Alt-rock outfit We The Kings – yes, THAT We The Kings – recently signed to Graveboy Records. The momentous partnership is marked with the release of their latest work, a single titled “Alien.” The song begins with a melancholic feel, rectified by a quintessential upbeat, fast-paced chorus. “We’re all just a bunch of kids who feel like aliens searching for the answer to the question – ‘does anybody else feel like I do,’” shares lead singer Travis Clark.
One part anthem and one part inquiry, “Alien” seeks the match to our souls, any minor detail to connect us to others. It asks everyone who feels “other” to be proud. The song itself seeks similarities in the irregularities and differences. Combine this journey with relatable lyrics and a catchy tune, and this release is poised for charting success.
“Every few albums or so I get a strong feeling about a song,” says Clark. “It’s hard to explain, but the last 2 times I felt this way were with ‘Check Yes Juliet’ and ‘Sad Song’. I have that same feeling about “Alien” so only time will tell what that means!”
Get ready to crank up the volume and dive into the electrifying world of rock with IRONTOM‘s ‘SUPER//STAR.’ This high-energy track is a rollercoaster ride of emotions, fueled by edgy guitar riffs, pulsating rhythms, and a captivating vocal delivery that demands your attention from the get-go.
From the moment the first chords hit, ‘SUPER//STAR’ sets the stage for an exhilarating musical journey. The lyrics oscillate between bold self-confidence and introspective vulnerability, creating a dynamic contrast that draws listeners in. The repeated chorus, declaring the speaker as a ‘superstar,’ echoes with anthemic power, making it impossible not to get caught up in the hype.
IRONTOM‘s masterful fusion of rock elements and electronic textures adds a modern twist to the song, creating a sound that’s both familiar and fresh. The band’s tight instrumentation, combined with the lead singer’s charismatic delivery, captures the essence of rock ‘n’ roll energy. The way the track builds, combining catchy hooks with an explosive chorus, makes it an instant earworm that’s bound to leave you singing along.
What makes ‘SUPER//STAR’ truly shine is its ability to encapsulate the allure and complexities of fame in a single track. The lyrics dive into themes of love, betrayal, and the pursuit of recognition, painting a vivid picture of the highs and lows that come with the superstar lifestyle. The song’s clever blend of sarcasm and genuine emotion adds layers to the narrative, inviting listeners to consider the various facets of the ‘superstar’ identity.
Overall, ‘SUPER//STAR’ by IRONTOM is a rock anthem that doesn’t just rock your speakers—it rocks your world. Its infectious energy, magnetic lyrics, and skillful musical arrangement come together to create a track that’s as hype-inducing as it is thought-provoking. Whether you’re a rock enthusiast or simply a fan of high-octane music, this song is a must-listen that will have you hitting the replay button again and again.
UPCOMING TOUR DATES 9/22 – Grand Rapids, MI – 20 Monroe* 10/3 – Boulder, CO – Boulder Theater* 10/7 – Ventura, CA – Majestic Ventura Theater* 10/19 – Los Angeles, CA – Moroccan Lounge (album release show) 10/31 – San Jose, Costa Rica – Estadio Nacional # 11/4 – Rio De Janeiro, Brazil – Estádio Engenhão Nilton # 11/7 – Brasilia, Brazil – Arena BSB Mané Garrincha # 11/10 – São Paulo, Brazil – Estádio Do Morumbi # 11/13 – Curitiba, Brazil – Estádio Couto Pereira # 11/16 – Porto Alegre, Brazil – Arena Do Grêmio # 11/19 – Santiago, Chile – Movistar Arena # 11/21 – Santiago, Chile – Movistar Arena # 11/24 – Buenos Aires, Argentina – Estadio River Plate # 11/26 – Buenos Aires, Argentina – Estadio River Plate #
Zach Gerzon of Twin Bridges is an up-and-coming songwriter and self-taught cellist, breaking into the music scene with a distinct mix of folk and instrumental chamber genres. The project’s latest single, “Carbon & Dust”, puts instrumental chamber music through an indie filter, mixing traditional orchestral instruments with wistful vocals. Durnis Markov’s animated music video is as heart-wrenching as it is breathtaking, providing context for the song as well as eye candy visuals.
