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EP REVIEW: Satnam Galsian – ‘Sahiban’

By
Frank
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Satnam Galsian’s new EP takes the sound of her last solo release – the EP ‘Fragmented Truth’ – and adds something extra. What that something extra is hard to describe; the best I can come up with is to say that the overall sound of this EP brings together her traditional Punjabi and Celtic folk influences together into something that is unique to her. To my admittedly older ears it has at least some of the sounds in late 60s/early 70s Progressive Folk and some it sounds distinctly Psychedelic It’s a fusion but not what you expect to hear from that description.

‘Sahiban’ was developed during her Opera North Resonance residency at the end of March. The project was a feminist retelling of the story ‘Mirza Sahiban’, with lyrics written by poet, Hafsah Aneela Bashir, who brought the idea to life with her words. The guitarist John Hogg worked with her to compose the music for ‘Sahiban’, he is also the guitarist in her band, Kinaara.

Opening piece ‘Hear My Story’ sets the scene for the EP. Here the sound reflects her Punjabi sound BUT with music that is made up of various drone sounds that combine into something quite Trance-y. It is the start of a journey.

‘Hope And Reverie’ steps into that Punjabi/Celtic folk sound. The thing is that it’s actually quite difficult to exactly pin down where any sound in the song comes from – including her vocals which can move from one to the other within a single line. For example, while the guitar might tread a Western path; the fact that its sound might sit in a Celtic sound is warped beautifully in your head because there are common factors between them.It’s wonderful.

‘Sahiban Chose Love’ takes that drone sound. And then ’Reality And Broken Arrows’ adds in elements of Psychedelia in the guitar sound while other more ‘traditional’ Punjabi folk swirl around her voice in a maelstrom of sound.

‘Hear My Voice’ is gentle. It soothes after the riot of sounds in the previous song. It almost serves as the introduction to ‘Revelation And Choice’ which again adds in that Psychedelic Folk sound in the guitar.

Closing piece ‘Sahiban Chose Life’ is the end of the story, the journey. It has this wonderful, I think, cymbal drone

I have resisted commenting to any large extent on the individual songs which I think on reflection should be called sections of a piece. Each section has an individual feel that reflects what is being said in it. Each section has a mood, an emotion, an atmosphere.

What you must resist is treating hearing this gorgeous EP as an intellectual exercise in appreciating music that fuses together different sounds.Sure it does that, and I wouldn’t object to you admiring the musical skill involved in that. but the thing is that this EP is so much more than that. It’s astounding music that blows your mind. It has emotion and atmosphere. In short, beautiful music is beautiful music wherever its influences come from. Sure you may need to ‘adjust’ your ears to its sound but once you do that the result is wonderful. In short, let your mind go and sink into the beauty of the music on this EP. It’s compelling, mesmerising and hypnotic.

SINGLE REVIEW: Yutaniii – ‘All Your Friends Are Fucking Boring’

By
Frank
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0

Before I embark on the review proper I should probably clear something up; yep this song is really called ‘All Your Friends Are Fucking Boring’, there’s no way around that. I could use ‘All Your Friends Are F**king Boring’ to avoid any possible offence but this seems rather prissy. And I don’t want to end up doing the written equivalent of Radio One playing ‘Too Drunk To Fuck’ by the Anti-Nowhere League when it got into the Top 40, honestly it was more bleep than music. On the other hand it was rather amusing hearing Radio One being forced to play the song on the Sunday Chart Show. And not at all funny having to answer the question from my Dad ‘why are they bleeping this song?’. I tried the (infamous Pistol’s like) answer ‘rude word’ but he wasn’t happy with that and I was forced to tell him. It seemed rather unfair that he got all out of shape about me using the ‘f word’. Sorry I digress.

Anyway the mentions of two Punk bands isn’t all that disconnected with ‘All Your Friends Are Fucking Boring’ because it’s a punky blast of raucous garagey noise. It lies somewhere in the intersection of Punk, Garage and Prunk (Progressive Punk as played by Cardiacs if you didn’t know, it’s the sawing synth that runs through the track, Nu-Metal and others too numerous to mention. Guitars crash, crazy wonderful on the edge of falling apart drumming, a vocal that sounds like a mutant 70s’ Glam vocal and massed loose as fuck backing vocals.

