by Meredith Schneider | Mar 15, 2019 | albums, review
Singer/songwriter David Leonard released his highly anticipated, 13-track debut album The Wait today, and we have been melting into it since the very first lines of “Wanderer” hit our ears. Leonard’s vocals are raspy, robust, and evoke more emotion than a beach proposal. With “Wanderer”, he establishes his immense talent and his ability to make the listener feel every word deep in their bones. And though the soundscape picks up a bit with “By My Side”, it still has this deep-rooted, freeing feeling associated with that would otherwise be completely unexpected.
But that’s what happens when you find a talent of Leonard’s capacity. You come to expect this reeling sense of self when you listen to their music, each track accompanying you on your life journey in this gorgeous soundtrack. “Signs of Life” brings a more upbeat, pop rock influence to the album, while “Know Your Heart” slows everything down again for an insane love ballad. “Come As You Are” and its intro are two of our favorites on the album, though you’ll have to get a good listen to every track to make that decision for yourself.
Once you are introduced to “Share This Burden”, there is almost a sense that Leonard has taken all of his most vulnerable moments over the years and created this album as a method of identifying with his audience, to create a community rather than just simply release music for the sake of releasing music. The listener gets an idea for how carefully crafted this work was through the Imogen Heap-esque intro of “There’s Nobody”, the ambient “I Will Wait”, and the introspective, more spiritual “Distant God” and “You Know Me”. He rounds the album out perfectly with the chorus in “Threads” and then the simplifying soundscape and heart-breaking, honest lyrics in “The Little That I Know”.
Take The Wait for a spin. We’re dying to know what you think!
Keep up with David Leonard here.
by Ian Schneider | Mar 14, 2019 | videos, wolf tracks
Neo-soul artist Silence Is The Noise (Jewell Bell) has a new single titled “Soothing”, and it is accompanied by a visual that matches the beauty in her voice. All about battling one’s demons, “Soothing” takes the listener on a trip of reflection and inner struggle. Silence Is The Noise has the perfect vocals to convey pain and strife, but with a powerful undertone that suggests overcoming said pain. The Detroit-based artist has drawn comparisons to the likes of Nina Simone, drawing high praise since her beginnings as a pianist at age 12.
The song and visual project “Soothing” describes the emotional labyrinth of grief and loss, and the desperation to escape the overwhelming pain and anxiety lying in its wake. The lyrics speak to the artist and songwriter’s attempt to use meaningless physical intimacy as a distraction, while falling deeper into despair and the realization that there is no avoidance of her devastation and grief.”
“Soothing” is the perfect single for Silence Is The Noise to showcase her strong voice and story telling ability.
You can keep up with Silence Is The Noise through her socials listed below.
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/thesilenceisthenoise/
Soundcloud – https://soundcloud.com/silenceisthenoise
Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/artist/3TAV8Lk1PpuzoixhjUhz55
by Meredith Schneider | Mar 13, 2019 | show review
If you haven’t witnessed UPSAHL live, now is the perfect time. This female act is about to be major, and if her recorded music is not already any indication of that, then her live performance is absolute proof. And we couldn’t have thought of anyone better to open Max Frost’s show at The Riot Room on Monday, March 11th.
Rolling through . And during “All My Friends Are Rich”, you could tell the entire crowd was identifying with the lyrics in some way or another. (Hi. Yes. “Now where in the hell is my money?”) In fact, we were thrilled to see her perform any of the tracks off of her new Hindsight 20/20 EP, as it is such a vulnerable and theatrical work of art. Lucky us, UPSAHL’s vocals are just as raspy and enticing in real life as they are recorded, so her entire performance felt as though we were inside the EP itself. Not to mention, “Drugs” gave us all the confidence.
We walked away from that set to the bar like the badasses we had always dreamt of being, and we owe it all to an evening of fun with UPSAHL.
Keep up with the artist here.
by Meredith Schneider | Mar 11, 2019 | albums, review
On March 8th, Matt Shapiro released a 6-track EP that is absolutely thrilling from start to finish. You can see why, too, as Matt admits he approaches his music-making a lot like film. “I approach making a record like I’m making a movie,” he admits. “My last album Metaphysical was very layered and wide-angle and made to sound kind of epic. With this new EP FADE IN, I made the conscious decision to go the other way. This one’s more disciplined, and really stripped down to essentials…more like a scrappy little indie. And it has more bite.”
If you think for a moment that he doesn’t mean the phrase “scrappy little indie,” then you’re in for a treat. “Rockaway Girl” is very theatric, throwing you into this one-man performance that is equal parts modern indie rock and 80’s pop fury. “The Addict” darkens the soundscape a bit, but the collection doesn’t forget the attitude that came with the first track, as it weaves into the slow burner “Is There Something Going On”. “Johnny” is for the human who feels like walking on the wild side, while “Water’s Edge” is much slower, simple and soft in its disposition. Shapiro’s vocals feel like water as they glide amidst the instrumentals. This tranquil feeling is put to an abrupt halt with the first staccato notes of “Genievieve”. It seems as though the pace and volume change might have to do with the way a significant other disrupts your life, and makes things ten times louder. We’re fond of the impact it has on the EP’s trajectory, and couldn’t have placed a more defining last song.
Keep up with Matt Shapiro here.
by Ian Schneider | Mar 8, 2019 | singles, wolf tracks
Rooney has released a new single “Time and Time Again”, and it is part of the soundtrack to Robert Schwartzman’s new film THE UNICORN. This soothing track has an almost alt-western feel to it. Though it was exclusively written for the film, it is easily enjoyed by anyone who has an ear for melodic music. As stated previously, the song has a western vibe, but is ultimately an alternative song containing smooth vocals and a tapping snare.
Schwartzman had this to say about the record:
I wrote “Time And Time Again” for THE UNICORN, a feature film I had the pleasure directing and working alongside a talented cast and crew. When you write a song for a film, it changes the context, the foundation, and frames the writing process in a certain way that supports the film’s story. I like to write songs with a specific focus, purpose, and intention, otherwise it all feels a bit disjointed. I’m happy I got to contribute “Time And Time Again” to the film and it’s exciting to release a new Rooney single on the project’s 20 year anniversary.
You can check out “Time and Time Again” on streaming services and the feature film soundtrack for THE UNICORN. Keep up with Rooney here.
by Meredith Schneider | Mar 8, 2019 | premieres, singles
Philadelphia-based indie rock collective Readership – comprised of Matt Lee, Gregory Matthew, Gabe McCall, and Adrian Morse – releases their new track “Weather Underground” today, and we’ve got the premiere. In the beginning, the instrumentals slowly build in volume, until they expand and the vocals set in. With bits of punk stirred around in there with the way the vocals lean and the delivery of the guitar at times, this song is simply something that will keep you moving. We’re thinking it has a little bit of 90s inspiration in it, as we can definitely see it being played in the background of a montage scene in a movie. (Hey Hollywood, you hear us?)
Get pumped for an impending change in weather with “Weather Underground”.
Keep up with Readership here.
by Meredith Schneider | Mar 7, 2019 | premieres, singles, videos
Hailing from Tennessee, pop duo Cooper & Gatlin – comprised of Cooper Green (Guitar/Vocals) and Gatlin Kate James (Vocals) – releases a catchy, lighthearted new acoustic version of their single”Like You” today along with its bright and fun new visual. Believe it or not, we’re lucky enough to be hosting the exclusive premiere. This version of the song is absolutely incredible, putting a crisp spin on something already mellifluous and wonderful. Although the song is bittersweet with more melancholic lyrical content, it’s an absolute earworm that will have you tapping your toes all day.
Admits the duo of the project: “The acoustic video was such a blast to make! We already had an amazing set to work with from the main video, so it was super fun to rearrange it, and make everything work in one take! Everyone had worked so hard shooting the videos for both versions of the song, so it was so awesome to have them all dancing with us at the end of the acoustic video.”
Keep up with Cooper & Gatlin here.
by Meredith Schneider | Mar 6, 2019 | singles, wolf tracks
While Nick Murphy may have just announced his upcoming album, Run Fast Sleep Naked, his new single from that project – a track titled “Sanity” – has been unleashed unto the world, and we’re massively digging it. Not only is the piano absolutely intriguing from the beginning, but Murphy’s soulful vocals and the layered in soundscape make it impossible to not dance. The video itself is beautifully shot, a contemplative and quirky watch that we are going to go ahead and watch a few more times today. Enjoy!
Run Fast Sleep Naked is available for preorder now. Keep up with Nick Murphy here.
by Meredith Schneider | Mar 6, 2019 | videos, wolf tracks
Vancouver’s own Kin Kanyon – comprised of Dan Rocque (Guitars, Organ, Vocals), Ed Budden (Bass, Vocals), Matt Harvey (Guitar, Vocals), and Chris Rowntree (Drums) – has released the official music video for their single “Fauxtown”, and we’re having a ball with it. Get sucked into the 70’s vibe with their psychedelic soundscape, and get pulled further into the entire experience with the vintage music video that will get you groovin’.
You don’t have to trust us, but we are keen to know your thoughts.
Keep up with Kin Kanyon here.
![cooper & gatlin, “like you” [acoustic]](https://imperfectfifth.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/180524_GDS_CooperAndGatlin_0001_Original_WebJPG-1080x675.jpg)
