WATCH: HAWXX – ‘Hologram’

Anthemic choruses collide with dystopian wonderings in this high-energy latest single by London-based metal quartet HAWXX. 

A perfect musical introduction to their upcoming EP You’re Only As Loud As You Shout Right Now, ‘Hologram’ kicks off with a dose of mystical reverb before crashing into hard-hitting drums and spiralling electric riffs. HAWXX’s high-adrenaline vocals veer between classic metal exhilaration and eerie whispers, as the energy builds and builds to plunge back into perfect breakdowns that dance between hazy riffs and punishing bass. Accompanied by a futuristic video drenched in sci-fi glam, the lyrics speak of the menacing future of social media – the dark side to our late-night scrolling habits in search of likes and dopamine hits.

HAWXX explain: “’Hologram’ is a song about the looming dystopia of social media. We curate and self-edit to create well packaged yet hollow versions of ourselves. The entire meaning of identity has shifted. Our relevance and worth depend on numbers and branding. When we are anxious or lonely, we rely on this digital pacifier, this hit of dopamine that has overpowered our human nature. We are the hologram generation.”

At least we have the delights of HAWXX to drag us firmly back into the real world with this electrifying slice of metal.



Leonie Bellini
@teenpeachmovie

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Track Of The Day: Maya Lakhani – ‘Nightfall’

An invigorating haunt makes for a sonic thunderstorm in the latest from British-Indian artist, Maya Lakhani. In her highly anticipated third single, ‘Nightfall‘, Maya leads us through a forest of dark sounds at the guidance of her dynamic voice. Displaying an explosive level of capability in bedroom studio production, Lakhani makes her impressive mark.

With instrumentals reminiscent of PJ Harvey and Garbage, ‘Nightfall’ pairs grunge influences with Maya’s captivating and bewitching vocals, channelling inspiration from modern rock vocalists like Evanescence’s Amy Lee or Spiritbox’s Courtney LaPlante. Guitar tracks topped with modest layers of reverb elongate the soundscape and foster a thick, overdriven mix felt in the chest. Energetic yet washy drums perpetuate the urgency of the track and support Maya’s guitar leads in just the right way.

Inspired by bad habits and unexpected dark thoughts, Maya captures her vulnerability by embodying emotional experiences in her lyrics – “I am holding on when night falls, for my life.” With a commitment to endure even the darkest of ventures, ‘Nightfall’ creates its own city of hopeful lights, all from a single bedroom.

Jill Goyeau
@jillybxxn

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Track Of The Day: Bas Jan – ‘Sex Cult’

Having released their new album, Baby You Know, today, London experimental collective Bas Jan (founded by Serafina Steer and featuring members of Jenny Moore’s Mystic Business and Jarv Is) have previously received acclaim from the likes of Marc Riley at BBC 6Music and Mojo Magazine, and charmed crowds at festivals such as Green Man and Doune The Rabbit Hole.

To celebrate the new album’s release, the band have shared a striking new video for lead single ‘Sex Cult‘. Reflecting on society’s attitude towards polygamy and dating apps, the track offers a glistening cacophony propelled by a quirky energy and captivating allure. Flowing with jangling hooks and flourishing harmonies, it radiates a celestial joy as crystalline voices come together in unity to create a soundscape that sparkles with a vibrant euphoria.

Directed by Jack Barraclough, and with costumes/collages by Andrew Kerr, you can watch the colourful new video here:

Baby You Know, the new album from Bas Jan, is out now via Lost Map Records.

Mari Lane
@marimindles

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Track Of The Day: Hatchie – ‘Quicksand’

Upon announcing the release of her new album coming up in April, Australian dream-pop artist, Harriette Pilbeam – aka Hatchie – has now shared lead single, ‘Quicksand’.

As Giving The World Away serves as Hatchie’s second full-length album, ‘Quicksand’ highlights an enrichment in Hatchie’s already catchy and infectious writing. Diving in head first, it deals with the realisation that, as people, we may never be satisfied. Lyrically, Hatchie catches herself in a cycle of ungratefulness and guilt surrounding elements of her life that are on paper, seemingly going quite well. As her realisations begin to pile up, it is natural to relate to the quickness of dissatisfaction as it discolours other areas of our minds with a broad paint brush. Of the track, Pilbeam explains:

“I was feeling guilty and ungrateful for not being happy about a few different things in my life that were technically going well. I had to work through some tough learned thought processes and emotions that had been working away for years to try to understand how to be happy with my present, and stop fixating on my past and future. The video digs deeper into showing this juxtaposition of such sadness and anger despite being surrounded by glamour and grandeur.”

Creating a soundscape that is bold yet tasteful, luscious synth pads and electronic drums pack a punch with a silkily smooth allure, while ‘Quicksand’ flows at just the right speed. Fusing together the inward emotions of classic shoegaze with the sparkling sophistication of modern dream-pop, ‘Quicksand’ feels crystal clear both lyrically and sonically, whilst bathing the ears in a sea of Hatchie’s smooth vocals and reverberated instruments.

All that Hatchie touches becomes utterly euphoric and ‘Quicksand’ is no exception.

Written with GRAMMY-nominated Olivia Rodrigo collaborator Dan Nigro, ‘Quicksand’ is out now. Watch the visuals shimmer to the blissful sounds in the glamorous Nathan Castiel-directed new video here:

Giving The World Away, the upcoming new album from Hatchie, is set for release on 22nd April via Secretly Canadian. Pre-order here.

Jill Goyeau
@jillybxxn

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