As the video begins for “Cigale Song” by Oracle Sisters, two earphone wires are depicted, stretched out to the ear of a girl with blond hair. One is connected to the ear of a girl with brown hair, at a long, wooden table. They are surrounded by fellow musicians holding guitars, and interacting in a friendly manner, dancing in vintage dresses and suites. They create an existence of sharing small moments over their interest in rock music.
On stage, the singer bounces her legs in rhythmic motions, in her green pants, under the green and blue changing lights. As the video continues, red and orange lights shine over the singers dressed in vintage pink and white dresses. These two stand behind the singer in the green pants. This alludes to how in life, people who are similar stay together in similar circumstances, while those who stand out, often dance to the beat of their own drum.
Concurrently, the singer at the front wears pants, because as people find themselves, they come to realize that how they move and what they wear shapes how people who do not know them well view them. The people watching the performers on stage represent those who do not know them well judging them.
The girl wearing the green pants is reflective of someone who is unafraid to be unique and stand out from the crowd. The two behind her, wearing the same dresses, are reflective of people who feel they must lean on one another while being judged.
The girl wearing the green pants dances when nobody else on stage will. This makes her centerstage and amplifies her presence as the soul of the message of the music; it takes time to find yourself but over time, you do. Once you find yourself, she articulates through dancing alone, you become a leader.
As she takes the lead, the two other girls start dancing in their own unique style, holding their dresses and dancing in small movements. The girl in the green pants dances across the stage with her arms swinging in circular motions. Her presence fills the entire stage. This dominance on stage further represents her as a leader who the other people on stage admire.
Closeup footage captures every person onstage, in front of the audience. “Cigale Song” sends the message that it takes time to find yourself but once you do, you are unafraid to show the world that you can strive while being comfortable in your element.
Oracle Sisters Live Dates 2023 29 July – 17 Degrees Ribeira Sacra Festival, Lugo (ES) 19 Aug – Esférica Rioja Alavesa, Guardia (ES) 01 Sep – Into The Great Wide Open, Vlieland (NL) 02 Sep – End Of The Road Festival, Salisbury (UK)
North America Headline Tour: 13 Sep – Bar Le Ritz, Montreal, QC 14 Sep – Garrison, Toronto, ON 16 Sep – The Funhouse at Mr. Smalls, Millvale, PA 17 Sep – DC9, Washington, DC 19 Sep – Bowery Ballroom, New York, NY 22 Sep – Turf Club, St. Paul, MN 23 Sep – Schubas, Chicago, IL 25 Sep – Sunset Tavern, Seattle, WA 26 Sep – The Jack London Revue, Portland, OR 28 Sep – Popscene/Rickshaw Stop, San Francisco, CA 29 Sep – The Roxy Theatre, Los Angeles, CA
The arrival of summer comes with the need for captivating folk-pop, and Jonah Kagen is here to deliver. In two short years, singer-songwriter Jonah Kagen has skyrocketed from TikTok fame to wider acclaim, lending his characteristic jazz-inspired guitar playing and personal storytelling to his music. His new single, “The Roads”, premieres today, and is a worthy addition to any summer road trip playlist.
A hallmark of Kagen’s music is his personal hue of melancholy and nostalgia, which “The Roads” wholly leans into. The universally-relatable lyrics detail the pain of an ended relationship, accompanied by the push and pull of dynamic musical contrast. Solo acoustic guitar verses are juxtaposed by the sweeping chorus, expanded with strummed guitar, cello, and violin. Kagan declares that “These roads are changin’ me, but they all lead back to you”, in a memorable and timeless melody.
The expansive rural landscape in the accompanying music video perfectly matches the song’s folk aspects. With truly stunning cinematography, we have a bird’s-eye view of the landscape as well as close-ups with Jonah Kagen on guitar. The sky is cloudy and gray, while the lush greens of the forest burst into view. The contrasts, both visually and musically, emphasize the undercurrent of doubt and regret on the speaker’s part, mourning the loss of love.
