Indie rock collective Kuwaisiana‘s new single, “Murra” breaks the boundaries on what we would normally consider a hit track as Kuwaiti-born artist +Aziz sings not only in Arabic, but in English as well. From the beginning of this track until the end, there is a sense of excitement and joy as this klezmer/indie band does what they do best. Although this single is performed in Arabic, one does not have to understand the words to comprehend the emotion that is so evidently packed into each rhythm and beat. Despite the several abnormalities, there is is so much talent behind each of +AZIZ’s tracks and, “Murra,” is no different.
Though Kuwaisiana is currently based in New Orleans, +Aziz came to the United States almost three years ago to establish himself as a viable musician across the world. At the beginning, there were difficulties adapting to the American style of music, however, instead of completely relinquishing his heritage, +Aziz was able to find a cohesive blend of the two here now, he is able to please both nationalities. Despite their small start in a new country, their music is taking off in their adopted home of New Orleans as fans come from all over the city to see Kuwaisiana perform.
Alternative-indie rock band Dommengang just released their latest single “Past Lives.” Recorded at Stumptown Coffee, “Past Lives” is an angsty anthem that we can’t stop listening to. The funky track samples a classic rock feel with whiny vocals. “Past Lives” talks on the relationship with a former lover. The relationship clearly isn’t over on Dommengang’s side. “Baby I can’t call you baby anymore,” cries out the regretful track. My favorite line is “I don’t belong to anyone,” describing the epitome of what it means for something to be over and even more so- to be able to acknowledge that. “Past Lives” is full of guitar, drums, and post-love blues. It’s definitely worth the listen.
Need a little something to get you going today? Look no further. Indie rock duo Flagship has just dropped a new single, “Philadelphia Babe”, and it’ll get your soul moving. Based in Charlotte, NC, Flagship is made up of vocalist and guitarist Drake Margolnick along with drummer Michael Finster. The duo, both songwriters, joined forces to create Flagship in 2011 after Finster left his previous band, Campbell. Keeping the ball rolling after their 2017 EP, The Electric Man, Flagship will be dropping their upcoming EP, The Ladder, this April.Currently, they’re touring in support of Blue October’s spring tour. Flagship has already previously released a song by the same name, which you can listen to here. “Philadelphia Babe” is a moving, riveting track about the breathless days of finding new love. Paired with an irresistible beat and filled with undeniable motivation and feeling, this song displays some of the best aspects of Flagship. It’s the type of song that brings new listeners into the mix as well as making longtime fans happy
What are you waiting for? Give “Philadelphia Babe” a listen (or a hundred) and keep an eye out for The Ladder, out this month.
Chicago/L.A.-based four-piece Young Jesus has just put out a brand new record, S/T. Young Jesus is made up of John Rossiter (guitar/vocals), Kern Haug on drums, Marcel Borbon on bass, and Eric Shevrin on keys and vocals. Says Rossister on the sound of Young Jesus: “the ethos is to push each other to express things that are not common– like ideas of love and trust within friendships– through being extremely vulnerable and making mistakes. Hopefully those mistakes become framed as an important and necessary part of process. It’s about communication between four people. Hopefully it is the sound of four very good friends who want to let other people into that space.” Their new album is the culmination of the honing of their sound and an exploration of what it means for Young Jesus to be an indie rock band.
Tracklist:
Green – the record starts out with a marvelous track, “Green”. From the get-go, it brings the listener into the indie-rock sound that Young Jesus makes their very own.Check out the music video for “Green” here.
River – you’ll feel like you’re down by the river when you put this one on. Slow, melodic, and composed of a soundscape filled with longing, “River” is a gem.
Eddy – a longer song that is filled with depth of feeling, “Eddy” reminds the listener of simpler times, and the cloud of bittersweet reminiscence that surrounds every memory
Under – an emotional, raw track tinged with well-placed acoustic guitar. Rossiter’s vocals hover on the edge of breaking, really bringing the listener in as the the song develops.
Desert – “every little landscape breaks my heart”, sings Rossiter. This song lends itself to the feelings one associates with places that make and break a person.
Feeling – while every artist generally strives to capture emotion in their music, Young Jesus actually paints them musically for the listener in this track.
Storm – closing out the album is the nearly 13 minute track “Storm”. Through the length of the song, Young Jesus is able to bring the listener along for a look into their nature.
