Track Of The Day: Hadda Be – ‘Wait In The Dark’

Following the jangly energy of latest single ‘Another Life’, London-Brighton band Hadda Be (fka Foundlings) have now shared a brand new offering taken from their upcoming debut album.

Propelled by scuzzy riffs and thrashing racing beats, ‘Wait In The Dark’ shows us a heavier side to Hadda Be than what we might be used to, proving them as a band who are able to constantly hone their sound, reluctant to be pigeon-holed into any one genre.

With a gritty, frenzied energy and shades of the whirring splendour of Sonic Youth, it builds with a frenetic tension to a magnificent, swirling cacophony. Oozing a riotous, grunge-infused spirit, it offers all the fuzzed-out, angst-driven power we need to motivate us through the next few months, when hopefully brighter things – and the possibility of live music – will be on the horizon.

Of the track, the band explain:

“’Wait In The Dark’ is a direct and visceral reaction to the turbulent political and cultural times we find ourselves in. There’s a lot of anger and passion in this song. It felt liberating to have a moment on the album where we really let loose, not allowing ourselves to be wrapped up in analytical posturing. Like with our first ever single, ‘Misery’, the track started off with a bass line and everything else was built up from there. We’re particularly excited about getting this one out on the road.”

Filmed remotely during lockdown and directed by Chris Tomsett (AKA Innerstrings), you can watch the psychedelic new video for ‘Wait In The Dark’ here:

‘Wait In The Dark‘ is out now. Another Life, the debut album from Hadda Be, is set for release 30th April via Last Night From Glasgow.

Mari Lane
@marimindles

Photo Credit: Luthiem Escalona

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Track Of The Day: Beckie Margaret – ‘FF’

A stirring reflection on the strength and resilience of her own emotions, Essex songwriter Beckie Margaret has shared her latest single ‘FF’. Released via Cool Thing Records, the track is inspired by the Bob Marley quote: “I don’t have that type of richness. My richness is life, forever…” and it shimmers with a soulful splendour.

Holed up in her hometown of Southend, Beckie has spent the last twelve months recording her debut album with the help of producer, mix engineer and drummer Rees Broomfield (Youth Club) and guitarist Daryl Tattoo. The songwriter has crafted a record that centres around her experiences of life and love so far, and her third single “FF” continues this rich personal narrative.

“’FF’ is a self-reflective statement, mixed with the voicing of modern themes about allowing vulnerability and love,” Beckie explains. “The disappointment of expectations and pedestals from people that have let you down emotionally, yet you still feel rich from filling your own cup.”

Opening the track with the striking lyric “I don’t settle for my lyrics like I settle for my men,” Beckie muses about her losses and gains over tentative beats, gentle keys and atmospheric riffs. Her soft, lilting voice dulls the ache of insecurity, as she admits “My self-love expired / but I swear I’m not empty.” On ‘FF’, Beckie openly acknowledges her doubts and embraces them with an intense empathy, making her latest offering shine with a poignant, poetic power.

Listen to ‘FF’ below.

Follow Beckie Margaret on Spotify, Instagram, Facebook & Twitter

Photo Credit: Beckie Margaret

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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Track Of The Day: Brí – ‘More Than’

In a melancholic release that lays mellow in a delicate landscape of sounds, Irish indie-pop artist Brí opens up a captivating sonic realm in her new single ‘More Than‘. With an effortless vocal reminiscent of the elegance of Mazzy Star, Brí’s silky words cast a spell across this entire tune from the very moment it begins. 

Despite a sweeping haunting aura, ‘More Than’ does not shy away from an idea of hopefulness which seems to lead Brí’s lyrical nature when she declares “I want more than this…” Brí seems to toss and turn with these demons for change, and she embodies her needs in every way as they catch up to her. It is the small things that add up and weigh heavy, as Brí depicts that even she finds trouble pretending to care about “the music in the air”. Smooth guitar riffs flutter and further carry Brí’s vision with just enough eagerness to reflect her will for metamorphosis. Additionally, with shuffling, dainty drums, the track feels continuously airborne in disposition.

Of the track, Brí explains:

“‘More Than’ is about craving more than the situation you currently find yourself in. It’s a place where passion and emptiness meet, the point where two conflicting paths overlap and where all that is cloudy becomes clear.”

With an earnest confession that is undeniably genuine and refreshingly raw in emotion, Brí’s ‘More Than’ is a captivating moment that motivates us all to follow that butterfly in our gut, out to the forest.

Watch the exquisite video for ‘More Than’ here:

 

Jill Goyeau
@jillybxxn

Photo Credit: Constance Vance

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Track Of The Day: Gender Chores – ‘Night In The Woods’

Having shared stages with the likes of Problem Patterns, Strange New Places and Sister Ghost, Belfast’s Gender Chores first blasted into our ears with the seething energy of 2019’s Womansplain. With songs defending reproductive rights, resisting the patriarchy and documenting the human cost of late-stage capitalism, they’re a true, riot grrrl-inspired DIY force to be reckoned with, and so we were super excited to hear that they’ve shared a brand new track.

A slice of fast-paced punk-pop, and inspired by a video game of the same name, ‘Night In The Woods’ reflects on slum landlords and the high costs of living in the city, despite continually decreasing low living conditions. Propelled by racing beats and fuzzy uptempo riffs, the gritty, refreshingly honest lyricism subtly rages with raw, conversational vocals: “I can’t afford the rent, and I really miss my pets” – a sentiment that is all-too relatable as someone who spent eight years renting in London.

As the track builds with a swirling, playful energy, it ends on an immense whirring cacophony – a scuzzy sonic storm, reminiscent of both a distorted video game and the frenzied state of reality right now. ‘Night In The Woods’ is a raging punk anthem, truly of our times; despite being coated in a buoyant, quirky charm, it’s no less powerful in its explicit enraged message.

Of the track, singer and bassist Sam explains:

“I think there’s a collective fury at the looming gentrification of Belfast. There’s outrage at the fact that it costs so much to live where we want to live.” 

‘Night In The Woods‘ is out now and was written and recorded with artist development program Scratch My Progress.

Mari Lane
@marimindles

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