Represented by Arista Records, Jonah Kagen has amassed nearly 2 million Spotify listeners and more than 140 million global streams since the release of his debut EP, ‘georgia got colder’. “The Roads” builds upon this journey, as he crafts music full of heart and earnest. Stream the song today on all platforms, and check out the music video on Youtube.
As Italian singer-songwriter Alice Bisi revs up for the release of her third LP, her new track “Hyperdrive” gives a taste of a new direction for the alt-pop artist. Though Bisi, or Birthh, is based in Brooklyn, her music sounds as though it originates from the fourth dimension, cleverly using synths and fast tempos to transport listeners through musical wormholes.
It’s hard to believe that the high-octane “Hyperdrive” started out as a slow ballad. When Birthh was having trouble perfecting the song to her liking, she enlisted the help of her trusted co-producer London O’Connor. After a year of tweaking in the studio, “Hyperdrive” morphed into an upbeat, euphoric depiction of Birthh’s inner world and dreams. The verses are poetic in nature, with such lyrics as “I’ll chase your face, to infinity and beyond” and “spinning round, galactic dancer”, as the speaker experiences a whirlwind romance with hopes of reciprocation from the beloved.
This track keeps the listener on its toes, constantly adding new layers and advancing the intergalactic journey through Birthh’s heart. After the verse, the chorus shifts into the titular “Hyperdrive” mode, with rhythmic variation, a denser musical texture, and an earworm of a melody. The synths, percussion, and high-pitched strings interact with the vocal samples in a bouncing vortex of musical interest. The closing portion introduces a slew of new aspects, with piano chords interrupted by vocal samples of other voices besides Birthh’s, as though it leads into another track. As of now, we can only speculate what might come next.
Birthh’s anticipated Moonlanded album is set to release on September 1 and is now available for preorder. Moonlanded is sure to be an epic ride, chronicling Birthh’s emotions around her birthplace in Italy all the way to her new home in Brooklyn. Meanwhile, stream “Hyperdrive” on all platforms and check out Birthh’s backlist of songs.
Can’t wait for Moonlanded? Give “Hyperdrive” a listen while you’re waiting!
The single “Too Late To Break Your Fall” by John Oates is filled with moments of steady beats, rustic-sounding instruments, and joyous high notes. John Oates sings with a voice that would be perfect to be played at a restaurant where people are looking for a date. His voice is slow and clear at the beginning. The guitar in the background creates a rustic backdrop that feels like a small town in the country.
Oates’ voice becomes high-pitched as he sings, “I guess it is too late to break your fall.” His voice then becomes steady and quick in speed as he sings the next line, “You break your fall again.” This quick change of tone in his voice produces feelings of intense emotion as he sings in a high voice. Like those in a relationship, or when listening to this type of music as you would at a bar, you can have a moment of feeling suddenly happy. As quickly as you feel happy, you feel your emotions rapidly collecting into what is reality. After all, life can at times be bleak, and happy moments do not last forever. Singing in a high-pitched voice is him expressing that happiness must be savored because feeling happy can be very short-lived. Furthermore, singing at a steady cadence for the majority of the beginning of the song reveals that most of the time, he remains mentally stable while in a restaurant or a bar around other people.
The instruments playing in this song flow with blues sounds that dance with the trumpets. Oates’ song sends the message that there are times when joy is felt continuously. But even during good times, there are moments of sadness or when you need silence to process happiness.
Tour Dates July 14 – Boone, NC – The Schaefer Center for the Performing Arts July 26 – Old Saybrook, CT – The Kate July 27 – Old Saybrook, CT – The Kate July 28 – Newport, RI – Newport Folk Festival August 19 – Rifle, Rifle, CO – Ute Theatre September 2 – Nashville, TN – Grand Ole Opry September 6 – Nashville, TN – Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum September 9 – Hopkinton, MA – Hopkinton Center for The Arts September 11 – Decatur, GA – Eddie’s Attic
Get ready to be swept away by Winterlark‘s newest EP, You Send Me A Photograph. This indie folk sensation is back with a collection of tunes that will tug at your heartstrings. From soulful melodies to lyrics that hit you right in the feels, Winterlark takes you on a musical adventure exploring love, memories, and those unforgettable snapshots of life.
