by Abby Trapp | May 17, 2018 | singles, wolf tracks
With the news of their second album DARE which will release July 13th, The Hunna is excited to share their latest single “NY to LA.” The alternative rock track tells the story of infatuation that may have an expiration date. “From New York to LA I don’t wanna forget girl the way this feels tonight, but we’re running out of time.” To me the song felt vaguely reminiscent of the best boy band rock day- think All-American Rejects, and Boys Like Girls. The Hunna had me in my feelings as they put down a fresh twist to an old sound, the sound I grew up with (20 something’s you know what I’m talking about.) “NY to LA” is definitely a song worth jamming to whether you’re alone or hanging out with friends on a summer night, the track has something for every one.
Keep up with The Hunna here.
by Abby Trapp | May 17, 2018 | videos, wolf tracks
Budding pop star Syrena has just released her latest song “Diamonds In My Head”. The 20 year old NYC native is woman of many talents including belly dancing, fire eating, and snake charming. Her most recent talent includes her cunning knack for music. Her latest “Diamonds In My Head” is a pop song with a style all its own. While the beat is what captures you, Syrena’s captivating vocals ranging high and low, are what will keep you listening. The writing is inspiring as well as Syrena sings on empowerment and ambition. “I’ve got diamonds in my head, you see- Imma to do what I want….I’ve got diamonds in my voice, in my soul.” The most powerful lyric for me is “Love is great, love is kind, but it’s just not on my mind.” Syrena is focused on her goals on “Diamonds In My Head”. “Power and confidence are big themes in my music. Maybe it comes from being a New Yorker, or maybe it comes from performing live since I was three…if you doubt yourself, this city will eat you alive,” says the pop artist. Maybe it does come from performance, or maybe Syrena just has “it.” Either way, after listening to “Diamonds In My Head,” I felt more inspired,and focused. And to me, that’s music worth listening to.
Keep up with Syrena here.
by Madison Blom | May 17, 2018 | singles, wolf tracks
Exploring the deepest corners of the mind and the demon found there that are egged on by anxiety and guilt is the latest release from LA darling Esbie Fonte and her new single, Manumit.” Growing up surrounded by a family that was equally involved in music and frequent trips to the record store inspired her to take her sound to new heights. After spending several years attending Sarah Lawrence College, immersing herself in the education opportunities offered there. The same passion that brought her to that school also carried her across the Atlantic to deepen her understanding of the world of production. Now, fresh out of college and moved to one of the music capitals of America, Fonte is ready to take her music to a whole new level–from bedroom artist to working with one of the most successful produces around, she has released her single, “Manumit.”
One of the most enticing attributes of this single is the dreamy vocals accompanied by synth loops that seem to transport listeners to the world built by the lyrics majesty spun by Fonte herself. As a wonderful tribute to the experience one faces when attempting to battle personal insecurities, “Manumit” speaks to all who have ever face mental debilitation on any and all levels. This single was written in the center of calamity in hopes of achieving mental clarity and deeper understanding of oneself. No doubt, this is a song that will touch thousands and raise Fonte to a whole new level in the music industry as she continues to produce meaningful, flawless tracks.
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by ImperfectFifth | May 17, 2018 | show review
Athena by Elisabeth Donaldson
Pop can sometimes feel like an afterthought in the rock and country-saturated musical landscape of Nashville, but Thursday night’s show at the East Room made it clear that Nashville’s pop scene is anything but marginal. POP MONSTER (a dual release party for local artists Whoa Dakota and Athena, hosted by Popsquad) showed that pop in Nashville is as varied and exciting as the people involved can imagine it to be. Four artists with unique takes on the different shapes pop can take proved what the Nashville pop scene is truly capable of: churning out emotionally nuanced and stylistically ambitious bangers.
Meaux opened the evening strong with her sensual electro-pop, a fusion of soulful and experimental sounds that provided an effortlessly changing landscape for her rich voice to traverse. Her powerful pipes and impressive dance moves energized the room as she stalked the stage in a split length red cape. Color-shifting gauzy lights set the tone in the room, a cozy dream cave that looked as if it had been styled by the collective efforts of Prince and the Little Prince. Between sets the alchemy in the room was maintained through a mixture of 90’s throwbacks and electro-pop, the dreamy vibes in the room conducted by the cotton candy stellariums (made by Athena) hovering moodily above the crowd.
