Track Of The Day: Bas Jan – ‘You Have Bewitched Me’

Having initially formed back in 2015, London experimental collective Bas Jan was co-founded by songwriter, vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Serafina Steer, and now features Rachel Horwood (Trash Kit, Bamboo, Jenny Moore’s Mystic Business), Emma Smith (the Elysian Quartet, Jarv Is, Seamus Fogarty) and Charlie Stock. Following 2018’s Yes I Jan, the ensemble has now shared their first new music in three years.

Propelled a swirling ethereal majesty, ‘You Have Bewitched Me‘ offers an effervescent reflection on the mesmerising power of first attraction and new love. As steady bass and sweeping strings flow, the track builds with a lilting, twinkling energy to a burst of vibrant colour and heartfelt blissful joy. With the delicate grace of its sparkling harmonies, ‘You Have Bewitched Me’ showcases the subtle power of crystalline voices coming together in unity to create a truly euphoric soundscape. As an eclectic array of shimmering sounds are interwoven with a captivating allure, ‘You Have Bewitched Me’ treats the ears to a beautiful calming cacophony.

Of the formation of the track, Serafina explains:

“It was a result of an Arts Council funded project… For Bas Jan to rehearse and record live at a performance space [Cafe Oto, London] during lockdown in Autumn 2020. It was then mixed by Capitol K at Total Refreshment Centre. ‘You Have Bewitched Me’ marks a new era of collaborative writing as a four-piece – more of which to be revealed soon.”

Watch the new video for ‘You Have Bewitched Me’ here:

‘You Have Bewitched Me’ is out now via Lost Map Records, as part of Lost Map’s PostMap Club monthly subscription service.

Mari Lane
@marimindles

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Track Of The Day: Jenny Moore’s Mystic Business – ‘He Earns Enough’

Following their poignant previous single ‘I Am Afraid’ and their captivating cover of Empress Of’s ‘Woman Is A Word’, Jenny Moore’s Mystic Business have now announced their debut EP, set for release in October. Featuring members of Trash Kit, F*Choir and Bamboo, the six-piece choral punk ensemble have received acclaim from the likes of Steve LaMacq on BBC 6Music, and have now shared a brand new single; the title track of the upcoming EP.

Propelled by an anthemic, mystical power, ‘He Earns Enough‘ reflects on shamelessly money-grabbing men who increased their fortunes to the tune of billions during the pandemic, while millions around the world struggled and suffered. Building in intensity as chiming hooks crescendo alongside soaring harmonious voices, glitchy beats pulse against the poignant, angst-driven refrain. As the swirling layers of vocals trickle alongside each other and grow with an empowering energy, ‘He Earns Enough’ offers a simple, yet stirring, message, oozing a sweeping, celestial splendour that’ll bewitch the listener instantly with its eerily enchanting allure. Ending on the climax of the voices coming together with impassioned shouts of “Enough!”, it captures the rage and sense of hopelessness of living with the continuing injustices of a patriarchal capitalist society.

Of the inspiration behind the track, Jenny Moore explains:

“I heard a story once about the head boss of Tesco discussing the future of the company and his role in it. He bemoaned the fact that, because of the women and migrants, men like him were becoming extinct. This year, the big billionaires in the US increased their wealth by $1.2 trillion. During a global pandemic. Women and migrants took care of a dying world and men ate it up – made millions on the virus and its ruthlessness, extracted Earth’s resources, laid off workers, denied sick pay, threw some pennies to ‘causes’ and then went to outer space for a party. I think, maybe, he earns enough.”

Agreed, Jenny!

Watch the beautifully crafted new video for ‘He Earns Enough’ here:

He Earns Enough, the upcoming new EP from Jenny Moore’s Mystic Business, is set for release 8th October via Lost Map Records. Pre-order here.

Mari Lane
@marimindles

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WATCH: Jenny Moore’s Mystic Business – ‘I Am Afraid’

Originally from Canada and now based in East London, Jenny Moore has played in bands such as Charismatic Megafauna and Bas Jan, and has now shared a brand new single from her six-piece choral punk ensemble Jenny Moore’s Mystic Business. Featuring members of Trash Kit, F*Choir and Bamboo, the ensemble released their first album back in 2018.

Reflecting on how being alone as a female identifying person can be both scary and exciting, ‘I Am Afraid’ is propelled by funk-fuelled bass-lines and an empowering, shimmering energy. As it builds with the twinkling power of voices uniting together in harmony and jangling, playful percussion, it’s a poignant, impassioned ode to female strength and resilience. Of the track, Jenny explains:

“For anyone with a femme body, wandering home alone at night is not a straightforward situation… It’s super common to be harassed, followed, or just really annoyed by someone demanding my attention, affection or performance for them. It can be terrifying. At the same time, it can be exhilarating to finally be on my own, on my own terms, in my own time, on my own two feet. ‘I Am Afraid’ is a full-of-joy-and-rage anthem for emotion, for not being ashamed of the spectrum, of wanting to be powerful and allow the bigness of life but also be p*ssed off at those people who’ve shut me up, literally or metaphorically. Sometimes I’m craving for revenge.”

Directed by Sophie le Roux, ‘I Am Afraid’ is accompanied by a striking video. Watch now:

‘I Am Afraid’ is out now via Lost Map Records. Listen on Spotify.

