Seven Fresh Songs #219
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Lizzy Cruz makes earthy indie rock in Nashville under the name Hothead Wave. Her latest offering, “Too Much,” is about social awkwardness and the fear of looking stupid in conversations. But with a forceful delivery, she pushed beyond her boundaries. Making music as a form of therapy works.
A notch or two closer to the dark side is the Norwegian rock band Mayflower Madam. Inspired by 80s post-punk — think Sisters of Mercy — “A Foretold Extasy” explores the futility of an easy way out of the complexities of life: “Constantly chasing some elation or intoxicating sensation to relieve one’s inner turmoil, while still being aware that it’s just a passing state followed by an inevitable downfall,” singer Trond Fagernes says.
We stay with rock music: London artist Fiona-Lee released her debut single “Mother” on Gravity/EMI Records, which is a retribution to her former manager. But more gripping is the story of a young woman who realizes that her parents cannot help her anymore, and she has to get out of the mess alone.
Portishead is one of the most influential bands of the 90s, even though they only released three albums until 2008. A major appeal of theirs has been matching sophisticated electronics against singer Beth Gibbons’ intimate and vulnerable vocals. She has now released Lives Outgrown”, which is what you could call her first proper solo album about inevitable changes in our lives. “Now I’ve come out of the other end, I just think, you’ve got to be brave,” she says. Watch the video for “Lost Changes” here:
The London musician Gigi Williams makes airy songs with jazz and soul influences. Her second single, “Boulder,” is a shape-shifting pop song that you want to hear again and again. “It’s a grunge-filled dialogue about the inevitability of endings and running away from responsibilities,” Gigi says. (Note: “grunge” does not relate to the music!)
Wynter Bethel and Tessa Mouzourakis met in Nashville and started writing music together as Tommy Lefroy. Their latest song, “Garden,” challenges prejudices against women. “We wrote this song about our own wanting, to reach goals and to feel unencumbered by limiting beliefs and circumstances,” the duo says.
The London-based Norwegian artist shy FLW changes the power balance against a “smooth talker” and “truth faker” by walking out. Her new song “Karma” takes heavy cues from hip-hop and R&B but also stays true to the synth-pop sensibilities of her home country.
