[Weekly Mix] 2022.05 (1)

Ovlov's third album "Buds" is out now via Exploding In Sound Records.

Ovlov - Strokes

Featuring Phony Ppl’s Aja Grant on keys and synth bass, and led by Zenizen’s Opal Hoyt and her rich alto voice, “Aja” is teeming with melody and pop mystique. Calls and responses between shimmering, nimble synths and a warm sawtooth bass lend an element of virtuosic wonder to the lead single from Zenizen’s upcoming album P.O.C (Proof of Concept). Originally begun during a session at Rubber Tracks Studio in Brooklyn, Hoyt and Grant initially thought it might feel ridiculous to put vocals over such a melodically dense track. But Hoyt laid down exactly what was in the original demo, resulting in a pop-meets-neo-soul flair lush with immersive atmosphere and the stylistic richness that defines P.O.C (Proof of Concept).

Zenizen - "Aja"

taken from sonder / edgelord, out on 7" via brokers tip
https://brokerstiprecords.com/ (US orders only)
https://petshimmers.bandcamp.com/ (UK and rest of world orders)

also taken from anon playable cloud
https://petshimmers.bandcamp.com/

Sonder

Almost Like Judee Sill

Strange Neighbours 'Devil On The Scene' Ft. Fake Turins & The Winches

Strange Neighbours 'Devil On The Scene' FT. Fake Turins & The Winches

brain food

The Fourth Wall

Souvenirs

Lyena - Romeo

Bordeaux-based, Australian artist, Mark Gage, is no newcomer to the scene. His now defunct band, Foreign/National, saw widespread acclaim from Sydney to LA, São Paulo to London, racking up millions of streams online and sporting international touring dates alongside King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard. Now he places his new project, Hans Handsome, front and centre with ‘Handcuffed’ – a punchy, political banger.

‘Handcuffed’ begins with a blend of programmed, industrial percussion and organic drums. A saturated Moog synth holds down a metronomic, kraut-rock-esque bass groove, alongside the scratchy tone of a broken Telecaster. The drums open up momentarily, before baritone vocals enter, and the rhythm section tightens back up - relentlessly driving the song towards its climatic finale. 

Sonically, the song moves between post-punk, techno and kraut-rock, drawing inspiration from artists such as Kedr Livanskiy, Mt Kimbie, Neu and New Order. Lyrically, the track explores the 2015 European Migrant Crisis, and speaks of Gage’s frustration regarding the indifference and apathy with which western governments responded.

‘Handcuffed’ is the first single from the upcoming EP, ‘Feeding From The Trough’. It will be available worldwide on Friday, April 29th through Peak Life Records. EP release date TBC.

Handcuffed

Handcuffed - Hans Handsome

Angelic

From the dreams of 100% is a midnight drive to the club that will wash away your panic and pain. Using what they know best in a sound both intimate and refreshing, which only the synths and beats of Chloe Blackwood (Cannon), Grace Stevenson (Rebel Yell) combined with the voice of Lena Molnar (Bloodletter) can deliver. One to keep you moving without looking back. Fresh off the pot for their new album, Clear Visions is set to wipe the dust off your eyes with Abandon. 

First single from the forth coming debut album CLEAR VISIONS out soon on It Records

www.facebook.com/onehundredpercentau
www.instagram.com/onehundredpercentau
www.itrecordsmelb.bandcamp.com

100% - Abandon

Heirloom

Led by enigmatic songwriter Rowan Sandle, Crake is driven by her endless curiosity. Armed with her gently cracking vocal, and inspiration from writers like Shirley Jackson and Nan Shepherd, she sings of crinoids, slime mould and pussy willow. When they supported Buck Meek at Brudenell Social Club, Buck found himself so beguiled by Sandle and her band that he invited them to support Big Thief on their UK and EU tour in 2019. Crake duly obliged and have been building towards their debut full-length ever since. 