Winterlark’s EP You Send Me A Photograph is a mesmerizing journey that transports listeners to a world of ethereal beauty. With their intricate compositions and hauntingly delicate vocals, Winterlark creates an immersive sonic landscape that lingers long after the last note fades.
The EP’s six tracks weave together elements of indie folk and dream pop, resulting in a sublime blend of introspection and enchantment. Each song is a captivating vignette, filled with evocative imagery and introspective lyrics that delve into the depths of love, loss, and the bittersweet moments of life.
From the haunting opening track to the poignant finale, Winterlark’s musicianship shines brightly. The intricate layers of strums and pizzicatos intertwine flawlessly, creating a rich tapestry of sound that envelops the senses. The duo’s harmonies are nothing short of spellbinding, evoking a sense of gentleness and emotional resonance that resonates deeply with the listener.
You Send Me A Photograph is an EP that demands to be experienced in its entirety, as each song seamlessly flows into the next, guiding the listener on a cathartic and introspective journey. Winterlark’s ability to capture raw emotions and distill them into captivating melodies is a testament to their artistry and musicianship. This EP is a true gem, destined to captivate both devoted fans and newcomers alike with its vintage beauty and heartfelt expression.
Baby Got Back Talk’s G’Ra’s calm tone of voice as he sings, “Stop right there and don’t you dare tell me that I’m wrong,” in his song “I’m Sorry I’m a Moron, But Also, Help,” reveals he is coping with people talking down to him in a calm and collected manner. However, his lyrics contradict his tone of voice because he is direct and strong-willed. As revealed by the phrase “don’t you dare,” he is expressing anger and a barrier he puts up before anyone can tell him that he is wrong, which will emotionally scar him.
His lyrics further indicate that he has been told that he is wrong once or many times before. Thus, he is attempting to hide his pain through his tone when confronting people who he feels could scar him emotionally but wrote his lyrics when he was feeling emotional. If you listen to his lyrics, not his tone of voice, you will feel his pain.
G’Ra continues singing in a similar tone as he sings, “I’m a loss, an albatross, who dropped the baton.” He becomes vulnerable as he explains that he feels like a lost bird, as an albatross is a type of bird. Saying that he “dropped the baton” reveals he feels that while he is flying in his career, he has lost his ability to keep calm and in control emotionally because he is releasing all of his emotions into his lyrics. He feels he must keep a calm demeanor as he struggles to hold back revealing his true emotions.
Hope builds up like our protagonist is metaphorically climbing a mountain, with feelings of passion and excitement, as he sings “‘Till the hallway’s bathed in moonlight, and you saunter in and it always made me think twice when I am wandering.” Singing of bathing in the moonlight is depicting him bathing in hope.
As he wanders in this moonlight, he thinks twice about his friendships and becomes the moonlight, allowing him to be a shining light above other people. As he becomes the moonlight, he encounters people from different backgrounds. “Against all the odds,” as he sings, he is able to integrate himself with people who are unlike him. He continues to persevere to learn about other types of people until all the odds are stacked against him. His inability to overcome these odds is temporary, as he “gets his knuckles bruised” from struggling through barriers to be with people who have given him emotional baggage. (As articulated in the lyrics, “Stop right there and don’t you dare tell me that I’m wrong.”)
As the song concludes, it bubbles with excitement and energy. This energy circulates into the stressed emotions of uncertainty and doubt as it uplifts and brings hope to these negative emotions. This entire song fluctuates from feelings of uneasiness and doubt to confidence and hope.
The newly released music video uses tone, color, and shape to evoke the emotions associated with the song. The visual representation is somehow spot on. View it below.
