I love a song that practices what it preaches; where sound and theme are aligned in perfect harmony – and that’s precisely the experience offered by Danish quartet Sunraker’s latest single. ‘Mad’, taken from the band’s eponymous EP out 29th May, delves into the dark side of love. Being drawn to danger, captivated by a toxic love that will only bring pain, blinded and bewitched by a relationship destined to unravel. We hear that dark gothic romance echoed perfectly in ‘Mad’s eclectic sonic palette. Frontman Sophus Alf’s impassioned vocals recalling the New Romantics of the 80s, while the killer rhythm section brings heavy grunge energy to bear. Guitar work that takes sweeping bittersweet melodies worthy of The Smiths and injects them with an ethereal shoegaze shimmer. The uplifting empyreal breakdown at the song’s centre feeling like the brief calm at the eye of a hurricane, before the roiling tempest comes crashing back in. This track sees Sunraker gather a real melting pot of styles and ideas, all in service of crafting the perfect balance of crushing darkness and shimmering radiant melody.
Spotlight!: Josephine Illingworth
Humanity once perceived their surroundings through the lens of storytelling. It was our way of understanding the world and our place in it. Everyone coming up with their own answers for the things beyond their understanding. Every faith and piece of folklore, every cautionary tale and legendary hero, all told and retold as a way to explain away the unknown. Our ancestors would look up at pinpricks of light in the dark canvas of night and let their imaginations connect the dots. They’d see their world with such wonder, respect and curiosity; a uniquely human spark that has since dimmed in our modern world. We’ve become conditioned to stick to our routines and not think about lies beyond. We lose sight of all the wonder and beauty that we pass each day and take for granted, and get so wrapped up in our own problems that we forget how small we truly are in the grand scheme of things. We need more stories. Reignite that curious spark by mythologising the mundane, remind ourselves that we are not separate from nature, but part of something greater.
Continue readingTop Tracks: Philippe Nash – Hurt
Honesty is usually the best policy – especially when it comes to being honest with ourselves. The first step to solving a problem is to acknowledge its existence. Yet we’re constantly obscuring the truth from the world, ourselves included, using that oft told lie: “I’m fine”. When it comes to the storm raging inside our heads, all that pain, stress and worry that we carry, dragging us down like heavy iron chains, our first instinct is always to bury it deep in the hope it goes away. That’s sadly not how it works. A wound left untreated will fester, why should one within our mind be any different? ‘Hurt’ – the raw and haunting new single from singer/songwriter Philippe Nash – is all about accepting the burdens we carry. Even if its something so deep and profound that we’ll carry it for years to come, the only way to ultimately come to terms and make peace with it is to feel what needs to be felt. From the mournful string arrangements and dark grungy flourishes, to the tenderness and vulnerability in Philippe’s crooning vocals that evokes the likes of Thom Yorke and Elliot Smith, the sombre slow burn of ‘Hurt’ is the kind of track that reaches into murky recesses of your mind and drags your demons into the light.
Album Review: Snail Mail – Ricochet
Top Tracks: Emei – Night At The Opera
“Am I cursed?” – hearing that opening line to ‘Night At The Opera’ for the thousandth time this week, I’ve begun to wonder the same thing. Cursed to have Emei’s new single playing on repeat forever more. Kept awake by it’s earworm chorus buzzing around my brain when I’m trying to sleep. Cursed to have the words “The Pain! The Gag! The Drama!” play at random intervals for the rest of my days, like some fabulous Greek chorus narrating the world around me. With the manic flamboyance of a theatre kid let loose with a big budget, Emei carves out her own niche with this latest single. It touches on darker themes of how we thrive on watching other people’s mess and drama, feeding on the chaos, yet all the while throwing euphoric hooks, relentless energy, and grand operatic flourishes your way. This campy slice of maximalist pop – the title track from Emei’s new EP out 12th June – is one of the most wickedly addictive tracks I’ve heard in an age. One paired with a stunning video I might add; full of sass, theatricality, stunning lighting and costuming, and fun, playful choreography. Iconic visuals sealing the deal, ensuring that ‘Night At The Opera’ will forever live rent free in my head. I see the vision Emei, and I support you.
Belwood Music 