Americana sensation Eddy Lee Ryder releases her first LP titled Sweet Delusions today. This NY-based artist is gracing us with 11 beautifully made songs, each piece delivering a romantic and almost magical experience.
Ryder’s voice has a distinct country twang to it, with soft-spoken and whimsical tones. I absolutely love the layering done with her background vocals– it truly adds an angelic element to the entire ensemble. As a previous string musician myself, I believe the album’s classical musicality is nothing to gloss over; almost every song is blessed with a symphonic melody, made possible by effortless violin and piano riffs.
“Highwaymen”, the focus track of the album, is a perfect representation of the youthful side of Sweet Delusions. Ryder yearns to travel and finds solace in being on the road. In order to be with her, you have to understand that sometimes she needs to get away from it all– but that doesn’t mean she wants to be alone. Ryder is looking for a partner-in-crime to accompany her on all life’s journeys. As a homebody, I cannot relate, but I can definitely see the appeal of “Highwaymen” for people my age. This song was made for all the free-spirited girlies out there! The chorus goes:
I hear the highway’s my man Left my man for the highway If you want to be free you must do it my way~
Her song titles do well in describing the message underlying each song, gracing the audience with straightforward and relatable phrases. Songs like “Sweet Delusions”, “Bad Decisions” (my favorite of the whole album), and “Joke is on Me” showcase the self-deprecating aspect of looking back on romantic relationships. As the titles imply, Ryder holds onto beliefs that she knows are not likely, but desperately wants to believe in them. She even fantasizes about her love interest ditching his current lover to go after her instead– delusional right? She wants to be with him forever, quite literally singing that she refuses to let these delusions go.
The rest of Sweet Delusions is filled with purely delightful symphonies and vivid imagery. “Smoke and Mirrors” implies the obvious– everyone puts on a front; Ryder and everyone else knows the lives people display on social media are not real, but what she does know for certain is that her love and connection with her partner is real. There’s a verse in the song that goes “Now they’re all changing their looks, buying self-help books” which I can relate to wholeheartedly!
The last couple of songs of the album are what really bring the whole LP to life. In “Only Real Cowboy”, Ryder depicts herself as a cowboy-era vixen at a nearby saloon; she is watching in awe as her love interest takes on the big, bad sheriff in town. In “County Fair”, Ryder does a wonderful job at illustrating the almost surreal county fair experience: summer heat, loud attractions, and fast crowds. Best of all, this song encapsulates being in the moment. Going to the county fair is a great first-date idea for young couples. Ryder is once again reflecting on past times, looking back on a romantic experience she had with a boy in her youth.
Bert McCracken, frontman of indie rock band The Used released a new single titled “The Feels” on August 9th under his solo project robbietheused. He has collaborated with long-time friend John Feldmann to help produce this eclectic and feel-good beat. McCracken states that he was inspired by all generations of pop music when creating this song, citing the wonderfully positive impact it has on his mental health.
The musicality of “The Feels” is very upbeat with electric guitar, keyboard, and tenor vocal elements providing an EDM festival-friendly melody. The vibe of this song reminds me of the iconic “Fireflies” by Owl City, in which the vibrant electro-pop beat contrasts greatly with deeply intrapersonal themes. I can already tell “The Feels” will be a go-to song on every DJ’s playlist this summer.
The lyrics in “The Feels” provide a beautiful take on neurodiversity. As someone with severe social anxiety, I relate to this song very much. In social settings, my mind is consumed with many worrying thoughts… Is my voice too high? Am I walking funny? Do I smell weird? Is it better if I just left? Most of the time, you need help to quiet them all down. This song is a great metaphor for people who are coming to terms with discovering coping mechanisms for their anxiety, whether it be through therapy, medication, building a support system, or– as shown in the music video– finding joy in one’s unique hobbies. The chorus goes:
I like how it feels, I’m starting to think maybe that’s just fine, that’s just fine Can finally deal with all of the chaos that plagues my mind, plagues my mind I may not feel anything, that doesn’t mean I feel nothing (x2) I like how it feels, I’m starting to think maybe that’s just fine (x5)
The official music video is nothing short of a work of art. The claymation depicts various emojis wandering around a vibrant arcade space. An animated clay version of McCracken is seen singing on an empty stage. Emojis slowly gather around him, as if he is performing a concert just for them. This implies he is entertaining, or at the very least trying to appease, all the emotions in his head. This concept is reaffirmed at the end of the video when all the emojis burst out of McCracken’s head in a colorful explosion.
