Track Of The Day: Maja Lena – ‘Birch’

Formally of the band Low Chimes, Marianne Parrish – aka Maja Lena – has now announced her debut solo album, set for release this summer.

Taken from the album, new single ‘Birch’ offers a truly captivating alt-folk soundscape. Reflecting on new beginnings and oozing a pastoral elegance, it’s propelled by resplendent vocals and a luscious shimmering musicality, with shades of the likes of Rozi Plain. With a majestic, ethereal grace, sweeping soothing melodies are interwoven with exquisitely put-together layers of twinkling instrumentation, creating a bewitching sonic gem. Of the track, Maja Lena explains:

“‘Birch’ is a song about feeling vulnerable yet elated. About starting a new phase of life and love, yet also knowing that this elation could be snatched away at any given moment. The Birch tree here is a symbol for this feeling, and its branches moving in the wind resemble a feeling of freedom and excitement.”

‘Birch’ is accompanied by a beautifully made video, filmed entirely on Super 8 in the Lake District, with Martha Webb. Watch here:

‘Birch‘ is out now, and The Keeper – the upcoming album from Maja Lena – is set for release 23rd July via Chiverin Records.

Mari Lane
@marimindles

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Track Of The Day: Big Daisy – ‘Bee Mine’

A fuzzy guitar ode to those who embrace emotional labour in a relationship without hesitation, Belfast four-piece Big Daisy have shared their latest single ‘Bee Mine’. Lifted from the new charity compilation album Bangers & Breakups, the track is a lo-fi appreciation of the selfless acts of love and support we receive in a relationship, even if past trauma makes us feel like we don’t deserve them.

Formed of childhood best friends Aidan Reynolds, Ciara King, Dan O’Rawe and James Orr, Big Daisy released their debut single ‘Go Outside’ in November 2019, unaware that their agoraphobic anthem would become an appropriate soundtrack for a global pandemic. The band’s ability to “hide painful stories inside catchy songs” is something they take pride in, and latest offering ‘Bee Mine’ is another stellar example of this talent. Described as a track that wears its “heart on its sleeve,” it’s an unconventional love song that rings with genuine warmth and charm.

It sits comfortably on the track-list for Bangers & Breakups, a heartbreak album made up of an eclectic mix of tracks from Irish & Northern Irish musicians, with contributions from Problem Patterns, Junk Drawer, Beauty Sleep, Arvo Party and more. All proceeds from the album will be donated to She Sells Sanctuary, a domestic violence charity based in Northern Ireland.

Listen to ‘Bee Mine’ below.

 

Follow Big Daisy on bandcamp, Spotify, Instagram, Twitter & Facebook for more updates.

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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Track Of The Day: Hadda Be – ‘Another Life’

This was the song I needed to hear on a rainy January afternoon in lockdown. As it blasts through my speakers, Hadda Be‘s ‘Another Life’ has a riotous, live energy that takes me back to sweaty basement bars and the buzz of watching a great band play with the people I love. It’s exciting and it’s hopeful.

The song’s melancholic lyrics (“it covers me in worry, now that’s all I ever know”) are buoyed by jangly guitars, frenetic drums and a joyful, shout-a-long chorus. Marrying indie power-pop with a real post punk sensibility, ‘Another Life’ reminds me both of the Primitives, and that I need to go and have a dance as soon as humanly possible.

Formally known as Foundlings, this (rather-appropriately named) single marks a fresh start for Hadda Be, who return with a refreshed line-up, as well as a new name. With their debut album due in spring, it feels like they’re a band at the height of their powers – and I can’t wait to hear more.

 

Hadda Be’s debut album will be available on three flavours of vinyl, CD and download via Last Night From Glasgow on 30th April. 

Vic Conway 

Photo Credit: Luthiem Escalona

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Track Of The Day: Madame So – ‘Real Friends’

An off-kilter reflection on how friendships change and develop over the course of time, Madame So has shared her latest single ‘Real Friends’. Following on from previous releases ‘Generation Y’, ‘You Say’ and ‘Who Are We To Judge?’ this new offering sees the Paris-born, London-based songwriter tackle the ever-evolving ways we prioritise and reassess our existing relationships.

“This song is about how some friendships can be very superficial, and how some people can be very fickle in their interactions with others and use them to pass-time and/or as playground companions,” Madame So explains. Full of her distinctive vocals, energetic rhythms and eccentric riffs, Madame So reaches the mature realisation that there’s “no U-turn on good memories” once a friendship has reached its expiry date, and that it’s better to move on alone than to drag it out any longer.

Whilst the song deals with a weighty subject, Madame So approaches it with her trademark fun and fierce style, moving past her troubles in a defiant and articulate manner. ‘Real Friends’ comes at a time when we’re all reconsidering the most important parts of our friendships, and it’s a slick observation on how we progress past the obstacles that affect them.

The single is accompanied by a colourful lyric video created by Tomas Santos that you can watch below.

Follow Madame So on bandcamp, Spotify, Twitter, Instagram & Facebook for more updates.

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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