TRACKS
CHARLIE LAYZELL FT FIRESITES HOW IT FEELS Words: Jake Anderson It’s important for an artist to evolve their sound. Which is a lot easier said than done - just ask Kid Cudi. However, it’s something that the North East’s Charlie Layzell has pulled off flawlessly. If I had only listened to Layzell’s newest track, How It Feels, without prior knowledge of Layzell, I’d have assumed the Newcastle rapper was a grunge singer. The rock instrumentation on How It Feels is different compared to Layzell’s usual lo-fi beats, bringing elements from hip-hop into the song’s structure, making it feel fresh and contemporary. The vocals from Layzell and electronic artist Firesites complement each other like butter to toast, creating captivating atmosphere when partnered alongside the track’s charming guitar riffs, and there are surprises aplenty. Released: 05.11.21 www.facebook.com/kingcharleslayzell
KRISTOS KABIOTIS HERE, AND THERE Words: Hope Lynes A sense of nostalgic longing overwhelms Kristos Kabiotis’ debut single, a nostalgia that is both melancholy and joyful. Rooted in memories of visiting family abroad, the lyrics tell an emotive story of spending time with and leaving loved ones that is full of fondness and pain. The instrumentals feel foggy in their production, which creates a blurred soundscape that adds to the process of recalling memories. The instruments become blended with the vocals, resulting in beautiful layers of emotion; a softly atmospheric folk track which is reminiscent of Mazzy Star’s Fade Into You, the format works great for the message Kabiotis is putting across. Kabiotis plays Sea Change, a charity-run venue in South Shields, on Saturday 20th November. Released: 19.11.21 www.kristoskabiotis.co.uk
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REVIEWS OF SINGLES AND EPS BY NORTH EAST ARTISTS. WANT YOUR MUSIC FEATURED? EMAIL NARCMEDIA@GMAIL.COM (PLEASE TRY TO GET IN TOUCH 8-6 WEEKS AHEAD OF THE MONTH OF RELEASE)
DANICA DARES SIREN Words: Lizzie Lovejoy If Enya made a sci-fi soundtrack with Jean-Michel Jarre, you might end up with Danica Dares’ new single Siren. Opening with a fast, synthetic sound, there is something 80’s about this composition. Harriet McBain’s ghostly vocals echo over the top, pulling you into the story and holding you captive with repetitive and eerie lyrics. Danica Dares does a brilliant job of creating an atmosphere that is both haunting and yet somehow warmly inviting, ethereal and ominous. Using tales of the mythical Siren, they are able to create parallels between feminine powers of the ancient world and the strength of women of today, particularly with the unexpected use of a monologue breakdown in the second half of the track. FFO of Gothic 80’s synth. Released: 29.10.21 www.danicadares.bandcamp.com
DON COYOTE PUT DOWN THE PHONE Words: Evie Lake Friend fatigue is a commonality that characterises our social lives; relationships can turn sour, toxic, and unsalvageable. Enter: Put Down The Phone, Don Coyote’s latest single and celebration of the relief you can feel once you have hung up on such people. The sunny electric guitar and active bassline establish a familiar and bright indie rock tune – their feelings become ours, and we can bop along to them together. After working through emotive and introspective verses and choruses, the culmination of the song breaks down into a joyous repetition of “I don’t like you anymore’ and “put down the fucking phone”: a release of positivity and relief. Life is already better, and there is a flurry of echoing backing vocals to affirm. Released: 18.11.21 www.d0ncoyote.bandcamp.com