My absolute favorite part of the video is when zombie-like creatures invite a ghost emoji to their garden. The ghost visibly brightens when he sees his planted seeds sprout and give way to new healthy, green growth. Coincidentally, the ghost emoji depicted with its tongue sticking out is my favorite emoji of all time!
Indie rock outfit Cloud Cult has just released their LP album Alchemy Creek via the band’s very own Earthology records. Alchemy Creek consists of 11 songs including the beautiful recently-released single “The Universe Woke Up As You”, which can be read about here.
I can’t cover the first song of this album without gushing about its musicality. “Got Your Backpack Open That Backdoor” opens with a beautiful violin solo; rock music elements really shine through in the latter half of the song, as an electric guitar and drums carry the melody. The vocals, provided by Cloud Cult’s showman Craig Minowa, are sandwiched in between amazing instrumentals.
“I Am A Force Field” has a refreshingly techno-like beat. Despite its sci-fi vibe, the lyrics are clearly written as letters to one’s younger self. The song plays into the childlike desire to have superpowers and be invincible. In a more mature perspective, this would be the equivalent of being emotionally resilient and putting up a figurative ‘force field’ to protect oneself from any pain. I absolutely love the reference to Winnie the Pooh in this song– he’s my favorite fictional character of all time!
“Vision In A Field” is intended for those lacking mindfulness. Some people are so overwhelmed with everything that is going on and need to dissociate to a safe space, such as an open field as the song title implies. The song encourages the idea that sometimes it’s okay to run away from it all, especially if your circumstances are deteriorating your mental health.
“One Human Being” again pays tribute to the sci-fi theme this album embodies, yet it is oddly enough the most uniform song of the whole album– with a consistent tone and chord played throughout. The violin riff adds to the lull and calmness of the melody. Lyrics-wise, this song reinforces the fact that Alchemy Creek is an ode to youth. It’s about the desire to go back in time and guide one’s younger self, as diction like “we” or “my kid” refers to one’s inner child.
The meat of this album is “Tonight I Run Away”, a nostalgic song that reminds me greatly of the children’s book “Where the Wild Things Are” by Maurice Sendak. The meaning of the song is in the title: whoever is singing this song is on the run from something. It’s amazingly carefree, in both the melody and lyrics. It is by far my song of the whole album!
“Over And Out” provides a refreshing break from the pure rock elements of this album. The acoustic guitar and harmonica duo give this song a soulful country feel. The lyrics are as if Minowa is talking to someone through a radio and can only say a few words at a time. Out of everything he could say, he chooses to let the receiver know ‘it’ll get better.’ This song does an amazing job of illustrating the emotional pain he is going through.
“Something In Me Is Changing” is where Cloud Cult’s signature rock music makes a comeback. This is a great song to listen to if you are ready for a big change. Minowa, who I am assuming is talking to his younger self once again, contemplates leaving his small hometown for opportunities that are bigger and better– a very relatable desire for young people who are fed up with what their current life has to offer.
And of course, I cannot finish this album review without discussing Cloud Cult’s music video for their melancholy single “As Beautiful As It Hurts”. Our main man Minowa is seen playing a grand piano, illuminated by the sun shining through an open door. He’s rocking back and forth, implying he is hurting and is physically trying to comfort himself. In the next scene, Minowa is outside overlooking a shallow creek; he lets his bare feet touch the clear water. My favorite verse in the song is:
Try to make the most of my life Though I make mistakes all the time Forgive my foolish pride But please know I tried I need to think it’s going to be alright I need to think it’s going to be alright
When Minowa appears back at the piano, his chordophone music is accompanied by a beautiful violin solo at the last minute of the song. Because this video can be watched on YouTube Kids, it is once again reinforced that Cloud Cult makes family-friendly content that everyone can relate to.
“Let It All Out” is highlighted by its distinct, almost ethereal music sequence. I can see the intro being played as background music to many mindful yoga sessions. The violin and accompanying percussion instruments do a wonderful job of evoking an out-of-body experience. The drum beat picks up in the middle of the song, almost as if summoning the only lyrics of the song: “Let it all out. Let it all go all out.” This song is clearly about cathartic release, which is why it is fitting that this song is the longest out of the whole album.
The last song “Different Kind Of Day” perfectly sums up the entirety of Alchemy Creek. It’s self-deprecating, and a little sad, but hopeful and encouraging by the end. As the title implies, Minowa is betting on a ‘different kind of day.’ And as the music picks up, we as listeners all hope that today will be a better day. I hope you all enjoy the album as much as I did!
Confirmed Cloud Cult US Headline Tour Dates & Festivals: August 9 @ People Festival in Yuba, WI August 28 @ The Sinclair in Boston, MA August 29 @ Le Poisson Rouge in New York, NY (Almost Sold-Out!) August 30 @ World Café Live in Philadelphia, PA August 31 @ Summer Entertainment Series in Fairfax, VA September 12 @ Neptune Theatre in Seattle, WA September 13 @ Aladdin Theater in Portland, OR September 27 @ Palace Theater in St. Paul, MN September 28 @ Palace Theater in St. Paul, MN (Sold-Out!) Alchemy Creek Tour continues in January including Nashville, Atlanta, Durham, Charleston, & more
Refreshing indie pop duo Lime Cordiale just released their full-length album Enough of The Sweet Talk on July 26th. The LP comprises 13 songs separated by four “French Cue” interludes. After listening to the whole album, I couldn’t help but compare their music to The Wiggles, an Australian-based music group known for their iconic tunes. Sure enough, after doing some research, Lime Cordiale hails from Sydney, Australia, and gives off the same vibes as the aforementioned, but with a mature coming-of-age twist.
The band is made up of brothers Louis and Oliver Leimbach, later joined by Brendan Champion on the trombone and James Jennings on the drums. The musicality of the album at its core is pop, with hints of indie rock shining through in the latter half of the album. The drums, electric guitar, and trombone make regular appearances throughout the album, with an electronic keyboard as a fun cameo added to a few of the songs.
The first part of the album feels amazingly carefree and pays tribute to romantic relationships. “Pedestal” and “The Milk Man” are perfect songs to jam out to, so much so that they paint vivid pictures many can relate to, whether it be slow-dancing at prom or having a summer fling at the beach. I can already see myself listening to these songs while I’m getting ready for a special night out!
“The Facts of Life” is where the album breaks out into more of a self-reflective realm. In my opinion, the song encourages you to pay attention to your surroundings and enjoy the smaller things life has to offer: chewing gum, ice cream, the birds and bees. Alternatively, “The Facts of Life” could also imply the feeling of sexual release, as evocative hot-and-cool imagery is used throughout the song. The next piece “Enough of The Sweet Talk” is as literal as it can get. As a listener, you can’t help but empathize with the brothers. Leimbach states that talking with this person (I assume a romantic partner) is frustrating because they truly won’t listen to him; it’s all meaningless sweet talk. Even if they share the meaning of life or the world is ending and they need someone to rely on, he still wouldn’t talk to them– opting to be alone despite such drastic conditions.
