So, Crawford Mack went to a museum, and while wandering through an exhibit area with his female friend, he decides that his interpretation of the works on display depended on where he stood. So they stood in different places. Not happy with that, although it did provide them with new views of the works, they then attempted to engage with the works of art. That meant them dancing for some, posing for some and imitating some. Was it a success? Depends On Where You Stand.
From where I was standing, this is good music incorporated into an excellent video that would have made Modest Mussorgsky happy.
Swedish synth act Kite are releasing new track Bowie ‘95. It’s an ode to being lost, and the existential dread that comes from having to engage with the ‘real world’. Made up of singer Nicklas Stenemo and keyboard player Christian Berg, the band tell us “The lyrics addresses both the feeling of guilt of not being more part of making the real world much better, but also the acceptance that music and escapism have an important role to play in people’s lives.”
Like recent single ‘Teenage Bliss’ the new song has been produced together with Blanck Mass (Benjamin John Power). The pair tell us that “When we started Kite the band F*** .Buttons were a big source of inspiration to us. Since then we have been following Benjamin John Powers brilliant music as Blanck Mass. We are now extremely excited to announce that we are working on the production of two new Kite tracks with him.”
The band have brought their projection filled, brain melting visual live show to audiences in Scandinavia, Germany, the US, Canada and China. It sometimes even includes cats shooting laser beams out of their eyes, and when their performing their sold our show’s at Stockholm’s Royal Opera House – a 16-piece orchestra.
The pair combine an adventurous nature with pop sensibilities, throbbing beats and an early nineties aesthetic. Their lean approach to songwriting – a methodology of ‘cut the fat’ results in tight, focussed songs that never outstay their welcome.
Back on July 7th, I did a review of Ben Hobbs single, Own Arms, which was in almost constant rotation on my iTunes account. Today I did a proper listen to Ben’s upcoming EP, dropping on July 31st, and I have no problem giving this a 4-star review, that’s four out of four by the way.
In the EP, Better Weather, I hear a bit of Bowie and his Diamond Dogs through to Heroes era. I also feel a bit of an R&B vibe going on in Better Weather. This EP is not mired in the past though. It has a 2020 vibe to it that is very contemporary and very listenable. Better Weather pays homage to the music of the past, but Ben Hobbs is very much connected to the present and is looking forward to better days with his new music on Better Weather.
Ben Hobbs Better Weather
The title song, Better Weather, gives me hope, hope for better weather in a literal and a figurative sense, our summer where I live has been very wet with minimal warm, cloudless days. The music and lyrics of Better Weather warmed my soul via my ears, thank you, Ben.
Ben tells us that the EP is about “insecurities, life challenges, everything. My girlfriend, the inspiration for ‘How We Care’, the journey we’ve been on together, and how we’ve helped each other. In contrast, ‘Loaded Gun’ is based the idea of leaving your world behind for a new one, partly inspired by what was is happening in UK politics; feeling like we are being lied to by our government.
A vast pool of inspiration that brings us Better Weather by Ben Hobbs. Do your summer a favour and listen to Better Weather. The Better Weather EP will be available to stream from July 31st, 2020.
Austrian Indie Rocker Tanzos arejump-starting our weekend with squalling guitar harmonics, glitches and outtakes, on their new monochromatic music video for ‘How Do You Want Me?’ It sees Tanzosexploring the emotions and pressures felt when striving for the acceptance of others which is always relevant but perhaps more so during the interesting times that we live in.
‘Can’t We Just Be Friends Again’ was a hot release back in March, from the Bristol-based band Tungz. Since then they have garnered positive reviews including one from yours truly. Now they are pushing their music forward in a new and exciting direction as heard on their latest offering ‘Go Out’, released 22nd July 2020 via Heist or Hit.
While written and recorded before lockdown, ‘Go Out’ has become an unintentionally timely release for the band. The lyrics are focusing on anxiety and bad routines, which are all too familiar amid the lockdown.
Speaking about the bands new single, vocalist and songwriter Nicky Green said, “Jamie (Maier) and I spent eight months sofa surfing and sharing rooms while we were looking for a place and saving money to move to London. Because we were moving around so much, the song ended up being written in 4 different places. I wrote it as a conversation with myself. It’s about carrying too much weight in your soul without realising and getting exhausted with a routine that’s no good for you.”
‘Can’t We Just Be Friends Again’ was a hot release back in March, from the Bristol-based band Tungz. Since then they have garnered positive reviews including one from yours truly. Now they are pushing their music forward in a new and exciting direction as heard on their latest offering ‘Go Out’, released 22nd July 2020 via Heist or Hit.
While written and recorded before lockdown, ‘Go Out’ has become an unintentionally timely release for the band. The lyrics are focusing on anxiety and bad routines, which are all too familiar amid the lockdown.
Speaking about the bands new single, vocalist and songwriter Nicky Green said, “Jamie (Maier) and I spent eight months sofa surfing and sharing rooms while we were looking for a place and saving money to move to London. Because we were moving around so much, the song ended up being written in 4 different places. I wrote it as a conversation with myself. It’s about carrying too much weight in your soul without realising and getting exhausted with a routine that’s no good for you.”
