Yep, the thumb-up emojis are part of ARAB STRAP‘s new 2024 album title. I wonder who comes up with this and when and why? Anyway, I love the “we don’t care whether you like it or not, we do” idea of it. I’m totally fine with it, and it shows that hilarious stuff like this is possible when you don’t give a fuck anymore.
Congrats
Wait, the most important thing here is that the Scottish mavericks still give a big fuck
about their music and prove it once again with this crackerjack longplayer, their 8th.
Yep, the thumb-up emojis are part of the new ARAB STRAP‘s album title.
Already a contender for weirdest title of the year. The LP follows their
tremendous one As Days Get Darkerthat came out in 2021.
Press info: Almost 28 years after their debut, Arab Strap have never sounded more essential, and this new record is a fierce testament to their laser focus on wider horizons. Written and performed exclusively by Malcolm Middleton & Aidan Moffat, and finessed with longtime collaborator Paul Savage, the album furthers the band’s transformation from swooning, slow-core romantics to raging, alt-pop chroniclers.
Singles/clips: Bliss / Allatonceness / Strawberry Moon / You’re Not Here
A few weeks ago the seasoned Scottish indie duo (1995–2006, 2011, 2016–present)
revealed details of the birth of their 8th longplayer. It’s titled I’M TOTALLY FINE WITH
IT 👍 DON’T GIVE A FUCK ANYMORE 👍. I immediately wrote it down in my notebook
as a big contender for the weirdest album title of 2024. It’ll land on May 10.
Following glorious lead single Bliss, the second new piece, titled ALLATONCENESS will make your hair stand up in the back of your
neck.
Moffat: “Lyrically it’s about being addicted to the endless stream of online lunacy and
bullshit – constant bad news, disinformation and conspiracy theories, abuse and threats
etc. – when I know I should be out engaging with the world in a more physical, meaningful
way. But I can’t stop scrolling, because I’ve been conditioned to constantly seek and consume information, which perpetuates the tide of misery and makes me part of the problem.
The title came from Marshall McLuhan ’s terrifyingly relevant 1967 bookThe Medium
Is The Message, he also coined the phrase ‘global village,’ and that’s where the ‘village
hall’s on fire all day’ line comes from. Long story short: I need to get out more.”
TUTV: You don’t hear Arab Strap rock out every day. Allatonceness starts with trashy
drumming and a mean bass riff, the backbone of this striking stunner, reminiscent
of Hooky‘s explosive style in his Joy Division days.
It’s time then for Adian Moffat‘s frustrated ranting about the addictive power of
the mind-controlling (social) media, as we know it and experience it. Moffat wants
to turn his back on all the daily sensational vomit. He’s not totally fine with it and
a psychotic guitar attack sequence seems to accentuate
that crushing realisation before heading to the finale. 👍 Top 👍.
These rockin’ amazons – Carrie Clark and Pam Peltz – have known each other since
the mid-90s, they played in different bands together and decided to give it a go again with some friends.
Imagine 60s British glam rock legends T. REX and American sassy duo Royal Trux
jamming together. Aeroplane grooves and moves with pithy panache and steaming swagger. Add the saucy and sensual duet vocals, and we have ourselves a winner.
The Baby Seals are three DIY indie grrrls from Cambridgeshire (UK)
who released their debut EP back in 2017.
Mild Misogynist is a ripper from their upcoming debut album Chaos.
The trio have that roaring rawness, unbridled roughness, genuine gusto and spontaneous bravado, Sleater-Kinney had back in the 90s. These three punk Amazons resonate more like Courtney Love when she went mental with Hole ages ago. Garage frenzy rock at its sharp-teethed indie best.
On March 15 the Dandys launch their 12th longplayer, named Rockmaker. Last summer the Dandys dropped stand-alone single The Summer Of Hate. An infectious steamroller that will be on the album.
Courtney Taylor-Taylor (frontman): “It started with a riff that either sounded like
Misfits or Danzig and then got slowed down. Overall, Rockmaker is the manifestation
of our desire to hear a record of heavy raw punk and metal guitar riffs, but it has its
own alley.”
It features Pixies‘ general Frank Black and is a rather gloomy and doomy (yes, Danzig-like) sounding stomper, but vintage Warhols. Its poignant pace creeps faster under your skin than you can say ‘fuck Trump’.
Purrs are 4 French gunslingers who bring together a singular artistic emergency drawn from Great Britain in the 80s and the current observation of a dark future, and orchestrate a bitter present but which does not refuse hope.
‘To Be Enjoyed’ explores the delicate theme of mental health, highlighting the simple desire to feel better and make progress with one’s condition. Through this composition, we aim to convey the idea that there are different ways of taking care of one’s mental health, and that it’s crucial to find the solution that’s right for everyone. Having all lived experiences more or less close to depression, this song is our way of communicating not only with those facing this illness, but also with their loved ones who accompany them on the road to recovery.
