Dan Hillier
A diptych of ‘the seeking of truth and reality, in a collapsing world’ and the ‘need of deconstruction in order to rebuild’ the French experimental band Birds in Row are back with more energy and vigour as ever. The trio always been clear on their message of looking out for each other whilst being aware of the world around us and trying to make positive change. ‘Noah’ exemplifies this in spades. You are invited to ‘come with me’ and view the horrors of the world around us and how capitalism tries to fix this but fails time and time again. Musically this is a one of their more expansive pieces with a slow burning tension and build. A beautiful push and pull between explosive then restrained vocals alongside a simmering rhythm section holding it all together. A seamless transition takes us into the second act ‘Cathedrals’ more proof of their evolving craftmanship. Unrelenting drums alongside the raw screams. of burning the systems to the ground. Birds in Row are certainly a band for the people and hopefully more will take notice of their incoming album Gris Klein. – Adam Vallely
The latest single from the Russian black metal collective, ‘Fracture’ see’s the ardently antiwar Somn articulating pure musical hellfire in response to the horrors unfolding both in their native home-country and in their neighbouring Ukraine. It’s a blistering and borderline anxiety inducing ordeal, one articulated with incendiary passion and one that showcases their upcoming split EP with their fellow St. Peterburgians Wowod. “We’re two neighboring bands sharing the local scene in Saint-Petersburg, Russia. We played many times together and thought it’d be cool to introduce each other to our fanbases by doing a split release”, state Somn on the forthcoming split, due for release October 7th. “As Russians finding ourselves in this horrible situation, we are against cutting the cultural exchange, setting up new borders because of politics. We value human life regardless of nationality and are hugely opposed to whoever or whatever tries to manipulate us or our feelings.” – Dan Hillier
Baltimore pop-punkers Pinkshift have released the fourth song from their upcoming album in the form of ‘in a breathe’ and may come as a surprise to fans and new listeners alike in terms of sound, given the fact that it is a piano led ballad. If nothing else it will surely catch you off guard as it confidently stands on its own two feet as a brave and raw outpouring. ‘in a breathe’ is an honest and vulnerable stripped down song that see’s vocalist Ashrita Kumar addressing the subject of pushing people away as a result of never feeling like it will lead to happiness, as well as exploring the idea of a limbo where you are stuck between wanting to live and wanting to die with all of these insecurities and barriers that life throws your way providing obstructions to falling either side of said limbo. It’s a sobering and thought-provoking ride and truly showcases Kumar’s incredible range both vocally and lyrically. ‘in a breathe’ will feature on Pinkshift’s upcoming album Love Me Forever which is due for release October 21st via Hopeless Records. – Jac Holloway
As no strangers to providing the culmination of shoegaze celestial beauty with the ponderous distorted rumblings of the iconic grunge era soundscape; the Ontarian Alternative Dreampop sister act Softcult, endeavour to cut through the heavy with a plethora of enchanting vibrations broadcast from their latest single ‘One Of A Million’. Although it’s lyrical content represents a reflective ode to damning elitist privilege, while embracing and accepting the essence of unexceptionalism; the tracks continuous stream of consciousness when observing Softcult’s entire discography plays perfectly on the Riot Grrrl socio-political ideology. The persistent occupation of rolling social commentary is something band members Mercedes and Phoenix Arn-Horn are especially meticulous about, as they understand the use of their vast discography as a vessel for mental and emotional enlightenment on a global stage is imperative to the desire to see the change we all wish to see to secure our worlds survival. – Bennie Osborne
The third and final track to be taken from the band’s forthcoming record The Burden Of Existence – released October 28th via Church Road Records – ‘Archtype’ see’s Implore unsheathing their blades to deliver two minutes and twenty seconds of lacerating grind. Whilst it’s a more confrontational and blistering endeavour than the previously releases likes of ‘Love Will Gradually Perish’ and ‘Sun Deprived’, the track is still perennated with the suffocating and inhospitable atmosphere that engulfed those previous singles. Those who find the likes of Helpless, Heriot and Converge appealing will undoubtedly find plenty to love here, and as the band explain, ‘Archtype’ is a sign for things to come; “This one is what any grind banger should be, straight to the core mayhem. Written a day before we started recording. We ain’t going softer.” – Dan Hillier
Throughout the past decade Lost In Kiev have become renowned for their cinematic concept albums, records that have allowed the Parisian post-rockers to enjoy the spoils of touring with artists such as The Ocean and appearing at events such as ArcTanGent Festival. Now ‘We Are’ see’s the band ushering in their next arc. The second single to be taken from their upcoming Pelagic released record Rupture, ‘We Are’ is a gorgeous, vivid and beautifully monochromatic soundscape that boasts immaculate interplay between layered guitars and textured synths, resulting in a track that introduces the band’s forthcoming album brilliantly. If this is anything to go by, then it’s possible that Rupture could be a late stage contender for post-rock album of the year come it’s release next Friday. – Dan Hillier
Cutting their teeth as the android valley-girl who twisted their viral-fame into the intoxicating dissection of humanities broken consciousness; the City of Angels perplexing genre bender Poppy, seems to strike at the core of toxic masculinity with their latest douchebag take down anthem, ‘FYB’ which serves as an initial throwback/thrash-punk glimpse into the hard hitting world of her upcoming rager EP – Stagger, which is scheduled for release in mid-October. Acting as an abbreviation of “fuck you back”, it’s pretty obvious that the millennial mould breaker connects with some clearly defined feminist chaotic energy; it speaks to a certain level of inner desire to put men (not all just the assholes) in their place, as well as presents a certain level of reflective pessimism in the availability for an equal and just society. ‘FYB’ is a masterfully made multi-layered excursion whose only crime is it’s unbelievably short runtime, especially considering the amount of big mosh-pit energy it bursts through the atmosphere. – Bennie Osborne
Dayseeker are fresh off the announcement of their new album Dark Sun and have this week dropped another taster for it in the form of ‘Dreamstate’, a song that reaches soaring heights, boasts nu-metal qualities and leans on the band’s harsher, djent-laden heavier sound. The combination of chunky riffs and euphoric vibrant synths makes for an excellent blend that makes Dreamstate the perfect example of modern post-hardcore. This is Dayseeker at their absolute best where they are able to balance and pull in all factors . There is a dichotomy between the way Rory Rodriguez is able to hit the heights of his melodic croon but to also reach snarling growls that he is able to hit with ease. It makes the chorus all the more explosive and the bridge as climatic and impactful as it needs to be to hold up. With a tonne of tracks yet unreleased and a fan buzz really starting to build it’s safe to say that strapping in for a belter of an album may be worth doing. Dark Sun will be released November 4th via Spinefarm. – Jac Holloway