LISTEN: Kristen Merritt – ‘I Don’t Think ABout You’

‘I Don’t Think About You’ is the woozy new single from Brooklyn-based artist Kristen Merritt. With heartfelt lyrics and laid-back instrumentation, this neo-soul groove is the perfect soundtrack for bright summer mornings. ‘I Don’t Think About You’ is positive and light, sung from the perspective of someone who has found clarity and has been released by it. It feels as though each word is sung through a smile, creating a warm and inviting soundscape.

Describing her music as “high-key” (high energy) neo-soul, you can hear the influence of Lauryn Hill and Erykah Badu in Merritt’s slick and chilled-out arrangements, with lush keyboard flourishes highlighting the soulful lyrics. She also cites inspiration from her contemporaries, H.E.R. and Daniel Cesar.

‘I Don’t Think About You’ comes together magically with live instrumentation, it oozes a sincere human quality and vulnerability. The smooth and spacious percussion is reminiscent of Motown recording, providing a soothing groove. To accent the music, the guitar plays jazzy chords that add to the woozy ambiance. Smooth and sweet, Merritt’s vocal melody meanders up and down, flowing effortlessly as it leads the song. The vocal melodies and harmonies interweave and overlap, creating delicious textures and easing transitions into new musical ideas and sections.

Of the meaning behind the track, Merritt reveals: “It is the song of coming to terms with feelings for someone, feelings that you denied, for feeling as though they were misplaced on that person. In coming to terms with these feelings, I have reflected in the lyrics the ‘five stages of grief’: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and finally, acceptance. There is also an additional component of something almost happy/joyous in that acceptance, content with the understanding of the situation, even if it didn’t pan out how you wanted it to.”

‘I Don’t Think About You’ is accompanied by a vintage-inspired, artfully created new video, directed by Marissa Yates. Watch here:

Joi, Kristen’s debut album, is set for release 14th September.

Jaz Kelly
@surfjaz

jazkellyLeave a comment

Track Of The Day: Maria Uzor – ‘Innocence’

Having been massive fans of Norwich duo Sink Ya Teeth for a number of years now, we were excited to hear that vocalist and songwriter Maria Uzor has now announced her debut solo EP. Written in a corner of her living room during the winter lockdown last year, it is set for release next month and fuses together an eclectic range of influences, aiming to ooze only the most positive of vibes.

Taken from the EP, new single ‘Innocence’ offers a sweeping, other-worldly soundscape propelled by glitchy electronic hooks and drum ‘n’ bass reminiscent beats. Interweaving a whirring ethereal splendour with shades of the likes of Grimes with a unique soul-fused drive, this poignant sonic fusion is held together by the soaring majesty of Uzor’s distinctive vocals. Oozing a blissful, euphoric energy, a stirring soundscape is created that glides into the ears with an exquisite, bewitching allure.

Of the writing process of the EP, Uzor explains: “Lockdown afforded me the space to step back, and I realised how suffocated I’d become in a world that I felt didn’t see me, to the point where I couldn’t breathe. So I took loads of time out to be gentle with myself. I wrote nothing for most of the year until about December when I started writing the EP. Innocence And Worldliness is about the tail end of a journey, coming out of the dark and into the light. A gradual return to self and to joy.“

‘Innocence’ is accompanied by an immersive new video, animated by Ben Dawson. Reflecting the themes running throughout the EP, it’s a stirring ode to change and transformation, oozing a glistening sense of hope. Watch the new video below:

Innocence And Worldliness, the upcoming EP from Maria Uzor, is set for release on 20th August via Hey Buffalo Records.

Mari Lane
@marimindles

mariangelicalane1 Comment

Video Premiere: Bugeye – ‘Don’t Stop’ (Feral Five Reset Remix)

Celebrating the first anniversary of their incredible debut album Ready Steady Bang, GIHE faves Bugeye have collaborated with some of the UK’s most creative DJs, producers, and bands to cook up an exciting charity remix album, kicking off with newly refreshed single ‘Don’t Stop’, remixed by Feral Five.

The electro duo have brilliantly drawn out the synth tingles and stomping beat of the original track, propelling ‘Don’t Stop’ into the realms of a club banger; all glittering tambourines and charged guitar licks.

Of the collaboration, Feral Five explain: “We love Bugeye! Ready Steady Bang is an absolute instant classic album. The chance to get our hands on one of the tunes and Feralize the freak out of it was irresistible”. ‘Feralized’ is an apt descriptor; Angela Martin’s formidable vocals have been perfectly spliced up into a commanding siren call to the dance-floor, ramping up the sparkly beats of electro whilst highlighting the song’s grunge-fuelled rock roots.

If an album of reinvented tunes wasn’t enough, all profits of the remixes will be donated to Newham charity The Magpie Project, fighting against mother and child homelessness. Angela from Bugeye explains: “Our debut album is very dear to our hearts so being able to explore new possibilities across a number of genres was dead exciting to us. We feel blown away that so many talented people wanted to work with us too. Being able to do this for a Newham charity was very important. Paula and I grew up there. It was, and still is a very poor area, one of the poorest in the UK. We know we’re not going to change the world with just one remix album, but if we can help even a single family sleep safe and sound at night, we will have achieved something incredible“.

Accompanying the ‘Don’t Stop’ remix is psychedelic brand new video. Artfully constructed with vibrant, trippy imagery, it’s a perfect visualisation of the track’s swirling euphoric energy; a completely immersive experience for eyes and ears alike. Watch the video, for the first time, here:

 Ready Steady Remix, the new remixed album from Bugeye, is set for release 9th July, and also features remixes from the likes of Robyn and The Maw Experiment, amongst many more. Pre-order from bandcamp or pre-save here.

Leonie Bellini
@teenpeachmovie

Photo Credit: Keira Cullinane

Leonie BelliniLeave a comment

LISTEN: GIHE on Soho Radio with Bitch Hunt 30.06.21

Tash, Kate & Mari were back on the NYC & Culture channel on Soho Radio for their third GIHE new music show! They played a mix of golden oldies and new tunes from some of their favourite women, non-binary and LGBTQ+ artists.

London-based non-binary band Bitch Hunt joined them to talk about First Timers Fest, their recent EP Shapeshifter, working with their ultra supportive label Reckless Yes and their enduring love for Dave Grohl…

Listen below:

 

Tracklist
Kelis – Good Stuff
Lolawolf – Whole House
Täpp – Aquaria
Witch Prophet – Makda
HAVVK – Automatic
Lingua Ignota – PENNSYLVANIA FURNACE
WheelUP ft. Tiawa – Take Me Higher
Desire Marea – Tavern Kween
Sharon Van Etten & Angel Olsen – Like I Used To
Wet Leg – Chaise Longue
Varley – The Pressure
Girl Ray – Give Me Your Love
CMAT – 2 Wrecked 2 Care
Bitch Hunt – Eau Claire
**Interview with Bitch Hunt**
Th’Sheridans – I Don’t Wanna Be Dismembered
The Linda Lindas – Racist, Sexist Boy
BLAB – Eton Mess
Trouble Wanted – Lonely Cowgirl
All Day Breakfast Cafe – Old School Struggling
Cherym – Listening To My Head
Alice Hubble – Power Play
Blonde Maze x Attom – I Think About
HARD FEELINGS – Holding On Too Long
Seinabo Sey – Younger (Kygo Remix)
Joni Mitchell – All I Want

Get In Her EarsLeave a comment