Written and performed by Sara Wolff
Produced by Sara Wolff and Adam Rothschild
Engineered by Adam Rothschild
Mixed by Adam Rothschild
Mastered by Jim Spencer

Small Matter Records

Homesick

Black Water - Angus Powell

'I don’t have a proper job, I'm a metamodern skank'
Varrick Zed's insouciant introduction sets the tone for 'Very', a taut new assault on the dancefloor from NYC avant-pop miscreants, Strange Flesh.

Taking aim at societal expectations as to how a life ‘ought’ to be lived, ‘Very’ is an anthem for those on their own deliciously precarious path, the soundtrack to beloved but ill-paying employment, affordable decadence, no children, and a healthy disregard for the future. 

Underpinned by a pulsating bassline and minimal electro-funk beat, the track’s wickedly catchy sonic palate is peppered with deconstructed synth hooks and subtle ambient flourishes, which, together with Varrick’s ice cool sprechgesang vocals, turn ‘Very’ into a full-blown pop leviathan. 

While we're feeling nebulous, 'Very' is backed by the darker, galloping strains of 'Sugoku', an accelerated club belter that complements its predecessor very well, before the EP's title track is hacked to pieces and rehewn by Digital Equipment Co. into a dementedly hiccupping new beast.

Last of all, legendary New Zealand DJ Stinky Jim elongates 'Very' into a jawdropping eight minute dub extravaganza, closing out this sizzling EP with aplomb.

For the as-yet-uninitiated, Strange Flesh comprises native New Yorker Varrick Zed, and London expatriate Ed Zed. The duo is based in Brooklyn, where they craft left field pop music out of whatever they find lying around in their apartment and their ravaged minds.

Very

Glue is a lively and energetic song that's sure to get your toes tapping, but beyond the catchy beat and upbeat tempo lies a deep exploration of vulnerability, connection, and the power of interpretation.

Overall, the lyrics of Glue are poignant and evocative, capturing the feeling of finding safety and comfort in someone else's care.

Glue

Treat Yourself

Silent Forum - Treat Yourself

'Halo' taken from our upcoming mini-LP 'Deafening and Silent'

Deafening and Silent

Halo

By The River

Emma Gatrill has shared her new single ‘Seed’, a poignant and uplifting moment from her upcoming album featuring  stellar contributions from Rozi Plain and Kate Stables (This Is The Kit), Rachael Dadd and more. The Brighton-based harpist, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist’s new album ‘Come Swim’ arrives 24th November 2023 via Willkommen Records. 
   
A manifesto for kindness, ‘Seed’ speaks to the challenging times we find ourselves in, suggesting ways we can all make a difference by sticking to our principles and striving to be the best possible versions of ourselves - “Help a stranger out like a friend in need…Don’t be frightened to stand up for what you believe”.

Aided by co-producer and partner Marcus Hamblett, though new album ‘Come Swim’ was produced and recorded at home (or Bear Mountain Studios, as the credits have it), Gatrill was able to call on a truly impressive cast of collaborators for the album. Along with Stables, Plain and Dadd, other guests include Conor O’Brien (Villagers), Mark Lockheart (Polar Bear, Radiohead’s Kid A), Rachel Horwood (Trash Kit, Bas Jan), and Thom Mills (Skinny Lister). 

Since 2017’s acclaimed Cocoon, Gatrill has steadily earned her place as one of UK music’s best-kept secrets. From singing on Nick Cave & Warren Ellis’ film soundtrack ‘Wind River’, to playing a remarkable range of instruments for others (including Lucy Rose, Broken Social Scene, Samantha Crain, David Thomas Broughton and more), Emma has distilled this wealth of experience into creating a captivating sound entirely of her own; a logical progression that culminates in the fervent beauty and wonder of ‘Come Swim’. 

Emma Gatrill on ‘Seed’:
“‘Seed’ attempts to represent how tough life can be. We may sow a thousand seeds but only one may survive and grow, but that one can be everything. That one idea can blossom if we nurture it. That one kind gesture from a stranger can change how the whole day goes. Stay strong, stand up for what you believe and don’t feel afraid to ask if you need help. That’s how we all learn. It was an honour to have Kate, Rozi and Rachael all add vocals to this tune. I’ve enjoyed playing music with all three of them so much over the years and learnt a lot musically from them. I really wanted this song to have a feeling of camaraderie and a sense of togetherness.  Kate's wild recorder and ocarina also sonically embody one aspect of the song's meaning for me - the continual cacophony of life perhaps! To find answers we have to ask questions. To find kindness we have to be kind. To grow we have to learn. Seed is about trying to be the best possible version of us in a world which is tough.”

Kate Stables (This Is The Kit) on ‘Seed’:
“Emma Gatrill is one of the most talented people I know. We've played together a lot in various projects and so I was very happy and honoured to be asked to contribute to this track. I especially loved having the freedom to add whatever I felt like and anyone who knows me beyond my own band knows I love adding ocarinas and recorders - which is what I did and which Emma generously left in! This track is filled with so many people that I love. Plus, I just can't get enough of "out of the dark into the light, into the light of the morning". A message we all need to remind ourselves of on a daily basis. Good one, Gatrill!”

Rachael Dadd on ‘Seed’:
“This song is like a glorious seed sprouting towards golden sunlight. I’m so happy to hear Emma bringing her third album into the world in all its harmonious joy and honoured to sing here, and massively grateful to Emma for all she’s brought to my music over the last 12 years”

Emma Gatrill - harp, clarinet, bass clarinet, mellotron

Kate Stables - backing vocals, ocarina, recorder
Rachael Dadd - backing vocals
Rozi Plain - backing vocals

Marcus Hamblett - cornet, synths
Andrew Stuart Buttle - violin
Dan Harding - drums

Seed

To Fall Asleep

You Say You Won't

Rich

Fiction

Strung out on an unhealthy diet of hyperpop, angular punk, dub and various forms of bass music, transatlantic duo Strange Flesh craft fractured pop music out of drums, grubby synths, animal calls and the myriad horrors of human life.

Very

Strange Flesh

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