NEW TRACK: Softcult – ‘Haunt You Still’

A bittersweet, shimmering reflection on the mark we leave on others in the extended aftermath of a breakup, Softcult have shared their latest single ‘Haunt You Still’. Full of their trademark shadowy, swirling riffs and soft dual vocals, the Canadian duo explore accountability and atonement on their latest offering.

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 play a series of shows across the UK supporting Movements, with new single ‘Haunt You Still’ offering a glimpse of what to expect from their live setlist.

“Maybe it’s a defence mechanism, but we tend to demonise the people we once held close once they’re out of our lives, and it’s not always warranted. It’s a reactive way of protecting ourselves,” the band explain about the context of their new track. “This song is an acknowledgement that when things don’t work out between two people, it’s not always one sole person in the wrong. Looking back on our past, we have to reflect on the parts we’ve played and the damage we may have unintentionally left behind. When those people think of us, do they look back fondly or has the chapter of their lives where we appeared become a painful memory?”

Born from their desire to push through pain and reflect on their hard earned emotional resilience, Softcult’s sound is rooted in a strong feminist DIY ethos. With Phoenix on production, engineering and artwork duties, Mercedes is free to direct and edit all of Softcult’s visuals. The duo also create and produce their own zine called SCripture, and are active participants in their Softcult Discord server, a safe online community for their fans. It’s this vehement sense of self-autonomy, coupled with a shadowy aesthetic and atmospheric sound that makes Softcult so captivating.

Watch the video for ‘Haunt You Still’ below.

Softcult UK Live Dates 2023 (with Movements)
Nov 22: SOUTHAMPTON The Loft
Nov 23: LEEDS Project House
Nov 24: MANCHESTER Club Academy
Nov 26: GLASGOW Garage
Nov 27: BIRMINGHAM The Mill
Nov 28: BRISTOL Lost Horizon
Nov 30: LONDON Electric Ballroom

Follow Softcult on bandcamp, Spotify, Instagram, Facebook & Twitter (X)

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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NEW TRACK: Hilary Woods – ‘Burial Rites’

After sharing her poignant rumination ‘Where The Bough Has Broken’ – an atmospheric ode to communal growth and memory – Irish artist Hilary Woods has returned with another hypnotic instrumental titled ‘Burial Rites’. Lifted from her upcoming album, Acts Of Light, which is set for release on 3rd November via Sacred Bones, the track is a magnetic, gloomy cogitation inspired by the Gaelic Celtic ritual of Keening; a traditional form of vocal lament when mourning for the dead.

Following on from her second full length record Birthmarks (2020) and her hypnotic EP Feral Hymns (2021), Woods has expanded and experimented with her sound even further on her new album. Written, recorded, mixed and produced by Woods over the two years she spent between the west coast of Ireland and Dublin, Acts Of Light includes a myriad of idiosyncratic sounds.

The record features choristers of the Palestrina choir, together with the voices of the Galway City Chamber Choir, which Woods captured in the Pro Cathedral Dublin. Strings by Oslo-based musician Jo Berger Myhre appear throughout, and all the tracks are interspersed with field recordings that Woods captured during her time spent travelling through the north west of Spain. These influences have culminated into the nine “hypnotic dirges” that make up Acts Of Light, with single ‘Burial Rites’ offering another glimpse at this potent body of work.

The track is accompanied by a visual which Woods created herself. She offers more insight into the making of it: “The video is comprised of 16mm and 8mm hand processed film, together with archive footage and still photographs that convey private and collective rituals as acts of light.” Paired with her stirring and considered instrumentation, these images convey a powerful sense of loss, absence, love and connection, all themes which permeate Acts Of Light.

Watch the video for ‘Burial Rites’ below.