Energetic punk ebullience à la British mavericks Idles. Aggressive, furious and from a
fast beating heart. Trust me, Purrs are going places. 2024 will be their breakthrough year.
Bristol punks IDLES became a top act after 4 splendid albums since 2018. And they’re
not done yet. Longplayer #5 Tangk is waiting in the pipeline for release on 16 February.
Ahead of it, you can go apeshit to new, third single and fierce haymaker Gift Horse.
Who? Two-piece act, Justin Keane (vocals, guitar) and Amy Young (drums, backing vocals), from Boston, MA. Fueled by the current chaos of the world and an urgent need to be part of the conversation, the two took the indie rock foundation they built in previous bands and upped the ante by adding new levels of noise via pervasive, edgy guitar sounds, low and thundery drumbeats, and emotional vocals.
Soo All The Way is a mean motherrocker that easily could have been on an early Sonic Youth or Dinosaur Jr album. Distorted guitars, raw and rough. Sturdy drum hits. Expressive and punchy vocals. DIY rock ‘n’ roll at its razor blade sharpest.
This eccentric ensemble is more eccentric than American eccentric legends Sparks and British eccentrics Sigue Sigue Sputnik were in their early eccentric days. Wacky voices, goofy harmonies, and a ridiculously infectious chorus all work together to cause big fun entertainment.
Get up, stand up, and fight
for your right to go bananas.
The LP lands on April 1 and follows their tremendous 2021 one As Days Get Darker.
Aidan Moffat (vocalist) about lead single ‘Bliss’: “It’s about women being terrorized online;
it’s about cowardice and bigotry. It’s about how we expose ourselves on social platforms while hiding alone at home. But you can dance to it too!”
Moffat sings/tells his troll story over a trippy dance beat.
Berlin-based artist KAT KOAN shines again. After releasing her magnific
debut album Lustprinzip in 2022 and three ear-catching singles last year
she has a new track out, titled Dreamirl.
Kat Koan always knows how to entrance the listener with stylishly, graciously
and also sensually designed music that stirs heart and soul. The sentiments
expressed here may be familiar to many of us and can be a comforting companion
on your headphones with the lights dimmed, while relaxing on your couch, dreaming
of your own dream-self.
Last September, British shoegaze heroes Slowdive returned to the scene with praised LP Everything Is Alive, their first full length in five years. Their Boston peers Drop Nineteens followed two months later with Hard Light, their first album LP in thirty years.
And now the equally veteran shoegazers Ride join the revival.
Their 7th LP, named Interplay, their first since
2019, is planned to be released on March 29.
Potent drums/bass determine the upbeat pace and whirling vibe of the track all the way. Peace Sign is a pure pop earworm with an orgasmic chorus. Picobello. Welcome back.
Who? Musical act born from the lifelong musical collaboration of Candy Bassas (vocals and guitar) and Sergi Cabanes (lead guitar). After relocating to Berlin from Barcelona, the duo formed a four-piece band in late 2021, which takes inspiration for its noisy-yet-ethereal sound from artists such as Galaxie 500, Spiritualized, New Order, the Cure, and Lou Reed.
New single Entwined is a cut from their upcoming
debut EP, titled All I Wanted, out on 2 February.
A tenacious tandem of bass and drum take care of this striking song’s backbone beat
all the way through. From the kick-off, Entwined has the impact of a sonic magnet.
Its ongoing flow creeps under your skin without asking. Scorching, shoegazy guitars
add some more electricity and quirky vocals (made me immediately think of the singer
of former Irish indie band JJ72) create a spooky atmosphere. Give it a couple of spins
and you’re hooked.
Who? Zach Pliska and Emily Sturm. Their musical project started in 2017.
They describe their sound as deathgaze, combining the raw energy of
deathrock with the depth of shoegaze. So far the duo released five
albums and a handful of singles and EPs.
Think Siouxsie and the Banshees going fast-forward. Glistening guitar electricity and a pumping bass dictate the ongoing revolving rhythm, while Sturm‘s ghostly vocals roll all over it. No brakes, no breaks. Probably the most upbeat tune Vazum has ever delivered. Blush is a sonic whirlwind, a flamboyant flurry, a turbulent twister.
Who? German pop-rock team So far they have
3 albums on their résumé and #4 is canned.
Nowhere To Run is the 4th shared piece from their upcoming
4th album, named ‘If This Wall Could Sing’, out on 1st March.
Expect an irresistible drive. Fast-forward. Heartening vocals. Atomic is an unadulterated pop gem. A sprightly summer song for freezing winters like this. It could have easily been
a bonus track on Miles Kane‘s newest, perky album One Man Band.
Atomic has an atomic single out with a sky-high starry-eyed bliss.
