by Meredith Schneider | Sep 14, 2018 | albums, review
Are you into quirky, emotional, indie rock music? Because Active Bird Community – and their brand new album Amends, out today – could really do the trick for you. The Brooklyn-based collective has been creating their brand of alternative music together since 2005 when the guys were in middle school, and the evolution has been impeccable, as they hone their sound into something 90’s babies will cherish, perhaps, more than anyone else. Amends is direct evidence of that.
Beginning with the title track, Amends establishes that slacker sound to a T while it meanders through with rough guitars, perfectly sometimes-whiny vocals, and a robust, head-bobbing energy. This carries well into second track “Holier”, though third track “Sweaty Lake” – as memorable as that name is – picks up the pace immensely, and understandably so. (See: the title “Sweaty Lake”.) Things slow again in “Unwind With Me”, which is, again, a direct reflection of the song title.
Once we get to “Baby It’s You”, I don’t think anyone is expecting a horns section. But there it is, an intro that wakes you back up with its differentiation from its predecessors. The pace takes that of a Weezer track, and we’re on board with the energy again. .”Virginia” feels more 90s grunge than others thus far, ragging on people for being “just a cliche” and challenging the object of their attention. “Blame” slows down to a ballad-like crawl, emotional in its disposition, while “Downstairs” adds some more quirk back into the feel of the album with light percussion and a rough, beautiful bass line.
“Metrics” starts with a toe-tapping, pop-like feel, and then delves back into the whirring guitars, hard percussion, and upbeat attitude of the majority of Amends. “Silver Screen” begins slow, simple, and then bursts into this kaleidoscope of sound that we didn’t necessarily see coming. “Lighthouse” rounds it all out quite beautifully, performed on acoustic guitar to really enhance the lovely, soft feeling of the lyrics.
You know, until it gets a little rowdy toward the end. But we really couldn’t have hoped for anything different.
Keep up with Active Bird Community here.
by Meredith Schneider | Sep 14, 2018 | premieres, videos, wolf tracks
Really into that smooth jazz feel to the 90s? Well, Ryder Havdale has taken some of that and blended it with a more modern dance vibe in new track “Partners In Crime”. A song that boasts perfection in any nightclub setting, the video doesn’t stray from that feeling one bit, as bright colors, ambient lights, and fun moves keep the dance party going. We’ve got the exclusive premiere of that visual, so check it out below!
Keep up with Ryder Havdale here.
by Meredith Schneider | Sep 14, 2018 | premieres, videos, wolf tracks
Tel Aviv-based indie folk collective theAngelcy – comprised of Maya Lee Roman, Maayan Zimry, Uri Marom, Rotem Bar Or, and Udi Naor – is a jam band if ever we saw one. This is further proven in the brand new music video for their track “Mona Lisa (the song)”. Filled to the brim with a modern take on that 90s nostalgia – we can’t necessarily help it that fashion is going back in that direction now, but we CAN help an all-white background and group dancing – “Mona Lisa (the song)” will inspire you to move this weekend, and we’ve got the exclusive premiere.
Keep up with theAngelcy here.
by Meredith Schneider | Sep 13, 2018 | singles, wolf tracks
Brighton-based indie pop quintet Fickle Friends recently released a synth-driven, flurry of sound in the form of their track “Broken Sleep”. The new song just so happens to be the title track of their debut EP on Palmeira Records. “Broken Sleep” is smooth as honey in its disposition, the percussion hitting in the right places and in just the right 80s/90s way that you can’t help but move your hips to it all. This track would serve well in a crowded club setting, whether at an upscale dance club with neon lights or in a dingy underground nightclub in SoHo.
Check out the new track – and get a peep at their first ever North American tour dates – below!
