Track Of The Day: French For Rabbits – ‘The Outsider’

In a luscious third single, New Zealand’s ethereal dream-pop outfit French For Rabbits share ‘The Outsider’, a haunting track stirring in anticipation of the band’s upcoming record, set for release next month. 

Delving further into the delicate world French For Rabbits have created with their poignant album title track ‘The Overflow’, ‘The Outsider’ is a shimmering slice of folk-strewn indie. As Brooke Singer’s impassioned vocals greet the ears with an immersive hushed splendour, she sings her truth in a way that feels like a raw secret. 

Whilst heavenly keys and synths coat the track’s bed, space is created for Singer’s gentle nuancing through inner turmoil – “If I could let go, would I fit in? Would I be what they want without all my inhibitions?”. Singer ponders solitude’s comfort and her struggles in a social setting as she reveals “pushing myself, but I’m faking”. As anxious feelings ruminate, minimal percussion trails across the soundscape of ‘The Outsider’ and pulls the track’s dreamy mix forward with motivation. 

Finally, in a captivating sonic eruption, the track breaks in catharsis as instruments evolve and ‘The Outsider’ comes to a grand finale. French For Rabbits have hosted a multidimensional take about being the ghost in the room wrapped in the sounds of indie, folk and even a hint of emo. Developing such a blissful soundscape in ‘The Outsider’, French For Rabbits have set the stage for The Overflow to be a truly calming escape.


The Overflow, the upcoming album from French For Rabbits, is set for release on 12th November via Reckless Yes (UK) and AAA Records (Australia/New Zealand).

Jill Goyeau
@jillybxxn

Photo Credit: Lily Paris West

jilliangoyeauLeave a comment

Track Of The Day: Death Valley Girls – ‘It’s All Really Kind Of Amazing’

Following scuzzy recent single ‘Sanitarium Blues’ and the re-release of their immense album Street Venom, LA ‘dystopian punk’ band (and GIHE faves) Death Valley Girls return with a surprisingly uplifting treat for our ears.

Stand alone single ‘It’s All Really Kind Of Amazing‘ offers a swift glimpse of positivity as twinkling, psychedelic keys chime alongside the gritty twang of guitar. As the raw, impassioned splendour of Bonnie Bloomgarden’s vocals soars throughout, it seems to be slightly less doom-laden in tone than previous offerings, but is no less stirring. Oozing a shimmering, trippy allure and swirling, vibrant energy reminiscent of The Kinks’ ‘Sunny Afternoon’, ‘It’s All Really Kind Of Amazing’ immerses the listener in its glistening euphoric haze, reminding us to relish those rare moments of beauty that can keep us going through challenging times. A truly majestic sonic escape from the frequent struggles of reality; a mystically captivating retreat for the ears and mind.

Of the track, Bloomgarden explains:

“Being in a body, experiencing reality as a human, is endlessly challenging. There’s so much darkness, suffering, sorrow, and division, it’s hard to get past. Sometimes, and often for too long, I just stay in the darkness, forgetting there’s anything else. And then sometimes, my guides remind me to look around, sometimes, just look around, at this Earth, at its infinite beauty and intricacy, and simplicity, and sometimes I can feel it, that it’s all really kind of amazing.” 

‘It’s All Really Kind Of Amazing’ is accompanied by a beautifully hallucinogenic video, created by Bradley Hale. Have a watch now:

‘It’s All Really Kind Of Amazing’ is out now via Suicide Squeeze.

Mari Lane
@marimindles

Photo Credit: The Little Ghost/Kelsey Hart

mariangelicalaneLeave a comment

Track Of The Day: Mai – ‘Control’

An evocative electronic gem that urges listeners to surrender to the inevitability of change, Essex-based musician and vocalist Mai has shared her debut single ‘Control’. Released via Cool Thing Records, the track is a collaboration between Mai, aka Rosie Gulliver of Petty Phase and songwriter and producer Liam Watkins from A Cause In Distress.

Originally developed as a project during lockdown, Mai creates music inspired by the ethereal sonics of This Mortal Coil, Cocteau Twins and Zola Jesus, as well as the tenebrous soundscapes of Nine Inch Nails and My Bloody Valentine. On ‘Control’, her gentle vocals float over shadowy beats and urgent electronics, reflecting the track’s theme of submitting to the relentless and random changes that have an impact our lives, especially during the last year.

“The song is about accepting a lack of control and embracing the unpredictability of life,” Mai explains about ‘Control’. “Realising that you can make endless plans and fail-safes but ultimately you can never have total control, and that’s okay.” Finding catharsis via thoughtful lyrics and compelling synth textures, Mai’s debut single provides momentary relief from life’s more hectic moments.

Listen to ‘Control’ below.

Follow Mai on Spotify & Instagram

Photo Credit: Owen Stephen Foran

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

Kate CrudgingtonLeave a comment

Track Of The Day: Robin And The Goblins – ‘Future Angel’

Having received acclaim from the likes of The 405 and Berlin In Stereo, Berlin based non-binary artist Robin Romo – aka Robin And The Goblins – has now shared a poignant new single.

Exploring themes of queer shame and alienation, ‘Future Angel‘ flows with a sweeping majestic splendour as Romo’s emotion-strewn vocals soar with a sparkling grace. Propelled by a raw, impassioned energy and swirling baroque-pop ambience, a truly stirring soundscape is created, oozing an immersive, twinkling musicality. Of the track, Romo explains:

“I wrote ‘Future Angel’ from the point of view of a guardian angel that comes to warn a kid about the dangers of isolating yourself; of course the child was me. One night I was walking home after a night out and went into a snowed-in graveyard. I fell asleep for a couple of hours and when I woke up to the sound of crows and white all around me, I thought maybe I’d died. Turns out I was just hungover, but that inspired the imagery in the song, which I like to describe as ‘Dickens meets synth-pop’.”

Listen to ‘Future Angel’ here:

Mari Lane
@marimindles

mariangelicalaneLeave a comment