Track Of The Day: PILLARS – ‘Blame’

PILLARS, the 25-year-old electronic musician, debuted her first EP, Circa last month. Describing the album, she says it is “a reflection of past mistakes, regrets and behaviours.” So, it’s fitting that she has now shared ‘Blame’.

Set against a minimalist soundscape, PILLARS’ voice punches through intimately and with clarity. The chorus rings out “I’m to blame”, an honest and vulnerable refrain of a lover apologetic for their mistakes. Church-like organs fade in and out, lending a solemn quality to her testimony, while slow and steady kicks pound like a tired heart. Pulsing synths and subdued snaps add subtle texture to the track, creating a suspenseful atmosphere, as each verse hangs in the air waiting for PILLARS to finally confess – “I’m to blame”. 

 

Circa by PILLARS is out now. Listen on Bandcamp or Spotify.

 

Aisha Kasmir
@aisha_vocal

Photo Credit: Marieke Macklon Photography

 

Get In Her EarsLeave a comment

Track Of The Day: REWS – ‘Today We’re Warriors’

A defiant guitar tune designed to empower and motivate listeners into action, REWS have shared their latest single ‘Today We’re Warriors’. Lifted from the band’s upcoming second album Warriors, which is set for release on 7th August via Marshall Records, the track mixes heavy riffs and catchy melodies to help spark the fires of personal revolution.

REWS front-woman and founder Shauna Tohill has been busy during the covid-19 lockdown period performing online gigs, and promoting her “Femme Focus” Sunday sessions where she speaks to other female musicians about their work (watch ep. 3 with Jen from False Advertising here). Now, she’s gearing up for the release of her second album, and ‘Today We’re Warriors’ is another shining example of her tenacity and passion as a songwriter.

Speaking about the track, she explains: “The song exclaims exactly what the name suggests! Every morning we wake up, we have a choice in what kind of journey we will lead. There are dark days where our path is unclear and blocked (some more than others) and that’s when I want to encourage everyone to keep fighting forward, to gather together in the spirit of music with those who are good in your life, to support and respect each other! Today, we got this, we will get through this and we will keep moving forward to see a better, positive, thriving and equal future for all women, men, children from all races and backgrounds. Today, we’re warriors!”

The track is accompanied by two music videos, an official video that shows Shauna running through the wilderness, and a fan video directed by GIHE photographer Jon Mo. The fan video also features one of the GIHE grrrls (spoiler: it’s Kate).

Watch both videos below and follow REWS on Facebook and Spotify for more updates.

You can pre-order REWS’ new album Warriors here.

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

Kate Crudgington1 Comment

Track Of The Day: Screaming Toenail – ‘I.O.U’

Having blown us away with the impassioned magnificence of their live show at The Finsbury last December, and with performances for the likes of Decolonise Festival and Afropunk Battle Of The Bands under their belts, anti-colonial queer punks Screaming Toenail have become firm favourites here at GIHE and their message is more resonant now than ever before.

Oozing a seething energy as a whirring tension builds with jangling hooks, new single ‘I.O.U’ asserts that we are worth so much more than our wages, and that we don’t owe our bosses, landlords, or this racist government, anything. Propelled by an impassioned cathartic rage and swirling magnetism, its raw, angst-driven power immerses the listener in its striking, empowering message. As front person Jacob repeats the refrain “I owe you nothing” with a fierce intensity, you’re left – fists-clenched – ready to come together in solidarity and rise up against the forces seeking to oppress us.

Screaming Toenail really are one of the most important bands around at the moment; and tracks such as ‘I.O.U’ and accompanying single ‘Sever’ showcase their vibrant spirit and raw emotion perfectly, highlighting how necessary voices like these are in the fight for justice.

Download ‘I.O.U’ and ‘Sever’ on Bandcamp now:

 

Growth, the upcoming new album from Screaming Toenail, is out 28th July.

Mari Lane
@marimindles

Get In Her EarsLeave a comment

Track Of The Day: Bitch Falcon – ‘Gaslight’

A striking, brooding observation on what you see vs what you get, Bitch Falcon have shared their latest single ‘Gaslight’. Released today (16th July) via Small Pond Records who the band have recently signed to, the track marks a change in the Dublin trio’s writing style, blending “melodic intricacies” with their trademark heavier sound.

Formed of Lizzie Fitzpatrick (vocals/guitar), Barry O’Sullivan (bass) and Nigel Kenny (drums), Bitch Falcon have been firm favourites of GIHE since they played live for us at The Finsbury Pub with Trash Kit in 2017. Since then, they’ve shared stages with the likes of Girl Band, Fontaines DC, Torche, Black Peaks, and Pussy Riot.

Full of seething bass lines and savage guitar licks, their new single is a stirring reflection on the way we perceive other people’s truths. Fitzpatrick’s powerful vocals permeate ‘Gaslight’, soaring over Kenny’s crashing beats and O’Sullivan’s heavy bass hooks, fusing their grunge-meets-dream-pop sound together.

Speaking about the track, Fitzpatrick explains: “‘Gaslight’ is a song that came together quite fast. Barry started playing his riff and I played along messing rhythmically, just making noise. It sounded so weird and intense so quickly. I remember us all looking at each other and saying this is the one.

I wanted to describe the feeling of what you see is not necessarily what you get. The holy grail of public display, and worth to others. Expressing yourself puts you in a vulnerable position, and I think a lot of people embellish the truth. In that way, an unachievable status is shoved down our throats, and we play into the game every day.”

Listen to ‘Gaslight’ below and follow Bitch Falcon on Spotify and Facebook for more updates.

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

Kate Crudgington1 Comment