Olivia Rodrigo releases: Bad Idea Right?

21st Aug 2023 — Leave a comment

You promised yourself you wouldn’t see them again…

Olivia Rodrigo 2023

We all have those silly stories we recall with both a sense of shame and glee, reliving those rash decisions we made for the plotline, covering our reddening faces as our friends re-enact some embarrassing stunt we pulled off last Saturday night.Olivia Rodrigo’s second single from her upcoming album Guts Bad Idea Right’ explores the narrative, offering a comedic take on a familiar conundrum.

We eavesdrop on the narrator’s internal monologue as she navigates the intertwining halls of temptation and humiliation, pride and shame. We all know where she’s going to go, as she ‘unintentionally’ gets lost down the rabbit hole of lust, desire and regret, all sympathetically rolling our eyes when she lies unconvincingly pleading that she simply ‘tripped and fell into his bed’.

Olivia Rodrigo music video for Bad Idea Right?

Bad Idea Right is like reading the girls group chat on a messy night out. Your friends are convincing you that you’re ex is awful, that you’re worth more but you’ve had a wine,a woo woo and a vodka shot or two and it’s only a text, it’s only a taxi it’s only a stumble to his bed, besides you’re just doing what sober you is too proud to do. You’ve been there before so what’s once more?

This internal battle whether to keep your head held high, after all you know your friends are right, or to give in to temptation, you wan them back but it’s not even really like that it’s just a filler, someone to do whilst you wait for true love, being in that bed is as simple as shoulder shrug.Rodrigo is infectious, voicing all the times we’ve given in, falling asleep in the right bed to waking up in the wrong one, the realisation of what we’ve done.

Olivia Rodrigo from the music video for Bad Idea Right?

Her debut album Sour explored heartbreak, self worth and identiy whilst her new album, Guts set for release September 8th, seems to be about rebelliousness, self exploration and hedonism in the face of adversity. Self destructive tendencies have the propensity to come disguised as empowerment, especially after a drink, or in a moment of darkness they come heralding a candlelight of serenity that soon turns out to be a burning beacon, setting yourself on fire.

You have a word with yourself in the bathroom mirror of a house party, you laugh as you see their name flash upon your phone, an echo of old times, memories of strawberry ice cream and Billy Joel, but that’s all it is a figure of what once was they can only wave at you, you can never wave back, you can never go back, you can return to their arms, to their sheets but they will be different, as are you, so if you do stumble back there don’t think you’ll be staying.

Drivers License by Olivia Rodrigo

Nostalgic yet refreshing, this song is evocative of naughties pop, musical remnants of Lindsay Lohan’s Drama Queen with a bite of Avril Lavigne’s attitude, Rodrigo has created a sound that is cheeky and blameless, mischievously shameless, perhaps not the ear worm that Drivers License and Good 4 You still are but an insight into a new era this perceptive, singer songwriter star is entering.

Please drink responsibly and legally.

Ernie released alt rock anthem: Hold Yr Horses

16th Aug 2023 — 1 Comment

Sometimes even the fastest of us need to slow down…

Ernie captured by Steph James

As we grow we tend to shrink back into the shadows of our former selves, shedding new light in past stories, holding a candle up to who we used to be, tales of misspent youth, underage drinking, to passing exams we were sure we’d fail and final kisses. Still reliving the rivalries, reminiscing over schoolboy errors and mischievous pranks, resisting dreams we were sure we would have achieved by now, looking within to see where we need to go next.

Ernie Hold Yr Horses

Detailing his second ever release ‘Hold Yr Horses’ explores small town narratives, being 16/17 and getting into drunken scrapes. Bottles filled with blurs, fists reddened and voices raised these were the nights that flooded the days. Ernie describes the song as being a bit “tongue in cheek, I’m kind of poking fun at some of the weird toxic masculinity that was present in the town at the time, but ultimately the song is about a tense and unnerving time of my life.”

Anger and resentment, two complex emotions full of layers the ultimately peel back to reveal fear and vulnerability, the harmonies and instrumentals weaved through Hold Yr horses reflect this, two voices in the fog, an internal conversation, which emotion is guiding you through the darkness? Ernie, a part-time chef, full-time singer-songwriter touches on themes of identity, family, relationships and the trappings of being the “odd one out” in a small northern town within his music.