Tungz effortlessly weaves funk into grooving bass lines within a song that still sounds new and fresh to our ears. Self-produced, their latest single ‘Go Out’ will be available to stream and download from Wednesday 22nd July via Heist or Hit.
‘Can’t We Just Be Friends Again’ was a hot release back in March, from the Bristol-based band Tungz. Since then they have garnered positive reviews including one from yours truly. Now they are pushing their music forward in a new and exciting direction as heard on their latest offering ‘Go Out’, released 22nd July 2020 via Heist or Hit.
While written and recorded before lockdown, ‘Go Out’ has become an unintentionally timely release for the band. The lyrics are focusing on anxiety and bad routines, which are all too familiar amid the lockdown.
Speaking about the bands new single, vocalist and songwriter Nicky Green said, “Jamie (Maier) and I spent eight months sofa surfing and sharing rooms while we were looking for a place and saving money to move to London. Because we were moving around so much, the song ended up being written in 4 different places. I wrote it as a conversation with myself. It’s about carrying too much weight in your soul without realising and getting exhausted with a routine that’s no good for you.”
Tungz effortlessly weaves funk into grooving bass lines within a song that still sounds new and fresh to our ears. Self-produced, their latest single ‘Go Out’ will be available to stream and download from Wednesday 22nd July via Heist or Hit.
This song has been on replay mode all week. Maybe I like it. Perhaps the sea is a bit salty. Maybe, yeah, just maybe. Here I go listening to it again. Hear I go listening to ‘Depends On Where You Stand” again.
Not only a catchy bit of music but interesting lyrics that reminded me of Modest Mussorgsky’s “Pictures At An Exhibition”. Elaborating on his interpretation of the track, Crawford tells us: “Two former lovers meet together in an art gallery, and they’re out of awkward pleasantries to exchange. No amount of hastily formed opinions on the artwork displayed can drown out what they are neglecting to discuss. They play-out a Hollywood-Esq sequence of trying not to be caught sneaking a glance, whilst attempting to give each other enough space by dancing around each other at a pace that is as excruciating as it is conspicuous.” Brilliant, simply brilliant.
Hailing from Glasgow, Crawford Mack draws on the influence of various works of literature that he devours with an insatiable appetite for words. Crawford is not just a composer and lyricist; he is also a video and art director, and he bringings all of these talents together for the expression of his musical vision.
Initially, Crawford was a jazz musician, breaking out of that genre box he has created a musical sound that, in his words, found ‘the sweet spot between Led Zeppelin and Joni Mitchell’. Crawford has collaborated with a wide variety of musicians from jazz, rock, electronic, and classical music projects. Those experiences came together and resulted in a journey to Antwerp to record his upcoming debut album, ‘Depends On Where You Stand’.
I would encourage you to give the teaser title track a spin while we wait in anticipation of the album release.
In 1967 the Beatles recorded ‘A Day in the Life’, a track from their Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band album which is generally recognized as one of the most exquisite pieces of vinyl ever recorded.
‘Zombies’ is a song by the up and coming Bristol-based band the Goan Dogs.
As you can see for yourself, there is some commonality between these two beautiful pieces of music. Coffee is the one that immediately got my attention. I think I will have another cup now that we are mentioning it.
The other slice of common ground is the idea of getting caught up in the rat race of life and feeling like we are either caught up in a dream or living amongst zombies.
Discussing the track, Goan Dogs tells us: “Now that the whole world is ill, we all do the same things day in, day out. Stuck on a loop. Remember the good old days? When we were free to wake up, eat food, drink, get bored, get anxious, sleep and repeat. Everyday. Without thinking. Like Zombies.”
The Bristol quintet Goan Dogs have their debut album in the works and with the recent release of their previous songs, ‘Anxiety’ and ‘God Loves a Trier’, the five-piece band announce their third offering ‘Zombies’. Working with illustrator and animator Client_Pleaser1987 who just so happens to be the band’s guitarist, the video is exploring life a world of fast-paced environments, work, commuting and being human puppets to overlord bosses. Goan Dogs’ eerie new project perfectly captures our robotic way of life through the world of animation.
I have listened to Ben Hobbs performing his newest release, “Own Arms”, dozens of times over the last week, and I am still coming up empty on what I want to say in the way of a review.
It is not for lack of liking; this is a pleasing listen, I really do like it. I would give it a solid nine out of ten. Snappy guitars, synthesizing synths and a good groove propel the song along nicely.
My lack of writing is not for lack of connecting to the lyrics. The lyrics look at bidding farewell to people, places or things that may be preventing us from moving forward with our lives. Discussing the project, Ben says: “I wanted to capture this fast-paced punk idea, circling around on three chords and create something with loads of energy. It started out
a lot more electronic with the production, but we decided that to really make it work, everything had to be live and real.” Hence, the lyrics presented no obstacle to my writing of a review.
