Toronto-based artist Marlon Chaplin has just released his full-length debut album and it is, to put it simply, a powerhouse record. Chaplin clearly has the range of a true rock performer and these ten tracks embody his style flawlessly. It is diverse, passionate, and an inimitable listening experience that will leave you wanting nothing more but to see the live performance (and to play the album on a continuous loop).
The record opens up with “The Circle.” As the attention grabber, the title track is very high energy, complete with a full-bodied opening instrumental. It is the perfect opening, capturing the adrenaline of that momentous first song of a rock concert. It sets the pace for other similar rocker tracks, such as “Drain Me,” “Imaginary Mary K,” and “Elevation.” The album slows down with two acoustic ballads: “Back to the Start” and “Take Me There.” They are dreamy and buoyant, complete with pretty harmonies. Chaplin’s more vulnerable side is at the forefront of these songs, making them even more beautiful.
“A Single Drop” is a cool song with a biting edge. It swings us back around from the romantic ballads, showing Chaplin’s diversity in sound and genre. Listeners are treated to yet another change of pace with “One Man Show” and “Where Did We Go.” Their upbeat sound reminds me of the band Bleachers, with the vintage upbeat aesthetic and catchy guitar riffs. And the final track, “Out on the Wing,” brings a flawless ending to a very well-rounded album. It’s slower and sad, but full of life, focusing on the magnificent sound of strings.
The amount of work put into this strong debut is clear. Released via Möbius Recordings, the album was produced by Chaplin, mixed by Chris Shaw (Partner, Weezer, Bob Dylan) and mastered by Joao Carvalho.With such a stand-out debut, The Circle is bound to impress anyone and everyone who listens to it.
The Circle is out now, and is available for purchase here.. Keep up with the latest on Chaplin here. Also, be sure to check him out on tour, including the album release show in Toronto on August 30th.
Everyone’s favorite indie band Hop Along – comprised of Frances Quinlan (vocals, guitar), Mark Quinlan (drums), Tyler Long (bass), and Joe Reinhart (guitar) – is revving up for an exciting autumn as they travel overseas, largely in support of The Decemberists. And, though that means The States won’t get them for a hot second, we are just basking in the glow of the inspired, imaginative new video for their track “Somewhere a Judge”. Travel with the quartet as they adventure on tour, participate in mundane everyday activities, and get sucked into household appliances to experience a wonderland all their own.
Catch them overseas at the upcoming dates below! European Tour Dates * = w/ The Decemberists
9/9: New York, NY @ Pitchfork OctFest
10/30: Paris, France @ Pitchfork Avant-Garde
11/4: Dublin, Ireland @ Vicar Street *
11/5: Glasgow, UK @ O2 Academy *
11/7: London, UK @ Eventim Apollo *
11/8: Bristol, UK @ O2 Academy 1 *
11/10: Leeds, UK @ O2 Academy *
11/11: Nottingham, UK @ Rock City *
11/12: Manchester, UK @ Albert Hall *
11/14: Uthrecht, Netherlands @ Grote Zaal TivRe *
11/15: Amsterdam, Netherlands @ Paradiso *
11/16: Berlin, Germany @ Asstra *
Los Angeles-based visual artist, illustrator, zine-maker, and multi-instrumentalist Dakota Blue finally drops his insatiable 8 track Plaza to Plaza LP today, and we’ve got the streaming premiere! Starting in an eery way with what seems to be old opera music, “Plaza I” eases us into the emotional soundscape we are about to embark upon slowly and painlessly. “Private Car” keeps us at that tempo, blissfully floating through electric guitar notes and reverb for days. When we get to “Plaza II”, we aren’t sure if we should expect an extension of its predecessor or not, but it seems these two plazas exist in completely different atmospheres. Whereas the first gave us a taste for nostalgia in its entirety, the third track dances at a quicker tempo, layered with original vocals. “Game Show” brings the energy back down, but not quite to that of the first two tracks. In fact, it does continue with the “eery” theme, incorporating more of Dakota Blue’s vocals like its predecessor.
“I’m The Mannequin” feels older, perhaps with the way dissonance is manipulated throughout. “Scorpion’s Theme”, however, feels exactly as it is described, with heightened sounds to indicate staccato moments of intensity, as though you are facing down with a scorpion in person. This track absolutely belongs in a stressful horror movie, along with many of its colleagues on this collection. (Should we throw that idea into the universe?)
“Beijing” is melancholic in sound, beautiful in its vocalization and the simplicity of the lyrics. Dakota Blue rounds out Plaza to Plaza referencing a third plaza, “Plaza III”. This track begins so quietly, you almost have to focus on nothing but the music. Which is a testament to the way this musician creates, his experimental functions so pronounced that it is most admirable to find time to enjoy these tracks with your mind, body, and soul.
But don’t just take our word for it. Check it out in all of its freshly release glory below!
Industrial shoegaze collective We Are Parasols – comprised of D (Vocals, Synthesizers, Bass), Jeremy Wilkins (Guitars, Piano, Synthesizers, Samples, Vocals), and Alec Eye (Drums, Synthesizers, Samples) – recently released new track “The Gods Have Become Disease”, and it’s time for your curious ears to have a listen. A dark, reverb-filled soundscape and luscious, intense vocals are the two outstanding aspects of this track, the overall feeling one of a hard rock ballad. If you’re looking for something a little heavier sounding than the pop-infused tracks of summertime 2018, this is your jam.
