Tracks Of The Week, 19.02.16 - GigslutzGigslutz

Another musician hailing from Oslo (it seems to be a prolific place for the musically minded right now), Maja Skillz is the electro-pop brainchild of Mari (nice name) Norden. Previously being part of the band Shy For Shore, and inspired by the likes of FKA Twigs and Lana Del Rey, Norden envisioned her latest project during a stage of illness and isolation. The result is a unique and soulful sound.

‘Fall Aprt’, the latest track from Maja Skillz, is filled with glitchy beats and synth-heavy melodies that flow alongside Mari’s serene vocals. It’s a wonderful offering that you could just as easily dance along to, as drift off into a chilled-out dreamy haze. The choice is yours.

Ben, Ben, Alex and Krista, aka SuperGlu, formed back in 2014 in Essex. Receiving acclaim from the likes of BBC Introducing’s Huw Stephens, and having played at Latitude Festival 2015, the band are now set to release a brand new EP.

Oozing their own unique brand of upbeat indie pop and an infectious buoyant joy, lead single ‘Rounder’ is filled with the catchiest of melodies and is sure to get in your ears and stay there. Fusing together raw rock sounds and honey-sweet soaring harmonies, SuperGlu have created an instant hit; an energy-filled offering that will leave you ready for the weekend without a doubt.

Horse, the new EP from SuperGlu is out 24 February. And you can catch them live:

FEBRUARY
20 – Ipswich, The Swan
22 – Leicester, Pi Bar
23 – Hull, Polar Bear Club
26 – Colchester, V Bar

MARCH
2 – London, The King’s Head
9 – Bury St Edmunds, The Hunter Club
10 – Brighton, Green Door Store

Already perhaps familiar to you as the drummer in Glasgow’s Casual Sex, Chris McCrory’s other band Catholic Action are also pretty great. Personally invited by Alex Kapranos to support FFS last August, the band have also supported The Libertines and Swim Deep; not a bad feat for a band who have barely been around for two years.

The latest offering from Catholic Action, ‘L.U.V’, is a perfect garage rock anthem. With shades of the likes of Kasabian or The Black Keys, this track boasts bouncy, uptempo beats alongside steady, blues-inspired riffs and the memorable, distinctive vocals of Chris McCrory.

I’m certain you’ll be hearing a lot more from these guys, so keep your ears peeled.

‘L.U.V’ is out 18 March on Luv Luv Luv Records. And you can catch Catholic Action live:

24 Feb – The Dome, London (NME Awards w/ Swim Deep)
29 March – Fallow, Manchester
30 March – Sebright Arms, London
31 March – Nice N Sleazy, Glasgow
1 April – Underdog, Aberdeen
30 April – Live at Leeds festival
20 May – The Great Escape Festival

As you may have heard on the Gigslutz Girls’ New Music Show last night, last week I fell in love. I was listening to Marc Riley’s fantastic BBC 6 Music show when the luscious sound of Let’s Eat Grandma flowed through the speakers; it was love at first listen.

Two teenage BFFs from Norwich, Let’s Eat Grandma have known each other since they were four, and this closeness is evident in the sounds they create: perfectly in-sync harmonies and fluid instrumentation.

The pair’s latest track, ‘Deep Six Textbook’, is a dreamy, effervescent slice of electronica with touches of folk, oozing delicate yet powerful vocals that sparkle with intriguing beauty. You could perhaps compare its playful charm to the legendary Kate Bush, but Let’s Eat Grandma have truly perfected their own sound, and I can’t wait to hear more from these young women.

Let’s Eat Grandma play live at The Forge in Camden on March 21.