One of Britain’s brightest unheralded talents, Carol Hodge, has today released the first taste of her forthcoming fifth album.
Manoeuvres is the lead single from Effortless Insecurity, and sees the shape-shifting singer-songwriter and pianist moving in a new direction – stoner rock.
She’s best known for her work with Crass frontman Steve Ignorant, and has also worked with the likes of Ginger Wildheart, as well as releasing music in her own right.
Effortless Insecurity is the follow-up to Vertiginous Drops (reviewed here), which was released in 2023.
Much of Carol’s music is gentle balladry or classy pop, but Manoeuvres is a gloves-off, claws-out retort to the fakers we’ve all come across in life.
She says the song channels anger and disappointment at the charlatans who seem to be coming at us from every direction.
“I’m sick and tired of the lack of authenticity from public figures. Whether it’s the evil clowns running our country, or the narcissists clogging up my social media feed, the layers of falsity are sickeningly thick.
Incapable of honesty
“People seem incapable of honesty, unable to give anything without a demand for reciprocity. Everything is strategic and transactional.”
Oscillating between stomping rage in the verses and dreamy, organ-infused disappointment in the choruses, Manoeuvres sets out the stall for Carol’s upcoming fifth studio album, due for release in September.
The release is accompanied by a video by videographer Rob Heilig. A black and white, hypnotically manic world of witchcraft and disturbingly lifelike doll faces, it was shot on location in a ruined cottage in the Colne Valley in West Yorkshire.