The band explain what the song is about ‘The track touches humorously, yet aggressively, on the subject matter of finding your friends of friends insufferable. Vocalist Will leads the charge with his accusatory verse lyrics, pointing his finger at the friend in mind. Will is joined in his assault by the rest of the boys in the chorus for a gang vocal similar to that of a football field. The unhinged combined with the chant leaves the listener sat on their seat with bated breath waiting for more. The track has a brutal breakdown ending, with the instrumentation almost falling apart as it reaches its conclusion. It’s an assault to the senses and thats just how we like it’.

This, people, is just the most brilliant blast of noisy guitar music I’ve heard for ages. Play this on the edge of volume that could burst your eardrums, and go mad crazy.. Essential listening.

The info

Five misfit-weirdos from Leeds (God’s own country) with thousands of pounds of debt, buckets full of angst and a satisfaction for the mundane. Angular guitars, floor filling bass and thrashing drums, meet the euro pop synth you hate to love and the crazy, maniacal vocals of the town crier.

With the overtones of their EP drifting further into the recesses of space, Yutaniii now switch their focus to their second set of releases. New tunes will be getting beamed across the airwaves very soon, transforming Yutaniii into a far more menacing beast.

The words

How do they survive on the side
Are they always fucking high
Are they fat with their own lies

You’re drinking, laughing at my friends
We’ll keep on laughing at my friends
Coz’ yours are all a bunch of trends

Shiny buttons, no they are never going to die
Iron socks to feel a high, oh,
happiness is being right

And now I’m

Wide awake and it’s a quarter past four
And I’m walking out the door
Coz’ all your friends are fucking boring mate

Automation
It’s a vision
Your indecision
A faulty prism

Sitting ducks on the road
Valium taking control
How can I avoid a show?

Out parading

We’re never gonna die
Ego death, another fight,
Another drink, another lie

Until I’m

Wide awake again, Reality ensues
Walk a mile in my shoes
you’ll see there ain’t a blue pill to choose

Where there’s a

Green note, there’s a prole to spark a rouse
You think you are the chosen few
But all your friends are fucking boring mate

Automation
It’s a vision
Your indecision
A faulty prism

Automation
It’s a vision
Your indecision
A faulty prism

Boring
Boring
Boring
Boring
Are they fat from their own lies?

SINGLE REVIEW: Sunflower Thieves – ‘So Far So Good’

By
Frank
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0

The Sunflower Thieves make music that feels like it’s been in your head forever, music that takes you to another place and connects with your heart and emotions. There’s just something about their voices, the words and the way their music is put together that does that.

For those of you who don’t know Sunflower Thieves, or a quick reminder for those who do, their music sits somewhere in the intersection between folk, the broad singer/songwriter sound and classic pop. I’m going to describe the sound of ‘So Far So Good’ as modern folk; in that it takes the elements of folk and drags them wonderfully into now.

‘So Far So Good’ is a haunting song that touches on disconnection, loneliness and feeling alive; if this sounds like it has something to do with lockdown, it does but let’s take that as a starting point not the whole story. For example lockdowns didn’t start our reliance on the internet as a ‘means of social connection’; it really only accelerated the speed with which that happened.

They explain the song’s origins ‘During the first lockdown, a church near Amy’s house put up a sign outside encouraging people to send their prayers in via email, and it got us thinking about the very human need for connection and control, and how this manifests in different ways for different people. So Far So Good sits in an uneasy space between this and the overwhelming feeling of our individual insignificance in the wider world. Like, does it matter what we want or how we go about spending our time?’

The sound of the track, as I said, is modern folk but let’s get beyond the label. It’s ethereal, haunting, dark and eerie. It comes with an edge of anxiety and fear that to a large extent comes from a slight wobbly feel to the sound and subsonic sounds.

So used as I am to the sheer beauty of the duo’s voices I have to admit to almost crashing forward to my final words but then I realised that some of you may not have heard them before. I could, and have done, gush almost endlessly about the sound of their vocals but here I will simply say that they are compelling, mesmirising and wonderful.

‘So Far So Good’ sounds fantastic and has words that both connect with your raw emotions and make you think about where we are now. It does all that you want a song to do, and so much more. ‘So Far So Good’ is simply beautiful.

The info

Rooted in sisterhood, childhood friends Amy Illingworth and Lily Sturt-Bolshaw found their feet in the musical hotpot of Leeds to form Sunflower Thieves.

