XIXA – It Doesn’t Matter (feat. Robbie Grey and Rob Conroy of Modern English)
Why we love it: because the XIXA machine has been fired up once again. Following the release of ‘Xolo de Galáxia’ last month, the psychedelic/Cumbia rockers have now unveiled the second single to be taken from what will be their second album XOLO, due out 21st March on Jullian Records. And this time Robbie Grey and Mick Conroy of post-punk legends Modern English have hitched a ride.
Brian López (Vocals, Electric Guitar), Gabriel Sullivan (Vocals, Electric Guitar, Sequencer), Jason Urman (Synths), and Winston Watson (Drums) emerge from Tucson, Arizona to join their considerable cosmic forces with Mick Conroy (Synths) and Robbie Grey (Vocals) to produce another fine synthesis of sound that blurs the boundaries between psychedelia, desert rock, and post-punk.
“XIXA have been our friends and occasional tour mates for a good few years now. The music they play struck me as being really quite unique and unusual, a mix of psychedelic desert twang meets Serge Gainsbourg underpinned with Cumbia rhythm. Me and Robbie are both very pleased to have contributed keyboards and vocals to the band’s new release.” – Mick Conroy (Modern English)
“This one was actually more or less written and featured Rob of Modern English’s vocals before we had fully fleshed out the concept of the record. In one of our last sessions Brian and I went back and adjusted lyrics to fit the theme and it suddenly took on a new life. Maybe a moment of despair or hopelessness shared by the two travellers. Both Rob and Mick are featured here. Rob on Vox and Mick on the MS-20 synth that has been on every Modern English record since they started.” – XIXA on ‘It Doesn’t Matter.’ (Simon Godley)
Brown Horse – Dog Rose
Why we love it: because the Brown Horse rides again through the pages of GIITTV. Not satisfied with a live review from March 2024, and a news item from last month, the six-piece Norwich-based country rock band has now muscled its way into today’s TOTW on the strength of new single ‘Dog Rose.’ It is the second single to be taken from Brown Horse’s new album All The Right Weaknesses, out on the 4th of April via Loose.
Like its predecessor ‘Corduroy Couch’, the new single confirms the growing confidence of Brown Horse’s songwriting. ‘Dog Rose’ barely gets out of a canter but its initially slow, loping stride enables us to luxuriate in the warmth and self-possession of their clearly developing melodic craft. But as the song gathers momentum and the guitars start to crash in Brown Horse show they are also not afraid to dust things up. (Simon Godley)
Maud the Moth – Exuviae
Why we love it: because The Distaff came out last Friday and this seems like a good time to celebrate the occasion. The Distaff is the new album from Maud the Moth, the solo project of Spanish-born and Scotland-based pianist, singer, and songwriter Amaya Lopez-Carromero. And ‘Exuviae’ was the third and final single to be taken from the album before its release.
Speaking about the latest single, Amaya Lopez-Carromero says: “‘Exuviae’ was written at dawn, after a sleepless night where defeat felt raw and hyperreal. The summer in Scotland is strange and the sun barely sets; A soft blue glow substituting night and weighing your chest down. Through the window, I could see the sky being torn and felt myself split.”
“At my feet; my old self, my skin: aglow and red.”
‘Exuviae’ is an aural schism. Over fractured piano chords, Amaya Lopez-Carromero’s desiccated voice dances with birdsong before flickering into life. Amongst all of that trauma, suffering, and strange trembling immediacy, the song still possesses a skeletal beauty. (Simon Godley)
Perfume Genius ft Aldous Harding – No Front Teeth
Why we love it: because a duet between Perfume Genius and Aldous Harding sounds like a match made in, well, maybe not heaven, they’re more interesting than the dull sanitised, neutral, colour scheme and vibe of the home of the Almighty.
There was a danger it could be a very Avant Garde offering, New Zealander Harding who now calls the UK home, had the penchant for the weird and wonderful but this is a fantastic, melody rich pop song with huge hooks and incredible vocal performances from both Aldous and Perfume Genius aka Michael Hadreas.
The arpeggio guitar lulls you in to believing this is going to be a Better Oblivion Community Center alt-country effort but it explodes into a riff slapping number. Aldous childlike vocals work far better than they should do on paper (or computer/phone screen) and Hadreas more a-typical American drawl match like peas and carrots.
