This month, we review the music of Seas of Mirth, Melonyx, Dan Ottewell, Office Goth, and Fat Digester...
Seas of Mirth
Kriller (Album)
With much time passed and the world changed since the Seas’ 2019 album Sub Marine Dreams, the merry band of deep sea troubadours are back with a new sound. Stepping slightly aside from the psychedelic party shanties, Kriller brings a darker, groovier farrago of tunes to keep you up all night, while retaining the same chaotic energy and strange lyrical tales as previous albums. Opening with the funky and euphoric Dig Out The Moves (bound to get the most wooden of toes tapping), Tiki Tak (a tale of four divers unable to communicate, set to Latin house) gives Mighty Boosh vibes, while fellow East Midlander Yay Maria brings a hypnotic, chilled twist to Lil’ Underworld. Kriller is out on 22 September, and you’d be silly to miss Seas of Mirth when they return to play live in Notts this year. Sophie Gargett
Melonyx
Soul Glow (Album)
Nottingham’s own Melonyx have released their debut album Soul Glow, a thirteen-track sumptuous soul record, which has plenty of heart, soul and most importantly: tunes. The duo, consisting of Georgia Copeland and Nadia Latoya, working with fellow Nottingham producer Joe Buhdha, have produced an instant soul classic. The record touches issues such as self-acceptance and the experience of being a black woman in the 21st century. The lyrics are uniformly well written and poetic, going hand in hand with immaculately produced beats and melodies. Standout tracks Made to Suffer and At the Door should be getting heavy rotation on your playlist. Rich Higton
Dan Ottewell
Moon Project (Single)
At only sixteen years of age, Dan Ottewell is an artist who is mature beyond his years - and he has achieved more than most people his age too, as the youngest person to sell out Nottingham’s Rough Trade. On the back of performing three official sets at Glastonbury this summer, his new single Moon Project demonstrates exactly why he has risen to this level of success already. His folk-rock sound is an instant crowd pleaser, and with the likes of Frank Turner, The Levellers, Billy Bragg, and Ferocious Dog calling themselves fans of his, why not add yourself to that list of legends? Gemma Cockrell
Office Goth
All Good Things (Album)
“Social media, popular culture, Love Island - things that remind you what your life isn’t. Go out, get barlowed and pretend you’ll be fine the next day.” So goes the satisfyingly cynical rant about drinking culture on Merry-Go-Round, from Office Goth’s new ten-track album All Good Things. This sweet fix of lo-fi guitar pop is filled with hedonistic irony and witty lyrics, with influences ranging from Kenickie (Lauren Laverne’s band from the ‘90s), fairground carousels and a dash of dark music hall. Between Claire’s melodic elegance and Jimi’s caustic humour, this is the kind of band you’d like to sit with over a few drinks and put the world to rights. Sophie Gargett
Fat Digester
Never Too Late (Album)
One of the many great albums that have been recorded at Nottingham’s J.T. Soar studios, Never Too Late by Fat Digester is as funky as the name of the label that it has been released on (Funky Llama Music) suggests. Formed in 1996 at the height of Britpop and The Spice Girls, these guys are legends of the local circuit at this point, so it’s no surprise that they’re releasing music that is this good. The cover may show a procession of band members going back through history, but Never Too Late proves that the band belongs firmly in the present. Gemma Cockrell
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