East London based quartet, Zola Blood is undoubtedly one of our favourite electro-ambient projects to come out of the UK.
The recent tour with RÜFÜS DU SOL has left a visible mark on the band – they appear more direct and powerful in their delivery. ‘Silver Soul’ is taken from their latest EP set for release on 22 May via Akira Records.
Speaking about the track, they explain,
“Silver Soul is about saying a last goodbye to a time or a place when you’ve outgrown it and you know it’s time to change.”
We are psyched to share Zola Blood‘s new single, ‘Two Hearts’, the title track of their latest EP set for release on 22nd May via Akira Records.
Taking a slightly heavier approach that their previous body of work, the track sets the tone for the EP, complete of a body of intricate and powerful songs.
A further nod to the bittersweet essence of the EP can be seen within the artwork. Referencing the Japanese art of Kintsugi, a tradition of fusing broken pottery back together with Gold. The EP reflects the philosophy behind the art, which challenges the idea that in order to preserve something, it can never change.
Sounds like: Wild Beasts, Radiohead, Brolin, Jape, Boxed In, TENDER, RÜFÜS DU SOL
Love You Later is the brainchild of Nashville-born, synth-pop artist, Lexi Aviles.
She creates heartbreaker bangers with dreamy landscapes and an infectious pop vulnerability.
Her new single ‘Said You’d Be There’ is about not getting caught up with the small things that happen in life, but to let go, be free, and dance your way through the endless horizon ahead.
Sounds like: The Japanese House, MUNA, Soccer Momm, Snail Mail
Singer-songwriters Zoe Konez and Antonio Lulic combine on the rousing alternative-pop anthem “Echo”. Drawing on influences from Zoe’s indie background and Antonio’s stadium-filling pop tones, it’s an epic piece of pop-fusion that details a longing for adventure at the expense of personal relationships.
Sounds like: Oh Wonder, Of Monsters and Men, Ben Howard
British duo BOII have us quite taken aback with their ‘Footwork’. Seems like we’re not the only ones expressing our feelings through the mode of movement.
The track focuses on the time when you can truly experience the “moment” by moving away from a challenging place and escaping reality.
After a two year hiatus, the greatly awaited single from Tensnake arrives. Titled ‘Rules’, the feel good track features vocals from Chenai in an ode to 90s house, with a modern twist.
It’s out now on Armada Electronic Elements.
Sounds like: MNEK, Le Youth, Joe Goddard, Disclosure, Fred Falke, Louis La Roche
Self-taught rock fan turned esteemed pop-writer Ben Kidson has given his hand to producing and the result is the energetic ‘Money’.
Featuring heavy sampling of 90s video game sounds hidden throughout the track, ‘Money’ calls on people who have said they can help you to “put your money where your mouth is”.
Sounds like: Billie Eilish, Yungblud, Twenty One Pilots
UK-based rising stars Eli & Fur provide lush and haunting vocals in their new single ‘Wall To Wall’.
Released on Big Beat Records/SIKR (Gavin Koolmon from Disciples new label) the progressive electronic track works perfectly listening to at home as it does on the dancefloor.
MIYNT is a Stockholm-based artist and musician. Having listened to a couple of her previous tracks, we decided to get the girl to put together a playlist for us.
You can check it out below.
Leon Bridges – Coming Home
I was blown away by this song, it has a timeless feel to it.
Touchy Mob – Crooked Lust
I love the lo-fi feel and the melancholia in this song. It’s brilliant.
Alabama Shakes – I Found You
Brittany Howard must be one of the greatest singers alive. I love this song.
Mild High Club – Windowpane
Man, I almost wanna steel that synth in the beginning, or in the whole song. It’s an amazing song.
Gorillaz – On Melancholy Hill
I think that all of my favorite songs includes the chord bm. This one included. It just catches some sort of melancholia. Damon Albarn 4-ever.
Fever Ray – I’m Not Done
I think that this is one of the best electronic songs of this decade.
Buscabulla – Sono
This makes me wanna dance
Valerie June – Wanna Be On Your Mind
This song falls in the same category as the Leon Bridges-track. It just feels timeless. So chill and beautiful.
PJ Harvey – Let England Shake
Because I’m secretly in love with PJ Harvey.