Who? Italian act started by Paolo Mioni, former member of Jennifer Gentle,
spearhead of the Italian psych scene. They released their debut album Painkillers And Wine last year.
With new single Hey AtlasMonoscopes draw you into their psychedelic world where surrender and hope are the only options to handle life. Hey Atlas sends shivers down your spine. It’s both a melancholic and harrowing jam bringing the mellow moments of Interpol to mind. It touches and moves heart and soul. There’s always a light at the end of the tunnel. That comforting given should inspire all of us who are confused and fidgety these days.
Today, Gordon announced the upcoming birth of her
2nd solo LP. It’s titled The Collective and it’ll land on
March 8.
First shared track Bye Bye, is a dazzling piece of music. Its hypnotic trap beat sonority and fuzzy chainsaw rotating synths are the motor of this dazzling jam. It creeps forward like an industrial rock serpent in slow motion. All over it come Gordon‘s chilling spoken-word vocals citing a series of consumer products. Eerie and enigmatic.
The accompanying video features her daughter Coco Gordon Moore and is directed by photographer Clara Balzary, who is the daughter of Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea.
These Irish punk hound dogs release their new EP Glorach on March 15.
First shared track Empty is a brutalist slab of heavily effected droning guitar and bass, corrosive blasts of feedback and gut-wrenching vocals centered around the persistence
of grief over time.
Deafening sledgehammer.
Screamo disorder.
NIN on acid.
Who? The moniker of Irish musician Paul Dillon who draws inspiration
from bands like The The, The Cure, Killing Joke, Echo and the Bunnymen,
Rammstein, and Depeche Mode, and developed a unique sound that
traverses genres from Darkwave Post-Punk to Trash Metal Indie Rock.
WithOpinion he delivers a Curesque meditation. Pulsating bass, darkwavish melodiousness and wondering vocals and enquiring thoughts. No matter
what you think, say it, sing it, express it, write it down.
Who? American songwriters Brad Armstrong and Megan Barbera.
Their music blurs between Sunday afternoon country-folk and
the golden age of the 1970s.
Same Old You is a crystalline lullaby with a melancholic country aroma. Tender,
moony, and enticing. The endearing duet vocals and melancholic guitar sparks
augment the soul-stirring effect of this bittersweet humdinger.
It’s a candlelight pearl, a heart-warming companion on these freezing winter nights. Romanticism in motion. Think of the quietest moments of Angel Olsen, Sharon Van Etten and Willie Nelson.
Yep, the thumb-up emojis are part of the new ARAB STRAP‘s album title.
Already a contender for weirdest title of the year. The LP follows their
tremendous one As Days Get Darkerthat came out in 2021.
Along with the news comes the first single, called BLISS.
Aidan Moffat (vocalist): “It’s about women being terrorized online;
it’s about cowardice and bigotry. It’s about how we expose ourselves
on social platforms while hiding alone at home. But you can dance to
it too!”
Moffat sings/tells his story over a trippy dance beat.
Band: ARAB STRAP (Scotland)
Aidan Moffat and Malcolm Middleton Active: 1995–2006, 2011, 2016–present
7 studio albums so far.
Last year the Scots scored with their excellent album As Days Get Dark. And now they announced a new
limited edition 7”, out on 4th March, featuring two
tracks Aphelion and ‘Flutter.
Moffatt: “These two songs were written, recorded and mixed during
the sessions for As Days Get Dark but as much as we loved them, we
couldn’t find a place for them on the final album. Maybe it’s because
they seem to have their own distinct identities, but sometimes a song
just sounds better on its own, when it’s not part of a crowd and vying
for attention. So, to celebrate the anniversary of the album’s release,
we present ‘As Days Get Dark”s two runaway loners; a couple of black
sheep who might not click with the rest of the family but, even though
they aren’t very happy, are still worth a cuddle.”
Last week Scottish misfits ARAB STRAP released their new,
pretty superb album AS DAYS GET DARK. Their 7th LP, the
first in 15 years.
With the top music website Stereogum the duo went through
the whole album track-by-track. Read the feature right HERE.
Must-read stuff for all Arab Strap fans.
Band: ARAB STRAP (Scotland)
Aidan Moffat and Malcolm Middleton
Album: RED THREAT Released: 26 February 2021 Score: #16 in the UK
NME wrote: “The pair’s fourth studio album once again renders naval-gazing a fine art as Moffat, very much the Tracy Emin of misanthropic mumbled indie rock, selects prurient lowlights from past awkward encounters and, secretly, wonders if he can still get away with it… The song remains the same, then, broken and unfixable. Romance isn’t dead. He just looks that way when he’s pissed.” Full review here. Score: 7/10.
Singles: Love Detective / Turbulence
– LOVE DETECTIVE –
– TURBULENCE –
Full album…
.
The pair releases a new album, titled As Days Get Dark next week…
