Issuu

DOWN WITH BORING.

ISSUE 61 · DECEMBER 2021 / JANUARY 2022 · READDORK.COM

THE BUZZIEST NEW ACTS ON THE PL ANET F E ATU R I N G

E W T LEG AND THE

HYPE LIST 2022 PLUS

alt-J

The Dream Tour 2022 Plus Special Guests Sat 07 May GLASGOW Barrowland Ballroom Mon 09 May LEEDS O2 Academy Fri 13 May MANCHESTER O2 Apollo Wed 18 May LONDON O2 Academy Brixton EXTRA DATE ADDED Thu 19 May LONDON O2 Academy Brixton Sun 22 May DUBLIN Olympia Theatre EXTRA DATE ADDED Mon 23 May DUBLIN Olympia Theatre Wed 25 May BELFAST The Telegraph Building Fri 27 May BIRMINGHAM O2 Academy

LIVENATION.CO.UK TICKETMASTER.CO.UK GIGSANDTOURS.COM A LIVE NATION, SJM CONCERTS, MCD & FUTURE SOUND PRESENTATION BY ARRANGEMENT WITH PRIMARY TALENT INTERNATIONAL

Index. Issue 61 | December 2021 / January 2022 | readdork.com | Down With Boring

WHAT'S ON THE DORK STEREO? TAYLOR SWIFT

All Too Well (10 Minute Version) (Taylor’s Version) (From The Vault)

How many times before it becomes unhealthy to loop a ten minute version of a years old single full of searing hot serves for a not exactly well hidden celeb ex. Also, Jake, mate. You ok, hun? STEPHEN ACKROYD, EDITOR

LOVELEO Boyfren

I’m sure no one’s found my muttering “you should break up with your boyfriend” multiple times a day at all unnerving. VICTORIA SINDEN, DEPUTY EDITOR

BLINK-182 Dammit

This is truly the year of the pop-punk revival: Olivia Rodrigo, Willow and KennyHoopla, amongst others, are all at it with a fresh modern twist. But, sometimes it’s good to go back to the classics, and they don’t get more classic than Blink’s iconic ‘Dammit’. Also, shouts to Mark Hoppus, who recently confirmed he’s now cancer-free and has even been back performing with Travis Barker.

readdork.com

QUITE CLEARLY THE BEST NEW BAND ON THE PLANET. That’s

what we called Wet Leg the first time we laid ears on them. The very first thing we wrote, based off one song. We’ll never change. But also, we were right, no? ‘Chaise Longue’ was quite probably the stop-dead-and-listen moment of 2021 - a track that instantly introduced a band with sharp minds, sharper tongues and bags of attitude. From that moment on, we knew they’d be the ones we wanted to lead off 2022’s Hype List - our annual run down of our favourite new acts who we expect to make an impact in the year ahead. And would you know it, dreams do come true. What a magical time of year. It’s not just the new names we’re excited about too - in this issue you’ll find the past, present and future of music. There’s our best of the year run-down, featuring not only our albums, tracks and ‘other stuff ’ of the past twelve months, but also the results of your Readers’ Poll. We deal with the here and now by celebrating the long awaited arrival of No Rome’s debut album (spoiler, it’s very good), and look forward with 30 of the albums you’ll need to hear next year, including new chats with Foals, Alfie Templeman and loads more. So that’s that. Another year of Dork done. Thanks to everyone who has picked up a copy, and we’ll see you back here in January 2022. Have a Merry Christmas, Dear Reader. Cheers!

MARTYN YOUNG, CONTRIBUTING EDITOR

SHAME

Feliz Navidad

People say there are no good Christmas songs any more. Those people haven’t heard Shame’s cover of Feliz Navidad. They wanna wish you a merry Christmas, and who are we to stop them?

Editor Stephen Ackroyd Deputy Editor Victoria Sinden Associate Editor Ali Shutler Contributing Editors Jamie Muir, Martyn Young Scribblers Abigail Firth, Alex Cabre, Ciaran Steward, Dan Harrison, Finlay Holden, Jake Hawkes, Jamie MacMillan, Liam Konemann, Neive McCarthy, Sam Taylor Snappers Aya Cabauatan, Brent McKeever, Bryce Glenn, Frances Beach, Jamie MacMillan, Jono White, Kristen Jan Wong, Patrick Gunning, Sarah Louise Bennett, Tulula Sofitsi Docherty

PUBLISHED FROM

WELCOMETOTHEBUNKER.COM UNIT 10, 23 GRANGE ROAD, HASTINGS, TN34 2RL

All material copyright (c). All rights reserved. This publication may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form, in whole or in part, without the express written permission of The Bunker Publishing Ltd. Disclaimer: While every effort is made to ensure the information in this magazine is correct, changes can occur which affect the accuracy of copy, for which The Bunker Publishing Ltd holds no responsibility. The opinions of the contributors do not necessarily bear a relation to those of Dork or its staff and we disclaim liability for those impressions. Distributed nationally.

‘Editor’ @stephenackroyd

JAKE HAWKES, DOWN WITH BORING HOST

GET EARLY ACCESS, OUR DIGITAL LIBRARY, EVERY ISSUE OF THE MAGAZINE *AND* HELP SUPPORT OUR QUEST FOR MAXIMUM POP NONSENSE!

This Month. #61. DECEMBER 2021 / JANUARY 2022.

Intro. 06 NO ROME

If it feels like you’ve been waiting a long time for No Rome’s debut album, erm, that’s because you have. But rejoice! It’s finally here! And it’s brilliant!

Wolf Alice and Beabadoobee - it’s safe to say that alt-popster Wallice is on the right track to hit the very top.

40 HOPE TALA West Londoner Hope Tala has been on our radar for a while now, but as 2022 comes around it looks like her big moment is just on the horizon.

09 CAVETOWN

With a tour planned to start Really Very Soon at the time of writing, a fun new duet with Chloe Moriondo, and the potential for new music to come, we obviously asked all the big questions.

11 11 12

L DEVINE

We know what it’s like at Xmas - time off to decompress, but what to watch? Everyone loves a festive film, though - so with her A Very Dork Christmas tour coming up, we asked L Devine to pick three of her faves.

HALFNOISE

41 COURTING

With live music back in full-flow and a new year round the corner, the future looks bright for Liverpool’s new favourite sons.

42 CMAT

If you already know about CMAT, you’ll know she’s potentially the greatest pop star on the planet - mostly because she makes everyone else seem absolutely fucking boring.

44 WILLOW KAYNE

Only a few tracks in to a promising future, and Willow Kayne already has a bloody Ivor Novello gong in the bank. Not bad going for a popster who has the personality to hit the top.

Zac Farro has delivered another mesmerising album to add to the Halfnoise collection.

BANGERS

Catch up with the best new tracks from the last month.

46 GRACEY

Gracey is a pop star - but then, you imagine Gracey has always been a pop star, even before she was dropping solid gold bangers. She’s just got ‘it’. Taking real life emotions and turning them into certified bops, 2022 might well be her year.

MARTYN YOUNG’S TOP 10

This month, we’re doing Xmas songs - and having a big debate about Robbie.

Dork’s Best of 2021.

48 LIME GARDEN

Brighton’s Lime Garden have that certain something that leaves you certain that their future will be as bright as the citrus from which they take their name. Their smart, brilliant indie clatter promises much, and delivers everything.

14 ALBUMS OF 2021

From unexpected superstars to returning heroes, here’s the year in its standout records.

16 18

CLAUD

Catch up with our favourite alt-popster and their 2021 standout album ‘Super Monster’.

49 THE GOA EXPRESS

Ragtag Manchester-based five-piece The Goa Express are on a mission to sonically encapsulate the feeling of growing up in the middle of nowhere – having just about transcended their modest roots, the lads are showing no intention of slowing things down.

ARLO PARKS

At the start of the year, we were pretty sure Arlo Parks would ‘do quite well’, but what followed was positively interstellar.

20 WOLF ALICE

With every new music drop, it feels as though Wolf Alice couldn’t possibly get any better. Then, they do another album and deliver something that’s once again surprising, innovative, and ridiculously special. Magic.

24 TRACKS OF 2021

10 tracks that made a big impact, and why.

50 FLETCHER

Fletcher already feels like she’s well on her way to pop superstardom. Selling out UK venues and delivering solid gold bangers as she goes, she’s the kind of artist who feels made for the biggest stages.

52 PINKPANTHERESS

We’ll be honest, Dear Reader. We had a bit of a ‘mare pinning down PinkPantheress for this year’s Hype List. We’ll let her off - she’s one of the buzziest acts on the planet right now, and it’s easy to hear why.

25 MIXTAPES, EPS & MORE

When is a 10-track release, generally by a new artist, not an album. When it’s a ‘mixtape’ or a ‘project’ or an ‘anything to not have to call this a debut album.

53 NOISEY

Southern trio NOISY have utilised 2021 to bolster their belt of bangers, and recent offerings suggest the next year will be huge for the sincere rock’n’roll ravers.

26 DORK READERS’ POLL 2021

We asked you for your Big Opinions on the last year in music, you obliged in your thousands. How jolly lovely of you. So, who were your big winners of 2021? And who are you most excited about for the year ahead?

Hype List 2022. 30 WET LEG

54 PIXEY

After two delightful EPs in one chaotic year, dazzlingly expressive indie-popster Pixey shows no signs of slowing down.

56 PIP MILLETT

Manchester’s Pip Millett has every sign of being one of the breakout acts of 2022. Then again, having already made her TV debut, sold out a UK tour and collabed with Ghetts, maybe she’s already most of the way there.

From the moment their single ‘Chaise Longue’ landed, there was little doubt that Wet Leg were instantly elevated to buzz band status. What’s followed is anything but ordinary.

ENGLISH TEACHER

Leeds indie newcomers English Teacher may only be just getting started, but they’re already starting to pick up attention in all the right places.

36 BEAUX

Future popster beaux has a string of EPs behind him, and a new one just about to drop - but what really shines through his ambition to keep pushing things further beyond the music he made in his bedroom.

38 WALLICE

Freshly inked with Dirty Hit - home of The 1975,

4. DORK

GRACIE ABRAMS

The daughter of Hollywood royalty, working with Aaron Dessner and making big waves, it’s all going on for Gracie Abrams.

2022 Albums Preview. 58 FOALS

Foals have long since established themselves at indie rock’s top table, but following up on 2019’s double album extravaganza with their first record as a three piece, anything could follow. Even... erm... disco?

62 ALFIE TEMPLEMAN

We’ve been waiting for a debut album from Dork’s favourite boy wonder for what seems like an age, but in 2022, it’s finally happening.

Incoming. 66 REVIEWS

All the new releases you need to know, and a couple you probably don’t.

68 ARTIST’S GUIDE

Former Dork cover star Holly Humberstone already had our hearts but, with her five-star EP ‘The Walls Are Way Too Thin’, she also has our attention. We asked her to run us through what’s behind each track.

Go Out. 70 DORK’S NIGHT OUT

Phoebe Green, Joey Maxwell and Mollie Coddled smash it at the first edition of Dork’s Night Out.

72 BABY QUEEN

A pop star with a sense of community, Bella Lathum is ushering in a new era.

73 CAROLINE POLACHEK

The countess of cooler-than-us alt-pop holds court at London’s Roundhouse.

CHARLI XCX

Chaz gets intimate as she showcases ‘how i’m feeling now’ in London.

75 FONTAINES D.C.

The Irish post-punkers have the need for speed as they excel at Alexandra Palace.

76 SEA GIRLS

In the run up to their second album, the indie breakthroughs ace their big moment at London’s O2 Brixton Academy.

77 BLOSSOMS & RICK ASTLEY

Blossoms and Rick Astley joining forces to cover the songs of The Smiths? This sounds exactly like our kind of utter nonsense.

