This week in LeftLion's Latest Listens, our music team picks new releases from Lace Thief, Warren Ireland, Idolvein, Bram Bancroft and Revenge of Calculon
Single: Lace Thief - Blood is Thicker than Honey
Multi-faceted creative Laura Dickinson, better known by her musical persona Lace Thief, has been lighting up the second half of 2024 with an impressive run of recent singles. Her latest offering Blood is Thicker than Honey may be her strongest release yet, with her wonderful folky vocals simply captivating amidst a backdrop of stomping drums, glistening synths and buoyant flutes, as she touches on themes of connection and materialism.
To celebrate the release of this brilliant new single, Laura will be previewing the accompanying short film alongside a curated selection of art, music and fashion films at the Savoy Cinema on Derby Road this Saturday 9th November. Tickets are still available but running low, so if you want to be there – be quick! Tickets can be bought here. @lacethiefmusic (Karl Blakesley)
Album: Warren Ireland - The Highs and Lows of Being Normal
The Highs and Lows of Being Normal is a beast of an album. From the very first track, you instantly know that Warren Ireland has created something special. Eleven tracks plus a bonus one, and all strongly crafted and produced songs and with powerful vocals that are impossible to pigeonhole. My personal favourite songs from the album are Paddy Said, Make It Out and Dear Me, but ask me tomorrow and I'll probably choose three different tracks – the album is littered with great sounds. This is a must listen from a local artist in 2024. @warrenirelanduk (Bassey)
Single: Idolvein - Eleos
Idolvein’s latest song makes for an incredible debut, with thunderous rhythms and beautifully written lyrics that perfectly capture the frustration and pain that comes from experiences of grief. A slow build immerses the listener, before kicking into a much heavier and sonically dense introduction of the drums and electric guitar that seizes their attention. Everything down to the composition, style and vocals paint a raw and real picture of loss, demonstrating inarguable skill from this up-and-coming band. Eleos feels like the perfect song to blast in the car after a hard day – so make sure to stick it on your metalcore playlist, turn up the volume, and scream along! New to the scene and already making waves, Idolvein are proving themselves as a heavy hitter in the Nottingham rock and metal community, and we can’t wait to see what they make next… @idolveinband (Phillippa Walsh)
Single: Bram Bancroft - amy g. dala
Bram Bancroft has unveiled his latest single, amy g. dala, fresh off a recent appearance on BBC Introducing. Following the success of his previous release komorebi leaves, the track builds on a chord progression from one of Bram's unreleased works, transforming it into something entirely new. With experimental layers and a mix of instruments, including a charity shop keyboard, the song explores Bram’s mental health struggles, subtly weaving deeper meanings beneath the rich, melodic arrangements. @bram_bancroft (Gemma Cockrell)
Album: Revenge of Calculon - Revenge of Calculon
This album was launched at Rough Trade on 26th October to a packed room and it's the debut LP by Revenge of Calculon, in glorious white vinyl. The funky attack on your senses includes hard and gritty bass lines mixed with space funk synth and recorded beats and loops. It's a retro sound of the 70's and 80's, a dirty funky vibe that demands your attention. Do yourself a favour this autumn and give the album a listen: it's a masterclass in danceable funk electronica and this Nottingham duo are on a mission to get folks moving. @revengeofcalculon (Bassey / Photo - Nigel King)
We have a favour to ask
LeftLion is Nottingham’s meeting point for information about what’s going on in our city, from the established organisations to the grassroots. We want to keep what we do free to all to access, but increasingly we are relying on revenue from our readers to continue. Can you spare a few quid each month to support us?
