by Abby Trapp | Apr 12, 2018 | albums, review, wolf tracks
The cool thing about writing for a music magazine is that you get a first look at new music. I recently had the opportunity of listening to Anton Barbeau‘s latest album Natural Causes, which will be released April 13th on Beehive. My favorite track is iconically titled “Summer of Gold.” About a minute in, all I could think about was open road and as I write this I just hit the lyric “Steal a car, hit the road.” “Summer of Gold” takes you back to old America— a simpler time of road trips, convertibles, and cheap motels. The album has a range of fifteen tracks, starting with “(preamble)” and ending with “(ultimate outro).”
One thing to be noted of this album is Anton’s voice as he has a great vocal range. While “Summer of Gold” is my personal favorite, it’s tracks like “It’s The Coffee that Makes The Man Go Mad” and “Magic Sandwiches” that remain equally quirky and unique. The creativity on this album is also seen in the not two, but four intros/outros. “(Preambiguation)” and “(penultimate outro)” are interesting breaks that seamlessly make the album come together.
The Berlin based artist himself has a few words on Natural Causes:
My previous record, Magic Act, was my first on LP. It’s also an album I see in either an alpha or omega role, an introduction for new fans and a sparkly reminder to those that have tried to follow me for a while. Surviving the 2016 election AND turning 50, I’m treating Natural Causes like it’s my second album. The songs I remade are there for personal reasons, enough said. Magazine Street happened to be the first track on my first ever CD, so everything’s come a bit full-circle, as it were.
Stay tuned for the album release on April 13th and keep up with Anton Barbeau here.
by Jai'Tyria Hatton | Apr 6, 2018 | albums, review, wolf tracks
Sarah Shook & the Disarmers are back again after their debut album Sidelong. This year Sarah Shook and the Disarmers are back again with their follow Years. This album shows the groups growth from their previous album and shows the fearless and powerful stance that the group has taken on. Years has an even greater impact than the previous album.
In Years, Sarah Shook shows off her strong vocal delivery. Shook’s powerful vocals match the lyrics that are from her songwriting.
In “Heartache in Hell” Shook’s vocals display the sense of hurt that reflect the emotion of the lyrics in the song. The song has a country tone to it along with “The Bottle Never Lets Me Down”. “The Bottle Never Lets Me Down” shows submerging your emotions in alcohol.
Years takes you through several different emotions. The album tells a story of challenges. Years shows the struggle of having to pick yourself back up after going through challenges. The album is well worth the listen and shows a new transformation of Sarah Shook and the Disarmers.
Keep up with Sarah Shook & The Disarmers here.
by Kayla Hutton | Apr 6, 2018 | albums, wolf tracks
WoW ! !
This is awesome. I’m a contradiction as I describe Ängie’s sound as smooth, subtle and in your face. But I bet I sparked your curiosity. From Sweden is trap pop artist Angie. Her debut album, suicidal since 1995, is set to drop on April 6th 2018 through Universal. This album is full of soothing bass, 808’s, and lounge-style vocals. If you are uptight or sheltered this album will pull your panties right out of their wad.
If you are easily offended, this may or may not be for you. The overall reception since Angie started up has been a 50/50 of love/hate. I absolutely love her straightforward, to the point, and consciously realistic lyrics. Let’s face it life isn’t all bubblegum and rainbows. The album’s opener, “Dope”, is smooth, sexy, and lyrically states, “If I’m also on dope when I make music, maybe my music will sound like dope.” Ängie described the track as, “a love song, but within it, I confuse love with the rush for music and drugs. It’s a love song to music, dope and the person that makes me wanna fight for it.” That statement is well back by the tracks verse line, “You got a place to rest and that’s between my thighs I press against your chest and then I realize.” “Here for my habit” depicts the relationship between the addict and the dealer and when the dealer pushes sexual advances. Thank You but no Thank You, “I’m here for my habit.”
It seems there isn’t a shortage of critics who are appalled by Ängie’s lyrics, image, and at times “fck you” attitude. This has me semi-thrown considering the lyrical content of death metal and gangsta rap. It cannot be because she is a young female since there have been female artists like Cycle Sluts from Hell and Liz Phair who were pushing the envelope in the 90’s. Is it geographical? Sweden has given us a slew of melodic death metal bands and industrial artist Tim Skold. Ängie referred to Sweden as being “too sensitive.” (Get with the times, folks. Women aren’t cooking, cleaning, Holy Homemakers anymore and haven’t been for quite some time.)
