Reviews Ft. The Ovines, Grassmell, Kid Hue, Chess Smith, Saphyr & Venbee

Featured

REVIEWS:

THE OVINES

MIND OF MINE / 4:04

@theovinesband

From brand-new EP Two Bucks and a Bottle of Ketchup, The Ovines are described as having “a working class defiance in their approach, marrying rebellious punk attitudes with a party-band looseness”.

In single Mind of Mine, there’s certainly an amalgamation of energetic punk and dub reggae. Recorded at The Albion Rooms in Margate with producer Bill Gautier (Paul McCartney/Wings, ‘Fast’ Eddie Clarke, The Cure, Brian May), the fast-paced ode to the chaos of modern life gives way to the drop of slowed ska-ish beats and bass in a beautiful genre mash that the band have become renowned for since they formed in 2017. Having held support slots with Buzzcocks, The Libertines, The Sherlock and King Prawn, the new EP is one to indulge in.

GRASSMELL
GOOSEBUMPS / 3:19

@grassmellmusic

Emerging Kent artist grassmell has released his debut full-length album DIY - a deeply personal project that lives up to its name in every possible way. A raw, lo-fi blend of grunge, shoegaze and alternative pop-rock, the album is not just self-produced, it’s a journey through self-rejection and self-acceptance.

There’s a number of stand-out tracks, like the I am The Walrus-esque Queue to our favourite Goosebumps. In a similar vein to MGMT, Grassmell drifts into psych-pop dreams and using its upbeat hook to juxtapose the doubt-led lyrics. The whole album is great.

KID HUE

WHITES OF THEIR EYES / 3:15

@huethekid

The culmination of seven years of work, Chatham’s Kid Hue has released his debut album american television, an album soaked with Britpop and indie-rock influences.

From the instantly catchy half empty situation to the Maximo Park-ish only lovers left alive, the album is a vibrant emotional rollercoaster reminding us how a long-form record can both tell a story and encapsulate highs and lows.

Kid Hue says: “The idea of american television came from the abundance of materialism we find in modern relationships, both literally and emotionally, and how our perception of ourselves has been skewed by chasing this idealist fantasy of life [he’s only gone and got a thesaurus out!]. Through following this concept, I somehow found myself with a pop album.”

We have picked out whites of their eyes for its George Michael hooks and slightly haunting lyrics. It’s brilliant.

CHESS SMITH & FUJI HIDEOUT

BOUNCE BACK / 3:49

@chesssmithmusic

Saving Lilibet is the impactful new EP from Chess Smith. Chess has been a commanding presence on the Kent music scene for more than a decade, both as a solo artist and a frontwoman, most recently as critically-acclaimed power vocalist for Salvation Jayne... until 2020. After taking a break from performing, Chess is back with brand-new solo material. The EP is a synth-packed anthemic alt-pop journey through “heartache, self-discovery, rejecting toxicity, and turning pain into power to become your most beautiful, radical, and unapologetic self - whole, healed... and saved”. We have picked out single Bounce Back, which also features Canterbury artist Fujo Hideout, for its brooding hooks and Chess’s soaring vocals. It means business.

SAPHYR

FUTURE IN MY HANDS / 3:12

@saphyrmusic

Herne Bay-based rapper Saphyr has released second concept album Eternal Sunshine following the chaotic District Zero.

Having worked with Kent’s Tonetic Records to hone his craft, he has self-released the melodic rap album that evokes modern ‘emo-rap’/’pop-rap’ sounds.

Eternal Summer is a shimmering, sun-soaked second chapter, set in a world reborn after geo storms wiped civilisation clean - the album explores a seemingly perfect paradise where every day is a party, the skies are clear and fear is a thing of the past.

But as the days stretch on, cracks form beneath the surface. Is this new world salvation, simulation - or something darker?

VENBEE

NEW BODY PARTS / 2:50

@venbee.music

‘Cene magazine favourite Venbee has returned with an introspective single that shows a very different side to the artist. Perhaps better known for a more carefree and fun outlook, as well as always-infectious beats and scintillating hooks, the Medway performer offers a deeply personal insight into body image and intimacy. Described as a “difficult conversation with myself”, Venbee offers a fearless comeback after several months in the studio.