by Meredith Schneider | Feb 26, 2020 | singles, wolf tracks
Have you ever been so thrilled with the way a song makes you FEEL THE EMOTIONS that you just want to shout it from the rooftops? With dark, brooding vocals, an incredible amount of dismal attitude, and whirring guitars, The Great Dictators bring us new track “Play Dead Together”, which is sonically just as morbid as its title suggests. Past the initial impression, it is a love song at its core, and sweet in a sinister and beautiful way.
To truly understand what any of this means, of course, you have to take a listen for yourself. So check it out, and check back in with us over on Facebook with your thoughts!
Keep up with The Great Dictators here.
by Kendal Chandler | Feb 26, 2020 | singles, wolf tracks
Los Angeles based artist Suzy & the Lifeguard released their newest single “Take it Slow” off upcoming EP ANIMA out May 1. “Take it Slow” is a look at the dichotomy between longing for love and falling to lust. This contrast of love and lust is shown within the vocals and the musical arrangement. The vocals are sultry and flirty teasing at the dark corners of this split. The horns used in the composition bring visions of forbidden romance, something that is both infatuating and dangerous.
“Take it Slow” is composed of lyrics of seduction and regret. With words that emanate a desire for love, our hearts break. “We both we’ll take it slow / As I am taking you back home,” is soon followed by feelings of remorse, “Nobody wins when we play games.” This back and forth creates a look at that rocky line between love and lust, when it turns, and what happens because of it.
Keep up with Suzy & The Lifeguard here.
by Kendal Chandler | Feb 25, 2020 | singles, wolf tracks
El-Paso based outfit Sparta release their newest single “Empty Houses” off their upcoming album Trust the River set to drop April 10. This is Sparta’s release since their 2006 album Three’s.
This electrified post-hardcore track is accompanied with an animation music video. The track centers around the lasting effects of the market crash, playing with the emotions of fear and anxiety of that time.
The video depicts a body with a house as a head running through destruction, trying to find solace while the house is also on fire. The idea of “Empty Houses” looks out how those affected coped with the upheaval and what became of those houses that were left vacant because of it.
Keep up with Sparta here.
by Kendal Chandler | Feb 25, 2020 | singles, wolf tracks
22-year-old LA native Jensen McRae releases first single and announces debut project. McRae truly dives into sensitive topics in her music, such as love, race, and the adversities of being a woman. We are huge fans of her new track, and not just because it is named for this section of the site. (Wink wink!)
“Wolves” is a deep emotional track, a look at getting forced into negative encounters with men. Referring to men as wolves and dangers they can hold, and the lasting effects these encounters have.
McRae’s powerful and emotional vocals carry the song, accompanied by a steady guitar pattern. These guitar notes never change, all build up and power in this song is left to McRae’s vocals. Having just the vocals carry the track gives more weight and emotion to the lyrics themselves, with McRae giving her voice all the power can be seen a metaphorical choice as her songwriting allows her to speak for those with similar stories who may not be able to speak for themselves.
Keep up with McRae here.
by Kendal Chandler | Feb 24, 2020 | videos, wolf tracks
French-Israeli singer-songwriter Yael Naim returns with a mystical new single and video for “Shine” off her upcoming album NightSongs, out March 20th. The video showcases Naim moving on a BOSU ball in a striking ballet-like style. Choreographed by performance artist and acrobat Yoann Bourgeois, Naim’s movements make her look as if she is defying gravity. This movement is accompanied by the use of shadows and sporadic lighting, created by Director of Photography Martim Vian.
The upcoming album centers around acceptance – of circumstance, self, relationships, and life. Naim process for writing the album was a look inward and writing at night – “when no one sees you, you can do things that aren’t allowed. I had what I called ‘night feelings’, and songs that I eventually called NightSongs.”
Keep up with Yael Naim here.
by Madi Toman | Feb 24, 2020 | singles, wolf tracks
The Holdup is the solo project of San Jose-based artist Mike Garmany, and his new single “Cool Spot” drops this Friday. The Holdup fuses modern pop and R&B while spicing things up with a dash of reggae. Garmany approaches his music with honesty, which has proven to be an outlet in his day to day life as well as a universal consistency that draws in fans from all over the world. With streams totaling a cool 60 million and a sold-out show at iconic Los Angeles venue The Roxy in 2019, Garmany is yet another example for independent artists to look up to, with his approach allowing him to write and produce music from his bedroom while also consistently touring the U.S.
“Cool Spot” falls right into his sweet spot, with bright island sounds accenting his catchy hooks, which feel like they could be ripped straight off of the radio. Reggae instrumentation and a hip-hop beat neatly compliment each other, proving that Garmany is just as skilled at production as he is at songwriting and performing.
Germany’s personal brand of groovy, melody driven pop gives him a unique flavor that has resulted in his cult-like following. While many of those fans might mistake The Holdup for a group, Garmany carries the project all on his own, writing, producing, performing and engineering all of the material on his albums.
Keep up with The Holdup here.
by Madi Toman | Feb 19, 2020 | singles, wolf tracks
Land ho, Pizzagirl!
Amid plans for Liverpool based artist Pizzagirl to make his first visit to the states, he has broken his (incredibly brief) 3 month silence to grace our ears with new music straight outta the oven. While this may seem like no time at all for your everyday artists, in Pizzagirl years (which are clearly relative) it’s long enough to require a statement being issued about it. On his silence, he says:
“sorry for not replying to ur last message just been having my beauty sleep for a coupla months 🙂 I know it’s been a while but there’s a lil party in cape canaveral I heard about! I’d love to see you there if you’re still interested? speak soon xx”. While we can’t speak for everyone, we forgive you for your abandonment and we’re DEFINITELY interested, Pizzagirl.
Pizzagirl is bringing us his first release since his debut album, first timer, which drew influence from various musical and pop-culture references that he spent his formative artistic years absorbing. His debut successfully melded his nostalgia-inducing 80s-synth vibes with those of your modern indie artists. While it’s still early in his hopeful career, things are looking good for Pizzagirl, who is back to focusing on writing songs with his trusty guitar, Denise, and will now be joined onstage by a live band.
This newest track is a taught art-rock jam that builds into the soundtrack for an offbeat party scene. No doubt cooked up in his bedroom-pop lair, which he’s oh-so-cleverly dubbed the Beatzzeria, the new track channels David Byrne in its depiction of the subject matter, an underground fugitive character just trying to go to a party on The Space Coast (all the other indie-pop kids are going Mom!). Pizzagirl brings a variety of instrumentation to his elusive party (never before have I been so satisfied by the musical pairing of synth and cowbell) that, combined with the thickly textured chorus of shouting voices featured on the last chorus, will undoubtedly make you too want to jump around at an indie-disco.
“cape canaveral ” premieres February 19th ahead of Pizzagirl’s first stateside performance at Austin’s SXSW festival. Keep up with Pizzagirl here.
by Kendal Chandler | Feb 19, 2020 | singles, wolf tracks
Australian artist Jamie-Lee Dimes released her latest single “Release Me”. This track wrestles with the complexity of trying to fit in as a response to discrimination. “Release Me” is a cathartic track that blends 60’s rock with dreamy melancholic folk.
Dimes also released a video to accompany the track. The music video is a tribute to the beauty of Australia’s natural life in wake of the brush fires that have burned millions of acres of land.
Dimes, a multi-instrumentalist and singer-songwriter, draws inspiration from artists like Patti Smith, PJ Harvey and Kim Gordon. Dimes writes music for the purpose of igniting conversations and change in order to provide a voice for those who may not have one. Her music style tackles the global perspective with writing fueled by wanderlust.
by ImperfectFifth | Feb 18, 2020 | soundtrack, wolf tracks
Here is a playlist of songs by artists, groups and bands who truly and deeply inspired me both musically as well as influenced my life in a big way. The songs range from punk, alternative, old country blues to pop and hip hop. Some of these songs were recorded by producers who influenced me or even some people who I worked for during my time LA. Some of these songs I listened to as a teenager in my room and dramatically changed my life. Some of these songs are songs that I discovered later in life or on different tours.
I hope you enjoy <3
Keep up with Vanessa Silberman
here.
