This month, our music team give the run-down of the best, recent releases from Nottingham artists, including Cappo, LYVIA, and Molly Hindley.
LYVIA
Maid Marian Way (EP)
Another Notts superstar worth checking out is soulful pop sensation LYVIA, who also just released her debut EP, Maid Marian Way. The EP takes its name from the famous road in Notts' city centre where LYVIA can often be found recording her viral videos for social media. Now taking the energy of those raw takes to the studio, this debut release showcases her unique blend of pop melodies, spoken word rap and R&B swagger, with plenty of heart and relatable experiences in the lyrics too. Every song here is a highlight as well, from the spellbinding and piano-laden opener Barriers to the infectious groove of Rock With Me, through to the stripped-back and sincere Homesick. Whatever you do don’t sleep on this one and if you like what you hear, catch her headline show at Rescue Rooms on 16 October. Karl Blakesley
Molly Hindley
Lovesick (EP)
Over the course of four rich tracks, local singer-songwriter Molly Hindley (now based in South London) strives to explore love through all its many phases. An ambitious goal but Molly achieves it thanks to some strikingly thoughtful, self-aware writing and beautifully poised delivery. Title track Lovesick is sparkly with a lilting feel, giving the perfect foundation for Molly's sublimely soulful vocals which range effortlessly from sultry to striving. Older is moving and introspective, sung with startling directness; Jack, Tom or Levi! sees a move to a fresh indie sound, an acoustic-guitar gently but firmly pushing the song along; and finally Took her home provides a gentle and incredibly beautiful closer to the record, while containing a clear lovelorn message. This is a well-rounded and EP of sparkling, nuanced music - a fabulous piece of art. Phil Taylor
Sunflower Thieves
Driving Lessons (Single)
Detailing the anxieties of growing up triggered by a therapy question pondering the narrator’s childhood, Driving Lessons is a hypnotic slow dance across a tightrope of escapism and unease. Made up of childhood friends Amy and Lily, Sunflower Thieves’ sophomore single from upcoming EP, Same Blood (30 October) follows a similarly folk-tinged, lo-fi pop formula to lead single How Was America, again occupying a compelling place in a post-Phoebe Bridgers realm. The lush and occasionally minimalist production is supplemented by rich harmonies and introspective, honest lyricism; a wobbling vocoder accompaniment in the bridge seems almost desperate to resolve, texturally emphasising a yearning for contempt, a perfect contextual summary. Delicately moving synth accompaniments bolster acoustic guitars, plodding among a primarily mid-tempo movement; these swirling ideas, rigid in movement, are reminiscent to me of how anxious thoughts can encircle one's consciousness, cementing the effortless beauty of the duo’s songwriting prowess, which surely will be supplemented by this month’s show in Nottingham and their subsequent EP release. Tommy Robertson
Cappo
S.T.A.R.V.E. (Album)
Across the nine tracks of the ‘semi-autobiographical’ S.T.A.R.V.E., Cappo (Dr Paul Adey, who holds a PhD from NTU) delivers a richly-layered commentary on society's ills from an intensely personal perspective, drawing on literary tradition as well as hip-hop history and trip hop inspirations. It's a thoughtful, intelligent record: at times deeply introspective (Slow Poison), and at other points open and hard-hitting (Wi(n)dow). There's raw storytelling (the TERRACE interludes; Strongbow) and cinematic drama (Jar), always infused with earnest vocals, careful beats and subtle melodic flurries. The overall sense is of something immensely brooding and dark: we're invited to plumb fathomless depths, with Cappo as our, well-qualified, intellectual guide. Phil Taylor
ALT BLK ERA
Straight to Heart (Single)
From MOBO and Heavy Music Award nominations to storming festival sets at the likes of Glastonbury and Download, there is absolutely no stopping ALT BLK ERA’s momentum right now. Now with their highly-anticipated debut album Rave Immortal due for release in January, the alternative sister duo have released the second taste of the upcoming record. The synth-soaked track highlights the continuing maturity of their songwriting, with Straight To Heart seeing Nyrobi open up and reflect on her agonising battles with chronic illness. It’s an anthemic yet emotional cut, one that sees the young siblings at their most vulnerable. Powered by an addictive beat and dreamy vocal melodies, it’s a song that’s sure to resonate with anyone who has ever felt “loneliness, being abandoned or neglected.” Karl Blakesley
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