Since they announced their debut album in January, fans of FRIGS have been waiting with baited breath for its release. Now, after countless hours of work and recording sessions, this sludge-pop band is finally ready to show the music world what they have to offer. Their album Basic Behavior features their signature stark sounds and diverse influences. Led by Bria Salmena, this Toronto-based group has banded together with all of their individual thought and emotions in order to produce an all encompassing sound that is unique and interesting. With this particular attribute, once you listen to their work, they become impossible to forget and you find yourself wanting to hear more.
Even more impressive is that this album was completely self produced and was written and recorded within a 16-month period. During this time, all who were involved were able to explore their sound and solidify lyrical subject matter without the outside pressure that might have come from a producer. Thus, they were able to create a psychedelic element within their sons that contains aspects of emotional depth and immerse their listeners in hypnotic rhythms. Without a doubt, this new release will propel them forward and bring them even closer to finding where they fit in the music community.
Basic Behavior is out now. Keep up with FRIGS here.
Moving to Omaha has set High Up‘s lead vocalist Christine Fink on the path of fame and has brought her closer to a dream that had previously seemed unreachable. Since the move, Fink has performed on the stages of her community and hasn’t failed to deliver an experience worth more than the price of the ticket. Her first glimpse of glory was at local karaoke bar and at Sheffield’s Old Town Tavern where her sister Orenda – also a musical prodigy – saw her bring the house down. Christine has continued to prove her knack for soul singing by rocking out at every performance. After much discussion, Fink decided to join with her sister and work on what would become her debut record, High Up. Not only would this release showcase the sisters strengths, but it would also mark the beginning of a journey for the pair.
High Up is a collaboration of not only skillful songwriting from Orenda and soulful singing from Christine, but it also features a mash-up of styles and sounds. While working on their sophomore project – You Are Here, out today – the sisters incorporated aspects of indie, punk and soul that would separate the sisters from the other new and upcoming artists. Surely, with the talent so effortlessly expressed in previously released work, the future is bright for this powerful duo.
You Are Here is out today. Keep up with High Up here.
The lovely ladies of the Good Lovelies release their new album titled Shapeshifters.The Good Lovelies consists of Kerri Ough, Sue Passmore, and Caroline Brooks. Each member of the trio is a great singer/songwriter in their own right, though the ladies’ vocals mesh well together throughout the entire album. Their immense talent is very noticeable.
Each song on Shapeshifters sets a standard for what the Good Lovelies are truly about. Each of the ladies in the group played a part in making sure the album turned out great. The members put aspects of their lives in Shapeshifters and the entire album revolves around the influences in each of the ladies lives.
Shapeshifters takes a creative approach to music. The album is full of pop, jazz and even a dose of hip hop. The album is well worth the listen. The Good Lovelies are going on a tour for this album March 1st through the 10th, so make sure to catch them!
Since their debut Shifty in 2015, shy kids have truly found their niche in creating music that is a mash up of old and new. Recently, they have released their second full length album, in a state which is sure to catch the attention of fans and critics alike. This success, however, was preceded by another path that eventually led them to where they are now. Originally, this wily quartet found their start in the animation and filmmaking industry. Things took a sharp turn when they realized that their boyhood dreams were turning into more of a nightmare. From pain and heartache grew the desire to write songs that addressed the current mental and physical states of each of the band members.
Coming from a visual background has aided this group and the transition of switching from a visual to vocal spectacle did not phase them whatsoever. In fact, these skills magnified their ability to make music and produce sonic sounds that have since become their signature. This new album has been a solidified their sound in the minds of their fans around the country. Now that they have all this experience under their belts, there is no telling what they have in store for us in the near future.
in a state is out on February 23rd. Keep up with shy kids here.
Los Angeles based band The GreatSadness – consisting of members Stephen McNeely (drums) and Cathy Cooper (guitar/vocals) – say they are “upset all the time and they put it in their music.”
When looking into The GreatSadness I started by getting acquainted with the video for “Underground” from their album Weep that was released in April of 2017. Maybe I just have a sick sense of humor, but I found nothing sad about this song while watching as the pair rode bicycles through a cemetery, stopped at the ice cream truck, the laundry mat, and hit up the massage chairs. As I was mid-laugh at the comical occasional middle finger, things got creepy and in their skull masks it felt as if death was out for a walk.