This brings me to my favorite piece of the entire album: “Happiness Season”. It’s a beautiful song wherein each lyric is punctuated by the drum’s beat and accentuated by an impressive trombone riff. Additionally, this piece really highlights the Leimbach brothers’ talents as tenor vocalists! My favorite part is the chorus:
She didn’t need me, I’ve been defeated, Oh that’s how it goes in happiness season She didn’t need me, I’ve been defeated, Oh that’s how it goes, imagine her leaving, with happiness season~
“When I’m Losing It” is where the album takes a serious turn. In this song, Leimbach is, for lack of a better term, head-over-heels crazy about his lover. He admits he gets jealous easily and always loses his nonchalance when he’s around her. Accompanying this self-deprecating streak are “Imposter Syndrome” and “The Big Reveal; Ou L’Hypocrite”. Both songs reveal feelings of bittersweet inadequacy. Leimbach doesn’t see his own appeal and cannot accept a compliment for his life. Leimbach is hiding a big secret under his stardom and it’s the fact that he’s a hypocrite living with imposter syndrome. To be honest I can see many young adults of my generation (Gen Z) relating to these songs the most. At the end of the day, whether we hold mid- to senior-level positions or amass thousands of followers, at one point in our lives we’ve all experienced imposter syndrome.
Another amazing song I would like to spotlight is “Country Club”. The lengthy trombone solo, reminiscent of New Orleans jazz, graciously allows listeners a moment to reflect on the message of the song. “Country Club” has an oddly psychedelic feel to it, with a catchy and hilarious chorus. This song narrates the life of a ‘nepo baby’ who cannot rely on their parent’s money anymore. Despite its advantages, having rich parents can actually be a disservice as the person in question doesn’t know how the real world works. Overall, it’s a great message anyone can take away from.
Ultimately, Enough of The Sweet Talk provides listeners with a wonderful range of life messages to learn from. In addition to love and heartbreak, the album touches upon the importance of self-reliance, staying humble, and the harm caused by your inner critic. These songs are going to be on repeat in my summer playlist and–dare I say– years to come!
Up-and-coming rap artist Lexa Gates just released an incredible new single “I Just Can’t Be Alone.” The song, produced by Billy Lemos, is a beautiful blend of self-awareness, embarrassing frustration, and somber acceptance common in unhealthy relationships. Gates, the Queens NYC native, has a long and rich history with music; her mother taught her music theory and composition as a child and eventually used music to get her through tough times as a young adult.
The harmony of this song is what makes it special. Gates’ voice is as deep as Amy Winehouse and blends beautifully over the rhythm and blues melody. The background vocals add tremendously to the jazzy, old-fashioned feel of the song.“I Just Can’t Be Alone” is very relaxing to listen to, especially on a slow morning or romantic evening alone. For lack of a better term, it is finger-snapping good!
The meaning of the song is exactly as the title insinuates– Gates cannot be left alone. She relies on a lover but hates the emotional turmoil of being in a relationship. She can’t make up her mind…does she want him (or her) in her life? But can she even live without him? From the verse:
“I’m so sick of sleeping in, putting you above everything. Let myself down everyday, I just can’t stay away…”
You can clearly tell she feels suffocated by him and is tired of always putting him first. Later in the song she compares her relationship with him to that of a chess game: she will always lose to him and willingly too because of the unspoken power he has over her thoughts and emotions.
The accompanying music video is downright charming. Gates is seen swaying to the music, wind blowing through her hair, and glancing at the camera every so often. Her background visuals and rose-tinted filter reinforce the vintage feel of the song, as Gates is seen sitting on a queen-sized motel bed, laying on a cream-colored sectional couch, and crouching down in a large soaking tub throughout the video. One impressive fact is that this music video is Gates’ single-handed masterpiece: it was directed, produced, edited, and styled all by herself.
Portland-based artist Care Again (Brandon Kerrigan) has just released an inspired new album titled Sit Outside. The album consists of 12 songs, all characterized by their eclectic tunes and catchy choruses.
Sit Outside is a culmination of ten years’ worth of music. The long-time musician shares that many of the musical components used in the album were written at the City College of San Francisco, using an upright piano in the music wing’s practice room. The music was produced by Dylan Magierek in the Badman Records Studio in Portland. A fun fact is that Kerrigan is a big-time fan of Magierek’s previous work STRFKR, released in 2008; he and his friends would listen to it religiously in high school.
My personal favorite is “Allergies”. In the chorus:
The way you love me, the way you love me, it’s too disturbing, I need to rest in peace. The way you love me, the way you love me, it’s too discerning, I need some room to breathe.
