by ImperfectFifth | Sep 1, 2020 | albums, review
Welcome to Nevada City. The small town is infused with musical talent across several genres, and it’s all showcased on The Nevada City Album, a compilation put out by Dowd Records in celebration of the Nevada City Film Festival. As we come across each artist featured on the album, we can trace a progression of genre from mood music to courageous hard rock.
Our first stop is Brett Shady, a folk singer who describes his music on twitter as easy listening. His track “Dear Life” is a swaying waltz that endears all who it flutters by with Shady’s uncomplicated voice and some whimsical sax playing. Things get a little psychedelic with Aaron Ross farther along the album, with his own personal brand of freak folk in his song “Painted Sky.” Its endless and dreamy guitar riff, bejeweled synth melodies and odd backing vocals certainly paint an interesting sky– one that Lucy and Sgt. Pepper could gaze upon together. These indie tracks are echoed by “Peaks and Passes”, a fleeting gem on the album gifted to us by The Moore Brothers. A blues guitar riff and harmonies reminiscent of doo-wop or even gospel music make for an eclectic sound that shows how extensive the influences are around Nevada City. But we have only scratched the surface of the cavernous pool of genres on this compilation.
“Coming Down” by Jessica Lynn and Broken Spoke and “Heart on Fire” by Farrow and the Peach Leaves both rock a country/americana sound, with classic country vocals and roots-oriented guitar. “Heart on Fire” has a hint of happy-go-lucky energy to it, while “Coming Down” layers in some twangy guitar for a more western sound. Soon enough, however, the clouds roll in and that western sound darkens for Tiera May’s “Ballad of the Damned.” Her moody psych rock comes from rumbling guitars, atmospheric cymbal rolls and May’s apparition-like vocals that writhe through the air like the wails of a ghost. Less spectral but just as moody, the alt-rock track “400 Degrees” by Casual Fog uses slow, gloomy guitars and a rising bassline to create a perpetual, inevitable demeanour that carries you along with it.
Speaking of rock music, this compilation is an ecosystem of the genre, with diverse species that work together to cultivate an interesting and fruitful environment. First we travel back in time to the 80’s with “Hungry for the Dark,” by TLA, another alternative rock tune with lots of influence from punk and new wave. Its drum machine, prominent synth bassline and embellishments and the robotic lead vocals make you nostalgic for the post-punk era, no matter what year you were born in. Dipping into some electronica, “Lrn2love” by The Fit transports us to another planet entirely, with its glitching, cybernetic music and computerized vocals. The celestial rock bop “In Gratitude” by Shapes Freely, on the other hand, exists suspended in space. Its gentle vocals, orbiting synths and strings paint a vivid soundscape from outer space complete with stars, planets, rocket ships, and even extraterrestrial beings. On our way back down again, we meet “The Bad One” by Mount Whateverest, or, ‘the highest band on earth.’ This track is a product of what the band calls “solar powered fuzz and roll,” complete with slow, disjunct, infectious beats and a variety of vocals with different effects. Mount Whateverest utilizes whatever they can from saccharine pop melodies to big classic rock riffs to reach new heights with their music.
Finally, we reach the antipode of the easy, calm sound of “Dear Life” with the hard rock tracks “Killed Alive” by Cherry Rats and “Beverly Hills” by Beautiful Dudes. The former’s crashing drums and vigorous distorted guitar provide you with a taste of 2020 style classic rock. The Dudes are known for their cathartic hard rock sound and catchy hooks, and “Beverly Hills” certainly delivers, sounding grungy but upbeat in a vaguely Weezer-like way.
The Nevada City Album sought a varied and gifted assortment of artists in the area, scooped them up and unified them in a multifaceted compilation that has something for everyone. It’s well worth listening to, for when you find yourself drawn to some of the musicians, you know exactly where to look for live shows!
by ImperfectFifth | Aug 14, 2020 | singles, wolf tracks
NYC-based brotherly duo Eighty Ninety’s latest single “Know Me” is an understated love song that is tinged with woe but overcome with sweetness. It talks about how love inspires hope, meaning, and possibly even absolution when faced with tragedy. Formed recently in 2016, Eighty Ninety has been making waves in the music world. Their music, videos, and performances have been featured in prominent blogs and publications such as Ones To Watch, Alternative Press, Billboard, and NME. Their debut single “Three Thirty” reached #2 on Spotify’s Global Viral Chart, and since then they have curried favour with the world, including superstar Taylor Swift, who chose Eighty Ninety’s single “Your Favourite Song” as #13 on her official Spotify playlist “Songs Taylor Loves.”
