by Meredith Schneider | Jan 14, 2019 | albums, review
Experimental improv musical group Richmond Avant Improv Collective (RAIC) – comprised of Samuel Goff, Abdul Hakim-Bilal, Erik Schroeder, Zoe Olivia-Kinney, and Laura Marina – released their new album Multiplicity on Friday, and we’ve got your first listen below. “Balance of the Three” starts us off with a pure cacophony of sound, horns and cymbals alternating feverishly for a full song’s length (around 3.5 minutes) before everything evens out into a somewhat bluesy and tribal soundscape. There is a sense of mystery to the song, the longest on the piece at 22:44. “Brugmansla” is completely different in its soundscape, rough and energized as though being played at battle. It is with “Occlusion” that a slight twang comes through, though it isn’t long before tribal drums, misplaced cymbals, and guitar chords make it feel like an artsy soundcheck.
“Leaves Continue to Fall” breezes in on a saxophone, more simplistic in its approach than its predecessors, as it maintains one instrument throughout. “Agitato” is our first real glimpse at vocals – albeit briefly – and a more ethereal and well-layered soundscape stems from its opening chords, slowly collapsing into brief, heightened energy escapades over the course of its hot ten minutes. “Pingulna” is the shortest of the tracks – sitting at a quick 1:35 – and boasts a down-home, blues feel that makes you feel relaxed and confident. Last track “Silene Udulata” rounds it out with a vintage feel, boasting opera-like vocals, eery, high pitched guitar chords, and rough, hard instrumentals that make it feel like the climax track at a rock opera. It’s definitely not something we would play at our Grandma’s birthday, but insanely fun to jam out to with friends.
Multiplicity is available now. Keep up with RAIC here.
by Meredith Schneider | Jan 11, 2019 | albums, review
If you’re looking for some new tunes to keep you occupied on this beautiful, flurry-filled midwest day (we don’t care about your awesome weather everywhere else), then Angelo De Augustine has a new album titled Tomb you should really get your ears on. The title track starts us off, crawling us into the soundscape slowly but surely and with a palpable feeling of enchantment. “All to the Wind” and “You Needed Love, I Needed You” follow suit, with Angelo’s lightweight vocals really taking the forefront. “I Could Be Wrong” picks up the pace a bit, while “Tide” slows it down once again.
What we glean from this 12-track piece is that it really has been created in the same methodical, gorgeous and borderline-celestial soundscape that we have come to know from artists like Sufjan Stevens, whose producer Thomas Bartlett (Doveman) actually had a hand in this project. Angelo has graced us with poignant and beautiful lyricism, and a mellow tone to really jump start the new year with Tomb. We hope you enjoy it as much as we do!
Keep up with Angelo De Augustine here.
by Meredith Schneider | Jan 11, 2019 | albums, review
Today, Toronto indie pop four piece Tallies – comprised of Sarah Cogan, Dylan Frankland, Cian O’Neill, and Stephen Pitman – released their highly anticipated 11-track, self-titled stunner. We haven’t been this excited about new music Friday in quite a while, and we’re thrilled to have this album in our back pocket. From the very beginning of first track “Trouble”, there is a palpable energy that urges you to keep spinning. Second track “Mother” is a little more surf pop in its sound, while “Midnight” hits us with a more whimsical appeal. The vintage dance track beat to “Have You” makes the fourth song – slightly slower than its predecessors – something you might find in a 1980’s teen movie.
One will note – regardless of soundscape – that Cogan’s vocals are stand out, drenched in reverb and befitting of the “ethereal” label. While “Not So Proud” has the pace befitting of a leisurely stroll, her vocals absolutely soar, creating more of a ballad effect for the fifth track. “Trains and Snow” feels late 80’s, early 90’s-inspired, and is the first song in the offering that seems to enhance the instrumentals over the vocals. “Eden” carries the same pace, setting the stage perfectly for our hearts to thaw and grow from “three sizes too small” during “Beat the Heart”. (Seriously, this is our jam.) And while “Giving Up” has a slightly more melancholic feel to it, they end on a high note with both “Rocks” and “Easy Enough”, paving the way for more miracles to come!
Overall, Tallies in its entirety delivers a grandiose soundscape that could easily be found in a nostalgic and well-shot teenage romcom. It’s a gorgeous soundtrack to reminisce to, and we can’t wait to see this act on tour!
Keep up with Tallies here.
by Anthony Mulcahy | Jan 10, 2019 | snapshot, visual
On January, one woman band Raye Zaragoza made a stunning performance at Rockwood Music Hall. One of our favorites – Mr. Anthony Mulcahy – was on hand to capture the beauty for us.
Keep up with Raye Zaragoza here.
by Meredith Schneider | Jan 7, 2019 | albums, review
As you lean slowly into the gentle and mellifluous soundscape of Jane Willow‘s Onward Still, your mind starts to wander, and wonder what the inspiration for this work of art exactly was. From the first caress of vocals in “Onward Still”, to the last defining, harmonic moments of “Comfort”, this 6-track EP is nothing if not the perfectly watercolored canvas to hang over your blooming ideas and goals and adventures for 2019. “On My Mind” hits you with introspective and intense lyrics, sad strings to really rip into your heart’s deepest cavities. “Nobody Knows” has a strangely poignantly placed feeling of freedom to the delivery of the vocals, subtle yet defining nuances throughout.
“Hannah” brings the pace up, the Dublin-based artist’s most notably uplifting track to the work. “If I Did Love You” is quite the ballad, theatric and haunting in its presence. “Comfort” truly rounds the release out nicely, with a sound that makes you feel as though you’re basking in the glow of the sun on a patio somewhere amongst vineyards. This song itself evokes the title in an effortless and wonderful way, which seems to be the artist’s intention. We’ll be using this as our adult lullaby for a while, and we’re not even remotely ashamed.
Keep up with Jane Willow here.
by Meredith Schneider | Jan 2, 2019 | soundtrack, visual
Everybody’s done with those gnarly “Best Of” lists, correct? No? Oh, we didn’t post our favorite music videos of the month quite yet? Alright. You’ve got us. We took a few (much needed) days out of rotation, and we feel like we are already behind on everything! Especially when December yielded so many incredible new collections of music, let alone a host of top notch visuals for our viewing pleasure. So let’s dive in, shall we? Time to enjoy some great new music videos from Chromeo, Roosevelt, Mae Muller, The Faded North, and more!