So Far So Good is the third single from the band’s upcoming EP, ‘Same Blood’, due for release on 30th October 2024. It was written with Sam Griffiths [The Howl & The Hum], and co-produced with Jack Hardman.

CONCERT REVIEW: Antony and friends – Central Methodist Church Todmorden – 13 July 2024

By
Diana Forrest
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As well as Antony Brannick on piano, this concert featured Andrew Rostron on violin and Walter Coupe on French horn.

The concert opened with Chopin mazurkas (opus 6 nos 2 & 3 and opus 7 nos 2 and 3). Chopin could evoke a variety of emotions using these lively dance tunes, from wistful to turbulent, and Antony Brannick’s playing was dynamic and expressive.

He was joined by Andrew Rostron for Grieg’s violin sonata in F major (opus 8). Together they expressed the vitality of this powerful work.

All three musicians came together for Brahms’ horn trio in E flat major (Op 40). From the flowing Andante through the assertive Scherzo and the serious Adagio, finishing with the sparkling Allegro, the tones of the three different instruments combined. There was the lively rhythmic piano and the flowing violin, contrasting with and reinforcing the rich tone of the horn, creating a triumphant performance.

Next concert 14 September. Contact details abrannick@garrattslaw.co.uk or 0161 665 3502

CONCERT REVIEW: Todmorden Summer Orchestra – St Mary’s Church, Todmorden – 7th September 2024

By
Diana Forrest
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A section of Todmorden orchestra consisting of strings and woodwinds gave us a varied classical programme, beginning with the formality of Handel’s Concerto Grosso in G minor (op 6 no 6), and ending with the breeziness of Holst’s Brook Green suite. Works by Bach. Elgar and Mendelssohn were also included.

The concert also featured Tchaikovsky’s beautiful andante cantabile from String Quartet no 1 (op11), arranged for cello soloist and strings, with an expressive performance on cello by soloist David Leys.

And there was a world premiere of a work “’Twas Brillig” by local composer Tim Benjamin, inspired by the opening of Lewis Carroll’s strange poem “Jabberwocky”. There is a sense of eerie calm, and Carisse White on piccolo gave us a lively Jubjub bird.

ALBUM REVIEW: The Beer Snobs – ‘Luckily Nothing Was Broken’

By
Frank
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0

The Beer Snobs are a band you, if you don’t already, should know. They write songs that are rooted in the lives we live, rooted in Yorkshire and finally firmly rooted in Leeds. However, and this is important, if you don’t live in Yorkshire or indeed Leeds, the songs apply universally. The songs are angry, funny, priests or simply social commentary. And the music is in a word wonderful; drawing from a range of styles so wide it amazes and with a kind of punky lo-fi loveliness.

The opening track ‘There​’​s No Night Buses To Beeston’ is case in point. It’s a blast of something that I could describe as garagey punk in a style that kinda sits in a Buzzcocks stylee with something of The Stranglers in the power of the musical attack, with an intro that sounds like a mutant Sabbath. What I’m saying here is that you can pogo to it, got that? This is a protest song, a commentary if you will, about the state of the country. And yes, I know that’s not immediately obvious from the title but bear with me. You see it’s about the things that affect your life on a personal level that really rankle, that get you all riled up. And the crap bus services are a symptom of the state of now.

‘’The Otley Run’ is a bloody funny comment on the Leeds’ student tradition of the Otley Run; frankly a pub crawl dressed up in fancy dress. And if you’ve ever tried getting into a pub on the Otley Run you’ll know what it means. Next up is the story of a Beer Snobs gig based to a certain extent on the song ‘Staring At The Rude Boys’. Except, and I’ll leave it at this, they were swearing at the Rude Boys. Look, these songs are going to leave you with a huge grin.

Set to a jangly gem of a tune, ‘I Am Afraid’ is, if you will, a confessional, an admittance of the fears we hold inside and can’t admit to.

‘What’s Going Down’ features The Snobs taking, although they make it their own, what, and I’ll say this very very quietly a kind of Madchester sound.Yep, choppy guitars, swirling keyboards, included. Although the start is very much a Soul thing. It’s just a fab thing with great words, and you can dance to it.

‘Can’t See The Light’ sees a return of that puny sound. It seems to be about, and I may well be wrong, not seeing the end to the life we live right now.

