The Goo 1
Singles Reviews bbft - Caravan of Despair A fasci
nating dance and experimental duo out of Dublin offer up the first in a string of planned singles to make up a forthcoming EP. Samples lace beautiful synthesizer explorations underpinned by some electric jazz tinged drumming before breaking into some astounding Jungle grooves, a unique sound that recalls rave and dance sets I am too old to attend now, while at the same time as making me want to see a show between bbft (all lower case) with some of Ireland's contemporary neo soul outfits, Lavery, or Bricknasty. A promising start for this pair, who also boast an incredible live show featuring a TV older than either of them. AOC triumph of swirling vocal loops and fascinating sonic tapestries that may bring to mind the gentler moments of Agnes Obel through a lens of Olafur Arnalds and his Nordic brethren, and the wildly beautiful experimentation that is laced through ‘A Moon Shaped Pool’, all whilst Jordan’s sweet mezzo soprano intones considered and poetic abstractions . A truly gorgeous piece of music that deserves your attention. Following on from the remarkable ‘Shed The Skin’, it’s a wonderful return to form from SELK, and bodes well for further murmurations from one of the most remarkable projects that you might not yet know about. Highly recommended. AOC This EP from DubAlice Jago - Laugh It Off Another delicious slice of laid back pop from the Dubliner who is really finding her groove. A country lilt informs this song that encapsulates Jago’s genteel outlook on life and the gorgeous production and sound of this record - courtesy of Anthony Gibney at Audioland Studios - mirrors it wonderfully. I sense an album is a coming and it's gonna be one to cherish. PF lin’s finest rhythm & blues outfit has all the energy and spirit of punk, features songs that are decades old and yet sounds so fresh and vibrant. The perfect antidote to our overproduced world, The Big Four sound like they just rolled into the studio, plugged in and went for it. Lead song ‘You Don't Love Me’ is a version of the 1960 Willie Cobbs R&B classic (which was in turn adapted from Bo Diddley's 1955 song ‘She's Fine She's Mine’) while the old standard Parchman Farm is a raucous riot of riffage. Exhilarating. PF Sack - I Fell Through A Crack SELK - Born With Colours This enchanting, blissful new single from the ever enigmatic SELK brims with the same cinematic grandeur that has seen Anna Jordan contribute to major films like ‘Greta’ and ‘Breakfast on Pluto’. It’s easy to imagine the kinds of moments this piece could score. ‘Born With Colours’ is a PAGE 12 Mount Palomar - Drag Belfast based electronic artist Neil Kerr has enlisted the wonderfully talented Naomi Banks to sing the cautionary lyrics detailing an abusive relationship, “Am I weak? Am I hollow? To postpone this sorrow, Convince myself that I’ll learn”. The chemical beats throw you right back to the mid ‘90s. The cacophonous drums and raging 303’s position you right in the middle of an illicit, drug-fuelled warehouse rave. It’s Massive. DC The opening track on Sack’s fab Wake Up People! album, ‘I Fell Through A Crack’ is a glorious paean to all those who challenge and resist bullying, whether it's personal or institutional. The song glides beautifully along on a motorik groove underpinned by a bass line that recalls Echo & The Bunnymen at their finest. It’s a blistering song and it’s no surprise that it is in many critics' top singles of 2024. PF Wine Mom - Somebody To Love The Big Four - 4x4 EP Rock n roll is such a cyclical thing. The Darby Slick song - originally recorded by San Fran band The Great Society (featuring Darbys sister Grace on lead vox and produced by Sylvester Stewart, later known as Sly Stone) in 1965 before Grace took the song and re-recorded it with her new band Jefferson Airplane in 1967 - is given a faithful, albeit abridged, lash by the Dublin band. What this release really showcases is lead singer Rosanna Harrington’s voice, a powerhouse weapon that evokes memories of Slick, Joplin and Brittany Howard. Yes, she’s that good. PF