by Meredith Schneider | Nov 1, 2018 | premieres, singles, wolf tracks
Indie rock trio Vern Matz – comprised of Danny Belgrad, Michael Lituchy, Noah Silvestry – may hail from New Haven, Connecticut, but their songwriting hits you at your core no matter where you spent your formative years. Explains the band of the track:
“Systematically Gone” was recorded in a small town in Connecticut, where we lived off of vegetarian chili for a few days. It was produced and mixed by Peter Katis, a longtime collaborator with The National and dedicated soup consumer. In “Systematically Gone”, our character has reached a breaking point, and it’s unclear what the next step forward is. It’s like being in an ice cream shop where all the flavors are sherbet and you hate sherbet and your relationship is falling apart.
If you’ve ever questioned a decision or two in life – and I know we all have – this song will be something you hold close. It’s meandering, mellifluous soundscape will keep you feeling safe and warm in the autumn months, as you seek to clear up whatever road blocks you may be experiencing. Check it here, first, below!
Keep up with Vern Matz here.
by Meredith Schneider | Oct 31, 2018 | singles, wolf tracks
Indie pop musician Paul Jacks is ready to share his latest single “Laid to Rest” with the world, and we’ve got your first listen! With glittering vocals laid over 80s pop perfect synthesizers and a lighthearted disposition, “Laid to Rest” provides us that warmth that only a John Hughes movie could do adequately, as we melt into our own teen flick dreams.
Defractor is out November 30th.
by Meredith Schneider | Oct 31, 2018 | albums, review
The eleven-track compilation stunner just released by Dazzleships Records honestly serves as our life soundtrack at this very moment in time. Ever since we got our first listen, we’ve been running the tracks back through our minds, creating more with these songstresses as our inspiration. Dazzleships Records Presents: Raise By Women is both tantalizing and evocative of a generation – or more – in its entirety. Skull Diver‘s “Bad Star” sets the tone, giving us a grunge indie/pop soundscape to play with, absorbing itself into the quirky and lighthearted tone of Mini Blinds‘ “Happy” before Cat Hoch‘s “Say You Love Me” throws us into an 80’s-inspired bliss.
Natasha Kmeto‘s “Your Girl” blends synths in a similar way to its predecessor, but in a much more contemporary and soulful way. While Rilla‘s “Side Sleeper” is one to get your head bobbin’ to, your feet groovin’ a bit, Johanna Warren‘s “The Blessing The Curse” dunks you in an ethereal, mellifluous soundscape before DANDAN gets all experimental on us with “Broken Mirror”. Black Water Holy Light‘s “Sunrise” belongs on an episode of The O.C. (Seasons 1 or 2 exclusively, please?), and Laura Palmer’s Death Parade brings us to a slow, folk-tinged, melancholia with “Scrollin'”. Haste basically says it all within the instrumentals of “Let’s Touch Ourselves”, with gorgeous vocals and alluring lyrics to make it a powerhouse of a track. And the entire collection is rounded out quite nicley with Sheers‘ “An Osscasion”, which plays with dissonance and a more earthy, string-led sound that really feels delicate.
Keep up with the latest from Dazzleships Records and all their new projects here.
by Meredith Schneider | Oct 30, 2018 | soundtrack
Shout out to Widelife for the title of our playlist. Having binge-watched every episode of Queer Eye a couple of times over, we’ve been in the perfect mood to receive some amazing music video submissions all month. This soundtrack feature is a mess of some of our favs that were released in the latter half of October 2018, and we’ve honestly been chomping at the bit to get them out to you!
by Meredith Schneider | Oct 30, 2018 | albums, review
Seattle-based pop trio Tangerine just released their 4-track EP White Dove, which glistens in the glow of nostalgia from the very beginning of firs track “Local Mall” to the last chords of “Lake City”. Though “Local Mall” exists at mid-tempo, it feels more energetic, with Marika’s light-as-a-feather vocals driving the track itself. “Cherry Red” continues with a similar soundscape to its predecessor, bringing out more percussive moments for emphasis. “Monster of the Week” boasts a more sinister tone, perfect for this time of year, and last track “Lake City” is comprised of gorgeous melodies and a feeling of ease that only a beautiful body of water should be able to provide.
