Author: acute.pop

[video] PANIKATAX – Hand In Hand

acute.pop
Photo by Ben Kavanagh

Dublin noise rock band PANIKATAX followed up their recent stomper “Rejection” with another new cut “Hand In Hand”.

It is a 6+ minute visceral exploration of tension and release, characterized by its relentless energy and raw, fierce sound. Heavy and addictive at the same time, it captures the essence of the group’s confrontational and cathartic approach to music.

The single is accompanied by an authentically apt video directed by the band, which was shot in Swords, Dublin on cheap mid-2000s handheld cameras.

Watch below.

[video] Tony Njoku – La Ruée

acute.pop
Photo by Jordan Woods

Tony Njoku has announced a new EP Last Bloom, which is set for release on May 3 via cult label PRAH Recordings.

Along with the news he is sharing a single/video “La Ruée” (French for “The Rush”). The song is a true musical jewel, which masterfully combines experimental soundscapes with modern classical. It stands as a shining example of Njoku’s talent for crafting songs that are not only musically innovative but also rich in narrative depth, offering listeners a space for reflection and connection.

Watch below and pre-order the EP here.

[video] BODEGA – City Is Taken

acute.pop

Last month Brooklyn art punk group BODEGA announced their new LP Our Brand Could Be Yr Life, which will be out on April 12 via their new label home Chrysalis Records.

BODEGA live in Milan’22

The album is a full ‘remake’ of an old band BODEGA BAY’s sole LP which was a self-released 33-track album from 2015. As mentioned, they approached this project like how a director might ‘remake’ one of their old films which meant writing several new songs and developing old ideas in new directions.

We already heard “Tarkovski”, and now the group presents another new single “City Is Taken”. It shows a different side of the outfit and demonstrates a gorgeous number with a narrative about the band’s relationship to gentrification.

The track is out with the music video directed by Luca Balser that features BODEGA’s Ben Hozie and Nikki Belfiglio performing the track throughout a nocturnal NYC in front of defunct venues from the city’s storied musical past alongside the commercial banks and chain restaurants of today.

Watch below and pre-order the record here.

[video] Cardinals – Unreal

acute.pop
Photo by Emilyn Cardona

Cardinals return today with “Runaway”, their follow-up to last year’s debut single proper, “Roseland”. It is another standout track that exemplifies the band’s energy and timeless indie rock sound and is a shining example of why they are one of the coolest new outfits that appeared on the scene recently.

Frontman Euan Manning had the following to say about the song:

“Unreal was written in the back of a Ford Transit van that I happened to be living in at the time. It reminds me of warm days spent on the beaches at home back in Cork. I remember learning a Beach Boys song, taking one of the chords from it, and building a whole new song, this one, around it”.

Watch below and get the track here.

[song] SoftTop – Runaway

acute.pop
Photo provided by the band

Brighton’s SoftTop share the euphoric indie-ballad “Runaway”, out today through Crafting Room Recordings. Creatively spearheaded by keyboardist/vocalist Miles Goodall, and featuring musicians/producers of such Brighton acts as Hutch, Ideal Living and TINMAN, the seven-piece ensemble goes truly big and impressive on this track.

As we await the release of their as-yet-unreleased wider project, this single serves as a tantalizing preview of what’s to come. The production on it is impeccable, showcasing the band’s meticulous attention to detail and their willingness to experiment with new sounds and techniques. The mix balances the lush orchestration with moments of stark simplicity, allowing the song’s emotional core to shine through.

To support the single’s release, SoftTop will perform a special headline show at Brighton’s Folklore Rooms today (with support from Martha Eve and Etienne) — tickets are available here.

Stream below.