Video Premiere: Jemma Freeman and The Cosmic Something – Musica Ambulante Live Session

Following the recent release of their debut album Oh Really, What’s That Then? and having wowed us on numerous occasions live with the vibrant energy live, London’s Jemma Freeman and The Cosmic Something have now shared a special stripped-back live session of album track ‘What’s On Your Mind?’.

Recorded for YouTube channel Musica Ambulante – produced and filmed by Argentine music fan Joaquín Mendez Trongé -, this unique rendition of the kaleidoscopic track flows with twinkling melodies and the distinctive soaring majesty of Jemma’s vocals. Propelled by a subtle impassioned power, whilst swirling psychedelic hooks gently whirr, it’s a spine-tinglingly heartfelt offering, oozing a captivating raw emotion.

Oh Really, What’s That Then?, the debut album from Jemma Freeman and The Cosmic Something, is out now via Trapped Animal Records.

Mari Lane
@marimindles

Photo Credit: Suzi Corker

More info about Musica Ambulante:

Musica Ambulante is a YouTube channel about live music around the world. Produced and filmed by Joaquín Mendez Trongé – an Argentine guy obsessed with music and travelling – the channel strives to reflect the music scene in the cities where he’s living as a digital nomad. Joaquín – fuelled by his love for music and gigs – contacts local artist to record all type of sessions with the conductive thread not placed in the style or type of session but in his own music taste and appreciation of honest talents and undiscovered artists. Rock, reggae, soul, both acoustic or electric; they all have their place in the channel.
Since 2019 the concept of the session is to record a whole show in a sequence shot without any cuts and overdubs. In an industry overloaded with production and makeup, Musica Ambulante’s sessions are focused in transmiting the things as they really happen.
Born as the Youtube channel for an underground music radio show that Joaquín use to host in Argentina, the sessions evolved from single-songs videos with takes from the artist’s city to this long-length production 100% dedicated to the show itself and made without any kind of commercial purposes.

 

 

 

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ALBUM: Pet Crow – ‘Take The Edge Off’

Smashing through insecurities and personal ailments in refreshing garage-pop style; Derby-based band Pet Crow have returned with their second album, Take The Edge Off. Self-released in the UK on 7th Feb, it’s an apt title for a collection of songs that provide momentary relief from the everyday stresses of being an adult.

Formed of Danielle Ross, Dan Barradell, Sean Kenny, Conor Wallis, and Sophie Prosay; Pet Crow are facing up to their demons on their sophomore record. Speaking from direct experience; the band explore anxiety, depression, drug addiction, recovery, OCD, and ADHD across the ten tracks on Take The Edge Off.

The first three songs – ‘Limbo’, ‘Insomnia’ and ‘NOCD’ – fly by in a blur of fuzzy guitars, punky percussion, and moody vocals. They’re restless, cathartic laments about not being able to switch off, or switch back on when you most need to. The band channel not having a clear direction in life into well directed sounds on ‘What We Doin’, whilst the riotous ‘One Whole Summer’ is a strung out two and a half minutes about cutting loose, and the repercussions of going wild a little too often.

‘Controlling’ explores a toxic relationship, but the buoyant, surf-rock guitars distract from the darker context of the song. The same can be said for eponymous track ‘Take The Edge Off’, which does exactly that for just shy of two minutes. The band are “flitting between caring, and care free” on ‘Hostage’, and the manic instrumental mid-way through penultimate track ‘Scars’ is equally as freeing.

The joyfully named ‘Prick’ closes the record. It’s an infectious four minute take down of another toxic relationship, and the repeated line “You make me sick” will draw a wry smile across your face as you sing along to the catchy guitar riffs. Pet Crow firmly believe you can dance and sing your way through your problems, and Take The Edge Off will help you to do just the same.

Pre-order your copy of Pet Crow’s Take The Edge Off via Bandcamp
Follow Pet Crow on Facebook for more updates.

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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Track Of The Day: Mentrix – ‘Walk’

Captivating vocals, atmospheric electronics and commanding percussion collide on ‘Walk’, the latest single from Sufi-inspired singer and composer, Mentrix. The track is lifted from her debut album, My Enemy, My Love; which is set for release via her female-led record label, House of Strength, on 3rd April.

Born in Iran but now based in Berlin, Mentrix (aka Samar Rad) blends her experiences of eastern and western culture, along with traditional Sufi instrumentation to create her beguiling, bold soundscapes. Mentrix moved to France aged eight to escape war in her home country. At age fourteen, she moved back and had to relearn her Farsi mother tongue from scratch. She then spent time in the UK before settling in Germany. Her extensive travels and multiple influences – from Latin, French Literature, The Qu’ran, to traditional Persian poetry – give her music a diverse and fascinating edge.

Her single ‘Walk’ is accompanied by an equally fascinating set of visuals, which Mentrix produced herself. The footage contains motifs that symbolize womanhood, unity, solidarity and spirituality, from the urban scenes in Tehran, to the beautiful dunes of the Iranian desert. “It is very important for me to associate my music with the landscape of Iran,” explains Mentrix. “I am forever attached to my birth place, and my identity and aspirations are very rooted in Iranian culture. Since the West so often portrays Iran in a questionable way, I feel obliged to share its diverse and positive faces to the world.”

Mentrix plans to do just that with her debut album, My Enemy, My Love. It’s a powerful exploration of female resilience, independence, and what happens when women are caught between two cultures, each filled with their own flaws and freedoms. Watch the video for ‘Walk’ below, and follow Mentrix on Facebook & Spotify for more updates.

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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Video Premiere: Piney Gir – ‘Puppy Love’

Having shared a stage with the likes of Gaz Coombes and Noel Gallagher, Kansas-born London-based artist Piney Gir has been charming our ears for some time. Now, following last year’s dreamily eclectic album You Are Here, Piney has shared an effervescent new video for album track ‘Puppy Love’.

Oozing a honey-sweet romanticism, ‘Puppy Love’ glistens with twinkling hooks and sweeping harmonies as an endearing, scuzzy energy flows throughout. On the one hand, nostalgically harking back to the simpler times of crushes and the pain of first (‘Puppy’) love, the track also reflects on the common metaphor for depression – the ‘Black Dog’ – its all-consuming nature, and the struggles of mental health. A poignant and infectious offering, it could just be the perfect, bitter-sweet, accompaniment to the mixed feelings that go hand in hand with the love-filled celebrations of the upcoming month.

Of the track, Piney explains:

“Everyone feels the darkness sometimes, so I’m singing about it… It’s a thin line between Puppy Love and The Black Dog; both can be all consuming and agonising and at times euphoric, manic even.”

Watch the colourful, uplifting new video for ‘Puppy Love’ now:

‘Puppy Love’ is out on 14th February and will be available as a special Valentine download from Bandcamp. You can catch Piney Gir live, headlining for us on that night at The Finsbury, where you’ll also be able to get your hands on a special download code.

Mari Lane
@marimindles

 

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