by Meredith Schneider | Sep 20, 2018 | premieres, singles, wolf tracks
Nashville-based indie rock outfit Jon Reynolds & The Aches releases a new track this week called “Tomorrow’s News”, and we’ve got your exclusive premiere. The second single in their three track lead up to their EP in early 2019, “Tomorrow’s News” exists at a moderate clip, really drawing the listener in to its country vibes. At first listen, hints of The Eagles are palpable. Admits Reynolds of the meaning behind the track:
After the November 2016 elections wrapped up, I felt a deep need and responsibility to contribute what I could to what I can only describe as a cultural civil war. On an even more personal level, I promised myself 4 years ago, when I first moved to Nashville, that I would make music I believed in: music that I was passionate about personally. There are few things more motivating than seeing a man who openly discussed sexual assault get elected president of the United States. I wake up feeling very anxious about the next nonsensical statement or action I’m going to read in my morning news- I put that feeling into this song.
Allow yourself to get enveloped in a beautiful expression of frustration with our current world. This song is a beautiful conversation starter, and the exact sound you need on an early autumn evening.
Keep up with Jon Reynolds & The Aches here.
by Meredith Schneider | Sep 20, 2018 | snapshot, visual
On Thursday, September 13th, Rooney took the stage at recordBar to start the second half of their “A Cosmic Interlude” tour. Last year, Schwartzman promised an eager crowd – they played recordBar for the first date of that tour as well – that they would continue to come back each year with new music. He seems to be holding up on that promise. In fact, on the 13th, he told the crowd he enjoyed starting things off in Kansas City, and wants to come back to recordBar next year to kick things off again. We would totally understand if his crazy schedule didn’t permit that – the man just got back from signing a distribution deal for his latest full-length feature, The Unicorn.
Rooney was joined by Toughies and Mating Ritual, both of whom will have photos up this week! Get a glimpse into Rooney’s headlining set below.
Keep up with Rooney here.
by Meredith Schneider | Sep 19, 2018 | videos, wolf tracks
Sultry jewel tones fill the room as East Sussex-raised FØNX floods the space with his gorgeous vocals. The simple contrast of black with those tones increases the soulfulness of the track itself, and make it feel a little more like a scene from a boy band video from the 90s.
Keep up with FØNX here.
by Meredith Schneider | Sep 19, 2018 | singles, wolf tracks
17-year-old musician Akine is gaining traction, now with her new track “Money In Your Mouth”, where she brings us an incredibly vulnerable side of herself. The intense lyrics paint a picture that will leave a bad taste in your mouth on behalf of Akine – or, the protagonist in the song -, but the vocals themselves are simultaneously edgy and smooth. The song is light enough to feel perfect for an autumn get together, bundled in hoodies and rocking vintage boots.
Keep up with Akine here.
by Meredith Schneider | Sep 19, 2018 | albums, review
Toronto-based trio The Trews – comprised of Colin MacDonald, John-Angus MacDonald, and Jack Syperek – continue to enthrall their fan base with a rotating bevy of new material. Their new album Civilianaires – which dropped on September 14th – hits with lighthearted energy in “Vintage Love”, throwing you into that puppy love that only this band can re-instill with every new record release. And while “Leave It Alone” is a little more hard-hitting, “The New US” continues at that pace, with a bit more of a commentary on civilization as we know it. I think we can all get on board with the sentiment in fourth track “Time’s Speeding Up”, while “Bar Star” throws itself into an introspective atmosphere, allowing the listener to question what they think about during last call.
“Harder To Love” feels incredibly primal in its disposition, “Is It Too Late” mirrors the title’s sentiment, a question plaguing anyone who isn’t sure about the choices they’ve made in life, and “Up sweet Baby” implores the object of the singer’s affection to stay awake until he gets home to be with them. The title track and its follow-up “No More Saying Goodbye” are filled to the brim with nostalgia, influences from past decades palpable. “Amen”, “Let The Great World Spin”, and “Jericho” are perhaps the best ways to round out the album, discussing forgiveness and elevating the world.
As a piece of artwork, this album really shows up for the introspective crowd. While the instrumentals stay energetic, layered, and freeing, the lyrics bounce from topic to topic, often with the melancholy glazed over by the gorgeous melodies provided. We’re big fans, and we think you will be too!
Keep up with The Trews here.
by Meredith Schneider | Sep 18, 2018 | premieres, singles, wolf tracks
San Luis Obispo-based indie pop duo Soft People – comprised of married couple Caleb Nichols and John Metz – are following up their 2017 debut American Man with quirky, upbeat new track “I Saw the Moon!” Soaked in reverb that makes the song feel a bit more ethereal than its pop sound would otherwise express, we’re in love with the energy “I Saw The Moon!” provides. Check it out below!
Keep up with Soft People here.
by Meredith Schneider | Sep 18, 2018 | albums, premieres
San Francisco-based dark indie pop duo New Spell – comprised of Leanne Kelly and Jacob Frautschi – dropped their 4-track EP Of Time, Part II today, and we’ve got your exclusive sneak peek at the release in its entirety. While aspects of “You Win” feel electronic – the song oozes quirky instrumentals that mirror our favorite video games – Kelly’s light as a feather vocals carry it into a more ethereal soundscape. The duo took the time to add fluid-sounding instrumentals to second track “Like Water”, and brought the entire tone of the album down for third track “Merely Mortal”. “Of Time” maintains this darker demeanor, while still leaving its listener feeling uplifted and – at times – breathless as it winds the release down.
Keep up with New Spell here.
by Meredith Schneider | Sep 18, 2018 | singles, wolf tracks
London-based alt musician Charlene Soraia produced her new single “Where’s My Tribe” in its entirety in her London flat. The song – which is the title track from her upcoming EP – sets the tone for what’s to come by establishing a wide-ranging, ballad-like feel within her vocals. The instrumentals are simple, peaceful, and raw, and realizing that all of the layers that comprise this piece were delivered by a single human is heart-wrenching in the most beautiful way. Check out “Where’s My Tribe” below!
Keep up with Charlene Soraia here.
by Meredith Schneider | Sep 17, 2018 | singles, wolf tracks
Los Angeles-based electro-soul duo Smoke Season – comprised of Gabrielle Wortman and Jason Rosen – is at it again with their new single “Hot Damn”, a hard-hitting, sultry dream of a song. Filled to the brim with pop culture references, the song tracks an infatuation – and perhaps a blooming romance – in a way that you can feel deep in your bones. The percussion brings a real badass sensation to it all, heightened only by Gabrielle’s raspy, gorgeous vocals. Check it out below!
Keep up with Smoke Season here.