With lyrics boasting, “In this place, underground, there is no God,” one could embrace the sadness behind that realization. The further I descend into this album, the tonal quality and the words themselves do capture all that is wrong in the world. It is a sad place that we have created and The GreatSadness doesn’t sugar coat a bit of it. Cathy has an un-dusted gritty rasp to her voice reminiscent of Janis Joplin, Stevie Knicks, and early Melissa Etheridge. The music has a murky humidity that generates a grass rooted southern swamp rock feel as well as that D-tuned sludge grunge feel (don’t think Nirvana’s Nevermind album, think Nirvana’s Bleach album).
Being a D.I.Y. band and paying for your recording, production, pressing, touring can leave you financially depleted. The GreatSadness truly has a love for creating music no matter the cost and their hard work has paid off as they reached out to all of you to help release Weep on vinyl. Given the style of music, you want this on vinyl.
The shining moment for me was the song “Tonight.” A droning sometimes psychadelic darkness seems so fitting as she sings loudly, borderline a scream while maintaining great vocal control, “this dance through hell has done us in, hold me love, my breath is thin.” The GreatSadness is best described by this scenerio, if only Linda Blair (the original Exorsist movie, the possessed girl) had a band.
Joanna Teters is setting a place in music for herself following the release of her EP Warmer When It Rains. Teterz started off as a bandleader perfecting her craft as front woman for Mad Satta, Drew ofthe Drew, Lowtone Society, and iLa Mawana. I must admit, the entire EP is a rollercoaster love story, beginning with the song “Ride with You” which takes the listener on a ride for whatever. After “Ride with You” comes “Midnight”, in honor of what really happens after midnight. Teters takes to listener to the supreme with “Supreme” which is a song that leaves the listener yearning for more.
The lead single from the album is titled “Memories Remain”. “Memories Remain is a song inspired by a friend’s break up. The song is a song that is relatable to anyone that has ever gone through heartbreak. Warmer When it Rains is a phenomenal album that is a great start to Joanna Teters’ solo career.
Three friends – Sarah Jarosz, Aofie O’Donovan, and Sara Watkins – banded together at the infamous Telluride Festival after they jumped on stage and performed a song for the first time. Since that moment on, it was clear that their paths would be forever intertwined on a bright future in the music industry, and together they make up the musical trio I’m With Her. See You Around is out today.
Together, these three have produced music that seems to have several undertones from many different genres of music. Instead of sounding incoherent, however, they have spun each sound and rhythm together with the highest skill of artistry. Not only are there several songs with a folk-ish feeling, but also of country and bluegrass. The album features breathtaking harmonies and fine-spun narratives that gives this group a very unique sound and feel. From Telluride to total success as a band, these three friends have a bright future in changing how the world looks at music.
See You Around is out now. Keep up with the band here.
Amy Rigby is about to drop her brand new album, The Old Guys on February 23rd via Southern Domestic Recordings. Having moved all around throughout her musical journey over the past several decades, Rigby has worked with bands, partners, and alone; her solo debut was Diary Of A Mod Housewife in the nineties. Her first solo album in quite a few years, with writing by Amy and recorded by her husband Wreckless Eric in their current New York base.
An unapologetic album, The Old Guys is composed of twelve tracks that thoroughly display Rigby’s honesty and grasp of her own sound. The Old Guys is a step back into the solo life for Rigby, but as a veteran musician, she knows what works for her at this point. We’re excited to see what Amy Rigby continues to dish out.
Keep an eye out for The Old Guys, out February 23rd.
Long Island’s Cloud has released a new album following his debut EP Comfort Songs. The latest album, titled Plays With Fire, will be released in March and consists of nine songs, clocking in at 32 minutes in total.Pulling form influences such as Jonathan Richman, Panda Bear, and Leonard Cohen, Cloud is able to captivate the listener throughout his EP.
“Wildfire” is the lead single from the upcoming album. The song is mesmerizing and talks about everyone wanting to be a wildfire. The song is filled with colorful vocals and background music that is sure to take the listener on a joyous occasion.
“Two Hands Bound” is another song from the album. The song is very catchy and filled with percussion, guitar and the vocals of Cloud. The song is about working hard and is one of the lighter tones in the album.
Plays With Fire is a month away, but in the meantime, keep up with Cloud here.
