2021 is building up to be as big a shit storm of a year as 2020, COVID still looms large, but is quickly being taken over by events in Afghanistan and closer to home, the clusterfuck that is the fall out of Brexit. Hey, but we’ve got blue passports, crowns on pint glasses and are back to using pounds and ounces…
It is with an enormous debt gratitude of then, to all the bands and artists who keep me sane with the music they keep releasing this year. It has been a phenomenal year so far for new music and we’ve still got three months to go. Keep them coming please…
Run Into the Night – Colour in the Shade
Fresh off the presses this morning is the new single from Ginger Quiff favourites, Run Into the Night. The song comes from the same recording sessions as Blow a Kiss/Catch a Knife, and is the last recorded output of the original line up of Christina and Ellie. Another superb song from the dynamic duo, as I’ve come to expect. The new line up with Powderkeg’s Androo replacing Ellie on the drum stool have lots of plans afoot for next year. Watch this space…
Carol Hodge – The Moan of a Thousand Years
It is a red letter day for another Ginger Quiff favourite Carol Hodge, with the release of her third solo album, The Crippling Space Between, available for streaming/DL from today (the vinyl until 14th October delayed by the world vinyl shortage). Go listen, then order the vinyl for a lovely postal delivery in October. I interviewed Carol ahead of the album release, you can read the interview here. In the meantime, enjoy the superb video for the lead track on the album, The Moan of a Thousand Years.
The Lodger – Bewildered
Walking the line between quirky indie guitar jangle, and full on bombastic POP is the new single Bewildered from the Leeds trio The Lodger. Blending, the bouncy indie guitars and piano with soaraway vocal melodies a harmonies produces a glorious celebratory sound.
Baabes – Greaseballs to Glitters
From the sublime to the sleazy. Deep down and dirty garage punk n roll from Baabes. Crunching guitars, hard and heavy drumming and a primal scream of a vocal come together for a wrecking (grease)ball rock n roll stomp.
Katherine Aly – Pariah
Back to the sublime and perhaps my favourite song of this round-up, and definitely my favourite single so far from Katherine Aly. This is her most powerful song to date lyrically, and the video matches the emotion and power in its imagery, which unfortunately has seen it occasionally fall foul of bizarre social media rules and regulations. Pariah is a song of oneness, standing up against injustice, and of unity for anyone who has suffered at the hands of others just because who they are. Share far and wide.
Astroturf Inspector – Luxury Boredom
A beautiful laidback DIY lo-fi ballad. If you love the idiosyncrasies of Withered Hand, Daniel Crichton’s heartfelt songs will strike a chord immediately. This would melt the hardest of hearts.
The Wife Guys of Reddit – Wet & Tired EP
This EP has been out since June, but I’m only just getting around to listening properly, and I’m kicking myself, I’ve missed a quarter of a year of having these songs in my life. Highlights include their play on Dylan’s words, Jangled Up in Blue, the jangled should give you a clue of where their music may take you, and Hardtack, if Orange Juice had teamed up with Pavement? Damn, Adelina is a belter too, full of seething rage, if Liz Phair came from Glasgow…. Just go and listen to the bloody EP yourselves… you can thank me later.
Cat Dowling – Animals
An exquisite piece of music from an extraordinary artist, Animals sets the scene for what should be a an incredible album from Cat Dowling, also titled Animals, if this song, and her debut album The Believer, are anything to go by.
Klubber Lang – I Will Not Wait
Klubber Lang don’t hold back on their latest single the visceral hard rocking groove of I Will Not Wait. As the title suggests, they are hanging around for no-one, out of their corner, riffing and driving forward with an unstoppable force. Knockout.
Trouble Pilgrims – The Old Days
FIFA Records and Ireland making an impression on this round up with Cat Dowling, Klubber Lang and Trouble Pilgrims. The Old Days is a nostalgic lookback on times before social media and phones took over peoples lives. “Sometimes, I like the old days better” opines Steve Rapid atop an unceasing urgent and compelling throb of pulsating guitars, bass and drums. I look forward to the new album from the ex-Radiators From Space crew.
