Tag Archives: 3

PENELOPE ISLES: 3.

Posted on by

Do you ever listen to a record or a band, and within seconds of listening you just feel, “I HAVE to tell someone about this?” I do. All the time, and it’s probably why I’ve been doing this for 18 years. Typing into the void. ANYWAY. I’ve been listening to the new Penelope Isles record a lot this past week, and something about it just will not leave my brain. Something about this record…something. I’m not sure what, but I think it may be due to the fact that I’m from the same place as Jack and Lily, and part of the record feels like home- even if I’ve spent the past 20 years or so escaping it, ha!

Now, for the most part the music I listen to is loud and probably unlistenable to most. That kind of music eases my brain but there are times where I need to listen to something calming. Balance. Those bands are usually the likes of Beach House, Warpaint. Along comes 3 by Penelope Isles and maybe my calming trilogy is complete. This may seem like an odd thing to write, but the record feels exactly how the front cover looks. Gentle, calm and like you are at the beach on a relatively cold day. As someone who grew up by the sea, I will always stand by that being on the beach during a cold day is a billion times better than being on the beach during the summer.

3 is a record that will stand the test of time, and if you want to compare it to Penny Isles’ previous releases- go ahead, that’s okay but regardless of if this was their first or tenth record; it is their finest work. I’ve listened to the record an obsessive amount over the past few weeks, and I’ve gone back and forth with what I’ve written so far to make sure I still feel the same about the record. I clearly do, and hand on heart- 3 is a masterpiece. Maybe it’s because they are siblings and you can hear the closeness on the record, and you can feel the purity of it. Or maybe it’s because separately and together- Lily and Jack are just incredible musicians. I know my opinion is biased based on the IOM connection but let’s allow it.

I go back to certain songs on the record but the one I adore has to be Birthdays. The lyrics to it are so observant and precious. The part where Lily gently sings, “Cat goes meow” is something I sing/say at my cat whenever I walk past her. She looks at me like I have 12 heads. What’s new! It’s such a gorgeous song, and I think Another Kind Of Love is the purest song around but with hints of heartache. Jack’s vocals on this are as exceptional, and again- another gentle moment on the record, and it’s such a beautiful way to open the record. The record is gentle and calming. Whatever you need from the record or just music in general- you will find it here. I think it’s partially why I feel quite emotional when I listen to it. It makes me miss home, but at the same time- it’s not home anymore, so you find that safety wherever you can. The record makes you feel like you are looking out to see with the wind wrapping itself around you, and you’re off into a spin. Where it takes you no longer matters, none of that matters anymore and that’s when you know you have found a jewel of a record.

Something I really love about the record is the honesty in the lyrics and how observant they are, and how easy it is to find yourself in these songs. It’s so simple, but the line on Thinking Seat, “Please don’t ask me how I am because I’ll burst out into tears” is beyond relatable. There is no one on this earth that cannot relate to that. I’m going to bloody cry when I see them next month in Paris aren’t I?! Fully resigned myself to it. The day before my birthday too!

There are many things that can make a record, and a band truly special. There’s no set “thing.” But you just know when you hear it, and that’s what you get from this record. There’s a lot of emotion on this record, and it’s the kind of feelings that give you comfort and reassurance. Everything about 3 is done so perfectly. From the production to the order of the songs- it all makes sense. Also, the album was recorded live so that adds another special layer to it.

3 is their first record with the band recording as a three-piece. The addition of Joe Taylor on drums adds another charming layer to this record, and it all comes together so perfectly. You can truly feel the sibling love on this record, and it’s another reason as to why you feel quite emotional listening to it. There have been some great records to have come out this year, but I don’t think any record has clicked more emotionally than this one. It’s next level, and it just oozes care, peace, questioning and love.

I started writing this the day the record came out, and because I’ve listened to it so much- I kept finding more things I wanted to say and wanted to get it right. I think this will be a record I go back to in 10, 20 years’ time and still feel like I do today about it. This is a record to treasure and to be utterly proud of- I’m in awe of it. Truly.

SEXTILE: 3.

Posted on by

a0633383257_10

 

I’m fully aware that Sextile have been a constant feature here recently, but they are THAT good and deserve all the attention possible. Besides, I’m still wanting to go back to Saturday night so I can re-live their show all over again.

3 is their new EP which came out on Friday. It’s made up of five songs to lose your mind to. The songs are dark, synth-filled and all kinds of creepy. Brady’s vocals on this one is pretty incredible. He’s someone with such a powerful voice that makes you just hang on to every word that comes out of his mouth. The way he uses his voice reminds of Wes Eisold. It takes a lot for me to say that because I pretty much idolise Cold Cave/Wes, but there is something about Sextile that makes me feel like I did when I first heard Cold Cave 9 years ago.

The EP opens up with the stunning, Disco and it then rips right into Drop You which is probably my favourite. Well, it’s my favourite today. I’ll probably change my mind in a few hours or so, but I just love this raw Industrial feel. It feels like night-time on the mean streets of Berlin in the 70s or lurking in basement bars in New York. It’s got a real sordid feel to it, and I love that about Sextile. I love music that has this unconventional darkness and some what smuttiness to it. Sextile are such an exciting band, and the best of them truly comes out on Drop You. It’s a song that holds so much within it, and seeing it live just blew my mind.

Paradox is a hypnotic song with early Depeche Mode flowing throughout it. It’s not a gentle song by no means. Their songs aren’t gentle- they are brutal and hold a wealth of fight within them. It’s the kind of song you play as you approach a fist fight or a scrap in a bar. It’s got rage, it’s got power and it’s such an exciting song to listen to. It’s the type of song that just sparks up wild images for your take on what the video should be like to this song if you were to re-create it. There is most certainly something about Sextile that just HAS to be heard and they are a band that stick with you. You’ll remember the first time you heard them, the first time you saw one of their shows- the vital moments stick with you.

Spun is a brilliant song. The guitar on this is so aggressive and it goes so well with Melissa’s drumming and Brady’s commanding vocals. I know I said I’d change my mind within hours as to what my favourite song is, but Spun is definitely up there. I love the sheer uregency  in Brady’s vocals. Like I said earlier, he has such a commanding voice and they both have such an amazing presence on stage too. This song is the one that could set the tamest of the tame free. It could make the calmest person you know just go apeshit.

Hazing closes the EP, and although it’s a fantastic song; it’ll make you want more and more. Thankfully they have enough records to keep you satisfied for now, but it’s definitely a song that shows them for all they are. Call them Post-Punk, call them Industrial or whatever- but genres don’t count here at all. There is something super special about Sextile, and it’s what lures you in. They’ll have you hooked in no time.

A lot of the bands I listen to from Los Angeles sound like you could listen to them on the beach doing a whole load of nothing. Sextile are the polar opposite. They make you want to wander round the city streets late at night in search of something that the daytime cannot give you.

If they are playing a show near you, go see them. Part of the attraction is the relationship between them and the crowd. It’s utterly cult-like, so be well prepared to be initiated.