British bands – Page 2 – 7th Level Music

The Early Mornings embrace the ordinary on their new single – “Blank Sky.”

The Early Mornings are a 3-piece formed in Manchester in 2018, made up of Annie Leader – Guitar/Vocals, Danny Shannon – Bass, Rhys Davies – Drums. After recording a couple of home demos and gigging around the UK, they released their debut single ‘Artificial Flavour’ last year.

Today they share a gritty post-punk new track ‘Blank Sky’, that sits with the likes of Dry Cleaning, Mush, Cate Le Bon, and Porridge Radio, who have become inspiring names in the UK. It comes with a candidly shot video that shows the genuine streets and skies of Manchester, the perfect backdrop for the wiry guitars and deadpan vocals. They also announce their debut EP Unnecessary Creation which will be self released on Friday 18th June 2020.

Watch the self-directed video for ‘Blank Sky’ HERE

Within the band is a duality of love for both pop melodies and angular guitars. The lyrics begin as poetry which Annie then selects lines from, almost in the style of a Dadaist cut-up, to fit each song. What results is something entirely new, extricated from any previous context and devoid of preconception. If the listener wants meaning they will have to find it themselves amongst the fragmented observations, existing somewhere between nonsense and profundity, the personal is the political.

On the video, Annie said: “The colour palette, composition and lighting of the video all mix to create a dullness; a mundane reality which is interposed with artistic references, flashes of colour and surrealism. This is an idea which extends throughout our music as well.”

The Early Mornings’ debut EP Unnecessary Creation will be released 18th June 2021.

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[Thanks to Amy at Prescription PR.]

Squid release “Padding” ahead of their new album due May 7th.

Earlier this year, Squid announced the release of their much-anticipated debut album, Bright Green Field, out May 7th via Warp Records. Today, they present a new single, “Paddling,” which follows the release of “Narrator” (feat. Martha Skye Murphy), and announce an onlineperformance as part of the official British Music Embassy SXSW showcase, airing Friday, March 19th at 6pm CDT.

“Paddling” has long been a staple of Squid’s incendiary live show. This psych-motorik stomper is a reaction to being thrust into an adult world as friends suddenly turn their focus to careers. Built around a drum machine loop and pulsing synth line, sonic details pepper the track as it lurches between dynamic movements. All the while, the band members share vocal duties with an infectious ease and confidence. Squid elaborates: “Written from two different perspectives, ‘Paddling’ is a song about the dichotomy between simple pleasures and decadent consumerism. Recounting a familiar scene from The Wind in the Willows, the song reminds us that although we are humans, we are ultimately animals that are driven by both modern and primal instincts, leading to vanity and machismo around us in the everyday.”

Listen to Squid’s “Paddling”

Bright Green Field is an album of towering scope and ambition that endlessly twists down unpredictable avenues. Each member – Louis Borlase (guitars/vocals), Oliver Judge(drums/vocals), Arthur Leadbetter (keyboards/strings/ percussion), Laurie Nankivell(bass/brass) and Anton Pearson (guitars/vocals) – played an equal, vital role in the album’s creation. Written in Judge’s old local pub and recorded in producer Dan Carey’s London basement studio, it includes field recordings of ringing church bells, tooting bees, microphones swinging from the ceiling orbiting a room of guitar amps, a distorted choir of 30 voices as well as a horn and string ensemble featuring Emma-Jean Thackray and Lewis Evans from Black Country, New Road.

Squid’s music – be it agitated and discordant or groove-locked and flowing – has often been a reflection of the tumultuous world we live in. As an album title, Bright Green Field conjures an almost tangible imagery of pastoral England. However, it’s something of a decoy that captures the band’s fondness for paradox and juxtaposition. Although the geography of Bright Green Fieldis an imaginary cityscape built from monolithic concrete buildings and dystopian visions, it’s also a joyous and emphatic record that marries the uncertainties of the world with a curious sense of exploration.

Watch the “Narrator” feat. Martha Skye Murphy Video

Pre-order Bright Green Field

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[Thanks to Jessica at Pitch Perfect PR.]

Squid sign to Warp Records and release new single – “Sludge.”

Warp Records is pleased to announce their new signing, Brighton-based five-piece Squid – comprised of Louis Borlase (guitars/vocals), Ollie Judge (drums/vocals), Arthur Leadbetter (keyboards/strings/percussion), Laurie Nankivell (bass/brass) and Anton Pearson (guitars/vocals). In conjunction with the announcement, Squid present their richly percussive and sonically shifting new single, “Sludge,” which sees the band opening up their sound with the experimentation and playfulness that made them such an exciting prospect when they burst on the scene just over a year ago.

Thematically, Squid’s previous releases — “The Cleaner,” “Houseplants” and “Match Bet” — have been more character driven with Squid looking at the people around them, but on “Sludge” the band is in a more introspective state of mind; simultaneously seeking a wider commentary, but approaching it with an idiosyncratic precision and a lighthearted demeanor.

