ALBUM: Eliza Shaddad – ‘The Woman You Want’

Desiring to be the best person she can be, in spite of not always feeling capable of accomplishing said desire, Sudanese-Scottish artist Eliza Shaddad challenged herself to create an emotionally honest album; unafraid of showing her true vulnerable self, to both herself and the listener.

Following the release of her debut record, 2018’s Future – and EPs, 2020’s Sept ~ Dec, 2016’s Run, and 2014’s Waters – Eliza’s sophomore effort, The Woman You Want is the culmination of a year-long self-reflection and reconciliation of her identity. A collection of nine deeply personal tracks that demonstrate resilience, insecurity, and raw emotion.

Opening with the jangling guitars of ‘The Man I Admire’, Eliza explores contrasting themes of intimacy and melancholy (“Darling I know you feel blue / But where is the man I admire?”), her soft vocals dovetailing into the compassionate folk-rock anthem ‘Heaven’, a poignant reminder that life can get better – “Yeah, I want you to keep holding on / I know life can be unkind / And you’ve got heaven on your mind / But I want you to keep holding on.”

Eliza wears her influences on her sleeve for ‘Fine & Peachy’, channelling nineties legend Alanis Morissette, and proudly sticking her middle finger up with brutally honest, sick-of-this-shit lyrics (“Fuck you just tell me what you want to say / Instead of screwing with my head for days”), complemented by the rebellious groove of guitarist Michael Jablonka and drummer Glyn Daniels, known for their work with Micheal Kiwanuka and The Staves respectively.

The ethereal guitar melodies and syncopated drum beats of the introspective title track, ‘The Woman You Want’, lead into shimmering distortion and electronic experimentation on ‘The Waiting Game’ and ‘Tired Of Trying’; beautiful, haunting, and reminiscent of Björk, post-1995’s Post. ‘In The Morning (Grandmother Song)’ follows as a delicate yet complex soundscape of soaring multi-layered instrumentals infused with Eliza’s mesmerising voice; a crescendo of emotion showcasing her impressive vocal range. Next, ‘Now You’re Alone’ starts off somber, lonely, but as Eliza’s initial near-whisper grows louder with intensity – an orchestral swell backing the heart-wrenching lyrics – the song becomes cathartic; one you will find yourself singing along to in those dark moments of isolation.

Closing the album is ‘Blossom’, a song that radiates positive energy and encapsulates the record’s central theme: growth.

Produced by BJ Jackson, and recorded at her home studio/bedroom in Cornwall, The Woman You Want is the evolution of Eliza Shaddad’s career and womanhood, an intimate insight into Eliza as an independent artist – a friend, a wife, a daughter/granddaughter. A self-proclaimed “ethereal grunger growing up”.

The Woman You Want is out now via Rosemundy Records/Wow and Flutter. Order here.

Ken Wynne
@Ken_Wynne

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Track Of The Day: Vulpynes – ‘Control Is Not What I Need’

Following last year’s acclaimed EP Us Against Them and having shared stages with the likes of Sleaford Mods and Deap Vally, GIHE faves Vulpynes have now shared a raging new single.

With ‘Control Is Not What I Need’, the Dublin duo ooze a frenzied angst-driven power as the gritty passion of Molly’s seething vocals rages alongside Kaz’s immense, thrashing beats. A reflection on addressing anxieties and letting yourself absorb your emotions, it offers an empowering energy as swirling hooks race with a frenzied sense of urgency. A riotous, grunge-fuelled anthem with shades of the fierce intensity of the likes of Distillers and L7, it perfectly showcases the duo’s unforgiving, fiery spirit and ability to create scuzzily smouldering blasts of punk-rock magnificence.

Watch the new video for ‘Control Is Not What I Need’ here:

Vulpynes will be playing live in Dublin at The Button Factory on 5th September. A limited number of remaining tickets are available here.

Mari Lane
@marimindles

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WATCH: Sophie Kilburn – ‘I’m In Love With My Therapist’

A ’90s inspired indie-pop belter, Sophie Kilburn has shared her latest single ‘I’m In Love With My Therapist‘. It’s the second single from her debut EP, following ‘Movements’, which also blew us away at GIHE. Shades of Americana ring out through the song, with the Derbyshire artist reflecting LA’s Sunset Boulevard. Fans of Haim, Phoebe Bridgers, and Maggie Rogers might just find Sophie Kilburn to be their new favourite artist.

A fiery fusion of old-school rocker and modern pop warrior, Sophie Kilburn captivates and commands her due attention. ‘I’m In Love With My Therapist’ is a display of assured and beautifully crafted song-writing. The addictive vocal hook lingers in your mind long after the song has finished. It’s a euphoric release, both emotionally and musically. Fierce guitar riffs, oozing a stadium anthem feel, interlace with the driven percussion and thumping bass line. It is foot-stomping emotion, displaying the strength that comes from being so in touch with your emotions, as Sophie sings of both being lost as well as knowing that she needs to get out. The musical drive and the honest lyrics create a poignant juxtaposition.

In her own words, Sophie describes how ‘I’m In Love With My Therapist’ came to be:

“It was lockdown number two, and I was annoyed at myself for killing yet another plant and the story of the song just fell from my frustration. When you go to therapy, you are trying to understand your emotions and behaviours. Sometimes that digging causes confusion, you start to project feelings – like your longing to fall in love – onto a person who ‘gives you the time of day’. It is quite a morbid thought that the only person who you feel who gets you and you can share anything with, is your therapist… They know everything about you, and you know nothing about them but the consistency of being emotionally intimate with them causes feelings to grow to the point of breaking point.”

The music video, shot with an all-female team led by Marieke Macklon, has shades of the Truman Show, with the cameras watching Sophie closely. It’s obsessive and bordering on invasive, powerfully illustrating the all-consuming nature of anxiety and depression and perfectly expressing the sentiment of the song.


Sophie Kilburn’s debut EP, My Room Made Me Public, is set for release next month.

Jaz Kelly
@surfjaz

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Track Of The Day: French For Rabbits – ‘The Overflow’

In a soothing dream-pop escape, New Zealand’s French For Rabbits bring us to a safe space to just breathe – even if only just a moment, in latest single ‘The Overflow‘. Having chiseled their craft for nearly a decade, the artistry of French For Rabbits amalgamates a bond between effortlessness and attention to detail; a close kept eye, and the timely intuition to let go. 

Alleviation plays an instrumental role as ‘The Overflow’ bubbles in sync with festering anxiety. Front-woman Brooke Singer is stewing in a battle so familiar to artists of all kinds as she balances on a beam between productivity and simplicity. “Too long that I’ve been gone, terrified of not getting things done, And every day there is still less time to do it in…”. She daydreams of the lucidity of a simple life, but knows herself as an ongoing creator even when “The Overflow” leaves her drenched in her own emotions. 

Melodic guitar riffs, sparkling synth accents and swirling vocals lay a bed of comfort adjacent to In The Valley Below, TOPS, Pony Girl and Angus & Julia Stone. The bellowing chorus of ‘The Overflow’ rings with angelic layers that saturate Singer’s tone, while still keeping room for the track’s euphoric, other worldly instrumental.

French For Rabbits beautifully combines a folk-like tenderness and endearing earnest emotion that is wrapped in the irresistible digital glimmer of dream-pop in ‘The Overflow’.

‘The Overflow’ is out now via Reckless Yes.

Jill Goyeau
@jillybxxn

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