San Jose based artist, Someya just released her latest track “You Saved Me.” The alt-pop artist not really shows off herv vocals, but her ability to write. “You Saved Me” is not a ballad, but more of an exaltation—a hymn even. The song starts off “Eventually they’ll learn the truth,” which sounds as if it’s about to a diss track to a former lover. Quite the opposite however. Someya’s voice borders on creepy – yet beautiful – as she proclaims, “When the night grows cold, I know you’re always there, I know you’ll always care–you are my prayer,” and at times “You Saved Me” feels like a hungry obsession. On “You Saved Me” Someya really shows us her ability to be diverse in her writing and her vocals. She takes lyrics that are meant to be happy making them feel daunting and serious.
Alt-indie newcomers, FEVA, just release their latest single. “Makin’ Waves” is a debut off of the English based band self-titled album FEVA. The song is sure to be an indie-rock classic with focus on guitar, drums and vocals, while maintaining an upbeat feeling. “Don’t feel like you gotta settle down—baby lovin’ ain’t for us all.” “Makin’ Waves” encompasses an important message in the song for people of all ages. The line I specifically mentioned: “Don’t feel like you gotta settle down,” is especially crucial. In today’s world of have a stable career, education, and S.O. (significant other), by the time that you’re thirty is not only stressful—it’s daunting. “Makin’ Waves” really came around full circle for me, making me realize that you have to go out there into the world and make waves…literally. Settling down isn’t an option, so don’t make it one. FEVA sure didn’t.
Take one listen at Yoshi Flower and he may sound familiar. Yoshi, also known as Josh Smith, is a former member of the duo Gosh Pith. Now Yoshi Flower is breaking out as an emerging solo artist, and just released his latest “Just On Drugs.” “Just On Drugs” has a “So-Cal” vibe which is perfect considering summer is right around the corner. Yoshi Flower, reminds me of Blackbear, however less produced which makes listening to Yoshi easy. “Just On Drugs” combines EDM and pop while Yoshi shows off his rap and vocal skills. “Just On Drugs” has a pretty clear title, but an abrasive meaning. “We’re just on drugs—it’s not love,” states Yoshi Flower. My favorite part about “Just On Drugs” is its truthfulness and “I don’t care” attitude.
Tess Roby just release her latest single “Catalyst” off of her album Beacon. “Catalyst” is fleeting, keeping your ears listening. Tess has an impressive voice and shows off her skills on this track. Her voice feels soft and calming as she tells the tale of “unrequited love.” Tess’s voice is chilling as she enters the track with “A catalyst of love, of everything received…” Vocals are paired with an intro of horns, but in the middle the song takes a turn for electronic and mystical. My favorite line is “Tremors rising in your eye—define goodbye.” Tess Roby’s voice fades out on the track singing “ringing in the air, ringing in the air, ringing in the air.” Its visual component is spectacular. Totally worth the watch, perhaps a few times?
AK Patterson just released “Shadows” off of a debut EP which will be releasing in July. It will be the first track from AK Patterson that is produced by Charlie Andrew (Marika Hackman, Alt J). The song has a folk feel while remaining sultry and temperamental, with strong foundations rooted in Alex Patterson’s voice. Alex has studied the meditation of monks in Japan, and you can hear the inspiration from her journey on this track.
Not only does “Shadows” feel haunting, the video is equally enthralling. The video is very artsy with bodies surrounding each other, as shadows go in and out, creating a seductive visual which fits Alex’s voice perfectly. Be sure to look out for AK Patterson’s debut EP which will be releasing in July.
Honey and Salt just released their self titled LP. The grunge/rock/punk band has a variety of ten tracks on the LP starting with “A Nihilist Takes Up Knitting” and ending with “Cascade.” The band is described as sociopolitical or as I like to call it “music with a purpose.” Honey and Salt has good reason though. Wade Allen, on main vocals, is a philosophy teacher which definitely influences the bands lyrics. On “A Nihilist Takes Up Knitting” Wade pleads “Right or wrong is not subjective.” “Blame game” is an anthem of “who and what is blame?”
My favorite, though, is “Bowling Green Memorial.” “Bowling Green Memorial” rounds out at a whooping eight minutes and nine seconds. What most impressive though, is that the majority of that is a drum/guitar solo that will take you be surprise. Just when you think the solo is over, Honey and Salt will bring you back into the music. Honey and Salt is definitely worth the listen. The LP is more than just an album—it is truly one big box of sociopolitical prompts, wrapped carefully and neatly to give to any listener so that they can ask themselves “How and why are we here now?”
The 19 year old artist Yellow Days is blowing up. Haslemere based Yellow Days was recently featured on Donald Glover’s trailer of “Atlanta” and just released the single “The Way Things Change.” The single is jazzy, sultry, and even throws in a bit of the organ for us.
I enjoy this track not only because it is inherently a good song, but it shows maturity for a young artist. For example, Yellow Days tackles lyrics like “My friends think my soul is dead, but I’m just trapped in my own head,” “I cry, you cry” and the impressive “You have to keep going, you have to keep going.” The lyrics are executed by Yellow Days smooth vocals. I am looking forward to what Yellow Days has in store for the future.
The pop-folk singer/songwriter Carla Stark just released her latest single “Once a Cheater”, which takes a sinister look at a lover who has been promiscuous. The song is addicting, charming, and will have you grinning from ear-to-ear. My favorite lines include “You were too old for me, and too good looking,” “You can cheat on me and you can cheat on others—but you’ll never cheat your death,” and “And you may think your skin is the best leather, but my knife go through flesh.” From those lines alone, you can see that Carla has a gift for writing cunning and quick lyrics. Not only is she a great songwriter, Carla’s syrupy sweet voice shines on “Once a Cheater.”
The Fader describes as Colin Magalong’s “Melo” as “…a little bit of warm loving to get us through these last few dregs of winter…Over a chill little bass groove, he sings about an ideal sort of comfy date night including getting wine drunk, ordering take out, and dancing around the house.”They nail “Melo” right on the head as itsretro disco-pop theme combined with lyrics of staying in with a your significant other will have you feeling “mellow.”My favorite lyrics include “We can make this apartment heaven,” and “We can do whatever…I don’t really care.” It’s the perfect “stay in, instead of go out” anthem as we transition from winter into spring.