My silence was not an act of procrastinating. I had the time and resources to write this up a week ago. It was something of a writer’s block I assume, that kept me from putting pen to paper, metaphorically.
Grooving music, smart lyrics and all the time in the world and I am still coming up empty. In place of a proper review, I submit this for your reading and listening pleasure. Put down whatever would distract you from giving this recording an appropriate session of listening. Pull up the lyrics so you can read along, I prefer iTunes for the ease of doing this task, but if you have another method that works for you, all the power to you. Relax and let the music wash over you.
Repeat.
Repeat, and wait with bated breath for Ben to grace us with more material from his forthcoming E.P.
What we have on the imaginary turntable today is modern pop music at its finest. Explore is a five-song EP by up and coming Swedish artist Discrete, with help from Charla K, on the opening track, Feed Me With Love. A catchy little dance tune with retro synth sensibilities.
At the number two spot is the churning of Typo which spotlights Tudor and Victoria Voss who engage each other in a verbal sparring match with some more smart dance-friendly pop music.
Number three is a Stupid Thing. For real, it is a Stupid Thing, that is the name of the track, Stupid Thing. It features Neville, and together they explore the never-ending topic of love and dating. Discrete tells us that she sent a demo to Neville and her producer and what had once been an instrumental track flowered with lyrics and stunning vocal. Discrete was excited because this was different from anything she had done previously, we are glad for that because this Stupid Thing is irresistible.
Second, to last on the EP is a radio-friendly little number called Better Days. This collaboration with her longtime friend Chris Collins is a catchy synth-pop tune. Taking a different angle to the never-ending love story this is about long-distance love and the challenges that come with that.
The closing track Runaway sees Discrete collaborate with well-respected Swedish songwriter Alex Shield, who is launching his projects under the name of KELLYKKE. Combining crisp beats and breezy synths that flow graciously together; Discrete and KELLYKKE explore urges for self-discovery and new beginnings.
Talking to us about the collaboration, Discrete tells us: “KELLYKKE and I met for the first time last summer, and we’ve been working on a lot of songs together since. He came up with an idea for a song using a guitar and his vocals, and before we knew it, Run Away was born. We ended up experimenting until we finally found a middle ground that fitted both of our sounds. I feel humbled that he wanted to release his first single as KELLYKKE with me.”
So there we have it folks, five catchy modern pop, radio-friendly, little summer dance beauties. Summer will be different this year with social distancing but if you find yourself alone on a desert island Discrete has cooked up a nifty EP for you to pass the time until the rescue arrives. Have fun, listen to more music and stay safe.
Rex, collectively as a group, know how to construct a good story. Much in the tradition of the Good Shepherd as mentioned in the song Dm from their freshly minted E.P. They weave a tale of unrequited love and the choices that a lover faces, lose the love of their life or cross the river, i.e. death, to be with their lover in eternity. What a tangled web they weave, tangled up in blue to be sure, much like another good storyteller, Bob Dylan.
I engaged with Rex immediately when I heard their single, Lovers Like We Used To Be, and wore out the proverbial needle in iTunes listening to it. Listening to the whole E.P. is a five times better. Specifically the five songs on the E.P. Rex. Where do I start to count the ways that I groove to this music? Thumping and magical bass. Understated but powerful drums. Grunge guitar, distorted, dissonant, echoes of Loe Reed. Smart lyrics delivered with demonstrative vocal cords, including a guest spot by Silia Hollestelle that has its own magic going on.
Last but not least, am I at five yet? As I was saying, last but not least, I would love to see this band live. They know how to build a song, and that would engage the audience, and I am sure it would be a memorable night. Please come to Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, as soon as the pandemic is over.
In the meantime, everyone that reads this should go and listen to this beautiful recording. I am going to listen to it again for the umpteenth time.
Rex, collectively as a group, know how to construct a good story. Much in the tradition of the Good Shepherd as mentioned in the song Dm from their freshly minted E.P. They weave a tale of unrequited love and the choices that a lover faces, lose the love of their life or cross the river, i.e. death, to be with their lover in eternity. What a tangled web they weave, tangled up in blue to be sure, much like another good storyteller, Bob Dylan.
I engaged with Rex immediately when I heard their single, Lovers Like We Used To Be, and wore out the proverbial needle in iTunes listening to it. Listening to the whole E.P. is a five times better. Specifically the five songs on the E.P. Rex. Where do I start to count the ways that I groove to this music? Thumping and magical bass. Understated but powerful drums. Grunge guitar, distorted, dissonant, echoes of Loe Reed. Smart lyrics delivered with demonstrative vocal cords, including a guest spot by Silia Hollestelle that has its own magic going on.
Last but not least, am I at five yet? As I was saying, last but not least, I would love to see this band live. They know how to build a song, and that would engage the audience, and I am sure it would be a memorable night. Please come to Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, as soon as the pandemic is over.
In the meantime, everyone that reads this should go and listen to this beautiful recording. I am going to listen to it again for the umpteenth time.
Weathered Music 