by Madison Blom | May 16, 2018 | albums, review
After her tour on NBC’s Emmy-award winning show The Voice season 13, Whitney Fenimore has found herself knee deep in a career that is just beginning. Although she has had so much happen in the space in between her tv appearance and the present, the most exciting news is yet to come as she releases her first ever full EP, Battle Within on May 18. Although the EP is scheduled to drop later in the week, we have had the chance to grab a sneak peak and are excited about Fenimore’s unique ability to seamlessly mesh so many genres–from country to folk and rock to pop.
One of the greatest skills that is highlighted by this Ep is Fenimore’s vocal flexibility. Within each individual track there is such a wide array of emotions that listeners pick up on just by the way she emotes each and every note. With each breath, this young artists draws energy and atmosphere into her long, beautiful melodies. Perhaps The Boot said it best when they proclaimed, “powerful, distinct vocals [and] strong melodies.” All three points accurately sums up all of the highlights presented in this wonderfully written and produced EP. Without a doubt, this will accelerate the career track that she has so clearly set for herself.
From being one of the strongest vocal contestants on America’s favorite pass time show to becoming one of the most credible and content reliable musicians of her time, Fenimore has nowhere to go but up as she continues to develop music that is both relevant and utterly breath taking. At age 28-the amount of quality work that we have seen is astounding. As each single on this track is unique and holds a different feel, fans are inclined to continue listening, viewing several different facades of Fenimore with each passing track. Look out for the release of Battle Within, scheduled to drop May 18. Until then check out her latest teaser, “Stones” which will be included on the release.
Battle Within is out May 18th. Keep up with Whitney here.
by Abby Trapp | May 16, 2018 | albums, review
Oakland based Wax Idols, are happy to release their fourth and latest album on May 16th, Happy Ending. Members if the band include Hether Fortune (vocals, guitar, bass, organ) with Peter Lightning (guitar, bass, organ, piano), Rachel Travers (drums), and Marisa Prietto (bass, backing vocals). Greer McGettrick has recently joined as a bassist. The post-punk band is versatile with Happy Ending, which explores a variety of topics such as philosophy, politics, and relationships.
Streaming on NPR, their song “Scream” is a punk hit. “Scream” touches in the internal conflict we all struggle with. “So I’ll scream…the only love I’ll have,” the band proclaims with its struggle to find love. “Crashing,” an anthem to the struggles life “This life and I never got along…so now I’m crashing hard,” the track testifies. The song keeps a slow and steady beat before rocking out at the chorus “Now I’m crashing hard.” “Mausoleum” remains a unique track. Wax Idols display their punk roots here with whiny female vocals, sounds of a tambourine, and a classic rock sound. “Mausoleum” is a great display is the versatility that Wax Idols brings to the scene.
Wax Idols Tour Dates
6.1 | Red Museum | Sacramento, CA
6.2 | The Holland Project | Reno, NV
6.4 | Neurolux | Boise, ID
6.6 | The Astoria | Vancouver, B.C.
6.7 | Barboza | Seattle, WA
6.8 | Cryptatropa | Olympia, WA
6.9 | Tonic Lounge | Portland, OR
6.15 | Eli’s Mile High Club | Oakland, CA
6.16 | The Hi-Hat | Los Angeles, CA
Keep up with the band
here and look for their album
Happy Ending streaming worldwide now.
by Gemma Harewood | May 15, 2018 | albums, review
UZ is an artist who has changed the face of trap music since he first emerged on to the scene. Revolutionizing the genre with his own spicy series “Trap Shit,” the Frenchman went on to release with a plethora of labels before creating his own platform. Quality Goods Records is where he has released his newest album The Rebirth, which signals a pivotal point in his career.
The artist is in the midst of a busy year; as well as releasing this LP, he has taken off on Part 1 of a tour across America and Canada, and rebranded his DJ mask. With Part 2 set for later in the year, we urge you to get yourself a copy of this release today. There are some blistering, knife-edge classic trap pieces, whilst UZ proves he is also capable of making something simplistic and ethereal in the form of the closing tune “Castle” ft. Nevve.
The Rebirth deserves a full, uninterrupted listen. You can do so by hitting the link below, or buying a copy here.
Keep up with UZ here.
by Abby Trapp | May 15, 2018 | albums, review
Courtship. recently released their debut album, Denial in Paradise. I had the pleasure of being acquainted with Courtship. earlier this month as I interviewed them. It was then that I fell in love with the first single off their album, titled “The Kind of Woman.” I was lucky enough to have a chance to listen to all of Denial in Paradise, an album where the tracks flow effortlessly to create a one-of-a-kind pop sound. “The Kind of Woman” is just the start and enters with a groovy 70’s feel. Courtship. sings “…the kind of woman I want to be with, you know I’m going to put a gold plated watch on her wrist,” on their idea of the ideal woman. The track even incorporates French. Listening to it made me feel like “the kind of woman.”
