PREMIERE: ALBERT GOLD ‘OXYGEN’

Well, what a night. To say that a hung parliament was unexpected is a massive understatement – clearly the Tories, the right wing media, and political commentators hugely underestimated the rallying effect of Labour’s brilliant manifesto and Jeremy Corbyn’s inspired leadership of his party. They also underestimated the immense power of the youth vote, who voted overwhelmingly for Labour in what was a record turnout for those between the ages of 18-25. Also wrongly diminished was the mobilising effect of the internet and social media; for the last few weeks news feeds have been saturated with political opinion, with people (particularly Labour voters) keen to recruit those undecided or non-voters – a phenomenon that must be acknowledged for it’s part in swinging so many constituencies to a Labour vote. This morning, the prospect of a hung parliament was exciting, with many liberal voters celebrating the possibility of a minority Labour government or even a coalition of the left. However, as the day has worn on it has become clear that Theresa May is seeking an ‘informal’ coalition with the Democratic Unionist Party, a party well known for their homophobic rhetoric, opposition to abortion, and climate change denial. The idea of a coalition between these two parties is not only terrifying, but is also a clear indication that Theresa May lacks both the moral compass to reject such a hateful political alliance, but also the good sense to resign after a complete car-crash of a campaign. There is still hope however for those of us hoping for a liberal government; the likelihood of this informal coalition standing the test of time is pretty low, which could leave the door open to a Labour minority government, or even another general election in the summer. We must have hope, for whilst this election did not offer us a clear decision, it has decisively demonstrated the power of the young vote and nullified any idea of political apathy amongst the young – adding fuel to the campaign for the voting age to be lowered to 16. Like it or not, we are headed for a more liberal, tolerant, and loving society, and I for one can’t wait for the day that I see Jeremy Corbyn move out of his little Islington terrace and into Number 10. Now, hopping over from one London borough to another, we are very pleased to be premiering the brand new single ‘Oxygen‘ from Hackney soul man Albert Gold. Lighter than air falsetto vocal floats above a heady mix of RnB style backing vocals, reverb-drenched percussion, and old school synth flourishes. Balladic piano chords ground the relatively sparse production, whilst those close harmony backing vocals create a feeling of flux and movement. Intricate and well-crafted, this track demonstrates Gold’s prowess as both a vocalist and a songwriter. Enjoy.