Tracks Of The Week, 02.02.18 - GigslutzGigslutz

Following last year’s triumphant return ‘Weirdo,’ London’s Escapists are giving another taste of their forthcoming album in the shape of ‘Army of One.’

‘Army of One’ is “a breakup song written before the breakup,” a tumultuous inner monologue in the form of a raucous, cinematic pop tune. The result of the band disappearing after their 2014 debut to rethink their direction, ‘Army of One’ is a revamped, refreshed and bigger version of the Escapists. With this new vision, and (sadly, but rather conveniently) an earth-shattering breakup for vocalist Simon, ‘Army of One’ is a taste of what promises to be a hugely exciting album.

‘Army of One’ is out now

Ahead of the release of their debut album scheduled for this summer, The Fernweh have shared their debut single, ‘The Liar.’

After about a decade of playing as ‘side-men’ to some of Liverpool’s finest, Jamie Backhouse, Ned Crowhter and Austin Murphy gathered to make their own thing. Now with Maja Agenvik and Phil Murphy in tow, The Fernweh are doing what they’re supposed to be doing: making psych-drenched folk.

Spanning both British and US influences, ‘The Liar’ is a taste of the sort of deeply evocative, at times unsettling, but impeccably crafted psych-folk that The Fernweh are capable of. They’re a force to be reckoned with.

The Fernweh’s self-titled debut album is due for release in summer 2018.

Closely preceding Microshift (their first new work in 3 years, released today) Leeds’ Hookworms shared ‘Each Time We Pass.’

Featuring vocals from Alice Merida Richards (of Virginia Wing) ‘Each Time We Pass’ is the band’s first truly collaborative piece of work. A standout in Microshift, but still perfectly in tune with the album, the track is in equal parts frenetic and ethereal. A electro-tinged love song about failures from both parties in a relationship, ‘Each Time We Pass’ is, despite its slight misery thematically, a gorgeous offering from Hookworms.

Microshift is out now.
Live
February
9 – Rough Trade East, London
10 – Rough Trade, Bristol
23 – Invisible Wind Factory, Liverpool
24 – Patterns, Brighton
March
2/3 – Brudenell Social Club, Leeds
4 – Hare & Hounds, Birmingham
9/10 – The Lost Weekend, The White Hotel, Salford
17 – The Art School, Glasgow
18 – The Cluny, Newcastle
24 – Electric Brixton, London
25 – Picture House Social, Sheffield
July
19-22 – bluedot Festival, Chesire
August/September
31-3 – End Of The Road Festival, Larmer Tree Gardens, UK

Since starting life as a drawing, Mille Turner’s ‘The Shadow’ has found its second reincarnation as a hugely infectious pop song.

Though it may only be her third song ever, ‘The Shadow’ is evidence of Millie Turner’s transfixing song-writing ability. Explaining the track, Millie says: “It’s a story of a girl who decides to go on this journey by herself and starts walking. There’s an inner image of her walking with her shadow, reflecting on the internal empowerment and acceptance of her inner-creativity.” Full of pulsing rhythms, infectious synth chords and hypnotic vocals, it’s an exciting introduction to the incredibly fresh talent of Millie Turner.

‘The Shadow’ is out now