Keep your eyes peeled for We Are Parasols’ new EP toward the end of September, and keep up with them here.
Acclaimed Texas-based artist Salim Nourallah has released his latest single “Sweet as a Weed,” which is set to appear on both his upcoming EP and full-length album. It’s quite stripped down, making for an intimate track. It has an interesting country-like feel to it, which may be attributed to the story of how the idea of this track came about. Nourallah recalls how the inspiration struck while on the road:
I was having pre-gig chips and salsa with a friend in Malden, Missouri … We were talking about my daughter when he proclaimed, ‘Well, she’s about as sweet as a weed! I nearly spit out a chip. ‘What? Is that actually a saying?’ It was baffling to me. Weeds aren’t sweet! He swore it was a legit Southern saying after I grilled him on it. I stuffed it away in my file of things to consider for songs.
The spirit of the South can definitely be heard in this song, with its distinct twang and tone. The mellowed-out guitar paired with Nourallah’s vocals creates an atmospheric, vaguely eerie vibe and a song for those days spent in the blistering summer heat in the country.
Nourallah’s EP South comes out on September 7th, and his next album Somewhere South of Sane comes out September 28th. Keep up with him here.
“BANDS with ONIONS” was created to showcase bands with members who have “layers” of talent.
The most obvious bands to include were Foo Fighters and Godsmack, featuring lead singers and primary songwriters who were known “only as drummers” in their previous bands. Similar to my experience in CodeRedRiot, they also played all the instruments on their debut albums (drums, bass and guitar), only getting help from friends for lead guitar parts along the way.
I’ve included a number of bands with insanely talented visual artists, such as 10 Years, Nirvana, My Chemical Romance, Devour The Day, The Fever 333, Gemini Syndrome, Butcher Babies, OK Go, and Crobot.
Some other examples of “talent layers” on this list include:
– Beartooth – Caleb Shomo plays all the parts on their albums
– Devour The Day – Frontman Blake Allison was also a former drummer
– Phantom Planet – Drummer Jason Schwartzman starred in a number of acclaimed Hollywood pictures, including Rushmore, I Heart Huckabees, and more.
– Jellyfish – A critically acclaimed by musicians for decades, their drummer was also the lead singer
– The Bronx – Known originally as “only a punk band,” their other project Mariachi El Bronx is definitely worth checking out
– White Zombie / Five Finger Death Punch – Include movie producers Rob Zombie and Jason Hook
– Pearl Jam / Stone Temple Pilots – Both of these songs were written by the band’s drummers
– Every Time I Die – Keith Buckley is a published author
– Papa Roach – Jacoby Shaddix runs his own clothing line
Every band has a story… and there’s a million others I could have included on this list, but “BANDS with ONIONS” includes my personal list of favorites. Enjoy!
Download Maskhere and keep up with Code Red Riot at their website.
If the stats behind Nick Talos and his music are correct, the Berlin based musician, producer and remixer has gotten himself some serious credentials over the last couple of years. Remixing huge major label acts and breaking all sorts of personal records with his streaming numbers on his own tracks, Talos returns to the limelight once again with his brand-new single offering “Straight To The Heart.”
Showcasing all the musical elements that helped propel his previous guitar-led tune “Hey Gorgeous” to such prestigious streaming heights on Spotify, it also has the wonderful vocals of David Spekter. He helps to give “Straight To The Heart” an unbridled vocal hug and a sprinkling of soul.
Pop punk is a genre that many of us identify as our first real musical love. It’s the music that blasted in our earphones as we tried to survive eighth grade . And for many of us, that love fades away as our own teenage angst forms into something new, something “mature.” Belmont’s new self-titled album reminds us of that first love and how that music has involved in itself, while still being as cool and emotional and punk.
This album is the epitome of what pop punk music is. Each song showcases the band’s youth and talent. Frontman Taz Johnson’s vocals are hypnotic, and combined with Brian Lada on drums, Sam Patt on guitar, and Alex Wieringa on bass, the end result is magical. The moment the opening track “Empty” bursts to life with an explosion of guitar and drums, I am flooded with nostalgia and the desire to head bang like crazy. As the album goes on, each song seems to give off that same vibe that only this music can give. There are also so many lyrics that stand out because of their depth and honesty. “Interlude” is a slowed-down song that, despite its cool beat, has you thinking instead of head banging:
Do you know what it’s like to be alone?
To live life feeling numb and cold,
It’s a ******* nightmare on its own
And it just gets worse as we grow old.
The second half of the album picks up speed once again, with powerful tracks like “Hollowed Out” and “Convalescence.” As the album comes to an end with “BMC,” Johnson asks the million dollar question: “Why do I pretend to keep caring?” Belmont’s talent is undeniable in both their music and their lyrics, showing the band’s inevitable rise as the next great act.
Out of the artful spaces of Southern California (Santa Barbara, to be exact) comes singer/songwriter Conner Cherland, who specializes in guitar looping and percussion. His soulful, raw vocals only lend themselves to the instrumental talents he possesses in the most entrancing way possible, and his single “The Choices of John Still” off of his upcoming EP Luckily, we have the exclusive premiere of the intriguing lyric video right here.
Gaze at some stunning cartoon art in cool, moody colors as the backdrop to some beautifully touching lyrics below!