Ängie has an astonishing vocal talent. A jazzy lounge style but with an Adele type of projection in the way that it seems to come effortless and more soulful than produced. Laying predominantly in the veins of electronic, trap, and chill, there are at times R&B hints. Suicidal Since 1995 is pioneering the continuous push for expressive freedoms. Musically the production value is above par and if you have some good subwoofers in your trunk, you’ll get the best back massage.
The album closes out with a great interpretation and revamping of The Velvet Underground’s ‘Venus In Furs’, which is hands down one of those songs you cringe at the thought of someone butchering it, but not in this instance. Surprisingly she not only did it justice, but she nailed it dead on.
Ängie has a lot of history that I don’t have enough room to write about here, but here is hoping you dig a little deeper into her past and how she defines herself and music. There is more than meets the eye. Her talent deserves applause not only for her ability as a musician but her willingness to go against the grain and express herself.
Don’t forget to follow Ängie via Facebook. She is definitely an artist that belongs in your playlist.
by Jai'Tyria Hatton | Mar 29, 2018 | albums, review, wolf tracks
Spelles is back with her second EP titled Skeleton Coast, which consists of five songs that define who Spelles is as an artist. The lead single from the album is titled “Dead in the Water”, which is a song with immense emotion and power. It has a pop vibe with a dark sound to it, showing that there is power that lives inside of us that we sometimes cannot recognize.
A favorite from the EP is “Light Me on Fire”, which captures Spelles’ powerful vocals as an artist and shows why she is destined to live out her musical dreams. The song is about staying to support someone instead of leaving them.
Listening to Spelles’ new EP is an absolute joy. After listening to her EP, the anticipation to see where she grows as an artist is exciting.
Keep up with Spelles here.
by Veronica DeFeo | Mar 28, 2018 | albums, review, wolf tracks
D.C. based four-piece Babbling April just self-released a brand new EP titled Holy Gold. Babbling April is made up of Dave New, Vivi Machi, Ben Medina, and Ben Melrod. February of 2015 saw their debut release, On Breath. Now, Babbling April is back better than ever with the release of Holy Gold. With a unique indie sound and always authentic by self-releasing, Babbling April seeks to be truly themselves and bring joy to others through their music.
Tracklist:
- “Reputation”: Reputation seems to be a popular subject these days, and this unapologetic track flips it upside down with the idea that reputation doesn’t actually matter. Need to shake off the haters? Put this song on.
- “Blighted Years”: this track starts off with some excellent instrumentals and an inescapable beat. “Blighted Years” combines harmony, hitting lyrics, and great percussion to tie up a fantastic song.
- “In the Vulgate”: A rocking, quirky track, “In the Vulgate” is an instrumental interlude halfway through the EP that carries the listener into the second half of Holy Gold.
- “If Hearts Really Do Break”: Starting with a foreboding, almost extraterrestrial sound leading into a more gentle and acoustic instrumental track.
- “Without A Care”: Following in the vein of “Reputation”, this track lends itself to a bittersweet sound and some emotional lyrics.
- “Alliances and Rifts (and Separations in the Holy Gold)”: closing out Holy Gold is another instrumental track that has excellent composition and balance of instruments.
Overall, one of the best aspects of Babbling April’s EP is the careful instrumentation and attention to balance.
Holy Gold is available for vinyl preorder now. Keep up with Babbling April here.
by Abby Trapp | Mar 27, 2018 | albums, review
Alaskan natives The Super Saturated Sugar Strings recently released their latest album All Their Many Miles. The indie-folk group usually find inspiration through Alaskan nature sounds. All Their Many Miles is filled with nine peaceful tracks of love, heartbreak, and even shows off the bands instrumental skills. Their first track “All Their Many Miles” combines a variety of instruments such as the banjo and trumpet while being backed by soft female vocals. The lyric “I feel for all their many miles,” tells the narrative of a couple trying to make it through. “Love Cocoon” starts off with eerie sounds of soft piano, cello, trumpet, violin and guitar. The eerie intro creeps into rusty male vocals. The song soon becomes sweet and intimate professing “If we reach the top, we’ll build a love cocoon.”
