What mood did you wake up in this morning? Because we guarantee pop outfit RAINNE‘s new track “Dirty Little Dream” will completely transform you. (Bold claim. We know.) We’ve got the exclusive premiere of the new track, which is replete with the sultry vocals of bandmates Annie Dingwall
and Justin Klunk and an attitude we know you can’t resist. Admits Annie of the track:
Seductive, dark, and clever, ‘Dirty Little Dream’ explores the possibility that your wildest dreams may not be what you’d expect. At first glance, it’s a seductive song engulfed in passion, but upon further listening, maybe that’s only part of the story.
So press “play,” and jam into the dark hours of this beautiful summer day.
Check out the song on your favorite platform and keep up with RAINNE here.
We’re talking about reminiscing a lot, and it’s no different with Jacqueline Harvey‘s new single “Came Around”. The pop singer utilizes her signature sultry vocals to address a past love interest, as the instrumentals usher in a dance floor vibe. It’s truly a sonic delight to experience, and we think you’ll agree.
London-based singer-songwriter Olivia Nelson is setting the tone for your summertime romance with her new track “Cherry Chapstick”. Smooth and soulful from the first chords, we can only imagine this track being played while dancing or walking around a bar in slow motion on a sweltering summer evening. (Seriously, can you not imagine several scenarios for the perfect music video as you enjoy Nelson’s sultry vocals?) Check it out below, and let us know what you think on Facebook!
This weekend, folk rock musician Lauren Crosby released her new full length, I Said Take Me to the Water. From the first chords of “Skylights”, the is very much a soulful vibe to this work. The sass and beauty of Crosby’s personality is palpable through her mellifluous vocals, leading with a slight twang through the 11-track stunner. If you’re looking for the perfect track to sway your hips to at a garden party or while drinking under the stars with your friends, “You Don’t Need a Rose” and “Tak City” fit the bill.
“Something Strange”, “Dead River Road”, and “Madison, Maine” are perfection for playing in the background while you and your closest humans sit around a campfire. Subtle, gorgeous, and simple enough to beautifully complement natural surroundings.
But that’s how we feel about this body of work in its entirety. Crosby has taken an album jam packed with gorgeous, uplifting, and HUMAN lyrics and added her signature twang and some incredible instrumental layering to create a release that is pure warm weather perfection. We’re consistently looking for something to really frame our seasons around, and I Said Take Me to the Water is a prime contender for right now in our lives. Plus, when we go back to the west coast and all of our coastal dwelling friends and family who worship country music are asking for musical suggestions, you best believe this will be at the top of our list. Because Crosby has presented us with just enough of a blend of genres that we can road trip for weeks off this one album.
As you woke this morning and slowly blinked your eyes, I bet you were wondering just as much as we were. “Is it Sunday morning? Wait, is this the weekend that I’m blessed with or the dreaded Monday morning that my Sunday scaries highlight every week?” And here we are, surviving another solidly difficult and also incredibly wonderful Monday!
But if you truly want to celebrate in style, I’d consider checking out Sara Lew‘s new full-length, Sunday Morning. Comprised of nine tracks that pack a punch, she begins bass-heavy with “Does Anybody Listen” (No, they do not), which segues quite nicely into the deep sounds of the title track. “Same Old People” slows it down, beautiful percussion slowly building on top of the electric guitar chords. “Every Moment” has an almost haunting sound to it, while “Leave the Shed” gives more of a slow burn to its sound, and reminds the listener – as if they could forget – of Lew’s deep vocal range.
“Deep End” feels poetic in its existence, drawing a feeling of melancholy with it, while you get the distinct notion that the instrumentals are trying to lift you out of the melancholy. It’s distractingly beautiful, though the same can be said – perhaps, to a different degree – about the album in its entirety. While “The Balcony” is soft and plays a little more with dissonance than its predecessors, “You Said” picks up the pace and is perhaps the track we can see ourselves dancing most wildly to by an outdoor stage this summer, though each track on Sunday Morning is equally vibe-able. The “Sunday Morning” radio edit rounds it out, and leaves a taste so sweet that we can’t wait for more.
On Wednesday, March 29th, Billy Raffoul and KC favorite Jake Wells opened for Parachute at recordBar in Kansas City, MO. Through both of the first sets, the large crowd was more respectful than any crowd we have ever been a part of, a fact magnetized several times when Raffoul swapped out guitars and didn’t have to ask us to settle down before his next track. His witty banter on stage made the show that much more incredible, and his fan base has no doubt multiplied in Kansas City. His deep, gravelly, charming vocals stayed with us for hours after, and we are thrilled to name him as one of our favorite live performers of the season. Some photos from the intimate evening below.
A twinkling intro locks in the mood, as Swedish pop artist Be The Bear‘s (Christina Wehage) ethereal vocals hit the track before the bass sets in. A dance track to its core, the new track “Mermaid” has more than just a bit of energy to it. And it’s layered, as it was originally written for Wehage’s friend who was struggling with their mental health. As we start to really hone in on the importance of providing support and care to all people, and normalizing a broader discussion about mental health, this inspired art keeps our heads above water. But at 1:02, you’d better be ready to groove.
Today, Houston-bred, Nashville-based artist Luisa Lopez released an incredible 8-track feat titled 45. Her entrancing vocals add a level of poeticism that wouldn’t otherwise be attainable, a fact that simply elevates the appeal of the release. But before we even get to the content of the album, the title itself holds significance in many areas of Lopez’s life. It was both the age at which she began to create the release, as well as the number that represents our current President, a person who fueled some of the work.
Beginning with “Tired”, Lopez plays with dissonance instrumentally and gives us a taste of those far-ranging pipes. “She Had to Go” and “Heaven” bring in a groovy, nineties-inspired feel, while “They Ain’t Gonna See Me Coming: An American Western” picks up the pace, and with “Heart Side”, she ensures you can feel that emotions that went into the song’s production. “China” unfolds into a very specific story and is littered with unique instrumental layering that is absolutely inspired. “Nothing Left” and “Nothing New Under the Sun” slow the pace down quite a bit, bringing forth a vibe that could easily be played at a casual cookout or in a hotel lobby. However, if you truly examine the lyrics, “Nothing Left” is centered around the lives affected by police brutality, especially in black communities. Her social commentary is sobering, yet so beautifully presented.
Above all Lopez admits, “I want people to feel something. I want them to feel inspired. I want them to put themselves in these sounds and I want them to want to hear from me again. I want them to be curious about what will be next.”
Mission accomplished.
Track list
1. Tired
2. She Had To Go
3. Heaven
4. They Ain’t Gonna See
Me Coming: An American
Western
5. Heart Side
6. China
7. Nothing Left
8. Nothing New Under
The Sun
Recently, Brooklyn-based musician IYVES – the moniker for R&B artist Hannah Taxman – released the acoustic version of her soulful track “Gold”. Her vocal range delicately and gorgeously takes the forefront with this production, where she plays with dissonance between lyrical lines. A gospel choir placed sparingly lights up this particular body of work, and we’re left in an intrinsically beautiful ambiance it creates.
