Columbus-bred R&B talent I M a N I is coming at us with a sultry, gorgeous new video for her track “Pretty Boi.” Not only does this song perfectly display the artist’s insane proclivity for vocal range, it’s kind of the perfect track for a meet-cute at a (socially distanced) house party. (Or going through your scrapbook of memories and exes alone in your apartment with your cats. Whatever.) Explains I M a N I of the track:
This song has two phases, the love-struck phase and the heartbroken phase. In the beginning I basically explain how I’m “lost in a daze” with this guy, totally not understanding that he is only with me for his pleasure. The second verse goes into me “confronting” him, telling him my intentions while his intentions are easily seen. The guy is “pretty” but he is also a boy which displays immaturity. I knew this situation was pretty relatable and knew that there would be people who can relate this song to their life. I want the people who listen to “Pretty Boi” to understand their worth. You are definitely worth more than a “booty call”. Don’t settle down for Pretty Boys, settle down with someone who has the time and love for you.
The video was shot outside, gorgeous sunsets and greenery surrounding I M a N I as she captivates us all with the most vibe-worthy song of autumn 2020. (Seriously, read the Youtube comments if you’re not convinced. We are NOT the only ones fawning over her.)
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.
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
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.”