Ernie captured by Steph James

A cacophony of what could, be this song showcases Ernie’s artistic innovation, exploring the depths of his songwriting capabilities, demonstrating his strength as a singer. The music morphs, the patient tone of the message, encouraging the listener to slow down offers a reassuring hand against the fast paced and suspenseful guitar riff that propels the narrative.

The change in tone effortlessly illustrating the minefield of emotions we once felt as an adolescent, life becomes a stuck lift, limboeing between change and opportunity or face falling back to ground floor but never knowing which buttons to press to calculate success. But with communication and self awareness, those buttons can be pushed into the place, sometimes it just takes the help of a friend, a family member or even courage within ourselves to find the right sequence. 

Ernie Pink Headaches

And Ernie has done, from supporting Sam Fender at St. James’ Park to receiving plaudits from the likes of NME, The independent, Dork and his debut ‘Pink Headaches’ receiving airplay from BBC 6 music, Ernie has recently signed too Gravity Records (EMI imprint), and landed himself an upcoming headline onNovember 3rd at Star & Shadow Cinema, the alt-rocker’s impressive rise is certainly gathering pace.

Caity Baser Drops two new tracks- DILF and Why Can’t I Have Two?

10th Aug 2023 — 1 Comment

ummm if you’re not over 18 I’d probably give this one a miss…

Caity Baser

If youthful energy and vibrancy was a sound it would be Caity Baser. Known for her breakout bangers X&Y and Friendly Sex her latest releases:Why can’t I have two? And DILF, exude a similar ebullience. Listening to either are like staying awake into the early hours of a girls sleepover, a couple of margaritas and a few red wines into the night, a face full of chocolate and self care, all of us confessing our controversial crushes and flirtatious fantasies, a room full of laughter, an audible union, we have fun here.

Why can’t I have two hosts my favourite musical line of the year ‘man don’t like to share you nah, have you never heard of something called ménage à trois’ it defines the feel good fun, whiplike wit and insatiable sound that Baser has become renowned for.

Why Can’t I Have Two? (2468) by Caity Baser

Empowering and explosive ,Why can’t I have two explores adventurous sexual fantasies, why settle for one when there are so many options to fulfil your needs. Baser has said the song is about ‘when you fancy someone and then fancy someone else at the same time, which socially that is not acceptable. BUT I was thinking why on EARTH can’t we have two? When you like two people for different reasons why can’t you have two? It’s the debate I’ve been having in my mind and now you can think about it too. You can have two! Fuck it, have 3.”

The track is propelled by a soft drumbeat, lifted by Baser’s hard hitting vocals, you can hear her laughter in each syllable. This groovy pop beat banger will stay in your head all day, it’ll have dancing on your commute to work, toe tapping at your desk and on top of tables come Friday night.

DILF by Caity Baser 2023

DILF is definitely risqué, controversial and one you wouldn’t play at your boyfriends parents house but that’s what makes it all the more enjoyable. Baser divulges into a narrative, confessing feelings for a partner’s father, a DILFy distraction from a flirtatious fling. Lingering eyes are definitely bound to make the relationship awkward, if he’s looking at you but you’re looking at his dad, but Baser makes it fun in her no filter, sparklingly sharp way. The song itself is upbeat, with layered harmonies offering a comedic, choral element to it, its okay because everyone finds him fit. The sublime blend of melody and sing speaking to create that uplifting feel of familiarity, a call back to the noughties when Lilly Allen was Queen is what makes this track so delicious.

What makes it more sensational, DILF is based on a real life scenario, about Baser’s friends father who she described as “So hot – he was in the navy and it’s so distracting when I go over. I’ve never made a tune about DILFs before so I’m happy I’ve explored this concept and had so much fun when doing it too.”

Baser seems to be living her best life, building up her fan base and playing a slew of festivals including YNOT, Boardmasters, Reading and Leeds. Baser is the first pop of champagne on a Friday night, she is waking up and feeling fine after drinking several glasses, maybe a bottle or two, she is the cheers to youth and putting yourself first, reminding us that if it’s not fun its not for you.

Discover more of her music here!