Category: songs

[song] Big Special – SHITHOUSE

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Photo by Isaac Watson

Not a second is wasted on “SHITHOUSE”, the new single by Birmingham duo Big Special. They have a message and some hooks to make the listening experience pleasant.

The song’s topic is very relevant and would undoubtedly translate to most people reading this text, with the group masterfully combining serious, gloomy themes with bits of dark humour. Singer Joe Hicklin says the following about it:

“SHITHOUSE is about a rough time. The societal depression we are going through and its personal effects on people. It’s about looking at it from the outside and living it from the inside. Seemingly, no matter the moves we make, it all ends up a shithouse and sometimes all we can do is shout about it”.

Stream below and check out the video here.

[song] Spielmann – The Seventh Time

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Ahead of the busy upcoming period full of shows, Leeds songwriter Ben Lewis (Menace Beach, Ruthie, Bruising) aka Spielmann shares “The Seventh Time”, an anthemic and upbeat indie pop jewel, which builds up at the end to the breathtaking synth pop crescendo.

Speaking about the track, he explains: “The Seventh Time is a conversation between two friends, one putting all their time and effort into ‘discovering’ who they are, and the other trying to stage some sort of intervention. It finishes up with a message of just kind of, being yourself, and being comfortable with who you are, which is a nice thing…Whether the intervention is a successful one or not remains to be seen…”.

Stream below and get the single here.

[song] Bishopskin – Hey Little Sister

acute.pop
Photo by Spela Cedilnik

In a musical landscape where there are no borders in terms of genres or any formalities, it is only natural that such collectives as Bishopskin appear on the scene. Formed as a lockdown project by vocalist/artist Tiger Nicholson and guitarist James Donovan (formerly of HMLTD), it is now a nine-piece supergroup of sorts that plays, as described, a blend of English folk, blues, punk, 19th-century romanticism and Medieval hymn.

They have just put out a new single “Hey Little Sister”, which is equally innovative and adventurous. It floats neatly and all the elements are organically combined here. It is not all about avant-garde as well, the track has that pop element and driving hook that makes the listener come back to it after listening. A successful experiment from the unique band — hopefully we will get more soon.

Check it out below and find the song on all streaming platforms here.

[song] Modern Woman – Achtung

acute.pop
Photo by Sandra Ebert

Sometimes to achieve the biggest effect it is best to hit rarely, but very accurately. This is the approach that seems to be chosen by Modern Woman, who are releasing material not too often, but always right on target.

The newest cut “Achtung”, out today via End of the Road Records, is another triumph — a fast-paced and frenetic track that sees the band pushing their sound forward.

Led by the songwriting of frontperson and guitarist Sophie Harris, the four-piece sounds both cryptic and instantly appealing, reaching perfection in their ability to create music that is both catchy and challenging at the same time.

Listen below and get the single here.

[song] Hallan – The Colline Gate

acute.pop
Photo by Will Hutchinson

With their new EP The Noise Of A Firing Gun arriving on June 2 via Nice Swan Records, Portsmouth quartet Hallan is sharing the second teaser of what to expect (after “Unwomanly Face of War”) — an energetic post-punk gem “The Colline Gate”. It features driving drums, pulsing guitars and some electronic elements, refreshing the band’s sound and creating a sense of urgency and momentum.

Elaborating on the new track, inspired by the ancient events, frontman Conor Clements said:

“The sinister and foreboding shadow of ‘The Colline Gate’ remains cast upon the terrifying truth that lurks beneath. Our foray into a more electronic sound comes by way of Ancient Rome’s debauched past times and the Vestal Virgins who met their untimely end beneath this mysterious landmark. The Vestals of Rome embodied both purity and sanctity, tending to the flame of Vesta as untouchable priestesses. Vestals found to break Rome’s strict rules were subject to a live burial beneath The Colline Gate”.

Stream below and pre-order the EP here.