-filled live show, North London’s Girl Ray have now shared a new video for album track ‘Friend Like That’.

An ode to friendship, ‘Friend Like That’ flows with the trio’s colourful energy as jangly syncopated beats flow alongside the distinctive soothing allure of Poppy Hankin’s vocals and funk-filled pop-inspired hooks. Filled with a vibrant calypso-tinged zest, it’s a dreamily uplifting offering showcasing the band’s shimmering, sunny charm and their inspired matured sound. Of the track, the band explain:

“This is a friendship anthem. Reminds us of a really smashing high five with great contact. In music, friend love is often overshadowed by romantic love and IT’S JUST WRONG. This one goes out to the mates of the world.”

Filmed in their old school in Muswell Hill, the accompanying video depicts an ’80s themed/Carrie-inspired tale of female friendship in the face of the mean popular kids, and showcases the band’s endearing wit (and significant acting skills!).

Girl, the latest album from Girl Ray, is out now via Moshi Moshi. Catch them live at the following dates:

18th February – Birmingham, Hare & Hounds
19th February – Leeds, Belgrave Music Hall
20th February – Glasgow, Stereo
21st February – Manchester, YES – SOLD OUT
22nd February – Nottingham, Bodega
23rd February – Cardiff, Clwb Ifor Bach
25th February – Bristol, The Fleece – SOLD OUT
26th February – London, Electric Ballroom
27th February – Brighton, The Haunt

Mari Lane
@marimindles

Photo Credit: Mathew Parri Thomas

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EP: Captain Handsome – ‘I Am Not An Animal’

I Am Not An Animal is the debut EP from Lily Rae’s solo project, Captain Handsome. Over its five tracks, Rae, also of Fightmilk, celebrates her passions (including Dolly Parton who’s “like my mum/therapist/‘life coach”), and shares stories of social awkwardness (“the kind of stuff you lie awake thinking about for years afterwards curdling with embarrassment.”), which you can’t help but connect and empathise with. But, y’know, probably while you’re also squirming in your seat or hiding behind your hands in solidarity.

Opener ‘Annalise’ gets the EP off to an upbeat start, but the mood soon becomes gentler and more intimate. As the pace slows, there are echoes of traditional folk and Americana. ‘Dolly Parton’ is, as the press release, suggests, a ‘sad banger’ with a lo-fi, stripped back sensibility that allows you to really focus on Rae’s rich, raw vocal. Meanwhile, the beautiful ‘Halloween’ combines sing-song harmonies with sad, revelatory lyrics.

“Everything on the EP is something that’s happened,” admits Rae. The more confessional her lyrics become, the more her personality shows through. And while there are definite nods to Rae’s influences, I Am Not An Animal manages to stay fresh, weird and wonderfully personal. It feels like she’s poured her heart out on this release and we’re all the richer for it.

 

I Am Not An Animal by Captain Handsome is out now on limited edition CD and digitally via Reckless Yes.

Vic Conway

 

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