by Kira Cappello | Oct 21, 2019 | singles, wolf tracks
California indie-pop duo Ruby Red have dropped a sultry smooth single that can be described as deeeply vibey. New track “Superbloom” is boiling over with chunky beats and thick bass, suavely melded with nostalgic synth that invites a contemporary indie spin.
Like waking up to an electro-pop disco dream, the first few seconds of “Superbloom” are washed out, before bursting forth into stunning clarity. Wavy, texturizing synths envelop echoing vocals into a hazy vacuum, their syncopation weaving as glittery guitar riffs pepper the remaining space. For all its pleasantries, the song is also lyrically hyperconscious, featuring lines like “I can’t help but feel the heat of the moment controls me / I can’t help but feel like my shoulders are weighed down by truth.”
Not to submit to cliché, but “Superbloom” truly does deftly blend many current musical styles; including chillwave, electro-pop, indie rock, hip hop, and disco. This track is what happens when Toro Y Moi meets Tame Impala – with just a dash of Post Malone-reminiscent vocals – yet it still feels innovative and brand new.
Multi-instrumentalists Daniel Laner and Fernando Fine of Ruby Red have been longtime friends since elementary school, officially forming the band in early 2018. The group released a 5-track EP in 2018 titled “LOVELOCK”, with “Superbloom” as their second single of 2019 following previous release “How It Should Feel”.
Keep up with Ruby Red here.
by Meredith Schneider | Oct 15, 2019 | singles, soundtrack
You know the drill. We thought the title of this article was both self-explanatory AND a little creepy, as it takes us back to cinema in the days of black and white to call it a “moving picture.” YouTube was our best friend this month, with new gems from The Jellybricks, Juliette Goglia, Ryan Egan, Yoke Lore, Black Marble, and more!
Check this article all month for more additions!
by Meredith Schneider | Oct 14, 2019 | singles, soundtrack, wolf tracks
We took the name of one of the October releases we heard recently as our title. You’ll understand if you take a gander at this playlist. Per usual, we have compiled a number of incredible new releases from this month so that you have a bevy of new work to select from and curate your own autumn playlists. Kim Petras, Ralph, King Nun, isle&fever, and more. Plus, check back all month for additional tracks being added as we sort through submissions and listen to new music throughout October!
by Meredith Schneider | Oct 8, 2019 | singles, wolf tracks
This time of year doesn’t often come with epic, robustly-arranged tracks that could serve as intense ballads in our lives. And that’s absolutely fine in most cases, but when we first put our ears on rock musician Jeremy Elliot‘s debut release “The Deep End”, we realized that this was a hole in our 2019 repertoire that previously needed to be filled.
This is the type of song that makes you wonder what Elliot’s voice has been hiding away doing all this time, and also marvel at his attention to detail and affinity for providing goosebump-inducing melodies to his audience. Big, bold, and beautiful.
Let us know what you think on Facebook!
Keep up with Jeremy Elliot here.
by Kira Cappello | Oct 7, 2019 | singles, wolf tracks
Berlin indie rock group The Usual Boys have released what will be a bar venue classic: The meandering bassline of “I’m Not the Asshole” stumbles through the back of dive bars, down drunken alleyways, and around the street corners of a chaotic night out. Though The Usual Boys supply influences of established Britpop, the sarcastic tone of this track is peppered with garage grit and topped off with a smoky-cool smoothness that goes down like one last shot – maintaining its freshness even after many listens.
“I’m Note the Asshole” paints a muddled scene of friendly banter between friends gone sour, giving way to drunken conflict and frustrated dialogue. Vocals from Aleksi Oksanen wind, warble and drag in all the right ways; slurring slightly at the end of each note for a healthy dose of theatricality. With dusty snares and sweeping cymbals, drummer Patrick Pevsner pulls The Usual Boys behind a curtain of cool, filling the room with smoke that contrasts the gritty forwardness of lead and rhythm guitar trills from Ethan Dalziel and Oksanen, respectively. The resounding bass, via Rasmus Schmidt, drives this track the whole way, temporally unwinding any starting point of logic and illustrating the narrator’s descent into resentment.
