motel void

This time, we’re staying in Europe — heading to London, Edinburgh, and even further north to Norway.

NAKED BRUNCH – BITTER SOUL

Naked Brunch is a London-based quartet consisting of a cellist/vocalist, guitarist/vocalist, bassist, and drummer. Their sound is defined by a compelling contrast between light and dark elements. This new track opens with an ambient, almost ritualistic intro that perfectly complements the accompanying video. It gently reminds me of Haley Heynderickx, particularly in the meticulous guitar work, the beautiful use of strings, and, above all, the excellent vocal melodies. In the second half, a deeper male voice joins in, adding another emotional layer and creating a powerful interplay that works exceptionally well.

SWISS PORTRAIT – ALL NIGHT

Swiss Portrait is the project of Edinburgh-based artist Michael Kay Terence. Born out of lockdown solitude, Michael takes a fully DIY approach, recording and producing everything in a tiny spare room in rural Scotland.

The cover artwork depicts a tired dog in what appears to be a city transport vehicle, and that same hazy, sleepy atmosphere is established right from the song’s opening moments. Once the vocals enter – beautifully produced, I should add – the track drifts into dream-pop territory. The song is wonderfully atmospheric throughout, moving at an effortlessly engaging pace, only occasionally interrupted by chorus-drenched guitar flourishes that add subtle bursts of color and texture.

MISTY COAST – HUMMING BEES

Misty Coast is the dream-pop offspring of Linn Frøkedal and Richard Myklebust, best known from the Norwegian noise-rock band The Megaphonic Thrift. After a decade of life on the road with amplifiers turned up to eleven, tours supporting indie legends such as Dinosaur Jr. and Steven Malkmus, a Norwegian Grammy sitting on the shelf, mild tinnitus, and various side jobs to supplement their rock-and-roll income, the duo decided to change direction and brew up something entirely different.

And I have to say, this is one of the strongest songs I’ve heard in quite some time. As a huge cassette enthusiast, I was immediately drawn to the visualizer, but what truly stands out here is that absolutely everything works. The production feels wonderfully organic, the instrumental ideas are inventive and beautifully arranged, and the song develops with a subtle yet satisfying sense of progression. Most impressive of all are the vocals – the tone, the melodies, the phrasing, and the harmonies are all exceptional. Simply put, this is a 10/10 track.