A Serial Killer's Worst Work:
Anna C reviews the serious, the twisted and the self indulgent...

SAMARIS- Breunnur Stjarna


You can probably gather from this single’s title that Samaris are not British. In fact, they were formed in Reykjavik in 2011 so it isn’t surprising that this track conjures up images of bleak landscapes dotted with cosy bars but with an uplifting and organic combination with the power of nature. I was lucky enough to see the northern lights in Iceland this year and this would definitely have made good background music. Mixing ambient electronics, chanting vocals and lyrics taken from 19th century Icelandic poems, what could sound pretentious is instead fairly sensual, delicate in many ways and so no doubt crossing generations in its appeal. It is too easy to compare Samaris to Sigur Ros and Mum but theirs is a similar genre, pairing the modern with the ancient in a hypnotic mix that almost detracts from the fact that ‘Breunnur stjarna’ is nearly six minutes long. Slaka. That’s Icelandic for ‘relax’ according to Dr Google.



Released 28th July, 2014.

 

YOU THE LIVING- I

‘I’ is the soundtrack to a serial killer’s worst work. Sinister guitars create a butchered atmosphere and the soft, tortured vocals have a dark, intriguing sentimentality in a masterfully, seductive introduction to this Camden-based trio; neatly fitting into the industrial scene, and with quite a classic sound, they still count Lorde amongst their fans and no doubt a lot of Goths too. With some tracks at nearly six minutes, You The Living are obviously for the serious, for the twisted, for the self indulgent, maybe for you. Don some black clothing and fill your boots.



http://youthelivingmusic.bandcamp.com/

 

PETITE MILLER- NYC time

‘NYC time’ is the second single from Petite Miller, following on from her catchy and equally as eccentric debut, ‘Backpack’. Hers is a perfectly imperfect sound, delivering a surreal, slightly avant garde pop that is quite captivating. Though Miller’s childish vocal is of the ‘love it or hate it’ variety- often sounding like it should belong to a muppet or something- there is something magical about this tiny womanchild, who is inspired by vintage actresses and philosophers and who sings about not growing old but not being able to control time; it’s hard to compare her to anything out there at the moment because she is delightfully original. Perhaps as bonkers as Har Mar Superstar and as creatively simplistic as the anti-folk heroes of the city she sings about, but following the electronica crowd, (a stripped down Wild Belle, perhaps), ‘NYC time’ is vulnerable, charming, cute and fun. It also features what sounds like a toy saxophone. Need I say more?



https://soundcloud.com/petite-meller

Anna C