by Meredith Schneider | May 8, 2018 | singles, wolf tracks
Directly following the announcement of his upcoming debut album, East London-based artist Vicktor Taiwò has blessed the world with new track “Blue Mountain Ridge”. With roots in 90s R&B and a beautiful, robust, layered sound to the instrumentation and production, Taiwò’s vocals enhance the track infinitely with their raspy allure and emotional honesty. The track’s mix of soul and intriguing tempo changes make for an interesting and pleasing listening experience. Check out “Blue Mountain Ridge” below!
Keep up with Vicktor Taiwò here.
by Meredith Schneider | May 8, 2018 | singles, wolf tracks
With production value that rivals well established artists and vocals smooth like agave nectar (“honey” was overused), New York-based electro pop duo REFS have a new track that will set the tone for an amazingly relaxing week. “Roots” combines our love of catchy and unique percussion and a warm bed of incredibly styled lyricism to make us believe in artistry again, if we’re being completely honest.
If you haven’t quite peeped the track, now is the time. We anticipate an insanely fruitful career for these two is just on the horizon.
Keep up with Refs here.
by Jai'Tyria Hatton | May 8, 2018 | singles, wolf tracks
Singer and instrumentalist Scott Quinn tugs at heartstrings in his latest single “Run”. The song is relatable to anyone that has had someone cut them out of their life, and talks about watching someone move on without them. “Run” is a song for healing when someone has left you. The song is heart-wrenching, but at the same time teaches the listener to let go of the old in order to let the new in. The track s a teaching moment that you can love someone unconditionally and still want the best for them, even if that plan doesn’t necessarily include you.
Keep up with Scott Quinn here.
by Veronica DeFeo | May 8, 2018 | singles, wolf tracks
Novo Amor has dropped a brand new single, “State Lines” The Welsh producer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist (irl Ali Lacey) has already released two EP’s – Woodgate, NY and Bathing Beaches – and a collaborative record, Heiress, with Ed Tullett. Now, he’s back again with “State Lines”, a gently powerful track that moves along an irresistible strain. Featuring Novo Amor’s signature falsetto, “State Lines” is sure to please both old and new listeners with its emotive soundscape. We can’t wait to see what Novo Amor has in store following the release of “State Lines”.
Says Novo Amor of the track: “The name ‘State Lines’ represents the idea of bordering something; it reflects a feeling or place of uncertainty.”
Catch Novo Amor on tour:
Tue Oct 16, UK, Manchester, Gorilla
Wed Oct 17, UK, Glasgow, Saint Luke’s
Fri Oct 19, UK, Leeds, Community Room @ Brudenell Social Club
Sat Oct 20, UK, Brighton, The Haunt
Mon Oct 22 UK, London, Union Chapel
Wed Oct 24, France, Paris, La Maroquinerie
Fri Oct 26, Germany, Berlin, Funkhaus
Sat Oct 27, Denmark, Copenhagen, Vega Small Hall
Sun Oct 28, Sweden, Stockholm, Kagelbanan
Tue Oct 30, Belgium, Brussels, Botanique – Orangerie
Wed Oct 31, Netherlands, Amsterdam, Paradiso Noord
Thu Nov 01, Germany, Hamburg, Gruenspan
Stay connected with Novo Amor
Facebook – Soundcloud – Twitter – Website – Instagram
by Jai'Tyria Hatton | May 8, 2018 | videos, wolf tracks
Swedish singer/songwriter Olle Hammar found himself through his stage name “Lionman”, which is more than just a name, it is a symbol of strength. It’s endearing, and the music that comes from this moniker is enviable. “Don’t You Dare” is a perfect example of how Hammar exemplifies his inner strength through music. The track is in a lane of its own through its soulful sound, and sends a powerful message that it is okay to be yourself in a society that is often judgmental. The video was shot in a school with moody, beautiful lighting and a variety of individuals to help support the message of the song itself. It’s an absolute piece of art, and we kind of can’t stop watching.
Keep up with Lionman here.
**co-written by meredith schneider
by Veronica DeFeo | May 8, 2018 | albums, review
Nashville-based singer-songwriter Joel Levi has just dropped his self-titled album. Honest and down to earth, Joel Levi explores challenges and difficulties of life on an Americana/indie-folk soundscape.
Joel Levi:
1. “Middle of Everything” starts off the record on an upbeat note, setting the indie-folk tone of the album. Showcasing Levi’s great vocals, this first track sets the stage for the rest of the album.
2. “Will We Ever Change?” is up next, starting off with a smooth, angstier sound. As the title suggests, this track explores the fear of being stuck as you are.
3. “Honest Mistake” carries the listener into a more Americana sound, reminiscent of Springsteen. Featuring a great guitar solo towards the second half the song, the lyrics “I don’t wanna bring you down” echo throughout the track.
4. “Easy to Be Alone” is a more laid back folk song that moves along an emotional soundscape, encouraging the listener to hold onto their loved ones and fight for them.
5. “Harder Times” emphasizes perseverance, even through adversity. Well-placed guitar rounds out the track into a solid song.
6. “The Garden” brings the listener into a simple but touching melody, filled with well-constructed metaphors.
7. “All My Friends” changes it up, instantly upbeat and quickly moving into a feel-good chorus that will make any listener appreciative for the important friends in their life.
8. “Sweet Melinda” comes next, a beautiful love song that starts off with some acoustic guitar. An instant classic, “Sweet Melinda” encompasses what a romantic folk song should sound like.
9. “Blind Men Still Dream” is a painfully honest track that explores the challenges we face, and the support that we always can depend on.
10. “Hold On Me” closes out Joel Levi on a simple but touching note with a love song. “Hold On Me” shows just one of Levi’s many musical aspects and gently brings the record to an end.
Stay connected with Joel Levi:
Website I Facebook I Twitter I Soundcloud I Spotify I Bandcamp
by Jai'Tyria Hatton | May 8, 2018 | singles, wolf tracks
Australia-born, Toronto-based musician Hoodlem is on the rise, especially with her new single “Last Night”, which is a mixture of pop with an abundance of soul within its sound. The track is about love and what it is like to be in love, and Hoodlem’s breathy vocals make for smooth and vibe-inducing listening.
“Last Night” sounds like a daydream of moments you wish you could get back with the person that you once loved. The feeling is overwhelming and makes you feel as if you cannot get that person out of your head. Which is fitting, as the song is based off of replaying the events that happened last night.
Be on the lookout for Hoodlem’s EP Teenager, set to release this summer. Keep up with her here.
**co-written by Meredith Schneider
by Madison Blom | May 8, 2018 | singles, wolf tracks
Kicking off this season with a single that is bone chilling beautiful is multi-faceted young talent Nick Lopez and his latest release, “Carousel.” Not only is this incredibly mature piece a wonderful tribute to the intense emotional ride that many of us find ourselves on, but musically and vocally speaking, it is composed in an artistically complex manner that seems to inject the listener with the push and pull of Lopez’s emotional tide. With each passing beat, fans find themselves swaying with the beat that is so full of meaning that, like the song declares pulls them back in again and again. After making hundreds of sacrifices for the music career that he has been dreaming of since his teenage years, the rewards are finally starting to match the hard work of this young artist.
Ever since a young age, Nick Lopez has dreamed of a life on stage and decided at age 17 to move from the comfort of his childhood bay-area home to Los Angeles to pursue a goal that he has come to achieve over and over again. His alluring vocals and talented duet counter-pieces have added to his musical credibility and has raised the bar of expectation even higher. Coupled with his layered pop-sensibilities, Nick Lopez’s incredible thirst for success will continue to drive him to the top of the billboards and allow him to take his current streams from the current millions to billions.
Keep up with Nick Lopez here.
by Madison Blom | May 8, 2018 | videos, wolf tracks
Since the release of the Shapeshifter I: Construct EP from TAUK, there has been a huge amount of hype surrounding this wildly popular release. The buzz from their latest release, however, will continue to garner success and spread throughout the country in the coming months as they advertise the new release on several stages. Most recently, TAUK released a live video of their hit track, “Malware,” which was expertly performed by everyone involved which resulted in a visual spectacle that is both unique and completely captivating. As neon light flash and flicker throughout the entirety of the recording, fans hang on each beat and movement of this incredible performance. In this recording of the live show in Minneapolis, featuring PHO band members Lukas Skrove on trumpet and Aaron Levin on sax, there seems to be a live tension in the audience that becomes nearly tangible.
One of the greatest aspects of rising electro-pop band, TAUK, is that they have the distinctive ability to take what we all know as electronic music and manipulate it into something that is all their own. Regarding their sound, it is clear and direct as opposed to the muffled style that has seemed to dominate this genre’s releases for the past several years. Undoubtedly, as TAUK continues to perform, the hype will continue to grow and gain them then success that their music deserves.
Keep up with TAUK here.