The Usual Boys formed in Berlin in 2017 and have been haunting the scene since, wielding a fervent mania into the fabric of their punk-spirited shows. They’ve just finished a tour through their native Germany preceding the release of anticipated single “I’m Not the Asshole”, released October 4, 2019.
Follow The Usual Boys here.
by Kira Cappello | Oct 4, 2019 | singles, wolf tracks
The newest single from one of the freshest names rising in pop is titled “Long Game” – an apt expression of 22-year-old singer/songwriter Gavin Haley’s dedication to making it work. “Long Game” simmers and twinkles, finger snaps and pop-anthem beats clicking along reliably. Haley’s smooth, breathy vocals sweep through his profession to a significant other that despite difficulties, they can count on his loyalty.
That loyalty is reflected in the mono-tempo, mono-mood of this track, which feels chill and reassuring, yet perhaps overly cautious. Parsing through Haley’s other reveals that he has the vocal prowess to produce interesting melodies in both pop songs and acoustic ballads alike, so while “Long Game” definitely fits on a late-night drive playlist, we’re looking forward to seeing both his influences and willingness to push boundaries expand going forward.
Keep up with Gavin Haley here.
by Meredith Schneider | Oct 2, 2019 | premieres, singles, wolf tracks
Brisbane-based indie artist MARLOE. is coming in hot with new music, and we emerge from the experience as though spring is on its way. But truly, allow yourself to melt into this premiere. You just might find yourself reminiscing on that gorgeous warm weather love, or perhaps you’re ready to explore your feelings in the autumn months as things quiet down. Whatever the case may be, you’ll find that fresh new feeling of love in “Ruminate”, a silky smooth pop masterpiece, which perfectly captivates its audience, primed for new beginnings.
Keep up with MARLOE. here.
by Meredith Schneider | Sep 20, 2019 | albums, review
The Berries‘ sophomore release — a full-length titled Berryland — is something of a commodity right now, as its focus on guitar riffs and an all-encompassing vibe has us begging for more. Mastermind Matt Berry has created a ten track masterpiece, that effortlessly blends Americana and Brit rock in an interesting and dynamic way. It starts with whirring guitar and an energy all its own with “Makes Me Sick“, adding more twang with “Lowest Form of Life”, and coming in hot with the leisurely, more radio friendly “Fruit“, two of these selections which have amazing 70s-inspired music videos to accompany them.
Continuing at a leisurely, backyard bonfire pace, “Passing Scene” gives us a hard glimpse into our autumnal future, slow motion jumping in leaves comes to mind. “Feral Eyes” revs it up a bit more, while “D.Y.W.I.B.” brings a more ethereal feeling to the piece. “Hell on the Speedway” has a title that would indicate it picks up the pace a little bit, yet it maintains a drawn out and beautiful disposition. “Along the Water” is delicate and incredible, while “Pedestal” provides a little more attitude. They round out the album with “Heavy Rain”, a track that will take you back in time right alongside some of rock’s greats (i.e. Jimi Hendrix). We’re big fans, and will most likely keep that track on repeat for quite some time.
Keep up with The Berries here.
by Kira Cappello | Sep 5, 2019 | singles, wolf tracks
With this freshest release, songwriter Jeremy Ferrara sounds as if he’s lived through his own life a few times before, only to come out wiser. Melancholy, observational, yet still bright; “This Trouble” weaves influences both sedentary and explorative, sketching a freewheeling character borne from folk-rock classics such as Bob Dylan, The Allman Brothers, and Wilco. Twangy electric guitar leads stir Ferrara’s migration on to the next place he’ll call home, while sporadic trickles of piano fall like midmorning rain. “This Trouble” breathes of Ferrara’s desire to roam. He sings, “Like the weather in south California, some things they never change.” Though nature cycles without end, this letter to venturing peaks with a compelling guitar solo that is an essential, fulfilling catharsis.
Ferrara has a growing accruement of EPs and singles released, with 16 total tracks released over a two-year span.
Tour Dates
9/5 – The Liquor Store
9/26 – Kreuzberg California
9/29 – MadeWest Brewing Company
10/4 – Neck Of the Woods
10/5 – Shanty Shack Brewing
10/10 – Bunk Bar
Follow Jeremy Ferrara here.