‘‘What You Do To Me’ is what I’m going to call a heartfelt ballad. It’s a beautiful thing. Oh, and there’s the occasional burst of fuzzy guitar to boot. ‘It All Comes Down To Trust’ is another slow one, another beautiful thing both lyrically and musically. It’s about a relationship, and the first Beer Snobs’ song to bring more than the odd tear to my eyes.

‘Freak Scene’ is about friendship or even possibly a relationship. Who cares both can equally apply. And it’s a blast.

The song ‘Beer Snob’ is about, not surprisingly, being picky about the beer you drink. A pretty important subject to cover if you ask me. Joy in a beer glass shaped song.

So there we have it, an album with songs about life, love and society. The words are beautiful; words that make you think, words that make you smile and laugh out loud, and words that bring a tear to your eye. All these are set to the music of The Beer Snobs; it’s music that has their very own style and it sounds fantastic.

This is brilliant, and you must listen to it. It’s that simple.

ALBUM REVIEW: W.F.Severs – ‘From Seven Hills To Home’

By
Frank
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0

It has been a while since I reviewed music from W.F.Severs, and here is his first all original music album. I feel spoiled.

For those of you who have never had the pleasure of Sheffield’s W.F.Severs; he writes thoughtful songs that sound personal and have crafted lyrics that lay bare emotions and tell stories. His sound sits somewhere in the intersection of alt-country, Americana and folk.The songs on this album were written and recorded in Sheffield, Rome and Belluno. And prizes will be awarded for those of you who immediately got the seven hills connection with both Sheffield and Rome,

The opening track ‘Hollywood’ tells what may be a familiar story of striving for success in life, and failing in one town. So while rooted in Americana in both words and music the story is more universal. And when I say rooted in Americana, the sound sits in that Laurel Canyon Americana sound; utterly wonderful guitar included.

There is a beautiful lifting blues feel to ‘Mountain & The Man’. Here W, F. introduces a theme of life and relationships as a journey – with wrong turns and places you should be returning to. What this song evokes wonderfully is that the journey of life often has a place where you are most at peace but turn away from it, only to realise that you must go back.

‘Walk Into The Night’ has a different feel. This is hard to describe to be honest but the best I can come up with is a progressive modern take on Country and American. It’s utterly compelling and completely mesmerising. A beautiful moment,

‘Ghost On The Street’ tells the story of an ended relationship, a complicated ended relationship. The reminders of it that lie in places and streets. The words are simple, raw and honest. And the music reinforces that feel. This is a song we can all relate to. This is a song I have returned to many times, because it describes so completely one facet of human life. This will tear your heart in two.

With ‘Living Free’ there is a change of mood. It describes the joys of living outside of the ‘normal’. Perhaps of being a wanderer. And yet there is more to this song. Perhaps I am reading more into it than there actually is but it’s about stepping out of the rat race, of choosing to live your way.

‘Keepin’ On’ tells the story of being pulled back home by a person you once knew. It’s a simple story but one that is told so well by the words. The thing about this song is that somehow W. F. has managed to bring a freshness to a familiar story; a new angle if you will. Lovely.

The song ‘I Can Be Your Friend’ is something you just have to hear. This is because what the song is about and the point of view it’s written from is gut wrenching. Just listen and you’ll understand,

The closing song ‘Seven Hills’ is a song about Sheffield. The place and its people. It’s a song about home. But it’s also a song about leaving, leaving because things change, people and friends leave. It’s a song that celebrates what was, not what is now,

This is an album of words and music that quietly drags you into absolute obsession with the songs. Each song is a fantastic combination of emotive words and beautiful music. The key is that while the stories and themes in the songs may be familiar W. F.brings something raw and personal to them, and sometimes takes a new angle. The music works in synergy with the words; reinforcing the emotion and helping to tell the stories. It’s fantastic.

I love this album. Every song is a gem. Every song has compelling lyrics and music so good it hurts. It is, and I mean this, perfect.

SINGLE REVIEW: Afrobaby – ‘LIGHTER’

By
Frank
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0

Bradford based artist Afrobaby’s release ‘LIGHTER’ has a sound that blends together a mix of Electronic, Alternative R&B, UK Garage, and downtempo house elements.Where some reviewers may chose to describe this as genre defying, which it is; I prefer to describe it a utterly fabulous sound which compels and mesmerises. It also reminds me, in a small way, of Everything But The Girl’s early sound – albeit translated to a sound of now.

