by Katy Mombourquette | Jun 10, 2020 | singles, videos, wolf tracks
Rap aficionado Benny Freestyles has released his latest single and video “Follow Me Home.” The serenade eloquently illustrates the human need for companionship during dark times– whether romantic or platonic. While he was born in Providence, Rhode Island, Benny grew up a traveler, so it comes as no surprise that the video for “Follow Me Home” was filmed in Nosara, Costa Rica. The video sports radiant images of nature that are distinct from, but also closely intertwined with the music. In the opening shot, we drift through a dusky forest and hear a mix of bird calls and electronic tones from the music. The juxtaposition of the sounds is disjunct, but they also complement each other. At times the shots drift in and out of distortion, like a manifestation of the hard times that the lyrics are talking about. Some of the words draw obvious parallels to nature as well, such as “you say it’s windy,” and “just hope it all blows away.”
The electronic music may seem out of place with the nature-centered visuals, but what it does is create a sort of ambient space in which the lyrics can really thrive. Whether it’s the open ocean, eternal forest, or endless night sky, the powerful pairing of these images and the atmosphere generated by the music allows for lyrics like “please forgive me” to ricochet, amplifying their impact.
Freestyles worked with Thomas San Bento in an intense twelve hour session to produce “Follow Me Home,” which features Freestyle’s peaceful voice and the rap skills that earned Benny his name. Since his very first release (a four minute freestyle called “The Ready Freestyle“), the on-the-rise musician has aimed to inspire, putting out multiple projects and going on national tours. Along the way, he has acquired a substantial fan base that really identifies with his music. “Follow Me Home” is simply the next step in Freestyle’s movement to uplift and encourage. Don’t be afraid to let yourself get swept up in it.
Keep up with Benny Freestyles here.
by Katy Mombourquette | Jun 9, 2020 | singles, wolf tracks
Singer-songwriter ALIX recently released a new pop hit. Featuring pop sensation NEZZA, “Good” is a timeless track that works through the conflict between finding closure and wanting to move on after a relationship ends. The ballad is a model of classic pop, but the smooth vocals and subtle funk undertones give it a tasty R&B twist. The lyrics are simple but sincere, giving them a kind of universality that ALIX herself values in the music of her favourite artists. NEZZA shared in this universality as she bonded with ALIX over experiencing the aftermath of ex-relationships. From their bond, “Good” was born.
The solace found in the lyrics is enhanced by instrumentals that truly encompass the word “good.” Not the “better than alright but worse than great” definition of the word, but the one that means “pleasurable” and “enjoyable.” The song is in 6/8 time, which makes the music sway, each bar punctuated by a clean guitar chord. The harmonies are dreamy, wrapping you in a tender embrace to comfort you through your heartbreak. Towards the end there’s a satisfying key change that instills within you a resolution to persevere through any negative emotions you may be left with. In the end, “Good” is soothing, uplifting, and freeing.
While this track delights in its meaningful simplicity, one can also endeavor to go deeper and look for touches of California, where ALIX grew up. See if you can hear the gorgeous redwood forests and rolling hills that The Golden State is known for. Growing up near San Francisco meant that ALIX was exposed to an array of musical influences, providing her with a nifty toolkit that she would go on to utilize in her music. The music video for ALIX’s debut release “Come Alive” opened the door for her music career, gaining a million views in the first month. Her forthcoming album Feel Better builds on the momentum she’s created, with “Good” being only a taste of what’s to come.
Keep up with ALIX here.
by Katy Mombourquette | Jun 5, 2020 | albums, review, wolf tracks
Canadian singer, rapper, producer, and songwriter Keffa released his new EP Victimless Crimes on June 1st. Produced by the Multi-Platinum and GRAMMY award winners Ken Lewis and Brent Kolatalo, the EP delves into the melancholia that results from failed relationships, but in a light-hearted way. While the music is classic R&B in many ways, it also includes elements from many other genres such as indie and experimental. Keffa compares it to the controversial 1994 film Bitter Moon which featured similar themes of relationships and heartbreak in different ways.
Each track gives us a glimpse into the types of complicated, failed relationships that one can have.
“Bethlehem” stirs up emotions you may not even know you have deep down inside you. It begins atmospheric, and includes hopeful messages like “It’ll be alright, I’ll be by your side.” But halfway through the clouds clear, the line “pick up a loaded gun” cuts through, and things become more painful. “Bethlehem” exposes the listener to this pain, setting the stage for the rest of the EP.
“Rock You” tackles loneliness, the idea of being with someone only for companionship and not for true love. As Keffa says “There’s no point in loving me, ‘cause I have no empathy,” the hard-hitting bass notes and upward synth gestures in the music sound like slow, steady breaths. It’s as though the music is breathing through the pain, through the loneliness. Immediately after, we get “Twenty Four Days” in which Keffa switches gears and starts talking about how he’s in it for the long run with this girl he loves, although there seems to be a lack of trust in the relationship.
“Disconnect” is a standout track. It deviates from the other tracks as it prominently features dreamy, broken guitar chords and surprising turns of harmony. It deals with space, “disconnecting” from a stifling relationship. “Victimless Crimes” is the most unsettling song on the EP. In essence, it’s about how things that were once uncomplicated can become twisted.
Keffa ends the EP on a cheerful note, musically speaking. “Try Harder” is fun to listen to, with a catchy chorus amidst smoothly rapped verses that just glide on top of the jazzy background music. The lyrics still continue the theme, however, highlighting a one-sided relationship where one person isn’t making as much of an effort as they could.
Listening to Victimless Crimes, it’s easy to see why The Source Magazine hailed Keffa as a “Canadian mastermind” after his second EP release, and why he was featured in Respect Magazine as “Toronto’s Emerging Creative Enigma.” Keffa not only shows how it’s possible to innovate R&B music, but also shows the world what Canada has to offer in the hip-hop genre.
by Katy Mombourquette | Jun 4, 2020 | singles, wolf tracks
Yemi Alade. You may know the Nigerian sensation as the first female African artist to reach 100 million plays on youtube with her hit song “Johnny” in 2014. If not, you may know her as a contributor to Béyonce’s album The Lion King: The Gift. If neither of these accomplishments ring a bell, then let her new song “Boyz” be your gateway into this remarkable MTV Africa Music Award winner. Of Yoruba and Igbo descent, Yemi produces vibrant Afropop music for the world to enjoy. “Boyz” is groovy and bouncy, and Yemi’s enthralling vocals and melodies are supplemented by an unwavering beat. The beat is passed around between voices– the bass, drums, and even Yemi’s vocals. No matter where the beat is, however, it’s constant and driving, transfixing the listener. Yemi also adds a unique touch by using drums to ornament the song here and there rather than simply having them keep the beat.
Created with collaborator Vtek, this upbeat pop gem is just a taste of Yemi’s impending album. A video for “Boyz” is on the horizon as well. In the meantime, you can check out her other four albums: King of Queens, Mama Africa (The Diary of an African Woman, Black Magic, and Woman of Steel. As an acclaimed trailblazer for African music, Yemi’s music is a treasure and unquestionably worth checking out.
Keep up with Yemi Alade here.
by Katy Mombourquette | Jun 3, 2020 | videos, wolf tracks
The Hunna released their new single “If This Is Love” ft. phem on May 29th, and a video to go along with it. This seamless blend of
the alt-rock band and
the genre-fluid artist phem feels like
the perfect unity of a couple in love. But “If This Is Love” recognizes that love is more complicated than that. It delves into
the raw, painful moments that come after an intense, genuine love dies. Made within isolation,
the music video features close up shots of what is presumably lead singer Ryan Potter and phem, which evokes a sense of intimacy.
The pair are doused with red and green light, perhaps pointing to
the kind of inner conflict that one faces after a meaningful relationship ends.
The track itself echoes this idea, beginning slow and tender with sparse but comforting music and gentle vocals. It continues to increase in intensity, however, reaching an emotional climax when Ryan sings “and now I never want to see your face.” Here
the music is harsh and unbridled, just like
the pain and anger that emanates from this track.
From Watford, England, lead singer and guitarist Ryan is joined by lead guitarist Daniel Dorney, drummer Jack Metcalfe, and bassist Junate Angin to form The Hunna. Ryan was a fan of phem’s before they met, but it was only by a stroke of fortune that the band happened to meet her at a party thrown by Halsey! The Hunna are thrilled for the opportunity to work with phem, and it’s certainly obvious in “If This Is Love” that the collaboration is a success. If you’re like me and find yourself empathizing with the low spirits in this track, don’t fret! The Hunna will be releasing a track from their new album I’d Rather Die Than Let You In every month up until its debut on October 2nd. These tracks will trace the entire journey of heartbreak, beginning with anger and dejection but eventually shifting to acceptance and ultimately moving on.
You can pre-order the album here.
