The Panic Manual

Song of the Day: La Sécurité – Detour

Posted on

9 Nov 2024

Paul

“Detour” is the latest single from Montreal dance-punk group La Sécurité, out now via Mothland and Bella Union. Check it out.

Song of the Day: Doves – Renegade

Posted on

4 Nov 2024

Paul

Doves are back with a new single, “Renegade,” taken off the Manchester trio’s upcoming sixth album Constellations for the Lonely, out Feb. 14 via EMI North. Check it out.

Concert Review: Rendez Vous, October 27, The Garrison

Posted on

28 Oct 2024

Paul

Touring behind their latest album Downcast (released back in May of this year), French five-piece Rendez Vous took to the stage at The Garrison on Sunday night for a set full of dark, heavy post-punk.

When we think of post-punk, many might think of synth-heavy, ’80s inspired tunes, and there’s certainly some of that in Rendez Vous’ earlier work, but with their new album, the band has broadened their scope of influences, offering up a harsher, heavier sound that often brings to mind late ’90s alt rock with elements of shoegaze, metal, and industrial in the mix as well – one look at the band’s wardrobe for the evening, including Dark Funeral and Whirr t-shirts, would certainly suggest that they’re not just interested in aping Joy Division … not that there’s anything wrong with that.

And though the band’s sound has definitely evolved over the years, one of the bigger reactions they got from the crowd was for an older track, “The Distance,” which they introduced by saying, “I think you might know this next song. If you don’t, that’s OK.” Very diplomatic of them.

Overall, Rendez Vous put on a solid performance for the smallish but dedicated crowd, one that even got some of the staff at The Garrison dancing a bit from behind the bar by the end of their set.

The band’s North American tour continues into early November. Check out the video below for “Downcast.”

Planet in Focus Review: Fairy Creek (Jen Muranetz, 2024)

Posted on

27 Oct 2024

Paul

“This is where social change comes from. It doesn’t come from governments or courts or elections. It comes from ordinary people deciding that wrong is wrong and something needs to be done.”

Those words, spoken by one of the activists protesting the logging companies and their impact on old growth forests, could serve as an apt summation of the overall message of Fairy Creek.

In the film, director Jen Muranetz follows these protesters as they do whatever they can to prevent any further damage to the old growth forests on Vancouver Island. This includes attempts to blockade the roads and the presence of “tree sitters” with code names like Panda, Pony, and Flying Squirrel who hope to grind the logging operations to a halt by occupying the space.

Unsurprisingly, the presence of these protestors raises the ire of the loggers and inevitably leads to the arrival of RCMP officers on the scene, which further leads to things descending into violence – that much was a given. What’s more interesting though are the conflicts which arise within the movement, with questions arising of whether white settlers are too prominent in a movement that many indigenous peoples see as being as much about sovereignty over the land as it is about environmental issues.

While the film ends off with a victory of sorts as a pause is put on any new logging projects, much is still up in the air as far as what may come next. What is clear though is that there are many who feel passionate about protecting these lands, even if they may differ on how best to do so.

Song of the Day: Clarissa Connelly – Give it Back

Posted on

26 Oct 2024

Paul

“Give it Back” is the latest single from Danish/Scottish artist Clarissa Connelly, out now on Warp Records.

Following closely on the heels of Connelly’s World of Work (released earlier this year), the single seems of a piece with that album, with a sound that’s rich yet ethereal, falling somewhere between folk music and art rock. Check it out.

Song of the Day: Bonnie “Prince” Billy – Our Home

Posted on

24 Oct 2024

Paul

“Our Home” is the latest single from Bonnie “Prince” Billy, taken off of his upcoming album The Purple Bird. Check out the video for the track, featuring Tim O’Brien, below.

The Purple Bird is out January 31, 2025 via Domino / No Quarter.