{"title":"Hell Up Records","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"ep1-27","title":"EP1","description":"\u003cp\u003eLed by Mickey Smith - a long-time collaborator of Ben Howard - the six-piece band summons ethereal webs of sound from the depths of the earth. Shimmering waves of guitar and voice melt together and fizzle into the atmosphere like sparks - it's got gravitas behind each beat and massive post-rock vibes that build towards leviathan climaxes or leave you gasping for a sweet release.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eSmith and Nat Wason produce the six-track EP, which was recorded in Ireland and mixed by Nicolas Vernhes (The War On Drugs, Daughter).\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eA Blaze Of Feather actually features the same cast of musicians as Ben Howard's band, including former Hiss Golden Messenger percussionist Kyle Keegan and Howard himself. A Blaze Of Feather are also the first signing to the singer\/songwriter's new independent label Hell Up Records.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Hell Up Records","offers":[{"title":"Black 12\"","offer_id":50453806940491,"sku":"2008188","price":19.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/EP_1_4f97e634_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727177202"},{"product_id":"a-blaze-of-feather","title":"A Blaze Of Feather","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMickey Smith\u003c\/strong\u003e, award-winning film director and long-term guitarist and collaborator with \u003cstrong\u003eBen Howard\u003c\/strong\u003e, is the brainchild behind the first release on Ben Howard's new label Hell Up Records. The album, \u003cem\u003eA Blaze of Feather\u003c\/em\u003e, features songs written by Mickey, who hails from Cornwall.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eA Blaze of Feather\u003c\/em\u003e has garnered attention online for their high-profile festival slots and will be headlining stages at Latitude, Citadel, and Boardmasters in the UK. The band's lineup includes \u003cstrong\u003eBen Howard\u003c\/strong\u003e, Kyle Keegan (Hiss Golden Messenger), Nat Wason (Peter Hook), India Bourne (Tender Central), and Rich Thomas (Brother \u0026amp; Bones).\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Hell Up Records","offers":[{"title":"LP | x2","offer_id":50464243220811,"sku":"1014645","price":22.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/3f9beba1-27b6-41a0-a456-c1b9a2623361_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727271896"},{"product_id":"labyrinth-8","title":"Labyrinth","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn the beginning A Blaze Of Feather was simply a name on a poster, an eye-catching title on a festival line up. Music presented without context, the project’s sombre indie-folk was tasteful, hinting at much more to come.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe work of one Mickey Smith – in reality Ben Howard’s touring guitarist – A Blaze Of Feather’s fine debut album captured certain moods and atmospheres, and this prevalence for texture and tone continues on the project’s second album. ‘Labyrinth’ was a more solitary endeavour than its debut, and there’s whispered intimacy to some of the best work on show – think the subtle longing that underpins ‘Magpie’ or the reverie that engulfs ‘Serpentine’.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThere’s a cinematic feel, too, perhaps informed by the open Cornish landscapes that never linger too far from Smith’s creative faculties. Opener ‘Killing The Reverie’ sweeps in defiantly, while ‘Clock Hands’ ticks past with a murmured narrative.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAiming for feeling and form over definition, though, leads to a few drawbacks. ‘Labyrinth’ sits perfectly well in the background, but lacks those centre-piece moments of definition; it’s a record of broad brushstrokes, but this leads to a feeling that some of its more principled moments are passing us by.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e‘Witching Hour’ has a twilight haze, and the gentle pause of ‘A Time Of Low Frequency’ offers mild diversion, but these rarely compel you to dive further. The indie-folk textures of Smith’s debut are built on, but never fully unpacked; ‘Labyrinth’ feels like a warm continuation, or a second course that never truly evades the reach of the opening gambit.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIt all leads to a record in which the highs and lows are levelled out, one in which plain-sailing is favoured over rather more choppy creative waters. It’s all fine and pleasant, but – ironically, given the project’s origins – it all winds up feeling a tad anonymous.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Hell Up Records","offers":[{"title":"LP","offer_id":50520340300107,"sku":"2008189","price":19.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/Labyrinth_c1201978_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727983332"}],"url":"https:\/\/shop.roughtrade.com\/de\/collections\/hell-up-records.oembed","provider":"Rough Trade","version":"1.0","type":"link"}