The members of VALLEY have a strong work ethic and are perfectionists by nature. This shines through in the lyric video for the title track of their new EP, sucks to see you doing better. The video was released as part of a pair of visuals put out from the EP, the other being “homebody”.
Set on a high school track field, “sucks to see you doing better” shows VALLEY taking a more lighthearted approach to the visualization of a tune that expresses some rather heavy emotions about watching someone you love happier with someone new. The band are creative in choosing how the lyrics appear. Rather than simply displaying the lyrics using some magical postproduction software, they opt for a more personal touch, handwriting. Throughout the entire video, members of the band take turns writing the lyrics on the screen while the other members partake in various, sometimes silly, activities behind them. This makes for a viewing experience that you can relate to without having to get the tissues out. The song easily could have been a heartbreaking ballad, followed by a sad visual. Instead, the sadness cuts deep while still allowing you to let loose. Watching the song come to life only solidifies the notion that sadness can be expressed in seemingly myriad ways. It accomplishes their goal of bringing positivity into a negative, heavy world.
With his newly released EP, Good Morning Hunter, Odario combines poetry and hip-hop to craft a phenomenal piece of storytelling. With several guest artists throughout the 7-track EP, each track feels like a coming together of various ideas. A celebration of people.
“Peace” begins this celebration. The dominant piano that plays throughout is a staple of this up-tempo introduction. Filled with optimistic chants and goal-driven lyrics, you are welcomed into Odario’s ambitious thoughts. Things are slowed down with ‘Reprise”, a more somber and reflective addition that proves rather poetic. A distant echo towards the end connects it with the previous song, providing a more vulnerable view of those ambitious thoughts. The title track, “Good Morning Hunter” takes you back to the groove of the first song. The lyrics tell the story of somebody who is prepared to tackle whatever is being thrown their way that day. This same sentiment is echoed in a more electronic take with “Good Morning Hunter: Ok Dub”. Each song adds on to the other, creating a cohesive whole that tells a real story.From top to bottom, Good Morning Hunter tells the story of a person who is determined to do great things with his life. It doesn’t shy away from the reality of life and how struggles can get us down.
When Neon Dreams lead singer Frank Kadillac found himself suffering from insomnia, he turned to meditation. After using music to cope with the sadness for so long, he finally was able to use his music to shine a light on positivity. Now, they have an upcoming album titled The Happiness of Tomorrow. Included on the album is their new song, “House Party”, a magical alt-pop track.
Kadillac sings about his struggles with finding himself amidst the chaos of the party he’s attending. It is a highly relatable feeling, the one that enters your mind when you are sitting on a couch surrounded by people but somehow still alone. In capturing the way our minds wander when we are in stressful or lonely situations, “House Party” is not only a song that people can enjoy for all of its sonic glory but also one that people can turn on when they need to feel heard. Kadillac explains:
When I was a teenager, experiencing party culture for the first time, I wouldn’t really say anything and would just sit with my thoughts. But at house parties I’d meet these weird people like me, and we’d have these great conversations.
Going in to record their latest collection of “existential psychedelic soul music”, Saroon had to get the tape ready. This is to say that every head-turning moment of their new album, Our Transparent Future, was recorded to tape. But the method of recording isn’t the only unique part of this record. From vocal style to the overall highs and lows that it reaches, Saroon have crafted a unique record.
“Masters of the Road” illustrates this with ease. Here, you are reminded that despite social expectations, we are in charge of so much, yet we miss out because we are trapped in the cycle of doing things the “right” way. Mostly consisting of soft-spoken lyrics and a gentle guitar that speeds up towards the end, it has all the elements of a classic folk song. Immediately following is “Old Fashioned Protest Song”, which actually seems to focus on the things we as humans have less control of. Simply put, Saroon call into question those who put money ahead of more important and worthy causes. Seemingly calling attention to current social movements, they make it a point to reject the idea that we should just stand by and let ignorance win. One of the final songs, “Golden Age”, is both a reflection on the past and a nod to the present, urging us to think of the current moment as the height of our lives.
Our Transparent Future makes its way to various corners of life, all which come together to form an idea for what the future may look like not only for the world, but for individuals. It remains hopeful while not shying away from the heartbreak and struggles that come with being human.
Principle songwriter Ayal Alves explains: “There’s always the element of hope to it, and an acknowledgement that the nature of reality is that there is pain and suffering. The relationship between those two things is a transformational process.”
Samantha Margret’s newest release is a badass anthem for those who have experienced frustration when talking to someone who thinks they are more “woke” than they are. Margret was inspired by a man who claimed to be a feminist, while his actions seemed to fall short of these claims.
The video reflects the fierceness of the lyrics. With a dark theme present in both the song and the video, Margret takes no prisoners as she exposes the hypocrisy in identifying as feminist while having no issue talking down to the people you claim to support. Perhaps the most defining moments are the close-up shots of her face, letting the viewer know that she is an unapologetic boss who is not willing to put up with being patronized. In every way, it is a gripping visual that asks the viewer to sacrifice comfort in exchange for real commentary on being a woman in 2020.
