Hannah McPhillimy - Ruins

It has been a while - nearly four years in fact - since we last mentioned local singer-songwriter Hannah McPhillimy on these pages. Not that she's been silent the past few years mind you - she joined synth-pop band Go Wolf, whom we've talked about quite a bit, and has still been plugging away on her own material, most notably the "Disappear Here" EP released in 2015 in collaboration with author Jan Carson.

Her most recent release is "Wind Machine", which came out in June. Produced by Julie Mclarnon, who's worked with Neutral Milk Hotel & King Creosote among others, the E.P mixes folk and jazz influences into a package topped off by Hannah's plaintive and honest vocals.

Taken from the E.P is "Ruins", which for lack of a better term, is the most accessible song on the E.P, with it's familiar chord structure and emotive and endearing chorus, so it's no surprise to see that it receive the video treatment. The video sees Hannah singing in the forest, interspersed with scenes of what can only be described as the most intensive game of Jenga ever played. We were under the impression that the video is a pastiche of the chess game from the Ingmar Bergan film The Seventh Seal, although we've been since informed that it's most likely a coincidence.



The "Wind Machine" E.P from Hannah McPhillimy is out now.

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.

Melt Yourself Down - We Are Enough

Say what you like about Jools Holland, but 20 years into hosting "Later...", his show can still throw up the odd musical surprise. Anyone who watched the live show on Tuesday evening would have been treated to the musical delight that is Melt Yourself Down, performing their single "We Are Enough".

The band are made up of six individuals who have been part of London's jazz scene over the years with many different projects, including Polar Bear & Acoustic Ladyland. In spite of this, their sound encompasses many different genres, including electronica, punk, world beat and alternate rock. My initial thoughts on the group are as follows:

1. Melt Yourself Down sound like a screamo band with funky brass taking the place of scuzzed out guitars.

2. Melt Yourself Down want to be nominated for the Mercury Prize. I mean, they really, REALLY want to be nominated for the Mercury Prize.

3. I really hope that Kushal Gaya didn't destroy any of the studio's equipment during their performance. Amps aren't cheap.

4. They are very good indeed. Musically they're faultless, and it's fair to say that there isn't any other bands out there doing exactly what they do.

"We Are Enough" is taken from Melt Yourself Down's self-titled album, which is out on 17th June.