My personal favorite off of All Their Many Miles is “Crocodile.” The track lasts a total of 4:13 minutes and is a total instrumental. The song has a Western-old timey theme, and shows the bands ability to be versatile in their sound. Whether you are a fan of fold or not All Their Many Miles is definitely worth taking the time to listen to.
All Their Many Miles is available now. Keep up with The Super Saturated Sugar Strings here.
by Veronica DeFeo | Mar 14, 2018 | albums, wolf tracks
Portland-based Lisa/Liza is the indie psych-folk project of singer-songwriter and guitarist Liza Victoria, joined by Jonathan Downs and Devin Ivy. Having previously released several limited edition cassettes and CDs, as well as a debut 2016 LP Deserts of Youth, Lisa/Liza has now released a brand new EP in late February called Barn Coat.
The five-track EP highlights Lisa/Liza’s ability to capture deep emotion within ethereal, floating vocals and the carefully plucked acoustic guitar.
The track list for Barn Coat is:
- “Vanity Plate”: Liza starts off her EP with a gentle folk song, easing the listener into her style and soft, all-encompassing soundscape.
- “Encounters”: Next up on Barn Coat is a track that takes a more angsty spin on Liza’s sound, utilizing staccato and deeper guitar moments to carry the thematics of the song.
- “The Robins Song”: Capturing the throaty repetition of a bird’s call, Liza matches her guitar pace to the this idea. A track full of longing and wishes, “The Robins Song” is sure to capture your heart.
- “Windows Up”: If you’re needing a new song to roll your hand up and down out the window pretending you’re in a music video, look no further. With mellow guitar and emotional vocals, Liza makes the most of this track, highlighted with some unexpected twists.
- “BC”: Closing out Barn Coat is “BC”, a short (and by short we mean 1:36) track that carries the EP home and wraps it up nicely. Throughout this track, Liza utilizes her clear vocals to pair with her guitar in a combination that was just meant to be.
If you’re a fan of acoustic guitar and minimalist records, this is the EP for you. Be sure to check it out today.
Stay connected with Lisa/Liza
Facebook – Web – Twitter
by Madison Blom | Mar 13, 2018 | albums, wolf tracks
Bringing funk and innovative songwriting to the forefront of the music scene is Mosie’s Tangerine, which is sure to reign in the weekend vibes like nothing we’ve seen in recent history. This Boston based dynamic due has brought funk back with new and innovative twists that gives the genre a much needed face lift. With the addition of light synth melodies that blossom and bloom throughout the track and the delicate vocals that match the tone of their music perfectly, this group is sure to go far as they continue to create and produce music. Throughout their newest album, this group keeps it light and relaxing with their various instruments and techniques that are rarely married together.
Taking inspiration from the best of 80’s funk and old time crooner’s music, Adrian Brody and Jesse Levines has turned a throwback melody into something totally their own. Their debut album Tangerine tells the story of new-age romance and heartache that is shines a light of Jesse’s dreamy and often comical nature. Although it took some time and difficulties to find each other, the result is something that is out of this world. Mosie’s fresh new look and vocal versatility will being this duo to new heights as they continue to expand their every growing musical repertoire.
Keep up with Mosie here.
by Jai'Tyria Hatton | Mar 9, 2018 | albums, wolf tracks
Today, The Naked and Famous release their album A Still Heart. The album is a collection of acoustic sounds, much different from their previous work with a slightly more simple and intimate sound. The 10 track album is amazing from beginning to end, the stripped tracks giving the listeners a more personal listen to a band we all know and love.
The Naked and Famous really turn back time with A Still Heart. The album is absolute gold, and may even sound better than the original recordings. Upon listening to the album in its entirety, it may seem like you are listening to the songs for the very first time, that is how raw they are. The group may be revisiting their old material, but it definitely helps you see them in a new light. The album is well worth the listen due to the sound that has never been heard before from the band. The album will surely leave listeners hoping for more music like this in the future.
Keep up with TNAF here.
