Track Of The Day: Muna Ileiwat – ‘Pity Party’

A lo-fi indie pop gem that gently shrugs off the frustrations caused by someone else’s “bad behaviour”, London-based, New Jersey-born songwriter Muna Ileiwat has shared her latest single ‘Pity Party’. Taken from her debut EP, Twenty-Seven, which is set for release on 19th August via Fear of Missing Out Records, the track is a hazy blend of soft vocals, shimmering electronics and steady beats over which Muna calmly refuses to take on extra emotional labour.

After going through a break-up at the start of the pandemic, Muna avoided screens and social media and turned to songwriting in order to process her emotions. The result is her debut EP, which explores the fluctuating nature of relationships in all their forms, and the resilience and freedom that comes with creating art for arts sake.

“I was trying to not be too precious about my songwriting or my art in general. It’s hindered me in a lot of ways in the past –– writer’s block that eventually turns into existential creative anxiety,” Muna explains. Her latest single ‘Pity Party’ is a natural product of this mindset. Inspired by an event that happened on the last night of her twenty-seventh year, the track is a quietly confident ode to self-autonomy.

“That year marks a time when I became somewhat of an open book,” Muna explains further. “I had no time for people’s bullshit and decided I was just going to start tackling life with 100% conviction.” This conviction is explored through lilting keys and Muna’s clear, cutting lyrics on ‘Pity Party’. Muna will be celebrating the release of her debut EP with a live show at The Shacklewell Arms in Dalston on 19th August.

Watch the video for ‘Pity Party’ below.

Pre-order Muna Ileiwat’s debut EP, Twenty-Seven, from Rough Trade here

Follow Muna Ileiwat on Apple Music, Spotify, Twitter, Instagram & Facebook

Photo Credit: Guy Gotto

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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Track Of The Day: adults – ‘all we’ve got // all we need’

Following the release of their debut EP The Weekend Was Always Almost Over back in 2018, and last year’s split Space Armadillo EP with fellow GIHE faves Bitch Hunt in 2020, South London band adults have now announced that their debut album will be released later this year via Fika Recordings. To celebrate the news, they’ve shared a shiny brand new single.

Reflecting on the importance of coming together within your community to resist social injustice, ‘all we’ve got // all we need‘ is a perfectly lovely ode to looking out for one another during hard times. With relatable lyrics about having a breakdown on the Megabus, it flows with a quirky, jangly energy as fuzzy hooks whirr alongside candied harmonies. Simultaneously oozing a sense of joyous unity whilst shades of despair at the state of the world remain evident, ‘all we’ve got // all we need’ glistens with all the dreamy, indie-pop feels and honey-sweet heartfelt emotion I could ever desire.

for everything, always, the upcoming debut album from adults, is set for release later this year via Fika Recordings. And you can catch adults live this Friday 8th July at The Sebright Arms, supporting Charmpit’s last London gig, along with Bitch Hunt – get tickets while you still can via DICE!

Mari Lane
@marimindles

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Track Of The Day: Forever Honey – ‘Singing To Let England Shake’

A bittersweet guitar tune about the uncertainty of not knowing where you stand with someone you’re close to, Brooklyn indie band Forever Honey have shared their latest single ‘Singing To Let England Shake’. Taken from their upcoming EP, Could I Come Here Alone, which is set for release on 30th August, the track is a gentle, hazy lament to the frustrated hours spent wondering what went wrong, and the more hopeful moments that follow these sometimes uncomfortable realisations.

Formed of longtime friends Liv Price, Aida Mekonnen, Steve Vannelli and Jack McLoughlin, Forever Honey have been working on their catchy brand of “sob-rock” over the past few years, in between “filming Trailer Park Boys-esque skits and fostering dogs.” Over the next few months, the band will be sharing tracks from their self-recorded, produced, and engineered new EP, with single ‘Singing To Let England Shake’ being the first offering form the record.

“‘Singing To Let England Shake'” is about feeling profoundly misunderstood by someone important to you, the isolation that comes from this realization, and the desire to feel a lightness again after something so painful,” guitarist Aida Mekonnen explains. “There’s something uniquely frustrating about being misinterpreted, and I think it creates an instant distance between you and the person you used to connect with.” Informed by the band’s own experiences, this single and the tracks that form Could I Come Here Alone will strike a cord with anyone who needs reassurance after a period of loneliness of disconnection.

Listen to ‘Singing To Let England Shake’ below.

Follow Forever Honey on YouTube, Spotify, Twitter, Instagram & Facebook

Photo Credit: Rita Iovine

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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Track Of The Day: Maria Uzor – ‘Winner’ (feat. Emily Winng)

Following last year’s epic debut EP, Innocence and Worldliness, and having captivated us with the euphoric energy of her live show, Maria Uzor (of Sink Ya Teeth) has now shared another taster of her innovative solo material.

Originally released as a vinyl only B-side to ‘Permission’ on Heaven’s Lathe in March this year, ‘Winner‘ was written by Uzor in little more than 24 hours and features her good friend Emily Winng on vocal duties. Building with propulsive, immersive beats and a frenzied, whirring splendour, a swirling, glitchy soundscape is created oozing a dark, deep house allure and thumping techno energy. Racing with a frantic delirium, the track climaxes with the addition of Winng’s rich, soulful vocals, soaring with shades of the danceable drive of Moloko as gritty undertones swell beneath the surface. A majestic summer anthem for all those who like a bit of electro scuzz with their sunshine.

‘Winner’ is accompanied by an entertaining home-made video. With the concept conceived by Winng, and shot by Joel Benjamin, it plays on the meaning of the song title – depicting a mysterious bloody brawl between two friends. Of the video, Winng explains:

“Because of the song title, I thought a fight that continues to different locations throughout the duration could work. Maria and I have been friends for years so it felt totally comfortable getting down and dirty. She’s tough though!”

Uzor adds:

“It was so much fun filming the video… Inspiration came from all over the place; old kung fu flicks, Zombie B-movies, Street-fighter, Adam & The Ants, and definitely a bit of Prison Cell Block H in there too…”


‘Winner’ is out now. And you can get your hands on a limited edition 7″ lathe cut vinyl here.

Mari Lane
@marimindles

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