Tracks of the Week - 15.01.16

Tacocat backwards is tacocat… So is the notion that women’s shit isn’t real shit, and that’s precisely what Seattle’s Tacocat are fighting. With their latest single ‘I Hate The Weekend’, Tacocat take matters into their own hands, putting feminism at the foreground and doing the unspeakable: making it fun.

There’s a tendency to instantly label bands with any female presence as a ‘girl-band’ – we all fall into the trap, but that’s just what Tacocat are putting a stop to. With ‘I Hate The Weekend’, gender is out the window; Tacocat’s infectious, candified, cool-as-shit punk kicks ideas of ‘lady issues’ and ‘girl-bands’ out the window, and treats you to an incredible hair-whipping, care-free dance along while doing so.

Lost Time, the new album from Tacocat is out 1 April via Hardly Art.

Perfectly encapsulating feelings of their warm California home, The Gromble blend alt-folk and indie in a soothing musical blanket. So soothing, in fact, that the rather sad undertones of ‘Real Sympathy’ go almost unnoticed. Though they may be singing about “Tiny shards of human legs and human arms / And eyes that never see the stars” it’s impossible not to imagine The Gromble stroking your hair and telling you it’s all going to be okay – it’s refreshingly calm.

‘Real Sympathy’s synth-pop vibe is something that could so easily slip into the shadows of the indie-scene, but something drags it out. With meaningful lyrics and an unwavering sense of direction, The Gromble create calm to the point of enjoyment, but never to the point of apathy.

Bristol three-piece IDestroy are making a name for themselves in 2016: ahead of their debut EP release, their hard-hitting, charmingly feisty title track has secured them as one of this year’s coolest bands. ‘Vanity Loves Me’ sums up the trio – infectious and bratty, with riot grrrl sensibilities and an uplifting sense of youthfulness.

Forming only in 2015, IDestroy haven’t had long to perfect their sound, but they’ve done it – all while creating a buzz in their local scene. And with ‘Vanity Loves Me’ it’s clear to see why. They’re not afraid to be loud and raucous, in your face and sneering, but all in a way that charms and suits both the local scene in their hometown and bigger stages of the outside world.

Following their debut single ‘Bonfire’, The Hunna kick off 2016 with ‘We Could Be’. Having racked up an army of followers in the last year, The Hunna have strengthened their place as a no-fuss indie-rock band. ‘We could Be’ is an example in fine production, taking an already strong sound to dazzling new heights, clocking up over 384,000 listens in the first five days.

It’s obvious why: with catchy melodies and drive to power them through the year, there’s no stopping The Hunna. ‘We Could Be’ is proof that the industry insiders who rejected them were wrong – they missed out and The Hunna aren’t about to let them forget that.