Kerrigan compares his lover’s affection to that of seasonal allergies. This person is suffocating him with love, so much so that he would rather be left alone. If this song was a fable the moral of the story would be that too much of something, even if it is good, is a bad thing. I love the metaphorical meaning behind these lyrics. Everyone can relate to these lines, whether the affection is coming from a significant other, parent, or clingy pet!
And I cannot write a review on this album without mentioning the cover art. Most notable is the large tree in the middle of the cover, surrounded by yellowing leaves with a backdrop of a clear blue sky reflecting a pond below. The transparent font of the album title lets the background art do the talking. This psychedelic yet fresh and earthy cover is a perfect representation of all of Care Again’s songs.
You can listen to the album on July 12th via physical copy, Spotify, Bandcamp, and careagainmusic.com. Follow Kerrigan on Instagram and subscribe to his YouTube channel to show some extra support!
Chamber-rock indie band Cloud Cult from St. Cloud, Minnesota has just released their newest song “The Universe Woke Up As You” and it is a philosophical masterpiece. The song consists of Craig Minowa as the band’s lead vocalist and songwriter, Jeremy Harvey on the drums, Shannon Frid-Rubin on the violin, Sarah Perbix and Aurora Minowa as backup vocals, and Daniel Zamzow on the cello. Minowa recorded the song in the midst of a divorce, in the Wisconsin woods. Minowa was able to process his grief through music and regain control over his perspective on life with this song.
“The Universe Woke Up As You” came out as part of their Alchemy Creek album, due to come out on August 8th. This full-length studio album is made possible by Earthology Records, the band’s own record label created by Minowa himself. A really interesting fact is that Cloud Cult’s efforts to create music, advertise their band, and tour in the most sustainable ways possible have earned them a spot in “Top 10 Green Bands” by Rolling Stone in 2009.
Both the melody and lyrics of the song are melancholic and very reminiscent of the past. The feminine background vocals provide wonderful harmony to Minowa’s soft-spoken singing. In the end, a beautiful violin solo pulls the song to a close. In my opinion, the musicality of this song reminds me of Foster the People’s “Pumped Up Kicks”, mirroring its soothing vocals which convey a surprisingly depressing message. This 5-minute song is a great way to wind down after a long, hard day.
At the beginning of the song, Minowa can be heard whispering the intro, which makes the intended audience and all who listen feel small. The lyrics tell a story of hopeless nostalgia. Minowa reminisces about simpler times when he was a kid, and implies that things are much more difficult now as an adult having to deal with this “skull-sized hell.” Personally, my favorite verse of the song is:
Gonna draw myself a picture of the way things were What is real and what is fantasy? Well, I really can’t be sure There’s so much here to feel, well, it’s all just a blur Gonna draw myself a picture of the way things were
By the end, Minowa explodes into something bigger as he yells the title of the song “Today the universe woke up as you!” This piece depicts an interesting message of how one can control one’s own perception of time, space, and reality.
The accompanying music video starts with Minowa in front of a camcorder. It is apparent that the set takes place in some type of storage unit, giving the video a quickly-made unplanned feel. Behind him is the back of a garage door; on the camcorder screen, however, it is clear that the video editors have added a green screen to the background. The family-friendly vibe of the song is enforced by children acting as a film crew. For what seems low-budget, this video is a perfect visual for the song. “The Universe Woke Up As You” can be watched on YouTube here.
You can follow Cloud Cult on their own well-cultivated website. You can also subscribe to their Patreon, where they rank as one of the top content creators on the platform. Cloud Cult will be touring later this summer, headlining at the People Fest in Yuba, WI on August 9th. Be sure to catch them live before their last performance on September 28th at the Palace Theater in St. Paul, MN.
Nashville-based singer and songwriter Meg Elsier has released her new album spittake and it is no joke! Recently making her debut in 2023, spittake is an album she describes as an ‘introduction to herself’ as an up-and-coming indie-rock artist. The album consists of 11 songs and was made in collaboration with Ryan McFadden, a fellow Nashville-based producer. A fun fact is that most of the titles are uncapitalized with no spaces to stay true to their original demo names!
