Tracks Of The Week - 29.07.16

There are powerful messages and lessons in everything PWR BTTM do. After announcing last year that they would only play venues that provided gender neutral bathrooms, the bands new track ‘Projection’ focuses on identity, and the pressure of other people’s perceptions of ourselves.

Described by the band themselves as “a shiny, glorious middle finger to those who doubt you”, ‘Projection’ is exactly that. It might be a f*ck you to small-minded doubters but it sounds rather marvelous while doing so.

Perfectly merging the world of drag artistry and punk, PWR BTTM – and ‘Projection’ – strike the balance perfectly between a punky lack of caring, and a heartfelt need to make a change. And if the result sounds and feels as good as ‘Projection’, a little juxtaposition never hurt anyone.

Off in an Alice in Wonderland-esque world of complete insanity, Hands Off Gretel’s latest track ‘One Eyed Girl’ blends humour, a riot grrrl attitude and a manic weirdness that is completely captivating.

It’s this insanity that makes ‘One Eyed Girl’ so refreshing. Though it’s arguably the accompanying video that heightens the madness, not only are Lauren Tate’s gritty voice and almost perverse lyricism a match for the likes of Courtney Love, but the intensity (and talent) of the rest of the band is almost unmatched at the moment. It’s enough to make anyone want to go a bit mental.

True to name, Shimmer Trap are bringing a shimmering, refreshing glow to the psych world. With the title track of their new EP, KEMOSABE, Shimmer Trap trap take the genre to a whole new level.

Managing to be both upliftingly anthemic and beautifully chilled, ‘KEMOSABE’ is a breath of fresh air that you didn’t know you needed. Though carrying potential to be otherworldly, and elements of the track giving off a definite ethereal air, there’s something that keeps the track just the right amount of grounded. Most likely a nod to the band themselves, it’s this that sets the track aside from the masses. It’s a bloody good start for Shimmer Trap.

With a reissue of her debut album coming this September, and another in the works for 2017, now is the perfect time to fall in love with Sneaks. Taken from the debut Gymnastics, ‘True Killer’ is the perfect example of Sneaks’ (AKA Eva Moolchan’s) talent: recorded with just vocals, a bass guitar and a drum machine, it’s a brilliant display of post-punk-esque minimalism.

It’s tongue-in-cheek and playful, but with Moolchan’s almost sombre vocals, and the ability to make something so minimal sound so good, ‘True Killer’ should most definitely be taken seriously.