While self-teaching, Gerzon experimented on his cello, incorporating playing it on its side like a guitar and using a looping pedal. He brings this experience into “Carbon & Dust”, incorporating a plucked cello motif as the crux of the piece. Its ambling tempo resembles how the characters in the music video lumber through a forest aimlessly. The music video’s description elaborates that the song “explores a conversation with a loved one who has passed… Slipping between a dream and reality, the lines get blurred from reality, the afterlife and reliving trauma / tragedy.”
Along with cello and vocals, “Carbon & Dust” includes a trumpet, bass clarinet, bassoon, clarinet, and saxophone, creating a mini symphony. Each drastic change in instrumentation accompanies the events in the video. When a car crashes in a head-on collision—recalling the moment the mourned person passed in this tragic accident—the winds suddenly break into the song. The wail of strings and blast of winds juxtapose Gerzon’s forlorn voice, encompassing the simultaneously agonizing and gloomy experience of grief.
“Carbon & Dust” is only the beginning of Twin Bridges’ exploration into folk-chamber pop, as the lead single to the upcoming Fertile Ashes full-length debut, out on 10/27. With a strong start, Twin Bridges and animator Durnis Markov helm the sail of an exciting new genre.
Does a new future of folk-chamber pop lie ahead of us? Find out below!
As the video begins for “Cigale Song” by Oracle Sisters, two earphone wires are depicted, stretched out to the ear of a girl with blond hair. One is connected to the ear of a girl with brown hair, at a long, wooden table. They are surrounded by fellow musicians holding guitars, and interacting in a friendly manner, dancing in vintage dresses and suites. They create an existence of sharing small moments over their interest in rock music.
On stage, the singer bounces her legs in rhythmic motions, in her green pants, under the green and blue changing lights. As the video continues, red and orange lights shine over the singers dressed in vintage pink and white dresses. These two stand behind the singer in the green pants. This alludes to how in life, people who are similar stay together in similar circumstances, while those who stand out, often dance to the beat of their own drum.
Concurrently, the singer at the front wears pants, because as people find themselves, they come to realize that how they move and what they wear shapes how people who do not know them well view them. The people watching the performers on stage represent those who do not know them well judging them.
The girl wearing the green pants is reflective of someone who is unafraid to be unique and stand out from the crowd. The two behind her, wearing the same dresses, are reflective of people who feel they must lean on one another while being judged.
The girl wearing the green pants dances when nobody else on stage will. This makes her centerstage and amplifies her presence as the soul of the message of the music; it takes time to find yourself but over time, you do. Once you find yourself, she articulates through dancing alone, you become a leader.
As she takes the lead, the two other girls start dancing in their own unique style, holding their dresses and dancing in small movements. The girl in the green pants dances across the stage with her arms swinging in circular motions. Her presence fills the entire stage. This dominance on stage further represents her as a leader who the other people on stage admire.
Closeup footage captures every person onstage, in front of the audience. “Cigale Song” sends the message that it takes time to find yourself but once you do, you are unafraid to show the world that you can strive while being comfortable in your element.
Oracle Sisters Live Dates 2023 29 July – 17 Degrees Ribeira Sacra Festival, Lugo (ES) 19 Aug – Esférica Rioja Alavesa, Guardia (ES) 01 Sep – Into The Great Wide Open, Vlieland (NL) 02 Sep – End Of The Road Festival, Salisbury (UK)
North America Headline Tour: 13 Sep – Bar Le Ritz, Montreal, QC 14 Sep – Garrison, Toronto, ON 16 Sep – The Funhouse at Mr. Smalls, Millvale, PA 17 Sep – DC9, Washington, DC 19 Sep – Bowery Ballroom, New York, NY 22 Sep – Turf Club, St. Paul, MN 23 Sep – Schubas, Chicago, IL 25 Sep – Sunset Tavern, Seattle, WA 26 Sep – The Jack London Revue, Portland, OR 28 Sep – Popscene/Rickshaw Stop, San Francisco, CA 29 Sep – The Roxy Theatre, Los Angeles, CA
The arrival of summer comes with the need for captivating folk-pop, and Jonah Kagen is here to deliver. In two short years, singer-songwriter Jonah Kagen has skyrocketed from TikTok fame to wider acclaim, lending his characteristic jazz-inspired guitar playing and personal storytelling to his music. His new single, “The Roads”, premieres today, and is a worthy addition to any summer road trip playlist.
