Track Of The Day: Ideal host – ‘The Conflict’

“Confusion’s a ritual in the routine of the office” observes Ideal Host vocalist Heather Perkins over brooding riffs and post-punk inspired beats on the band’s latest single, ‘The Conflict’. Following on from their debut track ‘Dining Out In The Afterlife’, this latest offering is a more sardonic cacophony that explores the antagonistic nature of the everyday routine.

Led by Heather Perkins and Sean Hughes who are both former members of the band Slowcoaches, Ideal Host is their new project, inspired by the need to make music on their own terms. After Heather decided to step away from writing & recording in 2019, the pair have come back to work together and evolve their sound under their new moniker.

“I had reached a point where I felt restricted creatively, because I was often relying on other people to interpret my ideas,” Heather explains further. “Learning the skills I need to translate what is in my head into something tangible has been a real revelation. De-mystifying the basics of recording and having the option to experiment with both analogue and digital approaches has given me a much broader palette to work from. Sean and I have enjoyed taking a slower, more considered approach to making music this time.”

This consideration has helped to shape their two eclectic singles ‘Dining Out In The Afterlife’ and ‘The Conflict’, which Ideal Host recently performed during a live session for Marc Riley on BBC 6Music. The band are planning to release their debut album in early 2023 and will be playing a string of live dates too.

Listen to ‘The Conflict’ below.

Follow Ideal Host on Spotify and bandcamp

Artwork: Ryan Heath

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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Track Of The Day: Alaskalaska – ‘Glass’

Painting a sonic picture of mystery and gloom, South London’s ALASKALASKA brings a beautiful eeriness in latest single ‘Glass’. Taken from their new album release Still Life, it oozes a resistant spirit whilst confronting the question: “Do we work to live or live to work?”, pondering the unhealthy relationships we have with work and the societal expectations that come with it. 

ALASKALASKA uses a theme of choice to depict the coercive correspondence of hustle culture in ‘Glass’. Although mid-paced, everything about ‘Glass’ feels demanding while it requests our undivided attention as the track intensifies. Hypnotic synth pads and a crisp drum beat kick off ‘Glass’ with immediate sophistication that soon introduces Lucinda’s effortlessly cool vocals, the flow with. nonchalant grace while delivering their critical take on societal norms. Luncinda’s lyrics to speak for themselves, leaving room for listeners to reflect on themselves and consider their unique roles in the need to grind. 

Building from an indie-electronica base, ALASKALASKA seems to handpick elements of the genre solely to serve the disposition of ‘Glass’, whilst drawing on influence from artists such as Porches and Tame Impala to execute the track’s story. The lyrical concepts and rich mix of eclectic sounds make boundaries limitless, inspiring us to expand our philosophy on genre and society. If ‘Glass’ is just one avenue for ALASKALASKA, Still Life is certain to be a compelling journey in its entirety.

Still Life, the new album from ALASKALASKA, is out now via Marathon Artists. And catch ALASKALASKA live, currently on tour supporting Porridge Radio – details here.

Jill Goyeau
@jillybxxn

Photo Credit: Tami Aftab

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Track Of The Day: WOLFS – ‘Take Me On’

An antagonistic anthem fuelled by driving beats and grungy guitar riffs, London-based duo WOLFS have shared their latest single ‘Take Me On’. Inspired by the need to reject the frustrating misconceptions that others often project on to us, the track is a riotous call to arms, full of cathartic vocals and defiant lyrics, urging listeners to persevere in the face of adversity,

Formed of drummer Rhi, and guitarist and vocalist Hannah, WOLFS were initially a four piece who formed via the Gumtree website. Just a few days before the band were set to record their first EP however, two of the members left, so Rhi and Hannah continued as a two-piece and have been making music together ever since. Despite living over one hundred miles apart for the first few years, the pair somehow made the band work, and both eventually moved to London after cutting their teeth on the Oxford and Reading live music scenes.

This resilient beginning has clearly shaped the duo’s sound and tenacious attitude to songwriting, something which their current single ‘Take Me On’ is brimming with. “‘Take Me On’ is a song that channels the frustrations of sexism and the people who underestimate you, which I think everyone can relate to in some way,” the band explain. The track is accompanied by a monochrome video, filmed at Glasshouse Studios in Oxford, which shows the pair performing live in the studio.

Watch the video for ‘Take Me On’ below.

Follow WOLFS on bandcamp, Spotify, Twitter, Instagram & Facebook

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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Track Of The Day: Alex Lahey – ‘Congratulations’

‘Congratulations’, the latest single from Australian artist Alex Lahey is an irresistible slice of grunge-fuelled indie rock about your exes moving on and settling down with someone else. With its swaggering guitars and soaring vocals, it’s an anthemic, fist-pumping three-minutes, building from bittersweet to completely bad-ass.

Lahey’s songwriting and musicality really shine here. Reminiscent of Pixies and the incredible Du Blonde, this is lo-fi guitar rock delivered with such power, polish and energy that Lahey could have the power of a whole band behind her. I’m talking proper stadium rock vibes, and it begs to be played loud!

Emerging from the vibrant Melbourne scene that also gave us Courtney Barnett, ‘Congratulations’ shows Lahey is a force to be reckoned with. Her last new music in 2021, ‘On My Way’, made it to the soundtrack of Netflix’s The Mitchells Vs The Machines (NB. parents and carers to small people will have watched this at least a dozen times…) and with more new music to come from her this year, Lahey’s potential seems limitless.

‘Congratulations’ is out now via Liberation Records.

Vic Conway
@thepicsofvic

Photo Credit: Pooneh Ghana

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