Self-proclaimed grunge pop baby talker’s latest venture is a cover of an iconic mid-2000s rock track – TV on the Radio’s “Wolf Like Me.” It’s a high energy, lyrically passionate song that talker manages to make her own. The music video is quite simple, showing talker and the band recording in a studio, which allows for the music to be the focal point. talker’s voice brings a unique, edgy femininity to the song. Her cover is cool and effortless, and it makes you want to dance around until its time to press replay again.
Australian artist Nick Murphy is reminiscing on lost love in “Dangerous.” His latest single is from the upcoming album Run Fast Sleep Naked. “Dangerous” is a poignant song with deeply cutting lyrics about the pain of breaking up and the what-if’s that come with it. The chorus questions that inner turmoil, partnered with a groovy, syncopated beat:
Now what do I do, maybe I’m dangerous. According to you, it could’ve been love with us, was it all a lie?
Murphy’s voice is quite soulful, and paired with his lyrics, “Dangerous” is a lovely little track to behold – one that has you singing along after a while, as well as thinking back to all the past loves of your own life.
Be sure to check out Run Fast Sleep Naked, due out April 26th. Keep up with Mick Murphy here.
The musical duo Mrs. Greenbird have created a deeply soulful sound with lyrics to match in their latest album Dark Waters. The folksy harmonies of Steffen Brückner paired with Sarah Nücken’s unique voice are what makes this a truly beautiful record. It’s reminiscent of another duo’s sound — Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová of The Swell Season and Once fame. While Mrs. Greenbird has a similar aesthetic, they manage to create something that is entirely their own. Their voices, along with the gentle guitar and melancholic lyrics, result in the kind of music that is brutally honest as well as poetic.
The album is quite well-rounded in terms of theme. The darker, more cynical sides of life and love are highlighted in songs such as “Careless Heart,” “1965,” and title track “Dark Waters,” while others like “One Day in June” and “Learn How To Love You” are more idealistic and romantic. One of the stand out songs is called “The Simple Things.” While every song is hauntingly beautiful, something about this particular one struck a chord in me. It’s about experiencing loss and trying to find yourself afterwards, how we tend to forget the pleasure of simple things in life.
Dark Waters is a feat of folk indie pop with a hint of country and a splash of blues, yet it works to form a great record. It’s perfect for almost any mood — a scenic walk, a long drive, a rainy day, a time to let out a much-needed cry.
Be sure to check out their latest album on April 12th, and keep up with the latest on Mrs. Greenbird here.
BETWEEN FRIENDS’ latest EP is, to put it simply, good pop music. we just need some time together is the product of brother/sister duo Savannah and Brandon Hudson, along with drummer Brennan Benko. Together, they capture the essence of LA youth and the ability to view their art through the lens of dreamy, carefree pop songs.
The EP is a slice of the colorful contemporary fantasy, and everything about it, from the song titles to the floral album art to the absence of capital letters, screams cool. Tracks like “iloveyou” and “better friends” are dangerously catchy would fit seamlessly in the world of today’s top 40, with its distinct synthesized production. Each song comes with its own electric beat and memorable hooks, but there are also more emotionally compelling, relatable moments. One of the things that stood out to me was a lyric that is repeated throughout “affection:”
“I’m laying on the floor, we’re drinking ‘cause we’re bored.”
These words, paired with quiet harmonies and a tripped out guitar riff, created such an atmospheric sound that made this my favorite track. Ultimately, the EP ends with “blushing!” and the presence of a reassurance in the form of romantic lyrics:
“I see you, we watch stars on the pavement, I kinda like your face.”
we just need some time together is the perfect summer record, capturing the feeling of being young, in love, and completely and utterly carefree.
Listen to the EP here, and keep up with the band here.
UK-based band Saltwater Sun’s newly released EP may only have three songs, but each one is unique and provides a truly electric listening experience. “Trying” is the funky opening track with some really great guitar riffs paired with a showcase of lead singer Jen Stearnes’ strong vocals – especially towards the end of the song as she belts out a disclaimer about somebody she can’t seem to forget about:
“It goes to show that’s the way I go on, still thinking about you.”
“The Great Deceiver” serves as the title track and has a more subdued vibe compared to the rest of the EP, but that doesn’t mean the lyrics are any less biting. As the title suggests, the song is all about how we are our own great deceiver. And amidst the indie pop sound, the lyrics explore the ideas of self-worth and confidence.
The final song, “Blood,” was my favorite of the three tracks. It opens up with an atmospheric ten seconds before bursting through with an alternative rock song that fills you up with a catchy guitar jam and deeply existential lyrics. It’s energetic in the way an uplifting pop song is, but deals with the angst of personal loss. Stearnes’ voice sings out for those we’ve lost, but her lyrics also bring about an important message – that those who die never really leave us:
“Every thought, every time, this is how you never die.”
The Great Deceiver is a truly beautiful collection of songs with an undeniable vigor, approaching things like self-worth, love, and grief in an unconventionally upbeat way that allows their listeners to feel a sense of hope by the end of it.Be sure to check out their music, and keep up with Saltwater Sun here.
New York City artist Megg Farrell bares her folksy soul with the help of some friends with her appropriately-titled album Megg Farrell & Friends. The music’s vibe is Stevie Nicks if she was a blues singer with an affinity for the banjo, and it is truly a piece of art to behold. Each song is clearly and artfully crafted in terms of music production, lyrics, and instruments.
