The Brighton indie band's second single firmly builds on the hype of the first, thematically touching on the 21st century work ethic in an age of relentless productivity as social currency.
Photo: Brooke Edwards | Words: Hazel Blacher
ladylike caused a bit of a stir last year with their self released debut single 'Southbound.' A gentle gut-punch of glorious folk-tinged indie euphoria, the track cemented the four piece's place as a promising must-see act, following their 18 month stint of gigging in the proliferatory buzz of the Brighton scene. Having since made the final of Green Man's Rising competition, they return with their highly anticipated second single, 'Horse's Mouth' sees the group teaming up with indie label something. Records. Here they build further upon their nuanced sound, marrying the warm delicacies of roots music with more complex post-rock structures, packaged in a kaleidoscope of shimmering indie rock ambiences.
Across 4 minutes, ladylike patch together a mosaic made of the softest fibres; wool, silk, crumbled chalk. At first a halcyon waltz of swaying instrumentation that cycles through different structures, each stroke of the guitar ripples out like dappled caustic reflections of light. This is moored by a loping bass and the trembling lilts of Butler's spellbinding stream-of-consciousness vocal, up to the final refrain. At this point, a crescendo of crashing cymbal stabs strike up a roaring contrast, but this notably feels no less rooted in the pervading tenderness of the track, instead more expressive of it.
Cultivating a sort of coming-of-age music but for 20-somethings, singer and guitarist Georgia Butler describes the lyrics as depicting, "The relentless work ethic of the modern-day person through the narrative of an unnamed individual." Ultimately, at its abstract core, 'Horse's Mouth' feels like a portal to the unseen; a twinkling sonic swimming pool for the introverts of the world in search of a place to rekindle their optimism; an invitation to rest.
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