Pre-order Hilary Woods’ upcoming album Acts Of Light here

Follow Hilary Woods on bandcamp, Spotify & Instagram

Hilary Woods Ireland & UK Tour Dates 2023
25/10/2023 IRL Dublin The Gallery space at The Complex
26/10/2023 IRL Dublin The Gallery space at The Complex
30/10/2023 UK Liverpool Kazimier Stockroom
31/10/2023 UK Brighton Rose Hill Arts
01/11/2023 UK London Cafe OTO
02/11/2023 UK Bristol Cube Cinema
03/11/2023 UK Newcastle Cobalt Studios
04/11/2023 UK Manchester The White Hotel
05/11/2023 UK Leeds Headrow House

Hilary Woods European Tour Dates 2023
05/12/2023 FR Lyon Le Sonic
06/12/2023 CH Geneva Cave12 *
07/12/2023 IT Ravenna Bronson *
08/12/2023 IT Busto Arsizio Circolo Gagarin *
09/12/2023 IT Cornuda Tipoteca Italiana *
10/12/2023 IT Bologna Circolo Dev *
12/12/2023 DE Munich Rote Sonne *
13/12/2023 DE Berlin Arkaoda *
14/12/2023 DE JenaTRAFO *
15/12/2023 DE Dresden Schauburg *
16/12/2023 PL Warsaw Jassmine *
17/12/2023 LI Vilnius St. Catherine Church *
18/12/2023 LV Riga Vagonu Hall *
19/12/2023 EE Tallinn Kino Sõprus *
* – as special guest to Jozef Van Wissem

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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NEW TRACK: body / negative – ‘persimmon’

An exquisite blend of ethereal guitar sounds and tender, mellifluous vocals, multi-instrumentalist Andy Schiaffino aka body / negative has shared their latest single ‘persimmon’. Lifted from their upcoming album, Everett, which is set for release on 8th December via Track Number Records, it’s a shimmering piece of ambient shoegaze that briefly pacifies the ache of long-lingering grief.

Mastered by Slowdive’s Simon Scott, body / negative’s third record is a poetic rumination on love and loss and how they deeply affect our interactions with the world. Dedicated to Schiaffino’s late mother and father, Everett features contributions from Randall Taylor aka Amulets and Madeline Johnston aka Midwife, whose studio Schiaffino was initially supposed to occupy as a residency and record in. Schiaffino’s plans changed imminently when their father was suddenly diagnosed with a terminal illness, and as a result, most of the album was written and recorded while they looked after him in a hospice.

Underscored by a deep vulnerability and empathy, Everett is a remarkable effort from an artist in acute pain. By recording through a hand-held tape recorder and filtering their vocals through a landline-style microphone, they give the record a familiar, yet far-off feeling of transience and disconnected communication. Tracing over their grief with meticulous care and tranquility, body / negative lulls listeners into a state of bittersweet calm across each of Everett‘s eight tracks.

Like the orange flesh of the fruit it’s named after, ‘persimmon’ is a glowing example of body / negative’s ability to transform painful memories into sublime, ambient sounds.

Listen to the track below.

Follow body / negative on bandcamp, Spotify & Instagram

Photo Credit: Audrey Kemp

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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NEW TRACK: Twin Rains – ‘Laws Of The Universe’

A sweeping, cinematic rumination on the impact our actions have after we’re gone, Toronto-based dream-pop band Twin Rains have shared their latest single, ‘Laws Of The Universe’. Following on from their previous release ‘You’re the Only One’, the track is a heady, swirling interpretation on personal legacy, inspired by a key episode of the hit TV show, Succession.

Formed of Jay Merrow, Christine Stoesser and live drummer Greg Smith, Twin Rains write, record and produce all of their own music. Signed to Rough Trade Publishing, the band create emotive, psych-tinged, synth-soaked sounds that have been licensed for use on TV shows and movies. Their potent blend of Christine’s soft vocals with noisy, distorted guitar sounds makes for immersive listening, and their latest track ‘Laws Of The Universe’ spotlights this songwriting skill. The single also marks the first time that Twin Rains have used strings on a track, performed by Toronto musician Jessica Deutsch.

“Inspiration can come from anywhere,” explains Christine about ‘Laws Of The Universe’. “The concept of this song was prompted by an episode of Succession, the one where Kendall speaks at his father’s funeral, saying basically: ‘Yeah we know he wasn’t a nice person—but look at what he accomplished.’ So one moment I’m watching TV and the next I’m in deep contemplation because I found this to be such a profound philosophical debate: what’s more important? Your life and how you treat the people and places in it, or your legacy?”

Contemplations like this have inspired many of the the tracks on Twin Rains’ new LP, which they have been busy working on. Look out for more details on the release in the near future.

Watch the video for ‘Laws Of The Universe’ below.

Follow Twin Rains on bandcamp, Spotify, Facebook, Twitter (X) & Instagram

Photo Credit: Shane Chiasson

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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