09/25 DC9 Washington DC
09/26 World Café Live Philadelphia, PA
09/27 Bowery Ballroom New York, NY
09/29 Sonia’s Cambridge, MA
10/01 Drake Hotel Toronto, CAN
10/02 Pike Room (Crofoot) Pontiac, MI
10/03 Beat Kitchen Chicago, IL
10/06 Three Links Dallas, TX
10/08 Globe Hall Denver, CO
10/09 Kilby Court Salt Lake City, UT
10/11 Teragram Ballroom Los Angeles, CA
Keep up with Fickle Friends here.
by Meredith Schneider | Sep 13, 2018 | soundtrack
Today is officially our one year anniversary. That’s right. We’ve been introducing amazing music to ears around the world, getting behind the scenes looks at your favorite bands, and covering gorgeous live music for an entire year together. That’s not a simple feat, especially in our current publication and music industry climates. I couldn’t be more proud of this project, the passion it was born from, and the loving community that it has facilitated. Thank you, so much.
Today is also my parents’ anniversary, which was the main reason I chose this day to launch the site. Happy Anniversary, you adorable, beautiful, wonderful people! You have inspired so many of my friends – close or otherwise – to constantly say they wish you were their parents. You leave a lasting impression on people, your friends and family adore you, and I am just so proud to be your daughter!
In honor of both of the above facts, I introduce our running September playlist today. Each month, we will have a curated Spotify playlist that grows as the month goes on. This one is pretty scattered – in the most quirky and beautiful of ways – and will continue to be updated throughout the month. (In other words, keep checking back to get in on the new tunes!)
Keep up with new stuff by “Liking” Imperfect Fifth on Facebook! For fun peeks into live music coverage and more, our Instagram is about to be reborn!
by Meredith Schneider | Sep 12, 2018 | singles, wolf tracks
It’s mid-week and we need a mood boosting song. Fear not, as self-proclaimed “midnight pop” musician Unknown Caller‘s new track “Sayonara” fits the bill exactly. Light as air, synth-fueled melodies dance around his high ranging vocals to make your heart melt in only the way Unknown Caller will eventually become known for. All we know is this track is perfect for a low key end of summer party, and would be absolutely gorgeous played over a dimly lit dance floor.
Who’s in?
Keep up with Unknown Caller here.
by Meredith Schneider | Sep 12, 2018 | singles, wolf tracks
New York by way of Munich indie pop duo HAERTS – comprised of Nini Fabi and Benjamin Gebert – has taken synth-flooded ballads to another level with their new track “No Love for the Wild”. Explains Nini of the track, “‘No Love for the Wild’ is about a love that is deeply connected yet completely free. It’s the outcry in the moment in which you lose faith in that kind of love and the hope to be proven wrong.”
Seeing as we’ve all lost faith in something at one point or another, this song is palpable in a very rare and true form. In fact, it’s poignant in many ways and allows us the space for introspection.
Enjoy “No Love for the Wild” below.
Check out Haerts on their North American tour dates!
11/21 Philadelphia Boot & Saddle
12/3 Washington, DC DC9
12/4 Brooklyn, NY Rough Trade
12/6 Boston, MA Great Scott
12/8 Toronto, ON The Drake
12/10 Chicago, IL Schubas
12/12 Seattle, WA Columbia Theatre
12/13 Portland, OR Douglas Fir Lounge
12/15 San Francisco Rickshaw Shop
12/17 Los Angeles, CA Moroccan
Keep up with Haerts here.
by Meredith Schneider | Sep 12, 2018 | singles, wolf tracks
From the first lines of “Jessica WJ”, the listener gets a nostalgic feeling as they quickly move their hips to the contagious pop melody. And you can taste the Santa Monica sunset in the track, something the twin brothers of Cayucas who live in Santa Monica may or may not have missed as they were recording the track. We’ve basically fallen in love with their work because of “Jessica WJ”, and you probably will as well.
Keep up with Cayucas here.
by Meredith Schneider | Sep 11, 2018 | Uncategorized
If you’re searching for a little spark of badass in your soundscape today, indie musician Ishani‘s new track “Dark Angel”. Her vocals range on the higher side, with beautiful instrumentation to match and bring a little more edge to the track. But what is important to note – aside from the alluring sound to the track – is the important subject matter it addresses.
“I have lost close friends to suicide,” Ishani says of the song’s subject, “and recent events have forced me to revisit this song, – we are living through a time of increased awareness of mental health, but we still see so many people ending their lives.”
“Dark Angel” is multifaceted, but at its peak is a song of hope. Check it out below!
Keep up with Ishani here.
