Track of the Week #6

It's only the bloody track of the week!

This week's track of the week is a slinky guitar-led pop tune of the highest order from a popstar who, after a few false starts, is starting to make moves towards breaking through. This week's track is 'Bad Dream' by Chloe Howl.

Signed to Colombia Records when she was 16 Chloe released her debut EP 'Rumours' in 2013 home to first single 'No Strings' (a REALLY good slice of pop dripping with 'fuck you' attitude) that also appeared on the soundtrack to the movie 'Kick Ass 2'. Next came a moment of pure pop that should have been a massive breakthrough (let's not dwell on the fact it only reached the heady heights of number 184 in the UK charts - what is wrong with people??). 'Paper Heart' is a juggernaut of a tune with it's buzzy bassline and the lovely interplay between Chloe's usual nonchalant delivery and the glorious shiny topline.  She was nominated for the BBC Sound 2013 poll and was also in the running for the BRIT's Critic's Choice award the same year, although she missed out to some bloke called Sam Smith. In 2014 she followed up with a one-two of darker pop; 'Rumour', all squelchy basslines and fizzy beats with a BIG chorus and lyrics from the 'Mean Girls' songbook, and 'Disappointed' with chugging guitars and a beautifully bitter chorus.

This now brings us up to date and with an album planned for release later this year Chloe is back with the sublime 'Bad Dream'.

Starting with an instantly catchy guitar riff it soon adds slinky beats and staccato strings, Chloe's vocal sounds more sultry than ever before due to some nifty filter work on the verses. This leads beautifully into a simple and underplayed chorus that floats above the darker content of thenverses. The lyrics paint a bleak picture of someone stuck in a mundane everyday life that won't let them go:

"You got mouths to feed,

You got a rep to keep,

But no one understands,

You can't see dry land."

'Bad Dream' has a real retro feel, the guitars have a distinctly 60's flavour to them, more than a passing air of film noir or spy thriller. So why not take a listen to this week's 'Track of the Week', 'Bad Dream' by Chloe Howl?

(Unfortunately there's no official video yet, only an audio file on YouTube.)

 

Bloody lovely, and fingers crossed that Chloe now starts to get the attention she deserves!

You can find Chloe on social media:

twitter - @ChloeHowl

facebook - Chloe Howl

instagram - @chloehowl