Much of the forthcoming album revolves around the death of Sandle’s friend Anna, who died in Syria after being hit by a Turkish air strike. Anna was working for a woman’s liberation group in the 
war-stricken country when the tragedy took place. ‘Humans’ Worst Habits’ explores the grief that followed and the lessons learnt from dealing with such a significant loss. 

Sandle does, however, find space to explore more themes alongside this grief, such as cruelty and queer nature. On lead single ‘Winter’s Song’ she acknowledges the cruelty and coldness that exists within us all, and questions how we can continue to grow and love whilst remaining true to that. 

Speaking about the track, she said: “Winter’s Song is about the absolute mundane beauty of being fallible. It's a true story, I saw the moon rise but swore it was the sun setting. I think about this line a lot: “keep a little coldness in you, just wear it soft and gentle” Be soft, be kind, be honest. Being unremarkable has its own beauty.” 

Sandle’s love for queer nature is so fervent that it makes the experience of listening to Crake akin to that of stumbling on an entirely new world. Sandle believes that life isn’t as black and white as we’ve been taught, and thinks nature holds the key to revealing the true nature of human experience. The appearances of things like slime mould - single-celled organisms that form a single body when in search of food  - brittle starfish - a type of starfish whose awareness isn’t concentrated in one place - and other such oddities furnish ‘Humans’ Worst Habits’ with a folklore all of its own. 

‘Humans’ Worst Habits’ will send you down multiple rabbit holes and you’ll emerge from each with a newfound appreciation for the complexities of the world. Perhaps even more important than this though is the humanity that lies at the very heart of this debut full-length. Whether it’s in the sensitivity in how she portrays the loss of her friend, the depiction of our most base instincts - namely cruelty, passion and love - or the 
sincere, pure quality of the songwriting itself, it’s this that makes ‘Humans’ Worst Habits’ essential, and 
invaluable listening. 

“A pensive, dejected moment of magic, but magic nonetheless” Gold Flake Paint
“Charming and intimate alt-folk” Dork
“The guitars sizzle like lightning bolts striking against an otherwise clear sky, while Sandle’s distinct, hoarse vocal plays like another instrument” Secret Meeting
“In a world of cynics, [Crake] make you believe anything might still be possible” For The Rabbits 

https://fikarecordings.com/artists/crake

Crake are:
Rowan Sandle - Acoustic Guitar, Vocals
Russell Searle - Electric Guitar, Piano
Rob Slater - Drums / Backing Vocals
Sarah Statham - Bass / Backing Vocals

Humans' Worst Habits

Rabbit

Crake - Rabbit

🎧  Listen / Stream
→ https://song.link/us/i/1618253701

🎸  COOL HEAT
→ https://open.spotify.com/artist/3HZXI7lDa69dWCj8jbBpjG?si=8wEDnNkzS0mNrHMrbZg_RQ
→ https://apple.co/3LeEaUC
→ https://instagram.com/coolheat__/

COOL HEAT - Lately

Crosswalk

From the R.E. Seraphin limited 12 inch E.P., "Swingshift", released by Mt.St.Mtn. on May 27th, 2022, MTN-36

Swingshift EP

R.E. Seraphin - Playing House

And though it ought to be fine, 
As I think of all that time, 
It seems much less clear. 
Filled with doubt, as you arrive. 
But sure enough, we share a smile, 
And those feelings disappear. 

You start a story from your past, 
One you’ve told me before, 
And in your words, I rejoice. 
When everything is said and done, 
And in light of what’s to come, 
It’s just nice to hear your voice. 

To see the time in our faces, 
Only distance can show. 
As we pick back up, 
From where we left off, 
It was as if no time had passed at all. 

I know if times, they were hard, 
I could come to you, 
Though I’m not sure that I would. 
Think I’m happier knowing, 
That you think I’m fine, 
And it’s enough to know I could.

[Weekly Mix] 2022.05 (1)

Niche Music