LISTEN: chiika – ‘VILLAIN’

After a year which saw her receive support from BBC Radio 6Music and BBC Asian Network, and perform on both Truck Festival’s Main Stage and the BBC Introducing Stage at The Big Feastival, chiika returns as her villainous, pyromaniac alter-ego – releasing a song about holding onto a grudge and setting things on fire: “…very healthy coping mechanisms of course!”

Exploring the theme of revenge, ‘VILLAIN‘ is for those of us that “just want to burn it all down”; justified angst trading love for hate. Produced and mixed/mastered by Tonie, the track showcases chiika’s ability to evoke evocative imagery of fire and ash through her lyrics (in both English and Hindi), her hypnotic vocals matched only by the intensity of the Hindustani-inspired instrumentation. A slow-burn of progressively punishing percussion and distorted guitar disorder. “This could have been something more / This could have been something so beautiful!”

Taking inspiration form the East of her Indian heritage, and the West of her British upbringing, the Oxford based artist’s cathartic, cinematic power-pop song is set ablaze with a dangerous chorus leading to a satisfying conclusion; “a song which burned like fire,” exploring “facets of personality, situations, and ideas” to enkindle an emotional response. “I was naive and in love… / But I’m bittersweet / Might leave a sour taste on your tongue.”

From her 2021 debut extended play, Unlearning, through last year’s Dounia-inspired EP, Cure, Antidote, Commotion, through to this latest track, chiika’s music is ever-changing; a reflection of her emotionally-driven musical growth and do-it-yourself confidence. “God, I’ve waited for the day / When the villain gets her way.”

Ken Wynne
@Ken_Wynne

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EP: Emily Magpie – ‘She’

Following her alluring 2020 debut LP, Let’s Talk About the Weather, and last year’s ethereal extended play, When the Space Between Was so Much Less, Bristol based songwriter and producer Emily Magpie steps into the water for her deeply personal new EP, She. Filled with soothing alt-pop melodies shimmering on the surface, it offers a poignant reflection on her own experience being a woman,“which is beautiful and messy!”

Opening with ‘She Said’, Emily, in celebration of her best friends, sings in lush vocal harmony with the most important women in her life; the subtle elegance of sun-drenched guitar evoking summer warmth and better days. Below the surface of the water, haunting lyrical hypnosis from ‘Down in the Deep‘ submerges the listener in raw emotion – a delicate, yet complex, dream-pop soundscape of synth, guitar, and piano, elevating Emily’s mesmerising multi-layered vocals. “My salt bathing lungs / The lines on their tongues / Is that what you sold to me? / Half spun cigarettes / Can’t work with less / The wheel still spins the same.”

Imagining herself “drifting around the bottom of the sea,” Emily explores the feminine – “which exists outside of gender” – encapsulating the light and dark. Closing with ‘Blistered Tongue’, Emily finds herself beyond the aphotic zone; ghostly reflections shimmering to the percussive groove and brooding synth-driven melody. Don’t be afraid! Through atmospheric arrangement, Emily embraces both the sparkling beauty and the melancholic unknown of the feminine, as Kieran Ball and Max Harrison provide additional instrumentation, swirling in Emily Magpie’s effervescent electronic mix. “Feminine energy is badass and there’s a massive history of it being suppressed which it’s important to challenge by us being heard.”


She, the new EP from Emily Magpie, is out now via  Def Pressé. Buy on bandcamp now.

Ken Wynne
@Ken_Wynne

Photo Credit: Hannah Lisa

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NEW TRACK: CLT DRP – ‘Nothing Clever, Just Feelings’

Following on from their visceral, incendiary anthem ‘New Boy‘, Brighton feminist art punks CLT DRP have shared their latest single ‘Nothing Clever, Just Feelings’. The title track from their upcoming second album, which is set for release on 8th September via Venn Records, ‘Nothing Clever, Just Feelings’ is a thumping, primal, tenacious offering that champions the immediacy and the transitory nature of thoughts and emotions.

CLT DRP blew us away when they performed at The Great Escape Festival earlier this year, with this new single providing one of many highlights during their set. Fuelled by Annie’s powerful, crystalline vocals, Daphne’s phenomenal percussion and Scott’s jagged guitar FX, ‘Nothing Clever, Just Feelings’ is a cathartic anthem that celebrates the act of feeling your emotions without over-analysing them. “I’m learning to manage my distractions / I’m getting better at talking less shit” Annie sings, her defiance and directness as intoxicating as the cacophony of potent noise behind her.

“This is the title track for a reason!” she explains about the single. “Desperation, anger, confusion—ALL the feelings. I think I spent a lot of time when I was younger trying to be clever about lyrics. I wanted to try and be witty or something ‘mature’. As a younger woman in the industry, I felt like I wasn’t going to be taken seriously writing the way I did. I quickly realised that the music I listen to the most is nothing like that, so why would I try and emulate something I don’t even listen to? The lyrics I connect with are always straight forward emotions or familiar scenarios that I can identify right away when I first hear a song. Being present in the lyrics and emotions are important to me as a lyricist. I want you in the car with your friends screaming the lyrics at full blast cursing your ex! That’s what this song is supposed to do.”

