Tracks Of The Week, 07.10.16

From their inception, to their first self-release, to touring with the likes of Let’s Eat Grandma and gaining support from BBC 6 Music, Girl Ray have arrived here: their first physical release. And they couldn’t have chosen a better track.

Though not particularly cheery in its theme – the song is about “about and hating yourself for trying to win pointless arguments… turning into someone you don’t like” – ‘Trouble’ sees the North London trio stay true to their sound. A sound, which, combining influences like Neutral Milk Hotel, Pixies, Bowie and The Beatles, is endlessly lovable. Almost perfectly described as ‘off-kilter pop’ – endearing in its almost bubble-gum pop qualities, but with the quirks and kookiness of their influences worming their way in – ‘Trouble’ is impossibly enjoyable.

‘Trouble’ is Girl Ray’s first physical release and comes with a new B-side, ‘Where Am I Now’, out via Moshi Singles Club on 25 November. 

Taken from their second EP I Know It’s Nothing, ‘Breaking In’ sees Hull five-piece La Bête Blooms truly up their game.

Seemingly encapsulating the feeling of the band’s live performances, ‘Breaking In’ takes a turn for the louder: La Bête Blooms are more urgent, more raucous than ever. Resulting in a wall of frantic, albeit brilliant, sound, the desperation of the vocals paired with an unapologetic amount of feedback makes for something truly exciting.

A particularly strong glimpse into the upcoming EP, ‘Breaking In’ cements La Bête Blooms as one of the most exciting and strongest forces in music right now.

‘Breaking In’ is out now.

Just one of many great things to come out of the now closed down Powerlunches, AATHENS are a prime example of why we must allow the new music scene to thrive.

Taken from their debut EP TVEP (written in the basement of Powerlunches) ‘Aspirations’ is a testament to trying times: “it’s a song about a kind of bad faith that’s around at the moment and the extent to which I feel embedded in it”, tells the band’s Patrick Brown.

Mirroring its sombre theme in the sound, ‘Aspirations’ is heavy, brooding, scuzzy – in all the best ways possible. From its monotonous vocals to almost shoegazey guitar solos, ‘Aspirations’ gets increasingly addictive: one listen alone is enough to have you hooked on AATHENS.

TVEP is out on 14 October. 

Despite being about, as FLIIIS’ Daniel Johnson puts it himself, “using someone… controlling them with sex”, the band’s latest single ‘Conversations’ is a surprisingly easy listen. Easy, not to be mistaken here with boring, in that it has a charming sense of familiarity; a comfort in that while they by no means sound exactly like other bands, they’ll no doubt blend in seamlessly with your favourites.

From tribal percussion, to dun-drenched vocals, ‘Conversations’ is, though perhaps tainted in its theme, wonderfully pure in its sound.

Fresh and exciting, FLIIIS may be one of the newer bands to take on the Manchester’s music scene, but they’re definitely not going to let that stop them becoming one of the best.

‘Conversations’ and the accompanying ‘Work It Out’ are out now.

Melissa Svensen
@MelYeaahh

Melissa Svensen

Melissa Svensen

Melissa, 22. Editor. Student, music journalist, probably talking about Blur or Bowie