by Meredith Schneider | Sep 22, 2017 | wolf tracks
Today, Destin, Florida dream pop musician Gileah Taylor released her latest track, a single titled “Till We’re Through”. A bit of a pop ballad, Taylor’s vocals are on full display on this track, as they edge on darkness at times, replete with an airy rasp, and then bounce back up to this weightless place we can’t quite put our finger on. The lyrics sit with their audience far after the last notes of the song have faded. Taylor has identified us all as fallible human beings, brought more relatable qualities to the forefront.
How strange to acknowledge our similarities.
“Till We’re Through” is available now via Velvet Blue Music. Keep up with Gileah Taylor here.
by Meredith Schneider | Sep 22, 2017 | wolf tracks
Experimental electronic musician Keith Rich operates under the moniker MemCave (when he’s not busy rockin’ out with his band Druids). In August, he released his solo album on local Kansas City label Intelligent Sound, and has been busy entertaining the midwest with show after show, adding his blissful sound to the summer heat.
How Beautiful To Be takes you on a journey through whirring, 80s tinged soundscapes, through tense sounding tempo changes, and into a world of mystery and magic, to be honest. From the beginning of “Pink Sky (ft. White Flashes)”, you can feel an almost enchantment to the music. “Ex” brings us into easy listening/lounge music territory, and “Fantasy Peel” picks up the pace and brings you into an almost alien soundscape for a line or two.
By the time you reach fourth track “Sukeban”, you realize you could play the music MemCave has created behind almost any scenario, and it would only enhance the world around you. Tense in places, his tracks have a smoothness to them that almost reassures you that these songs could be played both in a yoga studio and at a rave simultaneously. Luckily – with its predecessors – you don’t spend one moment thinking “Better Days” will be any type of Sublime remake (Though we wouldn’t hate on it, Think on it, k?), the crispness that almost bounces off the track is almost refreshing. “Glass Belgium” continues at a similar pace, keeping tempo up enough to make you want to dance out of your chair. (Yes, I know. And the chair I have been sitting in is damn comfy.) “Monya” brings a bit of a different – shall we say “adult” – sound with it, playing with quirky sound effects and maintaining a rhythm that just sticks with you.
While “Glaring” hits with staccato sound effects and notes, “Above Water” takes on more dissonant sounds and dramatic, long notes. “School Gloss” rounds the album out with a jazzy, almost offbeat, feel. You can certainly detect – and appreciate – the dubstep influence in the track, but there is a point in the song when you just realize you want to hear more.
(Hey, MemCave, did you hear that?)
How Beautiful To Be is available now. Keep up with MemCave here.
by Meredith Schneider | Sep 21, 2017 | wolf tracks
Tomorrow, Kalamazoo, Michigan’s indie/folk americana duo Gifts or Creatures – comprised ofBrandon John Foote + Bethany Foote – releases their third full-length, a ten track piece of work titled Fair Mitten. But while we wait (not so patiently) to own a copy of it for ourselves, we’ve actually got the whole thing streaming for you.
From the lengthy, beautiful instrumental intro on first track “Pontiac’s Rebellion”, to the soft, simple but detailed storytelling in “Trout of The Pines”, to the soulful and rock-tinged “Green Gold”, all the way until the last chords of final track “Conquest Of The Old Northwest”, the entirety of the album offers an almost earthy vulnerability to its sound, making each one of its listeners feel as though they are connecting with the land around them. It’s an absolute breath of fresh air, and the band seems to have had that in mind from the beginning. Explains Brandon Foote:
Ever since I was a child, I have been enamored by the boundless blue water and thick north woods of Michigan. The striking and stunning combination of wooded land and freshwater seascapes has a rich history that is often overshadowed by the coastal cities and towns of North America. I have traveled around the country and always miss the north woods when away. The Great Lakes region has always felt like a secret undiscovered jewel to me.
Do yourself a favor and take a journey over the lush and textured soundscape Gifts or Creatures has provided your ears in our exclusive album stream premiere!
Fair Mitten is out September 22nd via Earthwork Music. Keep up with Gifts or Creatures here.
by Meredith Schneider | Sep 21, 2017 | wolf tracks
This week, self-proclaimed “Echo Park Pop” artist Luna Shadows unveiled her cover of Brand New’s “Jesus Christ” via Billboard, but we’re still swooning over her most recent original release, “Tokyo”. Lightweight – with that synth tinge to it that we have come to expect from Luna Shadows, with instrumental layers that have obvious Japanese pop influence. As she sings about springtime in her crystal clear, light as a feather voice, we imagine we are in a garden, surrounded by cherry blossom trees as their blossoms break off in the light breeze and fall around us.
Keep up with Luna Shadows here.
by Meredith Schneider | Sep 20, 2017 | wolf tracks
While you were busy soaking in the last days of summer, Ann Arbor, Michigan’s avant-rock outfit Throwaway – comprised of members Kirsten Carey and Nicole Patrick (MI) / Oliver Dobrian (CA) – was busy releasing their latest video “Family Cry”, the intro to which is slightly terrifying. Despite the cringeworthy red glow, the masks that make the subjects of the video faceless, and the white noise in the background, the strangest – and most intriguing aspect – of the video is the text that scrolls over the visuals, which doesn’t always make sense. You will find it almost impossible to keep up with the wording while simultaneously listening to the lyrics.
“Family Cry” will entrance you from beginning to end thanks in part to its director, Chicago-based performance artist Corey Smith. The colors, words, and acted scenes will confuse you, but there is a sense of thrill to it all when the song’s tempo-changing, unique, garage-tinged experimental rock backs it up.
Keep up with Throwaway here.
by Meredith Schneider | Sep 20, 2017 | wolf tracks
In collaboration with Margrét Seema Takyar, Masma Dream World (Devi Mambouka) has concocted a focused, beautiful, but almost anxiety-inducing world that will have you questioning your reality and comfort at the same time. Swedish designer Tove Berglund had the right idea with the costume design, which is simple but bold and highlights the beauty – and perhaps fear – of its subject.
An interesting aspect to the video is that Devi invited Tove to collaborate on this performance project in 2014, after being inspired by weave culture. Tove spent hours weaving the outfit (blond hair) onto Devi’s body, and Margrét then applied her vision of light and dark space in the visual representation of Devi’s dance.
While the track is experimental and plays with simple percussion and sound effects, Masma Dream World mesmerizes with movement – jerky, concerning, yet wondrous. Check out the video (just released today!) below, and let us know what you think in the comments!
Keep up with Masma Dream World here.
by Ian Schneider | Sep 19, 2017 | wolf tracks
In The Valley Below are a socially conscious duo that are on the forefront of raising awareness of important issues through their music. Consisting of married couple Jeffrey Jacob and Angela Gail, the indie rock infused dream pop sound created by In The Valley Below is aesthetically pleasing on all levels. They have a new project coming out (today!) called The Elephant EP, and it is both socially aware and sonically satisfying.
“Bloodhands (Oh My Fever)” is the first – and one of the most impactful songs – on the five song EP. It was inspired by the Michael Brown shooting in Ferguson, MO and racial tensions between people and the police. Second track “Pink Chateau” brings with it lighter instrumentals and more of a springtime vibe, as it begs you to “slow down” and “simmer down” which aren’t bad bits of advice, if we’re being honest. “Hold On Tight” has more of a whirring, pop sound and then breaks down into some insane old school guitar solos to really throw you off guard.
But we’ve come to expect the unexpected from In The Valley Below, as they blend so many genres and weave show stopping tempo and key changes that should throw you for a loop, but really make their tracks that much more intriguing. The same can be said for fourth track “Break Even”, which has such intricate percussion parts that it completely changes what we had begun to think was the established vibe of the EP. Fifth and final track “Elephant” is the standout ballad, slowing the tempo to a crawl and really allowing you to revel in the lush, vibey vocals.
With so much going wrong in the world today, there are a plethora of songs inspired by the darker side of life. The uniqueness of In the Valley Below is that they do not phone in the music or the message when they create their art. They believe that in order to have the most effect, they must reach the largest audience with genuinely good music, and it shows. This EP comes from a authentic mindset, raising awareness for important issues, and it doesn’t hurt that the songs are great to listen to.
For more information about In The Valley Below, you can visit their website at inthevalleybelow.com.
by Meredith Schneider | Sep 19, 2017 | wolf tracks
On Friday, Nashville’s intensely talented Whoa Dakota (Jess Ott) released the first step to her sophomore effort – a debut full-length titled Patterns, a follow up to 2015’s I’m a Liar EP -, the album’s coveted title track. “Patterns” is a groovy, nostalgic tribute to the 90’s in its composition and feel, a buoyant lead in for your fall season. It’s not always you find an artist whose vocals expertly complement instrumentals, especially one who hasn’t yet released a full-length. But Whoa Dakota brings every element to the forefront in a very clever and divine way. So take a four minute and nineteen second break to put a little more bounce in your work ethic today, with this sweet narrative on breaking “Patterns”.
Keep up with Whoa Dakota here.
by Meredith Schneider | Sep 18, 2017 | wolf tracks
Just weeks before their debut album release in October, Brooklyn’s rock outfit The Fluids – comprised of Michael O’Donnell, Nick de Molina, and Cooper Formant – has been busy garnering attention with their new track “Creatures.” Strikingly dramatic in its instrumental composition, “Creatures” bleeds 80s experimental pop and modern good vibes. Let yourself get lost in “a wonderful vibe” as the seasons change. (This song gives off such a magical feeling, it might just clear up your autumn allergies!)
No Kidding! is out October 27th. Keep up with The Fluids here.
