by Abby Trapp | May 21, 2018 | singles, wolf tracks
Toronto based musician Cherry Blaster is excited to announce her latest single “Demo Reel.” Cherry Blaster discovered her unique sound by accident. Spending years trying to write music for guitar, she discovered the magic of synthesized sound and re-kindled her love for the keyboard. Now, her latest single “Demo Reel,” is a perfect display of the sound she’s created for herself. The song begins with eerie electronic beats and sounds of a funky keyboard. As the beat never remains in the same place for long, Cherry Blaster shows off her talents with her melodic vocals. “I do what you want me to, just want you to want me too,” pleads Cherry Blaster on “Demo Reel”, which is more than just a display of the artist’s instrumental growth. “Demo Reel” also shows off Cherry Blaster’s personal inspirations.
The artist puts it beautifully saying:
I’ve never been particularly good at taking initiative in social situations, and this has often allowed me to retreat behind walls of self-protection. “Demo Reel” paints a picture of what I initially feel from this vantage point: the earnest desire to be accepted that comes before the envy that then morphs into a fortifying yet toxic cynicism (the age old “If they don’t need me, I don’t need them” attitude). I think most of us have gone through this, especially in our youth, so I wanted to ensconce the honesty and vulnerability of the lyrics in a vibrant, mercurial sonic palette that evokes the innocence of our school days.
Take a listen at Cherry Blaster’s eccentric and enticing latest single here.
Keep up with Cherry Blaster here.
by Abby Trapp | May 21, 2018 | albums, review
The Brooklyn based rock band Language, just released their latest EP Plymouth via Good Eye Records. The rock band consists of Omar Afzaal (guitar), Charles Sloan (bass) and Wes Black (drums). After self-released EP’s, Plymouth is the product of their signing with Good Eye Records. Plymouth has five tracks, including the title track “Plymouth.” The album encompasses all things rock and kicks off with the track “Where To.” With no vocals and only lasting at 1:21, “Where To,” holds up to its name. It really serves as an introduction to the band’s sound which include notes of bass, guitar, and a steady drums. “Game Piece” shows off the band’s vocal talents, far-reaching as they are. The band’s vocals remain gritty and angsty with true rock feel. “Fingers small, in a father’s hands,” Language sings on “Game Piece.” The song has a punk-rock feel and definitely is something to jam out to.
“Plymouth” remains creepy at first, with a distant sound of buildup to the drop of the beat. The song soon changes pace halfway with calming vocals– “Landed on a new rock, kinda like the old one.” I believe that the “rock” is in reference to Language’s new album, their signing with Good Eye Records, and coming full circle as a band and artists. Plymouth remains the band’s “new rock.”
Keep up with Language here.
by Abby Trapp | May 21, 2018 | singles, wolf tracks
Brooklyn based indie duo Pollens, just dropped their latest track “$$$_PSA.” The duo consists of Jeff Aaron Bryant and Elizabeth “Emay” May. Right off the bat, the name of the track of grabs your attention. Listening to the track invited me in even more. The track starts off with the sassy chanting of the duo “Affluent men in their 30’s they’re all asking, ‘Is it better to get the credit for all of the things I know?” The title of the track immediately makes sense almost as “Affluence, PSA!” The track is adorably snarky with talks of affluence, sophistication, and intelligence. Combined with the pop-indie beat, the duo really feed off each other. The ingenious lyrics really shine through on “$$$_PSA.”
Pollens lyrics are purely intentional as they want their music to be “simple and immediate.” Jeff of Pollens says on the creativity “with a tiny band, we’re totally free to explore sparse, dumb, over committed ideas without a lot of risk or investment.”
Keep up with Pollens here.
by Madison Blom | May 21, 2018 | singles, wolf tracks
One of the hottest LGBTQ artists from this generation has just announced that she will be dropping her next single this Wednesday for the public to hear and her fans have been going nuts ever since. Pronoun returned to the music scene recently with her last single, “Run” which was not only adored by her fans, but by internationally acclaimed magazines and other well known artists. On Wednesday, she will be releasing a single entitled, “Wrong” which addresses some of the personal struggles that she was facing after a difficult breakup. In her own words she stated,
“I wrote this song when I found out some really weird news about my ex. All of a sudden I just said out loud “I feel embarrassed again”, and I went from there. For the longest time I was so angry at her, and the news that should have been the final straw actually just made me feel really bad for her which spun me in to the weird emotion of how can you feel sorry for some one you “hate”. How is that even possible, do other people feel this way? I guess in a way it’s what I would want to say… if I wanted to talk to her…. which obviously I don’t…. so iI wrote this song instead.”
