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AUDIO Killian Barry Zara Hedderman Joe Joyce Andr
ew Lambert Sophia McDonald Danny Wilson Bitch Falcon Staring at Clocks [Self Released] Ariana Grande Positions [Republic Records] For fans of Bitch Falcon, the title of their longawaited debut album is all too apt. Since the Dublin-based alt-rock trio arrived on the scene in 2014, they promptly gained notoriety for their mesmeric live performances. They’ve featured in conversations built-upon Ireland’s thriving musical landscape and consistently grown their following without releasing a record. A rare stance for a band to take with such excitement and momentum propelling their profile. Six years on from their introduction, fans are finally met with a wonderfully comprehensive body of work to explore. As the saying goes, good things come to those who wait. Staring at Clocks is a thrilling statement of intent. Throughout, the listener can trace numerous tendencies often experienced in a live setting captured seamlessly across these ten recordings. From the unyielding intensity emanating from the instrumentation to the reverberating passionate delivery of lead singer and guitarist Lizzie Fitzpatrick’s vocals. Amongst the full-force throttle of I’m Ready Now and Harvester, Bitch Falcon amplify the textures within their dense instrumentation with Fitzpatrick’s captivating cadence which occasionally recalls the earlier performances by Kate Pierson of The B-52’s, notably on Damp Breath. In terms of highlights, Staring at Clocks is full of invigorating moments, however, it is the airier Cocteau Twins-like Turned To Gold that’s the undeniable standout within the tracklist. An utterly commanding debut – let’s hope we don’t have to wait too long for the next instalment from Bitch Falcon. ZH Ariana Grande swaps pain for pleasure on a low-key set of sensual R&B jams with Positions. It’s good to hear a more carefree and explicit version of the pop goddess after the tumultuous life events that led to the creation of 2019’s triumphant thank u, next, but the flipside is a relative lack of depth and introspection. Still, you may be too busy vibing to the sound of Grande getting her swagger back to care much. AL Weather Underground Into The Blue EP [Self Released] Weather Underground shift away from the garage rock of their previous work with an intriguing turn on their latest EP. Into The Blue finds a pleasant limbo between earlier Britpop inspired tunes and new ground as a playfully catchy chorus is offset by an atmospheric outro, before Trees sees the quartet exploring dream pop territory as drummer Daniel Kearns pens a teasing gem that suggests a fruitful new direction for the young Dubliners. AL BTS BE [Big Hit/ Columbia Records] Smash hit machine BTS knock it out of the pop park balancing chill vibes and vibrancy with ease on BE. The album is buoyant with reassurance, building from lullaby opener Life Goes On to English language disco climax Dynamite. The K-pop supergroup has captured a sense of comfort with emotional ballads. The euphoric second half of BE show BTS at their best, as funk, EDM and pop bangers inject moments of fun. Dramatic and enchanting, their infectious energy will transport you to their magical world of positivity. SMcD Miley Cyrus Plastic Hearts [RCA Records] Plastic Hearts finds Miley channelling her greatest pop-rock fantasy. That cover of Zombie may have been unforgivable, but Cyrus redeems herself by producing tracks with tight guitar riffs and classic Miley twists and turns throughout. Opener WTF do I know is the explosion of rock-tinged pop that Cyrus has been promising since her cover of Heart of Glass. The Stevie Nicks and Joan Jett features are not to be sniffed at and imbue the record with the sense of an authentic love letter to upbeat, sexy, glam rock. SMcD CLICK IT OUT… We know it and so should you food, fashion, photography, film, books, magazines, music, design, drink and a curated section of events for you to consider www.totallydublin.ie