With Just A Hint Of Mayhem

Music reviews, gig reviews, fun trivia and extra added random stuff!

Mayhem Singles Round Up Part 1 2023 February 15, 2023

Filed under: Review — justwilliam1959 @ 11:28 pm
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It has been way too long since our last singles round-up. So here is the first for 2023, it includes twelve songs that have been passed on to me or recommended during the previous few weeks and months, there are some really classy tracks here. This is quite a Yorkshire-centric list, but I have lived in Yorkshire since 2007, so why not? Let me know what you think of them! You will find a YouTube link to each song in the title and a link to the artists website or Spotify page if you click the artist name. You can also find the link to a Spotify playlist of all these songs by clicking here.

“Chu Chi Face” – Madam Misfit

Feeling down? Feeling blue? I know exactly what you need to do! Just listen to “Chu Chi Face” by the frankly incomparable and obscenely talented Madam Misfit. This tune is a 21st Century (or 19th Century) take on the song originally featured in the 60s children’s classic film ‘Chitty Chitty Bang Bang‘. Madam Misfit does her Electro Swing Thing with it and takes it to another funderful dimension. Watch the video and if you are not smiling by the end of it get your face muscles looked at. The only gripe I have is the dunking of chocolate covered biscuits……why?

“Rebound” – Millie Manders and the Shutup

A cracking single from a cracking band, this bigs up their pop-punk chops, a song that needs to be all over the radio!

“Green Eyed Ocean Smile” – Honeytrap

This has the feel of a classy chilled 80s synth track with a real 21st Century vibe. For me, this is HoneyTrap’s finest song to date. It was released as a single last year and is now a part of their recently released EP, ‘Fenêtre Forming’

“Glue Song” – Beabadoobee

Bea gives us a truly gorgeous love song, which will be perfect for chilling in the garden, the park, or at a festival this summer

“The Cvlt Song” – Astrology For Men

This is a band that includes Luca from Vaquelin (more of them later) and it is a soft loud and frankly stupendous metal anthem in waiting.

“Scottish Snow” – Pennine Suite

York’s Pennine Suite are back with yet another great single. The way Nick and Louise’s vocals intertwine make this song linger in your head for ages, and I do mean that in a good way. If Bananarama did perfect jangly indie songs, this would be one of them.

“By The River” – Apollo Junction

I love bands that produce great music and seem to get better with every release. This bodes incredibly well for album number three from one of Leeds’s finest bands. Instrumentally the band is on fire and Jamie’s vocal pulls out all the stops. This has left me dreaming of the finest alternative 80s hits!

“On My Own” – The Kut

Possibly the hookiest, catchiest rock song in ages. I love all the “whoa whoa” backing vocals. Expect to hear your postman whistling this tune! If you love this, and why wouldn’t you, check out the earlier release “Fun When You’re Winning“

“Social Cyanide” – Vaquelin

Those Vaquelin boys are back with a really bluesy slab of classic rock. It has some softer-sounding moments, but even they have razor-sharp edges. The riffage is ace and can I hear strings low down in the mix or is that treated guitar. Album number two will be something very special indeed!

“Hazel Frustration” – Kindelan

This is the latest release from Kindelan, following hot on the heels of the rather splendid, “The Other Side”, these tracks will eventually form an EP. “Hazel Frustration” is a song of relationships and heartbreak, Kindelan styles it in a wonderfully softer modern R & B style. I have been a fan for quite a while and she continues to get better with each release.

“Reset” – Wolforna

What a fabulous slice of heavy rock this is, filled with gargantuan riffs and softer moments that evoke the less hard side of Led Zeppelin. The vocals are outstanding.

“Fatal Flaw” – Thrillhouse

This opens like a skilful take on peak New Order and moves on to draw on the likes of OMD and Eccho and the Bunnymen. A tremendously good pop scented rock track which is so joyful to listen to.