While “Know Me” stays true to the band’s 80-90’s indie-pop aesthetic, its twangy guitar rift introduces a fresh touch of Americana, a style that the band has not yet explored. The uncomplicated guitar and soft atmospheric background music feels completely genuine. This song isn’t trying to be something it’s not, something that’s quite refreshing in today’s world. The simplicity of the music is also reminiscent of the minimalistic pop productions that the duo is known for creating. Abner James’ refined falsetto is embraced by backing vocals in the chorus, giving the effect of a breeze: easy and carefree. The hills and valleys of his vocal lines are a serene treat for the ears to traverse. Even with the twinge of sadness in the lyrics, the story of this song is beautiful and uplifting, and its universal topic infuses the song with a sense of timelessness.
Eighty Ninety is currently working hard to finish their next full-length album, coming out this Summer. You can pre-save their upcoming single “Happier” here, coming out on August 21st. The down-to-earth clarity of “Know Me” is just the beginning. Be sure to check it out.
by Katy Mombourquette | Jul 17, 2020 | albums, review
The English post-punk legend Gang of Four’s new EP Anti Hero dropped today. The EP is a celebration of the life of band member Andy Gill who passed away in February. Gill’s widow Catherine Mayer joined together with the band to memorialize Andy through music and to fundraise for Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospital– the hospital that worked tirelessly to try and save his life. All net receipts received by the band from sales and streams of the forthcoming EP and associated singles will be donated to Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust so that they can continue their valuable work. Anti Hero features two new tracks and new versions of old songs that were completed at the time of Andy’s death. “Change the Locks” and “Glass” were written before we were really in the throes of quarantine, but resonate with it nonetheless. “[Andy’s] ability to write songs that remain relevant was unparalleled,” says singer John Sterry. Bassist Thomas McNeice worked with Andy’s longtime friend and collaborator Santi Arribas to produce and mix the EP. McNeice says “I like to think that this EP exhibits a progression in Gang of Four, while paying tribute to a unique talent that I was extraordinarily lucky to work with.”
The title Anti Hero comes from the first single off the EP, “Forever Starts Now.” Written by Gill and Sterry, its original working title was “Hero,” referring to the lyrics which describe “a character who sees himself as the hero of his own life and manipulates his partner into supporting this fantasy,” according to Sterry. Andy was always wary of narratives surrounding supposedly great men, hence the word “anti” in the title. You can hear the aggression and conviction of the character in “Forever Starts Now”, especially in the bass. There are two bass parts, one electronic, one physical, and both attack each note with the ferocity of a deluded man. The rest of the music is made up of these short, fragmented motives in several different voices that give the track an unsettled quality, which also plays into the instability of the character. All these fragments create a really full sound, however, using mostly physical instruments but also some hints of electronica. It’s disjunct and edgy, yet incredibly easy to jam along to.
This unsteadiness is also mirrored in the second single, “Day Turns To Night”, but rather than being fueled by delusion, it’s fueled by the inner turmoil that one experiences after a loss. Sterry wrote the song only days after Andy’s death, and while he didn’t intend the song to be about him, it evolved into a tribute anyway. The track is made up of chaotic electronic sounds interspersed within a foggy musical atmosphere. Touches of angelic, but ghostly harmonies peek through every once in a while. This amalgamation of sounds are overwhelming, like a sensory overload, reflecting how grief can feel. However, the lyrics are clear. They are a plaintive but touching message to Andy with lines like “Is it too late to say thank you?” and “You forever changed my fate.” In some sense, it’s as though the mayhem in the music is giving you an out– something to focus on. Because if you pay attention to the lyrics, the emotions are piercing.
To complete the EP, the two reworked tracks “Change The Locks” and “Glass” update the sound to fit the vibe of the EP. “Glass” retains some of the 80’s energy from the original 1979 version, such as the DEVO-esque vocals, but it feels edgier with the pounding beat of the drums and guitar. The repetitive guitar licks and lyrics bring back the unstable sound of the first two tracks– as though the whole song is twitching. It’s short and restless, ending abruptly.
The original version of “Change The Locks” is much more recent than that of “Glass”, appearing on their 2019 album Happy Now, and consequently sounds more modern with lots of electronic elements and a pop-punk character. The Anti Hero version leans more towards alternative rock, with less bouncy electronic sounds and more distorted guitars that sound almost like buzzing. Funk comes into play in the bassline which maintains a steady groove throughout the track. The bridge adds a deep uniqueness that makes “Change The Locks” the standout track on the EP. It begins with simple, static drums, guitar, and bass. As Sterry sings “bang bang on the drums,” the drum beats ring out like shockwaves. It then dissolves into an old-timey sounding piano part before the chorus comes back, sounding familiar but also different after the mood shift that just occurred in the bridge.
Anti Hero is a wonderful celebration of a valuable band member. It honors him, not in a lachrymose way, but in a way that connects with who he was as a person and musician. The skilled musicians create music that has ties to the 80s post-punk roots of the band that Gills co-founded back in 1976, and highlights songs that Andy wrote, but also songs that capture the impact he had on those around him.
Keep up with Gang of Four here.
by Leigha Stuiso | Jul 7, 2020 | videos, wolf tracks
Electronic duo Divine Astronaut released their new single and music video for “Voices”. This is the group’s second track off their debut album, Made Not In Berlin, set to release sometime in 2020. Inspired by artists such as Radiohead and Bjork combined with the absence of electronic acts, the duo came to fruition in August 2019. Their music is downtempo, alternative electronica with trip-hop and industrial elements weaved in. The track has a menacing feel with airy vocals and deep guitar riffs.
With toned-down colors, singer Livvy Holland walks around an ominous castle. The video was actually shot at Dracula’s Bran Castle in Transylvania, Romania, capturing the haunting nature of the track and the mythology of Dracula. The duo tackles how haunting our own voices and inner demons can be. As Warm Audio Featured Artists, Divine Astronaut are partnering with the pro-audio manufacturer on the release of the track to give audiences a chance to win a Warm Audio WA-47JR microphone. The microphone is featured multiple times in the video and you can sign up here for your chance to win. Don’t forget to take a look at the “Voices” video now.
by Leigha Stuiso | Jun 26, 2020 | singles, wolf tracks
Microcosms released its newest single “Scenes,” focusing on the post-punk sound. With angular guitar and bass lines, the trio is crafting up their sound. The track is moody and carried by the heavy sounds of the drums and bass, playing into a dark alt-rock sound. Instead of just putting out a song we’ve all heard before, Microcosms is releasing music that is authentic and raw. After building up the local fan base, the Chicago-based band is ready to put themselves out there and show the world its sound. Following up the last single “Tightrope,” the band continues to release thought-provoking music that keeps you rocking your head to the beats. This is only the beginning for the group with a bright future ahead in the alternative rock world.
Check out Microcosms here!
by Katy Mombourquette | Jun 16, 2020 | videos, wolf tracks
Alt-R&B artist ROSA displays courage in his painfully raw single “BLOW” and accompanying music video. The track unearths and sets free some deeply buried demons surrounding ROSA’s personal battle with depression and drug abuse. Living with depression from an early age, ROSA quickly learned to adapt, to suppress his emotions, and instead forced himself to think clinically. While clever, this approach only prevented him from actually confronting his issues. It was his crafty thinking that allowed his severe cocaine addiction to fly under the radar for years without his friends or family noticing. Written, composed, produced, and arranged by ROSA alongside Joveek Murphy and Axe Hessel, the title “BLOW” refers both to cocaine, but also to what happens when you fail to deal with your emotions. The track is not only about someone coming to terms with their drug problem, but also with the root of the problem: depression. It is the second of a trio of singles that will be released before ROSA’s anticipated debut EP FEMALE. This EP will deal with female empowerment but also tackles issues of male emotional vulnerability. ROSA aims to challenge the stereotypes that surround masculinity by exposing some dark parts of himself. In the interest of honesty, “BLOW” speaks frankly, eschewing metaphors and symbolism to avoid romanticizing the matters of drug use in the track. By doing so, ROSA hopes to offer an alternative to the glamourized portrayal of drug use in pop culture.
