Breezy, ethereal vocals. Light as a feather instrumentals, a warm and inviting soundscape. All of these factors are involved in VanWyck‘s newest full-length release, out today. The project, titled Molten Rock, is comprised of twelve impossibly beautiful tracks, inspired — in part, at least — undoubtedly by the folk of yesteryear. A slow, steady pace is established with first track “Supermarket Line”, and continues into “Lead Me On”, while “Rock Carver” brings with it more assertive instrumentals and a raspier take on the vocals.
“Make of Me” slows everything down to a crawl, gorgeous and sprawling in its soundscape. It is here that we take pause, to realize how important it is to note the comparisons to Leonard Cohen and Nathalie Merchant that VanWyck’s debut album drew, and to notice the way the music has evolved in the space and time since that album was released in 2018. As we roll into “Carolina’s Anatomy”, we feel an attraction to a new love the way this song seems to convey.
Have you ever been this close to feeling no remorse
and being where you want to be
“High School Gym Wall” is even more delicate than its predecessors, something we never would have guessed by its title. Haunting in a way that impresses, it perfectly introduces “Be It to the End”, which brings with it a darker, more theatric atmosphere. “Breakfast Room Revelation” is layered, a ballad of sorts that holds as one of our favorites from this collection.
“The Boatman Calls” and “Like an Ambush” are both solidly beautiful tracks, leading into “The Rock Steady Creeper” which is also impossibly relaxing in its disposition, despite the title. VanWyck expertly rounds out the album with twelfth and final track, the title track, which has the sonic feel of witnessing molten rock cascade down a landscape. The lyrics are descriptive, painting an intense picture, comparisons we all have the capacity to feel.
This album, if nothing else, urges you to feel. Whether by its intense and relatable lyrical content, or its lavish soundscapes. Experience it in full below, and let us know how you feel on Facebook!
Life has dark corners and crevices that aren’t always easy to navigate. But — with a sense of empathy and open-mindedness to the darkness and the people around you — it can be incredibly rewarding. Up-and-coming pop/R&B extraordinaire Bravo effortlessly displays this in the new music video for single “Skyfall”. The song itself is smooth and assuring, while the visual provides an interesting and relatable peek into Bravo’s own escape into music. The video is inspirational, sobering yet beautiful, and exactly what we need in as we venture into these cold, dark months.
Hey ladies and gents and everything in between! It’s time to unleash the best new music video releases of November 2019, slowly but surely. We wanted to get these out a little earlier than usual because — though this time of year is usually the slow down season in the music industry — people are revving up their game and releasing far more material than we could have ever hoped for at this juncture in time. So we’re cherry picking our favorites and adding them here every single day. Check back throughout the month for more visuals you will absolutely adore!
Any particular favorite new video releases you think we should add to our roundup? Comment on Facebook and we’ll check it out!
Christine Smith is a songstress capable of bringing both a hint of gothic-inspired sounds and inspired lyrics. Her new 9-track release Meet Me on The Far Side of a Star is no different, catapulting its listener into a slightly whimsical existence. Starting out slow and steady, an absolute ambiance is created with “This Love”. The piano leads the way into “You Can’t Hurt Me Anymore”, and an ear that has never witnessed Smith’s music can sense a very theatrical disposition almost off the bat. And perhaps that’s the magic about Meet Me on The Far Side of a Star, as it feels as though all of these songs could be written into a stage performance. Both “Trying Not to Fall in Love” and “Happily Never After” could both be read as tongue in cheek, though the genuine attempt to avoid love is a real thing that many people grapple with.
“Feels Like Yesterday” brings the nostalgia in like a train at high speed, while the title track brings the tempo up slightly more than its predecessors. “I Know This Moon” feels like a lullaby, and wonderful caress compared to the other tracks that are part of this collection. It might appeal to the increasing number of people who are starting to follow moon cycles a little more closely, and become something almost sacred for some. “Very, Very” feels just as delicate, while “We’re Never Going” is the perfect final track, as there is a sense of finality not only in its title, but also in the structure of the instrumentals.
How wonderful to feel like this audible journey closes out as perfectly as it could. Enjoy the album in its entirety below, and be sure to let us know how you’re feeling about it on Facebook!
If you haven’t experienced KONGOS live yet, it’s really high time you should. The South African quartet — comprised of brothersJohnny Kongos, Jesse Kongos, Dylan Kongos, and Daniel Kongos — boasts incredible vocal harmonies and layered, striking instrumentals (hello, accordion!). Their captivating stage presence is no surprise, as their musician father must have had quite the influence on them. Just a few days after spending time in the studio with Hanson in Oklahoma, the brothers performed compellingly to an audience in Kansas City, MO. Nothing could have been more beautiful than the full moon on October 13th, shining brightly over this collective crooning to the patio stage at Riot Room.
Through every track, there was a sense of belief in the story that was being told. At times the vocals were raspy and rough, while at others there was a smoothness you almost didn’t expect from this handsome group of men. Regardless of its delivery, each song felt so effortlessly inspiring. For example, during the more tropical-infused track “I Am Not Me”, the audience sang at the sky, as though every individual was having the same existential realization at the exact same time. It was such an intensely beautiful moment, illuminated by the red stage lights, that by the time we got to crowd favorite “Come With Me Now”, I felt like most of the audience had become family. Litter percussive tracks like “Birds Do It” and “I’m Only Joking”, and you’re in for a night of blissful camaraderie with strangers, no matter your surroundings.
What was perhaps most notable was the friendliness with which the group welcomed the crowd and shared anecdotes to introduce their songs. I’m not certain what it was, but a sense of magic surrounded this performance that I wasn’t altogether expecting. Charming, incredible musicians with a lot of love and fire for their work. And simplified, that’s the experience KONGOS creates.
