Track Of The Day: Clara Byrne – ‘Conflict Bound’

A poignant reflection on the pressures and contradictions we encounter living under capitalism, Irish songwriter Clara Byrne has shared her debut single ‘Conflict Bound’. Lifted from her upcoming debut album Handstitched, Byrne finds refuge from these overwhelming thoughts via her atmospheric alt-folk guitar sounds and patient vocal delivery.

“In a world filled with juxtaposed opinions and clashing ideals, it is getting progressively harder to know where to stand,” Byrne explains about her new track. “It can be nearly impossible not to get bogged down in fighting the opposition or slaving towards winning small mercies. It all seems so vast, so utterly impossible to grasp. But there are rare occasions when a clearing appears through the density. These moments when everything is laid out in its most digestible form, are worth waiting for.”

Through her sincere lyrics and rich vocals, Byrne navigates through “sheltered point(s) of view” and appeals to her listeners, asking them not to turn away from “systemic flaws”, but to unite together to dismantle them. The track is also accompanied by a video created by Rachel Noble, formed of scenes from global protests, deprived buildings and busy urban landscapes.

Listen to ‘Conflict Bound’ below.

 

Follow Clara Byrne on bandcamp, Spotify, Twitter, Facebook & Instagram for more updates.

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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Track Of The Day: Hearts Beating In Time – ‘Simone’s’

In a sweet recipe of floating melodies and twirling lyrics, Berlin’s Hearts Beating In Time brings us her new twinkly single, ‘Simone’s’. With elegant layers of dreamy synths and simple supportive percussion, Rebecca Theuma’s vocals tip-toe across her track in a delicate and inviting way. Simple lyrics that feel like a conversation with a friend invite listeners into close proximity, delivering a safe haven in a perplexing world. Rebecca’s disposition is comforting as she discusses the rotating world around her as she watches the sunrise.

As the track builds, she asks “I wonder if I’ll ever be a happy, perfect person?”, a question many of us ponder in the light of tough times. Against her earnest and worrisome lyrics, Rebecca’s instrumental continues to expand in an optimistic, rose-coloured way. ‘Simone’s’ is a curious reflection, but not one that is weighted in hopelessness. Rich, elongated synth pads never let hope diminish, and as time unravels, the mix feels celebratory of an all encompassing journey. Of the track, Theuma explains:

“This song tells the story of two close friends wandering the streets of their new home; the city of Berlin. They meet at a bar called ‘Simone’s Kleine Kneipe’ and spend the night walking around in the cold, until they can’t go any further and sit on a bench talking about everything and nothing until the sun comes up. The song is a result of this night-long conversation.”

With shades of the likes of LA’s Florist or GIHE fave Deerful in her musicality, Hearts Beating In Time floats in a world that is too immersive to be held to earth, leaving listeners in a welcome dream-pop fantasy. With a retro ’80s electronic tinge present throughout, and a taste of new wave bedroom-pop, Hearts Beating In Time’s ‘Simone’s’ is a ticket to a moment of glittery relief. 

‘Simone’s‘ is out now via Reckless Yes, and is taken from the upcoming album Songs For The Girls, release date tbc.

Jillian Goyeau
@jillybxxn

Photo Credit: Leo Chircop

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Track Of The Day: Starling – ‘Swoop’

Just like her avian name, rising alt-pop artist Starling comes in for the ‘Swoop’ in her latest single. With a mix of trap bass line, photon blasts, and kitschy instrumental drops, ‘Swoop’ is a dance floor banger for the quirky cool kids. Starling’s sultry and seductive vocals boast pointillistic rhythms and hashtag lyrics about her ambitious nature – she gets what she wants, when she wants.

A soaring alt-pop anthem, filled with Starling’s rich vocals and an instantly catchy and empowering energy, ‘Swoop’ is a guaranteed ear-worm, set to mark Starling out as a definite one to watch. Of the track, she explains:

“Swoop is about being unapologetically focused and owning it. Owning your dream, owning that fear, owning that desire and not holding back your ambition or your individuality. Judgement suffocates. To “swoop” liberates.”

In the accompanying video, a laid back and denim tuxedo wearing Starling explains to us her raison d’être while pastel sweat-suited dancers show off their varied dance skills from popping and locking to jetes. Speaking about the video, she’s said: “I wanted to make a 90s inspired music video on what it is to “own it”. This is what I told the dancers “there is no space for shame or judgement in Starling’s world, it’s time to dance like you are free to be who you really are, to own your quirk”.

‘Swoop’ marks the second piece of new material from Starling’s forthcoming new album To Be Alive, which is due out in the near future. To Be Alive is produced in part by Damian Taylor (Bjork, The Prodigy) and David Kyle Payne (Meghan Trainor, Sigala).

Aisha Kasmir
@aisha_vocal

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Track Of The Day: Circe – ‘Dancer’

An evocative dark-pop gem inspired by a morbid fascination with an infamous cult, London-based artist Circe has shared her latest single ‘Dancer’. Taken from her debut EP She’s Made of Saints, which is set for release on 25th November via Jazz Life, the track is a sultry, cinematic offering exploring the dangerous yet seductive allure of Californian cult The Source Family.

“’Dancer’ is a song that grew from a documentary I watched about The Source Family…examining a radical experiment in 1970’s utopian living,” Circe explains. “One of the young girls involved from the cult had a line in an interview about how she gave up all ownership of herself for the cult leader ‘Father Yod’, even dancing. That line always stuck with me. The thought someone could surrender their own movement and body-ultimate freedom. I waver on this dangerous line between interest and intrigue into cults, particularly the 60s-70s ones based around Hollywood. It’s always been a fascination for me that there is a surreal romance to these set-ups, in contrast to some horrific actions.”

Accompanied by a captivating video directed by Rachel Povey and Circe, the visuals for ‘Dancer’ incorporate symbols of Catholicism to explore the thrilling feeling that sacrificing yourself to the light – even if it is only a glamorous neon sign – strangely brings. Inspired by the visuals and soundtracks of David Lynch’s films, Circe’s compelling electronic sounds teeter on the edge of dystopia and utopia, whilst dissecting personal and social norms with breathtaking grace.

Listen to ‘Dancer’ below.

Follow Circe on Spotify, bandcamp, YouTube, TikTok, Twitter & Instagram

Kate Crudgington
@kate_crudge

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