Track Of The Day: Tango With The Lions – ‘What You’ve Become’

Fronted by vocalist Katerina Papachristou, Greek band Tango With Lions are best known for their dreamy, melodic tracks that linger in the memory long after they’ve finished spinning. The group have returned after a five year absence with new album, The Light, released via Inner Ear Records earlier this month. Their second single ‘What You’ve Become’ is taken from the record and it’s a shimmering, laid back delight.

Speaking about Tango With The Lion’s new album, Katerina explains:
“The Light depicts my wobble between light and darkness for an extended period of time. Dealing with grief and suffering from blackouts, my only thought was to cling to music in order to sort things out and reach the light again. I consider this album as a vivid impression of all the ups and downs I went through while creating it: exaggerated hope, sarcasm, nihilism, nostalgia, love, broken relationships, death and life, all blended together with the sole vision to feel whole again.”

Listen to the track below and follow Tango With The Lions on Facebook for more updates.

Photo Credit: Eftychia Vlachou

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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LIVE: Dream Wife – Sebright Arms, London 26.01.18

Pastel-coloured party balloons littered the basement floor of Hackney’s Sebright Arms last night as pop-punk power trio Dream Wife took to the stage to celebrate the release of their debut self-titled album. After tearing through a knockout rendition of ‘Hey Heartbreaker,’ vocalist Rakel thanked the crowd for joining the “intimate soiree.”

Having recently returned from New York to play the album launch show, there was no evidence of jet-lag or fatigue in their performance even though Alice admitted she was “sick as a dog.” ‘Lolita’ and ‘Fire’ sparked a frenzied but friendly mosh that was maintained for the majority of their set, and new tracks ‘Love Without Reason’ and ‘Right Now’ sparkled in a set-list full of gems. Old favourite ‘F.U.U.’ never fails to rile up the crowd and there’s something overwhelmingly liberating about watching the girls thunder through this track, gleefully threatening to undo your image with a vicious haircut.

The live impact of poignant anthem ‘Somebody’ never fades. Whether you’re a “Bad Bitch” at the front or an ally at the back, hearing Rakel speak her truth with defiant flare is always affecting – whether it’s your first, or fifth Dream Wife gig. It was seamlessly followed by new track ‘Act My Age’, the chorus of which sparked further po-going and pushing in the mosh. Rakel’s unapologetic, confident delivery lead her out in to the hands of the crowd, who lifted her up to the ceiling and made her feel “cradled like a baby.”

Dream Wife have built this creative, supportive community around them and they were happy to thank individual members of their team mid-set, as well as continuously speaking words of gratitude to their fans and sharing the champagne they’d opened at the beginning of the show. They closed the night by handing out pom-poms to fans, who cheer-leadered their way through the riotous final track, ‘Let’s Make Out’.

Dream Wife’s Sebright Arms gig proved that they’re one of the most cherished bands on the live circuit right now and they should be immensely proud of their debut album, their exceptional live delivery and their obvious dedication to making each other’s dreams of being in a brilliant band, a reality. #DreamWife4Lyf

Photo Credit: Joanna Kiely

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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ALBUM: Dream Wife – ‘Dream Wife’

Fearless on stage and now on record, Dream Wife‘s debut self-titled album is a joyful declaration of defiance and self-autonomy, designed to motivate listeners in to embracing life, love, and the fires that spark when you overcome adversity.

Released via Lucky Number on 26th January, the album bursts open with ‘Let’s Make Out’, a confident display of catchy riffs and Rakel’s trademark sweet & shouty vocals. It’s a shameless celebration of consensual lip-action that will have you eyeing up your crush’s cupid’s bow. We were on set for the video shoot at Dream Wife’s ‘Fake Prom’ last year, so hearing this track makes us gush with happiness.

The liberating ‘Somebody’ is a poignant anthem about reclaiming your body after sexual assault, with a chorus that all women should adopt as a mantra: “I am not my body, I am somebody”. Despite the traumatic context, it’s a steady, life-affirming listen that resonates long after Alice’s guitar riffs stop ringing. It leads in to the riotous ‘Fire’, which blazes with glorious energy. Bella’s bass smoulders as Rakel sings of a flickering, heated romance.

The theme of love permeates the record and the Wives explore its spectrum in numerous ways. ‘Hey Heartbreaker’ will have you staring down any troublemaker who tries to be reckless with your heart, whilst the soft, sultry sounding ‘Love Without Reason’ explores the unjustified adoration we bestow on our partners. Previous single ‘Kids’ plays out with its care-free, up-tempo attitude, as does the intoxicating ‘Taste’.

In the blink of an eye, the trio can switch to antagonistic, as Rakel’s mockingly sweet vocals on ‘Act My Age’ perfectly demonstrate. She confronts listeners in the chorus with the line “Do I amuse you? / Do I confuse you?” with her sharp delivery, making this a standout track on the record. The brief, youthful urgency of ‘Right Now’ flows into an invitation you can’t refuse on penultimate track, ‘Spend The Night’.

Live highlight ‘F.U.U.’ is the perfect way to end this exploration of relentless passion in all its forms from the trio who “worship at the twin altars of David Bowie and Madonna.” There’s a reason these self-proclaimed “Bad Bitches” are doing so well. Their dedication to their music, their fans and to each other is more intense than any of the forces that seek to undermine them. #DreamWife4Lyf.

Pre-order your copy of Dream Wife’s debut album on CD/Vinyl here.

Follow the band on Facebook for more updates.

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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EP: After London – ‘After London’

If you’re looking for a slice of anthemic, alternative indie-rock, look no further than After London. The five-piece have released their eponymous debut EP, and it’s a record that shows they’re well-rehearsed, wickedly talented and ready for bigger things.

‘Bitter Man’ kicks things off with sardonic yet sublime vocals that recollect a blur of sexist poison and disappointment. Following track ‘Dreams’ flickers with the energy of over-active pupils during a case of REM sleep, and fans of London-rockers Anteros will approve of this indie tune.

On the penultimate ‘Highlife’, vocalist Francesca sings “you don’t like the taste of my despair” – but it’s hard to imagine anyone not savouring the sweet qualities of her voice, even if they do lament the sourness of dejection. The opening lyric on final track ‘Waiting For You’ feels particularly poignant – “Silence says more than what you think / it colours things that you can’t see” – and paves the way for an anthemic four minutes of taut percussion and melodic guitars.

Listen to After London’s EP in full on Spotify, and head down to their launch party at Hoxton Square Bar & Kitchen on 7th February to hear the record live. (RSVP here).

Follow After London on Facebook for more updates.

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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