Ahead of their new album ‘Let’s Talk, Pt. 2’, out January 28th, Wiltshire-based quartet Wasuremono have recently shared their new single ‘Fill Your Lungs'. Songwriter William Southward explains succinctly: "It’s a song about the twists and turns of life and how the ones who pass on become a part of you. This was the last song I wrote on the album and a fitting single to end on. I love the progression of this song, how it takes you on an unexpected journey." Take a listen for yourselves below.
Filmed just a stones throw away from where I do a lot of my cycling in the heart of the Rhondda Valley of South Wales, The Howl & The Hum return with their gritty official video to recent single Thumbs up. Rich in history the the ex-coal mining commuter settlement has many stories to tell, as the film follows the story of a young man and his struggles with, and love affairs with, small town life. Intended as a follow on to the wonderful “Boy Racer” (which Matthew Thorne also directed), the video explores themes of brotherhood, fatherhood and masculine connection. Speaking about the video's conception, Sam Griffiths of The Howl & The Hum says: “I approached Matthew with the song saying we could approach the video with a lens on mental health, masculinity and silence, and he almost immediately answered with this idea encompassing the Rhondda valleys, where serendipitously both of our families are from, so there’s a bunch of odd connections there (family members living on the same street etc).” Director Matthew Thorne adds: “It’s a story of everything that we all know in different shades in the pattern of growth as a young man. A story of late night takeaways (and the fights they cause), of watching Dad who never spoke about his feelings cry as he sings in the Men’s club, of watching your friend wipe the blood from his knuckles after he beat his hands against the brick wall of the Pub after his missus left because that's how he watched his Dad do it, of Uncles who protect you, and Aunties who throw you out the door. Images of Grandma's knitting set against porno, early loves, blow ups with close friends & facing fear.” Take a watch for yourselves below.
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| Photo: Frederik Lentz |
“‘Doesn’t Matter’ is about how hard it can be to explain your feelings and emotions to people. Sometimes friends just being there for you is such a help. I’m so excited about this video; it was my first shot at co-directing with Aidee Walker. I came up with the concept, and she helped me bring it to life. I wanted the look of an old French indie film with a twist....and I love how it turned out.” - Says BENEE. Take a listen to her new single Doesn't Matter for yourselves below.
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| Photo: Cody Pulliam |
Having already racked Spotify streams in their millions, pop troubadour vaultboy has been steadily building a name for himself over recent months. Today sees him return with the new video to his latest single Rocket Science. Sharing a little more about rocket science, he explained: "I was in the “talking stage” with this girl who I really liked but it felt extremely difficult to shoot my shot: a feeling most people have felt. I wrote “rocket science” to tell that story, my story, about knowing you both have feelings for each other, and saying “what the hell, let’s do this!” After all, it’s not rocket science. " Take a watch for yourselves below.
With the crowd suitably warmed up following Happy Monday's taking to the stage, timely marking 33 years since the two Factory label mates toured together back in 1988, Tim Booth, donned in a cosy jacket and oversized beanie hat shuffled out in his usual unassuming manner. For some, it was presumable their first show back post-lockdown, so it was understandable the atmosphere inside was already teetering towards its limit.
"We’re all going to die, that's the truth, quit measuring time by money and youth." cried booth to quickly set the mood bringing home the sobering message on new album track Zero. It's a typical stance from the Manchester based outfit to toy with their tongue-in-cheek lyricism and it's one they achieve to great effect.
With a career now spanning 16 albums it's safe to say the setlist was packed with track's across the decades with the bulk in support of their recently released record 'All The Colours Of You'.
From Miss America's soft intimacy, played behind a giant white sheet that was draped in front of the band, to Beautiful Beaches and its rush of energy that filled the echoing hall, the band's dynamic sound and rich history truly come to life in a live setting.
For anyone who's been fortunate enough to see James before will know all too well no performance would be complete without booth's convulsive dancing and tonight the crowd got plenty to feast their eyes upon as he jolted around with arms and hands flailing.
Eternally grateful for the crowds adoration, Tim's reaction throughout is earnest. It's clear to see the appreciation the band have for their fans, reciprocated in huge cheers and smiles throughout as they churned out 2 hours of live music.
Saving the classics to last, the band rounded up the main event with Getting Away With It (All Messed Up), before returning for an encore with Seven, Laid and Sit Down. Sadly my favourite song Sometimes was omitted from the setlist but who can blame them with so many profound and poignant track's to choose from - I'd rather not be in charge of curation.
With the band's new music fitting so seamlessly amongst the tried and tested back catalogue, it's safe to say, as long as James keep rolling out the euphoria and adrenalin rising anthems, they'll long be playing to packed out arena shows.
*****
Back with their first brand new single in five years, last night saw Bloc Party return to their post-punk roots with their stunning new single Traps. Built upon it's driving basslines and charged up percussion comes a brilliant re-emergence for the band as they let out their pent up energy to great effect in an outburst of nostalgia that meets their forward thinking logic. Speaking of the new single, Bloc Party singer, songwriter and guitarist Kele Okereke says: “From the moment we wrote ‘Traps’, we knew it had to be the first thing people heard from this album; playing it in soundchecks on our last tour before it was finished and hearing how it sounded in those big rooms and outdoors.” Take a listen below for yourselves.
Alpha Games tracklisting
1. Day Drinker
2. Traps
3. You Should Know the Truth
4. Callum Is a Snake
5. Rough Justice
6. The Girls Are Fighting
7. Of Things Yet to Come
8. Sex Magik
9. By Any Means Necessary
10. In Situ
11. If We Get Caught
12. The Peace Offering
Having quickly become a band that I can so readily post about without having to hear beforehand, purveyors of the finest guitar music we've had the pleasure of listening in recent times, Leif Erikson, have today returned with their brand new single 200 Times. With their natural ability in churning blissfully layered pop music, the band once more deliver another elongated head nodder that's packed in rich melodies and personal lyrics. And frontman and songwriter, Sam Johnston, considers the lyrics to be some of his most personal yet: “They hark back to when I was working as a chef, at the same time as avidly making music, and in true culinary fashion probably burning a little too much of that midnight oil… I was pretty physically and emotionally drained at times but had to really push through. That said it was a period of tremendous fun, friendship and creativity. They also have a mystical quality which I like to think has become part of my lyrical style. I was inspired by Yoko Ono’s fluxus score concept which is a really interesting artistic tool. The line “a thousand suns setting in the sky” is a nod to Yoko.” Take a listen for yourselves below. ‘200 Times’ comes ahead of the band's sold-out show at London’s Electrowerkz this evening and upcoming tour dates.
Cardiff, Clwb Ifor Bach | 26 November
Southampton, The Joiners | 28 November
Brighton, Hope & Ruin | 29 November
Glasgow, King Tut’s | 1 December
Huddersfield, The Parish | 2 December
