by Meredith Schneider | Nov 16, 2018 | albums, review
The world has waited since 1997’s RAPT to hear a follow-up from folk singer-songwriter Rebecca Blasband. Having spent some time producing sound design and music for television and film, she clearly has a knack for what works with her audience, a fact evident within the tracks on Here. Rebecca wastes no time, jumping right into gorgeous ballad “Love Is”, getting a little more primal with the percussive instrumentals. The title track seems to slow the pace down a bit, a lot more introspective than its predecessors. While “Walking On Water” is a song you could see yourself singing around a fire with your closest friends, while “Who The Hell is Peter Brown?” might get a little more attention at a karaoke bar. (It’s got an edge to it a crowd can’t deny!)
“Those Happy Days” picks the pace back up of course, quirky and fun in its existence, while “Ghost Song” slows it all down a bit more, getting very real with lines like “Sometimes I think I’m just gonna disappear / Waste away / In thin air.” If you feel a little out of control of your life right now, this track will resonate in its entirety. “Way Of The World” is a slap of reality, while “Gotta Work It Out” reintroduces that edge we fell for earlier. “Target” is soulful, psychedelic and perfection in most situations, though you might want to be careful about playing the beginning of it while driving. “Long Distance Love Affair” rounds it all out in a bittersweet and beautiful way, as mention of a long distance love affair brings a level of melancholy to an already meandering and blues-y song. It’s the perfect end to the album, as it makes us all feel a little detached by the end of it.
Here is available now. Keep up with Rebecca Blasband here.
by Meredith Schneider | Nov 14, 2018 | singles, wolf tracks
It’s time to get some smooth, easy listening in those ears of yours. Perfect timing, since London-based alt pop duo Vōs just released new track “Serious”, which wreaks of 90s R&B influence. As the strong, intense vocals, implore, “Do you wanna get serious?… Are you gonna treat me right?” part of you wants to challenge someone, and the other part of you just wants to dress up and go dancing.
So go. Get ready to this. And challenge someone on the dance floor. (Yeah, we said it. So do it!)
Keep up with Vōs here.
by Meredith Schneider | Nov 14, 2018 | albums, review
Everyone’s favorite roots rock n’ roll duo Larkin Poe recently released a 10-track stunner, packed to the brim with badassery paired with subtle delicacy that only these ladies could pull off. Starting with the military-like drum line first track “Sometimes”, Rebecca and Megan Lovell bring every ounce of soul that they can to each and every track. As evidenced in “Bleach Blonde Bottle Blues”, “Honey Honey”, “Mississippi” (ft. Tyler Bryant), and “California King”, as well as what follows, lead vocalist Rebecca makes us swoon with a gorgeous, far-ranging, robust set of vocals, that comes with a bit of smoke here and there that makes us feel like everything about this album is a mystery. (I mean, check out those instrumentals in “California King”!
“Blue Ridge Mountains” is very much a country track, following suit of the other upbeat, “proud of my hometown” tracks that we’ve become partial to over the years. And if you think “Fly Like an Eagle” is going to be a remake of the Steve Miller Band classic (mad respect to Space Jam), you would be incorrect. This track is far more stunning, though you probably wouldn’t find it in a cartoon-riddled movie starring LeBron James anytime soon. (Or will you?) “Ain’t Gonna Cry” is one of those “knock your heart right out of your chest” songs, as it’s highly relatable and such a raw, matter-of-fact anthem. “Hard Time Killing Floor Blues” is far more classic blues than many of its predecessors, with a boot-stompin’ beat you may just find yourself repeating. The ladies round out this album with 10th track “Good and Gone”. Clearly placed for its title, we were curious to see if we thought it actually belonged as the wrapping on this new gift of an album. That answer is yes. It sounds like something you could play at a funeral or celebration of life, with a little of that quintessential Larkin Poe edge oozing out of the edges.
Keep up with Larkin Poe here.
by Meredith Schneider | Nov 14, 2018 | videos, wolf tracks
Electro-pop/at r&b artist Corina Seas – backed by band members Luis Castro and George Carberry – is ready for the world to peep her brand new music video for the track “Sonic Erasure”. Lucky you, we’re the ones hosting the premiere. The 80s/90s dance track influence is pulled into the video, as she gets ready for an event by trying on different looks in the mirror, as many of us have found ourselves doing before.
