by Meredith Schneider | Nov 5, 2018 | albums, review
Galway-based folk artist Ultan Conlon released his latest album Last Days of The Night Owl to incredible amounts of praise, landing itself at #1 on RTE. A 12-track masterpiece, Last Days of The Night Owl takes the listener on a lighthearted journey full of easy-listening that reeks of perfection no matter the season. We’re still impressed, so it’s on tap now just as often as it was at its release.
Beginning with “As the Light Gets Low”, Conlon establishes a sense of positivity as he croons, “somethings not right / but i can’t be all of the time.” The album slows only slightly with “The Town Square”, the percussion and tempo picking up again with “Hall of Mirrors”. By this time, we’re hearing direct influence from Roy Orbison, James Taylor, and the likes. “Fond Memories” exists at a gait reminiscent of a 1950s sock hop, though the discontent is obvious in the lyrics.
While “Sorrow Ease” comes in with more clear country influence, “Ojai” feels grand and gorgeous, perhaps just as much so as his expectations of the town before his arrival changes his mind. Memories aren’t always reality, and this song reminds us of that. “Hurt Inside” simplifies the trajectory, while “Time to Mourn” is the most outright melancholic track in every aspect. “The Measure” lightens things up a bit sonically, a toe-tapper if there ever was one, and that vibe continues through “Twice a Child”.
Everything comes to a slow crawl with “A Weak Heart Like Mine”, as Conlon evaluates the difference – or perhaps striking familiarity – between positive and negative feelings in romance. He rounds it all out with “The Fine Art of Happiness”, once again establishing a sense of positivity and looking forward in life. And that’s the note the album was destined to end on, giving us hope for light at the end of our sorrows.
Keep up with Ultan Conlon here.
by Meredith Schneider | Oct 31, 2018 | albums, review
The eleven-track compilation stunner just released by Dazzleships Records honestly serves as our life soundtrack at this very moment in time. Ever since we got our first listen, we’ve been running the tracks back through our minds, creating more with these songstresses as our inspiration. Dazzleships Records Presents: Raise By Women is both tantalizing and evocative of a generation – or more – in its entirety. Skull Diver‘s “Bad Star” sets the tone, giving us a grunge indie/pop soundscape to play with, absorbing itself into the quirky and lighthearted tone of Mini Blinds‘ “Happy” before Cat Hoch‘s “Say You Love Me” throws us into an 80’s-inspired bliss.
Natasha Kmeto‘s “Your Girl” blends synths in a similar way to its predecessor, but in a much more contemporary and soulful way. While Rilla‘s “Side Sleeper” is one to get your head bobbin’ to, your feet groovin’ a bit, Johanna Warren‘s “The Blessing The Curse” dunks you in an ethereal, mellifluous soundscape before DANDAN gets all experimental on us with “Broken Mirror”. Black Water Holy Light‘s “Sunrise” belongs on an episode of The O.C. (Seasons 1 or 2 exclusively, please?), and Laura Palmer’s Death Parade brings us to a slow, folk-tinged, melancholia with “Scrollin'”. Haste basically says it all within the instrumentals of “Let’s Touch Ourselves”, with gorgeous vocals and alluring lyrics to make it a powerhouse of a track. And the entire collection is rounded out quite nicley with Sheers‘ “An Osscasion”, which plays with dissonance and a more earthy, string-led sound that really feels delicate.
Keep up with the latest from Dazzleships Records and all their new projects here.
by Meredith Schneider | Oct 30, 2018 | albums, review
Seattle-based pop trio Tangerine just released their 4-track EP White Dove, which glistens in the glow of nostalgia from the very beginning of firs track “Local Mall” to the last chords of “Lake City”. Though “Local Mall” exists at mid-tempo, it feels more energetic, with Marika’s light-as-a-feather vocals driving the track itself. “Cherry Red” continues with a similar soundscape to its predecessor, bringing out more percussive moments for emphasis. “Monster of the Week” boasts a more sinister tone, perfect for this time of year, and last track “Lake City” is comprised of gorgeous melodies and a feeling of ease that only a beautiful body of water should be able to provide.
Keep up with Tangerine here.
by Meredith Schneider | Oct 26, 2018 | albums, review
To say Bets‘ new album Future Color plays with dark and light like crazy would be an understatement. With each track comes a new feeling, some eery and inescapable, others lift your soul to a place you hadn’t been in a while. The entirety of the album – all 10 tracks – entices its listener to feel something, and that’s what we’re so fond of.
“Another Night” starts us immediately with frantic instrumentals, the first line “dance with me” coaxing us into a frenzy while “Out of View” slows everything down a bit and darkens the instrumentals to an eery octave fit for October. Third track “Left My City” is the perfect anthem for anyone who has ever experienced a slight thrill at seeing someone leave their immediate vicinity, be it a former lover, an old friend, or someone who was bringing you down a bit. While “Da Da Da” has an experimental, robot vibe to it while Bets speaks simple truths, “Maybe” picks everything back up again and reintroduces the playful, light side to her vocals.
“The Daylight Beside Me” is slow, comprised of acoustic guitar and Bets’ mesmerizing vocals. It’s easily one of our favorites, though we’d take an argument for “All I Want” as it picks up the tempo – and transforms our mood – within seconds. “Fear Of” lurches us back into the darker side of Bets’ work, her vocals more mechanical, though no less appropriate at a club in Manhattan after 2am. The instrumentals of “Tunnel Vision” belong first in an action movie, then perhaps in a video game. The lyrics will play on in your ears for a while, though “Gold” will be the one that sticks with you, the instrumental layering something out of a gorgeous dream and Bets’ vocals more of an audible kaleidoscope than anything else.
Future Color is out now. Keep up with Bets here.
by Meredith Schneider | Oct 26, 2018 | albums, review
Swedish pop icon Robyn releases her highly anticipated new album Honey today, and we’ve been counting down the seconds until its release. The 9 track stunner stays true to Robyn’s glittering personality, wrapping her ethereal voice up in electronic instrumentals that feel, quite honestly, out of this world. While initial track “Missing You” feels like the sequel to 2010’s “Dancing On My Own”, “Human Being” features Zhala and feels earthy, more primal in its disposition. “Because It’s In The Music” has a throwback feel to it, “Baby Forgive Me” plays with some disco-era sounds while maintaining a fresh, pop/r&b feel, while “Send To Robin Immediately” is a whole other beast entirely, toying with dissonance and establishing itself as an inspirational dance track.
We reach “Honey” in the 6th slot on this collection. the track itself feeling as smooth as its namesake. This song is summer reincarnate, and we’re thinking we might be clinging onto it as the weather gets colder and daylight gets shorter. “Between The Lines” feels like the soft EDM track that a swanky hotel would play in their lobby, and that’s not a bad thing. Its beat captivates you, and sends you into a tailspin while “Beach 2k20” fuses island vibes with dissonance, spoken word, and simplified beach lingo. Honey is rounded out with ninth track “Ever Again”, which brings us back into an upbeat, disco-infused electronic dance space with lyrics that evoke confidence and tell a tale of learning from one’s past. It’s a message that will last, especially with such a catchy melody.
Keep up with Robyn here.
by Meredith Schneider | Oct 26, 2018 | albums, review
Nashville-based rock collective Taco Mouth – comprised of Erica Sellers (Vocals/Guitar), Shawn Hammer (Guitar), Flip Cooper (Bass), and Angela Lese (Drums/BGVs) – releases their new, hard-hitting, 10-track full-length A Deafening Silence today. We’ve been particularly excited about this release, as it ushers in an energy we’ve been ready for.
Keep up with Taco Mouth here.
