by ImperfectFifth | Dec 17, 2019 | Uncategorized
Still haven’t decided on that perfect music selection for the quiet moments amidst the madness of the holidays? That’s OK.London-based singer/songwriter Ollie Trevers has swooped in with a win for you, boasting five incredibly beautiful tracks on his new EP Cordelia. Each song is dripping with emotion, Trevers’ vocals acting as the main instrument. Sincerely, if you haven’t experienced this man’s vocal talent, it’s absolutely time.
Take first track “Dispassionate Love”, for example. There are points in that song that sound like he is weeping. And then he’s singing at the top of his lungs like a ballad. Not to mention the mellifluous sounds he makes between lyrical stanzas, and the gorgeous note changes while drawing out words. “Can’t Make It Up” follows suit, beginning slower and progressing to a cacophony of sound at points during the track. What I love about this one is that it builds to a head, and then slows down again several times. It leaves you slightly unsatisfied throughout in that regard, though disappointing it is not. It edges more on the side of intriguing.
“Stage of Fools” might be one of the most gorgeous songs we have ever encountered, and the album gets no more upbeat in topic from there. The entire EP details loss in love, emotional wreckage, and the relatable thoughts brought on by heartbreak. “I Need Someone” magnifies this, definitely written in a poetic — albeit low — moment. “Lost Alone” rounds everything out with an audio atmosphere that feels very Queen-inspired, a love rock anthem to its core.
What do you think? Let us know on Facebook!
Track Listings – Cordelia EP
1 – Dispassionate Love
2 – Can’t Make It Up
3 – Stage Of Fools
4 – I Need Someone
5 – Lost Alone
See Ollie Trevers live
23rd January – Nambucca, London
31st January – The Finsbury, London
Keep up with Ollie Trevers here.
by Meredith Schneider | Dec 13, 2019 | albums, review
It’s been out for a hot second, but Stimmerman — the songwriting project of storied bassist and producer Eva Lawitts — recently released their debut 12-track full-length, Goofballs. High energy — even scattered, at times — this collection of tracks feels experimental, cutting edge. While Stimmerman plays with sonic boundaries and far-reaching, impactful vocal abilities, we get a look into the mind of no less than a genius.
Stimmerman has been quoted saying:
The album is more or less about loss and survivor’s guilt- it’s a meditation on a friend’s fatal drug overdose at a young age through that lens.
Side A of the album focuses on looking back at the environment in which our friendship started- pressures imposed on children to be successful, growing up too fast in all the wrong ways, and the often-debauched nature of our great and terrible adolescence here in Brooklyn. Side B, which is home to the song ‘Painted Smile,’ centers me more as an unreliable narrator, and features songs about grief and culpability in a close friend’s death some of which are, I believe, misguided.
With that very specific and captivating take, we dive in to what proves to be one of the most insightful and impactful albums of 2019.
Its story is unique and emotional, and with that Stimmerman brings her own brand of vocal rawness to each track. “Child’s Play” has a soundscape led by crashing cymbals, while “Elaine” builds to that point, beginning almost hesitantly in its pace. Even with the heartbreaking subject matter, Stimmerman only truly slows it down for eighth track “Long Formal Letter”, keeping us on our toes, just guessing where the musical progression will take us next. Single “Painted Smile” has perhaps one of the more chipper sounding ambiances to it, however its bittersweet truth ends the album with an almost cliffhanger feel to it.
It seems we shouldn’t be taking all words at face value. For those of you who haven’t gotten the reference yet, Goofballs isn’t to be seen as a group of silly friends this go around. And that’s OK. Not everything can be carefree. And to take such an intense life experience and be so vulnerable with it? It’s rare to be this seen as an artist, and we’re on board with Stimmerman’s delivery 100%.
Keep up with Stimmerman here.
by Meredith Schneider | Dec 12, 2019 | premieres, videos
Atlanta-based rock collective Lesibu Grand is comin’ atcha hot with a new music video for their single “Runnin’ Round” today, and we have the exclusive premiere. The video matches the energy of the track, bringing in quite a number of humorous shenanigans from the band members themselves, while lead vocalist Tyler-Simone Molton adventures around town on a scooter. Bright pops of animation and an incredible kaleidoscope of colors makes this all the more fun and fancy-free. Check it out below, and let us know your thoughts on Facebook!
The Legend of Miranda was released on October 4th. Keep up with Lesibu Grand here.
by Meredith Schneider | Dec 11, 2019 | singles, wolf tracks
If you’re looking for a tranquil soundscape, decorated with smooth, Swedish vocals, then Alec Baker‘s “Lava Pool” is next to throw on your short list. (Or just trust us and add it to your “vibes” playlist for the season.) And if you’ve ever been in a situation where you lose track of time because you’re so enveloped in conversation and revelry, or the eyes of another, then this song will speak to you in ways indescribable.