Like most of her other work, “Wrong” is the perfect mix of old and new. Along with the upbeat synth loops, there is a beautiful guitar overlay that syncs perfectly with the drumming beat. Vocally powerful, Pronoun takes each low and high in stride and blends perfectly with the lush atmosphere created by the back up vocals and lighthearted instrumental components. Although there is a slight psychedelic flare to the overall soundscape created by this band, they are nothing less than the future of the pop industry.
Keep up with pronoun here.
by Madison Blom | May 18, 2018 | 5 to 7
After hundreds of hours in the recording studio and after working tirelessly to achieve the fame and success that they have gained up to this point, up and coming group JOYNER is bringing their sound to a whole new level. Since their start, they have had countless opportunities to perform and have thus gained the enthusiasm and loyalty of thousands of fans who are dying to hear more from this killer group. Luckily, amidst their crazy release schedule, Joyner was able to answer some questions for us and for their fans concerning where they started, where they are and, most importantly, where they are going. Buckle up and enjoy one of the most open and honest interviews that we have had yet.
Throughout your years of performing and producing music, was there an event or circumstance that really helped you kick start your career in music?
Music has always been something we loved. We grew up singing, writing songs and performing together in musical theater. As youngins we knew it was something we wanted to do, but we weren’t sure how to take it beyond the walls of our childhood home. When Summer was 20 she was working in retail and had a customer that came in and was telling her about her cousin that was a music producer. From there the dots connected and we recorded our first songs. It hasn’t stopped since!
Out of all of your goals, what is your focus right now?
At this very moment, getting our new music out into the world is the main focus!
Although there may have been set backs, what has made it all worth it?
There have been countless set backs, but at the end of the day it comes down to the music. No matter how hard it gets, the music is always what paints a sunny sky after a gloomy day.
While you are performing, what is your number one priority?
We have two number one priorities and that’s really focusing on being in sync with each other + making sure everyone has a good time!
Is there any exciting news about upcoming releases or tour dates?
Our debut EP comes out May 18th. We’re playing The Mint on 4/29 here in LA and are hoping to hit the road soon. Follow us on our socials to keep in the loop!
After a long day in the studio or on stage, what is the number one thing that you like to eat?
Love this question! A warm comforting meal like potatoes, or some yum grub from one of our favorite vegan restaurants like Little Pine or Mohawk bend.
Has there been anyone or special figure who has helped you get to the point that you are at?
We have so many angels in our lives from our music producer, to our friends that take our photos and help us make our music videos. We are so grateful for them!!
___
Keep up with Joyner here.
by Abby Trapp | May 18, 2018 | singles, wolf tracks
Brooklyn based TOMI has been busy prepping for the release of her EP What Kind of Love, out today. The EP features the title track “What Kind of Love,” and “Every Morning I Feel Like Running Away Here.” On “What Kind of Love,” TOMI speaks on the kind of love that you crave and need. “What kind of love takes its under its wings, what kind of love ties you up in its arms and won’t do you any harm- what kind of love?” ponders TOMI. The song has an 80’s dance feel to it, and the music video is visually aesthetic. “What Kind of Love,” really shows TOMI off as an artist in terms of her voice, style, and creativity. “Every Morning I Feel Like Running Away” tells another story. Looking for an escape and breaking out of the comfort zone, TOMI sings “Even out in the open I want to sail away.”
TOMI shares her personal inspiration for What Kind of Love, explaining:
We all experience different versions of love, even in just one person. There is kind love, destructive love, boring love, obsessive love, drunk love, the list is endless. I spent this past Thanksgiving in Las Vegas, and it was a beautiful trip aside from a panic attack: ‘Every now and then I feel you coming up behind me.’ A lot had changed for me in a short period of time. I had been in a relationship for three years with someone who couldn’t quite figure out how to love me. It made me wonder if something was wrong with me. When we broke up, I felt a weight lift, and then as I fell in love with my current partner, I felt the weight pour back over me, even stronger this time.
Keep up with TOMI here.
by Madison Blom | May 18, 2018 | albums, review
Breaking out with his first ever full length album full of energizing anthems and inspiring lyrical loops, is Nashville native Taylor Cole (Chalaxy, Creature Comfort) and his music project Tayls. The self entitled album, Tayls is his greeting to a wider demographic of fans who he hopes to inspire with his commitment to insane fun and beautiful art. Although this indie project has gathered a great following since the very first single, this new release is surely going to push his popularity over the edge as he dives even deeper into the sound profile that he has created for himself. From a humble start to his current standing at the top of thousands of fan playlists, Tayls has created a movement composed of self-empowering music that is both easy to listen to and incredibly intricate.