This desire for unfiltered self-expression permeates CLT DRP’s new album. Nothing Clever, Just Feelings touches on themes of queerness, heartbreak, new-found strength in vulnerability and gender fluidity, as well as new-found femininity in humour and the fear of being alone. We can’t wait to hear it!

Watch the accompanying video for ‘Nothing Clever, Just Feelings’ directed by Harry Steel (Haunted Mattress) below.

Follow CLT DRP on bandcamp, Spotify, Twitter, Facebook & Instagram

Photo Credit: Bridie Florence

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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NEW TRACK: Problem Patterns – ‘Letter of Resignation’

Fresh from supporting electro-punk icons Le Tigre on their Manchester and Glasgow UK tour dates, GIHE favourites Problem Patterns have shared their tenacious new single ‘Letter of Resignation’. The Belfast-based Riot Grrrls have also announced the title of their upcoming debut album, Blouse Club, which will be released later this year via Alcopop! Records.

A live highlight when they played it during their set at Brighton’s Great Escape festival earlier this year, ‘Letter of Resignation’ sees guitarist Beverley Boal step forward on vocals – and what a force she is. Not defined by traditional band structures, Problem Patterns routinely switch up instruments and mic duties for their songs and it always makes for a refreshing take on the subject they’re singing about.

This time, the band are celebrating queer joy and ally-ship as they tear down those who discriminate against the LGBTQ+ community, specifically in places of employment. “I’m standing up for who I believe in / you can’t fire me, I’m leaving!” chants Bev in gleeful defiance, as her band mates create a joyful cacophony of punk noise around her.

Bev explains the context of the new track eloquently: “‘Letter of Resignation’ is for anyone who has left a job, space or situation because people there were judgmental of, or discriminated against them or others for being different, and they stood up for who they believe in. For me, I grew up hearing the phrase ‘hate the sin, love the sinner’ in churches (always in the same context, as if being gay was the ultimate sin) and it still feels like an attack when I hear the preachers in the street.

Genuine love does not force us to become what we are not. Genuine love extends beyond those who look, act and think like yourself. Genuine love doesn’t inspire violence. Two thirds of queer people have experienced violence or abuse due to their sexual orientation or gender identity. More than half of Northern Irish queer youth say they are not fully accepted by their family. Mental health struggles including self-harm are far more prevalent in the LGBTQ+ community. Those perpetuating ‘traditional’ views have a lot to answer for. And, after so many sexual abuse scandals in the church, it seems like they would be better off trying to keep themselves right.”

‘Letter of Resignation’ is accompanied by a super fun, Pride inspired video, which the band shot in Holywood just outside of Belfast. Directed and edited by Brendan Seamus with input from Bev, the visuals show Problem Patterns unapologetically marching and dancing around the Northern Irish town, featuring vocalist & guitarist Alanah playing a briefcase like it’s a guitar, bassist Ciara throwing some serious shapes by the seaside and drummer Beth acting as a cranky old man.

“Brendy also did our ‘Day & Age’ and ‘Y.A.W’ music videos,” Bev explains. “He always does an amazing job of capturing our fun chaotic energy. Fuelled by Nutmeg’s vegan café and baffled by the amount of churches on the main street, we got ice cream at the beach even though it was a bitter cold Sunday. In the face of hatred, we stand for queer joy. I think that’s the duality of our band and this music video. On one hand, we’re protesting the powers that want to tear us down, but on the other hand, we’re celebrating and proud of who we are and what we believe in. And you can tell we mean business when we’re in our suits, even if we’re having a dance at the seaside.”

Kathleen Hanna (Le Tigre/Bikini Kill) described Problem Patterns as her “new favourite band” and after watching the visuals for their new single, we can totally see why. They’re fun, furious and full of energy, and we can’t wait to have them headline for GIHE again at the Sebright Arms in Hackney later this year on 17th November. Support comes from indie-pop band Fightmilk and the shoegazey sounds of Dogviolet. Tickets are cheaper in advance, so make sure you grab one from DICE.

Watch the video for ‘Letter of Resignation’ below.

Follow Problem Patterns on bandcamp, Spotify, Twitter, Instagram & Facebook

Problem Patterns UK Live Dates 2023
15.07.23 – Berlin, My People Fest (w/ FAIM, Dying For It)
22.07.23 – Liverpool, Crapfest (w/ Crapsons, Piss Kitti)
19.08.23 – Glasgow, Core Festival
26.08.23 – Kettering, Greenbelt Festival
17.11.23 – London, Sebright Arms (headlining for Get In Her Ears)

Photo Credit: Carrie Davenport

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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