Entertainment

Noise Annoys: New music from New Pagans, Waldorf & Cannon, FRUITY and Spairs

Words on new music from New Pagans, Waldorf & Cannon, FRUITY and Spairs...

Jonn Penney and Dan Worton AKA Spairs
Jonn Penney and Dan Worton AKA Spairs Jonn Penney and Dan Worton AKA Spairs
Waldorf & Cannon
Waldorf & Cannon Waldorf & Cannon

:: Waldorf & Cannon – Cut Loose (single, self-released)

IT'S been ages since we've heard from eclectic Derry/Donegal duo Waldorf & Cannon, whose debut LP Old Dogs New Tricks was one of 2017's finest releases.

The raucous, harmonica-laced dirty blues skronk of 2019's nautically themed single Beatz Ahoy! seemed to suggest a spurt of new activity was imminent, with rumours of an imminent second album beginning to swirl – and then Covid hit.

Happily, the 'rona didn't wipe them out and Wally and Oisin bounced back with the superb, deceptively laid-back protest tune (featuring yet more choice blues harp honking, plus bonus guitar from Andy Bonnevilles) We Are Your Government last summer.

Now – or rather next Friday – Waldorf & Cannon have a brand new single for us in the form of Cut Loose, a danceable post-pandemic anthem which (low)rides to glory on a funky War-like groove.

"It's time to cut loose, escape the noose" they enthuse while cranking out this insistent, uplifting tune, a newly minted Friday night anthem for which they have created a nicely amusing/disturbing video clip with the help of director Sebastian Gruber.

Find that on YouTube when the single is released next Friday via waldorfandcannon.bandcamp.com – more news on that long-awaited second Waldorf & Cannon album, which we believe is to be titled Music is The Medicine, as it emerges.

New Pagans have a new single out now. Picture by Billy Woods
New Pagans have a new single out now. Picture by Billy Woods New Pagans have a new single out now. Picture by Billy Woods

:: New Pagans – Better People (single, Big Scary Monsters)

THE latest tune from New Pagans finds Lyndsey's ever-powerful vocals front and centre preaching solidarity and togetherness in the face of hard times and challenges as the band – Cahir (guitar), Claire (bass), Allan (more guitar) and Conor (drums) – rumble and clatter along in a dynamic, grooving manner that's sure to get your head nodding and limbs a twitching.

New Pagans know exactly when to hit the LOUD pedal and when to just back right off to encourage listeners to lean-in without losing too much momentum before unleashing the next burst of alt-rock goodness.

Love the lyrics of this one too: "Fix it when we do it wrong, working together makes us strong / re-appearing with the biggest smiles, keep holding on". Yay for positivity, and the fact that Better People was apparently inspired by the upbeat boredom/anxiety-crushing musical playlists Lyndsey and her kids were making together during lockdown just makes the sentiment all the sweeter.

A tune for our troubled times for sure and one that is no doubt going down a storm on New Pagans' current tour of Britain and Europe.

Ingest now wherever you stream music.

FRUITY's new EP is out now
FRUITY's new EP is out now FRUITY's new EP is out now

:: FRUITY – FRUITERAMA (EP, self-released)

THE new EP from FRUITY features the previously released BT9, reviewed in the last Noise Annoys ("a deliciously melancholic heartbreak bop") plus Cavities, which appeared on the recent charity compilation Bangers 'N' Pride! – still available at bangersnmashups.bandcamp.com and also featuring Dan FRUITY's other band Big Daisy doing a KISS number, plus Problem Patterns covering Weezer and other gems – and a new tune, Deficient.

The latter track is the EP opener, a nicely woozy what-am-I-doing-with-my-life? lament delivered in Dan's deadpan speak-sung vocals over minimal but insistent beats, as organs chirp and synths swoon.

It's good, but Cavities is probably the stand-out tune here, with its spooky theramin and memorably macabre nursery rap chorus that goes "Pulling out your teeth with pliers, you know I'm not a liar".

You can see why Dan decided to include this on the EP despite it already being 'out there', because it's a cracking off-kilter fantasy stacked with swagger, threats and revenge: "I don't need your money cuz I've got your daddy paying, and praying I won't wash him down the drain," Dan informs us/his target, shortly before the music drops away and they advise in serial killer monotone:

"You won't see me coming, but I see you – you're breathing, you're hiding away from me... and you're gonna have to run from me". Yikes.

Listen/purchase now at 2fruity.bandcamp.com and be advised that you'll be able to hear these tunes and your other FRUITY faves at the FRUITERAMA EP launch happening on September 23 at the Black Box in Belfast, also featuring turns from Susi Pagel and Baby Nits.

Tickets are £10 in advance via blackboxbelfast.ticketsolve.com.

Jonn Penney and Dan Worton AKA Spairs
Jonn Penney and Dan Worton AKA Spairs Jonn Penney and Dan Worton AKA Spairs

:: Spairs – Spills (album, Good Deeds Music)

SPAIRS is two-fifths of Noise Annoys favourites Ned's Atomic Dustbin, namely singer Jonn Penney and resident 'fast drumming man' Dan Worton – though in this case Dan not only plays the drums but also every other instrument you'll hear on their recently released 11-song debut album, Spills.

While Spills was recorded by ace knob-twiddler Jessica Corcoran who birthed the Neds' stellar debut God Fodder a mere 31 years ago, don't be expecting another Technicolor alt-rock onslaught in the vein of that gloriously ballad-free LP here.

Although Spairs obviously share the signature sound of Jonn's instantly recognisable vocal stylings along with his intriguing lyrics and catchy songwriting skills (see also talented multi-instrumenalist Dan), musically this duo are a much more croonsome and laid-back prospect than their other band – mostly.

To be fair, the record's centrepiece is a rocky number called Takes One To No One which could probably be pretty easily 'Ned-ified' with a little judicious tweaking from guitarist Rat – who would surely approve of the Theme from Shaft-esque wah-wah action already in place – and bassists Mat and Alex.

There are also slight echoes of Ned's in the scratchy electric guitars and roaming basslines featured on Home and Dry and the super-catchy lead single False Alarm, though there are also judicious spashes of mandolin in both plus an overall feel/vibe that's different enough from the irradiated sonic footprint of the Stourbridge quintet to announce Spairs as a project apart – no doubt why the latter was chosen to announce the band to the world.

And, once the duo's sublime 'theme song' Spairs shuffles and sways playfully into earshot before masterfully deploying a sudden soar-away chorus, it's abundantly clear that this is definitely not a Ned's record. "Like someone cares? We're Spairs," Jonn croons, in typically self-deprecating fashion.

The gentle, comforting, acoustic guitar-dominated balladry of Solitude, We Know Ourselves and Apart, Together are a world away from the mosh-pit friendly popcore this Spairs pair cut their teeth on, as is the mournful existential angst of album highlight Keep It To Yourself, which features one of Jonn's finest ever vocal performances.

Elsewhere, the other Spairs single Run Into A Standstill, plus No Meaning and This Pace Won't Wait, offer another selection of sonic bridges between new and old, combining quieter moments with crunchier sections.

After spending the guts of 35 years playing music tailor-made for jumping up and down to with Ned's Atomic Dustbin, Jonn and Dan have done a fine job of shifting creative gears here for a 'don't call it a side-project' endeavour which should appeal to those who know the way of Ned as well as open-minded newcomers for whom the Neds always seemed a little bit too loud and uncouth.

Mop up Spills this very second via spairs.bigcartel.com and indeed spairs.bandcamp.com.