Track Of The Day: BECAH – ‘Reminders’

With her debut EP Freak on its way, Northern Irish alt-indie artist, BECAH, has released ‘Reminders‘ – an utterly captivating new single. It’s a powerful expression of vulnerability, with honest lyrics and underpinned by brooding instrumentation.

‘Reminders’ is a soundbath of sweet tones, with sweeping synthesisers, jangling guitar and BECAH’s heavenly vocals, all fusing together to build a hypnotic atmosphere. Although there is a fuzzy sweetness in the instrumentation, there is an underlying darkness to the track. It is constantly building and there’s a cinematic drive, reminiscent of bands like Muse. Every instrument seems to create tension, pulsating and building with an epic grandeur.  

BECAH’s combination of powerful instrumentation with her expressive vocals and lyrics is truly poignant; there is an empowering element to the song, revealing a strength in being vulnerable. The subtle layering of their vocals really emphasises this duality. The vocals are tender, almost fragile, but they are layered to create power, whilst still conveying vulnerability. Musically BECAH reveals shades of singer-songwriter greats such as Jeff Buckley, Norah Jones, and contemporaries such as Phoebe Bridgers.

Of the track, BECAH reveals: 

“I wrote ‘Reminders’ in the aftermath of a very toxic relationship with a past girlfriend. The coinciding music video, filmed by Chris McCann and directed by John Dynes and Chris McCann, presents a glimpse into that story – the good times I had with her in the beginning, to its violent turn. The lyrics speak of the struggle I had to feel like myself again, and how all my attempts to push away all the little details and memories of that time felt futile.”

Watch the stirring new video for ‘Reminders’ here:

Freak, the upcoming debut EP from BECAH, is set for release later this year.

Jaz Kelly
@surfjaz

Track Of The Day: Gold Baby – ‘Philadelphia’

A dreamy lamentation about going too far, but realizing it way too late; Gold Baby‘s new single ‘Philadelphia’ is a bittersweet indie ballad that brims with buoyant guitar sounds and front woman Siân’s charming vocals.

The London-based band have undergone lineup changes over the few months, but members Siân and Scott have shown resilience in the face of adversity, and are now supported by loyal friends and musicians when playing live as a full band.

Described as “what it might sound like if Norah Jones wrote a Weezer song”, Gold Baby blend catchy, melodic guitar sounds with confessional lyricism, and latest single ‘Philadelphia’ is another shining example of this. Mixing the narratives of a night spent lost in Pennsylvania, with that of a Mexican fisherman lost at sea; Siân’s ambiguous lyrics will conjure up images of strange familiarity, even if you can’t directly relate to the track’s context.

Gold Baby will be releasing more new music in 2020, but before that, they’ll be playing live for us at The Finsbury Pub on Friday 8th November alongside Cozy Slippers, Macadamia Sluts, and a secret headliner…(event details here). Listen to ‘Philadelphia’ below and follow the band on Facebook for more updates.

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut