Tracks Of The Week, 03.12.14 - GigslutzGigslutz

The beautifully beguiling sounds of Johanna Glaza are here to accompany the chilly lead up to this year’s festivities. ‘Paper Widow’ is as delicate as the title would suggest, filled with Glaza’s impassioned, spellbinding vocals and stirring choral harmonies. With striking, effervescent melodies to match, this is an intense and affecting offering, perfectly suited to those cold, dark nights spent wrapping presents by candlelight.

‘Paper Widow’ is out now, and I strongly suggest you immerse yourself in it completely.

Taking over the airwaves (6music) this week has been the sound of scuzzy indie-popsters, Tuff Love. Coming towards the end of a busy year, having released their debut EP back in May and toured with the likes of Real Estate, Joanna Gruesome and Honeyblood, the band have just released a new single, ahead of their second EP in February.

‘Slammer’ is filled with all the catchy, grungey hooks you could ever ask for, a steady, uptempo rhythm and smooth, husky vocals. Whilst oozing a cool, no frills vibe, alongside sunny melodies and charming harmonies, ‘Slammer’ is both tuff and lovely. Just perfect for your ears to feast on this winter.

If you like (one of my favourite bands of the year) Pins, you’ll love Tuff Love…

Dross EP is out February 2015.

By no means new to the music world, The New Pornographers are back. Delivering their trademark sunny, indie pop, the Canadian band released their latest album back in August, have just toured alongside The Pains of Being Pure At Heart and have now treated us to their latest offering: ‘Dancehall Domine’.

An infectiously upbeat track, ‘Dancehall Domine’ vibrates with all the energy of an ‘80s synth-pop offering. As seamless harmonies flow, Scissor Sisters-esque electro pop beats soar and you can’t help but indeed long for a dancehall to bust out some moves to this smile-inducing track. With fun written all over it, this is a track to brighten any end of year work do in an instant…

The New Pornographers’ latest album, Brill Bruisers, is out now.

Whilst I don’t wish to make a habit of mixing my personal values with our Tracks Of The Week, I couldn’t let another week go by without mentioning the No More Page 3 Christmas track. If you’re not aware of the No More Page 3 campaign, it is basically a fantastic cause that asks the editor of The Sun to remove sexist images (most predominantly the daily, half-naked, photos of women under the age of 25) from the paper, and treat men and women equally. An extremely worthwhile cause, in my opinion; one which I support wholeheartedly and am extremely grateful for – people are finally having the courage to speak out against this ridiculously outdated and misogynist ‘tradition’. I could write pages about how strongly I feel about this song’s message, but here’s just a couple of paragraphs…

Sung by Miss Baby Sol, one of Paloma Faith’s backing singers, and produced by My Second Head, ‘Now’s The Time’ exudes twinkly melodies and upbeat festive cheer whilst putting forward this important message. Oozing positivity and determination – “Somehow I know we’re gonna get there”, “We’ll all be fighting ‘til they lose that page” – Baby Sol’s soulful vocals flow smoothly, creating a catchy (and undeniably Christmassy) message of empowerment and strength.

And, whilst some – less informed – people may argue that this campaign is prescriptive, ‘man-hating’, or whatever other negative terms feminist campaigns are often deemed, I should emphasise that it is not a campaign against porn per se. No More Page 3 is not anti glamour modelling, we are not judging these beautiful women, we are judging The Sun. No More Page 3 is fighting against the fact that this self-proclaimed family newspaper insists on posting topless photos of women every day. People can choose to buy porn, children haven’t chosen to see these sexualised images whilst searching for their Peppa Pig magazine. Girls and women on the bus, on the train, at school, at work, at home, haven’t chosen to have these images shoved in their faces, harassed by their peers because of it. This campaign has enabled people – of both sexes – to speak out about the experiences inflicted on them because of Page 3: children sitting with their grandfather whilst he stares at a half-naked girl a quarter of his age, abuse being justified because of the way in which women are portrayed as objects simply fulfilling men’s desires, strangers feeling justified in approaching women and girls and referencing Page 3 – “Look at those tits, you should be on here”, or “With a body like that, you’ll never be on here”. Because these images are in a family paper, they are accessible to anyone and everyone, whether or not you have chosen to look at it, and send the message that it is socially acceptable to judge a woman on her body alone. An unhealthy and damaging attitude to harbour, and for our children – boys and girls – to grow up with. So, it needs to stop.

Let’s fight sexism (and, in the process X Factor grabbing that No.1 spot, yet again) and support the No More Page 3 campaign: ‘Now’s The Time’ is out 15th December and you can pre-order it on iTunes now: https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/id938240081

Also, in addition to raising awareness and putting a great song out there,NMP3 are also running a video competition: anyone can make a video for the single! On December 12th, they’ll select the best to be the official video. If you fancy taking part, the best link is here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wEA2SLaJ1Ww

Mari Lane

@marimindles