The song itself, though it sounds as though you would hear it in a club, actually covers a darker topic. Explains Corina Seas of the track: “What I think is the most interesting part of “Sonic Erasure” is that I wrote it about how toxic my relationship was with my then-boyfriend while still being in the relationship. The song is almost like an ode for him to stay. He didn’t.”
Shot in warm lighting, the video then goes in a direction you don’t expect as her date shows up for dinner at her apartment.
Disassociated is out now. Keep up with Corina Seas here.
by Meredith Schneider | Nov 13, 2018 | videos, wolf tracks
Jealous of The Birds doesn’t actually fit into one box, if you’re looking for an honest answer. A bag of tricks, you can hear hints of 60s punk and indie rock and roll in her work, vocals deep and emotionally evocative. The new music video for “Marrow” follows suit, a visual dream basked in a glow that warms you while the artist galavants around in a garden. Demonstrating theatrics and a sound that The Beatles would be proud of, you’re in for a visual treat with this one. Peep it below!
Keep up with Jealous of The Birds here.
by Meredith Schneider | Nov 13, 2018 | albums, premieres
California-based duo Quietwater might not be releasing their debut self-titled EP until the 16th, but – not to brag or anything – we’ve got the exclusive streaming premiere. This 4-track stunner is filled to the brim with percussive intensity, gorgeous, full strings, and boasts a mood mysterious, frantic, and calming, somehow, all at once. Admits the duo:”This EP is very dear to my heart and I’m delighted to finally get it out to the world. Stay tuned for more to come.”
So, if you’re jonesing for some new music for your earholes, check out the magic of Quietwater.
Keep up with Quietwater here.
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by Meredith Schneider | Nov 12, 2018 | soundtrack
What a month! So far, we’ve experience all four seasons in the midwest, there was a blue wave in the election, and there are literally thousands of new tracks that we haven’t had a chance to peep yet. But we have gotten our hands on some very attractive new songs, so we’ve created a November 2018 playlist for everyone to enjoy. Check back throughout the month, as we add new selections daily!
by Meredith Schneider | Nov 9, 2018 | singles, wolf tracks
Aria Pullman Ostrander – who goes by AO in the music community – just released her latest track, a swirling beaut called “Lonely Hunter”, this morning. Sound effects make it all feel a bit otherworldly, her raspy, edgy vocals adding a hint of soul to a track that then feels more “old west” than anything else. Trust us when we say, this is something that will make you feel powerful. It’s definitely a must in your autumn soundtrack, and might be the perfect thing to play as you walk into that unavoidable upcoming class reunion.
Keep up with AO here.
by Meredith Schneider | Nov 9, 2018 | albums, review
Birmingham-based duo Timber – comprised of Janet Simpson-Templin and Will Stewart – releases their brand new 8-track full-length today, and we’ve got all the details. A lush, enigmatic soundscape takes you on an interesting journey, twang-tinged and versatile in its existence. “Burying Ground” is very much a literal track, a melancholic beginning that carries through second track “As a Kill”. “Colors” is a bit spooky and intense, while “Downtown” has a true ballad sense to it and seems to play with dissonance instrumentally quite a bit.
“Sunstroke” is lyrically bittersweet, calling to mind a love – or really amazing situation, at the very least – difficult to shake. As a Kansas City native, “Shuttlecock” made my ears perk up, and the song sings of flying through the sky like one of those intricate sport accessories. It occurs in such a pleasant soundscape that we’re feeling like turning it up and going for a drive this weekend. And perhaps “Errant Oblivion” will inspire another side of us, slow dancing in the moonlight as the instrumentals take over our souls as they seem to already have done. Simpson-Templin and Stewart remind us of their brilliance up until the last lines of final track “Move”, a simplified yet freeing track.
If you’re looking for a soundtrack to a relaxing and thoughtful weekend, this is it.
Keep up with Timber here.