“Feelin Single” is the perfect opening track for a bluesy folk album, with it’s a capella harmonies and references to a wild night out:
“I was feelin’ single, seeing double, wound up in a whole lot of trouble … but I really had a ball last night.”
As the album goes on, two things becomes apparent: Farrell’s voice is beautifully nostalgic, and she creates a record that tells a seamless story. With song titles like “New Orleans Waltz,” “Tulsa Queen,” “New York Love Song,” and “Ooh Las Vegas,” Farrell showcases her ability to tell stories about all these different places and the influences they had on her.
Amongst the toe-tapping country vibes, there were a couple of stripped down tracks, and those were my favorite from the record. “If I Were a Woman” is a gentle and sad story of someone who wishes she could be the woman she always wanted to be. The lyrics are undeniably poetic, a punch to the gut:
If I were a woman, I’d teach you to be brave. I’d fight for my sex and their race, and I’d find me a new name. If I could speak, I’d speak for something bold, but my hearts grown weak or so I’ve been told.
Megg Farrell & Friends is a well-rounded album with the ability to make you dance, cry, sing along, and repeat. Itperfectly encapsulates what the feeling of sitting in a jazz piano bar, sipping a beer and being completely captivated by a band’s ability to create something raw, honest, and real.
Be sure to check out the album, and keep up with Megg Farrell here.
New Jersey band Deal Casino’s latest single is cool and crazy and presents the band’s ability to diversify their sound. Before listening to the track, the title led me to believe that this would be a romantic ballad about an unrequited love for a beautiful girl with blonde hair. But, the grating instrumentals and twisted lyrics said otherwise. Speaking of the lyrics, they are quite jarring. They tend to paint a detailed and gruesome picture. The song opens up with a bit of gore:
I’m a dead animal.
You’re used to seeing my guts.
“You see me lying on the street,
Just drive right over me,
While you’re putting on your makeup.”
The opening, as well as some of the other verses in the song, are spoken rather than sung, showing a contrast that results in a layered track with a unique vibe that still feels like a solid and cohesive track. “FrenchBlonde” has shown that Deal Casino is the real deal when it comes to a band that can showcase their talent in the coolest of ways, and that way is gritty pop-rock.
Be sure to check out Deal Casino’s upcoming full-length album “LLC,” which is due out soon. Keep up with them here.
The collaborative efforts of new musical duo JaySom & Justus Proffit is a result of a casual jam session in Som’s home studio, which eventually turned into multiple sessions, thus leading to the creation of their collaborative EP. They both worked together on vocals and guitar; Proffit was in charge of lyrics and drums, and Som handled the editing and mixing, in addition to playing the bass and keyboard. Their first single is the charming “Nothing’s Changed,” which is their upcoming EP’s title track. The overall vibe is a subtle country ballad with gentle vocals and guitar strums. The overall sound is soft and beautiful, but the lyrics are surprisingly somber:
I chew it up, spit it out, and give it up.
Still I climb to reach the top,
I feel the same,
Nothing’s new, nothing’s changed.
Proffit’s vocals seem to take the lead on this one, with Som’s gentle vocals contributing to the harmony throughout the track. Together, they sound like one strong unit. Their compatibility shines throughout he song, and that collaborative work ethic shows. The EP is entirely written, recorded, and produced by the two artists, showing their passion for this project. A lot of work and a lot of love was put into this, and it definitely shows.
Be sure to check out their EP, which will be released on September 28th. Keep up with JaySomhere, and Justus Proffit here.
Toronto-based artist Marlon Chaplin has just released his full-length debut album and it is, to put it simply, a powerhouse record. Chaplin clearly has the range of a true rock performer and these ten tracks embody his style flawlessly. It is diverse, passionate, and an inimitable listening experience that will leave you wanting nothing more but to see the live performance (and to play the album on a continuous loop).
The record opens up with “The Circle.” As the attention grabber, the title track is very high energy, complete with a full-bodied opening instrumental. It is the perfect opening, capturing the adrenaline of that momentous first song of a rock concert. It sets the pace for other similar rocker tracks, such as “Drain Me,” “Imaginary Mary K,” and “Elevation.” The album slows down with two acoustic ballads: “Back to the Start” and “Take Me There.” They are dreamy and buoyant, complete with pretty harmonies. Chaplin’s more vulnerable side is at the forefront of these songs, making them even more beautiful.
“A Single Drop” is a cool song with a biting edge. It swings us back around from the romantic ballads, showing Chaplin’s diversity in sound and genre. Listeners are treated to yet another change of pace with “One Man Show” and “Where Did We Go.” Their upbeat sound reminds me of the band Bleachers, with the vintage upbeat aesthetic and catchy guitar riffs. And the final track, “Out on the Wing,” brings a flawless ending to a very well-rounded album. It’s slower and sad, but full of life, focusing on the magnificent sound of strings.
The amount of work put into this strong debut is clear. Released via Möbius Recordings, the album was produced by Chaplin, mixed by Chris Shaw (Partner, Weezer, Bob Dylan) and mastered by Joao Carvalho.With such a stand-out debut, The Circle is bound to impress anyone and everyone who listens to it.
The Circle is out now, and is available for purchase here.. Keep up with the latest on Chaplin here. Also, be sure to check him out on tour, including the album release show in Toronto on August 30th.
