Crossing The Pond: Margot + Night Owls + Team Picture

Much great music is made on the other side of the Atlantic. Here your hostess indulges her love of all things Brit (and Eire) to bring you some songs you should be listening to from the British Isles.

In a city as massive and chaotic as London, it's easy to feel overwhelmed and even lost. Margot's "Twenty Six" finds something lovely in the immensity. "Twenty Six" is, according to singer Alex Hannaway, a "self-reflective hangover," a study in contemplative dream pop. Gentle, studious, and careful, Margot's touch proves deft.



"At the moment it really feels like the world needs a kick up the arse," opines Leeds noisemakers Night Owls. With their Tragically Human EP, Night Owls does their best to do just that. Abrasive and defiantly self-assured, the six songs on this EP are unapologetically ill-tempered. Vitriolic riffs and sneering vocals collide with venom and brattitude, while at times the angst is more controlled. Angry young them, indeed.



Leeds is the home of Team Picture, who just last Friday released their debut mini album Recital. They may be the self-professed "#1 official most-polite band" of 2018, but Recital isn't a goodie two shoes. With an eye looking back to the synth pop past, Team Picture's oft-glossy songs sidle up right next to you in a very how-do-you-do kind of way. Watch out, though, things get a little sassy here and there especially on the excellent, feisty glee of "Break Yr Heart."  

[posted 6.3.18]