Keep up with Tangerine here.
by Meredith Schneider | Oct 30, 2018 | soundtrack
This month was full to the brim with spooky, gorgeous tones in new music releases. We chose some that match our mood for the witching holiday, and curated what looks to be the perfect Halloween soundtrack full of new music. Featuring new tracks from Nuela Charles, The Penny Serfs, Dead Naked Hippies, Rich Hope, Bonnie Li, and more, check it all out below!
by Meredith Schneider | Oct 29, 2018 | snapshot, visual
imagine coming out of the haze induced by an hour long drive in the middle of nowhere Kansas after a long day at work and being met by Anthony Gomes‘ insane guitar skills. That type of energy can be a blow to your brain and your ego, honestly. But it’s true. And from the very first chords of his set on Friday, October 26th, members of the crowd were up and dancing. Gomes, his bassist, and his drummer went from one song to the next, just rolling through his catalog, almost to the point that the untrained ear might not notice the difference between one song and the next. In that regard, this was a beautiful journey, and a night that easily inspired our weekend.
Catch him on tour now!
by Meredith Schneider | Oct 26, 2018 | albums, review
To say Bets‘ new album Future Color plays with dark and light like crazy would be an understatement. With each track comes a new feeling, some eery and inescapable, others lift your soul to a place you hadn’t been in a while. The entirety of the album – all 10 tracks – entices its listener to feel something, and that’s what we’re so fond of.
“Another Night” starts us immediately with frantic instrumentals, the first line “dance with me” coaxing us into a frenzy while “Out of View” slows everything down a bit and darkens the instrumentals to an eery octave fit for October. Third track “Left My City” is the perfect anthem for anyone who has ever experienced a slight thrill at seeing someone leave their immediate vicinity, be it a former lover, an old friend, or someone who was bringing you down a bit. While “Da Da Da” has an experimental, robot vibe to it while Bets speaks simple truths, “Maybe” picks everything back up again and reintroduces the playful, light side to her vocals.
“The Daylight Beside Me” is slow, comprised of acoustic guitar and Bets’ mesmerizing vocals. It’s easily one of our favorites, though we’d take an argument for “All I Want” as it picks up the tempo – and transforms our mood – within seconds. “Fear Of” lurches us back into the darker side of Bets’ work, her vocals more mechanical, though no less appropriate at a club in Manhattan after 2am. The instrumentals of “Tunnel Vision” belong first in an action movie, then perhaps in a video game. The lyrics will play on in your ears for a while, though “Gold” will be the one that sticks with you, the instrumental layering something out of a gorgeous dream and Bets’ vocals more of an audible kaleidoscope than anything else.
Future Color is out now. Keep up with Bets here.
by Meredith Schneider | Oct 26, 2018 | albums, review
Swedish pop icon Robyn releases her highly anticipated new album Honey today, and we’ve been counting down the seconds until its release. The 9 track stunner stays true to Robyn’s glittering personality, wrapping her ethereal voice up in electronic instrumentals that feel, quite honestly, out of this world. While initial track “Missing You” feels like the sequel to 2010’s “Dancing On My Own”, “Human Being” features Zhala and feels earthy, more primal in its disposition. “Because It’s In The Music” has a throwback feel to it, “Baby Forgive Me” plays with some disco-era sounds while maintaining a fresh, pop/r&b feel, while “Send To Robin Immediately” is a whole other beast entirely, toying with dissonance and establishing itself as an inspirational dance track.
We reach “Honey” in the 6th slot on this collection. the track itself feeling as smooth as its namesake. This song is summer reincarnate, and we’re thinking we might be clinging onto it as the weather gets colder and daylight gets shorter. “Between The Lines” feels like the soft EDM track that a swanky hotel would play in their lobby, and that’s not a bad thing. Its beat captivates you, and sends you into a tailspin while “Beach 2k20” fuses island vibes with dissonance, spoken word, and simplified beach lingo. Honey is rounded out with ninth track “Ever Again”, which brings us back into an upbeat, disco-infused electronic dance space with lyrics that evoke confidence and tell a tale of learning from one’s past. It’s a message that will last, especially with such a catchy melody.
Keep up with Robyn here.
