NEW TRACK: Lilith Ai ft. Kimya Dawson – ‘Fawn’

A raw, poetic reflection on the complex emotions that come with painful realisations, London-based indie-rock artist Lilith Ai has shared her latest single, ‘Fawn’. Taken from her upcoming album, Serial Killers Prefer Blondes, which is set for release on 13th September via Cruisin Records, the track is an affecting blend of confessional lyrics, atmospheric guitars and rousing beats.

From it’s melancholic opening lyric “I don’t trust anyone / not even myself” through to its cathartic motif of “we’re gonna be alright”, with the aid of fellow musician Kimya Dawson, Lilith bravely dismantles her thoughts on what it means to be crushed by the actions of others. “This track is about realising I may be too damaged to date because everyone I like is toxic,” she comments, but despite this painful context, ‘Fawn’ is a touching and cathartic anthem that bravely highlights that “pain is a consequence of hope”, even when it feels like the opposite.

The last time Get In Her Ears caught up with Lilith Ai, it was from her recording shed back in 2021. She had recently released her excellently titled album, Folk You Hard, and was preparing to play the fifth edition of Loud Women Festival (read the full interview here). Since then, she’s been busy working on new music, with her upcoming full length record, Serial Killers Prefer Blondes, being the byproduct of lots of introspection, reflection and ultimately, trying to move on from painful memories of the past.

Listen to ‘Fawn’ below.

Pre-order Lilith Ai’s new album, Serial Killers Prefer Blondes, here

Follow Lilith Ai on bandcamp, Spotify, X, Facebook & Instagram

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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NEW TRACK: Softcult – ‘Shortest Fuse’

Following on from their previous single ‘Haunt You Still’ – a bittersweet reflection on the mark we leave on others in the extended aftermath of a breakup – Canadian duo Softcult have shared their latest track, ‘Shortest Fuse’. A melodic lament to the vice-like grip of life under capitalism, the single is another haunting blend of the band’s trademark shadowy riffs, urgent vocals and commanding beats.

Formed of twin siblings Phoenix and Mercedes Arn Horn, Softcult have had a busy few years touring with the likes of Incubus and MUSE, as well as releasing a trio of excellent EPs: Year Of The Rat (2021), Year Of The Snake (2022), and See You In The Dark (2023). Now, the pair are gearing up to release another collection of songs, with new single ‘Shortest Fuse’ providing listeners with an insight into what they can expect from the duo in the coming months.

Speaking about the inspiration behind the track, Softcult explain: “Capitalism seems to be designed to keep underprivileged people toiling in a never ending cycle of debt and poverty where their labor is underpaid in order to profit their employers. The benefits of capitalism are rarely equally distributed, accruing wealth to a very small percentage of the population. Built on the notion of greed, benefitting only by paying workers less than what their labor is worth, it’s difficult to not become disenfranchised with capitalism when you exist in this reality and see no end in sight. We can’t become complicit in a system that is designed to keep us down.”

With their shimmering guitar tones, swirling FX and gentle dual vocals, Softcult provide listeners with a moment of respite from the pressures of everyday life on ‘Shortest Fuse’. Watch the band’s self-directed accompanying video for the track below.

Follow Softcult on bandcamp, Spotify, Instagram, Facebook & X

Photo Credit: Kaylene Widdoes

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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NEW TRACK: Seraphina Simone – ‘Better Days’

Transforming her anxious thoughts about heartbreak into a vibrant anthem of hope, Seraphina Simone has shared her latest single ‘Better Days’. Following on from her bittersweet track ‘Liverpool‘ which she released last year, the London-based artist blends drum & bass rhythms, evocative synths and emotive lyrics on her new single to help her recover from the residual grief at the end of a relationship.

“‘Better Days is waking up at 4am with a heavy chest and a lump in your throat and a constellation of thoughts, worries and what-ifs pinballing around your head,” Seraphina explains about her new single. “but [it’s also about] knowing that somewhere in the future there’s a you that’s happier, and just trying to keep a hold of that thread. It’s panic and sadness and frustration and hope plaited together.” Seraphina’s resilience in the face of this lingering heartache permeates the track. Pairing her cutting lyrics with her soft vocals, she pacifies the ache of a past love and leans into the possibility of new future romance in the process.

Co-produced with Matt Wills (Charlotte Plank, Alice Merton), Seraphina’s ‘Better Days’ was premiered by Lauren Laverne on her BBC 6Music Breakfast Show, marking a successful start to 2024 for the artist. She’s currently busy working on her second EP, the follow-up 2022’s Milk Teeth, which should be released later this year. Seraphina has also announced a London headline show at The Courtyard Theatre on 24th April 24th. Grab a ticket here.

Listen to ‘Better Days’ below.

Follow Seraphina Simone via her Official Website, Spotify, Twitter (X), Instagram & Facebook

Photo Credit: Hannah Mould

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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NEW TRACK: SPIDER – ‘daisy chains’

Following on from last year’s smouldering single ‘straight out the oven‘, Irish-born, London-based alt-pop artist SPIDER has returned with a tenacious new anthem titled ‘daisy chains’. Taken from her upcoming new EP, an object of desire, which is set for release later this year, the track is a raucous ode to trusting your instincts and advocating for yourself when others encroach on your space.

“‘daisy chains’ is the epitome of ‘don’t take my kindness for weakness,’” explains SPIDER about her new single. “I wrote it about a really shitty experience where I continued being super kind to someone who invaded my personal space and made me feel really uncomfortable. I just didn’t think I was entitled to feeling weird about it and I didn’t feel like I could stand up for myself either. The lyrics are violent, but the invasion of someone’s space – in any type of way – is violent. Writing this song allowed me to reclaim that moment and properly feel the anger I had towards them without forcing myself to take the high road and ‘be above it.'”

Through her uncompromising lyrics and direct vocals, SPIDER explores these visceral and conflicting feelings. “I like to chase / and I hear that you’re a runner” she taunts over punchy beats and gritty riffs, gladly taking back control after feeling intense discomfort and unease about the situation. ‘daisy chains’ is aural proof that, as SPIDER states in her own lyrics: “I’ve got spine”. Her upcoming EP, and her previous releases (2022’s C.O.A, and 2023’s HELL OR HIGH WATER) all form what SPIDER coins as her “Unholy Trinity of Young Adulthood” collection. Through her music, she explores what it’s like to be a young black woman, coming of age in a Catholic household, and navigating the world and the music industry as a genre-blending and uncompromising new artist.

After watching SPIDER storm the stage at The Green Door Store for The Great Escape Festival in Brighton last year, we’re excited to share the news that she’ll be playing her first ever headline show at London’s Camden Assembly on 20th March. Grab a ticket here.

Listen to ‘daisy chains’ below.

Follow SPIDER on Spotify, Instagram, Twitter (X) & Facebook

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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