Pop this on and get lost in that winter love.
Keep up with Alec Baker here.
by Meredith Schneider | Dec 10, 2019 | videos, wolf tracks
Burgeoning artist Talker releases her new music video for single “Learning the Feeling” today, and we’ve been anticipating this release for quite some time. We were lucky enough to speak with Talker in our podcast this year, and we’re thrilled with the new music she’s been releasing. Powerful, transformative, badass. When you realize the theme of anxiety and hidden emotion, this song — and its accompanying video — feels like a particularly beautiful release. And all of that is just multiplied with the new visual. Follow one of your new favorite artists as she wields a baseball bat, angsty vocals, and a jumpsuit.
Just the perfect amount of attitude.
Keep up with Talker here.
by Meredith Schneider | Dec 9, 2019 | singles, wolf tracks
Pop rock collective The Wrecks have just released a new party ballad, for lack of a more accurate term. Smooth, cavalier vocals with quite the impressive range, the song maintains its fun disposition despite the interesting topic choice. Regardless of how you feel about The Wrecks trying to throw a wrench into life with these lyrics, you’re probably going to be the first one caught belting this song out in the car or shower.
If we don’t beat you to it.
Keep up with The Wrecks here.
by Meredith Schneider | Dec 5, 2019 | premieres, singles
Ever the optimist, songstress MYOA releases her latest single “You’re My Christmas Wish” today, and we have the exclusive premiere. From her smooth-as-honey vocals to the crisp, clean production on this gorgeous new holiday track, you’ll find yourself warming up to the cozy time of year and looking forward to the feelings of love and camaraderie to come. Positive outlooks come to us wrapped up in a perfect pop track.
What do you think of “You’re My Christmas Wish”? And what’s your Christmas wish this year?
Keep up with MYOA here.
by Meredith Schneider | Dec 3, 2019 | albums, review
As if last week didn’t give us enough to be thankful for, the week ended with a stunning EP release from Lilla Vargen, titled We Were Thunder. (As an Irish singer/songwriter, Thanksgiving meant nothing outside of the continental United States, but we’re still reeling about how perfect the timing was on this release.) Beginning with the powerful, building ballad that is “The Shore”, Lilla sets the bar high with her strong — yet ethereal — vocals commanding the voyage. Heart-wrenching, the lyrics speak of torment over past love. But the song’s gorgeous melody holds with it hope for the future. “Solitary” brings another tortured love to the forefront, as Vargen sings of a relationship that feels cold even when those involved are together.
The idea of drifting apart and feeling “solitary” matches the soundscape perfectly, which is something that is so uniquely Vargen. She continues to rip our souls apart with “Why Wait”, where she sings of the loneliness of unrequited — or perhaps not yet realized — love. This one hit home. “Trouble” plays with the notion of timing always being off between two flames. Another highly relateable — and infinitely gorgeous — track to center yourself in knowing you’re not truly alone in this. She winds down the EP with “On My Mind”, leaving the open ended question asking why her love interest is always on her mind.
We are clearly going to have this magical EP on repeat for a while. But it begs the question, will there be a resolution in coming work to this heartbreak? Or will it be like your new favorite indie film, leaving you with a cliffhanger that keeps it cult status for years to come? Let us know what you think on Facebook!
We would tell you to catch Lilla with one of our favorites, Dermot Kennedy, on December 17th at the O2 Academy Leeds, but the event is sold out. And we get it.
Keep up with Lilla Vargen here.
by Meredith Schneider | Dec 2, 2019 | albums, review
If you’ve been looking for instrumentals that will touch your soul simply and evoke emotion before the vocals even hit, check out Steven King‘s new full-length Steven King on Ice. In fact, try on the first track “Water” for size, and you’ll already see what we mean. Not to mention the fact that King’s pace switches pretty fervently between slow ballads (“Seams Are Splitting”, “Fly to the End”, “Run to the Back”, “Wine”) and a relatively danceable pace (“Water”, “Black Mood”, “Champion the Idiot”, etc.) throughout the nine track album.
Hailing from Columbus, Ohio, King has crafted melodies that make most of these tracks streamlined for television and movie placement. We are floored by the talent on Steven King on Ice. “Champion the Idiot” has pulled some obvious inspiration from 60s favorites, while songs like “Milkshake” have a bit more of a 90s appeal to them. And — even though there are a myriad of topics addressed in the album and, in that way, it can feel kind of scattered — it all seems to come back around to introspective thoughts, highlighted with lines like, “What’s this world to you?” in last track “Wine”.
We’re very into this album in its entirety, and will probably be championing it all week on Spotify. Take a listen below, and let us know what you think on our Facebook page!
Keep up with Steven King here!
