New Noise: October Roundup
Only four submissions this month, but as the old cliche goes, where we may lack in quantity, the quality is in abundance.
First up is the mighty Guise, who seem to be dropping quality singles with the same frequency as members of the Bullington Club burnt fifty pound notes in front of the homeless…And if you don’t get that reference – educate yourself and look it up. These people are ruling you. Sometimes I think I get Guise, and then sometimes I doubt myself. What is the master plan? Just continue to nonchalantly cascade musical spun-gold to the masses? Do It Again is another classic, riff-heavy stomp that the Guitar God’s collectively at this very moment learning these fretboard licks. The vocals are down and dirty, the production on the nose, and the guitar work exemplary. If I am Guise’s number one fan then its a travesty. Guise are for the many, not the few.
Reaching for the Marshall’s and turning down a notch we have Euan Blackman with the delightful HIGHHIGHHIGH. This is a lovely song, extremely well produced and I really love Blackman’s restrained vocal delivery. This is such a comforting track, which makes the owner of these ears feel all will be eventually well, even though the narrator feels displaced and unsure. Beautifully constructed, beautifully delivered, just outstanding Maestro!
If Jade Thunder showed us one aspect of her creative skill with Alchemy, with Happy we see another aspect. The song may have a positive title, but La Thunder isn’t talking about the finer aspects of life. This is a monster of a track, the nuanced, well executed production standing shoulder to shoulder with her lyrical sentiments. The voice soars, powering above the keyboard surges, the songs incessant hook, echoed by various instruments, nagging away at the psyche, glimpsing the inner world of the narrator. This is one of those songs that you become addicted to. Outstanding in every measure.
Last but certainly not least is Christy Bellis’ (feature image) debut EP Human Nature. I always say that the best music transports you away to its own universe, in the same way as great art exists on its own terms. And that rule of thumb can be applied to our previous three musical releases, but Bellis takes it to another level via the five tracks of the EP.
The production is simply outstanding, a mash up of 70’s SKA, Eighties vibe and 90’s William Orbit added for good measure. And the lyrics are just so now, having completely caught the post #metoo zeitgeist. For example No Means No encapsulates what women have to put up with on a daily basis. Sadly nothing new, to paraphrase David Byrne, “same as it ever was”. This is a path every woman has tip-toed upon throughout history. Bellis’ wordplay is funny and astute, enjoy the music but listen to the voice.
Even the CD artwork mirrors the musical reflections contained within, Bellis aping the catalogue glamour of a Saturday night out at the local social club. Human Nature gives voice to the sexual politics, the genre discussion that is being so openly aired right now. And she is defiant – “..you don’t fool me”. As Boredom states, he may be a match, but he ain’t a catch. Christy Bellis faces the world on her own terms. And let’s hope she isn’t alone. It may be Human Nature, but that doesn’t make it right. A superb debut, on so many levels.
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Seb Klee
