Track Of The Day: Stainwasher – ‘See Thee’

A bittersweet, ambient soundscape inspired by the need to push through seemingly immovable barriers, Swedish songwriter Stainwasher has re-released her single ‘See Thee’. Taken from her debut album The Outer Layer, which she shared earlier this month, the track is a dreamy blend of soft vocals, atmospheric reverb and poetic lyrics that tenderly explore what it feels like to re-frame your thinking.

“I wrote ‘See Thee’ a few years ago, but I was never pleased with the production until this year, and it was such a nice feeling to finally release it,” Stainwasher explains. “An old version of it was actually my most liked song on SoundCloud, however I always felt thought it needed more. The lyrics refer to obstacles that I felt held me back in life, and when I wrote it a couple of years ago, I thought it was me who created these obstacles. Now, I know that they didn’t have to be obstacles at all, only circumstances.”

Acknowledging this growth and slowly building up her emotional resilience helped Stainwasher to shape the sounds that form her debut album. On The Outer Layer, she contrasts her darker emotions with bright, ambient electronics and dreamy reverb, soothing listeners with her elusive, lullaby-esque vocal throughout the record.

“I would say most of the songs are more lo-fi and a bit rawer than before, if you can call something that has a thousand tons of reverb raw,” Stainwasher comments about her new record. “I’ve been listening to a lot of slowcore and some Doom music in recent years, which you probably can tell. I have woven some irony into the lyrics which made me giggle like a creep in my little home studio too.”

Stainwasher’s ability to tap into her “creepy” thoughts and transform them into beguiling, cinematic sounds is what makes listening to her music so enjoyable. On ‘See Thee’ and with her debut album, she continues to showcase her talent as an emerging electronic artist.

Listen to ‘See Thee’ below.

Follow Stainwasher on bandcamp, Spotify, Twitter, Instagram & Facebook

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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LISTEN: Real Big Sky – ‘Long Lost’

A brooding, atmospheric musing on feelings of loneliness and isolation, Gothenburg four-piece Real Big Sky have shared their debut single ‘Long Lost’. Full of moody guitar sounds, shiver-inducing cymbal smashes and melancholic vocals, the track is a captivating slice of dark indie noise, taken from the band’s self-titled debut album which is set for release in July.

Originally created as a distraction for multi-instrumentalist Sara Kleppe (You Break, You Buy, Gold Baby) during the Covid-19 lockdowns here in the UK in 2020, Real Big Sky began life as a solo project which Kleppe worked on at home in her bedroom in Hackney. Making good use of her time during an unpredictable year, Kleppe picked up her old electric guitar and began working out songs and sounds that would eventually form the eight tracks on Real Big Sky’s album. After relocating back to her native Sweden in 2021, Real Big Sky have now blossomed into a full band made up of Kleppe’s friends and family members, with debut single ‘Long Lost’ being the first of what’s to come from these intriguing newcomers.

With her tender vocals and expansive guitar sounds, she transcends feelings of isolation, creating a cathartic, heavy lullaby for those who may still be feeling the sting of loneliness. With the help of friend & long-term collaborator Luca Romano – who also played drums & was on recording, mixing and production duties for the record – Real Big Sky’s sound is now fully fleshed and ready to be released into the world.

Listen to ‘Long Lost’ below.

Follow Real Big Sky on bandcamp, Spotify, Facebook & Instagram

Photo Credit: Johanna Kleppe

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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FIVE FAVOURITES: CRONICLE

Swedish artist CRONICLE may have cut her teeth playing in punk-pop band Tantrum to Blind, but now she’s exploring her song-writing talent through the medium of brooding electronica. CRONICLE (aka Melanie Mohlkert) has shared three singles to date, with her most recent offering ‘Bruises’ focusing on the aftermath of a relationship.

We think one of the best ways to get to know a new artist is by asking them what music inspired them to write in the first place. We caught up with CRONICLE to ask her about her “Five Favourites” – five albums that have influenced her songwriting techniques. Check out her choices below, and make sure you listen to her track ‘Bruises’ at the end of this post.

 

1. Taking Back Sunday – Where You Want To Be
Taking Back Sunday is the band I still call my favourite band of all time. It’s kind of funny actually, because the first time I heard one of their songs I was like “What the hell is this noise?” but I was 13 years old and my (really cool) cousin who’s just one year older than me was super into them, so I was intrigued.

Then diving into their music opened up a whole new world for me. I was already a big fan of bands like Nirvana, The Offspring, Millencolin and Good Charlotte, but these guys were just something else. Their angsty and raw vocals with intense, emotional lyrics that literally have no filter at all, backed with sick guitar riffs and energetic drums just made me FEEL so much. It was like an amplifier to your heart and soul at that age and to be honest, it still is. I love this band so much. I feel like their way of phrasing what you want to say in lyrics, their guitar riffs and emotion will always be one of the core pedestals in me as a songwriter. Being able to show how you can be hurt and vulnerable with your music but at the same time saying “f*ck you” is definitely something they taught me about, and I’m forever grateful for that.

