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 bandcamp, Spotify, Facebook & Instagram for more updates.

Photo Credit: Finn O’Hara

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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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

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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.

 

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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LISTEN: MOURN – ‘Men’

A rallying cry against toxic masculinity and street harassment, MOURN have shared their latest single ‘Men’. Lifted from their upcoming album Self Worth, which is set for release on 30th October via Captured Tracks, the song is an honest, cathartic purge of the distrust and anger many women suppress on a daily basis when they’re intimidated in public spaces.

“I don’t really trust men” the Barcelona trio admit over crashing drums and riotous riffs, fatigued by being spoken over, judged and exploited by the “fragile” eyes of men who believe women’s bodies are open to public criticism. MOURN are shouting back against this damaging and weirdly acceptable social behaviour, but like many women, the band have felt conflicted about facing this issue so directly.

“‘Men’ is about walking the streets and having to deal with looks, words and attitudes from different men,” MOURN explain. “To enter a store and be treated differently than male clients, and the same at work. This song portrays these situations and the frustration that comes with them. I’m sure there will be a lot of people that identify with these experiences, and being questioned for their identity. At the same time, I know there will also be people that are pissed or feel uncomfortable with these lyrics. But this is how we feel and no one can take our experiences from us.

These lyrics come from a sincere and confident mindset where we want to establish our validity and identity and not let it be broken. We talk about feelings we see in men because we feel they‘re taken into account more, and are imposed onto us. I also feel like with this quote being so long, it is like I’m trying to justify why we wrote about this topic, and the thing is, this in itself is an uncomfortable situation we’re being put through by society. In the end, it’s just a personal experience…lived by millions of people everyday.”

Watch the video for ‘Men’ below and follow MOURN on bandcamp, Facebook & Spotify for more updates.

Photo Credit: Cristian Colomer Cavallari

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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