Premiere: Party Fears – ‘OK. No Problem’

Having started out life in Seoul as the solo project of Northern Irish Maggie Devlin, Party Fears is now comprised of both Devlin and Eilis Frawley, as they create their unique genre-defying sounds. Following catchy tracks such as ‘Dog Star’ and ‘Sun King II’, the duo have now released a brand new single.

Inspired by feelings of self-doubt and loneliness, ‘OK. No Problem’ oozes the subtle power of Devlin’s honey-sweet vocals alongside twinkling melodies and an infectious colourful energy. Juxtaposing the track’s reflective subject matter with the duo’s sparkling charisma, ‘OK. No Problem’ builds with an impassioned grit, creating a truly moreish blast of art-pop.

Of the meaning behind the track, Devlin explains:

“Doubt is a lonely place to live… While you’re deciding what’s up or down or black or white, the world moves on; somehow you’re still on the starting block, deciding to start running with your left or your right foot… I don’t think loneliness is always sad. It can agitate, it can exist as a kind of frustration or mania. Or even joy. Like a stubborn, contrary joy.”

Recorded by Ryan McGroarty in Start Together Studios, and featuring Lisa Kelly on bass, you can listen to ‘OK. No Problem’ for the first time here:

 

And you can also take a watch of the brand new accompanying video, filmed in Berlin by film-makers Valérie Partoens and Ergi Dosti:

‘Ok. No Problem’ is out tomorrow, 25th October.

Artwork by: Ali Nail Bak

Mari Lane
@marimindles

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Video Premiere: MALMØ – ‘Bleed Me Dry’

Having received acclaim from the likes of BBC 6Music and Amazing Radio for last year’s debut album We Came From The Stars, Danish artist MALMØ has now announced her upcoming new EP, The Inevitable End.

Taken from the EP, new single ‘Bleed Me Dry’ is a reflection on society’s pre-conception of women who’ve suffered miscarriages as somehow ‘imperfect’. Propelled by whirring beats and Maria’s emotion-rich sultry vocals flowing along a stirring soundscape, it oozes a soaring celestial power. A poignant alt-pop anthem showcasing MALMØ’s ability to create innovative, musically layered offerings with a raw emotion.

Of the track, Maria explains:

“We already worship external perfection; superficiality rules over substance. So when they perish inside us we stay quiet, ashamed that we couldn’t be the perfect female with perfect reproduction. But perfect on the outside hides chaos on the inside.”

Made in collaboration with Kasper Vindeløv (graphic designer) and Noemi Müller (videographer), watch the stirring new video for ‘Bleed Me Dry’ here:

‘Bleed Me Dry’ is out on Friday, 25th October.

Mari Lane
@marimindles

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FIVE FAVOURITES: JEANA

Emerging London-based artist JEANA – who originally made music in Bedford with her siblings – has spent the majority of 2019 working alongside Producer Ginger Snaps to create her smooth, indie pop sounds. Her latest single, ‘Nameless’ is a polished offering that explores the feelings of vulnerability and of power when a toxic relationship comes to an end, and showcases the nineteen year old’s ability to rise from these ashes in Phoenix-like fashion.

We think one of the best ways to get to know an artist is by asking what music inspired them to write in the first place. We caught up with JEANA to ask her about her “Five Favourites” – five albums that have influenced her song writing techniques. Check out her choices below, and scroll down to listen to her single ‘Nameless’ at the end of this post.

 

1. Amy Winehouse – Back to Black
Like a lot of people, this album was on repeat in my household for a few years when I was growing up as a child. We used to go to a bar on a beach in Spain, which always played this album & even though the bar has since shut we still refer to it as the Amy Winehouse beach. I love this album so much because I felt I could enjoy it as a child as well as enjoying it now as an adult for different reasons. The lyrics are so raw and are empowering I think. The memories are distant from when I first heard this album but I associate it with so many different good times, and i’m sure I can go back and relate to this album in more stages of my life to come.

2. Taylor Swift – Fearless
I found this album in 2011 as a young tweenager and I remember feeling like I had discovered the true meaning of music. I randomly found an iPod on a family holiday with only illegally downloaded Taylor Swift music on, Fearless being the only album. Of course, I rinsed all the songs and wanted to become Taylor Swift, this album actually encouraged me to start singing, pick up a guitar and started me writing (and I really did want to be Taylor Swift for a good 3 years!).

3. Catfish and the Bottlemen – The Balcony
At 14 years old I discovered Catfish and the Bottlemen, and wanted to be “Mrs Van McCann”. This album completely transitioned me from Taylor Swift’s biggest fan to the indie girl that started to go to gigs with her Sister. I’ve always loved indie music as it’s what I’ve been brought up on, but this is the first album I remember discovering myself, and loved like it was my own. It made me start to explore similar artists, and led me to the artists who influenced them.

4. Arcade Fire – Funeral
This album is one of my all time favourites, not only because its the soundtrack to my childhood but also because every song is a favourite. The songs are all such massive anthems and listening to it even though it was their debut, feels like a greatest hits collection. Seeing them live last year at Wembley arena just made me love them as a band even more. From the way they swap their instruments during their set, to the show being staged in a boxing ring – they bring such variety to a performance.

5. Ms. Lauryn Hill – The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill
A truly beautiful album that I discovered through working with my producer Ginger Snaps. Listening to this was my first step away from my indie/pop roots, and influenced my sound more towards RnB. The songs are so raw and vulnerable, it made me feel more comfortable putting my own honest feelings into lyrics. It has so much going on musically with the combination of reggae/latin beats. Since discovering this album early last year I’ve been lucky enough to see Ms. Lauryn Hill twice – at the O2 arena and Boomtown Fair.

Thanks to JEANA for sharing her favourites with us. Follow her on Facebook for more updates.

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Track Of The Day: Dishpit – ‘Seven’

Foreboding bass lines and snarling vocals fuse together in angst-ridden style on Dishpit‘s latest single ‘Seven’. The track is accompanied by a DIY-style video that shows the band skulking about on the streets and messing around on the subway.

Formed of Nora (vocals/guitar), Jack (drums) and Brianna (bass/backing vocals), Dishpit take their name from the time they spent cleaning away the grease from dirty dishes in the establishment where they first met. It’s a fitting beginning for a band who’s sound is equal parts filthy and melodic.

Their new single ‘Seven’ has been described by Nora as “the most literal track from the album”. It’s about her previous lover who only told her “these things on speed”. Nora’s strung out guitar sounds and elongated groans perfectly reflect the frustration of the situation she found herself in, and Jack & Brianna’s rhythm section mirror the sense of longing and irritation.

We’re big fans of this Montreal-based trio, and we’re looking forward to hearing their debut album – produced by Steve Albini – once it’s fully fleshed out. Watch the video for ‘Seven’ below and follow Dishpit on Facebook for more updates.

Photo Credit: John Johnson

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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