PREMIERE: Sukie Smith – ‘Into The Light’

Having released critically acclaimed albums with her band Madam over the last decade, as well as collaborating with the likes of Tricky, multi-disciplinary artist Sukie Smith has now announced the release of her debut solo album, The Glass Dress and a Ringing Bell.

Taken from the album, new single ‘Into The Light’ reflects on summoning the power to leave a turbulent relationship that Smith found herself trapped in during lockdown. Showcasing her rich vocals alongside scuzzy hooks and a ’90s reminiscent whirring energy, a gritty, empowering spirit glistens throughout, creating an impassioned, yet catchy, indie anthem. A fierce ode to survival and understanding our own strength as women, from a truly innovative artist.

‘Into The Light’ is accompanied by an artfully created new video, directed by James Alexander, which beautifully portrays the sparkling energy and fizzing sense of celebration at the heart of the song. Watch, for the first time, here:

‘Into The Light’ will also feature an additional remix by Adam Franklin of Swervedriver, so keep your ears peeled for that too! The Glass Dress and a Ringing Bell, the upcoming debut album from Sukie Smith, is set for release on 8th March.

Mari Lane
@marimindles

Photo Credit: James Alexander

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New Track: Moor Mother – ‘Guilty’

Following critical acclaim for her 2021 album Black Encyclopedia Of The Air, innovative artist Camae Ayewa – aka Moor Mother – has now announced the release of her 9th studio album, The Great Bailout.

Our first taste of the album comes in the form of new single ‘Guilty‘, a collaboration with Lonnie Holley, Mary Lattimore and Raia Was. Oozing a mystical energy, it encapsulates the sentiment of the album – a poignant and necessary message, bringing to our attention crimes committed by our ‘fair isle’. With a glistening splendour, layers of chiming instrumentation swirl together with vocals, intertwining to create a truly stirring anthem. As its whirring musicality provides a backdrop to lists of ‘great’ Britain’s injustices against humanity and the harsh realities of colonialism, the juxtaposition of the horror of ‘Guilty’s message with the beauty of its musicality is stark. At over ten minutes long, I urge you to immerse yourself in this hauntingly beautiful offering; one that we need to pay heed to, now more than ever. An urgent message encased in an evocative sonic grace.

Of the track, Ayewa explains:

“Displacement and its effects are not discussed enough… The PTSD of displacement should be a focus, and as we have the opportunity to learn about things happening in the world, we also have the opportunity to learn about ourselves. We’ve been through so many different acts of systematic violence.“

Watch the affecting lyric video now:


The Great Bailout, the ninth album from Moor Mother, is set for release on 8th March via ANTI-. Pre-order here. Catch Moor Mother live in London or Bristol in March, info and tickets here.


Mari Lane
@marimindles

Photo Credit: Ebru Yildiz

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NEW TRACK: Fears – ‘4th of the 1st’

A poignant reflection on emotional resilience and self-soothing, Dublin-born, London-based interdisciplinary artist Constance Keane aka Fears has shared her latest single, ‘4th of the 1st’. Taken from her newly announced second album, affinity, which is set for release on 22nd March via TULLE, the track is a delicate blend of soft vocals and hypnotic synth loops that delicately dismantle the duplicitous and intrusive thoughts that follow in the aftermath of a complicated breakup.

On her debut album Oíche, Fears balanced her intense ruminations on trauma alongside dainty synth loops and tentative beats to shine a light on a personal metamorphosis. On her upcoming album, affinity, she continues to create emotive, elegant and enlightening soundscapes, but this time she spotlights the ability to find peace in the often chaotic settings around her. Written and recorded between London, New York, and Dublin, across 10 tracks she shares stories of human connection in its strongest and most fragile forms, something which her new single ‘4th of the 1st’ beautifully highlights.

Fears gives more context to ‘4th of the 1st’, which is inspired by a phone call she had on the same date back in 2022: “It’s about checking in with yourself and reassuring yourself after an experience with someone who denies what you know to be true of your time together,” she explains. “I think it’s unfortunately a pretty common thing to have someone tell you how much they’re into you and then decide that they actually never said that when they’ve changed their mind. I’ve experienced it a few times anyway, so I wanted to write a song for myself to say ‘no you DID actually say that, I didn’t make it up’.”

The single is accompanied by a video, directed and edited by Fears and filmed by Colleen Lee. The visuals aim to subtly highlight the “trust and bond that can be found in sisterhood,” and poetically depicts how women proactively signal to other women information that could help to keep them safe.

Watch the video for ‘4th of the 1st’ below.

Pre-order Fears upcoming album, affinity, here

Follow Fears on bandcamp, Spotify, Instagram, Twitter (X) & Facebook
Follow TULLE on Instagram & Twitter (X)

Photo Credit: Niamh Barry

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

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WATCH: The Baby Seals – ‘Mild Misogynist’

‘Mild Misogynist‘ from long-term GIHE faves, Cambridge band The Baby Seals, is a song for every woman who has ever smiled and nodded silently while a mediocre man prattled on about how lucky everyone around him really is to have him in their life, secretly knowing he’s a few pints away from calling his ex crazy.

It is a high energy track with roaring guitars and throbbing drums that releases years of pent up frustration from the very opening bars. There is no attempt to soften the message, creating a cathartic energy that is difficult not to get caught up in.

‘Mild Misogynist’ is a painfully relatable song. It calls out the kind of person that might not be the most abhorrent of bigots, but nonetheless can be a hugely damaging presence in the lives of those around them with their casual approach to misogyny. The only way you don’t listen to this song and immediately think of someone who fits the description perfectly is if you are in fact that person that everyone around you finds terribly exhausting. It calls out nice guys and performative allies, the kind of person who doesn’t do anything that actually helps oppressed people, but makes a big deal out of having a friend with a minority background and is overtly, annoyingly proud of not doing hate crimes while still casually spewing micro-aggressions.

The track has a raw, unfiltered sound that comes right from the gut. There is no filter constricting this outpouring of feeling. It’s an eye-rolling purge of exasperation that comes from finally allowing yourself to speak freely. The upbeat rhythm and fun melodies stand in excellently stark contrast to the irritating subject matter. The song ramps up to its climactic ending, taking immense joy in feeling every emotion. The lines “The girls really like / The way I try / To kiss” are repeated with an increasing sarcasm that is delightful to hear, and revels in the simple yet rare pleasure of fully expressing every moment of built up frustration.

Watch the accompanying new video to ‘Mild Misogynist‘ here:


‘Mild Misogynist’ is our first taster of The Baby Seals’ upcoming debut album, Chaos – set for release this Spring via Trapped Animal. And we cannot wait to hear more of their sassy wit and empowering energy! Find out more about The Baby Seals and their upcoming live shows here.

Kirstie Summers
@ActuallyKurt

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