The instrumental talent that is demonstrated captures the attention of listeners instantly. Coupled with the intense and pumped-up vocals that match the mood set by the music, Tayls can do no wrong as his lyrics pack a “powerful punch” of exciting empowerment to the individual. Known for overenthusiastic live performances, it is clear that Tayls was able to focus the same energy into the recording sessions. Although fans won’t be able to experience all of the lights, dance moves, drag queens and giant swan dives that have become essential elements of the live performance, the music on this album speaks for itself.
Layered with subtle scream vocals, there is no doubt that this album is going to pull in fans of The Flaming Lips, Bright Eyes and everything in between. As this project continues to deepen its understanding of its unique sound, Tayls is sure to pick up fans throughout the world who are inspired by the out of the box lyrics and fast paced rhythms.
Tayls is available now. Keep up with the project here.
by Abby Trapp | May 18, 2018 | albums, review
Deafman Glance is 28-year-old Ryley Walker‘s latest album, out May 18th via Dead Oceans. The album consists of nine tracks, each one a little different from the next. “22 Days,” the second track on the album is perhaps one of my favorite tracks. “22 Days” has a slow jazz instrumental intro for at least a two minutes, rendering the song tranquil, yet engaging. What sounds like a purely instrumental track at first, “22 Days” has help with Ryley’s vocals. “But I gave myself 22 days to come up with a master plan,” Walker sings. “And people can be so plain, with the power to re-arrange,” remains my favorite line. What seems like a tale of despair at first, the piece is soon picked up and flips gears to upbeat jazz, rock, and then slows back down again. “Can’t Ask Why” is yet another beautiful track on Deafman Glance. Like “22 Days,” the instrumental lasts for a while, except instead of jazz we hear wind chimes. In fact, the wind chimes are incorporated throughout the song. “I can’t sleep at night,” Ryley sings ironically, as if the chimes are the things will put him to sleep. “Telluride Speed” sounds like the beginning of a fairy tale with light sounds of a flute. Like a fairy tale Ryley sings “I threw a a rock at your window.” The track is sweet, innocent, and makes you feel at home.
Perhaps my favorite thing about Deafman Glance is the variety of sounds and instruments that Walker incorporates into each song. Inspired by the sounds of the city, Walker says:
And it’s more Chicago-y sounding. Chicago sounds like a train constantly coming towards you but never arriving. That’s the sound I hear, all the time, ringing in my ears. Everybody here’s always hustling. Everybody who talks to you on the street’s always got something they’re coming at you with. It’s the sound of strangers dodging one another. And landlords knocking on doors to get rent that people don’t have. But it’s eerily quiet at night. This record is the sound of walking home late at night through Chicago in the middle of winter and being half-creeped out, scared someone’s going to punch you in the back of the head, and half in the most tranquil state you’ve been in all day, enjoying the quiet and this faint wind, and buses going by on all-night routes. That’s the sound to tune in to. That’s the sound of Chicago to me.
Deafman Glance is out now. Keep up with Ryley Walker here.
by Abby Trapp | May 18, 2018 | albums, review
Chicago’s own Hidden Hospitals is excited to share the release of their new album Liars, which is officially out today. “Razor Blades” is the first track to kick off the album, and shows off Hidden Hospital’s pop-punk flare. “I want it all but everything won’t fit,” proclaims the band. The track remains angsty with lines like “rush to the razor blades” and “haunted crosses” highlighted among others. The title track “Liars” is very ethereal, more reminiscent of outer space. “Liars have lips who call out love,” the upbeat electronic pop track sings. “Liars” remains upbeat and funky, but with a sad lyrical message.
My personal favorite track is “Better Off”. On this post-apocalyptic track, Hidden Hospitals touches on the aftermath of a relationship and the toxic environment one can get caught up in. “I didn’t know what we had started, I couldn’t see the pieces then- pull us close found us toxic/how misleading it had been,” the band shares on a painful but truthful experience with listeners.
On the album, vocalist Dave Raymond says: “Sound is language, and our fluency and vocabulary 2018 is vast. Why not use it? I can make a guitar do anything, we can make a drum kit say or control anything, and that’s interesting to me. It’s the feeling of “kid in the garage with their amp turned all the way up.” I’m forever chasing that, and LIARS is the most recent expression of what got me there.”
Liars is available here.