Self Esteem – Moody
Another addictive top class pure pop single from the ex Slow Club singer, an exploration of the struggles of being a woman “in this world, especially as a woman in the music industry, of fucking course I’m moody”
Dogtooth – The Fear (Is Out to Get Us)
Today is a great day for new releases, the new single from Dogtooth (their first since signing for Run On Records/Modern Sky UK) The Fear (Is Out To Get Us) builds on the promise shown by previous singles with its infectious driving rhythm. I expect big things from this young trio in coming years…
Luximon – Datsun Cherry
This stunning single precedes his new album Duty of Care on, you guessed it, Last Night From Glasgow. I make no apologies, the roster on the label is phenomenal and keeps getting better. The guitar on this single positively sings to me, add to that David’s rich lush vocal and you have a song that sends shivers up, and down, the spine.
Annie Booth – Cocoon
Another single out today is the latest masterclass in sharp and elegant song-writing from Annie Booth. Cocoon is soothing and hypnotic, a perfect Friday song to ease the strains and stresses of the week in time for the weekend. New album Lazybody is coming soon…
Placebo – Beautiful James
Placebo are back with perhaps their best single in a several years in Beautiful James, certainly one of my favourites. A blistering guitar riff overlaid with effective synths and Brian’s distinctive vocal. Cracking.
The Darling Buds – Jump In
Having just seen The Primitives live in Glasgow, it seems somehow appropriate to feature a recent(ish) new song from The Darling Buds, another band who were partial to an action word single, their Burst to The Primitives Crash. New song Jump In is in classic Buds style and, alongside their recent cover of REM’s Low for the Carnival of Sorts compilation, they have whetted my appetite for a Glasgow gig. What do you say?
Jackal Trades ft Minerva Wakes – Forever Underground
Having both released powerful albums this year, Jackal Trades have released their collaboration with Minerva Wakes, Forever Underground as a single. Mark from Jackal Trades never seems to stop, continually spinning all his plates, while Minerva Wakes celebrated the Equinox with their debut gig this week in the Hug and Pint. Fans of Jo will be pleased (or disappointed) that The Twistettes will be playing their one and only live gig this year in October.
Jackal Trades Facebook – Minerva Wakes Facebook
Suncone v The Muldoons – I’d Never Dream
The Muldoons released one of my favourite albums of last year, Made for Each Other. On that album, one of my favourite songs is the epic album closer, No Pressure. Suncone have got a hold of the track and dubbed it up, making it an entirely different beast but no less epic for all that. Brilliant.
Suncone Bandcamp – The Muldoons Bandcamp
Clarke and the Himselfs – Weighted Down
Weighted Down is a remarkable song from “one human band” Clarke & the Himselfs. Addictive and effortlessly cool slacker rock from the first of a couple of LA based artists/bands in this round up. Weighted Down is out today (24th September)
Cuffed Up – Bonnie
LA post punks Cuffed Up have a 4 track EP, Asymmetry, coming out on the 22nd October. From the EP, this song, Bonnie, “is an anti-love anthem about the grief and pitfalls of a serious relationship crumbling due to lies and deceit”. Like their previous releases, this is divine assault on the eardrums, guitars crashing, and the dual vocals playing off against each other. Check them out now.
Collars – Jeremiah
Collars appeared in my last round up. So good is their Everything Present EP that I had to put them in the latest round up with the release of another song from the EP, Jeremiah, as a single. Initially sparse and affecting, Danielle’s vocal over plaintive piano, before Kane joins the fray, the song building to a glorious end. The single is due to be released on the 8th of October.
Keeley – Never Here Always There (Live)
I’ve been championing the Brave Warrior EP from Keeley for ages now. I think I’ve featured all four songs from the EP. As an added bonus, here is the epic 9 minute version of Never Here Always There. And a wee, get well soon message to Keeley.
Hugh Reed and the Velvet Underpants – P.A.N.T.S.
Achieving legendary status from as far apart as Glasgow and China, Hugh Reed and the Velvet Underpants recently made a welcome return to the live stage in Paisley’s Bungalow Bar (my first gig after lockdown reviewed here). A video for this song has surfaced in the last few days. I’m not sure what else to say, but this song is P.A.N.TS. Check it out for yourself…
I’m sure there is something there to titillate your senses. As always, and where possible, I’ve added the songs top my Ginger Quiff 2021 Playlist on the evil Spotify.