{"product_id":"spike-spike","title":"Spike - Spike","description":"\u003cp data-start=\"0\" data-end=\"258\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"0\" data-end=\"9\"\u003eSpike\u003c\/strong\u003e is the synth-pop project of \u003cstrong data-start=\"38\" data-end=\"59\"\u003eHannah McLoughlin\u003c\/strong\u003e. \u003cem data-start=\"61\" data-end=\"68\"\u003eSpike\u003c\/em\u003e’s self-titled debut album builds on a tradition of idiosyncratic British synth-pop, bringing to mind the cold-yet-intimate work of \u003cstrong data-start=\"200\" data-end=\"217\"\u003eRose McDowell\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong data-start=\"219\" data-end=\"236\"\u003eChris \u0026amp; Cosey\u003c\/strong\u003e and \u003cstrong data-start=\"241\" data-end=\"255\"\u003eFad Gadget\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"260\" data-end=\"643\"\u003e\u003cem data-start=\"260\" data-end=\"267\"\u003eSpike\u003c\/em\u003e embraces McLoughlin’s talent for songcraft, merging undeniable hooks with a deep knowledge of leftfield synth music. Throughout these ten tracks, she moves between melancholic dream pop on \u003cem data-start=\"457\" data-end=\"476\"\u003eBreaking the Wave\u003c\/em\u003e, wiry synth-punk on \u003cem data-start=\"497\" data-end=\"509\"\u003eTiquetonne\u003c\/em\u003e, hauntological textures on \u003cem data-start=\"537\" data-end=\"556\"\u003eDying on The Vine\u003c\/em\u003e and hypnagogic city-pop on a reworking of \u003cstrong data-start=\"599\" data-end=\"615\"\u003eWarren Zevon\u003c\/strong\u003e’s \u003cem data-start=\"618\" data-end=\"640\"\u003eWerewolves of London\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"645\" data-end=\"1126\"\u003eOutside of Spike, McLoughlin is a film composer and experimental musician linked to \u003cstrong data-start=\"729\" data-end=\"741\"\u003eCafe OTO\u003c\/strong\u003e, the influence of which can be detected in the intricacy and invention of Spike’s self-production. Ghostly melodicas glide over driving drum samples, tape-loops of McLoughlin’s flute playing flutter in the ether, church bells sound in the gaps between tracks. Most impressively, these production choices enhance the pop-hook pleasure of the songcraft rather than simply add texture.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1128\" data-end=\"1383\"\u003eLyrically, the album draws on science fiction to express an intensity of emotion. \u003cem data-start=\"1210\" data-end=\"1220\"\u003eUnending\u003c\/em\u003e makes reference to \u003cstrong data-start=\"1240\" data-end=\"1258\"\u003eUrsula Le Guin\u003c\/strong\u003e’s classic \u003cem data-start=\"1269\" data-end=\"1296\"\u003eThe Left Hand of Darkness\u003c\/em\u003e, while \u003cem data-start=\"1304\" data-end=\"1319\"\u003eEvent Horizon\u003c\/em\u003e invokes the depthlessness of black holes to explore devotion.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1385\" data-end=\"1922\"\u003eClassic British science fiction is also referred to sonically, most notably in the instrumental \u003cem data-start=\"1481\" data-end=\"1490\"\u003eFortuna\u003c\/em\u003e, a retro-futurist ode to the sci-fi compositions of synth pioneers \u003cstrong data-start=\"1558\" data-end=\"1578\"\u003eDelia Derbyshire\u003c\/strong\u003e and \u003cstrong data-start=\"1583\" data-end=\"1598\"\u003eDaphne Oram\u003c\/strong\u003e. Yet at other moments, McLoughlin incorporates diametrically opposing sonic references. \u003cem data-start=\"1687\" data-end=\"1696\"\u003eNo More\u003c\/em\u003e finds her drawing on the minimalist folk sensibilities of \u003cstrong data-start=\"1755\" data-end=\"1772\"\u003eVashti Bunyan\u003c\/strong\u003e and \u003cstrong data-start=\"1777\" data-end=\"1794\"\u003eSibylle Baier\u003c\/strong\u003e. It is this originality, this sonic playfulness, which elevates Spike beyond homage into a sound completely McLoughlin’s own.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"1924\" data-end=\"2228\"\u003eSince the release of her debut EP, Spike has supported \u003cstrong data-start=\"1979\" data-end=\"1992\"\u003eJohn Maus\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong data-start=\"1994\" data-end=\"2012\"\u003eGeneva Jacuzzi\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong data-start=\"2014\" data-end=\"2022\"\u003eRiki\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong data-start=\"2024\" data-end=\"2035\"\u003eSextile\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong data-start=\"2037\" data-end=\"2050\"\u003eSafe Mind\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong data-start=\"2052\" data-end=\"2071\"\u003eNight in Athens\u003c\/strong\u003e and \u003cstrong data-start=\"2076\" data-end=\"2084\"\u003eQual\u003c\/strong\u003e. She has received press from \u003cstrong data-start=\"2114\" data-end=\"2129\"\u003eThe Quietus\u003c\/strong\u003e and \u003cstrong data-start=\"2134\" data-end=\"2152\"\u003eLoud and Quiet\u003c\/strong\u003e, and will be embarking on a tour with \u003cstrong data-start=\"2191\" data-end=\"2203\"\u003eThe Tubs\u003c\/strong\u003e in the autumn of 2026.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"2230\" data-end=\"2559\" data-is-last-node=\"\" data-is-only-node=\"\"\u003eReleased on \u003cstrong data-start=\"2242\" data-end=\"2264\"\u003eGob Nation Records\u003c\/strong\u003e, Spike’s debut album is the label’s first LP, with more in the works. The label, featured in \u003cstrong data-start=\"2358\" data-end=\"2374\"\u003eThe Guardian\u003c\/strong\u003e, continues to grow following increased attention around the collective due to the success of The Tubs and the many Gob Nation shows at classic underground and DIY venues across London.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"GOB NATION","offers":[{"title":"Vinyl LP","offer_id":58091617321305,"sku":"SDZ-46090","price":27.99,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0588\/3455\/0945\/files\/CAR_20260519_0900_090122_069_p_Spike_-_Spike_1576_001.png?v=1779183399","url":"https:\/\/spindizzyrecords.com\/products\/spike-spike","provider":"Spindizzy Dublin","version":"1.0","type":"link"}