Track Of The Day: Siv Disa – ‘Toxic’ (Britney Spears Cover)

Having previously charmed our ears with poignant singles such as last year’s ‘Fear’ and ‘Music In the Streets’, New York artist Siv Disa is currently based in Iceland and has now announced her upcoming debut album, Dreamhouse. Ahead of the album’s release, Disa has shared a wonderfully unique rendition of ‘Toxic‘ by the legendary Britney Spears.

Recorded with her long-term collaborator Sam and the Sea, Disa says of the decision to record this cover:

“I really liked the idea of doing a slowed-down, psychedelic/alternative rendition of ‘Toxic’ that paid tribute to the original without trying to recreate it. It’s not like we could make ‘Toxic’ a better pop song, it’s already the perfect pop song. We were just trying to play with it I think- there’s so much material in it...”

Propelled by a shimmering musicality and chiming beats, Disa’s rendition of the 2001 anthem oozes its own majestic ethereal haze as the bewitching, sweeping allure of her vocals flows throughout. Adding a unique, spellbinding splendour and haunting mysticism to the original, it’s a beautifully captivating ode to our favourite pop queen.

And it couldn’t come at a better a time; after years of abuse and control from the media, her own loved ones and patriarchal society as a whole, it looks like Britney Spears is finally on track to being granted the independence and freedom she deserves as both a woman and an artist. As Disa explains:

“Now that the abuse of Britney’s conservatorship has been exposed I hope we’re all taking a minute to think about how she was publicly judged ten years ago, and how that played into the nightmare she had to live in. I hope she gets back everything that was taken from her. We love you, Britney!!“

So, celebrate Britney by immersing yourself in this exquisite rendition of a timeless pop classic. #FreeBritney

Siv Disa will also be releasing a cover of The Shins’ ‘Those To Come’, which is out tomorrow, 26th August.

Mari Lane
@marimindles

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Track Of The Day: BLAB – ‘Insurance’

A gritty reflection on how our definition of success changes as we grow older, Southend-based multi-instrumentalist BLAB has shared her latest single ‘Insurance’. Released via Cool Thing Records, BLAB combines direct lyrics and restless guitar lines in order to deliver her cutting observations on how we avoid being crushed by the pressures of conformity.

“I was really inspired by Gang Of Four when I was writing ‘Insurance’,” BLAB aka Frances Murray explains. “It’s about questioning whether your life actually makes you happy or whether you’re just following the crowd. Working in insurance or in a city job has become such a universal experience for 20-somethings. ‘Insurance’ peers behind the façade at the unfortunate truth that external markers of success don’t always equate to a life of fulfilment. It touches upon my own realisation of this fact, and how due to social media and societal expectation I had a very warped view of what a happy and successful life for myself would be like.”

With her previous singles ‘Eton Mess’, ‘Casual Sex’ and ‘RIP’, BLAB firmly communicated her anti-establishment message. Now with her latest single ‘Insurance’, she pushes these boundaries further and reaffirms her narrative of independence and individuality, completely on her own terms. She’s currently working on her debut album with Sam Duckworth (Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly) and Rees Broomfield at SS2 Recording in Southend, channelling her riot grrrl attitude into a collection of witty, infectious anthems.

Listen to ‘Insurance’ below.

Follow BLAB on Spotify, Instagram, Twitter &  Facebook and for more updates.

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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Track Of The Day: Salad – ‘Things In Heaven’

Having previously wowed us with the sparkling energy of their live set playing for us at The Finsbury back in late 2019 following the release of their most recent album The Salad Way, reformed ’90s legends Salad have now returned to our ears. As expected, the band have had to cancel many plans over the last couple of years, postponing tour dates and taking a pandemic-enforced hiatus; with changes to line-up, the band now spread across the country and personal bereavements and struggles taking hold, a bit of ‘Salad Mojo’ was lost. However, now – after an 18 month band hibernation – gigs have been rescheduled, and the band felt it was time to record something epic; a song worthy of this much-welcome come back. And so Salad returned to a song they’d started rehearsing at the end of 2019 – the poignant ‘Things In Heaven’.

Described by the band as “a somewhat derailed singer hauntingly persuading her loved one that there is beauty in this broken world“, ‘Things In Heaven’ offers an eerily majestic atmosphere. As the soaring, bewitching vocals of front woman Marjine van der Vlugt’s vocals flow, a sweeping, cinematic splendour shimmers alongside a whirring, ethereal soundscape. As its scuzzy effervescent hooks are propelled by an immense dramatic energy, it’s impossible not to become utterly immersed in its hauntingly captivating, celestial allure. ‘Things In Heaven’ will cast a spell over you; taking hold with its exquisite, other-worldly grace.

Of the meaning behind the track, songwriter Paul Kennedy explains more:

“Tom and Felicity live in Santa Maria, California. They’ve got a great relationship but Tom is prone to depression. One day, when they had planned to deal with various problems in their life, it was too much for Tom so they decided: hang that – let’s get in the car, get down to the beach, and go surfing. By the majesty of the open sea, Felicity opens Tom’s eyes to the wonders of the natural world.“

‘Things In Heaven’ is accompanied by a video, filmed and directed by friend of the band Nic Tuft. Depicting Marjine as a naked, tenacious mermaid emerging from the sea whilst battling crashing waves, it conveys the song’s theme of “the beauty that you can see in brokenness” perfectly.

‘Things In Heaven’ is out now via Three Bean Records. Download from the band’s website now. And you can catch Salad live on their upcoming tour:

10th September – Arts Centre, Colchester (supported by Piney Gir)
19th September – Bodega, Nottingham
26th September – Twickenham Festival
12th October – Komedia, Brighton (supported by Piney Gir)
24th October – The Lexington, London (supported by Piney Gir)

Mari Lane
@marimindles

Photo Credit: Keira-Anee Photography / @keiraanee

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Track Of The Day: Barry – ‘Neolithic Homosex’ / ‘No More Boys’

Having received acclaim from the likes of BBC 6Music’s Marc Riley, as well as sharing stages with Franz Ferdinand and Adulkt Life, South London based Barry follow their eponymous 2019 album with a new double A side release.

First up, ‘Neolithic Homosex‘ ponders the all-important issue of what gay sex was like in ancient times. Propelled by driving, breezy beats and joyously jangly hooks, whirring keys flow alongside brazen vocals and added cheering hand claps, oozing an uplifting, sunny energy. With a fizzing, playful charisma it offers a scuzzily splendid sonic delight.

Accompanying single ‘No More Boys‘ flows with a lilting zest as it reflects on those post-breakup feelings of self-pity, and unfulfilled promises to stave off any vices going forwards. With a twinkling musicality providing the backdrop for the refreshingly relateable, wit-tinged lyricism, it’s another buoyant belter; transforming life’s worries into fun-filled indie-pop goodness.

A band whose mission statement it is to “make you laugh and dance”, I’d say that Barry most certainly succeed in this. And I couldn’t be more grateful for this vibrant, quirky respite from the struggles of everyday life.

‘Neolithic Homosex’ / ‘No More Boys’ is out now. Download on bandcamp now.

Mari Lane
@marimindles

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