“Sludge” was initially conceived during a soundcheck while supporting seminal post-punk group Wire, a fitting way to begin this new chapter for a band who have built so much of their reputation on their incendiary live shows. The track sees the band team up again with Dan Carey, who was recently deemed “Producer of the Year” by the Music Producers Guild.

This wild and restless creativity points the way forward for more exciting things to come from Squid. As FADER commented, “Just when you think the British five-piece have settled into a groove and aligned themselves to a sound, they flip the script and hit you with something new.”

Listen to Squid’s “Sludge”
https://squid.ffm.to/sludge

Squid Tour Dates:
Tue. April 14 – Amsterdam, NL @ Amsterdam Arena with Foals
Fri. April 17 – Rotterdam, NL @ Motel Mozaique
Sat. May 16 – Leicester, UK @ Wide Eyed
Sun. May 17 – Dublin, IE @ Eastbound
Sun. May 24 – Paris, FR @ Villette Sonique
Sat. May 30 – Neustelitz, DE @ Immergut Festival
Wed. June 3 – Barcelona, ES @ Primavera Sound
Fri. June 5 – London, UK @ Wide Awake Festival
Fri. June 12 – Sun. June 14 – Bergen, NL @ Best Kept Secret
Fri. June 12 – Sun. June 14 – Helsinki, FI @ Sideways Festival
Wed. July 1 – Roskilde, DE @ Roskilde Festival
Sat. July 4 – Belfort, FR @ Eurockeennes
Wed. July 22 – London, UK @ Scala (RESCHEDULED)
Thu. Aug 6 – Haldern Rees, DE @ Haldern Pop
Mon. Aug 10 – Prague, CZ @ Underdogs
Wed. Aug 12 – Hamburg, DE @ Molotow Skybar
Fri. Aug 14 – Oya, SE @ Oya Festivalen
Wed. Aug. 19 – Sun. Aug. 23 – Coura, PT @ Paredes de Coura
Mon. Aug. 24 – Brighton, UK @ Chalk (RESCHEDULED)
Tue. Sept. 1 – Bedford, UK @ Bedford Esquires (RESCHEDULED)
Thu. Sept. 3 – Southampton, UK @ Joiners (RESCHEDULED)
Thu. Sept. 3 – Sun. Sept. 6 – Salisbury, UK @ End of the Road Festival
Tue. Sept. 8 – Birmingham, UK @ Castle and Falcon (RESCHEDULED)
Wed. Sept. 9 – York, UK @ The Crescent (RESCHEDULED)
Thu. Sept. 10 – Hebden Bridge, UK @ The Trades Club (RESCHEDULED)
Sat. Sept. 12 – Manchester, UK @ The White Hotel (matinee) (RESCHEDULED)
Sat. Sept. 12 – Manchester, UK @ The White Hotel (evening) (RESCHEDULED)
Sun. Sept. 13 – Edinburgh, UK @ Summerhall (RESCHEDULED)
Mon. Sept. 14 – Newcastle, UK @ The Cluny (RESCHEDULED)
Wed. Sept. 16 – Norwich, UK @ Norwich Arts Centre (RESCHEDULED)
Thu. Nov. 5 – Reykjavík, IS @ Iceland Airwaves

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Girl Afraid stir up some “Dutch Courage” with their new single.

Hull-based indie rockers Girl Afraid released their rocking new track, “Dutch Courage” on February 7th.

First we had Hull-based LIFE, who took the U.K by storm and now we have Girl Afraid who are storming onto the British indie scene. Their sound draws influences from the likes of Queens of the Stone Age to fellow indie newcomers Fontaines D.C. Nevertheless, they have crafted a remarkably inimitable sound of their very own.

As its title indicates, “Dutch Courage” oozes confidence from the very start. It’s a hard hitting track with huge drums which would make even the sternest of listeners tap their foot. Also slick guitar riffs which take a new dimension of early indie as well an awe-inspiring vocal from front man Sam Mellors.

Girl Afraid are taking no hostages with this release. Therefore, if you are seeking the finest catchy indie rock then look no further than “Dutch Courage.”

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Rebsie Fairholm and Marvin B. Naylor release “Ark” from upcoming album.

Rebsie Fairholm and Marvin B. Naylor have released the charismatic new single ‘Ark’ taken from their forthcoming album.

Rebsie is an artist who delves into a dark realm of psych-folk while Marvin comes from a background of early indie and pop. Combined together and they have created a hybrid sound which cannot be sniffed at.

The track kicks off with a guitar hook which grabs you and does not let go. Vocally, the pair complement each other both mirroring their words with confidence. It’s a catchy number, one which does not leave you for some time and for the right reasons. It’s a very British sounding 70s influenced track but yet it stays current to the modern scene providing just about something for everybody.

