Browsing Tag

UK Trip Hop

indifferentMonKeY prescribed a trip-hop rock aphrodisiac with ‘little PILL (NRG Monkey Mix)’

Posted on 3 February 2025

Since their inception in 2022, indifferentMonKeY has rewritten the blueprint for contemporary alternative rock by synthesising the sultry atmospherics of trip-hop with the raw energy of riff-fuelled rock.

Their latest ethereally provocative release, little PILL (NRG Monkey Mix), sees vocalist Ellie Knowles weaving her hypnotic with reverie vocal lines into a seductive indietronic diorama, which pulsates with the rhythmic soul of Joe Lowe’s bass and the electrifying edge of Brendan Syson’s guitar.

Meanwhile, Graham Darbyshire’s percussion punctuates the genre-fluid tour de tantalising force, which feels like it belongs in the lineage of trip-hop giants such as Portishead but with the untamed spirit of early Massive Attack and the gritty seduction of Garbage.

From the aphrodisiacal tones to the mind-altering textures to the dark and moody emotive weight, little PILL is a masterclass in sonic sensuality, which is as suited to TikTok virality as it is to longevity within alternative playlists.

With accolades including the “Best Band 22” award from Radio Wigwam, headline spots at Nice N Sleazy, and praise from BBC6music’s Chris Hawkins, indifferentMonKeY are on the rise; get high with them.

Stream little PILL on Reverb Nation now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Ami Leigh’s Dark Soul was reinvented in the shadows of the G185TARR Death by TripHop Remix

Posted on 22 March 2024

G185TARR’s remix of Ami Leigh’s debut single, ‘Dark Soul‘, is a masterful reinvention that amplifies the original’s raw innovation and emotional depth. This collaboration, a long-awaited fusion of talents, brings a new dimension to the track, infusing it with a darker, more enigmatic edge.

Ami Leigh, a multifaceted musician from County Durham, UK, originally captivated audiences with ‘Dark Soul’ in March 2019. The track, known for its candid confessions and intimate revelations, showcased her ability to weave personal narratives into compelling musical tapestries. In this remix, G185TARR, a producer with a discerning ear for unique soundscapes, has skilfully reimagined the song, maintaining its core while introducing a beguiling Trip-Hop flair.

The ‘Death By TripHop Remix’ elevates the original’s beguile to the nth degree. It retains the affecting shimmers of the angular cutting guitar strings while allowing Ami Leigh’s direct vocal lines to pierce through the veil of the Trip-Hop-ed production. The remix adds swathes of style to the substance that Ami Leigh is quickly becoming renowned for.

With vocal lines that ache in the same vein as Mazzy Star and an artful approach to songwriting, Ami Leigh pushes the boundaries of alt-indie into dark new territories. This remix, rhythmically bolstered and erratically arcane, is a stunning ode to the panache of Trip Hop. It’s a track that resonates with those whose souls are married to the shadows, inviting them into the disquiet turbulence of a sound that is both haunting and profoundly contemplative.

Stream the official music video for the G185TARR Death by TripHop Remix of Dark Soul on YouTube now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast