Track Of The Day: Lunar Vacation – ‘Gears’

With acclaim from the likes of The Fader and Clash, and having previously charmed our ears with the luscious sounds of previous single ‘Mold‘, Atlanta-based Lunar Vacation are now set to release their debut album, Inside Every Fig Is A Dead Wasp, next month. Ahead of the album’s release, the band have shared a poignant new single.

Reflecting on the deterioration of a relationship, ‘Gears‘ oozes a dreamy, shimmering allure. Against the backdrop of a scuzzy, whirring musicality, Grace Repasky’s honey-sweet crystalline vocals float seamlessly with an ethereal splendour – bringing to mind favourites such as Best Coast or Alvvays. Building with a sweeping, sparkling emotion to a heartfelt slice of irresistibly effervescent indie-pop, ‘Gears’ flows with a glistening, cinematic grace as droplets of stirring melancholy ripple on the seemingly serene surface. Of the track, Repasky comments:

“When I look back on any kind of relationship, it’s usually through rose-coloured glasses. I guess this song tells me that although this happened, you just gotta keep going because this isn’t the end of the world. But the last lines are a reflection of how inner-me feels… I’ll probably always be a little sad about the loss. I feel like most, if not all, of my songs are future-me giving past-me advice and insight on specific situations that evoked heavy feelings.”

The stark sentiment of ‘Gears’ is captured perfectly in the dark beauty of its Nosferatu-inspired new video. Watch it here:

Produced by Daniel Gleason of Grouplove, Inside Every Fig Is A Dead Wasp – the upcoming debut album from Lunar Vacation – is set for release on 29th October via Keeled Scales. Pre-order here.

Mari Lane
@marimindles

Photo Credit: Hudson McNeese

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Track Of The Day: Kills Birds – ‘Rabbit’

Fronted by the electrifying Nina Ljeti, Los Angeles-based Kills Birds‘ live-wire stage presence and unsettling, yet “hot as fuck” 2019 self-titled debut – a confrontational record flowing with deep-rooted anxiety – caught the attention of Sonic Youth’s Kim Gordon and Foo Fighters’ Dave Grohl. Impressed, Kills Birds were invited by the Nirvana sticksman to record their sophomore album, Married, at Studio 606 – due to be released in November. And, having been recommended to us twice in the last couple of weeks by both Sleigh Bells’ Alexis Krauss and Toronto’s Bad Waitress, we felt it was about time we check out what all the fuss is about… It turns out it is 100% well-deserved.

‘Rabbit‘ is the resulting opening track and lead single from the upcoming record; a brutal song concerning an abusive relationship and how power dynamics can eviscerate self-worth. Accompanied by guitarist Jacob Loeb and bassist Fielder Thomas, Ljeti deals with the emotional consequences through cathartic distortion; her ferocious vocals piercing through trashing percussion, scuzzy riffs and pounding bass-lines.

Through propulsive rhythm, ‘Rabbit’ hooks you in with its intensity and disorienting quiet/loud dynamic, Ljeti startling the listener as she screams “How could I?” with raw emotion. Loeb remarks that despite ‘Rabbit’ being “one of the harder-hitting songs on the record, it was originally written on an acoustic guitar at Nina’s house.” Upon plugging in, the track became something else… Something more visceral.

Oozing justified angst, Kill Birds’ ‘Rabbit’ is an infectious combination of aggressive grunge melodies and anthemic vitriol; Nina Ljeti admirably screaming from the heart to share a moment of vulnerability from her own life. Of the track, she poignantly explains: “There’s nowhere to turn for help. Like many people who share this experience, this particular relationship defined the majority of my young adulthood, and I’m still dealing with the emotional consequences of it.”


Married, the upcoming album from Kills Birds, is set for release 12th November via Royal Mountain Records and KRO Records.

Ken Wynne
@Ken_Wynne

Photo Credit: Cheryl Georgette

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Track Of The Day: Tape Runs Out – ‘Ode To Barry’

Having previously charmed us live at one of our GIHE nights at The Finsbury, multi-instrumental collective Tape Runs Out have now announced the release of their debut album, due out sometime in 2022. And, to celebrate the news, they have now shared a brand new single, via one of our favourite labels, Trapped Animal Records.

A song dedicated to, and inspired by, lead singer and producer Liam Goodrum-Bell’s beloved bearded dragon, ‘Ode To Barry‘ drifts into the ears with its luscious, twinkling folk-strewn hooks and a shimmering effervescent splendour. As a soaring, glistening musicality provides the backdrop for its delicate harmonies, an ethereal dreamscape is created, oozing a beautifully blissful aura as rich, textured layers of eclectic instrumentation (yes, that is a hammered dulcimer you hear) are interwoven seamlessly together. A delightful ode to a much-loved pet, ‘Ode To Barry’ ripples with a sparkling joyous energy as it caresses the senses with a much-needed sense of hope and tranquility as its exquisite melodies flow with a heartfelt emotion.

‘Ode To Barry’ is accompanied by a utterly unique online experience dubbed ‘Barry Quest’ – a choose-your-own-adventure style game featuring the titular lizard, with the video for the new song hidden as one of several different endings to the game. Computer games AND lizards… What more could you possibly want?! Explaining the concept, Liam comments:

“The game came about from my love of puzzles, and my fascination with trying to figure out how Barry’s mind works. As I watch him wander around the house, bumping into doors and licking walls, I often wonder if he feels like he is on an adventure, or if he even thinks at all. Aside from the more dreamlike eventualities, the game represents both the frolics and nonsense of a day in the life of Barry, albeit with added intentions and considerations that he almost certainly does not experience.“

Guide Barry to find the video here! And if you’d just to like to get straight to watching the video, here it is:

‘Ode To Barry’ is out now via Trapped Animal Records.

Mari Lane
@marimindles

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Track Of The Day: of all living things – ‘If I Go’

A brooding, atmospheric guitar tune that shimmers with melancholic yearning, Dublin four piece of all living things have shared their latest single ‘If I Go’. Taken from their upcoming EP On Familiar Ground, which is set for release on 8th October via Irish label Any Other City records (Villagers, Girl Band), the track is a slow-burning offering that enraptures the ears with its soft vocals, lush guitar sounds and bittersweet lyrics.

Formerly known as Nicetry, of all living things create music that’s inspired by the nostalgia of the 90s alternative scene and their own heady reflections on a misspent youth. Together, the band craft delicate yet immersive soundscapes that chime with raw emotion, and latest single ‘If I Go’ fully showcases these talents. Tentative cymbal taps and lilting guitar textures melt together throughout the track, with an ethereal vocal floating effortlessly above them.

The band recorded their upcoming EP On Familiar Ground with producer Ber Quinn in Dublin’s Sonic Studios and the record is available to pre-order on limited edition 12” vinyl now.

Listen to ‘If I Go’ below.

 

Pre-order your copy of On Familiar Ground here.

Follow of all living things on bandcamp, Spotify, Twitter, Instagram & Facebook

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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