Track Of The Day: MALKA – ‘No No No’

I was lucky enough to catch GIHE fave and past guest on the radio show, the glorious MALKA, live last week at The Lexington. A simply joyous experience, she dazzled in her lion head-dress and sparkling leotard; a shimmering delight to watch. And, despite confiding in us that she was losing her voice, her vocal performance succeeded in flowing perfectly alongside the infectious tribal beats and twinkling musicality of each offering.

A Lauren Laverne favourite, MALKA recently released her latest album Ratatatat – a rather more politically-inspired collection than her debut Marching To Another Beat; but no less vibrant.

An example of the album’s socially aware subject matter is ‘No No No’. Inspired by the current threat our NHS is under, and our fight to protect it, it’s a colourful offering oozing throbbing beats alongside bubbly hooks, brass melodies and MALKA’s playful chirps. With hints of the likes of MIA, it makes for a totally immersive and utterly uplifting sonic delight.

Of the track, MALKA explains:

“‘No No No’ was one of the first songs I wrote for the new album. It helped me to define the sound I wanted to go for. Lyrically the song is about the NHS. The fight to protect something of great importance to our country, but equally it could be about fighting for something you really believe in.”

 

Ratatatat is out now.

Mari Lane
@marimindles

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Track Of The Day: Tarantina – ‘Fables’

Self-taught singer, multi-instrumentalist, producer & videographer Tarantina has released a stunning stop-motion video to accompany her new single ‘Fables’. It’s a mesmerising set of self-produced visuals – shot in her bedroom!- from this interesting new artist.

“The track is about the lies we tell ourselves; the blinkers we wear to protect us from what we’d rather ignore,” Tarantina explains. “I wrote ‘Fables’ mid-flight at high speed after jumping headfirst into a relationship that I knew wasn’t going to end well”. The single is the second track to be released from her forthcoming EP Teething, which will be released later this year.

Tarantina “blends fine art processes and pop culture with a DIY aesthetic” to make her music videos. Raised between two juxtaposing worlds – her Mother’s house filled with Portishead and Leftfield (who she’s been touring the world with this year as their lead vocalist), and the home of her father with Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett – Tarantina is the product of these opposing influences with a “staunchly avant-garde twist”.

Watch the video for ‘Fables’ below.

Follow Tarantina on Facebook for more updates.

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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Track Of The Day: Angie McMahon – ‘Slow Mover’

A sophisticated new look at modern love, ‘Slow Mover’ is the new single from Aussie artist Angie McMahon.

Angie’s deeply striking voice forms the essence of the track. In a style similar to Angel Olsen and Margaret Glaspy, Angie’s thick, powerful vocal serenades the steady guitar of the song; the instrumental mirroring the title itself.

The chorus’ hook lyric “Try set me on fire” carries a sense of turbulence, and the ragged yet steady instrumental enveloping Angie’s lyrics both echoes and opposes this. The song clearly showcases themes of anticipation, apprehension, and deliberation, wrapped up in a cyclical, poetic representation of modern love.

Produced by John Castle (Vance Joy, The Bamboos), the emotive, connected nature of the track is smoothly exhibited by the track’s tight writing and structure.


‘Slow Mover’ is out now. And Angie will support The Shins on their Australian tour next month.

 

Erin Bashford
Photo Credit: Ian Laidlaw

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Track Of The Day: RedRooms – ‘Our Hearts Beat As One’

RedRooms are a four piece band from Manchester influenced by the likes of Siouxie and The Banshees, Echo and The Bunnymen, Killing Joke and Cocteau Twins. The group are currently busy recording their new album, but they’ve found the time to share their latest blues-infused single ‘Our Hearts Beat As One’.

“The track is about feeling alone in a world where you feel like you’re the only one who cares about anything,” explains RedRooms vocalist Natalie. “It’s about not wanting to bring children into that kind of world, it’s about going through the motions of living in that world whilst you slowly stop caring yourself.”

RedRooms have plans to tour the UK early next year, so keep your eyes peeled for more updates on their Facebook page.

Listen to ‘Our Hearts Beat As One’ below.

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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