Next was Soren Bryce, a Brooklyn local who’s no stranger to the Nashville music scene. Soren’s writing and performance seems to transform to keep up with the rapid pace of her own ever-expanding taste. It’s a testament to how talented Soren is that she can take a left turn away from the fantastic music on her last unreleased EP (largely synth-based) to the more guitar-centric rock we heard on Thursday—and accomplish it so effortlessly. Clearly there’s no genre of music that Soren can’t master, as demonstrated by her fantastic set: a grungy pop punk watercolor that borrowed from Kurt Cobain, Lorde, Joe Jackson, Elliot Smith and Fiona Apple without ever losing its own distinctive style. Soren’s varied influences find her a sound all her own, as well as a gravity at the mike that holds the center of any room she’s playing for. The thread that weaves through her stylistic choices is always her voice, melodic with an expansive range that she wielded precisely like a scalpel to cut through the colorful fog in the venue.
Soren Bryce by Rhea Foote
Athena played third in a powerhouse performance that you’d never know was her debut effort. She was right at home in front of an audience, prowling the stage in silver spandex like a modern day Xenon, an early 2000s fever dream kicking through pink fog clouds in Adidas stripes. Athena approached her performance with a fierce vulnerability, swinging from charm to rage to melancholy in a way that always felt authentic. She brought the crowd into her circle of trust and pulled them along for her journey—and despite (or because of) the emotional depth each song was catchier than the next, equal parts Paramore and Nelly Furtado, Athena bopping around the stage with her heart in her hands. If this was only her first show, I’d recommend showing up for Athena’s second show.
When Jesse Ott aka Whoa Dakota took the stage, she wasn’t afraid to own the space, immediately splaying herself out on the attached runway while the crowd encircled her. The show also served as a release party for the new single “Right Now” off of her upcoming album “Patterns,” but she saved that for the end of the show, satisfying the audience in the lead-up with her electrifying and adventurous performance. Her bold, anthemic sound imbued all of her songs with an epic energy, getting the crowd dancing and hollering along with her as she navigated the room in her floral bodysuit. It had the feel of a good block party—the raucous happiness, variety, community energy. Whoa Dakota delivered with their surprise guests, hauling Alanna Royalle and Jung Youth out of the crowd to sing and rap respectively alongside her, with Robert Gay joining on trumpet and Anthony Jorissen on sax. During “Patterns,” the hit for which a music video recently came out, it seemed like the whole room was bellowing all the words alongside her. The show’s joyful climax was a surprise birthday celebration for Ott’s 28th birthday, including a rendition of the birthday song led by friends from Pet Envy and Molly Rocket, and punctuated by an amazing display of cupcakes this reviewer found to be delicious.
by brandon de la cruz
Whoa Dakota’s ambitious, ecstatic performance was the perfect series of exclamation points on which to end the evening. Each performer showcased a different side of pop music and played to the infinite potential within Nashville’s nuanced pop scene. It was especially heartening to see a fantastic, well-executed show that just happened to be led both in front of and behind the scenes by female talent. Without billing itself as a girl power show, POP MONSTER reminded us that there’s a surplus of talented women with vision leaving their marks on the Nashville music scene—and with shows this collaborative and joyful, we should definitely be supporting that.
Keep up with Whoa Dakota here and Athena here.
by Hanna Bahedry
by Kayla Hutton | May 17, 2018 | singles, wolf tracks
On May 9th, 2018 Brighton, U.K.’s rising band Thyla – comprised of Millie Duthie, Danny Southwell, Dan Hole, Mitch Duce – released their single “Blame” via B3SCI Records.This female fronted semi-pop/punk/rock band has definitely captured something extremely energetic. “Blame” begins with a steady but loaded enthusiasm. The picking and sound of the guitar is like that of The Cure. With a sprinting verse the chorus kicks down the door and leads the race with the propulsion of a jet engine. The pulse of “Blame” never runs dry providing a positive and motivating driving force. With enough fuel to get through any morning this would be the perfect track to start the days routine to. The kind of song that after hearing you’d walk out the door with an extra oomph in your step ready to take on the world. The punk like attributes are subtle but enough to show a little attitude. Thyla originated some time ago, however after not wanting to be one of those bands you hear potential in, they refocused and held back until they were ready. Ready they are. With only 5 single tracks available, you can’t help but let the anticipation build for a full length album. The vocals are melodic and at times a little bubblegum pop-ish. Never screeching or whining. The music section sounds very in sync and well rehearsed as if they were celebrating the release of a 5th album rather than a 5th single. Thyla has a commercial appeal that isn’t sleazy or trying to cash in on a female singer. They write realistic and catchy hooks leaving the lyrical content open to interpretation based on however it applies to the listeners life. They offer a modern approach, yet deeper into the heart and core of the band you can hear the 80’s alternative influences. For those of you in the U.K. be sure to catch Thyla as they have a couple of shows lined up. The rest of us will sit biting our nails waiting for a full album.