78 LIVE AT LEEDS

We head up north to bring a weird but wonderful festival season to a fitting close.

79 PARIS TEXAS

Get up close and personal and find out what all the buzz is about as Paris Texas hit London.

80 DECENT EXPOSURE

Maneskin, Arlo Parks and Griff feature in our run down of the best live photography.

Back Page. 82 ANY OTHER QUESTIONS

Orla Gartland is the latest to take our gauntlet of random queries.

readdork.com 5.

Intro. THE BEATING HEART OF POP.

ROME

B U I LT

6. DORK

F If it feels like you’ve been waiting a long time for No Rome’s debut album, erm, that’s because you have. But rejoice! It’s finally here! And it’s brilliant! Words: Abigail Firth. Photos: Aya Cabauatan.

WA S N ’ T

or the first time in a while, No Rome is on holiday. He’s having a month off in New York - well, kind of, he’s on the phone with us - before he hops back over to the UK for album promotions. And we finally have it! The big A! Four years in the making, No Rome’s debut ‘It’s All Smiles’ is imminent. Where to begin with it? Created – like all records from the past year seem to be – in his childhood bedroom back in the Philippines, where he’d been stuck while his parents recovered from COVID. It’s a deep dive into his psyche, featuring vignette lyrics and staring-at-the-ceilingin-the-middle-of-the-night OST interludes. Much like his frequent collaborators and labelmates The 1975, it pulls from every genre imaginable and invents its own sound, hitting the bullseye surrounded by emo, garage, R&B, grunge, electronic (deep breath) and pop. A sprawling soundtrack to his life so far, merging distorted guitars with vibrant synths and wobbly harmonies with speedy talk-rapping, it’s a rabbit hole worth getting lost down. It’ll be the first time since last March he’ll be popping over here, dropping in for an album launch party on 2nd December, but of course, we got the scoop ahead of time. Is it really all smiles? You’ve just announced your debut album. What can you tell us about it? Honestly, not a lot. I’m just kidding. It’s my first album, it took me some time to work on it, but I guess I just wanted to get to a place where I wanted to make something creative, and I finally got to a place where I wanted to capture the moment that I was at. This album was that, and it’s taken, I’d say like, three or four years.

I N A D AY. . .

This has been in the works for a really long time. Did the last couple of years slow down that process at all? I’d say 2018, 2019 was about getting signed and becoming this full-time musician, figuring out how I want to do that. Not to be too pretentious or whatever, but, you know, they say it takes your whole life to write your first album, and I feel like that’s what happened to me. I had little bits

readdork.com 7.

New year. New artists.

THE

LIST 2022 Welcome, Dear Reader, to our annual Hype List - a run-down of some of our favourite new artists we expect to make an impact during the twelve months ahead. Over the next few pages you’ll find buzz bands, future pop legends and everything in-between. We expect you’ll be seeing much, much more of them very soon indeed.

30. DORK

WET

G E

From the moment their single ‘Chaise Longue’ landed, there was little doubt that Wet Leg were instantly elevated to buzz band status. What’s followed is anything but ordinary. With only one other track ‘out’, the noise around the duo is already deafening. With a debut album planned for 2022, there’s no other act who could lead off this year’s Hype List. Wet Leg are the real deal. Words: Jake Hawkes. Photos: Sarah Louise Bennett.

readdork.com 31.

30 ALBUMS YOU’LL

NEED TO HEAR IN

2022

58. DORK

We usually end each year by writing a letter to Santa, demanding our most wished for goodies. We probably shouldn’t. Santa isn’t going to record us any standout albums for 2022. This lot are. Here’s a far from exhaustive list of thirty of the albums we’re expecting to get over the next twelve months that we think you should be excited about.

