pronoun – ‘Run‘
Ahead of an appearance at SXSW and shows with Basement, Citizen and Turnover, Alyse Vellturo (aka pronoun) has unveiled ‘Run’; a song they describe as ‘a ball of frustration’. Covering the ending of a relationship where one person easily gave up because things got slightly tough, pronoun doesn’t pull any punches as they accuse the lover of ‘avoiding this and reality’ – all amidst a soundscape of ’80s-tinged power pop and Ryan Adams-esque guitars. It’s a sad song full of ferocious defiance.
Ryley Walker – ‘Telluride Speed‘
Dead Oceans are having a purple patch right now with Phoebe Bridgers and Shame both releasing their albums through the esteemed label. Out in May, Ryley Walker’s ‘Deafman Glance’ is just one of the records from their upcoming releases we’re looking forward to and ‘Telluride Speed’ just whets the anticipation further. A behemoth of a track clocking in at over 6 and a half minutes, it starts with a wistful feel as woodwind instruments back up Ryley’s carefully considered words and then becomes more free-form as he chucks in bluesy stop-start guitar riffs and enchanting effects while delivering words in a Matt Berninger-esque booming voice.
Natalie Evans – ‘Hard to Forget’
https://open.spotify.com/embed/album/6YYA7A1yGf1iED4ro6ygGj
Natalie Evans has released the second single from her forthcoming album ‘Better at Night’ (out via Small Pond in May). Charming and captivating from the first note, it combines her classical and emo influences on finger-picked guitar and finds her looking back over youthful friendships and how ‘everyone I know is still inside my dreams’. Along with looped harp and to-die-for harmonies, this moves from a lo-fi sound to something more layered complete with effects that reminded us of Team Me or Efterklang as Natalie sings about wrapping up warm on the floor.
Gender Roles – ‘Gills‘
Following their tour with Jamie Lenman and ahead of a free entry UK tour next month, BSM signings Gender Roles have unveiled ‘Gills’ – a 90-second blast of punk rock that mixes Meat Wave riffs with a ’90s-US-indie inspired attitude. The band sing: ‘I can’t breathe underwater so I will just have to grow gills’ (is that a Waterworld reference?) and then ‘I can’t think upside down so I will just turn the right way up’ at a breakneck pace, only briefly stopping for a fine line in ‘Ohhh-ohh-ohhs’.
Annabel Allum – ‘Beat the Birds‘
Already Huw Stephens’ Record of the Week and a favorite with Tom Robinson and BBC Introducing, ‘Beat the Birds’ is another fine cut from Annabel Allum. Once again in full band mode, the track combines Camp Cope-style wit and honesty with chunky, grungey riffs as Annabel recalls the mixed emotions of youthful recklessness. She proudly declares ‘we beat the birds to dawn’ before backing away and deciding ‘it’s just another morning’. It’s a song that will make you want to soar as high as our feathered friends.
