NEW TRACK: Kim Gordon – ‘I’m a Man’

Following on from her recent single ‘BYE BYE‘ – an eclectic combination of dense beats, brooding basslines and bruising reverb – renowned musician and visual artist Kim Gordon has shared her new track, ‘I’m a Man’. Taken from her upcoming second solo record, The Collective, which is set for release on 8th March via Matador Records, this new cut is a potent blend of grinding guitar FX, slow, sinister beats and Gordon’s distinctive vocals.

Recorded in her hometown of Los Angeles, Gordon continued to collaborate with producer Justin Raisen (Lil Yachty, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Charli XCX, Yves Tumor) on The Collective, with additional production from Anthony Paul Lopez. The follow up to her acclaimed 2019 debut solo album, No Home Record, on her new full length offering Gordon has retained her idiosyncratic style, remaining eclectic and ambiguous across each of the eleven tracks. She has captured a rumbling, intoxicating sense of unease which is translated both sonically and visually – first with her single ‘BYE BYE’ and now with her latest release ‘I’m a Man’.

Throughout the track, Gordon cogitates on the ways in which capitalism is redefining and ultimately diminishing the role of “traditional masculinity”, pitted against a chaotic backdrop of disarming noise. These ruminations are also reflected in the accompanying video, directed by Alex Ross Perry and starring Gordon, her daughter Coco Gordon Moore and Conor Fay. ‘I’m A Man’ is another exhilarating creation from a musician who immerses herself wholly into all aspects of her art. Watch the visuals for it below.

Pre-order Kim Gordon’s new album, The Collective, here

Follow Kim Gordon on bandcampSpotifyInstagram, X & Facebook

Photo Credit: Danielle Neu

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

LISTEN: Ailsa Tully – ‘Parasite’

A personal rumination on the pernicious power dynamics that are prevalent within the UK music industry, Welsh-born songwriter Ailsa Tully has shared her latest single ‘Parasite’. Released via Dalliance Recordings, the track is a deceptively powerful observation on the toxic behaviour Tully has experienced first hand, and a subtle warning to those who think their actions will go un-noticed.

“’Parasite’ is a confrontational song written for a controlling and manipulative person,” Tully explains. “It explores the insidious manner in which sexism takes form, particularly within the inner workings of the music industry.” Through a blend of brooding guitar sounds, enveloping vocals and the faux allure of her lyrics, Tully takes considered shots at her antagonist, effortlessly dismantling the layers of expectation that were pushed upon her because of her gender. Her gracefully repeated threat of “I could break you down / you parasite” sends shivers down the spine.

No longer intimidated by these industry peers, Tully is free to deliver her poetic alt-folk sounds with a hard earned confidence, and ‘Parasite’ is a poignant example of this. The track is accompanied by a video directed by Finlay O’Hara, which shows parasitic plants twisting around vines in tandem with Tully’s music, personifying the struggles she sings of.

Watch the video for ‘Parasite’ below.

Follow Ailsa Tully on bandcampSpotifyFacebook & Instagram for more updates.

Photo Credit: Finn O’Hara

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

Track Of The Day: Lizzy Laurance – ‘Famous’

Ahead of the release of her upcoming debut album, innovative sound artist Lizzy Laurance has now shared new single ‘Famous’.

Reflecting on themes of masculinity and power, ‘Famous’ offers an intriguing ethereal soundscape. Propelled by Laurance’s soaring rich vocals and a twinkling majesty, alongside a backdrop of unsettling found sounds and a whirring energy, it’s a magnificent cacophony. A poignant work of sound art that’ll captivate with its exquisite obscure allure. Of the track, Laurance explains:

“It’s written largely from the perspective of a man who stalked me while I was staying on the boat [in Copenhagen] last summer. He had this delusionthat I was hanging around public libraries with the sole aim of trying to seduce him. I wrote this song, in part, about the version of me that he had in his mind. It’s also about other things as well though, like … what perpetuates toxic masculinity when it’s so obvious that no one benefits? Or, why, as a society, do we keep falling in love with bad men?”

 

‘Famous’ is out now, taken from Lizzy Laurance’s upcoming debut album, Rocketman.

Mari Lane
@marimindles

Track Of The Day: Circe – ‘Ruined Your Sons’

A jagged, dark-pop gem that challenges the pernicious behavioural tropes associated with toxic masculinity, London-based artist Circe has shared her latest single ‘Ruined Your Sons’. Lifted from her upcoming debut EP She’s Made of Saints, which is set for release via Jazz Life on 25th November, the track is a cinematic reflection on the apathy and disillusionment young men face while living under the thumb of patriarchal society.

“The song journeys through a story of the male gaze, battling with a sensitivity I believe/hope is buried beneath the surface of machismo,” Circe explains. “It tackles society’s obsession with hyper masculine performance and bravado, how it destroys the inherent sensitivity we are born with. People in power have let generations of young people down. From the lack of in-depth queer-inclusive sex education that actually represents contemporary sex lives to the under-representation of the female gaze in porn.”

Following on from her previous single ‘Ten Girls’ – which was inspired by Margaret Atwood’s dystopian novel The Handmaid’s Tale – on ‘Ruined Your Sons’ Circe takes a more tentative approach lyrically and musically, allowing space for her message about validating the need for sensitivity amongst young men to seep in. Her lush vocals sit alongside compassionate lyrics, whilst her vivid synth sounds are equal parts commanding and intoxicating.

Listen to ‘Ruined Your Sons’ below and follow Circe on bandcamp, Spotify & Instagram for more updates.

 

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Kate Crudgington
@kate_crudge