Elsier’s haunting voice is a wonderful contrast to the electric guitar and drums that build up her sordid lyrics. If her sickeningly sweet melodies don’t make you feel melancholy, then her messages will. Most of her songs are a self-reflection of her poor thoughts and actions, usually with a partner in mind.
My personal favorite of the album is “forlyleinsanfransico”. In this song, Elsier rambles on about how she is the perfect fit for a guy (or girl) and vice versa. However, Elsier admits that she is only human and has flaws that may affect their potential relationship. My favorite verse is:
I’d be your good girl But I do bad things And I talk dirty But I keep the house clean And I’d be funny But you’d be funnier And I don’t mind it I like second seat
My take on the whole song is that Elsier’s self-hatred and selfishness is preventing her from committing to a healthy relationship. As a sad girl myself, her lyrics are very relatable!
A handful of her songs are accompanied by music videos, all viewable on Youtube. In her last song “LA”, she is depicted as a white angel on an empty black stage. Other angels identical to her appear and a confrontation ensues. The song is a musing of her life if she ever moved from Nashville to LA. Elsier acknowledges that she wouldn’t trust the lack of cold weather, the high living costs, or how emotionally distant the LA people are. According to her, the harshest reality to accept would be that there are many artists just like her, implying she would lose her authenticity and ultimately herself if she ever moved to LA.
spittake can be listened to on all streaming platforms. You can also follow Elsier on social media. As for the rest of the year, Elsier is touring in her hometown Nashville Tennessee, and all along the East Coast– in Ontario & Montreal as well.
This article is about an all-American cast of singers that have made significant impacts on pop and RnB music. Mainstream pop star Ariana Grande’s new song “The Boy Is Mine” pays homage to Grammy-Award-winning song “The Boy is Mine” by Brandy & Monica, a duet from the album Never Say Never (1998). This song is a part of Grande’s most recent studio album Eternal Sunshine.
As the title implies, the song’s message centers on laying claim over a male lover. In the original “The Boy is Mine” music video by Brandy & Monica, it is clear that the song is directed towards the ‘other woman’ who is in a romantic relationship with the same boyfriend. They argue over who truly owns him throughout the song; in the end, they confront the boy who has been two-timing both of them.
Ariana Grande’s music video confirmed the title of the song was inspired by Brandy & Monica’s previous work. Both women made a cameo appearance as newscasters discussing the collective concerns of the city’s rat problem, and how the mayor– Grande’s love interest– will address them. It has been less than two weeks since the music video was released on Youtube, and Brandy & Monica have already released their own remix of the song today!
The remix cover art depicts Brandy & Monica in their newscaster roles outlined by a television screen in all-black attire– a very fitting image for Grande’s catwoman-themed music video. In the beginning of the remix, they tease the idea that the song will just be a cover, as Monica can be heard repeating Grande’s song intro. A quarter into the song it is apparent that the remix is much more; Monica comes in with a bridge:
Please know this ain’t what I planned for, Probably wouldn’t bet a dime or my life on… There’s gotta be a reason why! My girls they always come through in a sticky situation, Say it’s fine… happens all the time.
And of course, vocal bible Brandy comes in the latter half of the song with my favorite verse:
Well he better sort out his business, Cause I’ll never be nobody’s mistress!
Grande’s chorus acts as a refrain to sandwich both Monica and Brandy’s solos; a great detail, as her chorus is by far the catchiest and most memorable part of her song.
I get it, it’s hard to separate the artist from the art. Despite Grande’s most recent scandal– having an affair with former married man Ethan Slater– this remix will be unapologetically played on repeat by Grande, Brandy, and Monica fans for years to come. Grande’s “the boy is mine” was already extremely fun and fresh, but the remix contains smooth harmonizing and strong-minded lyrics that carry weight and deny unwanted baggage. This collaboration of iconic singers is sure to be a timeless classic.