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Flip Top Head – Fulford Arms, York – Wednesday 8th February 2023 February 11, 2023

Filed under: Review — justwilliam1959 @ 2:12 pm
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It was weeks between my last gig of 2022 and my first of 2023, but only five days between my first and second gig of 2023. I was back at one of my favourite establishments, the Fulford Arms to see Flip Top Head, a band I had never seen before take the headline spot. In fact, I had never seen any of the five acts on the bill before, which is quite rare for me these days. The lineup was put together by the uber-talented Tom Beer of one of York’s finest bands, Bull. First up it was Cat Redfern and if Bjork made eerie, ethereal folk-rock influenced by Radiohead it might sound like Cat Redfern. I believe that some of Cat’s songs might fit perfectly on a Twin Peaks soundtrack, check her out. The second act to play was Big Rain In The Morning, a band that plays psychy, proggy, and folky sounds with a slight nod to the Velvet Underground and Lou Reed. Their vocal harmonies are phenomenal. The band featured the aforementioned Cat Redfern on bass and Tom Beer off of Bull on drums (is there any instrument that this man is unable to play?) Is there a band around now that is anything quite like Big Rain In The Morning? Probably not, this lot are a true bunch of originators.

Cat Redfern by Aron Murray of Vexed Music Photography

Third, onto the stage was Ellis D, that is a great name and a fab pun on the hallucinogenic drug lysergic acid diethylamide a.k.a. LSD. Ellis D brings some psychedelic funky fun all the way from Brighton. “Homecoming Queen” rocks big time. Vocally I was reminded of David Byrne, Jonathan Richman and on the higher notes perhaps even Russel Mael. The drummer is like a more controlled Keith Moon, if he was a super hero he would be called Metronome Man. The band encountered a few technical issues during their set but they didn’t let them phase it at all. This lot are great and very difficult to drop into any particular genre box. The penultimate act was a band called Victory Samosa who have megatons of organic pop hooks. Yes, I did say organic, there is none of that battery farmed pop shite here. Victory Samosa reminded me strongly of Daryl Palumbo in his Head Automatica side project from a few years ago. This is underpinned by some shades of early Franz Ferdinand and Rich Kids with Midge Ure. “Equinox”, “Little Miss Golden Fleece” and the song that probably isn’t called Cecilia prove that Victory Samosa have an amazing cache of great songs. When will there be a Victory Samosa album? I hope it’s soon. I can say categorically that this band are definitely one of my new favourites.

Ellis D by Aron Murray of Vexed Music Photography

Finally, it was time for the headliners, also from Brighton, Flip Top Head. Michael Jackson once said something along the lines of “bad is good”, well I think something similar applies to Flip Top Head, wait, scrub that, with this bunch it is more like “mad, is good”, or even “Mad is GREAT”. This band issue forth a colourful cacophony of sound that at times feels like it may have originated extraterrestrially. The lead female vocals evoke the weirdness and beauty of the Cocteau Twins and the soul and feeling of Clare Torry’ wailing vocal on Pink Floyd’s “The Great Gig In The Sky”. How many bands promote the trombone to the lead instrument in a few songs? Hardly any in my experience, but Flip Top Head do that with style and panache. Their songs are wonderful and I really like the contrast to the vocals with an almost spoken word narration, similar to “Private Investigations” era Dire Straits. I am looking forward to the release of their new single “Seventh Bell Number” next week. Incidentally, the song sounds excellent live. Alongside Victory Samosa I can confirm that Flip Top Head are another of my favourite bands. This was another banger of a night at the Fully Arms.

All the photos, apart from the gig poster, are by Aron Murray of Vexed Music Photography

Flip Top Head by Aron Murray of Vexed Music Photography

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The Rills – Fulford Arms, York – Friday 3rd February 2023 February 8, 2023

Filed under: Review — justwilliam1959 @ 6:13 pm
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This has been a slow year for me gigwise so far, this is my first gig for 2023. This was another nifty little show promoted by Simon P of Northern Radar. I have lost count of the amount of Northern Radar shows that I have attended, but one theme runs through them all, Simon has never let me down with his choice of bands and artists. At least not yet anyway. Was tonight the first time I had seen a bad show from Northern Radar? Read on to find out! First up at the fabulous Fulford Arms was Everything After Midnight, I first saw them almost exactly a year ago at the York Vaults supporting Where’s Slater. What are they like? Well, there is prog, electric folk, metal, a pinch of Wolf Alice, and many other facets in their sound. Steph’s voice gets stronger every time I see them (this is the third time) and tonight I detected elements of Sandy Denny, Kiki Dee, and Ellie Rowsell. In a previous review of Everything After Midnight I said “Imagine Tori Amos if she took a much heavier direction with some added prog undertones, that is how Everything After Midnight sounded to me“, I stand by that comment!