 

Mari Lane
@marimindles

Photo Credit: Heather Glazzard

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PLAYLIST: May 2019

Another month, another playlist to share with you all! May has been as fruitful as ever when it comes to new music, so we’re excited to share our top picks with you all. Take some time to scroll through our words and make sure you hit play on the Spotify link at the bottom of the page…

Dream Nails – ‘Vagina Police’
Our fave feminist punks Dream Nails released their EP Vagina Police last year, with all the profits donated to Abortion Support Network who are an organisation dedicated to supporting women & girl’s reproductive rights in the UK. With the news this month that the US state of Alabama has voted to outlaw abortion entirely – a law that offers no exception for rape or incest victims – it feels more important than ever to shout back. Here are some ways you may be able to help women affected by the new legislation. (Kate Crudgington)

Montauk Hotel – ‘White Billboards’
A luscious soundscape with a poignant context; Montauk Hotel released this single via Reckless Records. The Dublin-based band say their new track is a “reflection on the power of advertising in our society and how models and [industry] standards influence our choices, happiness, and feelings of adequacy”. (KC)

Julia Shapiro – ‘A Couple Highs’
“When the rest of my life felt out of control, I felt like this was my chance to be in control of everything” explains Julia Shapiro about her upcoming debut solo album Perfect Version, which is set for release on June 14th via Hardly Art. Having taken a step back from life as Chastity Belt’s vocalist & guitarist after a difficult year, Shapiro has returned with this second single from her new record and it’s a breezy, soothing drop of aural medicine. (KC)

Trash Kit – ‘Horizon’
Having wowed us at one of our first nights at The Finbsury, Trash Kit have now shared the brand new title track from their upcoming album. Inspired by how people interpret the planet, ‘Horizon’ oozes a shimmering effervescent joy and swirling sparkling energy. Interweaving twinkling hooks, jangly beats and funk-fused bass lines, its cascading sun-filled vibes build to a wonderfully life-affirming climax and rejuvenating euphoric haze.
Horizon, the upcoming new album from Trash Kit, is out 5th July via Upset The Rhythm. (Mari Lane)

Show Boy – ‘Video’
Having built a reputation over the last few years across London for his dazzling, energy-filled live shows, artist and producer Show Boy has now shared a brand new single. Taken from his upcoming Surreal EP, ‘Video’ is propelled by throbbing beats and a whirring danceable energy. An instantly catchy, sparkling alt-pop gem that demands multiple listens. (ML)

Pongo – ‘Chora’
‘Chora’ the latest single from Caroline International signing Pongo (who is an Angolan-Portuguese electronic artist) means “cry” in Portuguese. The track is taken from her debut EP Baia which documents her turbulent experiences when she fled Angola in the country’s violent civil war. Through blending Portuguese lyrics and musical references to the Angolan genre of Kuduro, which assimilates soca and samba alongside western touchstones like techno & dancehall  – it’s an absolute tune! (Tash Walker)

Lizzo (feat. Missy Elliott) – ‘Tempo’
It wouldn’t be a GIHE playlist without the inclusion of total queen, Lizzo. I cannot stop listening (and dancing!) to her critically acclaimed new album, Cuz I Love You, and this track sees a total dream of a collaboration with the utter legend that is Missy Elliott. Another hugely empowering, body positive anthem, with each listen of ‘Tempo’ I just get more and more excited about finally seeing Lizzo live later this month at Kentish Town Forum (maybe Missy will make a guest appearance….)(ML)

Pinky Pinky – ‘Do Me Dirty (Charlie)’
The new single from LA trio Pinky Pinky, ‘Do Me Dirty (Charlie)’ is an infectiously uplifting slice of garage rock. With shades of the likes of Hinds, it oozes sunny hooks and honey-sweet vocals, creating the perfect, sparkling summer-love anthem. Pinky Pinky are over in the UK next week, and I cannot wait to witness their scuzzy energy live at The Sebright Arms on 22nd May. Full info on dates here. (ML)

CLT DRP – ‘Speak To My’
The breathtakingly immense latest single from Brighton’s CLT DRP, ‘Speak To My’ is the ultimate track to put two fingers up to the patriarchy, and a perfect accompaniment to what’s happening in the world today. Blasting out a unique cacophony of intense electro-punk, ‘Speak To My’ addresses rejecting the male gaze and womxm owning their sexuality; a wonderfully riotous anthem highlighting CLT DRP as the future of feminist punk. And we cannot wait for them to headline our next night at The Finsbury on 14th June! (ML)

Ghum – ‘Get Up’
Having wowed us on numerous occasions with their immersive live performances, GIHE faves GHUM have now shared a new track from their upcoming EP. ‘Get Up’ is a hauntingly anthemic offering, perfectly showcasing GHUM’s goth-tinged, sparkling majesty and bewitching charisma. The Coldest Fire, the upcoming EP from GHUM, is out 28th June via Everything Sucks Music. Catch GHUM live at the launch party on 13th July at The Shacklewell Arms. (ML)

Bamboo Smoke – ‘Stretchmarks’
The latest single from South Londoners Bamboo Smoke who played a fantastic set for us at our first ever Notting Hill Arts Club gig. The band describe ‘Stretchmarks’ as their most vulnerable song to date. (TW)

Izzy Bizu – ‘Lights On’
Taken from the newly released EP Glita, this is the latest single from Izzy Bizu “about throwing caution to the wind and going with what you feel rather than what you think.” Free spirits listen up! (TW)

Wolf Alice – ‘Moaning Lisa Smile’
It’s my birthday on 25th May and if you’re a Wolf Alice nerd like I am, you’ll notice that’s the date on the poster of the dance competition Ellie Rowsell enters in the music video for this track. 29 years old and I’m still angst-ridden af and ready to dance to this song as soon as I hear the opening riff. HB2ME. (KC)

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