by Veronica DeFeo | Apr 24, 2018 | albums, review
Nashville-based Pale Houses has just released their new EP, Songs of the Isolation. Collaborating with producer Brandon Owens (Mutemath), the four-piece follows up their 2013 self-titled debut with this EP. Pale Houses is made up of drummer Ryan Rayborn, vocalist/guitarist Aaron Robinson, bassist/guitarist Aaron Yung, and Joshua Hood on lap steel/guitar. This long awaited second release encapsulates the beautifully different sound that Pale Houses so wonderfully owns. While the title of this EP references isolation, it is anything but uninviting. Pale Houses touches on familiar emotions and experiences in a deeper and different way through their lyricism and instrumentation.
Songs of the Isolation:
1. “The Ocean Bed” starts off the EP with a metaphoric track, featuring some hitting lyrics and carefully crafted guitar playing. Leading into the chorus is a beautiful moment of rising percussion that is truly the clincher for this track.
2. “Tenderfoot” carries a sound of persistence along with earnest vocals and an energetic beat. This song simply has to be amazing live.
3, Who Will I Be For You?”, a unique track, layers soft synth in its beginning, questioning the roles we play in each others’ lives.
4. “Ring Around the Moon” brings the listener into a nostalgic, gentler soundscape highlighted by smooth vocals and a yearning, soulful sound.
5. “Hideaway” is a moving track with a strong beat and emotional lyrics, featuring a beautiful medley of guitar playing.
6. “Olivia and Courage” is a slightly abstract piece that hovers on the edge of breaking, while maintaining a quiet strength that keeps the listener in its hold through the entirety of the track.
Moving along a variety of instrumentally breathtaking tracks, Pale Houses manages to be both flexible and focused with their sound. Songs of the Isolation is simultaneously different and perfect. This EP is not one to miss, so check it out today.
Stay connected with Pale Houses:
Facebook – Instagram – Spotify – Bandcamp
by Veronica DeFeo | Apr 24, 2018 | singles, wolf tracks
Toronto-based six-piece Century Thief has just dropped a brand new single, “406,” off their upcoming EP Deaf Beneath the Waves, out May 4. Deaf Beneath the Waves will be the second record from Century Thief, following their 2015 debut record, Reviere. The six-piece experimental indie band is made of bassist Dante Matas, vocalist/guitarist Omar Shabbar, Kathryn Kearns on keys, wind, and vocals, Adam Reid handling brass, Michael Legere on guitar and vocals, and drummer Colin McNally.
Their new single, “406” encompasses frenzied emotion through varied instrumentation paired with clear but complex lyricism and vocals. The track is not only impressive in and of itself, but also because Century Thief self-produced it (and all their new material), working on their new songs since spring of 2016. With the ability to appeal to a variety of tastes, “406” covers many musical aspects within the the space of a song.
Says the group of their new single: “406,” is about trying to close the growing distance between two people in a failed relationship. It explores ideas of false hope and the harsh realities of a newfound loneliness, pulling at loose threads through selective memory.”
Stay up to date with Century Thief:
FACEBOOK / TWITTER / INSTAGRAM / SPOTIFY
by Madison Blom | Apr 24, 2018 | albums, review
Coming out of a very successful year with a new album Sweet Decay that has already risen on some of the most acclaimed foreign charts is Ireland based singer/songwriter Ciaran Lavery.Not only has he had the opportunity to play on some of the biggest stages and has gathered thousand of dedicated fans, but he has the skill and talent that support his rapidly growing success. Recently, he has been awarded the Northern Ireland Music Prize for is 2016 album Let Bad In. Along with this tremendous achievement, Lavery has acquired over a million followers on Spotify and he doesn’t plan to stop there.
Throughout this wonderful album, Lavery explores self-growth and reflection through his smooth, hypnotic beats and rhythm. Vocally, it can be said that he has a very melodic voice that blends easily with the beautifully composed guitar and percussion portions of each of the tracks on the album. This attribute of Lavery’s sound is especially highlighted in, “Bones 4 Blood,” which is then followed up by a much lighter track, “Wicket Teeth.” Without a doubt, however, one of the greatest skills that this up and coming artist exhibits is the ability to fill each lyric with the appropriate emotion that almost seems tangible in the atmosphere as one sits and enjoys the musical masterpiece that Lavery has put together for his fans. In he future, this international star hopes to move his success across a grander demographic and hopes to continue to perform for adoring fans that appreciate the poetic lyricism of all of his music.