Next up was Sun King a band that I have seen once before, back in June last year when they supported Sweet May at this very venue and that was their first gig. I can hear a whole range of influences in their fabulous sound; Small Faces, Paul Rodgers, Steve Marriot, Led Zeppelin, Paul Weller, maybe Prince on the falsetto lines, and at times a bit of that old Noddy Holder warble in the vocal. The band is tight and has a pitch-perfect grasp of the best classic rock vibes. But they go beyond just rock as they throw in some great jazz and funk licks for good measure. Seb, the lead vocalist was formerly with Naked Six and is related to British Metal royalty, he is Saxon frontman Biff Byford’s son. Biff was present humping gear for the band and later while chatting with Chris T of the Fulford Arms we thought, wouldn’t it be amazing to have Biff play a set at the Fully, maybe acoustic with Saxon, solo, or even the full band, perhaps even a residency! Biff if you’re up for that then get in touch, perhaps we can book Sun King as support!

The first time I saw Lincoln’s finest current band, the Rills was when they played the BBC Introducing Stage at the Leeds Festival back in 2021. Their stature has grown at a rapid rate and this was an incendiary set from a magnificent band. “World Leader” was immense and hugely powerful. This was the fifth show in their intense mini tour for Independent Venue Week 2023. They started in Falmouth on 30th January and worked their way to York via Swansea, Bedford and Oxford. The sixth and final show of that hectic schedule was in Blackpool the day after York. They have huge energy and that was transferred to the supremely enthusiastic crowd. The riffs were full-on and spectacular. The Rills put on a stunningly good show. So has Simon of Northern Radar let me down yet? Definitely not!

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“I Wish A Bitch Would” – Delilah Bon February 4, 2023

Filed under: Rants,Review — justwilliam1959 @ 7:32 pm
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Delilah Bon is back (not that she ever went away) with a new single, “I Wish A Bitch Would”. This is another track that directs Delilah’s anger at misogynists and those who see harming women as ok. This one is perhaps even more political than “Dead Men Don’t Rape”, particularly lyrics like “don’t trust no man, don’t trust the police“. Sadly the men that this is directed at are unlikely to change, but the way Delilah spits these words clarifies again that she has the backs of all those who love what she does, especially the women and LGBTQ fans, even more those that have suffered and still suffer in abusive relationships. Delilah Bon uses her voice and position so well and so eloquently, it should at least embarrass or even scare those in power, although it will probably do neither. That is the nature of the twisted world we live in. The track has some supremely bassy beats and an eerie synth hook and she spits lyrics with passionate, and justified anger. Every sound on this track is performed by Delilah and she also produced it. This single and “Dead Men Don’t Rape” have given me huge excitement and expectation for the next Delilah Bon album. Good people of the world, Delilah Bon has your back, make sure you check her out if you haven’t already. Delilah’s Mum pointed out that “I Wish A Bitch Would” was released on the day that UK authorities confirmed that Gary Glitter had been released after serving just 8 years of a 16-year sentence for molesting young girls. He has a history of abusing young girls and for me, I concur with a line from “I Wish A Bitch Would” in respect of how Glitter should be treated, “rip every single limb off of this child molester“. But even if we didn’t take it to that level, he should never be released. But this just proves the dark sickness that still exists in our world.

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“I’m Not Here To Make Friends” – Sam Smith February 3, 2023

Filed under: News,Observation,Rants,Review — justwilliam1959 @ 12:20 am
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So, as expected, the tabloid media, particularly in the UK, have got their knickers in a right twist over the video for Sam Smith’s current single “I’m Not Here To Make Friends”. The video features drag queens, dancers, corsets, leather, a gold helicopter, nipple tassles, and amazing camp costumes, and is frankly stunning. Yes, it is sexual, but sexual with a sense of humour. This to me has a large element of Sam Smith sending themself up. Would the mainstream media have got so upset if a similar video was made by a svelte-like female pop star? Of course, they wouldn’t, but Sam came out as non-binary a couple of years back and the tabloids just love to attack anything they see as different, so basically anyone who doesn’t fit the usual heterosexual, nuclear family tropes. The tabloid media barely hides its homophobia and transphobia these days and they mix it with an element of body shaming too. I think that with this video, Sam Smith, has produced one of the finest pop videos in years, and “I’m Not Here To Make Friends” is, without doubt, a classic slice of 21st-century disco. I am an old, straight man and I bloody love the video and the tune! I have not been a huge fan of Sam Smith’s music up to now but this song has definitely won me over and the video is the icing on the cake (or maybe the tassle on the nipple!) The song and the video are direct descendent of “Relax” by Frankie Goes To Hollywood and “Outside” by George Michael. Sam Smith, you are priceless, UK tabloids, you are worthless! I would love to hear what you folks think of the video.

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“Woman” – Bek Jones February 2, 2023

Filed under: Review — justwilliam1959 @ 11:03 pm
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The first time I played Bek Jones‘ new single “Woman, ” I expected a kind of AOR pop-rock song. Why did I expect that? Maybe because I know that some of her major inspiration comes from female vocalists such as Stevie Nicks, Dolly Parton, and Shania Twain, and perhaps, unusually, there was an element of musical snobbery on my part and for that I apologise, because “Woman” is a mountainous, blues-influenced absolute cracker of a tune. Bek is a northern lass who says she has been a fan of “old school” music for much of her life, this song proves that point and also shows that she has great musical knowledge and taste. I think the track is comparable to Alannah Myles’s 1989 hit “Black Velvet” and Bek sounds a little like Imelda May fronting the White Stripes and let’s face it that would be special wouldn’t it? The guitar work is pretty classy too. This tune has left me wanting to hear more from Bek Jones, particularly in a live setting. Check the track out on YouTube below or click here to find it on all major streaming services.

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‘It’s Not This One’ – Not Now Norman January 10, 2023

Filed under: Review — justwilliam1959 @ 9:50 pm
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This is an album I was looking forward to for quite a while after a string of stonkingly good singles from one of the UK’s finest purveyors of metal music, Not Now Norman. Taylor has a voice that knocks the spots off many of her contemporaries and is comparable to some of her musical heroes. The album opens with a short riff fest that also features a cockerel (not sure if it is the actual Norman or an imposter) and a siren which evokes the 70s pop rock classic “Blockbuster” by the Sweet. “Judas – RELOADED” showcases Zander’s block-rocking metal power chords and Taylor’s vocals are on fire here. Lyrically this is supremely good. We all love a good “stick it up your ass” phrase to sing along to, don’t we? The song is an updated take on the track from the band’s 2020 EP ‘The End Of The Day’. I am taken back to classy 80s or 90s heavy rock with “What I Want”, although this is not a facsimile, it burst with originality too. This is a band that seems to enjoy themselves and that is apparent in some of their songs, Notably, “Houston” it might not be a happy tune lyrically, but for me, it just has a good vibe. There are some guitar parts that underly the track that are reminiscent of Slade at their peak. “WHO ARE YOU” may be influenced by Evanescence and Taylor’s voice can certainly be compared to Amy Lee here. The pureness and harmonics of that voice come across like a hard rock Karen Carpenter. 2022 single “Save Me” It is a song about how humanity is destroying our planet and was inspired by the Australian wildfires and the talking shop of COP26 that ultimately achieved nothing. (Just the same as COP 27) It is a heartfelt message to humanity, especially the younger generation to do something. The riffs are drawn directly from heavy metal Valhalla and Taylor’s vocal performance once again is passionate, emotional, and in a nutshell fucking awesome. Added to that the whole band is at peak performance. The lyrics are simple but so very powerful, how can anyone ignore words like “Save me from our destiny. Save me from a time, where everything around us dies“

