by Meredith Schneider | Sep 15, 2017 | wolf tracks
This week, Hopeless Records‘ star children – the guys of pop punk band New Found Glory – released not only the next music video in their stream of assets from latest album Makes Me Sick, but a fun behind the scenes video as well. Tropical, vibrant, cheesy, amazing. Though there is absolutely more of an island vibe to the tempo and instrumentals in “The Sound of Two Voices”, the fact that it’s still Chad Gilbert’s high pitched punk-tinged voice keeps it 100% NFG, 110% of the time. And it definitely could just be us, but does part of this video remind you of a modern version of the dance scenes in Back To The Future?
New Found Glory kicks off their fall tour soon. Check out the dates to find out which show you’re going to!
by Meredith Schneider | Sep 14, 2017 | wolf tracks
For those of you living under rocks, everyone’s favorite turn of the century alt rock band continues to put out killers. The most recent gem – a music video for their track “Over And Over Again” (published September 7th) – is as quirky as the cowbell that introduces the song. And Bert McCracken’s signature vocals dance in a strangely melodic and ethereal way – as his range truly surprises people every single time – over the instrumentals, which are pure pop rock at their core. The simple video filled with blank space for much of it really gives your eyes a lesson in contrast, while the guys dance and act out absurd and visually pleasing storylines.
The video for “Over And Over Again” is a true amalgamation of The Used’s wide range of talent, continually catapulting them into the bright future of alt rock.
Keep up with The Used here.
by Meredith Schneider | Sep 11, 2017 | wolf tracks
For those of you living under a rock, America’s favorite groove/soul/genre-blending indie collective Portugal. The Man put out a stunning release with their album Woodstock earlier this year, from which their well received single “Feel It Still” comes to their admiring public. With all of the madness surrounding the release, Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival was actually able to play host as a platform for the new album, as they performed there and even a small album listening party congregated in the hot hot heat of the weekend. Now Woodstock is available to the general public, and we definitely have some thoughts.
Like the lead track “Number One”, which features Richie Havens and Son Little. Beginning with a bit of b-roll white noise with a crowd talking, the track actually sets up with a hard beat and more of an 80’s soulful groove. Second track “Easy Tiger” actually explodes with synth – but in a contemporary pop way – before the sound kind of shatters into a crackling, frantic song with its layers of sound effects and high energy. Third track “Live In The Moment” is driven by its percussion, framing personal anecdotes in its lyrics. It’s definitely the anthemic type of song, providing an energy that encourages pursuing your dreams. It almost feels like you can’t get better than that, as your ears are enveloped in this positive, fun sound. And then, of course, they one up it all with “Feel It Still”, which we FEEL doesn’t necessitate an explanation. Just wow.
The rough guitar that brings “Rich Friends” into the fold really provides an edge the album hasn’t previously explored. References to “wonderwall” and lines like “livin’ life like we’re the only ones that know we’re famous” provide a commentary on living life like a rockstar. “Keep On” is an upbeat track, but its lyrics further confirm the struggle between persistence for the sake of it to maintain momentum and acting out of actual passion. “So Young” takes on a different feel than its predecessors, a moderate tempo track that really exudes a matter-of-fact, sit back and relax vibe. (Something Portugal. The Man isn’t averse to doing, thankfully. These tracks are smooth like butter and – in our opinion – standouts in their previous work as well.)
Eighth track “Mr Lonely” (ft. Fat Lip) maintains a similar tempo and instrumental vibe to “So Young”, though they continue in a similar vein to prior social commentary tracks, with lyrics like “There’s glitter falling/and a banner that says/Welcome to Hell/Make yourself at home/Leave behind free will/Can you feel me now?” Haunting and conversation-inducing, this is the outstanding beauty that Portugal. The Man is known for.
But they’re not done yet.
“Tidal Wave”‘s composition screams “SUMMER!”, especially with the vision of a wave in your mind. But it’s so much more than that if you delve into the lyrics, really focusing more on “the aftershock,” highlighting that “the rest of you’s born to lose… worst of you’d born to lose/Bet on the winners,” which comes right back around to societal expectations. (But we’re always betting on this band, if anyone’s wondering.) They round it all out expertly with tenth track “Noise Pollution” (ft. Mary Elizabeth Winstead and Zoe Manville), a song that echoes the title’s sentiment. Layers of instrumentals create this frenzied feeling, but somehow it all blends perfectly into this sound that perfectly defines what the band is all about.: the energy, the social awareness, the experience.
Woodstock is available now. Run, don’t walk. (Or speed type your CC into that order form!)
**Originally posted to Impose.
by Meredith Schneider | Sep 8, 2017 | wolf tracks
Hailing from Dublin, electro indie/pop trio Sleep Thieves is coming at ya – hard – with their single “Is This Ready?” Hard bass hits as the intro to the track, getting us into the dark, brooding soundscape they’ve become known for on their international travels. Haunting, deep vocals join in, almost chanting “Is this ready?/It already is” repeatedly. Ethereal vocals enter in direct and stark contrast to the others, bringing the song into the “floating” realm they speak of. It will chill you to the bones, but it’s absolutely beautiful.
Lyrics: Is This Ready?
Is this ready?
It already is.
I’ve a fever, burning, tearing me apart
I can feel the beating of my external heart
I am floating, floating overhead
I am fever burning, burning up.
Is this ready?
It already is.
I am creeping, seething, flowing from the walls
I am angel, demon, owner of it all
I am darkness, lightness and in between
I am fever burning between the sheets.
Is this ready?
It already is.
Keep up with Sleep Thieves here.
**Originally published to Impose.
by Meredith Schneider | Sep 4, 2017 | wolf tracks
Youngblood Hawke has officially released the lyric video for their upbeat single “Robbers”, an indie pop track driven by electronic sound into a strangely haunting and beautiful sound. With an upbeat tempo, chorus of unique vocals, and fast-paced clapping, this song just does not stop.
The video tends to slow it down for us a bit.
Not that the video has a pace or a tone to set. The music does that for us. But the majority of the video consists of overlays of color – almost like splatter paint – in deep, gorgeous colors contrasted with black. There are moments in the video where (slightly terrifying, but beautiful) cartoon drawings pop up and take shape.
“Robbers” is an experience. And after all, isn’t that what Youngblood Hawke is all about? Keep up with them here.
**Reposted with permission from the author.
