LISTEN: ME REX – ‘Eutherians (Ultramarine)’

Their two EPs and incredible 51-track project designed for shuffle play have marked ME REX out as an incredibly exciting band to watch. Their latest single, ‘Eutherians (Ultramarine)‘ comes alongside the announcement of their forthcoming album, Giant Elk. If the rest of the project is as captivating as the single, then it’s going to be an unmissable release.

The track begins gently, with soft guitars and a light upbeat rhythm; from the first bars, the vocals ache with feeling and hint at the journey the song intends to take you on. The music swells together into a throbbing chorus that burrows into your head and stays with you long after the song ends – it’s difficult not to keep tapping along to the addictive beat.

‘Eutherians (Ultramarine)’ is about the fear of losing a part of yourself, but it has an overall sense of excitement to it. It surges into its most climactic moments, echoing the way that emotions overflow when you’re contemplating the universe and your tiny, insignificant space in it. As scary as the introspection the song contains might be, it’s beautiful as well. 

The repeated “deep, deep, deep, deep ultramarine” of the unknown – whether you’re looking up to the stars or down to the depths of the ocean – evokes that terror and fascination in equal measure. But, as the song goes on, the refrain flows with a bright, bouncy energy; like the beginning of a great adventure, getting all the more thrilling and colourful with each time it repeats.

‘Eutherians (Ultramarine)’ is a deeply reflective song. If you let it, it will take you to that introspective place that can be intensely painful or blissful, but either way rewarding and profound.

Giant Elk, the upcoming debut album from ME REX, is set for release on 2nd October, via Big Scary Monsters. Pre-order here.

Kirstie Summers
@ActuallyKurt

Photo Credit: Benjamin Whitley

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LISTEN: Trinity Mei – ‘ever be right’

Trinity Mei is a folk singer-songwriter from the sun-soaked desert landscapes of Arizona. Having honed her musical prowess at the prestigious Berklee College of Music, she blends elements of traditional folk with aspects of electronica, giving her music a contemporary yet timeless quality. 

Her debut track ‘ever be right’ has introspective lyrics that delve into the common experience of entering a relationship where emotions aren’t reciprocated. She describes tender moments in the verses – “…we’ll stay up for hours until the moon is gone / talk about secrets till the light of dawn” – but questions in the chorus whether she will ever be right for them, noting her frustrations that “guess life’s not like the movies, your heart is out of range”. 

‘ever be right’ has a beautifully chilled out energy, characterised by mellow and gentle sounds. It’s built around lilting, strumming guitar and incorporates harmonising vocals, lush string swells, and textured synth parts – providing a perfect foundation for Mei’s smooth and soulful vocals, which captivate on first listen. The production is crisp and warm, drawing you in and holding your attention. Whilst there are no belting vocals, they are delivered delicately with an immersive dynamism and raw emotion, reflecting the subject matter and giving hints of the stirring alt-pop of Phoebe Bridgers or Billie Eilish.

Already, with this spellbinding debut, Mei has demonstrated sharp musicianship in constructing a stunning and intricate soundscape with a really strong vocal performance. I look forward to seeing what’s to come next from this artist.

Ella Patenall
@ella_patenall

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WATCH: HotWax – ‘Drop’

Having won us over with previous impassioned offerings ‘Treasure‘ and ‘Rip It Out’, Hastings band Tallulah, Lola and Alfie – aka HotWax – are swiftly taking over the UK music scene. With acclaim from the likes of BBC Radio 6 Music, BBC Radio One, NME and The Independent, and support from artists such as Courtney Barnett and Wolf Alice, to name a few, the teenage trio are continuing to mark themselves out as definite ones to watch. Now, following the release of their debut EP A Thousand Times earlier this year, and signing to Marathon Artists, they’ve shared a colossal new single.

Mixed by Alan Moulder (Foo Fighters, Wet Leg), ‘Drop’ is propelled by pulsating beats and raging hooks as it builds with a raucous energy and fierce allure to an epic grunge-fuelled anthem. Although somewhat nostalgic in their ’90s grunge and ’00s indie references, HotWax have once again managed to create something completely fresh; ‘Drop’ blasts into the ears with the band’s distinctive ferocious drive and blistering power, leaving me excited to hear what this immense band on the rise come up with next.

‘Drop’ is accompanied by a wonderfully wacky new video, directed by Josh Quinton. Featuring aliens coming to earth in a decollage spaceship to infiltrate the band’s brains and make them shred even harder, all whilst styled in Fall ’23 Charles Jeffrey, it showcases the band’s colourful humour and style alongside their mammoth musical talent.


‘Drop’ is out now via Marathon Artists, and is released amidst an incredibly busy summer for HotWax. As well as already wowing packed out crowds at The Great Escape, Dot To Dot and Mad Cool, they are set to play alongside The Strokes and Yeah Yeah Yeahs (and Angel Olsen and Amyl And The Sniffers – we can’t wait!) next Friday 25th August at All Points East , and will then be heading to Reading and Leeds where they’ll headline the BBC Introducing Stage. See the full list of HotWax’s upcoming live dates, including their Autumn tour supporting Royal Blood in the UK and North America, here.

Mari Lane
@marimindles

Photo Credit: Chiara Gambuto

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WATCH: Gender Chores – ‘Dysphurious’

Having shared stages with the likes of Problem Patterns, Strange New Places and Sister Ghost, and following the gritty energy of 2021’s ‘Night In The Woods’, Belfast punks Gender Chores have recently shared a new single. With songs defending reproductive rights, resisting the patriarchy and documenting the human cost of late-stage capitalism, they’re a true, riot grrrl-inspired DIY force to be reckoned with.

A reflection on coming out as non-binary – a subject that’s very close to the band’s hearts – ‘Dysphurious’ offers a truly uplifting dose of punk-pop, oozing a fierce colourful spirit. Filled with scuzzy hooks and a refreshingly honest lyricism, it’s an empowering ode to freeing yourself from the constrictions of conventional gender ‘norms’; an energising boost of confidence to be your true self in the face of adversity.

Of the track, the band explain:

“‘Dysphurious’ is a song about Sam’s early experiences of coming out as non-binary – not having a clear answer for people, feeling like you’re constantly explaining yourself, fearing rejection and mockery…The pressure to have all the answers can hold so many of us back from coming out, even to ourselves. You can interrogate yourself to the utmost degree, and those who want to will still write off you becoming who you are as a ‘phase’ or a ‘trend’. This song is about liberating yourself from that demand, and getting comfortable with your answer to the question sometimes being “I don’t know”.”

‘Dysphurious’ was recorded at Start Together Studios, and is accompanied by a brand new video, directed by Elspeth Vischer. Watch here!

Mari Lane
@marimindles

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