This feels like it should work for a whole LP, but this cut comes from PG’s incoming album Glory. No news on anything on the horizon for Aldous Harding since 2022’s Warm Chris. (Jim Auton)
The Darkness – Walking Through Fire
Why we love it: because I can’t help falling in love with rock and roll. And we can’t help but agree with Justin Hawkins’ sentiments on the new single from The Darkness.
As the band’s lead singer explains: “The life of an artist is gruelling endeavour, leavened with rare moments of shining success. We wade through sweet treacle every day, to make things for others to love.
For we chosen few, this is akin to climbing a mountain for the glorious view, whilst studiously avoiding looking at the discarded condom that has attached itself to our stylish yet practical hiking footwear.
To rephrase in less oblique tones, nothing worthwhile is ever easy, and that is why we, The Darkness, are WALKING THROUGH FIRE… thinking of you.”
The Darkness never took themselves too seriously, but as ‘Walking Through Fire’ further evidences they are a serious rock and roll band, complete with killer riffs, hi-octane vocals, and boundless energy. ‘Walking Through Fire’ can be found on their new album Dreams On Toast which is out 25th March on Cooking Vinyl.
The Darkness will be taking the album on the road with the Dreams On Toast UK headline tour seeing them play 18 shows across the country finishing at London’s OVO Wembley Arena on March 29th. This will be followed by a further 21 dates across Europe. (Simon Godley)
Full dates and tickets are available here https://www.thedarknesslive.com/.
Blaktrix – New Day
Why we love it: West Walian hip hop artist Blaktrix released his Premium EP at the start of the year. A showcase by Blaktrix of his premium songwriting and lyrical ability alongside collaborations with highly talented and upcoming names on the hip hop scene
Teaming up with long-time collaborator Mudmowth for the first two tracks. Produced by DJ Moneyshot of the Allergies, ‘New Day‘ kicks off 2025 with a kick with the two MCs trading dexterous bars, going back to back whilst a brimming beat and playful samples provide a playful backing, it is a song about moving on from the past and looking to the future. An uplifting floor filler bursting with rhymes, that has echoes of the likes of Tribe Called Quest but has a determined eye on moving forward. (Bill Cummings)
Sunday (1994) – Doomsday
Why we love it: An act we have been keeping an eye on for the last twelve months are Transatlantic trio Sunday (1994). They captured our hearts with their debut self-titled EP, last year. As they get ready for their upcoming debut headline tour, Sunday (1994) are back with rather apt single ‘Doomsday’ . Waking up to whatever madness Trump and Musk have been up to over the pond every morning feels like upcoming doomsday on your news feed. Thankfully, I guess, ‘Doomsday’ is not about maniacal billionaires running the world, it’s a song about not being able to shake off the dread that a relationship is falling apart.
Paige sings, “Love is a sonnet / And I’m starting to choke / ‘Cause every time I sing for you / Heartbreak clears its throat / I’m waiting for doomsday.” She wants to believe in her current relationship so much, but she also knows heartbreak could be just around the corner. Rippling with Paige’s effortlesslyy bittersweet vocals, their trademark disarmingly personal lyrics, chiming guitars and a gorgeous and addictive chorus underscored by lurking tragedy. “When I love someone too much, I can’t help but wait for the inevitable. ‘Doomsday’ is a song about the ghost I can’t stop kissing, the funeral I keep dressing up for.” adds Paige. Indeed suspected heartbreak never sounded so good.
Catch Sunday (1994) on their first ever headline tour, ‘the debut tour,’ here.
Siula – Night Falls On The World
Why we love it: Cardiff duo ‘Siula’ return with Night Falls on the World, an excellent new single released via Libertino, the track is a wistful meditation on endings, resilience, and the ever-turning cycle of light and darkness.
Immersive and moving Iqra Malik’s vocals radiate with pregnant nighttime rumination and longing over Llion Robertson’s widescreen electro production. ‘Night Falls on the World‘ has echoes of Broods or the more sedate moments from CHVRCHES, it captures the tension between despair and hope and frames it in an enveloping and cinematic sound garnished by illuminating keys and beats that fire up in a memorable chorus, . Dreamlike yet puncturing the quiet, the song is an invitation to lose yourself in the night—until the first light of dawn emerges, you can get lost in this gem of a track. (Bill Cummings)