Full of life and that 80’s vibe that fans can’t get enough of is newest single, “Little Mystery” from Matthew Meade’s newest project, Spritzer. With fans waiting on the edges of their seats in anticipation of his next full-length album Love. Lies. Decay—which comes out on April, 27—they are also just eating up this single. Although there is a familiarity in his catchy new sound, Spritzer adds a unique twist to the wide array of genres that they pull inspiration from. Ranging from indie rock to bossa nova, “Little Mysteries” has everything that the fans are both wanting and expecting.
When speaking of where inspiration for this song came from, Meade makes it clear that it was brought about by the blissful new relationship that has budded since the release of some of his older tracks. In his own words Meade considers it the “fun and shamelessly cheesy love song,” of the album. “Little Mystery,” is by far the most energetic and upbeat song on the upcoming album and has a nice spin on what fans might of expected out of this budding artist. Now that he has once again expanded his repertoire, we are all waiting to see what Matthew Meade has in store for the future of Spritzer.
Hailing from Anchorage, Alaska, Parker Longbough is back at it again with a brand new LP, Left on Tri, out this April. Parker Longbough (irl Matthew Witthoeft) has just put out a second album, Bridges to Nowhere/Delirium in Lo fi last June, and is keeping the ball rolling with Left on Tri.
Bridges to Nowhere/Delirium in Lo fi followed after over a decade hiatus since his debut LP, Commander Comatose. Thankfully, Longbough is not making us wait another ten years for a new album; on the contrary, it was less than a year.
Off his new album is the single “Jack Ryan”, a moving track that weaves instruments with mellow vocals. It is a combination of indie rock and slight folk/country influences that combines masterfully, creating a pleasant soundscape.
Keep your eyes and ears open for Left on Tri, out April 20. In the meantime, give “Jack Ryan” a listen!
Brooklyn-based indie quartet RANN just released the second track from their upcoming EP, Renegade Holiday. RANN’s sound has been described as indie rock, dream pop, and psych punk which all seem fitting as their latest release, “Renegade Holiday,” has a variety of musical elements creating the perfect eclectic mix.
“Renegade Holiday,” the album’s title track, starts with a heavy drum rhythm that eases into an electronic synth instrumental. When the vocals appear, the song takes a dreamy, ethereal direction that is both calming and exciting at the same time. The song’s pounding rhythm and uplifting instrumental propel the song forward as the airy vocals create the perfect indie atmosphere. RANN’s “Renegade Holiday” cohesively blends instrumental and vocals to create an impeccably constructed track that makes the perfect edition to any playlist.
“Shiver” wastes no time getting to the point, and is the debut single from Whitelight, a duo from Birmingham. Impressive that this track is made by only 2 people. “Shiver” begins with a dusty gritty distortion then turns the corner into a verse that commands the spotlight with the singers’ wonderful accent. For fans of Royal Blood, Blue Oyster Cult, and Radiohead, Whitelight is best defined as true Indie Rock N Roll. The middle section of the song does have a neat echoing bluesy guitar solo, which pulls the distortion off the bass guitar giving a loungy feel. In its simplicity “Shiver” is a really catchy tune. No explosions or an intense build up its a straightforward track that is easy to swallow.
As I walked away from it, I found the chorus line still reverberating in my head so much so I had to give it another listen. Whitelight is proof that you really don’t need to over produce a song to make it great, you just need to write it well. When searching there isn’t too much information about WhiteLight. The alluring mystery and the availability of only 1 song has me definitely wanting more and I will be waiting to see what these guys are all about. Can’t wait to hear a full release and hear all that they have to offer.
Last night in New York City on a balmy 70 degree February evening Storytown played a stripped down acoustic set at Manhattan venue The Bowery Electric. The group who usually plays with a full four piece set up reduced the size without reducing the sound, performing an intimate set with only an acoustic guitar and acoustic bass. The set felt honest and personal. Guy Story – the guitarist and vocalist – led us into the songs with a memory, anecdote, or a frame of reference about how the music came to be.
The band have a unique sound in the modern Indie Rock climate. Picture David Byrne and Michael Stipe recording an album together with modern day world issues and modern production technology. If you can mentally piece that together you might have a good idea where Storytown’s sound begins. Storytown will be releasing an album later this year.
