New Track: t l k – ‘Serenia’

A beautiful, soothing electronic lamentation about the nature of childhood grief and memory, Bristol-based artist t l k has shared their latest single ‘Serenia’. Brimming with emotive vocals, tender lyrics and blissful synths, the track is a poignant exploration of the timeless power of maternal love.

“Deep in a palace of the mind / held by the mother for the last time” muses t l k in the opening line of the track, inviting listeners into a deeply personal space via clear vocals and ambient electronics. Described as a “self-soothing metaphysical landscape”, the artist created ‘Serenia’ by manipulating an improvised vocal take and blending it with analogue synths, before adding percussive textures that were built from the spines of a cactus. The result is an emotive “sound bath” that evokes a sense of solace and serenity each time it’s listened to.

Using music to gently unfold themes of identity, self-hood, and the often incomprehensible depth of human emotion, t l k blends introspection, melancholy and euphoria within their sound, sometimes within the same track. Their debut EP, Strength In Tenderness (2022), was an evocative, rapturous collection of songs that seamlessly fused these two emotional states together, an accomplishment that meant the record made the cut for our Albums & EPs of 2022 feature last year.

t l k’s new single ‘Serenia’ is accompanied by an animated artwork created by graphics pro and visual artist Alfie Dwyer (Adult Swim, Eric Andre, Sad Night Dynamite, Thundercat and Flying Lotus). Dwyer’s work enhances the dreamlike, all encompassing warmth of t l k’s sound.

Watch the video for ‘Serenia’ below.

Follow t l k on bandcamp, Spotify, Instagram, Facebook or via their Website

 

Photo Credit: Giulia Spadafora

Kate Crudgington
@kcbobcut

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Track Of The Day: Beorma – ‘Without You’

A bittersweet reflection on losing someone you love and as a result a part of yourself, Birmingham-based band Beorma have shared their latest single ‘Without You’. Mixing R&B and indie pop sensibilities with a smooth heartfelt vocal, the track is an unexpectedly upbeat listen, brimming with emotion and a melody that warmly rushes the senses.

Formed of Ferns, Tom and Paul, Beorma performed separately in different bands before they began working together during lockdown in 2020. Sending ideas back and forth online, the band’s collaboration led to the creation of their debut EP Virtual Emotionality, which they released in early 2021. Following on from their previous single ‘Her’ – which captured the inner conflicts of desire and the need for distance when it comes to a breakup – on ‘Without You’ Beorma gently muse on the gap that’s often left by grief.

“With a lot of our songs we like to touch on darker subjects and ‘Without You’ is exactly that,” Ferns explains. “It’s the dark side of loss; it’s about not only losing something/someone dear to you, but most importantly losing yourself and crying out for meaning and purpose in order to find your footing in this world again. I think it’s important for people to listen to it and let it speak to them in whatever way it does.”

Beorma will be supporting Dream Wife on the Birmingham date of their UK tour at The Castle & Falcon on 24th March.

Listen to ‘Without You’ below.

 

Follow Beorma on Spotify, Twitter, Instagram & Facebook

Kate Crudgington
KCBobCut

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LISTEN: Inland Murmur – ‘Waterline’

A stirring reflection on how interactions with nature can help us move past feelings of grief, Cardiff-based indie band Inland Murmur have shared their second single ‘Waterline’. The group take a gentle dive into difficult emotions through their fluid, atmospheric guitar sounds, rolling rhythms and smooth dual vocals on this latest offering.

Formed of Hannah (bass, vocals), Toby (vocals, guitar & drums) and Alan (guitar), Inland Murmur met in London and were busy playing shows at independent venues when Covid-19 hit last year. During the first lockdown, the band used the time to write and record new music, resulting in new single ‘Waterline’. The track is a restorative and instinctive effort from the trio, who like many of us were forced to re-evaluate things when the pandemic restrictions set in.

“Lockdown gave me some time to reset and I realised how much I enjoy singing,” explains Hannah, who sang lead vocals for the first time on this single. “I realised that a lack of confidence was holding me back and life’s too short! With a supportive band and producer, I felt able to step up to sing lead vocals which has really unlocked a new dimension to the band’s sound.” With her new found confidence, Hannah and her band mates have created a sound that shines with charming authenticity.

Listen to ‘Waterline’ below.

Follow Inland Murmur on bandcamp, Spotify, Facebook, Twitter & Instagram

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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