A song which delivers a story about finding something amazing unexpectedly ‘finding rainbows in the dark’. Well, this collaboration comes as a surprise but yet it works very well.

If you are seeking the finest indie folk then look no further than this release from Rebsie Fairholm & Marvin B Naylor. You can buy the single here https://rebsiefairholm.bandcamp.com/album/ark.

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Review: Mush – 3D Routine

Post-punk has been thriving the last couple years in the US and the UK. One of the UK bands getting a lot of attention in the genre nowadays is Mush (Nick Grant – bass, Dan Hyndman – vocals, Phil Porter – drums, Tyson Porter – guitar) who combine quirky jamming with sharp spoken word lyrics about work life drudgery, political mockery, and crushing debt left behind by past generations on their debut album 3D Routine.

“Revising My Fee” starts with sharp guitar angles and reminding everyone that practically everyone in Mush’s generation is “always in debt.” Tyson Porter’s solo on it is outstanding. The band punches back at the forces keep them in that debt on “Eat the Etiquette” and then tackles death on “Existential Dread” – a snappy tune (with even snappier drumming by Phil Porter) about shuffling along and avoiding life while approaching death.

I’m guessing “Coronation Chicken” is about the Royal Family, but I could be wrong. I do know that it has a swanky groove to it that I love. “Island Mentality,” like “Eat the Etiquette,” starts with a short instrumental intro, before it kicks into quick post-punk rollicking. “Fruits of the Happening,” apart from having an intriguing title, has another solid intro before Hyndman sings about how, if we’re not vigilant, we can become the product of events around us that are often out of our control.

“Hey Gammon Head” has Tyson Porter’s guitar work bordering on psychedelic rock territory. Hyndman spits his lyrics so fast on the title track that you can barely keep up with him, but Grant’s bass keeps the tune rooted. “Gig Economy” is a frantic take on not only the economics of being in a touring band, but also how everyone is working some sort of side hustle gig just to get by.

“Poverty Pornography” keeps up this theme by throwing down a snarky track about rich folks getting richer and enjoying the fruits of the poor’s labor. “No Signal in the Paddock” has one of the best grooves on the whole record, with the Porter brothers and Grant all working in perfect timing yet still sounding rough and raw. The closer, “Alternative Facts,” is over nine minutes of ranting against those who power who expect us to swallow their bullshit.

I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention Hyndman’s weird vocal delivery. He mixes post-punk sarcasm with punk snot and art rock flair. In other words, he’s perfect for singing in a post-punk band.

This is a routine you’ll enjoy.

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Review: Fat White Family – Serfs Up!

It’s impossible to put a label on London’s Fat White Family. Are they a punk band? An art band? A no wave band? A pop band? None? All? Really, why bother trying? Their new album, Serfs Up!, combines all of those elements and more while poking fun at good taste, politics, Kim Jong-un, and a dozen other topics.

Opener “Feet” starts with electro beats and smooth vocals that remind you of some of Moby‘s work from the early 2000’s. The song’s about running from things that can entrap you, like passion, responsibility, and being a wage slave. You can apply the title of “I Believe in Something Better” to nearly anything – the current political climate, the hopes of stopping climate change, universal health care, or even just a better relationship with a lover. The song has all these weird, warping guitars and synths in it that I love.

The cool groove of “Vagina Dentata” instantly brought Gary Wilson to mind. It’s a song about a treacherous woman, which is right up Mr. Wilson’s alley. The jazz lounge piano and saxophone in the song are top notch. “Kim’s Sunsets” is the above-mentioned song about Kim John-un. It’s undeniably catchy and has to be the prettiest song ever written about a modern day Communist.

The wicked bass on “Fringe Runner” will get you dancing. It’s solid disco bass that is probably being sampled by scores of DJ’s even now. “Is there anything more inspiring than a menial job and the pittance it brings?” is the opening lyric of “Oh Sebastian,” a song with orchestral (Yes, orchestral.) touches that will make you grin. “Tastes Good with the Money” follows a similar theme lyrically, with jabs at rich elitists and blown kisses at the working class.

“Show the other kids how the other kids live,” they suggest on “Rock Fishes,” which almost has a reggae feel to it in its rhythm, but also has spaghetti western score flavorings that take it to another level. Those Morricone guitars drift into the slick “When I Leave,” a dark song that practically demands you enjoy it with a stiff drink. “Bobby’s boyfriend is a prostitute, and so is mine,” is the theme of the tick-tocking trippy tune “Bobby’s Boyfriend.” It’s a neat way to end the record, sending it out on a euphoric mind warp. The band does have an admitted history with heroin and booze, so you can’t help but wonder if the closer is something they concocted after a long day of chemical excess.

The title of the album suggests a revolution of sorts. Serfs worked farms for the lords that owned the land. Nowadays, most of us work for a tiny fraction of the world’s population who own practically everything. Fat White Family are telling us to put down our carts and pick up our torches and pitchforks (literal or metaphorical).

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