New Track: Aisha Badru – ‘Lazy River’

Having previously charmed our ears with the exquisite grace of 2021 EP The Way Back Home and her debut album Pendulum, and with acclaim from the likes of The Line Of Best Fit and Afropunk, singer-songwriter Aisha Badru has now announced the release of her upcoming new EP, due out in June.

Our first taster of the EP comes in the form of stirring new single ‘Lazy River‘. Flowing with a lilting energy, the track reflects on the journey of emotional healing and the time that this can take. Rippling with the shimmering grace of Badru’s vocals and a twinkling folk-strewn musicality, ‘Lazy River’ offers a beautifully soothing heartfelt anthem, showcasing the rich majesty of what Badru can create. A blissful interlude of cathartic calm.

Of the track, she explains:

“It’s about the healing process after loss. Emotional healing is a journey. True healing takes time and there should be no shame or urgency in any step of the process.”

‘Lazy River’ is accompanied by a beautiful new video, directed by Laura-Lynn Petrick, choregraphed by Nyda Kwasowsky and featuring dancer Amara Barner. Watch it here:


Learning To Love Again, the new EP from Aisha Badru, is set for release on 2nd June.

Mari Lane
@marimindles

Photo Credit: Jeff Trapani

mariangelicalaneLeave a comment

NEW TRACK: ALT BLK ERA – ‘Rockstar: LUNAR’

After sharing their blistering nu-metal inspired track ‘Rockstar’ at the end of last year, genre-defying sister duo ALT BLK ERA are showcasing their softer side on latest single ‘Rockstar: LUNAR’. Beautifully contrasting with the band’s usual visceral, heavy sound, ‘Rockstar: LUNAR’ is an earnest reflection on an unhealthy relationship, gently edging listeners towards acceptance and finding strength in their vulnerability.

Formed of sisters Nyrobi and Chaya, ALT BLK ERA create tenacious alternative anthems designed to express their vivid personalities. Inspired by the likes of Ho99o9, Nova Twins, Hacktivist and Billie Eilish, they blur the boundaries of punk, nu-metal and trap to form their riotous, anthemic sounds. Refusing to be pigeonholed, ALT BLK ERA enjoy exploring their musical dynamic further by releasing ‘SOLAR’ and ‘LUNAR’ versions of their songs. Nyrobi’s Solar energy represents her wild, raucous spirit, and Chaya’s calmer, more introverted energy is represented by Lunar.

Their original single ‘Rockstar’ was a volatile, all-consuming wall of noise, but on ‘Rockstar: LUNAR’, the duo filter the heaviness of romantic infatuation through a different lens. Full of tender vocals, evocative piano sounds and confessional lyrics, the track is a poignant rumination on an emotionally harmful relationship. The pair find solace in opening up about the difficult reality of loving someone who is bad for you, and have showcased their impressive, seamless ability to move between music genres in the process.

Listen to ‘Rockstar: LUNAR’ below:

ALT BLK ERA UK Live Dates 2023
Mar 18: CH Hirscheneck, Basel
Mar 31: UK Bodega, Nottingham
Apr 05: UK Hare & Hounds, Birmingham
May 25-28: UK Bearded Theory, Derbyshire

Follow ALT BLK ERA on bandcamp, Spotify, Tik Tok, Twitter, Instagram & Facebook

Kate Crudgington
@KCBobCut

Kate CrudgingtonLeave a comment

Video Premiere: Gabi Garbutt & Du Blonde – ‘Panic’

Having received acclaim from the likes of BBC 6Music’s Steve Lamacq and Cerys Matthews, as well as airplay from Radio X’s John Kennedy, London-based artist Gabi Garbutt follows last year’s album Cockerel with a brand new EP, set for release in April.

Taken from the EP, lead single ‘Panic’ offers a perfect collaboration between Garbutt and acclaimed artist Du Blonde. Propelled by a swirling post-punk energy, whirring scuzzy hooks flow alongside sugar-sweet pop melodies as the two vocals fuse together with a shimmering charm, creating a truly blissful, instantly infectious, indie-pop anthem. Oozing a jangling uplifting allure, the stream of consciousness lyricism reflects on the chaotic turmoil of anxiety, whilst somehow offering a sparkling reassurance that you’re not alone and everything will be ok.

Of the track, Garbutt expands:

“…the song is about the feeling of panic and in using multi-sensory imagery, I’m trying to express how all-consuming panic can be. You’re moving through all these chaotic internal landscapes when really you’re just standing at the lights waiting to cross the road.“

‘Panic’ is accompanied by a wonderfully DIY video, directed by  Dan Fatel, perfectly portraying the colourfully chaotic feelings the song reflects on. Watch, for the first time, here:


‘Panic’ is out tomorrow, 28th February. It was written by Gabi Garbutt and Du Blonde, co-produced by Du Blonde and Leo Garbutt, and mixed and mastered by Leo Garbutt. It’s taken from Garbutt’s upcoming EP The Creation Of Birds, set for release on 28th April, via Du Blonde’s label Daemon TV. Pre-order from tomorrow here.

Mari Lane
@marimindles

mariangelicalane1 Comment

WATCH: Girl Ray – ‘Everybody’s Saying That’

Following the release of 2021’s ‘Give Me Your Love’, London trio (and GIHE faves) Girl Ray have now shared another much-anticipated buoyant new single.

Reflecting on themes of new love and self-doubt, ‘Everybody’s Saying That‘ is propelled by a swirling disco-inspired energy, oozing the band’s colourful charisma and uplifting charm. Flowing with funk-fuelled hooks and a sparkling danceable allure, it showcases the smooth lilt of Poppy Hankin’s distinctive vocals perfectly. Fizzing with all the shimmering blissful zest that we’ve come to know and love from Girl Ray, it’s the perfect Friday anthem; just one listen will elevate your spirits, leaving you ready to hit the dancefloor/roller-disco/bedroom with a revived sense of optimism.

Of the track, Hankin explains:

“The lyrics on this single were inspired by the straight-to-the-heart simplicity of the disco greats. I wrote it while missing my partner while on tour in 2020, and it plays on themes of new love and self-doubt. Musically we took reference from the nu-disco resurgence that seemed to be taking off in 2020, in particular from the likes of Kylie Minogue (Disco), Jessie Ware (What’s Your Pleasure?), Dua Lipa (Future Nostalgia) and Róisín Murphy (Róisín Machine). We were really inspired by all of these women re-imagining disco.”

‘Everybody’s Saying That’ is accompanied by a joyous Studio 54-inspired new video, directed by Alice Harding. Watch it here:

‘Everybody’s Saying That’ is produced by Poppy Hankin and Ben H Allen (M.I.A, Christina Aguilera), and is out now via Moshi Moshi Records.

Mari Lane
@marimindles

Photo Credit: Chiara Gambuto

mariangelicalaneLeave a comment