Mari and Melissa have teamed up again to tell you a bit about their favourite tunes this week! 

Two years since their last release, and with ‘all the material ready’ for their album, Darlia have finally returned with ‘Ballad Of Black & White’.

As much as it’s been way too long since we’ve heard anything from Darlia, ‘Ballad Of Black And White’ is pretty worth the wait. With huge, festival-ready choruses accompanying vibrant hooks that are truly Darlia, ‘Ballad Of Black & White’ is a truly triumphant return; a sort of super-charged Darlia.

Despite Nathan Day first demoing the song at 16, it seems ‘Ballad Of Black & White’ was a waiting game, and after a couple of sessions with producer Dan Lancaster the track was – in Day’s words – “unexpectedly spicy.” And he’s right.

They headline a sold-out London Camden Assembly on March 29th. Find all their tour dates here. 

Melissa Svensen
@MelYeaahh

Following the release of last year’s EP Are We There Yet?, Amsterdam’s Pip Blom has now shared her new single.

Reflecting on the complications of relationships, ‘I Think I’m In Love’ flows with lilting, jangly melodies, infectious riffs and raw vocals. A scuzzy indie-pop delight, it’ll leave you wanting more of Blom’s charming, catchy creations.

Having now received airplay from the likes of BBC 6Music’s Marc Riley and Steve Lamacq, it seems we’ll be hearing a lot more from Pip Blom in 2017, and you can catch her live when she’s over in the UK later this month – details here.

‘I Think I’m In Love’ is out 17 March via Toaster Records.

Following the incredible and innovative ‘Dance While You Shoot’, Tel Aviv’s Noga Erez is back with another fiery offering.

‘Toy’ is a glitchy, haunting soundscape. A sweeping cacophony filled with soaring, eerie vocals and pulsating beats, it’s a powerful piece of political electro-pop, oozing shades of the twinkling majesty of Goldfrapp, with its own, unique force. Whilst a step away from the frenzied, uptempo ‘Dance While You Shoot, ‘Toy’ is yet another dynamic offering, proving Erez’s ability to create utterly compelling works of art.

Of the track, Erez explains:

The lyrics, while short, are meant to show the contrast between someone who disowns his “crown” vs. someone who embraces the privilege, entitlement and influence and uses it for their own personal needs. They become self-absorbed and destructive. Showing how quickly and easily power can corrupt a person.”

Off The Radar, the debut album from Noga Erez, is out 2 June via City Slang. 

Having already built quite a reputation for their energy-fuelled live shows, and received acclaim from Huw Stephens, Dublin trio Bitch Falcon are now set to play Canadian Music and have shared a powerful new single.

‘Clutch’ blasts out powerful, soaring vocals alongside whirring riffs and intense bass-lines. It’s a gritty slice of raw rock; a dark, snarling wall of sound, propelled by a driving energy, that’ll leave you yearning to see the full force of Bitch Falcon live.

Keep your eyes and ears out for this raucous trio. And catch them live on their Irish tour.

Mari Lane
@marimindles