Tour Dates
MAY 12 @ Norwich Arts Centre
MAY 18 @ The Bees Mouth
MAY 19 @ Brighton StMary
MAY 23 @ The BOILERROOM
JUN 26 @ The Castle & Falcon
You can keep up with Thyla on their website or via Facebook.
by Madison Blom | May 17, 2018 | albums, review
For aspiring artist and writer James Alex of Beach Slang – now exploring uncharted territories with his new project Quiet Slang – “Rock and roll is sort of my consolation prize for wanting to have been a writer.” Both of these dreams are fulfilled as he performs all over the world and now hears lyrics, written by his own hand, shouted back to him while performing in front of hundreds of fans. On May 18th, alt-rock project Quiet Slang is set to release its debut, Everything Matters But No One Is Listening, which has earned the attention of an overwhelming amount of fans and critics all throughout the music industry.
Setting aside all of the hype surrounding this new release, there is a wonderful kind of artistry that is woven throughout each track. Each line holds poetic, relevant meaning to anyone who is lucky enough to hear it. Accompanied by the beautiful, hypnotizing rasp of Alex’s voice, the instrumental aspects of this album embrace the minimalistic nuances that are so clearly embodied in the title of this new rock outfit, Quiet Slang. As a wonderful tribute to the roots of this genre, the almost tangible melancholy of this album is wonderfully enticing and cushioned by the powerfully emotive cellos, piano and vocal talent.
In his own words, Alex explains that this group was brought together to convey one attribute: “Tenderness. I suppose that sounds overly simplified. But, still, it makes it no less sincere. Look, I’m trying to soften the world a little bit—there’s worse ways to be remembered.”
Throughout the album, certain themes are easily recognizable, the importance of sound and how silence can be more powerful. Along with this sentiment, each track emotes events and experiences that are relevant to young listeners and things that are often experienced at that age. With so much going for this upcoming group, it is almost impossible to ignore the blatant talent that is found within each verse of lyrical genius which has brought them to where they are now.
Keep your eyes peeled this Friday, and keep up with Quiet Slang here.
by Abby Trapp | May 17, 2018 | singles, wolf tracks
“Threw You” is quite the unique track with a team effort featuring three acts from Bronze Whale’s record label Magic Magic. “Threw You,” produced by Poles, is joined by Jet Horns and Soft Jaw. The track is unlike another with a Kyogo-kissed feel, focused vocals, with notes of the piano and a variety of electronic sounds. While “Threw You” starts off slow, Poles surprised me throwing down beats when unexpected, especially while the vocals were so calming. “Threw You” shows the versatility in all three artist’s and their ability to create an experimental piece of art. The way I can most accurately describe “Threw You” is ‘EDM infused Indie hit.’ The song is tantalizing and I could not stop listening once I heard it. You’ll replay it over and over again, I guarantee it.
Follow Poles: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Soundcloud | Spotify
Follow Jet Horns: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Soundcloud | Spotify
Follow Soft Jaw: Soundcloud
by Abby Trapp | May 16, 2018 | videos, wolf tracks
Skyler Stonestreet, noted songwriter of hits such as Dua Lipa’s “IDGAF” and the Chainsmoker’s “Kanye” has released her own anthem “Bankrupt.” Inspired by her battle and overcome of cancer, “Bankrupt” really touches on leaving the negative emotions in the past. The track hits with as electronic with sounds funky and synth beats. The chorus really touches on the meaning of the song singing “I’m bankrupt emotionally I can’t spend the another moment thinking about you.”
While the song has a somber meaning behind it, you would never know as it plays like a track you can dance to. Skyler brings us the best of both worlds on her well composed “Bankrupt.”
Keep up with Skyler here.
by Abby Trapp | May 16, 2018 | singles, wolf tracks
The alternative indie DYAN is back after their latest single “What Fiction Is For,” with a cover of the Jose Gonzalez song “Cycling Trivialities.” The cover anticipates their latest EP Absence. DYAN is simply perfect for the cover which was featured on ABC’s Deception. The band brings an ethereal experience to the cover. The electronic sounds are reminiscent of an unknown journey. Even more, band founder Alexis Marsh does an excellent job on vocals, articulating each word perfect and sweetly especially with emphasis on “When it all come down, cycling trivialities.” The cover does a great job of keeping the listener alert while at the same time keeping the pace of a dreamy lullaby. Listen to Jose Gonzalez’s first and then compare the cover. You’ll see the wonderful spin that DYAN puts in “Cycling Trivialities.”
Keep up with DYAN here.
