WATCH: Maria Uzor – ‘Sometimes They Look At You’

Following recent spellbinding singles such as ‘Ventolin’ and ‘Over This‘, Norwich artist Maria Uzor has now announced the release of her upcoming debut solo album, Soft Cuts, due out next month. Having wowed us with the sparkling energy of her live show numerous times, and with acclaim from radio pioneers such as Amy Lame on BBC 6Music and John Kennedy on Radio X, as well as collaborations with the likes of Rozi Plain, Chk Chk Chk and Acid Klaus, we could not be more excited about this… !

A taste of what’s to come, latest single ‘Sometimes They Look At You‘ reflects on crossed wires and clashing perspectives with a sizzling driving energy. Propelled by glitchy hooks and a swirling funk-fuelled groove, it builds with searing electronic beats as Uzor’s fierce majestic allure soars throughout. Interspersing somewhat eerie sounding samples with twinkling interludes, it showcases this innovative artist’s ability to create truly unique soundscapes; ‘Sometimes They Look At You’ offers a fusion of vast layers of sound to create an immersive, invigorating cacophony.

Of the track, Uzor explains:

“I came away from a conversation with someone and wondered why we always seemed to have crossed wires. It was like nothing each of us said ever landed with the other… I realised it was because I was talking from a place of possibilities and they were talking from a place of absolutes. Two very different languages…’Sometimes They Look At You’ is about that… about recognising that language and communication is so much more than the words that come out of your mouth.”

‘Sometimes They Look At You’ is accompanied by a captivating new video, filmed by Andi Sapey and edited by Uzor herself. Watch here:

https://youtube.com/watch?v=aAikaMnzhkM%3Fsi%3DCPX2YCR05TUORbGh

Soft Cuts, the upcoming debut album from Maria Uzor, is set for release on 13th October via Castles In Space. And catch Maria live at a number of live dates to accompany the release, including The Windmill in Brixton on 18th October – see you there!

Mari Lane
@marimindles

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LISTEN: Small Crush – ‘Rumblin’ Tummy’

A re-imagining of an old track, ‘Rumblin’ Tummy‘ by Californian band Small Crush is a heartfelt and happy love song; it revives their old song, ‘Tummy Rumblin’’, with a fresh perspective, taking the core of the track and making it an uplifting celebration of longevity. 

‘Rumblin’ Tummy’ is about staying in love. It’s about still experiencing the giddy euphoria of seeing someone special, even when they’ve been in your life for a long time. It’s sweet and sincere, and all too easy to get caught up in the moment. Soft vocals and twinkling guitars over an upbeat lilting rhythm echo the vulnerability in the lyrics extremely well, with the delivery of every element resulting in an instantly catchy track that is rich with emotion.

The lyrics detail the feelings with a sense of immediacy that draws you in. There are none of the dry adult concerns about compatibility or politics or long term relationship goals – instead, the song is carefree. It revels in the bliss of the moment and the knowledge that “there is nothing I’d rather do than talk to you”. It is simply about the joy of someone’s company and how their presence makes each day a bit brighter than the last; lingering for a moment to appreciate how, as love grows and changes, the feeling of those butterflies only gets more exciting.

‘Rumblin’ Tummy’ doesn’t over complicate the moment, finding significance in simplicity. It focuses on the immediate sensations, capturing them beautifully in both music and lyrics, until anyone listening is fully absorbed into them.

Small Crush are set to release their second album, Penelope, on 15th September via Asian Man Records.

Kirstie Summers
@ActuallyKurt

Photo Credit: Trinity Gardener

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New Track: CHROMA – ‘Don’t Wanna Go Out’

Having just announced the release of their debut album, out via Alcopop! next month, and with news of an exciting support slot with (my most watched band in the world) Foo Fighters next year, Welsh band CHROMA are definite ones to watch right now. And, with acclaim from the likes of John Kennedy at Radio X and BBC Radio 1’s Alyx Holcombe, their instantly catchy new single showcases all there is to love about Pontypridd’s band on the rise.

Propelled by the band’s distinctive relentless energy, ‘Don’t Wanna Go Out‘ reflects on feelings of FOMO and the pressure to go out and socialise. Raging with seething hooks and front woman Katie Hall’s fiercely raw vocals, it offers a compelling slice of biting garage-rock; a relatable and dance-able anthem that’ll cement itself in the ears on first listen, demanding multiple plays immediately.

Currently in Korea, playing DMZ Peace Train Festival, CHROMA are excited to share their debut album with the world. Entitled Ask For Angela, it shares its name with the UK wide campaign to prevent sexual assault in the UK, and showcases the band’s knack for creating empowering, inclusive offerings covering poignant topics ranging from trans rights and violence against women, to their experiences of growing up in the Welsh countryside. Of the album, they add:

“This album takes us in a direction that we as a band feel as if it affirms the sound that we’ve always wanted to create, and with thanks to Steffan Pringle and Tom E1 Mastering and Duplication, they’ve helped bring these songs to life. ‘Ask For Angela’ is no longer just ours, but it’s yours, now and forever. We hope you find as much joy in this record as it was for us to create.”

And, on their return from Korea, they’re heading straight up to London next Friday 8th September to headline for us at Shacklewell Arms – we couldn’t be more excited. It seems to be their only London show for a while, so do come and join us in moshing along to their gritty energy in a fairly intimate venue, before they hit the stadium next year!


Ask For Angela, the debut album from CHROMA, is set for release on 20th October via Alcopop! Records. Pre-order here. And make sure you don’t miss them live at Shacklewell Arms on 8th September, with support from Leeds band wormboys and Brighton’s UrgentSea – nab tickets here!

Mari Lane
@marimindles

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WATCH: English Teacher – ‘The World’s Biggest Paving Slab’

After a summer of smashing it at festivals, Leeds’ English Teacher continue to remind us why they’re everyone’s favourite new band with ‘The World’s Biggest Paving Slab’. The new single – the band’s first since signing to legendary label, Island Records – brims with confidence, wit and originality, but who would expect anything less?  

Despite the song’s novelty title, front-person Lily Fontaine’s lyrics are pure poetry. Written while living in Pendle, Lancashire, they’re an ode to northern grit, strength and notoriety. Fontaine likens herself to the area’s raw, wild landscape, the legendary Pendle witches, and Charlotte Bronte; like these, she is both everywhere and nowhere in the town. 

And you can hear this contradiction in the song’s instrumentation. The band’s angular, post-punk guitars collide beautifully with soaring shoegaze-infused harmonies, before crashing back down to earth once with snippets of arresting spoken word. Of her inspiration behind the track, Fontaine expands:

“...growing up in and around Pendle, how witnessing the social, economic and political issues that exist around there in juxtaposition with the beauty of the landscape and the characters that live within in it, has shaped me into the artist and person that I am. These semi-rural stories leak into most of my writing; in particular, this song tackles delusions of grandeur and inferiority from the perspective of a small town’s local celebrities. It’s split into two halves.”

The song is so special, so original, and, like the world’s biggest paving slab, it really sticks out! Nobody is making records like English Teacher right now. Bring on the album!

Produced by Marta Salgoni (Bjork, Animal Collective), English Teacher’s ‘The World’s Biggest Paving Slab’ is out now via Island Records. Watch the new video (directed by Claryn Chong) here:

https://youtube.com/watch?v=YNkbgumvYyA%3Fsi%3DbJs5HZQFueIrnU-k

Vic Conway
@thepicsofvic

Photo Credit: Tatiana Pozuelo

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