Following up “That Kind of Woman” is “Nice Guy.” The infectious track has Courtship. and me wondering as they sing “Why is it so hard to be a nice guy?/Could have had a nice life, friendlessness could never stop…I can’t even fake a smile,” Courtship. declares. “Nice Guy” is the perfect anthem not just for guys, but for a world that struggles to be nice from time to time. “Nice Guy” isn’t as somber as it sounds, the song stays upbeat with its synth and funky sounds.
“Perfect People” has a different, misunderstood and creepy feel to it. The vocals are emphasized here and Courtship. makes another great point “We’d do anything just to be perfect people, blonde and beautiful on the beach.” They are not far off, candidly calling out the societal pressures to look, be, and have “perfect things.” “Live! with D+J” remains the quirkiest track. The track is only 34 seconds long, but samples the band as if they were on a radio station with a DJ. It give the pop album a unique twist. Of course Denial in Paradise is more than just Courtship.’s latest album; it is an array of feel good, wind in your hair, summer night, love sick anthems.
Keep up with Courtship. here.
by Madison Blom | May 11, 2018 | albums, review, wolf tracks
From the very depth of New Orleans based brother band Holy Knives comes their debut EP, Ritual Bloom. Over the past few months, fans and followers have gotten to know Kyle & Kody Valentine through their successful singles, “To Be Mine,” and “Every Day” – both of which have been released in recent months. Both of these releases have revealed a little bit more of what we can come to expect from such a young band. Creative and passionate are just two words that can be used to describe this dynamic duo. Their creative streak runs deep–right down to their name which was a clever combination of two of their favorite works of art, the film “The Holy Mountain” by Alejandro Jodorowsky and the poetry book The Singing Knives by Frank Stanford. Despite the fact that both of these artistic works are found in two separate mediums, their message of surviving a daunting quest through unpredictable circumstances to find solace in the beauty of knowledge.
Musically, these brothers have found their niche in a world that contains all of the rich overtones of classic rock and roll that is highlighted by a psychedelically, unique flare. Unlike most artists, the Valentine brothers have found a way to mix together two diverse worlds in the music universe to create something beautiful; just like the name chosen for their group.As the music and the plot therein thickens, listeners are totally and completely captured by the creative and intricate instrumental rhythms. All of the music produced by Holy Knives is intended to be intuitive and plain to all who stumble upon their work, much like a well written story. Without a doubt, this new release will aid them in their goal of becoming the best musicians they can be.
Keep up with The Holy Knives here.
by Veronica DeFeo | May 9, 2018 | albums, review
It’s a great day for a new EP! Toronto-based Century Thief is back with their new self-released EP, Deaf Beneath the Waves, which is their second release since their debut record, Reverie. Century Thief is made up of vocalist/guitarist Omar Shabbar, bassist, Dante Matas, drummer Colin McNally, guitarist/vocalist Michael Legere, Kathryn Kearns on keys, wind, and vocals, Adam Reid on brass.
Says Century Thief about the creative recording process for Deaf Beneath the Waves,
We found it very important to have a bigger hand in the recording process, and decided to self-produce this material. In the spring of 2016, we isolated ourselves at a farmhouse in Northern Ontario for a week and a half to begin tracking, and then finalized the recordings at The Root Down Studio back home in Toronto. The result was songs that are darker, and more spacious, incorporating more electronic sounds, synthesizers, ambient noise, and effected guitars and vocals.
Deaf Beneath the Waves tracklist:
1. “406” starts off Deaf Beneath the Waves on a dramatic note. With full instrumentation and great vocals, Century Thief does not waste any time getting their EP going. Read more about “406” here.
2. “You Are Here” picks up where “406” left off. A bit mellower, but simply showcasing a different kind of strength. Century Thief clearly has an excellent hold on their composition, and knows how to display their well-crafted sound in the best way possible.
3. “Science of Solace” closes out the EP on a more upbeat tone. The most indie-rock of all the tracks, “Science of Solace” is filled with excellent harmonies, guitar, and bass. Til the last moment, Century Thief will have the listener hooked, holding onto every last note of the moving, soaring song.
Stay up to date with Century Thief:
FACEBOOK / TWITTER / INSTAGRAM / SPOTIFY/ SOUNDCLOUD
