Track Of The Day: Dama Scout – ‘dan dan bub’

In a hauntingly catchy new offering , London/Glasgow alt-art-rock trio Dama Scout return with their first new track in over three years with ‘dan dan bub‘. Continuing to push boundaries, the band’s comeback track stands with its own sense of creative gravity, putting weight in the boots of art-rock and indie-pop, while still exerting its own fresh footing.

Minimalist percussion kicks off the track creating an expansive soundscape for vocalist Eva Liu to dance across. With an effortlessness disposition that feels like its own affirmation, the lyrics of “dan dan bub’ wreak of emotional exposure and a personal journey of rebuilding. Rawness not only is captured in its poignant lyrics, but throughout Dama Scout’s entire captivating instrumental. Weary, abstract sounds trickle in and out, embodying discomfort and the urge to move as ‘dan dan bub’ pushes on.

Despite the psychological weight, ‘dan dan bub’ carries an unspoken confidence to it, sonically reminiscent of fellow art-rockers Piney Gir and St. Vincent. It is certain that Dama Scout have not skipped a beat, but ripened with their time away. This latest offering is both exploratory and comforting as it takes you on its inward path.

‘dan dan bub’ is out now via Hand In Hive.

Jill Goyeau
@jillybxxn

Photo Credit: Danny Grant 

jilliangoyeauLeave a comment

Track Of The Day: Snow Coats – ‘Anyway’

The latest single from Dutch indie-pop quartet Snow Coats fizzes with promise. Taken from their forthcoming second album, ‘Anyway’ is a joyfully noisy pop gem. The band’s jangly guitars collide with toe-tapping drums and bubblegum vocals to create something incredibly catchy.

The result is polished and radio friendly. But, while ‘Anyway’ has plenty of style, there’s substance too. Front-person Anouk van der Kamp’s rich, sweet voice drips like honey as they sing about needing more from a relationship. They explain, “‘Anyway’ is a song about sometimes needing a less superficial and more sincere connection with someone, so you can be sad together.” It’s bittersweet, but bouncy too.

With their second album due out on the brilliant Alcopop! Records in early 2022, it feels like Snow Coats could be getting ready to make a more meaningful connection with the UK, too. Expect to hear more delightfully twinkling offerings from them soon!

‘Anyway’ is now available on Alcopop! Records.

Vic Conway
@thepicsofvic

killingfantasy6583Leave a comment

Track Of The Day: ACTRESE – ‘It Might Be About You’

A buoyant synth-pop tune that’s laced with bittersweet realisations about heartbreak, London-based songwriter ACTRESE has shared her latest single ‘It Might Be About You’.  Following on from her previous single ‘LOLA’, this latest track sees the songwriter release the tension of holding her tongue via heady beats, direct lyrics and clear vocals.

“After my last single, which felt very thought through, planned and executed in the same way, I needed a change,” ACTRESE explains. “‘It Might Be About You’ feels like something that was on my mind and needed to get out of my system. It is personal. It is candid to the point, it is impossible to describe as anything else than the truth. It comes from a place of anger and frustration of coming to conclusions in the aftermath of heartbreak when I didn’t even realize there was something to be broken. And then the anxiety. The anxiety of not being able to speak my mind and heart for various reasons.”

Pushing through her uneasy feelings and finding confidence in her new sound thanks to producer William Baxter, ACTRESE is letting go of the pain that held her back, embracing a new way of writing and creating her alt-pop sounds.

Listen to ‘It Might Be About You’ below.

 

Follow ACTRESE on Spotify, Twitter, Instagram & Facebook

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

Kate CrudgingtonLeave a comment

Track Of The Day: Companion – ‘How Could I Have Known’

A sweet musical embrace, Colorado twin sister duo Sophia and Jo Babb – aka Companion – have introduced their heavenly sound with their debut track, ‘How Could I Have Known’ – a delicious slice of indie-folk. With arpeggiated guitars, a lilting bass-line, gentle percussion, and the gorgeous harmonies which lie at the heart of the song, it is perfect for warming the cold winter mornings and nights. The duo charmingly illustrate the magic that happens between families when they create music together; the track is charged with a twinkling sense of intimacy as Sophia and Jo share the heartfelt vocal lines. 

The delicate stripped-back textures ground the song so that as you listen you are gently guided along the captivating musical journey. It feels beautifully restrained, rippling with catchy and light-hearted melodies, whilst also revealing a deep emotional core. As well as this raw sentimentality, there is also a flowing pastoral essence to the track, as it reflects on the wonder of nature and our connection to it. 

Sofia explains the meaning behind the song:

“I started writing ‘How Could I Have Known’ at the beginning of my first Autumn in northern Colorado… I quickly learned that fall is a fleeting, beautifully short time in the mountains. It takes just a few blustery days for all the yellow aspen leaves to give way to bare trees, snowfall, and early sunsets. At the time, I was engaged to my now husband. He was dealing with some concerning medical issues, and I developed an over-awareness of how quickly I could never see him again. Having lost family members without warning in the past, I became anxiously aware that just as soon as he came into my life, he could leave it, too. Though this thought, at its core, is a very scary one, when I looked beyond the fear of losing something I held so dearly, I could see the incredible gift it is to have something to hold dear in the first place…”

Directed by Jo Babb and shot by Rahul Chakraborty, a moving video tinged with sparkling nostalgia accompanies ‘How Could I Have Known’. Watch it now:

Jaz Kelly
@surfjaz

Photo Credit: Chiara Garland

jazkellyLeave a comment