DATE ARCHIVES : August 2020

NANCY – ‘Orange Yellow Orange’

Based in the North East of England, NANCY have demonstrated an enigmatic talent with a propensity for audacious sonic adventures that are anything but conventional.

More accustomed to frenzied blasts of art-rock meets post-punk steeped-in-psychedelia, on this occasion NANCY affords us a glimpse at a softer side with synthy single ‘Orange Yellow Orange’. It is a woozy little jam that will lull you into a trance with its seductive melody and laidback tranquility. Basked in a hazy glow, lush synths and pillowy soft percussives provide the perfect environment for the soothing and transfixing whistle to whisk you away before hushed vocals flutter into view. ‘Orange Yellow Orange’ is hazy, gentle and swoons with a heart melting melody doused with a tinge of beautiful melancholy.

‘Orange Yellow Orange’ offers us a glimpse into forthcoming EP ‘Happy Oddities’, which is out on August 7.

Neurotic Fiction – ‘Happy Goth’

Neurotic Fiction are Bristol-based outfit with a penchant for fast-paced, frantic, jerky and melodic post-punk sounds.

The foursomes latest release, EP Romance, is something of a bittersweet moment. Yes, it is a wonderful blast of jerky, agitated guitar pop but it marks their final bow, as they go their separate ways. Across the four tracks the EP offers us a short but precise insight to the magical allure of Neurotic Fiction’s sound and if there is one track that encapsulates their harmonic balance between frenzied guitar heroics and resplendent, intricate pop craft and ear for melody and the catchiest of hooks, it is EP closer ‘Happy Goth’. Propelled by relentless driving bass and urgent drums, jerky riffs and reverb-drenched surfy guitars collide to provide a twitchy and agitated backdrop. In lesser hands, the juxtaposition of this with the sunnier, lush and dreamy vocals probably wouldn’t work but thankfully Neurotic Fiction nail it.

Listen to ‘Happy Goth’ below, a standout from a superb EP (which is here). It’s a shame to see them ride off into the sunset…..

Radio Europa – Something Beautiful [feat. Gwenllian Anthony of Adwaith] (Conformist Remix)

Conformist is the moniker of Cardiff producer Michael Simmons – taking inspiration from Public Enemy’s Bomb Squad and cut n’ paste pioneers Coldcut, Steinski and The Dust Brothers to name a few – renowned for his leftfield, meticulous, dense and layered productions.

Conformist has returned with a new remix of Radio Europa’s ‘Something Beautiful’ featuring vocals by Gwenllian Anthony of Adwaith – a teaser of more to come, with a third album expected from Conformist later in 2020. Conformist has given it a fresh new look, a makeover blending an intricate palette of synths, glitches and glistening strings, spliced vocal samples and spluttering beats to create something sophisticated, seductive and supremely inventive. In short, the outcome is stunning.

Listen to Conformist’s rework below:

Mofer – ‘Across the Border’

Mofer are a German post-punk trio with a penchant for rough, raw and immediate sounds rooted in 80s and 90s indie and post punk vein.

The trio’s latest single ‘Across the Border’ is a perfect encapsulation of their sound. A bit indie, a bit post-punk, a bit alt-rock and a bit rough around the edge it – this coarseness is not to be confused with lacking skill. The gritty raw materials of slant-edged rhythms, chugging riffs and distortion provide a perfect vehicle for the sullen yet reflective vocals. It is a compelling jam filled with menace, noise and melancholy, and also ear pleasing melodies.

Listen to ‘Across the Border’ below: