Tag Archives: Music

GRIAN CHATTEN: Chaos For The Fly

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It’s easy to feel a bit nervous when the singer from a band you adore releases a solo record. You immediately assume the worst and think it’s all over. You wonder why couldn’t they just make this record as a band. Why. Why. Why. Then you stop being an overdramatic idiot, and listen to the record. Then it clicks. It clicks that they had to make a different kind of masterpiece. Something brand new, something so mighty important.

The record opens with a sentiment that is always evident in Grian’s lyrics- openness and vulnerability. There’s no denying he’s a poet. He paints the world in a way that makes you feel safe and seen. He takes the greyness of the world and turns it into something beautiful, and full of life. The Score has an understanding within it that most can relate to, then it gently goes into Last Time Every Time Forever, and it’s got a slight folk feel to it but at the heart of it all- it’s something so pure that Grian has created. It’s unlike anything else you’ve ever heard. His voice is so distinctive, and the clarity in his voice makes you connect with the lyrics even more. Fairlies sounds like a 90s Indie song but lyrically it feels like something I can’t quite work out. It has a protest feel to it, and it has depth to the lyrics that you’ve probably heard in the likes of Bob Dylan or Leonard Cohen. I honestly wouldn’t be surprised if Grian’s name is mentioned in the future in a list of the best songwriters ever. I’d put him there now, but in 10/20 years his art will be even more mind-blowing.

Bob’s Casino tells the story of a gentleman who is obsessed with the casino but loses everything. You can hear the sorrow; you can feel the sorrow in the lyrics. It’s such a gorgeous song, and the sadness in it still warms you because Grian’s way of singing this just makes you feel comforted. I’ve been solidly listening to this record since Friday, and I’m currently going between two songs that I’m just in love with- it’s between All Of The People and East Coast Bed.

The lyrics to All Of The People may be up there as my favourites of the year. There’s something solemn about it, but at the same time this darkness feels like a safety net. There’s a line that just hits me right in the gut, and it’s one of those lines that you wish you could have tattooed on you: “They just wanna get close enough to take the final shot. They will celebrate the things that make you who you’re not.” The violin and piano on this just adds this extra emotion. As someone who will take loud Punk music over most, this still speaks to my heart. Lyrics are so important to me, and a record like this fully shows why. Grian- you are a bloody genius. There’s a lot released in this song, and you can really feel it.

I’ve read the meaning of East Coast Bed, and I don’t think I can ever listen to it without crying. In essence, it’s about death. It’s about the death of Grian’s hurling coach who was like a second mother to him. Songs about grief and death can be heavy and traumatic to listen to, but this feels lighter. I’ll never be at the stage where I feel lighter about my Gran’s death, but there’s some reassurance in this song that maybe it’ll be alright. It is such a gorgeous song, and the way it makes you feel like you are floating off into a gentle sleep is so soothing. It’s still one of my favourites, even if it makes me bawl like a baby!

I’ve unintentionally written about six of the songs on the record, but that doesn’t mean the remaining three mean any less. They mean just as much. I love the way Salt Throwers Off A Truck sounds like it could be the name of a novel. The song itself sounds like it could be the foundations of a novel or film. I Am So Far is a haunting and melancholic one, and it is heavy but as Grian has described it, the song sounds like water. I think I understand what he means here. There is something safe about water and watching it from afar (I can’t swim so….) Open bodies of water feel really calming for me, and maybe that’s due to growing up on the Isle of Man and having access to beaches easily, and just being able to breathe in the sea air and feel somewhat calmer. You really get this from this song, and the whole record feels like you’re slowly attempting to calm down. It’s music for the soul, and it hypnotises you in the most enthralling way imaginable.

The record ends with Season For Pain- a title that Rimbaud himself would love. It’s a perfect way to end the record. It’s about moving on, and you can hear the relief in Grian’s voice on this especially at the end where you feel that he’s at the right head space to move on. When you get to that place, it is the most freeing feeling. It’s shite beforehand but when you get there, you feel lighter and better.

Nine songs in just over half an hour. You want more, of course but this record is perfection. Every song flows beautifully and perfectly into the next. Everything is in its right place, and it’s just one of the most honest and captivating records of the year. It’s the kind of record you’d give to someone and say, “Listen to this…everything will make sense and feel better.” There’s reassurance and understanding on this record, and to be honest, what more could you want.

BEIGE BANQUET.

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I’ll never get why chaotic sounds seems to calm my mind. The louder a band is, the more relaxed I feel. Don’t get me wrong, I love quiet moments but sometimes you need to listen to something that just messes with your head and throws you into another dimension. Finding a band like this is such a thing to treasure and appreciate with all you have, which is why I’m writing about a mighty fine band called Beige Banquet.

They’ve been around for a few years now, and they recently went out on tour with Die Verlierer around the UK. I was meant to be at the Manchester show but I forgot I was still visiting home. There will be other times, I’m sure. Beige Banquet have a solid Post-Punk sound- if you’re into genres. There’s a very slight nod to VERY early Joy Division here. There’s a charming darkness to their sound, and I think their S/T record is such an energising record. You get to know their sound, and you fall in love with it.

Songs like Control, Hotel Room and Welcome To Rock Music are essentials for any music fan. This sound is infectious, and it’s hard to believe that Beige Banquet initially started as a solo project by Tom. Band members were added, a pandemic happened, excellent music was released- that’s all you need to know. With 5 members now in the band, there’s a loudness to the band’s sounds that lures you in. That loudness mixed with how divine the sound is just has you hooked.

There’s a dark 80s feel to their sound, and the debut release Beta nails this. It’s such a strong record and it’ll leave you crawling for more. You’ll be comparing everything you hear to their sound- a mighty fine distinctive sound that will have you dancing like Ian Curtis rugby tackling Iggy Pop. Is there really any other way to move? I hate how I have blips of where I don’t write about music, but bands like Beige Banquet make you want to do something. Anything.

In some respects, you can easily say there is a heavy influence of The Fall on the band, and by that I mean the delivery of lyrics and how you can sense how carefully crafted every element of the songs are. It’s like Mark E Smith joined Kraftwerk- perfect! The Beta record is a dream of a debut release- the level they are at on this record is something else. It’s been nearly 2 years since it was released, but with every listen, you feel like you are hearing it for the time. I also have this feeling that when I listen to the record, I’m not listening to a band from current times. They’re out of this world and in their own league for sure.

There’s heavy Krautrock influences here, and everything in between. The build up on the songs (especially on Cold Yoghurt) have this tension that makes you feel like you’ve walked in on something you probably shouldn’t have done. A truly exceptional record from a band that deserve all the praise possible. You can’t help but get excited for what can potentially happen next for this band and when a band can do this in a short amount of time- that’s when you know you’ve found something to keep very  close to you.

See this band live whenever and wherever you can. Buy their music and become obsessed with them- you won’t be the only one.

BRUISE CONTROL: Useless For Something.

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Ever heard a record and it immediately makes you so excited you just want to run around and tell everyone about it? Course you have! For me, that record is THE DEBUT by Manchester’s finest Punk band- Bruise Control.

Bruise Control blew my mind when I saw them support Amyl & The Sniffers at the Albert Hall. That gig was something else. The crowd went nuts and it felt like a joint headline show to be honest. Let’s bring it up to present day, and talk about why Useless For Something may just be the best Punk record of the year and to be honest, it dicks all over a lot of records and it is such a joy to listen to.

As someone who feels uncomfortable listening to music that is tame/quiet, Bruise Control speak to me on a level I feel I’ve been in search for for what seems like an eternity. I feel like I’ve heard Black Flag and The Birthday Party for the first time when listening to this record. The rage, the passion and the energy this record has it huge. You can’t just play this once and go about your day at all. You have to just keep on listening and by the second listen you’ve nailed down the lyrics and you’re screaming them right back.

What I adore about Bruise Control is that they make their songs so easy to relate to- songs like Taxman are just *chef’s kiss!* perfectly summing up how us working class are constantly being dicked over by scummy Tories and the like. They have such a big sound, and this being their debut is remarkable. It’s a record you’d expect from a band decades into it- they’ve perfected their sound. It was obvious from the jump that Bruise Control were going to be special and Useless For Something goes above and beyond what anyone could ever have expected.

Dead On Arrival may be my favourite at the moment, but the more I listen to this record (yes, it is daily) the more I find different parts to fall in love with and become obsessed with. There’s this really tight sound on the record, and Dead On Arrival smacks you with hints of Fugazi and Jerry’s Kids. Absolute monster of a record and I don’t say that lightly.

The record was produced by Niall (guitarist) and that truly keeps in with that effortless DIY Punk sound that Bruise Control have- every song is a beautiful smack in the kisser. HMRC is a prime example of that, as is Useless and Bottom Feeder. Every song is an anthem and by that I mean- every song is so important and NEEDS to be played as loud as you and your neighbours can stand. If you are looking for something to blow your mind, burst your eardrums- then this is the record you desperately need. You know it is going to be a riot of a record right from the start. Useless is the perfect way for the record to open- Jim’s vocals on this are so snarly and raw. A beautiful and brutal way to start the record. I was listening to it whilst on the tram to work this morning at 7am- it bloody woke me up!

Manchester will always be one of the best cities in the world for music- Bruise Control utterly back this up. Their energy, their message and their talent has an immediate grip on you- a bear hug, a chokehold. Whatever you want to call it. That grip they have is so rare and so enthralling. I just absolutely love them and this record. This band are the future. Our future. The world is theirs and all that’s left to do, is to play the record loud. Then louder. And maybe touch louder just to make sure.

CASUAL DRAG: Revolution Will Eat Itself.

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This should have been written weeks ago but we’re here now and that’s all that matters.

I’ve written about Casual Drag before, and my love for them is ridiculous. Now I get to write about their new one, Revolution Will Eat Itself and it’s a proper DIY Punk work of art. Do you need to play it loud? Yes. Will it make you want to trash your room and throw shit out the window? Absolutely. I wouldn’t expect anything else from them. They are one of the most exciting bands around and they are totally feral with their sound. This beautiful and passionate aggression in the songs is just a delight.

This record is one of those that make you wish you could immediately catch the band live. I know that they are well adored in their city of sweet, sweet Glasgow but the rest of us really need to experience the joy of a Casual Drag show. Until then, we play the songs as loud as we can and on repeat. Is there any other way to do it? Nah.

The record is made up of 5 songs to melt your face and ears- and you’ve got to remember that there’s only 3 of them in the band making this stunning racket. You can’t help but instantly love them with your first listen, and this record was so easy to love. Every single song is an anthem. An anthem for those of us who are fed up- and I’m sure there’s a lot of us out there! This record has a lot of attitude but you cannot compare it to anything else. The only other band I can think of that have the same bite are Bruise Control. Some of the songs you can scream along to, but don’t let that borderline Pop feel fool you at all- this band know exactly how to hit you between the eyes.

When you listen to the record, it’s hard to believe that this is their debut EP. They’ve nailed this sound, they’ve figured out their sound so easily and it just makes you so excited to hear more from them. Every single song on this EP deserves it’s place- no fillers here! Every song will move you and make you want to immediately go to a sweaty Punk show and throw yourself about whilst covered in your own drink and probably someone else’s!

Have a fun fact: Casual Drag were formed over a cigarette break by Richard and Dominic. They share a love for the Amazing Snakeheads (Dale Barclay forever) and IDLES; and you can hear it in their music- there’s this same ferocious sound that others may fear but it sounds SO good. It’s such a comforting sound. See, some people take comfort and safety in quiet and peaceful songs- I can’t do it. I’ve tried, and I can’t. When it’s as loud as Casual Drag- then all is okay. I feel I can focus. The songs are made to be blasted out live- those snarling and gnarly vocals, the slick bass and guitar and drums adding fuel to the fire- pure heaven.

I Like It is the one you probably have to play the loudest- the drums on this are wild. Matt is one incredible drummer, the way they play the drums is so wild. All 3 of them have this raw style and approach and I think I Like It is the song that really shows this. It’s just a perfect record all the way through, and sure you’ll want more- but we’ll get it soon enough!

This is one of the finest and loudest records you’ll hear all year; treasure it and let’s all hope they do a tour soon because lord knows we need it! I know I do!

CROCODILES: Upside Down In Heaven.

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I feel like I’ve waited a lifetime for the new Crocodiles record. They always seem to release a record at the right time. This is record number 8, and every record makes you feel like you are listening to the band for the very first time.

Their first record came out in 2009, and if you’ve never listened to their music before- I urge you to spend some time and listen to everything in chronological order. You’ll hear growth but you’ll also fall in love with their distinctive sound. It’s in Brandon’s vocals, it’s in Charlie’s guitar playing- it’s in the bond they have with each other. It’s unlike anything else. 8 records in and there’s nothing and no one quite like them.

Usually when a band I’m a fan of release a few singles before the record comes out, I listen to them over and over. I’ve done it differently with Upside Down In Heaven- prior to the release today, all I had listened to was Degeneration. I wanted everything I heard today to be brand new, and spend my day off work playing it over and over. I’ll be spending many days like this, and just soaking up this record because it’s just unreal.

Could I ever pick my favourite record by Crocodiles? No, but it may depend on the circumstances. I mean, if you threatened to take my cat from me, I definitely could choose. But a passing choice? I have no idea. BUT! Let me tell you, Upside Down In Heaven is a masterpiece. 10 songs and half an hour of unfiltered bliss. The record opens with Love Beyond The Grave and ends with Rock ‘n’ Roll Graveyard- what happens in between is a thing of beauty and pure joy. This record feels like pure joy to me; it’s all I could want and more from a Crocs record. I think Rock ‘n’ Roll Graveyard may be my favourite at the moment, but in a few days’ time I’ll have changed my mind.

I’ve Become What I Fear Most is like a Bukowski novel in song form. It’s lyrically one of my favourite songs ever by Brandon and Charlie, and easily up there with being one of the best songs by them and I could happily play it over and over, all day. This whole record feels like seedy stroll down the backstreets of NYC in the late 70s; it’s incredible. I think it’s one of those records that you’ll turn to for comfort but also, I think these songs are going to absolutely rip when performed live. Every song is just under the 3 and a half minute mark, and of course you’ll want more and more but the wait is definitely worth it with this record and it picks up where Love Is Here left off. That’s something I’ve always loved about the band- every record is a step up from what came before but at the same time you know it’s Crocodiles.

Forever Walk Alone is one of those songs that you’ll play and just instantly connect with; there’s something about Brandon’s vocals on this that you just connect with. They’ve both got this way of making you instantly connect with what you’re hearing. Lovers Of Nothing is a perfect people watching song, then you’ve got this glam rock feel of Magic Trash which reminds me a little of New York Dolls and their gorgeous flamboyant sound. Dead Beat sounds like it could be in a straight to video horror film and you cannot help but become addicted to it.

When a band you love and adore put out a new record it just makes your day, your year. Crocodiles have done it again and I’m just so proud of them and I’m so happy that a label like Lolipop Records have put it out. What I love about Crocodiles is that everything they put out is on their terms- it’s THEIR sound. They don’t compromise or stick with a certain sound in order to be heard. They grow with every record and I hope they continue to put records out when they are pensioners. I can’t imagine them ever stopping. I don’t ever want to.

Upside Down In Heaven is a record that is good for the mind, body and soul. Stick your headphones on, play this record and go for a walk. Absorb every single song and every word, and you’ll hear just how perfect this record is. 10 songs and half an hour of sheer bliss.

NoSo- YES, Manchester. The Pink Room. 10th March 2023

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I think NoSo’s show last night may have been one of the most, if not THE most welcoming, most safe and most full of love show I’ve ever been to. Being in a queer friendly environment, as I’ve got older, becomes more and more important to me. Being in these safe spaces makes me feel less conscious of myself- knowing that there are people around me who probably feel the same. Whether it’s the Non-Binary part of me or the Queer part of me; when these parts of me can exist like this in one place, together- it just makes me feel happy and safe. Given how shitty the world is right now, especially to the LGBTQ+ community- these safe spaces are much needed.

This was NoSo’s first ever time playing Manchester and with only other UK date of this little tour being in London- you could definitely feel how much this show meant to everyone in the crowd, and of course to NoSo. Every song off their debut record, Stay Proud Of Me is played. The night ends way too early. I think we’d all have welcomed hearing the record 5 times over. Every single song sounds just like the record- perfect, dreamy and soothing. This show made me feel at home. A feeling I’ve not had in a while at a gig, and it came back fully last night.

Songs like Everything I’ve Got, I’m Still Embarrassed I Think Of You and Man Who Loves You really hit you in the gut. There are several times during the show where I nearly start crying like a baby- Suburbia is the one that nearly breaks me (the chorus, my god that chorus.) When NoSo talks about their journey about being Trans; it is just the most vulnerable and beautiful moment of the show. To have someone be so open in front of a bunch of strangers is something truly powerful to witness. It spoke to so many in the crowd, and it was such a beautiful moment. The show felt quite spiritual and just so freeing- the whole set is made up of ethereal moments that you want to stay in forever.

For me, it was wonderful to see people at the show who see themselves in NoSo. Being able to connect like this with music is something I feel can be quite rare. Sure I love music that’s a bit rowdy, but being able to find something that gives you a sense of home or a community- that’s rare. Hearing songs that really speak to you. The songs that act like your crutch because nothing else cuts it like this is just something to truly treasure. The number of times I play Stay Proud Of Me a day, well, I’m pretty sure my cat knows all the words off by heart now.

After each song, NoSo gives this beaming smile and nod. This reassuring reaction makes you really connect and feel like this moment means as much to you as it does to them. You can’t put a price on that. This show was initially meant to be in the Basement at Yes but deservedly got moved up to the Pink Room. Who knows what venue they’ll play next here- Albert Hall would be stunning as would The Deaf Institute- hell even in a bus stop NoSo would sound heavenly. My point? If you weren’t there last night, you truly missed out on something truly special and life-changing.

Everyone went wild as soon as the intro to Honey Understand kicked in and of course, when NoSo said every song is about being homosexual  but in a different tempo, well, they weren’t lying. That’s why it felt home.

CROCODILES: Degeneration.

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It has finally happened! Crocodiles have FINALLY dropped some new material which means- a new record is coming! 7th April to be precise kids! It’ll be released via Lolipop records, and the first single from the record- Degeneration is a perfect introduction to their new record.

If you’ve ever read anything I’ve written, you’ll know just how much I love and adore this band. They are a band that have been there for all the good and bad. A band that just know how to constantly create masterpieces. Underrated and exceptional. I just love love them.

Degeneration picks up where 2019’s Love Is Here left off (not including the covers record they put out in 2021!) Their new record will be their 8th full length record (again, not including the covers record but you can if you want!) Even though it picks up from Love Is Here, I can hear some of their early sound in this song- that rugged and distorted sound; the sound that I fell in love with many, many years ago. They have such a distinctive sound and style, and that applies vocally too. They’re a band that just make everything alright. Their poetic lyrics are timeless and their sound is how you’d want your dream band to sound.

The video to Degeneration is simple but you’ll also see Brandon and Charlie’s faces melt. I reckon that’s a strong sign for how great the new record will be- it’ll melt our faces off. I cannot wait! It’s only 2 months to go, but in the meantime- I’ll be keeping Degeneration on repeat.

Check out the video below:

Upside Down In Heaven will be released on the 7th April via Lolipop Records.

WORMBOYS: Smalltime.

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The North of England is home to some wonderful bands and musicians. Too many to mention, but today I’m going to focus on Leeds based Wormboys.

How do you describe their sound? Can you pick up any influences? What makes them standout? There aren’t enough hours in the day to describe them, but I’m on my lunch break at work so I have limited time but I’ll do my best to make this make sense!

Smalltime only has 3 songs on it, but don’t let that small detail put you off. There are hints of 90s Grunge on this record (the song Worm reminds me a little bit of Something In The Way by Nirvana in some parts) but Wormboys are a band that are confident in their sound and know exactly how they want to sound. There are 4 of them in the band, and each of them are just remarkable at what they do. It may only be a 3 track EP but those 3 tracks show you exactly what this band are made of.

There also elements of the Riot Grrrl movement on this record, and I think it’s most apparent on the euphoric Tree, which closes the record. I don’t feel like I’m listening to a band from 2023 when I listen to this record. I feel like I’ve been thrown back to the early 90s in the midst of all the greats such as Garbage (best band of all time), Bikini Kill, Hole, Babes In Toyland. Wormboys have such a solid sound and with one listen of this record I can confirm that the chorus of Tree will be stuck in my head for the rest of the day.

Wormboys are the noisy Queer band I’ve been looking for; there’s no other band out there that sounds like them. Now, I know this contradicts what I’ve said above about the 90s sound but there’s no current band around that has this sound like this. I just love how care free the sound is and you really pick up on this on Something Pretty. They make the kind of music I wish I had when I was in college and secondary school- trying to find my way. I made to adulthood but god knows how! You’d definitely expect to hear their music in a Student Union bar that has a questionable sticky floor along with questionable drinks on offer. There’s a lot of fun in their sound and a lot of depth. You can’t help but be in awe of Jake and Ruth compliment each other on the drums and bass. You’ve got Sop and Harry on vocals/guitar, and their vocals together are nothing short of heavenly and again, you really feel this on the song Worm.

This is only their second EP but it sounds like a band who have been at this for decades. Everything about this EP is worthy of your time and attention- the songs are just effortlessly slick, and that lo-fi sound, and that DIY ethic attached to it really comes across. If this record moves you, then go back and listen to their other stuff- it’s as equally mind-blowing. When you play the songs through headphones, you can really hear the sound fully and truly appreciate the lyrics and songs in general. I highly recommend playing Tree as loud as your ears can stand through headphones; just so you can really pick everything that’s going on in this song. There’s a lot but by no means is it overwhelming. If anything, it’s comforting. The loudness and the tender moments on the record are exactly why I love this band, and why I’ll probably be obsessed with this EP. The shifts in moods on the songs and the way the band just compliment each other with their own styles and sounds is just an absolute joy to listen to.

The band are heading out on a small tour starting this Friday: (please come to Manchester!)

Jan 27 Wharf Chambers Cooperative Club, Leeds
Jan 29 The New Adelphi Club, Hull
Feb 06 Little Buildings, Newcastle Upon Tyne
Feb 07 The Hug and Pint, Glasgow
Feb 10 Rad Apples, Dundee
Feb 11 Wee Red Bar, Edinburgh

The EP also comes out this Friday, and I’ll end this with a gorgeous quite from Ruth about touring, which I think is so important: “It’s been life-affirming to headline shows around the country, consistently warmly received by crowds of queers and weirdos who are angry and upset about all the same shit as us.”

GHUM: The Deaf Institute, Manchester 17th January 2023.

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I’ve been lucky enough to see GHUM three times now, and I can 100% confirm and swear on my cat’s life that they just get better every single time. Their debut record is one I religiously play every single day. The atmosphere, the sound, the emotion- everything on this record is divine. So of course, they are going to channel this perfectly live, right? Of course!

On Tuesday night they supported Big Joanie at the Deaf Institute- a venue perfect for their sound. The first time they played Manchester was at the hottest venue in the history of venues- The Castle Hotel. How no one passed out from heat stroke that night I don’t understand. They played Fac251 last month and that too was exceptional. The Manchester show was something else. With it being a support slot, the setlist wasn’t as long as you’d hope for but what they gave us perfectly showed us why they are one of the best bands around- on record and live.

This was the last night of the tour and to make it even tougher- it was Vicki’s last show with the band. Whether you’ve seen them live or listened to the record- you will know just how an incredible drummer Vicki is. She is going to be missed a hell of a lot, but you’ve got to do what you’ve got to do. Whoever they have next on drums will be so lucky to play alongside such incredible musicians and I can’t wait to see what happens next.

As I’ve said many times before when writing about GHUM- they just have this sound that blows you away. For so many on Tuesday evening, this may have been their first time seeing the band and judging by how the crowd reacted to the songs- I think they have definitely got a new bunch of fans behind them. They are the kind of band that make you wish you were in a band but at the same time- you just want to spend your days constantly at their shows. They have this magical sound that truly comes alive when you’re at their show. The songs take on a more powerful meaning and start to mean more to you with every listen, and every performance. They put so much of themselves into their shows, and it’s just an honor to watch them and see them grow and grow.

Songs like Perro, Rivers and Some People are blasted out and are performed in a way that makes you feel like this is life or death- you feel on edge in the most wonderful way possible. GHUM have this way of taking you into this strange, dark and gorgeous world where no other band has ever dared to. You can’t help but let them suck you in. Over and over. The sheer intensity in every song is just divine. Laura has this gravelly tone in her voice and this strength (and it’s apparent in certain songs) and you feel that she belts out every single word the way she NEEDS you to hear them. Backed up by Vicki beating the shit out of the drums, MJ being the slickest bassist you’ll ever see and Jojo being the best guitarist in this country- it is obvious that GHUM are the most thrilling band around and you can see why a band like Big Joanie took them on for the ride during this tour. The power both bands have is insane and something that doesn’t happen all too often. These bands are rare. They are important and will take you off into their own world where whatever you see outside of your window doesn’t matter in those moments.

For me, GHUM have that Seventeen Seconds (The Cure) energy in every single song- the hypnotic sounds and eerie vocals, and the poetic lyrics. I honestly don’t think really small venues are going to be able to contain them for much longer and the show on Tuesday captured that perfectly. Nobody stood still and all was okay in the world during those 30/40 minutes.

NoSo: Stay Proud Of Me.

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Last summer a gorgeous debut record was released. I’m late in writing about it, but I have been listening to the record almost religiously for a few months now. Every listen just brings me such joy and even though my heart is probably with loud and rowdy sounds- NoSo’s voice is that necessary calm I need.

Representation matters and to have a non-binary singer echo the thoughts you can sometimes carry is such a relief. It’s more than a relief- it just eases the weirdness you can sometimes feel. That’s just my own personal experience, and a difficult journey I was on but I’ve reached a place of certainty now. These songs will take the doubts and fears you have and ease them in ways you didn’t think music could. In ways you didn’t expect a stranger could.

The record opens with the angelic Parasites and goes gently into the heartbreaking but beautiful Suburbia. This is one song I constantly have swimming in my head- the amount of times I’ve sang this in my flat when no one is around and usually when my cat is trying to sleep is ridiculous. I think Mary enjoys it. The line, “stay the same without me” is so haunting. The way in which they sing this is so delicate and you can hear the nostalgia and hope there. It’s just such a mesmerising song that’ll stay with you.

The next one up is David. Again, this is another that I’m constantly singing. NoSo wrote this song after they had a dream that they were a white man in a church pew. You can hear the longing in their voice of wanting to do the things that someone else does, and to be a mystery and serene. NoSo- if you by chance see this, you are divine the way you are but you probably know this.

I love and cherish the honesty on this record. I love how open NoSo is about their sexuality, their gender and who they are. This is the kind of record I’d want to have heard when I was growing up. That wish to be someone else so someone of your own gender would want you, to work out the feelings you had and what they meant, to let go of shame sooner rather than later. There’s a connection I feel to the songs that I absolutely cannot put into words. Not because it’s personal but because I simply do not have them. I’m just so grateful a record like this exists. I am so grateful that someone like NoSo exists and makes the kind of music that I can fully relate to.

To pick a favourite song off this record would be entirely foolish of me but at the moment my obsession is with Honey Understand. There’s something about this song that sounds like it would be perfect for a film. The chorus is beautiful, and throughout the whole song NoSo’s vocals sound darker than on other songs- not in a morbid way, but in a heavier way. I just think it’s a masterpiece. It reminds me a little (musically) of Sutphin Boulevard by Blood Orange. Which as we as we know, is one of the greatest songs ever made. It’s the bass. That bass and dreamy guitar just takes me right back to that song. You get hazy sunset colours in your head when you listen to this one. There’s no way I could get tired of NoSo’s voice, and this song fully justifies why.

The openness on this record is something that just needs to be treasured. The way they are so honest on Feeling Like A Woman Lately is beautiful. I’ll leave it at that because anything I write about this one will not do it justice. Just take in the honesty, take it all in. Man Who Loves You represents hearing someone you are fond of being spoken to badly by someone who apparently loves them. I think there’s an element to this where NoSo is a superhero and takes the person away from the ill-treatment and gives the person the love and respect they deserve.

The record ends with the gentle Everything I’ve Got, and the way they sing the chorus will just melt you. There’s this innocence to the chorus], but also a curse at the universe. Listen to it closely. It’s just a beautiful song that will break your heart in the most gentle way possible.

For me, this record is everything a Queer kid needs. It’s got the comfort, honesty and reassurance. These are NoSo’s words right from the heart and you cannot help but feel them right in yours. The instant connection and love I have for this record blew me away when I first heard it, and now I can’t go a day without playing the whole record in full. It is just a gorgeous work of art and I’m so glad that this record exists. We grow up in our own ways and we become the person we deserve to be in our own time- this record really expresses this. NoSo’s truth can be anyone else’s truth, and that’s why I have so much love and respect for this record.

NoSo will be playing two UK dates in March. 9th at The Lexington, London and 10th at YES (Basement) here in Manchester.