If Adele wanted to cover a decent rock song to expand her style she should consider Not Now Norman‘s “Chasing Rainbows” and perhaps her Not Now Norman to back her on it. This is a sublime rock ballad filled with emotion and soul. One of the heaviest tracks on the album is possibly “RE-INTRODUCING” in which Taylor conjures the spirit of Janis Joplin. “Egocentric” has a different edge given the counterpoint supporting vocal from Scarred By Truth. The latter is a collective of rather ace artists from the North East of England, which is also where I think Not Now Norman‘s secret lair is located. “Little Frankenstein – The Franken Lee Remix” takes the 2019 original into a much harder riff-laden heavy experience and it makes an already good song great! The rather spiffing “Little Cheryl” has a real old-school vibe with a chorus to die for. Maybe reminiscent of the Go-Gos with a strong pop hook and melody, Talking of a chorus to die for, “Shut Your Mouth” is in that club too, it is a fully-fledged metal banger. The music has a classic 70s hard rock feel with shades of Thin Lizzy and Nazareth, and a screaming guitar solo worthy of Ritchie Blackmore at his peak. Once again Taylor’s vocals put the icing on the cake. The album ends with a remake of the title track from their 2020 EP, “End Of The Day -RELOADED”, and what a way to sign off a great album this is. There is no filler on this collection, every track is superb and left me no option but to play the album again and again. Get this band in your lugholes now and you will have no option but to become a Norminion!

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The Murder Capital – Oporto Leeds – Friday 11th November 2022 January 9, 2023

Filed under: Review — justwilliam1959 @ 9:14 pm
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As a part of their almost secret acoustic tour, one of Ireland’s finest bands, the Murder Capital, stopped off at Oporto Leeds for a very intimate stripped-back show. It was just three-quarters of the mighty quintet on stage, James, Cathal, and Damian. It was a fabulous, albeit very short set, in a gig pulled together by Leeds Student Radio and Oporto. While this was only a seven-song set it was free, but more importantly, it enabled the lads to give us a preview of a few songs (five in fact) from their upcoming new album ‘Gigi’s Recovery’ (due out on 20th January). Recent singles “A Thousand Lives” and “Only Good Things” were gorgeous and I loved the haunting, “The Stars Will Leave Their Stage”, but the highlight for me was another song from the new album, “Ethel” that was monumentally sublime. I think it is clear that the Murder Capital has progressed, particularly lyrically, and that the new album will be a big step from their previous release and I think ‘Gigi’s Recovery’ will show the world that this band are not afraid of change and will be a force in music for a very long while!

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Millie Manders And The Shutup – Fulford Arms, York – Saturday 29th October 2022 January 8, 2023

Filed under: Review — justwilliam1959 @ 7:59 pm
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Yet another fabulous show at the Fulford Arms would be the third time I have seen the beautifully boomtastic Millie Manders and the Shut Up at this very same venue. This was also a pre-Halloween fancy dress night where some rather scary costumes were on display. Personally, I donned my scary clown mask, which scared one punter immensely, although nowhere near as much as the person dressed as Michael Myers did. Incidentally, I know who dressed as Myers that night! But before I tell you what MMATSU were like I must speak about the rather stunning support acts. First up it was Eryx London, who rather weirdly are not from London, but Nottingham. Their set was, in a word, incendiary. In a few more words it was akin to the smashing of atoms using Thor’s hammer, Mjolnir. “U Don’t Like Your Girlfriend” was a highlight among many highs for me. I suspect this bunch will go on to much greater things, they seem to have the talent to do it.

How do you follow a band as on fire as Eryx London, well it seems you follow them with Bristol’s own, Cosmic Ninja! This band is loud and passionate and not afraid to speak out for what is right. I love that their website has an ethos section, where among other things they mention that they are “members and allies of our LGBTQ+ community” and “We recognise our deaf community and have participated in SIGN GIGS in our local city“. The latter is something really special which I never knew had been done before. It was a funky, punky, and frenetic set with no let-up in energy. “Parasite” is an incredible song. Another great band on a magnificent bill!

