Track Of The Day: Middle Kids – ‘Questions’

With warm anthem-like familiarity and an intimate, interpersonal perspective, Sydney based Middle Kids bring us a soothing sentiment in their stellar new single, ‘Questions’. 

Released via Lucky Number, ‘Questions’ comes as an exhilarating answer indicating the phenomenal sounds to come from Middle Kids’ anticipated 2021 album. As rhythmic claps fade, vocalist Hannah Joy’s lyrics ooze a welcome sense of nostalgia. Floating among Joy’s personal revelations surrounding alcohol and our closest relationships, the track serves as a delicate illustration of the tiny moments that weigh beyond their size. Synths spread like elastic and make a hearty bed for Middle Kids to jump on with catchy pop guitar hooks and eager drums, whilst simple instrumental melodies delivered with an orchestral grandeur exude an emotive impact that is both subtle and enormous. 

‘Questions’ is a melancholic soundscape that embraces the cleanliness of modern pop, yet tonally bears the heaviness of experience. In regard to the band’s work, Joy confides: “I want to make music that loves its listener. Music that makes people feel seen…” With the honesty and tenderness found in this new single, it appears she has done just that. Middle Kids’ ‘Questions’ is a safe-space of confession and the euphoria that follows, an experience in itself.

Today We’re The Greatest, the upcoming new album from Middle Kids, is set for release 19th March via Lucky Number. Pre-save here.

Jillian Goyeau
@jillybxxn

Photo Credit: Daphne Nguyen

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Track Of The Day: Bleach Lab – ‘Old Ways’

An atmospheric lament about being caught in emotional purgatory, South London-based Bleach Lab have shared their latest single ‘Old Ways’. Taken from their upcoming EP A Calm Sense of Surrounding, which is set for release on 19th March, the track is a bittersweet, stirring reflection on the conflicting emotions we experience following a difficult break-up.

“’Old Ways’ explores the angry side of the grieving process at the end of a relationship,” vocalist Jenna Kyle explains. “Anger towards the way in which they treated you but also towards oneself for still missing them regardless.” Through her emotive vocals and earnest lyrics, Kyle explores the urgent need to get past this stage of grief, with guitarist Frank Wates’ fluid riffs softening the sharp edges of her words.

Working through unexpected grief majorly informed the songs on Bleach Lab’s upcoming EP. The death of bassist Josh Longman’s father and the breakdown of Kyle’s long-term relationship seeped into the band’s song-writing, as they began to musically explore the five stages of grief – anger, denial, bargaining, depression and acceptance. ‘Old Ways’ deals with the first of these stages, breaching the habit of self-flagellation in an attempt to find emotional relief during a traumatic time.

Listen to ‘Old Ways’ below.

 

Follow Bleach Lab on Spotify, Instagram, Twitter & Facebook for more updates.

Photo Credit: Isy Townsend

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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Track Of The Day: Aphty Khéa & a.Blubox – ‘Pengvibe 2.0’

A hypnotic remix of her original 2020 single, Aphty Khéa has teamed up with London-based, Italian-German duo a.Blubox on her latest single ‘Pengvibe 2.0’. Released via Slow Dance Records and featured on their annual compilation EP which is due on 26th January, the track is a cinematic re-working of Khéa’s original glitchy, intoxicating beats.

Currently based in Kreuzberg in Berlin, Aphty Khéa is a half Greek, half British artist who combines sonic and visual elements to create her stimulating, exciting electronic music. “‘Pengvibe2.0’ is the socially distant, post-party, pre-comedown twin of ‘Pengvibe’,” explains Khéa about the new remix. “In times where it’s impossible to chill on a stained sofa in the downtempo room whilst listening to strangers tell you stories you won’t remember, you have no choice but to construct an intimate, homely alternative.”

“Moving from the living room to the kitchen and hoping ‘Chatroulette’ will connect you with another dance-deprived person somewhere on the inter-web is the placebo a lot of us are currently settling for. As time passes by in the digital COVID age, and you slowly start to feel like you might just be living in the Matrix, everything creatively collaborative is inevitably achieved through zeros and ones. And through zeros and ones, between Berlin and London, is how this sonic re-imagination was conceived.”

Khéa’s new single is accompanied by a self-directed video, which offers a “much needed eye-break” around the roads of Khéa’s childhood hometown in Greece. Combining her cinematic visuals with her energetic sounds, ‘Pengvibe 2.0’ is an essential slice of escapism during these uncertain times.

Watch the video below.

Follow Aphty Khéa on Instagram, Facebook & Spotify for more updates.

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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Track Of The Day: REYKO – ‘Saturday’

A jagged, electro-pop tune exploring the mixed emotions that come with an unexpected change, London-based duo REYKO have shared their latest single ‘Saturday’. Following on from their previous singles ‘The Game’ and ‘Panic’, this new track sees the pair navigate the euphoria and uncertainty of a life-changing event through a blend of hushed vocals, edgy riffs and poppy beats.

Formed of vocalist Soleil and producer Igor, REYKO first began making music together for the final project of Igor’s masters degree in music production. The pair released their self-titled debut album in 2020, blending elements of electro, indie, pop, hip-hop and trap together to create their intoxicating sounds. Since then, the duo have been steadily sharing new music and single ‘Saturday’ is another upbeat offering.

The track is designed to remind listeners that change is an inevitable part of life, which we all need to accept and embrace. It’s also accompanied by a video shot and directed by James Ayling, which features Soleil and Igor searching for each other around an industrial estate. Watch the video for ‘Saturday’ below.

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

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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