2. Ellie Goulding – Halcyon Days
This album is f*cking incredible. I actually can’t remember when I came across it first, I think it might have been that I fell in love with Ellie’s song ‘Figure 8’ and after that, checked out the whole album and damn, I couldn’t stop listening to it. It definitely was my first proper introduction to the electronic pop world and those kind of soundscapes. I think there are parts of this album that are pretty similar to the whole emo alternative rock elements I’m so in love with. To be honest ‘Figure 8’ would make a sick emo rock song, but here the electric guitars are kind of replaced with heavy synthesisers instead. I think that’s what I fell for. I also love, love, love the vocal production, how her voice is often used as an instrument. Then there are these rough organic sounding instrumentals, mixed with amazing electronic sounds. Ellie has generally really inspired me and been a big role model as the badass female solo artist that she is. I’m not a huge fan of the direction she’s taken musically over the last few years, but she’ll always have place in my heart.

3. K.Flay – Life As A Dog
I think it was in 2014, when my band had split up and I started getting really into electronic music that some friends of mine sent me a link to K.Flay’s tunes. They had just been doing Warped Tour in the US and got to know her because she was playing the festival too. They were like “Mel you’re gonna LOVE this chick” and oh my, they were right. I was hooked by the first synth that hit my ears in ‘Make Me Fade’ and K.Flay’s amazing whisky voice, smart, full of attitude lyrics and awesome beats. There’s also some electric guitars and bass, cutting through the production here and there and it’s simply a mix of everything I love.

The fact that she’s this awesome smart rapper just makes her pretty much royalty to me. Her Majesty K.Flay – the Queen of everything. I was at her first ever London show when she supported Lights and nobody really knew who she was. I had brought some friends with me who really dug her too after my passionate introduction and we were in the back of the room, jumping and singing along to her set. Her manager caught our little private party in the crowd and had to come up and ask how we knew about her. Then the craziest thing of this story here is that I actually got to support her when she had her first headline show in London and that was my first ever Cronicle show!

4. Twenty One Pilots – Blurry Face
I remember seeing ads on YouTube for their music videos and I thought to myself that there was just something really cool and real about them. After checking out the album I was a fan for life. I feel like I’ve always been really drawn to artists who are genuine and speak the truth in their music and these guys definitely do that. They also know how to write BANGERS. This is my “pick me up” album. It’s the one that I turn on loud as f*ck in the morning to get me going, to get my mood right for the day. I also love driving (read speeding) and skating to it. They are incredible musicians, performers and Tyler’s lyrics are just something else.

I will forever regret that I missed Reading Festival a couple of years ago when they played it. I was sat home behind my laptop watching their set online and even just through the 13” screen their show was absolutely mind-blowing. I also really respect how much hard work they’ve put into their career in terms of playing shows, touring so much of the world before they “made it”. They’re the real deal and I’m stoked to see how huge they are today, it gives hope to someone like me.

5. Lana Del Rey – Born To Die
What can I say, how can you not love this album? Lana is an incredible songwriter and she really knows how to drag you into her world and turn you into an addict. This album is the soundtrack to my summers spent broken hearted and lost. It made them more beautiful somehow. I’m so captivated by her voice and lyrics and again, the production is a mix of organic instruments and electronic elements – my favourite thing. Lana is sharing sadness and pain in a proud way and there’s just something so empowering about that. I feel proud to be a woman with a broken heart not afraid to share my deepest pain because of her.

Thanks to Melanie for sharing her favourites with us!Follow CRONICLE on Facebook for more updates.

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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LISTEN: Shitkid – ‘Detention’

A grungy, gleeful take-down of a juvenile punishment; Shitkid have shared their latest track ‘Detention’. The single is the title track from the “anti-pop star’s” upcoming record (due out in May) and it’s just as catchy as their previous release ‘Summer Break’.

Originally the solo project of Åsa Söderqvist in 2015, Shitkid has now become a two piece; with new bandmate Lina Molarin Ericsson performing with Söderqvist under her mischevious moniker. Their new album [DETENTION] was recorded at Stockholm’s Country Girl Studios with producer Lovina Isaksson, and cut almost entirely live by an expanded lineup including Söderqvist, Ericsson, guitarist Arvid Sjöö and drummer Josefin Ahlqvist Lyzwinski.

Speaking about the upcoming release, Söderqvist explains: “I started listening to the bands that I loved in school again, and I felt inspired by it. It’s a genre that’s quite embarrassing to go back to, and I knew that would make it really fun. I used to be emo in 2008, and now nobody plays that music anymore! There’s nothing about being kids and nobody understanding you. It felt like time to bring it back.”

We’re all about the emo renaissance. Listen to ‘Detention’ below and follow Shitkid on Facebook for more updates.

Photo Credit: Moa Romanova

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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