But the icing on the cake for this wonderful show put together by Steve “Ska” Laurence of Northern Ska Face Promotions was an electrifying set from Millie Manders and the Shut Up. Millie is an extremely, talented and powerful frontwoman who knows her audience perfectly and displays an aura of empathy and support for every one of her fans. Millie is clearly passionate about her music, but also supremely passionate about life, injustice, mental health, the environment, and many other things. Their music has a huge social conscience. The band, as usual, were stunningly tight and well-rehearsed and Millie’s vocals at times evoked memories of Pauline Black, but Millie’s range is phenomenal. Many people might describe Millie Manders and the Shut Up as a ska punk band, that might have been true in their early days, but now they are simply a great rock band who regularly defy inclusion in any specific genre box. Highlights tonight were “Poor Man’s Show”, “Not Okay” and the mighty “Panic”. If this band is not yet in your life then give your head a big wobble and sort it out!

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‘Aida’ – Maïa Barouh December 30, 2022

Filed under: Review — justwilliam1959 @ 12:06 am
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The latest release by Maïa Barouh French-Japanese rap artist on Saravah Records crashed with a bang into my inbox last week. ‘Aida’, meaning ‘between’ in Japanese, deftly straddles a number of genres. She expertly demonstrates her talent in producing an album filled with French rap, Tokyo underground, electronic, tribal, and some very folksy sounds. She is also a classically trained singer and a flautist to boot. I sensed straight away that I was in for a musical treat…and I was not wrong.

The album kicks off with a catchy and toe-tapping track, “Tokyo Ondo”. Sung in Japanese, we are introduced to a beautiful earthy-sounding flute, crisp pounding bassline, and Maïa’s traditional Japanese folk sound using pentatonic scales. We get a rare musical delight where Rap meets Japanese folk. For you music geeks out there, the Tokyo Ondo has been used by the Tokyo Yakult Swallows (Professional Japanese Baseball team) as part of their ‘Umbrella Dance’ tradition every time a player scores a home run!

Next up is “Hafu” (the last track is the same – but in English). In true AIDA style, this track is sung in French. Hafu, a Japanese word meaning of Japanese parentage and something else, in Maïa’s case, French, bursts into life with a deep and punchy bass together with some fired-up rap vocals. A touch of Little Simz style to start, but then into her familiar and energetic style. The chorus is edgy, seamlessly fusing orchestral instruments with electronic, giving us much more of a taste of what’s to come.

“Ringo (apples or apple petals)” follows next in what is a complete contrast musically. It’s like Japanese folk chillout rolled into one or ambient cinematic music. The vocals have a beautiful Japanese wispiness and Maïa demonstrates this using the traditional singing technique of Amami, a southern Japanese island. Her father, Pierre Barouh, the French writer-composer-singer, is sampled on the track. It glides in a surreal way, capturing her youth and memories, and only until you watch the video or if you understand Japanese, do you get the real meaning behind the lyrics.

“Sushi” returns to Maïa’s familiar style, electronic pop with a quirky sound. This track is sung in French, following the ‘Hafu’ pattern of one in Japanese followed by one in French. Or maybe I’m reading too much into it! Sushi is about feminism and racism – ‘Having a rather typical physique, I often felt uncomfortable in front of sentences like “Are you Japanese? I love Japanese women!“, “Asian women are so feminine…” I wanted to denounce this in my own way…’

“TAIRYO”, continues with the cinematic, trip-hop style and meanders for a very peaceful and reflective 3 minutes. Constantly being reminded of how fabulous this mix of flute, Japanese French rap and traditional folk really is. The danceable “ChinXoise” explodes with a fun, quirky Tokyo sound whilst “Nuage Nu” and “Take The Boat” are still very danceable contenders with some nuanced drum and bass elements. Exit opens with former PM Theresa May’s immortal words “Brexit Means Brexit” and then goes on to ask if you want to “brexit with me” in a song full of danceability, threaded through with quieter moments of concentration. Maia uses the flute on this track to great effect. “Hanakasa”, is a truly powerful piece of music. Tribal pounding drums, melodic flutes, and masterful French and Japanese vocals ebb and flow from the frenetic to the quiet and serene. The closing track is the English version of “HAFU” but I think the French version seems to carry more weight. You decide!

Written by Juan Brooks

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