The music video was directed by ROSA himself and illustrates his experience, from the initial ecstasy of cocaine to the inevitable deterioration as the high wears off. To show this, we first see shots of pleasant images: green trees and manicured bushes, women in dresses, bright blue lipstick, and deep red and white cloths. But each of these images are a double-edged sword. The groomed shrubbery and vivid colours seem out of context against muted colours and barren landscapes in the background. The faces of the women are void of expression. As the video progresses, we start to notice certain unsettling subtleties in the initial shots– the expression of pain on someone’s face with their mouth duct-taped shut, the fact that the fabrics are stretched over the people’s face. Eventually, you see that these people are struggling, even screaming through their restraints. Towards the end, fuzzy, black and white shots are interspersed among the others, before the harrowing final ten seconds arrive.
While ROSA’s alternative R&B and pop sound fits in somewhere near Frank Ocean, Kid Cudi, and Dev Hynes, his sound also has distinct touches that make his music his own. In “BLOW”, the music follows the same path of decay as the video, beginning with a smooth bassline and vocals, but finishing with stuttering words and haphazardous pauses before stopping suddenly, holding its breath for the final shot in the video. When the grainy black and white shots appear, some grungy guitar fills out the music, and shortly after ghostly harmonies chill you to the bone. The most impact, however, comes from the inserted spoken lines. Used sparingly, these lines directly get the message across, and uphold ROSA’s goal to show authentic emotions in a straightforward way.
Watch the striking video here, and look out for the third FEMALE single and the EP itself in the future.
by Kendal Chandler | Apr 29, 2020 | singles, wolf tracks
Indie-pop singer-songwriter and producer Dylan Emmet released new single “Dumb”. Emmet says inspiration for the track came from his girlfriend, “She was joking about how ‘get away with murder’ when I do annoying things because for some reason, they don’t bother her the same way it does when other people do them. It got me thinking about what real love is.”
The track combines electronic indie and alternative pop with punk guitars and a synth production. Emment’s smooth vocals set over this mix drives home the emotion. While instrumentally “Dumb” feels like any old summer dancey-type song, but lyrically it’s a playful love song.
“Dumb” captures that feeling of letting love take control, even if it makes you do crazy and dumb things for that person. The track enforces the idea of loving another and letting their flaws be one of the reasons for that love.
by Kendal Chandler | Apr 28, 2020 | singles, wolf tracks
In preparation for her debut EP release next month, singer-songwriter Lorelei Rose Taylor releases the title track “Versailles”. Taylor shares that the track “embodies a sort of cosmic dance between two people very much in love, but very toxic for each other – and everyone around them.”
“Versailles” feels light instrumentally, but lyrically you can sense a tug of war between love and toxicity. The lyrics that introduce the chorus “dance between the lines / dance around your lies”, shows that the main subject is aware of the problem occurring between the two people.
The song starts off with a serendipity feel but becomes more tragic as it progresses. With the use of building up the instrumentation and adding sirens as the song fades out, that progression is driven home.
Taylor’s style lives in the space between alternative, baroque rock, and dream-pop. With her soft, sweet, and raw vocals, coupled with her lyrical storytelling, Taylor is able to create vivid words of love, lust, and loss.
by Kendal Chandler | Apr 27, 2020 | singles, wolf tracks
Rising alternative pop rock group Between Kings have released their newest EP Antidote.
The title track “Antidote” is a non-judgmental observation on mental health. Currently the track is making constant play across alternative rock radio stations, it is also setting up the overall tone of the EP. With the current state of our altered lives, “Antidote” observes the way we deal with pressure of society.
The EP also features tracks “Bad for Me”, “Show Me What It’s Like to Love” and “Too Young to Give a Fuck”. The latter released with a video using fan participation as a way to bring their fanbase together to celebrate new music even during these unsettling times.
Between Kings combines the nostalgic feeling of when music could save your life and the hopeful look into music’s future. This combination makes their music feel both familiar and new at the same time.
Antidote, introduces listeners to the new musical era of Between Kings, garnering anticipation for upcoming full-length Young Love.