Keep up with Ciaran Lavery here.
by Abby Trapp | Apr 24, 2018 | albums, review
Following up on his album Home, singer-songwriter Nathan Evans Fox has released his new album Texas Dust. The Atlanta based singer has a penchant for folk, and is bringing his country roots to his latest work. A North Carolina native, Nathan was immersed in the sounds of folk, bluegrass, rock, and country at a young age. He is also well versed with a range of musical instruments such as the fiddle and the guitar. Texas Dust displays all the talents of Fox’s songwriting, instrumentation, and musical inspirations from his hometown.
A natural storyteller, Nathan’s lyrics tell the tale of his difficulty with religion and heritage growing up. The album is composed of eleven tracks, including the album’s title track “Texas Dust.” Out of those eleven tracks, my personal favorites are “Texas Dust,” “Saint Louis,” and “Great Sky.” A bittersweet ballad to a lost love in Texas, “Texas Dust” tells the story of Nathan’s grandfather- a Southern migrant worker turned Army Sergeant who eventually left the military following the death of his young daughter. The opening line sparks personal and political controversy saying “I was raised by violent men- drinking daddy and Uncle Sam.” The chorus keeps its foreboding tone, “I can’t change all my ways, can’t change the laws of grief—back when I was 21, I was Texas Dust and you were Tennessee.”
“Texas Dust” encompasses the salty and sweet of folk, while staying personal. “Saint Louis,” a wanderlust track, discusses all the places Nathan plans to go across the USA. “It’s been a full year in Saint Louis and we still ain’t getting used to it,” sings Fox. With the Midwest blues, Fox goes on “Now I’m dreaming about that boat taking me where I want to be.” “Saint Louis” holds a feeling of hope and longing, even though Nathan is stuck there. To me, “Great Sky” is perhaps the most uplifting track on Texas Dust. With talks of starting new, Fox sings “What more do I seek from this Heaven upon me?” Fox is looking to turn a spiritual new leaf. While those three tracks remain my favorite, Texas Dust has a little bit of something for everyone- even if you are not one for folk, Nathan’s lyrical talent alone will blow you away.
Look out for Texas Dust and more from Fox here.
by Madison Blom | Apr 23, 2018 | albums, review
Sine the release of his wildly successful synth laid single, “Let It Go,” singer/songwriter Lonely Benson has been working towards the release of his newest self-titled LP. Not only is “Let It Go” the perfect sneak peak to this wonderfully laid back LP, but every song that Lonely Benson contains is full of the same indie pop magic that fans have come to love from this artist. Throughout the entire release, the listener is taken through story after story that has been perfectly executed with the use of clever lyricism and dreamy vocals. One of tracks in particular, “Lazy Lover” aligns itself to this description. Lonely Benson is the ideal listen for any occasion or circumstance–whether you are spending time with friends, laying on the beach, or on a drive by yourself in the countryside.
Throughout all of his tracks, fans will fall in love with all of the thrillingly nuanced synth-pop influences and skillful guitar work. Along with this killer skills in his back pocket, Lonely Benson has the unique ability to create a warm and inviting atmosphere with his music that is both infectious and highly coveted. Without a doubt, this artist has what it takes to make it big time, seeing as there is already a significant amount of buzz surrounding this new project. Since his debut as an artist, he has been featured on Apple Music’s alternative list and has been awarded over 2 million streams on Spotify. Along with killing it with his now millions of stream, he has also created a following through his coverage everywhere from Indie Shuffle to KickKickSnare. No doubt, this new album is going to satisfy all of those who have jumped on the Lonely Benson band wagon.
Keep up with Lonely Benson here.
by Veronica DeFeo | Apr 20, 2018 | premieres, singles, wolf tracks
Imperfect Fifth is here to give you an exclusive first listen of Joshua Barnhart’s brand new single, “Blue Eyes”, a folk-rock track that will blow you away with its gentle yet fulfilling sound. The Oakland, CA based artist has been a member of several bands, including Port O’Brien, Release the Sunbird, Two Sheds, and Sparrows Gate, but since 2016, has been a solo artist. Following his 2016 debut solo record, Turn Out The Light, Barnhart dropped “Dance With Me” last fall, and is back at it again today with “Blue Eyes”.
Barnhart brings vocals, acoustic/electric guitar and drums to the track himself, accompanied by Paul Dutton on vocals, electric guitar and bass, Taylor Belmore’s vocals, Joel Tolbert on piano, Robe Barnhart on cello and string arrangements, and Terry Glenny playing violin. Says Barnhart:
Perhaps most significantly, is that my dad, Robe Barnhart (who has arranged strings for Crosby Stills and Nash, and The Beach Boys, among many others), wrote the string arrangements and played cello on the song. The last time we worked together in this serious of a manner was when he arranged the string parts and played cello for Port O’Brien’s album, All We Could Do Was Sing, which came out almost exactly ten years ago.
A nostalgic track, “Blue Eyes” brings the listener into a carefree, 70’s-esque soundscape, filled with carefully composed instrumentals. Barnhart has an obvious grasp on capturing an idea within a track and using a song as the canvas for a musical landscape. Give “Blue Eyes” a listen today!
Be one of the first to listen to “Blue Eyes” below!
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by Meredith Schneider | Apr 20, 2018 | albums, premieres, wolf tracks
There is way more to celebrate today than originally planned, as Oakland, CA based rock project Gibby Paul – comprised of its namesake on vocals and guitar, Barrett Wall on guitar, Adam Szyndrowski on bass, and Dan Staublin on drums – releases their full length work So Savage today, April 20th, and we’ve got the exclusive streaming premiere. Originally members of Bay Area favorite dream pop group Mammoth Life, the guys of Gibby Paul changed direction have developed a unique sound together and pushed new levels with So Savage, channeling a rock vibe from the past and pairing it with some new tricks. Their music is mind-bending at times, and perfect to listen to when you’ve got a minute to really sit and enjoy the soundscape. We’re massive, massive fans and we know you will be too!
So Savage is out now. Keep your eyes peeled for upcoming tour dates with Gibby Paul here.
by Veronica DeFeo | Apr 19, 2018 | singles, wolf tracks
Looking for something a little off-kilter, yet still pleasing? We’ve got just the song for you. Dusted has just dropped his new track, “Dead Eyes”, appearing on his sophomore album, Blackout Summer, which was just released on April 6. Dusted is the musical moniker of Toronto’s Brian Borcherdt, who was a founding quarter of 2000’s four-piece Holy Fuck and has operated his solo project under Dusted since 2012. Accompanied by his wife, Anna Edwards, and Loel Campbell, among others, for live shows, Borcherdt brings an entirely different sound than his previous projects with Dusted.
With a hazy and quirky pop sound, Dusted creates a mellow soundscape reminiscent of Wilderado. Don’t be fooled by the easy-going exterior of this song; Borcherdt still manages to back a punch in this gentle tune. Pairing skillful guitar solos with consistent percussion makes for a solid track. Give “Dead Eyes” a listen today!
Blackout Summer is out now via Polyvinyl Record Co. – check it out today! Stay connected with Dusted:
Facebook – Website –Instagram
by Abby Trapp | Apr 19, 2018 | singles, wolf tracks
Florida natives Deaf Poets just released “Change & Bloom”, a single off of their upcoming EP of the same title which is due out on June 15th. The duo has already enjoyed quite a bit of success, having played with The Growlers, Mac DeMarco, and Matt and Kim just to name a few. Their latest single brings a throwback while incorporating a 90’s grunge style. Sean Waters provides us both the angsty vocals and the guitar on “Change & Bloom”. Bandmate Nico E.P on the other hand, shows off his mad drum skills and does not hold back. So if you are somewhere in between “I like rock” and “not heavy rock”, “Change & Bloom” is definitely for you.
Keep up with Deaf Poets here.
**co-written by Meredith Schneider
