Gigslutz Tracks Of The Week 15.11.13

Although Snow Patrol are most widely known for their emotive indie ballads and gentle, romantic lyrics, there was a time in their youth when they exuded a grunge-fused energy and punk-inspired attitude. And it is this side of his band that Nathan Connolly has channelled in his new project ‘Little Matador’. With the help of Gavin Fox (Idlewild), Dave Magee (LaFaro), Binzer Brennan (The Frames) and Troy Stewart (The Windsor Player), Connolly is currently creating thrashing rock anthems with climatic dynamics, mega melodies and lairy licks.

And ‘Liar Liar’ – one of their recent songs now available for free download – is no exception. With a pounding, post-punk buzz and a cacophony of tightly packed riffs, Connolly appears to have succeeded in creating what could be deemed as the ‘anti-Snow Patrol’. Don’t get me wrong, I love a bit of Lightbody and Co. when the mood takes me, but the vigorous energy, raucous rhythm and sheer excitement that ‘Liar Liar’ generates is a refreshing change.

With an album due for release early next year, I can’t wait to hear and see more from this exciting new ‘super group’.

Having recently received acclaim from the likes of Zane Lowe and The Guardian, indie-rockers ‘Spies’ seem destined for big things. Hailing from Dublin, the band deliver searing melodies with dark, atmospheric undertones.

Reminiscent of The National, new single ‘November Sun’ is a catchy track with Michael Broderick’s deep drawl soaring throughout, and effective harmonies that build up tension and arouse intrigue. However, whilst intense and dramatic, ‘November Sun’ is also an endearingly intimate offering that is both emotive and beautiful. Whilst filled with heavy, crunching riffs, it also maintains a melodic lightness that will soothe and mesmerise.

Spies’ EP ‘Distant Sun’ is out today on Trout Records, and I am very much looking forward to hearing more from Mr Lowe’s new favourite band. You can catch them at The Seabright Arms on 9th December.

I’m afraid I couldn’t let the week pass without mentioning this. The week that the video for Lily Allen’s first single since 2009 – ‘Hard Out Here’ – was released. Despite my excitement at the empowering message of the song, and my subsequent addiction to it, the video has received a lot of criticism for, what some deem as, its racist undertones. This, however, is a ‘track’ not a ‘video’ review… so, however tempting it is to discuss my love of the Thicke-esque balloons and what they spell out, I’m going to leave the critique of the video to the experts and just say that I admire Allen for writing such bold lyrics and for making an effort to change the message that women are fed by the media each day.

‘Hard Out Here’ is a satire on the objectification of women, and Allen’s message is clear: it is a celebration of who we are regardless of our size, gender or appearance; it is an explicit criticism of the pressures on women to be portrayed in a certain way by the media. It clearly parodies the sexist lyrics of Robin Thicke’s controversial ‘Blurred Lines’ (“have you thought about your butt, who’s gonna tear it in two?”), society’s current obsession with ‘twerking’ and the general sexism that is so rife in the music industry today. Allen is courageously, and wittily, making the comment that it is indeed ‘Hard Out Here’ (for a bitch), and for that reason the song should be celebrated. If you can’t admire the song for that, and ‘if you can’t detect the sarcasm’ then you have definitely misunderstood. It had me laughing and crying in equal measure, and (although I’m generally not a fan of auto tune…) I’m not ashamed to say it has definitely been my track of the week.