Maybe it’s time to take a short break from posting election memes to check out some of the new music that’s been coming out of Brighton this winter. This round-up of recent local releases includes singles from Feral Youth, Beach Riot, Animal House, Lazybones, Great Pagans and Milton Hide – as well as some great albums from Buffo’s Wake (pictured above), Prince Fatty, Frankie Knight and Winnipeg, MN.
Feral Youth
‘Radio News At 6’
Feral Youth’s latest is dark, brooding and tunefully catchy. It starts with a shuffling drumbeat, then a doom-laden synth sound enters, like a beast waking. Next a sweet guitar riff is added to the mix, and finally the vocals, raw and echoing. A minute in, and the track explodes into blistering wall-of-noise shoegaze, with the guitar motif becoming increasingly sinister as the song progresses. We could be sitting in a cathedral in total darkness. “What happened to Jesus Christ? I swear he was here last night,” lead singer Harry intones. The track builds and builds till its crashing resolution. This is shoegaze pop at its most compelling. (PS)
Beach Riot
‘Stuck Inside’
‘Stuck Inside’, from four-piece Beach Riot, gets going with an irresistibly bouncy beat and delicious harmonies; vocalists Rory and Cami swapping parts. Then it slows, the melody sweetens – before abruptly darkening into a grand, riff-laden metal stomp. And then we’re back to the pop song again. The shifting fuzzy bounce and intriguing lyrics prove a fascinating combination. So what inspired it? As Rory explains: “conversations with amazing, empowering women… about how they navigate what is still a hugely male-dominated world.” The result is radio-friendly music at its best; punky, playful, full of energy and with something serious to say. (PS)
Animal House
‘Modern Romance’
Originally from Australia, five-piece Animal House have settled in Brighton. On this, their latest single, they’re joined by Lucy Sheehan on vocals. Relentlessly upbeat, the song hurtles along at breakneck speed with choppy guitars, perky keyboards and a neat “woo-oo” refrain. The boy/girl vocalists sometimes sing together, sometimes alone – echoing a real-life modern romance. “Why does everyone on Tinder go to Machu Picchu?” they ask with self-aware humour. Catchy high-energy pop with a post-punk edge, the track is a taster from their recently released album, ‘Premium Mediocre’, which the band will be showcasing at Patterns on 7th February. (PS)
Lazybones
‘Trash Talk’
Lazybones’ impressive one-shot video for ‘Trash Talk’ sees the band cleaning a house on Roundhill Crescent while dancing with cloths and dusters. Judging by the standard of the trio’s housework it’s probably time they gave up their day jobs, which is just as well given that they seem poised on the brink of something big. We reckon ‘Trash Talk’ would fill the floor at any indie disco, if such things still existed. The song takes the sassy pop-punk sound of the band’s previous singles and packs in even more thrash and fun, just in case we weren’t paying quite enough attention. We are, and we want more. (BB)
Great Pagans
‘Halloween’
After a short break, Great Pagans are back with a banger. Soft keys draw you in from the start, followed by a breathy, wistful vocal singing of a lost love. There’s an undeniable 80s moody, soft pop feel to this, but that’s no bad thing. A woozy guitar builds and falls away leaving Alex Painter’s voice to wonder if his ex is missing him. If you fondly remember bands like Double or It’s Immaterial, or even The Style Council’s gentler output, then ‘Halloween’ should definitely soothe your soul. (SC)
Milton Hide
‘Say It All The Time’
This single from Milton Hide was released on World Mental Health Day to raise awareness of male suicide. The first thing that stands out is the voice of Josie Tipler. Her crisp delivery and dynamic range have a classic folk touch that adds gravitas to the lyrics that describe a person trying to convince themselves that everything is fine, when it is clearly not. There are warming vocal harmonies that envelop Josie’s vibrato, while guitarist/writer Jim solos and strikes power chords. Buy this and help an important cause. (SC)
Buffo’s Wake
‘Dybbuk’
Buffo’s Wake managed to cram a dozen musicians onto the stage of the Rialto Theatre for their raucous launch party, and it sounds like the album may have involved many more. Named after a wandering spirit from Jewish mythology, ‘Dybbuk’ is a rich and compelling listen that offers a grab-bag of genres and styles from ska and klezmer to gypsy and jazz. Tunes like ‘Double Bombay’ and ‘Kochanie’ add a brass arsenal to the band’s line-up, while the oompah-punk of ‘Bubamara’ and ‘Drag’ perfectly captures the party atmosphere of their live shows. A third of the tracks are reworked traditional songs, mined for moshpit potential and given a makeover by the addition of urgent and occasionally creepy vocals. Sadly, Buffo’s Wake lost their backing for this album when PledgeMusic went bust, so the band are now seeking to cover the costs post-release with another crowdfunder (see here). In the meantime, you can catch them on December 21st at the Prince Albert. (BB)
Prince Fatty
‘In The Viper’s Shadow’
It may have been released back in October but this sincere homage to the golden days of 70s rocksteady and dub will continue to warm you through the cold winter months and beyond. As usual, Prince Fatty’s got some heavyweight collaborators on board. Marcia Griffiths proves she’s still the queen of the dancehall on ‘Steppin Out Of Babylon’, while The Pioneers’ George Dekker has a sweet take on ‘Get Ready’, both of which feature Big Youth. There are no fillers here, only killer cuts. (SC)
Frankie Knight
‘Blue Marble’
‘Blue Marble’ is the debut album from Sussex-based synth player and songwriter Frankie Knight. It’s a collection of personal songs on perspective, with a title taken from an Apollo 17 image of Earth from space. The theme of unity is threaded throughout, which makes it somewhat political as a result, yet dream-like in tone and evocative of hazy sunlit afternoons. Knight and producer Rob Swaine have created a work that will satisfy fans of tropical electronica (Zero 7 and Bonobo spring to mind), but it also offers a fresh approach, each of Frankie’s songs establishing a unique identity. Released a few months back on MIOHMI Records, it’s now available on most major streaming platforms. (RH)
Winnipeg, MN
‘Love In Life And Death’
‘Love In Life And Death’ was written, recorded and mixed by Jamie Moore in various Brighton bedrooms, and it shows. This is music to listen to alone, preferably with the curtains drawn – such is the cracked beauty of these experimental folk songs. To a casual listener the strange chords and eerie background noises could present something of a challenge (not everything reveals itself on first listen), but it’s also a record that can wash over you with all the warm melancholy of My Bloody Valentine. The lovely slide-guitar squeals on ‘Stars’ are pleasingly suggestive of the track’s title, while the distressed wail of ‘5:23 To London Victoria’ nails the existential grind of the Southern Rail commute. Traces of Bright Eyes or Xiu Xiu are evident in the vulnerability Moore brings to his vocals, but it’s an arrestingly original twist on an already strange style. (BB)
Words by Ben Bailey, Paul Stewart, Rafiq Hilton and Steve Clements
