WATCH: SKYND – ‘Tyler Hadley’

Not for the faint hearted, industrial/electronic duo SKYND have shared their latest track ‘Tyler Hadley’, taken from their second EP Chapter II released earlier this year. Continuing in the tradition of most of their previous releases, the song is named after a psychopath, exploring their historic brutality through startling visuals and thumping beats.

Formed of SKYND (vocals) and “Father” (producer/multi-instrumentalist), the duo explain the premise of their new track further: “‘Tyler Hadley’ follows the story of a boy who killed both of his parents because he wanted to throw a party at his house. He developed the idea to kill his parents so he didn’t have to ask for permission anymore. He ended up having a party in the house that dead bodies were in, so it’s really creepy.”

Creepy is certainly an apt word for the context of SKYND’s songs, but the duo state they are here to serve as a reminder that “All human beings are capable of cruelty”. Their intense live performances aim to provide listeners with a different perspective, and to question what lies beneath the facade of normality.

Watch the video for ‘Tyler Hadley’ below and follow SKYND on Facebook for more updates.

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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Track Of The Day: Gif – ‘Lumière’

A gnarly take-down of the double standards and inappropriate behaviour women and girls often face in public, Dublin trio gif have shared their debut single ‘Lumière’. The track is inspired by the need to make their own shows a safe space for women and non-binary people, and the trio use their catchy, indie-punk tunes to get this important message across.

Formed in October 2018, the Irish teenagers – aged between 17 and 19 – have adopted a strong DIY ethic, self-funding everything they’ve achieved so far. This includes headline shows in Dublins biggest venues such as Workman’s and Whelan’s, and recently being added to Spotify’s “An Alternative Éire” playlist, which showcases new Irish alternative sounds.

Debut single ‘Lumière’ is accompanied by a humourous music video Directed by Eleanor Rogers which features shots of the band playing their instruments, as an intense situation unfolds between a young woman and her (unwanted) admirer on webcam. Check out the music video below and follow gif on Facebook for more updates.

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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ALBUM: Queen Bonobo – ‘Light Shadow Boom Boom’

Queen Bonobo’s engaging debut Light Shadow Boom Boom unites a broad array of textures into a coherent whole. Backed by a talented young group of Northern Irish jazz musicians, her ten tracks draw together the acoustics of jazz, direct songwriting, and an expansive range of other sounds.

This eclecticism is no surprise – born in an Idaho forest, Queen Bonobo has spent a lifetime on the move, pursuing spontaneous collaboration with musicians from all corners. The album showcases less idyllic themes too, with lyrics covering depression in the family and the difficulties of radical self-acceptance in changing circumstances. But the restorative power of music making is always at the core. In her words: “the title stands for the heavens above (light), the earth below (dark), and the pulse of life throughout it all”.

‘The Lord Does What He Wants’, opens the album, placing folksy melodies over joyous chord-strums, but the upbeat feel of the instruments is tinged with escapism too (“I’m plain dysfunctional / break me so I know nothing’s permanent”). ‘Light Me Up’ moves from sultry jazz to cracking, imploring screams, and ‘Shadow’ explores other shades of contrast, with light brushes of sax giving way to lilting solos.

‘Honey’’s brief stopover in 7/4 is balanced by the simple, earthy percussion of ‘Boom Boom’, reminiscent of Ibeyi’s back-to-nature approach. Inspired by the Appalachian Mountains, its signature line may serve as the album’s best summary: “My energy’s infectious, connected with the earth”. ‘Spin Me’ is unquestionably the album’s most intriguing track. Half-sketched melodies are pulled apart by a dream-swirl of languid synths, the music somehow seeming to rotate around itself without having a clear centre point.

The natural sincerity of Queen Bonobo’s voice superbly ties together the variety, elastically summoning energy and introspection in a fine balance. The album is a clear product of its situation – a collection of promising young musicians trying a range of styles on for size. This is an intriguing debut that bodes well for the future of all the artists at it’s core.

Follow Queen Bonobo on Facebook for more updates.

George Howlett

Get In Her EarsLeave a comment

Track Of The Day: Palm Haze – ‘Floating’

Hazy, reverb-heavy guitars and drifting vocals permeate ‘Floating’, the new single from Vancouver-via-Brazil shoegaze duo Palm Haze. The track is taken from their upcoming album Rêve Bleu, which is set for release on 30th August via YHS Records.

Whilst Anna Wagner (vocals/bass) and Lucas Inacio’s (guitar/producer) music is clearly influenced by the likes of My Bloody Valentine, the duo also blend elements of alt-rock and trip-hop to create their luscious, swirling soundscapes. Their 2017 EP Tangy Dream was rated as DKFM’s third best shoegaze album, and their new record looks set to be a hit with fans and critics alike.

The band describe Rêve Bleu as “another story told by the unconscious”, and singles ‘Almost Soon’ and ‘Floating’ have already tapped in to the beauty in Palm Haze’s chaotic hive mind. Lucas explains further: “While Tangy Dream feels very tangible and achievable, Rêve Bleu will bring up chaotic emotions and thoughts, taking you much further from reality and closer to the wonders of uncertainty. Where could you go? What could you do? It’s a fantasy you fall on accidentally, revealing risky and forbidden paths. It’s the kind of dream you’re afraid of, but also tempted towards.”

We’re happy to drift along unconsciously with Palm Haze’s new sounds. Listen to ‘Follow’ below and follow the band on Facebook for more updates.

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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