Theo Bleak ‘‘Bad Luck is Two Yellow Flowers’
‘Bad Luck is Two Yellow Flowers’ is the new EP from Theo Bleak – a poignant new collection that invites us further into her enchanting sonic world. Featuring five songs that are based on the imaginings of a friend’s inner life, it’s an EP that unfurls like an emotionally candid journal – stark in its honesty and full of beautiful melancholy, all while adding new lush textures and ethereal warmth to her carefully crafted sound. ‘Peach Sky’ sets the tone with its Mazzy Star-esque with its lush reverb and gently strummer guitars, while ‘Said Like A Poet’ leans into poppier territory with its brighter melodies and infectious refrain, as she explores the tension between intuition and intellectual aspiration. Set against an ethereal arrangement, it makes for an intriguing juxtaposition; her scathing reflections on her own idealisation of intellect delivered through her own elegant songwriting. On ‘Katie You’re A Lie’ she continues this stark self-critique – its minimalist arrangement outweighed by the emotional vulnerability of its lyrics, confronting herself from the perspective of someone who doesn’t like her. Meanwhile ‘Look Out The Window’, with its soaring melodies, feels profound and hopeful as she yearns for connection, before the narrative comes to an end on the devastating ‘You Don’t Want Me’ – a final moment of clarity after the emotional turbulence. It’s a graceful finale that lingers with the listener – a final nod that there’s comfort to be found in the familiarity. A raw exploration of identity, longing and connection, it’s another beautiful collection from the fiercely talented singer-songwriter – as she once again shows her ability to communicate the almost inexplicable of human emotions.
Former Champ ‘crooked little line’
Scottish-Irish power-pop group Former Champ have announced the release of their debut album ‘I saw you in paradise’ on 19th September through their own label Hand of God – a sharp, melodic exploration of love, friendship and contemporary life. The album news arrives with new single ‘crooked little line’ – a brilliant burst of pure guitar pop brilliance. Think the melodies of Teenage Fanclub, the bold tendencies of Thin Lizzy and dreamy sounds of Alvvays – all wrapped in three minutes of big hooks, fizzing guitar lines and biting lyrics. Striking the write balance between clever and cool, it’s made for summer.
KuLeeAngee ‘Push It’
Currently doing their thing at The Great Escape in Brighton, KuLeeAngee amplify their surrounding hype with each release – the latest being the brilliant ‘Push It’. Picking up where the likes of ‘Animated Love’ and ‘Television’ left off, the new tune is another devilishly catchy number – sun-drenched acid house vibes, an insatiable groove and a highly addictive vocal melody.
Elisabeth Elektra ‘Yearning’
Glasgow-based alt-pop artist Elisabeth Elektra has announced her sophomore album, Hypersigil, and shared its lead single, “Yearning.” The track is co-produced by regular collaborator Jonny Scott of Chvrches and channels the emotional volatility of ‘The Downward Spiral’–era Nine Inch Nails with the pop maximalism of Lady Gaga. Built around industrial rhythms and Elektra’s hypnotic vocal performance, ‘Yearning’ explores desire, devotion, and the perils of limerence. “It’s about what we give away when we want to be seen, the risks we take in yearning for connection in a society that makes us feel increasingly lonely” Elektra says of the track.
No Windows ‘The Great Traitor’
No Windows shared their third EP ‘The Great Traitor’ last week to widespread acclaim. It marks a significant step forward for the Edinburgh duo – trading in the bedroom recording intimacy of previous material for more expansive and ambitious arrangements, inspired by the likes of Leonard Cohen, George Harrison and Jon Brion film scores. Impressively, the songs still manage to pack an emotional punch, retaining the intimacy and indie charm that we’ve heard previously – with richer textures such as trumpet flourishes, intricate harmonies and warbly piano tones. And not just a coming of age musically, it also lyrically channels a transitional period in their personal lives, from adolescence to adulthood – channelling the aches and awes of this period. It’s a triumph – and one that earmarks the band as a truly special talent, with a musical maturity well beyond their years.
The Noise Club ‘Approaching The Point’
The Noise Club have made a return this week with ‘Approaching The Point’ – set to feature on an upcoming EP called ‘Red Cat Book Shop’. Known for pulling from a wide variety of influences, there’s elements of indie, post-punk and more mixed into the brooding rocker – Craig Milroy’s gripping sermon delivered over atmospheric guitar lines and driving rhythms, before unfurling into a heavy, anthemic chorus. About ‘always cherishing the little things’, it builds into one of the band’s signature soaring, cathartic finales – paving way for the exciting new EP release.
Peter Cat ‘Starchamber’
‘Starchamber’ is the new single from Peter Cat – a behemoth of a track that marks an exciting new direction for the Glasgow outfit. Set to feature on a new album of the same name, the new track opens in theatrical form with climactic guitars and operatic lead vocals, and continues to evolve and expand in its three-and-a-half minute runtime. It’s a shape-shifter in every sense of the word – at times menacing, at times dreamy and romantic and at others cinematic and playful. Think Frank Zappa meets King Crimson meets Black Country, New Road. All while exploring themes like guilt, shame, defiance and transcendence. t’s a song about guilt, ultimately,” says Peter Cat. “About all those little accumulated bits and pieces of us that we’re deeply ashamed of, that paralyse and humiliate us. It’s also about taking a blazing torch to all that shame and guilt, and saying: not today. Accept all that, rise above it, beyond it, to a new place. Enter the Starchamber.’
Check out the full playlist here.
