In this ‘Listed’ feature, we get to know the most radicalist up-and-coming stars through a themed list of their top musical picks. 

This time it’s distorted South England quartet, Thyla.

In what sometimes feels like an inescapably synthetic age of music, Brightonian foursome Thyla have brought a refreshingly angular indie music to the table. Formed in December 2014 before settling on current lineup of Millie Duthie (vocals, guitar), Mitch Duce (lead guitar), Dan Hole (bass, vocals) and Danny Southwell (drums), Thyla are an honest-to-god guitar band unabashedly showcasing the prevailing influence of grunge in their 90s gazing dream-pop.

This, however, is not to imply their music is a throwback by any means. The blend of driving rhythms and effected guitarwork alongside Duthrie’s soaring vocals unravelling lyrical themes of social anxiety and a rejection of capitalist paradigms, undoubtedly root Thyla’s music firmly in 2017.

Their stirring run of indie gems, drip fed since early 2016, have included the groovy musing on wasted youth and the complexities of modern life, ‘Us and Them’; the woozy, lilting ‘Car Crash’; the blazing ‘Motherlode’, characterized by a truly caustic wall of overdriven guitars; and their dreamiest cut to date, ‘Ferris Wheels’, a track exploring the fear of not being good enough in the eyes of those most important to you.

Thyla have proved themselves a band on the up so we caught up with the four-piece ahead of their Alt. Escape (and hometown) performance at Hand In Hive x TMR’s showcase at The Mucky Duck to familiarize ourselves with their “Guilty Pleasures” playlist.

***

1. Robbie Williams - ‘Feel’

Mitch Duce: Robbie Williams has been played in my ears since a young child, I can't fight the sentimental value that his music has over me, despite him being my mother’s favourite.



2. ABBA - ‘Does Your Mother Know’

Mitch: ABBA is a product of listening to Radio 2 365 days a year, Ken Bruce can't go a day without them #eurovision.



3. Anastasia - ‘Left Outside Alone’

Millie Duthie: It's my go-to when I'm pissed singing into a wooden spoon in the kitchen.



4. Natalie Imbruglia - ‘Torn’

Millie: Cheesiest song ever, but I know it word for word.



5. Toto - ‘Africa’

Millie: I don't feel guilty about that actually.



6. Little Mix - ‘Touch’

Dan Hole: I spend my working hours absorbing Radio 1. I've never told my colleagues but I love this song. I look forward to it, I miss it, I even play it sometimes when I get home. It is a banger.



7. Drake - ‘Passionfruit’

Dan: I don't necessarily feel guilty about liking this song (who doesn't?), it's more how much I like it. It's on repeat.

8. Katy Perry - ‘Chained To The Rhythm’

Danny Southwell: Because it’s sickeningly sweet and sour. Like a bad Chinese with loads of MSG.



9. Prefab Sprout - ‘King Of Rock And Roll’

Danny: It's so tight it's like a wearing cling film suit. And for enjoying that I'm guilty.



10. Ed Sheeran - ‘Shape Of You’

Dan: I don't care how much this song gets played or how long it was no 1 for. I'm not bored yet. It's great. Ed Sheeran is great. The craftsmanship is comparable to a modern day Michelangelo sculpture.



Catch Thyla at the free Hand In Hive x TMR Showcase on Friday 19^th May at Brighton’s The Mucky Duck.

-Karl Jawara