Robocobra Quartet - Knotweed/Witch Hunt

There's no greater pleasure than coming across a local band who sound like nothing else that Northern Ireland has to offer. That's why it was great to be introduced to Belfast group Robocobra Quartet back in July with their single "Artbook Flipping". Its release helped the band to pick up quite a bit of local attention, and the band's subsequent live gigs have received heaps of praise, including the approval of Tom Robinson.

So there's no better time to check in with the band and the release of their latest double-A side single (remember when they were still an actual thing?) "Knotweed/Witch Hunt". The songs see the band mix improvisational jazz with "acoustically sampled melodies" (which we think is the same thing as interpolating) and hip-hop influenced rhythms and spoken word vocals from Chris Ryan*, which come together to create a cacophony of downbeat yet brilliant sonic explorations.

Of the two songs on offer, the highlight would be slightly less chaotic "Witch Hunt". The song is based around a melody by New Jersey saxophonist Wayne Shorter, and is an amalgam of a rather groovy bass line, duelling saxes, and some deadpan lyricism ('How did blue-collar Bruce get to be known as "The Boss"? And if this schedule's not right, how do I know if I've just missed the bus?').

Robocobra Quartet are the sort of band that even if you don't necessarily enjoy their music, you have to admire their drive, ambition, and pure originality. Their sound might be quite a challenging listen, and one imagines that if they tried their hand at a more 'accessible' sound, they would lose that spark of genius that makes them so unique in the first place. However, if you're willing to invest you time in them, you are going to fall in love with something very special indeed.

"Knotweed/Witch Hunt" is available now on a pay what you like basis.




*who's involved in another band we've featured on TMB before.

Malibu Shark Attack - Better Off As Friends

Don't you just hate it when your favourite bands split and splinter?

Self-referential "post-new wave-prog-electronic-indiecore-synthpop" is the order of the day for Malibu Shark Attack, a band made up of Belfast super-producer Rocky O'Reilly and Atlanta rapper Tribe One. Their new single "Better Off As Friends" features a guest appearance from The Dudley Corporation, sees Tribe One rapping about the dissolution of the band's previous musical endeavors, whilst trying to win over fans who are still hung up on their split, over Rocky's fizzy electro-pop production. The single has already picked up a few admirers, with Steve Lamacq loving it so much that he played it twice in a row on 6music, so it should hopefully win over those people who still haven't got over the end of Oppenheimer.

"Better Off As Friends" by Malibu Shark Attack will be released on 17th March, with their self-titled debut album to be released in May.

Hoodie Woody Freaky - Rain

The melding together hip-hop influences with tenderly strummed acoustica has been used by several artists. Ed Sheeran recently hit the top spot of the album chart with his smashing together of the two worlds, and Plan B famously rapped inner city life to the sound of his acostic guitar on his first album (before he sold out and went all blue-eyed soul)

One band that have mixed the two together in an interesting way is Indonesian trio Hoodie Woody Freaky. In the hands of another group, the song "Rain" could've been just your standard singer-songwriter fare. But with Fikri Haikal's beatboxing added to the mix, the song becomes interesting and, dare I say it, fun. Hoodie Woody Freaky are definately doing something different to many bands, and for that they should be applauded.

"Rain" is taken from the group's debut E.P "Story of the Early Days", which is available to download for free.