PLAYLIST: July 2017 - GigslutzGigslutz

We’re half way through the year, everyone’s still coming down from their Glastonbury highs, and the weather’s taken a turn for the worse – but don’t despair! There’s a whole season’s worth of festivals approaching, and come rain or shine, you’ve always got this nifty playlist full of brand new music to see you through the month of July…

Le Tigre – ‘Deceptacon’
Activist and musician (and personal shero), JD Samson’s DJ set at Meltdown Festival a couple of weeks back was – quite honestly – one of the most joy-filled nights of my life. Dancing into the early hours to all the electro-feminist-punk-pop Riot Grrrl anthems, it really was a dream to be in the presence of such an inspiration of mine. As part of my favourite trio Le Tigre, the LGBTQ activist holds a pretty special place in my heart, and ‘Deceptacon’ is the perfect, empowering accompaniment to this month’s Pride celebrations. (Mari Lane)

REWS – ‘Miss You In The Dark’
Fresh from performing on the John Peel Stage at Glastonbury and newly signed to Marshall Records, REWS have re-released ‘Miss You In The Dark’; and it’s a defiant, bold offering from this talented duo. I’ve been following Shauna and Collette since early 2016, and I’m pleased to see they’re getting the attention they truly deserve. (Kate Crudgington)

The Smiths – ‘Cemetry Gates’
Sparked by Johnny Marr’s ‘Set The Boy Free,’ and kicked into overdrive by the announcement of the Morrissey biopic ‘England is Mine’ I’m getting well and truly back into The Smiths. Not that I ever wasn’t, but as they no doubt were when I first started listening to them, The Smiths are on repeat constantly again. I can’t complain (Melissa Svensen)

Bad Mannequins – ‘I Hate You’
Having just released their debut EP Deny Til U Die Part 1, Glasgow duo Bad Mannequins have recently shared their new single ‘I Hate You’. Oozing shades of the riotous rock ‘n’ roll of Eagles Of Death Metal as whirring riffs race alongside scuzzy vocals and jangly hooks, it’s a frenzied, fun-filled, and utterly infectious anthem. (ML)

Cigarettes After Sex – ‘Each Time You Fall In Love’
They may have released their debut self-titled album last month, but I’m still addicted to Cigarettes After Sex’s hypnotising sound. ‘Each Time You Fall In Love’ is a perfect example of Greg Gonzalez’ ability to write lyrics which simultaneously reject and embrace the idea of romance. I missed the band performing last month due to Glandular Fever, and I’ve been crying about it ever since. (KC)

Kashmere – ‘Hoxton’
With spangly guitars, hugely infectious hooks and a pre-chorus that’ll stick in your head for the next year, Kashmere’s latest release is your healthy dose of sun-drenched indie. Whether you need a pick-me-up at an inevitably rainy barbecue, or just to dance around (which you’ll inevitably end up doing) ‘Hoxton’ will no doubt be soundtracking your summer. (MS)

Soccer Mommy – ‘Allison’
With her new album Collection set for release next month, Sophie Allison – aka Soccer Mommy – is a woman after our own hearts, having been quoted as saying “You can’t say indie rock is dead. It’s just being taken over by women.” Her latest single is a perfect slice of twinkling indie pop – filled with smooth, luscious melodies, it’ll leave you longing for more of its dreamy, emotion-strewn haze. (ML)

Wolf Alice – ‘Yuk Foo’
Like all major Wolf Alice fans, I’ve been playing My Love Is Cool on repeat whilst waiting for the band to release something new, and it’s finally arrived in the form of single ‘Yuk Foo’. As expected, it’s hair-raisingly aggressive, full of expletives, and bursting with Ellie’s trademark rage. (KC)

Bang Bang Romeo – ‘Chemical’
In ‘Chemical,’ Bang Bang Romeo have perfected the art of taking a live sound – and a brilliantly established one, too – and capturing it on record. For a band so new, ‘Chemical’ is bursting with so much talent, energy and emotion: it’s magical and something that can only really be grasped by listening to the track. So, do that. (MS)

Mannequin Death Squad – ‘Van Gogh’
(Yes, another Mannequin-themed name)… Australian duo Mannequin Death Squad recently premiered their brand new video for ‘Van Gogh’ with us, and what a treat for the eyes and ears it is. Filled with raging riffs, pounding beats and the soaring, sultry vocals of Elena Velinsky, ‘Van Gogh’ races with a fierce power, finally reaching its climax in a distorted, whirring cacophony. (ML)

Nova Twins – ‘Bassline Bitch’
I still haven’t seen Nova Twins live, and I missed my chance again last month when the pair supported Ho99o9 at Camden’s Underworld. The formidable duo’s bass-heavy, defiant tunes have been going down a storm in both London and in France recently, and ‘Bassline Bitch’ is easily my favourite. (KC)

Ho99o9 – ‘United States Of Horror’
This is the gentlest introduction you’ll get to New Jersey/L.A punk mutants Ho99o9. Most people see/hear them for the first time at a gig and end up leaving with black eyes and broken ribs (true story). They stunned the crowds at Glastonbury last month, and they’re busy dominating the world on tour at the moment. Hopefully they’ll return to the UK soon so they can finally play this title track during one of their live shows. (KC)