Angel Olsen – Shut Up And Kiss Me.
I just discovered Angel Olsen and I think she is awesome.
You can listen to MIYNT’s new single, ‘You Were Never Too Much’, below.
Sounds like: CAPPA, Banks, Lana Del Rey, Tame Impala, Alt-J, Kate Boy, IYES, Zola Blood, I AM KARATE, Tula
Transcending into “a new violet awareness”, Los angeles band, Transviolet, are back with ‘LA Love’.
The track is a juxtaposing one written about the pros and cons of living in Los Angeles.
Tour Dates
August
10 – Los Angeles, CA – The Echo (Popshop West)
26 – Reading, UK – Richfield Avenue (Reading Festival)
27 – Leeds, UK – Little John’s Farm (Leeds Festival)
September
27 – Portland, OR – Revolution Hall**
28 – Seattle, WA – Neptune Theatre**
29 – Vancouver, BC – Venue**
October
1 – Salt Lake City, UT – The Depot**
2 – Denver, CO – Bluebird Theater**
4 – Omaha, NE – Slowdown**
7 – Memphis, TN – 1884 Lounge**
8 – Atlanta, GA – Terminal West**
9 – Carrboro, NC – Cat’s Cradle**
11 – Birmingham, AL – Saturn**
13 – Orlando, FL – Backbooth**
14 – Fort Lauderdale, FL – Culture Room**
15 – St. Petersburg, FL – State Theatre**
20 – Columbus, OH – The A&R Music Bar**
21 – Millvale, PA – Mr. Smalls**
23 – Philadelphia, PA – Theatre of Living Arts**
24 – Washington D.C. – 9:30 Club**
25 – New York, NY – Webster Hall**
28 – Boston, MA – Royale**
29 – Montreal, QC – Theatre Fairmont**
30 – Toronto, ON – Mod Club**
November
1 – Detroit, MI – Saint Andrews Hall**
3 – Chicago, IL – Metro**
5 – Minneapolis, MN – Fine Line Music Café**
7 – Fayetteville, AR – George’s Majestic Lounge**
9 – Nashville, TN – Mercy Lounge**
11 – Houston, TX – Warehouse Live**
12 – Dallas, TX – House of Blues**
13 – Austin, TX – Antone’s**
15 – Phoenix, AZ – Crescent Ballroom**
16 – San Diego, CA – House of Blues**
19 – Los Angeles, CA – The Fonda**
** With LANY
Sounds like: Lorde, Chelsea Lankes, Dominique, Lana Del Rey, B.Miles, Zola Blood
Los Angeles quartet Transviolet have just revealed their debut track, ‘Girls Your Age’.
Distinctive vocals sat atop imaginative production, the track unfurls from the outset to create a stunning opening gambit.
Speaking on the track, the band state:
“It’s complicated- coming into your own. Especially for girls. The world wants you to fit a role- be smart OR be sexy OR be modest- they want you to fit into some tidy, little, one-size-fits-all box. The truth is, you are human, and you aren’t meant to be just one thing. You can be innocent, sexy, elegant, dirty, beautiful, and flawed all in the same instance, and you don’t have to let anyone flatten you out into some one dimensional caricature of yourself. Fuck that. You are multidimensional, and you are capable of being everything at once.”
Sounds like: Lorde, Chelsea Lankes, Dominique, Lana Del Rey, B.Miles, Zola Blood
Zola Blood is the latest signing to Pond Life Songs, the label synonymous with Talk Talk’s 1991 album ‘Laughing Stock’ and more recently Liverpool’s avant-pop trio Ninetails. Despite a 22-year hiatus, Pond Life’s passion for bold, inventive new music remains strong, as proved by their newest signing.
First track ‘Grace’ combines R&B with ambient electronica and haunting vocals similar to the that of Foals’ Yannis Philippakis.
Zola Blood’s intricate arrangements were developed over a year on a Hackney Wick industrial estate, dissecting mobile phone recordings and programming synthesisers.
Despite the allure, Zola Blood is a competent group with a bright future ahead.
Sounds like: The Foals, Portishead, Talk Talk, Ninetails, Elbow, New Navy, Mogwai, SOHN, James Blake
