Rad Releases 23 – Symbol Soup
Our annual end-of-year feature is finally here, the time we enjoy the most where we spend the final two weeks of the year discussing the music that made 2023 special. Our Rad Releases feature is now in its 13th year, and we love sharing the site with musicians, labels, and promoters as we discuss their year in music. We take a personal look back on familiar names’ most loved releases of the past 12 months. It’s a time we enjoy and look forward to, through the contributions we get to find new music discoveries, and releases we may have missed throughout the year.
Our next feature comes from an artist who stole our Summer months, and for that we are grateful. After dropping a single release in May and teasing a debut album out via Sad Club Records, Symbol Soup solidified us as a fan! In July, emerging songwriter Michael Rea under the moniker of Symbol Soup released the incredible debut album “Slow Puncture”- a record that’s been heavy on rotation since. We are so excited to speak with Micheal to find out more about his year in music.
- Top 5 releases of the year
Sluice – Radial Gate
This album makes you feel small like when you’ve been in nature. The vocals are conversational and everything sounds natural and roomy. Loads of great lyrical one-liners too. He references ‘Drinking at the Dam’ by Smog, and that influence definitely comes across tonally.
Feeble Little Horse – Girl with Fish
One of the most socially stimulating things I’ve ever heard, right from the first seconds. It feels like hyperpop in its extremity, and it’s full of earworms. Everything in the production feels on the verge of falling apart, but underneath that there’s a lot of prettiness in these songs.
lilo – I Don’t Like My Chances on the Outside
Had to pick one closer to home. Lots of good music made by friends this year, and this lilo EP is particularly special. We knew they could do lovely harmonies and all, but I really enjoy that there are heavier moments in this, I hope they go further into that! Every song is individually devastating. The production and instrumental performances are top notch too.
MJ Lenderman – And the Winde (Live and Loose!)
What a fucking treat! I’m usually not too fussed about live albums but this sounds amazing. A couple of songs, Catholic Priest and Live Jack, had passed me by in their studio versions, and I wanted to go back to after hearing them here. Everyone loves MJ Lenderman and he surely has to play here next year. On a very simple level, this live record really makes me want a beer.
Dari Bay – Longest Day of the Year
Catchy country-inflected Indie Rock. Circle of birds is an addictive song. It feels like it’s always spiralling back over itself, and blows apart in a Sparklehorse-y way at the end.
- The best show you have played this year/gig attended
The best show we played was the album release show in July. Everything clicked and it felt cathartic from the first song. Best show I attended was Wednesday at The Lexington. Knew they’d be great but wasn’t prepared for the wall of sound that happens when they play together.
- Your own highlight of the year
Went to Scotland with some pals in October and did very little. Swam in a loch for a bit, went to the pub, watched the Beckham thing. Was great!
- Has there been any record that’s got you through this year?
Bruce Springsteen – The Wild, The Innocent and The E Street Shuffle
My Dad was in hospital for a long time (recovered now). I couldn’t talk to him during this, and so my way of feeling connected was listening loads to his favourite, The Boss.
- Best musical discovery this year?
It’s technically been just over a year, but SelOut is a really good thing. It’s a monthly newsletter about music in South East London. Always a good fun read and genuinely captures the spirit of the current scene. It’s stayed true to purpose too. I haven’t written anything for it for a while and probably should!
- Artist/Band to watch for 2024
Listening to the new Bloody Death album as I write this, it’s really good!
- Plans for the New Year
Couple of London dates in the New Year: Jan 5th at Shacklewell Arms and March 15th (unannounced).
Gonna start recording again, and in the meantime there’ll be some alternate versions of songs from ‘Slow Puncture’ coming out at the start of each month!
Thank you so much, looking forward to hearing more!!
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