by Meredith Schneider | Aug 24, 2018 | albums, premieres
Los Angeles-based visual artist, illustrator, zine-maker, and multi-instrumentalist Dakota Blue finally drops his insatiable 8 track Plaza to Plaza LP today, and we’ve got the streaming premiere! Starting in an eery way with what seems to be old opera music, “Plaza I” eases us into the emotional soundscape we are about to embark upon slowly and painlessly. “Private Car” keeps us at that tempo, blissfully floating through electric guitar notes and reverb for days. When we get to “Plaza II”, we aren’t sure if we should expect an extension of its predecessor or not, but it seems these two plazas exist in completely different atmospheres. Whereas the first gave us a taste for nostalgia in its entirety, the third track dances at a quicker tempo, layered with original vocals. “Game Show” brings the energy back down, but not quite to that of the first two tracks. In fact, it does continue with the “eery” theme, incorporating more of Dakota Blue’s vocals like its predecessor.
“I’m The Mannequin” feels older, perhaps with the way dissonance is manipulated throughout. “Scorpion’s Theme”, however, feels exactly as it is described, with heightened sounds to indicate staccato moments of intensity, as though you are facing down with a scorpion in person. This track absolutely belongs in a stressful horror movie, along with many of its colleagues on this collection. (Should we throw that idea into the universe?)
“Beijing” is melancholic in sound, beautiful in its vocalization and the simplicity of the lyrics. Dakota Blue rounds out Plaza to Plaza referencing a third plaza, “Plaza III”. This track begins so quietly, you almost have to focus on nothing but the music. Which is a testament to the way this musician creates, his experimental functions so pronounced that it is most admirable to find time to enjoy these tracks with your mind, body, and soul.
But don’t just take our word for it. Check it out in all of its freshly release glory below!
by Meredith Schneider | Aug 24, 2018 | singles, wolf tracks
Industrial shoegaze collective We Are Parasols – comprised of D (Vocals, Synthesizers, Bass), Jeremy Wilkins (Guitars, Piano, Synthesizers, Samples, Vocals), and Alec Eye (Drums, Synthesizers, Samples) – recently released new track “The Gods Have Become Disease”, and it’s time for your curious ears to have a listen. A dark, reverb-filled soundscape and luscious, intense vocals are the two outstanding aspects of this track, the overall feeling one of a hard rock ballad. If you’re looking for something a little heavier sounding than the pop-infused tracks of summertime 2018, this is your jam.
Keep your eyes peeled for We Are Parasols’ new EP toward the end of September, and keep up with them here.
by Aubrey Hanson | Aug 24, 2018 | albums, review
Talk about an empowering new album! Artist Whoa Dakota has recently released her new album ‘Patterns’ on August 17th! Jessica Ott, who you may know better as the artist of Whoa Dakota speaks out about her new album saying, “This album is about everything that made me. Patterns weaves two main narratives: breaking free of our own destructive cycles through accountability as well as reconciling how our roots continue to shape our identity.”This multi-genre album with 80’s inspired vibes is all about becoming who you are and finding yourself throughout your life while also breaking through the same vicious routines that may hold you back. Growing up with her parents and grandmother, Ott learned many valuable lessons and stories in which she uses in her music nowadays. The track ‘Patterns’ is an upbeat and catchy yet teachable song that inspires you to break away from your unhealthy patterns. “Patterns” is the one song that sets the mood for what you can expect on the whole album. Songs such as “Animal”, as well as countless other tracks on the album also refer back to the same old cycle that you do not want to get caught up living in; you just need to break free of all the cycles and patterns. While listening to Whoa Dakota’s new album, you may hear many vocal similarities when compared to alternative/indie artist, St. Vincent. Both artists are strong female singers that you do not want to pass up.
Take the time to go listen to Whoa Dakota’s new album Patterns‘, and you will not be disappointed! If you have the chance, make sure you also go to see Whoa Dakota live!
by Meredith Schneider | Aug 23, 2018 | singles, wolf tracks
New York-based multi-instrumentalist Jason Bemis Lawrence is preparing to release his full-length, Another Hotel Hallway, early next month. In the meantime, we have the second single off of that collection ready for your awaiting ears, a track called “Southern Midwest”. The reverb-filled track has an almost glassy feel to it, serene in its disposition. The instrumentals lend to the tranquil feel, allowing for a relaxing soundscape intro to an album we are all too excited for.
Keep up with Jason Bemis Lawrence here.
by Karina Marquez | Aug 23, 2018 | singles, wolf tracks
LA-based artist KODA released his latest single “Nazareth” and it is a dynamic, atmospheric track. He is brutally honest about his inner struggles and the complexity of them. This song reminds me of how current pop music has openly embraced mental health issues in a way that relates to the younger generations of today. There has been a shift from bubblegum pop to a darker, more real approach. In that way, KODA’s sound reflects the millennial pop/R&B vibes of Zayn or The Weeknd. The subtle beat paired with his emotional vocals create a deeply personal, emotional track that gets extremely candid about his anxiety. Getting this personal is always risky, always scary, but KODA has achieved it in a way that shows his truth and, as a result, created a beautiful piece.
Keep up with KODA here.
by Meredith Schneider | Aug 23, 2018 | singles, wolf tracks
Looks like Robert Schwartzman is keeping the promise he made us last year, when he stopped in Kansas City and said he wants to come out with a new EP every year, and tour based on each new release. So, essentially, he pledged to come back in 2018 a year ago. And we’re all for that, especially since he’s following up on that promise. Rooney is picking up steam again, and the new single is sweet summertime perfection, with a hint of 80’s nostalgia. Check it out below, then prep yourself for a tour date near you! (Seriously, it’s such a fun and incredible experience, and Robert is more than happy to spend time with all of his fans at each date!)
AUGUST
24 – Salt Lake City, UT – Urban Lounge
25 – Denver, CO – Levitt Pavilion
26 – Santa Fe, NM – Meow Wolf
28 – Phoenix, AZ – Rebel Lounge
29 – Las Vegas, NV – The Bunkhouse
30 – Los Angeles, CA – The Regent
SEPTEMBER
13 – Kansas City, MO – Recordbar
14 – St. Paul, MN – Turf Club
15 – Davenport, IA – Daytrottter
16 – Chicago, IL – Lincoln Hall
18 – Toronto, ON – Lee’s Palace
19 – Albany, NY – The Hollow
20 – Brooklyn, NY – Brooklyn Bowl
21 – Boston, MA – Brighton Music Hall
22 – Washington, DC – Rock & Roll Hotel
Keep up with Rooney here!
by Meredith Schneider | Aug 23, 2018 | premieres, singles, wolf tracks
New York-based R&B artist Kash brings a certain badass attitude with her wherever she goes, and we are soaking it up as if it’s our last rays of summer sun. Today, she brings us the exclusive premiere of her gorgeous new track “Don’t Let Me Go”, which boasts her voluptuous vocals glossed over bluesy instrumentals. The song serves as a warning to a significant other that life doesn’t get better after her, and she’s far more convincing of that fact than we could ever begin to explain. So let yourself get lost in the soulful, intense soundscape of “Don’t Let Me Go” below!
Keep up with Kash here.
by Karina Marquez | Aug 22, 2018 | premieres, singles, wolf tracks
Acclaimed Texas-based artist Salim Nourallah has released his latest single “Sweet as a Weed,” which is set to appear on both his upcoming EP and full-length album. It’s quite stripped down, making for an intimate track. It has an interesting country-like feel to it, which may be attributed to the story of how the idea of this track came about. Nourallah recalls how the inspiration struck while on the road:
I was having pre-gig chips and salsa with a friend in Malden, Missouri … We were talking about my daughter when he proclaimed, ‘Well, she’s about as sweet as a weed! I nearly spit out a chip. ‘What? Is that actually a saying?’ It was baffling to me. Weeds aren’t sweet! He swore it was a legit Southern saying after I grilled him on it. I stuffed it away in my file of things to consider for songs.
The spirit of the South can definitely be heard in this song, with its distinct twang and tone. The mellowed-out guitar paired with Nourallah’s vocals creates an atmospheric, vaguely eerie vibe and a song for those days spent in the blistering summer heat in the country.
Nourallah’s EP South comes out on September 7th, and his next album Somewhere South of Sane comes out September 28th. Keep up with him here.
by Aubrey Hanson | Aug 22, 2018 | videos, wolf tracks
Made up of Dalton Allison, Javi Reyes, Jake Hirshland, Wesley Toledo, Matt Williams, and Joe Keery, rock band Post Animal recently released their new video for their emerging song “Ralphie”. Joe Keery, both a member of Post Animal and an actor on popular television show Stranger Things was able to squeeze in the filming of “Ralphie” despite his busy schedule. This video grasps all of the concepts that the song itself proposes from an amusing thrill-seeking video, to a classic psych-rock vibe. The tempo of the song itself is very upbeat, and it makes it one of those songs that will remind you of summer days which is why the desert and beach settings are quite fitting for the video.
After watching this video multiple times, I could not think of any better way to do it. The video is amusing, captivating, and represents the song to the best of its ability, which is everything that a well thought out video should embody!
Keep up with Post Animal here.