So over the sound of carefully crafted washes of synth and gentle beats Afronany sings in a voice that conveys emotion and truth gently and simply. For this is a personal song, a deeply personal exploration of her experiences with anxiety. In a society that often demands that Black women maintain a façade of unshakeable strength,

“The track is my way of pushing back against the idea that I always have to be strong,” Afrobaby explains. “This song is about embracing vulnerability and acknowledging how social anxiety affects me, while striving to feel lighter and braver despite these
challenges.”

I, and I think many other people, will immediately be able to understand and empathise with the words of the song. I personally recognise the feelings and experiences in the song as part of my life experience.And even with the increasing recognition of mental health issues, I applaud her for writing with such raw honesty about her experiences and feelings.

It is the baring of her soul in ‘LIGHTER’ that makes it a very special song. And when it is combined with the beautiful music it becomes a jewel of a song. I love this.

The info

There will be an alternative version of the track, set for release on Friday, September 12th. This sped-up version of ‘LIGHTER’, inspired by Happy Hardcore and infused with
Hyperpop elements, transforms the song into a euphoric celebration of resilience and self-compassion

Afrobaby’s Debut EP, SAFE SPACE (set to release in November) explores themes of mental health, self-discovery and love. The EP offers an intimate look into her world, with each track reflecting personal experiences and broader human experiences. While “LIGHTER” focuses on social anxiety, other songs on SAFE SPACE will explore the complexities of love and self-empowerment.

SINGLE REVIEW: Su, I Think – ‘release’

By
Frank
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0

What you can expect from Su. I Think is a release loaded with class and style; not to mention the unexpected. ‘release’ is no exception.

The track positively fizzies with a sense of joy, It’s guaranteed to compel you to dance your arse off. It’s pop, yes. It draws its sounds and feel from all sorts of 80s and 90s classy pop – smooth saxophone bits, electro-dance,hip=hop, even a touch of the Latin. But the totally outstanding thing about the track is how this is all melded together into something utterly gorgeous. It drips craft and technical skill BUT without ruining the human feel of the song. Without losing that joy.

The song is about, and this a feel reflecting the story, being ‘released’ from a relationship and getting that joy back in your life. Su explains “release” is a song that I wrote after finally leaving my ex. After all the trials and tribulations were done, I could finally look back on all our time together, push my hair behind my ear and giggle. To be honest it’s a song written for people who finally go away, stop romanticising and close the door forever.

“I think it’s good to be able to reflect positively on your relationships and this song definitely feels just like that. I wanted to view it as a celebration of getting to the next chapter and letting go of the old one. I got in the studio with SG Cackle and we referenced a couple dance tracks and ran with it. I think it turned out pretty cute actually <3.”.

While I’ve highlighted the craft that went into the track, the really important thing is how it makes you feel. Me, I just want to dance myself silly to this glorious classy slice of poppy dance music. Wonderful stuff.

SINGLE REVIEW: Echoviolet – ‘Micro Maniac’

By
Frank
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0

Since I last reviewed a release from Echoviolet they’ve slimmed down to a three-piece. And on this release I’d say a lean and mean three piece.

‘Micro Maniac’ is a breakneck raucous thing with a huge dose of punky energy. It sits on the edge of sonic madness with a weird sense of hyper-anxiety. What the band hasn’t lost is their musical cleverness. The track is built on a jerky rhythm, a racing bass and urgent guitar. It’s the magical touch of adding these manic lala la’ backing vocals. It’s a bloody joy.

All of this sonic energy reflects, and multiples, what the song is about. The band explain ‘The is about a person who is addicted to someone that they know is bad for them, they know they should stop but they keep going back again and again for more. I think we can all relate to this, everyone is addicted to something that’s not good for them’.

Speaking personally, yep, been there, got the t-shirt. The words, the manic energy of the track, all sum up my experience. So while the track may sound like a hoot and a joy, the words tell a very different story.

Bloody hell I love this new direction the band is taking. ‘Micro Maniac’ is a must listen.

The info

The new three piece Echoviolet is Ethan on drums, Lee on bass and backing vox, and Rowan who used to do guitar is now the lead singer as well.

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