SIGRID → TITLE: TBC → RELEASE DATE: TBC → Our Siggers has already been out there dropping new music in the form of twin pop bops ‘Mirrors’ and ‘Burning Bridges’ - early smoke signals for a second full-length set to follow in 2022. With a run of huge UK shows planned for March, it’s safe to say we should maybe expect it to be with us at some point in the spring. Call it an ‘educated guess’ we should be able to confirm really quite soon, if we’re right. SA

CAROLINE POLACHEK → TITLE: TBC → RELEASE DATE: TBC → Caroline’s ‘Pang’ remains a bit of a modern classic round these parts, so obviously we’re quite excited to see what comes next. Dropping the Really Very Good ‘Bunny Is A Rider’ earlier in 2021, she also debuted some new material at her recent London show (more on that later). While we don’t know exactly when we’ll see it, we’re under the impression a new album is ‘on the way’ soon. Exciting stuff. SA

NILUFER YANYA → TITLE: PAINLESS → RELEASE DATE: 4th March 2022 → Nilüfer Yanya’s first album might

only have arrived back in 2019, but that already feels like an age ago. Nothing to worry about there, though. The follow up to one of the standout debuts of that year has already been announced. Titled ‘PAINLESS’, it’ll be with us on 4th March 2022. We’ve also got a track from it to, ‘stabilise’ - a song based on the jolly and uplifting central theme of “no one coming to save you ever” - Nilüfer’s own words, there. The album is “a record about emotion” - “I think it’s more open about that in a way that Miss Universe wasn’t because there’s so many cloaks and sleeves with the concept I built around it,” she explains. “I’m not as scared to admit my feelings”. SA

FOALS

→ Oxford rabble-rousers Foals haven’t even wrapped up their much-delayed ‘Everything Not Saved Will Be Lost’ tour yet, and they’re already teasing a brand new record due out next year. Penned during last winter’s long, gruelling lockdown, ‘Wake Me Up’ is the first taste of new material, a cocktail of punchy funk that finds the group - recently slimmed down to a trio by the departure of synth player Edwin Congreave - fully in their disco element. To get the lowdown on all things Foals, we rang up frontman Yannis Philippakis for a chinwag. Hey Yannis! Your pinned Tweet from the very first lockdown last March says, “Might start writing a record & making soap”. How’s the soap making going?

The soap making never really got off the ground, to be honest. I like soap a lot, so I bought quite a lot of soap during lockdown. I’ve not made any yet, but I do plan to get into that a bit more, maybe start a little side hustle outside Foals. I did make a record, though. One out of two isn’t bad.

Are you pleased with the reactions to ‘Wake Me Up’ so far?

Yeah, I’m really pleased. It’s particularly exciting because of how unreal the idea of being able to release music this quickly seemed when we were writing it. Things were so bleak, the idea of normality was so remote, we didn’t know how long it would go on for or how arduous a process it would be [but] everything has coalesced really quickly in the last few months. So, to have the song out and see people’s reaction to it and know that it’ll be soundtracking people’s parties, that the world is kind of re-emerging, it just feels great. It’s joyous for us to release music but also that there’s a world coming back together to release music into.

It has a very funky sound, one we’ve not heard much from you guys before. Are you a big disco fan?

Foals long since established themselves at indie rock’s top table, but following up on 2019’s double album extravaganza with their first record as a three piece, anything could follow. Even... erm... disco? Words: Alex Cabre.

I have been for years. I went through a particular spell of buying lots of classic disco vinyl while writing ‘Total Life Forever’. There are a few tracks that really hooked me in. One was ‘Why’ by Carly Simon, the 12-inch edit, and ‘Love Has Come Around’ by Donald Byrd. And then, obviously, I love Prince and that whole Minneapolis sound. I think you can hear elements of funk in songs like ‘Inhaler’ and ‘My Number’, so it’s not totally alien to the band, but I think it’s foregrounded in this track a bit more.

Will the new record be more about grooving than moshing?

I mean, it depends what you like to mosh to. We weren’t particularly interested in writing any more heavy rock songs right now. The appetite and the intuition in the band was to write dancier tracks, some of which are poppier maybe than what has come before, not all certainly, but yeah, just to enjoy the drier, more rhythmic side of the band. We basically didn’t have any pedals

readdork.com 59.