A hallmark of Kagen’s music is his personal hue of melancholy and nostalgia, which “The Roads” wholly leans into. The universally-relatable lyrics detail the pain of an ended relationship, accompanied by the push and pull of dynamic musical contrast. Solo acoustic guitar verses are juxtaposed by the sweeping chorus, expanded with strummed guitar, cello, and violin. Kagan declares that “These roads are changin’ me, but they all lead back to you”, in a memorable and timeless melody.
The expansive rural landscape in the accompanying music video perfectly matches the song’s folk aspects. With truly stunning cinematography, we have a bird’s-eye view of the landscape as well as close-ups with Jonah Kagen on guitar. The sky is cloudy and gray, while the lush greens of the forest burst into view. The contrasts, both visually and musically, emphasize the undercurrent of doubt and regret on the speaker’s part, mourning the loss of love.
Represented by Arista Records, Jonah Kagen has amassed nearly 2 million Spotify listeners and more than 140 million global streams since the release of his debut EP, ‘georgia got colder’. “The Roads” builds upon this journey, as he crafts music full of heart and earnest. Stream the song today on all platforms, and check out the music video on Youtube.
Baby Got Back Talk’s G’Ra’s calm tone of voice as he sings, “Stop right there and don’t you dare tell me that I’m wrong,” in his song “I’m Sorry I’m a Moron, But Also, Help,” reveals he is coping with people talking down to him in a calm and collected manner. However, his lyrics contradict his tone of voice because he is direct and strong-willed. As revealed by the phrase “don’t you dare,” he is expressing anger and a barrier he puts up before anyone can tell him that he is wrong, which will emotionally scar him.
His lyrics further indicate that he has been told that he is wrong once or many times before. Thus, he is attempting to hide his pain through his tone when confronting people who he feels could scar him emotionally but wrote his lyrics when he was feeling emotional. If you listen to his lyrics, not his tone of voice, you will feel his pain.
G’Ra continues singing in a similar tone as he sings, “I’m a loss, an albatross, who dropped the baton.” He becomes vulnerable as he explains that he feels like a lost bird, as an albatross is a type of bird. Saying that he “dropped the baton” reveals he feels that while he is flying in his career, he has lost his ability to keep calm and in control emotionally because he is releasing all of his emotions into his lyrics. He feels he must keep a calm demeanor as he struggles to hold back revealing his true emotions.
Hope builds up like our protagonist is metaphorically climbing a mountain, with feelings of passion and excitement, as he sings “‘Till the hallway’s bathed in moonlight, and you saunter in and it always made me think twice when I am wandering.” Singing of bathing in the moonlight is depicting him bathing in hope.
As he wanders in this moonlight, he thinks twice about his friendships and becomes the moonlight, allowing him to be a shining light above other people. As he becomes the moonlight, he encounters people from different backgrounds. “Against all the odds,” as he sings, he is able to integrate himself with people who are unlike him. He continues to persevere to learn about other types of people until all the odds are stacked against him. His inability to overcome these odds is temporary, as he “gets his knuckles bruised” from struggling through barriers to be with people who have given him emotional baggage. (As articulated in the lyrics, “Stop right there and don’t you dare tell me that I’m wrong.”)
As the song concludes, it bubbles with excitement and energy. This energy circulates into the stressed emotions of uncertainty and doubt as it uplifts and brings hope to these negative emotions. This entire song fluctuates from feelings of uneasiness and doubt to confidence and hope.
The newly released music video uses tone, color, and shape to evoke the emotions associated with the song. The visual representation is somehow spot on. View it below.
Brooklyn’s newest breakout alternative act is Sunshine Convention, led by brainchild and industry veteran Jake Whitener. And it is the most exciting thing we have on our radar right now. After whirlwind inspiration in his home in the last 3 years, Whitener wrote over 300 songs. He was then tasked at whittling down his ideas to just one full-length collection to introduce the music concept. Its first two single releases have more than piqued our interest.
A nostalgic, 60s and 70s psychedelic rock encases your headspace as soon as you press “play” on a Sunshine Convention song. Moments of lazy surf rock and whirring guitar really make both singles have widespread appeal, from the realistic (and often sarcastic) burnouts to the hopeful idealists and everyone in between. With the release of the project’s second official single – “The Spark” – and its accompanying psychedelic music video, our excitement increases tenfold for the full-length, due out this summer. (July 21st, to be exact. Mark your calendars!)
The full-length is being given a super limited first run on CD, with matte Digipak case and two bonus songs. Pre-orders are open now.
When confronted with stretching hours alone during the 2020 pandemic, River Shook found themselves in a unique position to explore their own musical voice. Their solo project, Mightmare, was born, as an independent project separate from their country-punk band, Sarah Shook & the Disarmers. Now, River Shook releases the first Mightmare single to feature a full musical cast, “Can’t Get What I Want”, with Blake Tallent on guitar and synth, Ash Lopez on bass, and Ethan Standard on drums.
The lyrics of “Can’t Get What I Want” are immediately accusatory, as the speaker takes issue with the one-sided nature of a problematic relationship. Shook shines light on how the song “highlights a moment of clarity as our protagonist realizes in real time that demanding better treatment from an abuser is like expecting honey from a hornet’s nest.” Indeed, this realization stings with the arrival of the chorus, when Shook shouts the song’s namesake. The lingering dreaminess accompanying the lyrics “I can get anything I want” ends, as the tempo picks up and the rhythm changes to a steady emphasis on every downbeat. Reality sets in, as the speaker escapes fantasy and accepts that their abuser will not make any concessions.
Mightmare plants itself fully into the punk, indie-rock aesthetic, with the wail of its lyrics and head-banging instrumentation. Shook’s first solo album, Cruel Liars, features more of Shook’s punk sound. It’s a departure from the distinct country influences of Sarah Shook & the Disarmers, which is a testament to Shook’s musical versatility. Represented by Kill Rock Stars, this is sure to be only the beginning of Mightmare’s electrifying turn into the alternative scene.
In the mood to be vicariously angry via punk energy? Stream “Can’t Get What I Want” on these platforms now!
A continuously persistent beat, vulnerable and “voodoo” themes — there is no helping of a looming irony in Big Bliss‘ new single, “Tell Me When You’re Ready.” Big Bliss recently had a new member join, and now the band of three is a trio against all odds.
The new single is a deeply personal one — a sense of struggle, introspection, and a longing for change. There is a desire for a different and better day, indicating a recognition that something needs to change in life. It is that awful but important first step of recognizing change is needed, and it is in that recognition that there is hope for change to come.
For one, the beat cycles through and through, creating a numbing and nauseating effect not exactly being in the present. It’s a fever dream. The line “Make an effort or pretend that I don’t know why I’m so tired” suggests a feeling of weariness and a possible attempt to deny or ignore the underlying reasons behind it. It is so deeply profound because in that state, there is still an overpowering draw to force everything negative back and create a facade in front of not just everyone, but oneself, too.
My personal favorite line — the repeated phrase “I have a name for it now” implies that the speaker has finally identified or labeled their struggles or emotions. The internal battle between wanting to escape and the awareness that there might be a name, a diagnosis for these feelings, reflects the complexity of navigating one’s mental and emotional well-being. This newfound awareness signifies a step towards confronting and addressing one’s issues directly.
As the song progresses, there is an intangible feeling of both hope and uncertainty. There is finally acknowledgment of the possibility for a better future, fueled by the anticipation of new innovations and potential solutions. However, they also express hesitation in vocalizing the true nature of their struggle, perhaps due to fear of judgment or stigmatization. The imagery of being intoxicated and alone, while experiencing a warm glow in their spine, captures the contradictory emotions that can arise from seeking temporary relief amidst internal turmoil.
Though on the surface “TMWYR” is addressing the struggle to sobriety, Tim Race comments that his “example is addiction, but ultimately TMWYR is about the experience of confronting fear and letting a desperate search for ‘what’s missing’ end.” It applies to everyone because we’re all human. We fear, we struggle, and most importantly, we perceive the world around us with utmost importance. We all have shared adversity. It’s just a matter if there are those who have the strength to speak about it and empower the rest of us, and that’s exactly what Big Bliss has done to me — “TMWYR” is a powerful anthem, encapsulating the human experience of grappling with fear, searching for fulfillment, and ultimately finding the resilience to confront our inner demons. It is that lighthouse in the harbor for me, and I hope you find it as confoundingly eye-opening as I did.