Margret says of the experience that led to the track:
Sometimes it cuts deeper when that kind of patriarchal hurt comes from someone you think is on your team. I think of myself as really outspoken and try to be the first to speak up when another woman is in trouble, but I sometimes have trouble when the comments are directed at me.
In the midst of grief, Nathan Oliver turned to music, as many do. That is how his newest release came about. Thank You for your Generosity, which he and his group began working on after the death of a member’s brother in 2017, takes the listener on a journey through the loneliness and confusion that comes with grief.
This journey begins with “Generous Seas”, an instrumental track fit for reflection as a mellow guitar plays over a more chaotic one. Then comes “Isle Of Youth”, a dive into what it feels like to be lost and distant from everything around you. This rock track is a standout on the record, blending soulful lyrics with beautiful guitar playing. This sentiment is also present in “Everybody’s Swimming”, which seems to call attention to the struggle of watching everybody continue to live their lives while you feel stuck in a painful place. One of the most heart wrenching songs is “Even If You Go”, which acts as a sort of promise that even when the subject is gone, they will continue to live with them by their side. The journey closes out with “A Tangent in Time”. A peaceful close to the album, it seems to offer a glimpse of hope, though unsure of exactly where that hope lies.
Thank You for Your Generosity is a vulnerable record that does not attempt to hide any sort of pain that comes along with the grieving process or life in general. Whether it is through the breathtaking lyrics or the gentle way each sound leaves the speaker, Nathan Oliver is working to enthrall every single listener.
01. Generous Seas 02. Isle of Youth 03. Everybody’s Swimming 04. Air Control 05. Even If You Go 06. Stand in Line 07. Runaway 08. A Tangent in Time
Milton Keynes native Lydia Singer has released her infectious new pop single, “Lemme Know”. Influenced by stars like Ariana Grande and Camila Cabello, Singer proves to know a thing or two about creating memorable pop songs with catchy hooks and piercing vocals. While these influences are apparent upon listening, she has no trouble creating her own unique sound for fans to fall in love with.
Bursting with confidence, Singer lets her lover know that she knows what they want but wants them to be upfront and clear about it themselves. In the process, Singer remains direct and upfront when articulating what she wants and needs from this lover. This way of writing lyrics makes clear to the listener that she is unafraid and unapologetic of letting people know just how she is feeling. The melody remains one of the most stunning and captivating aspects of this track, and when paired with the perfect dancing rhythm, “Lemme Know” is the perfect taste of what pop enthusiasts need. It is hard not to groove along to the tiny bells and whistles that this track offers.
When Starwolf formed in 2016, they were creating music in rural Illinois, their sound of choice being funk/pop. Four years later, they have released their album, Astro Lobo, filled with other-worldly sounds and expressions.
Something that makes this body of wok stand out is the appearance of Tim Lefebvre on “Bad Feeling”. Lefebvre has worked with well-known artists from David Bowie to John Mayer, so his presence is welcomed. The track benefits from a catchiness that amplifies the message of losing oneself in fear and anxiety. Indeed, it is a standout on the album.
The title track happens to be the longest, reaching over six minutes long. With no lyrics, it is easy for one to create their own interpretation of what it means. Whatever the meaning, “Astro Lobo” lives up to the other-worldly name. And then comes the final track, “Real Love”. Following the theme of love that can be heard on various songs throughout the album, this song’s funk groove guides the lyrics about being in a healthy and real relationship. With this album, the funk roots of Starwolf’s music shines through on every song. The band have achieved the perfect blend of funk and pop that sounds like the quintessential 80s soundtrack with Astro Lobo.
It was time for the members of Old News to get more personal than they ever have before. That’s how their new album, Self-Acceptance Speech, came about. Using emo sounds hailing from the late 90s and early 2000s indie rock scene, the album tells stories of self-discovery and understanding. One of these stories can be found in the reflective rock track, “1917 Cherry St.”. Here, we find out about a significant location in the singer’s life, one that he finds himself looking back on. This leads right into “722 Harter St.”, a shorter instrumental that leaves details of the significance of this address to the listener’s imagination. The starry “Flicker” provides a similar experience. This track gives the feeling of a new beginning, perhaps following the self-reflection that takes place during the prior songs. The final track is “Sunday Suit”, a standout on the album that begins with a memorable guitar riff and is an anthem for those who feel they are hiding some part of themselves beneath, in this case, the church music.
Old News have taken the nostalgia of 90s emo rock and turned it into something of their own. Says frontman Beau Harris of the goal in creating this album: “In these very tumultuous times, I think many of us are turning inwards, and we wanted to contribute by giving people a message of healing and hope.”
