by Meredith Schneider | Aug 31, 2018 | premieres, singles, wolf tracks
The first single from singer/songwriter Cristabelle Braden‘s upcoming EP is revving up for release, and we’ve got the exclusive premiere right here! The catchy pop track highlights the importance of beacons of light during dark times. “Light in the Dark” was inspired by Cristabelle’s own struggle with a severe head injury, and the time following that, during which she began her own organization called Hope After Head Injury. Though the song itself is sticky sweet at times, the lyrics bring out the melancholic tone and moments of self-evaluation that we all have at one time or another.
Allow yourself to get lost in a different world for a bit, and try “Light in the Dark” on for size.
“Light in the Dark” is available for pre-order now via iTunes and Amazon. For more about Cristabelle’s work with brain injury, visit hopeafterheadinjury.com. Keep up with Cristabelle Braden here.
by Meredith Schneider | Aug 31, 2018 | snapshot
2018 has been a pretty big year for genre-bending collective Juice, made up of Ben Stevens (vocals), Kamau Burton (acoustic guitar/vocals), Christian Rose (violin/vocals), Dan Moss (guitar), Miles Clyatt (drums), and Rami El-Abidin (bass), and Michael Ricciardulli (guitar). In June, they brought us their 4 track EP Workin’ on Lovin‘. As impressed by their talent as we’ve been, we have yet to see them live. But that all changes in September as they head out for several amazing shows. They’ll bring their own brand of magic to Kansas City on September 12th as they perform at Knuckleheads Saloon. Good news is that they released a music video for their track “Sugar” this past spring, and it gives us a glimpse into their live performance tactics… though we’re certain that they’re going to bring it all up a notch for an amazing evening out. Check them out, listen to their EP below, and then grab your tickets and hang with us on the 12th!
Make sure to catch them at Knuckleheads, and keep up with Juice here.
by Meredith Schneider | Aug 31, 2018 | albums, review
From the very first, crystal-like lines of “Intro”, to the very last vibrations of bass in ninth track “Empress”, London-based electro-pop duo Cherryade has brought us a ginormous party in the form of their mini EP Fractured Fairytales. And the artists are incredibly aware of how sticky sweet everything is. admits vocalist Ellla: “Fractured Fairytales is what it says in the name – it’s a bunch of songs that are really twisted and over the top and fun. They’re stories, and they’re a good representation of us and who we are, we like things with a bitter twist and that cross the line”. Alex continues,”We’ve got so much music we’re ready to release after this mini album, and it’s a lot more pop, but to the point it’s so sweet it’ll rot your teeth”.
“Fractured Fairytales” is catchy as all get out, though there is no doubt that it is a party track. In fact, most of the album follows suit, with hard hooks and an upbeat tempo. The feel to it all is very “Halloween rave,” which we are 100% here for seeing as we’re zeroing in on autumn right now. (Hello, September!) “Get By” has that same repetitive, fun disposition as its predecessor, and while “Got You Good” feels more earthy than the others, it still has that fast, intense tempo and danceable rhythm you can burn calories to. Though “Blah Blah” won’t necessarily replace Ke$ha’s similarly named track, it holds a place close in our hearts next to it.
If you’re hometown loyal, “My Town” could be your next favorite track. With a slightly calmer vibe, “The Crown” comes in boasting a more regal overall feel. “Houdini” will make you want to drop it pretty quickly, while “Empress” will put you in the right frame of mind to go into the rest of your day feeling like hot shit.
We’re serious. Try it on for size.
Fractured Fairytales mini album tracklisting
1. Intro
2. Fractured Fairytales
3. Get By
4. Got You Good
5. Blah Blah
6. My Town
7. The Crown
8. Houdini
9. Empress
Keep up with Cherryade here.
by Meredith Schneider | Aug 30, 2018 | singles, wolf tracks
We’ve been a fan of pop artist Van Bobbi for quite some time now, and with the release of his latest single “Kickdrum Heartbeat”, that fandom only increases. Approaching the track with a more earthy sound than we are used to, he utilizes gorgeous percussion to really get the message across through the instrumentals, utilizing the words almost as backup. The song is catchy, fun, and something we anticipate making everyone’s “Summer 2018” playlist.
Keep up with Van Bobbi here
by Meredith Schneider | Aug 30, 2018 | singles, wolf tracks
A dark, synthesized soundscape. Light as a feather vocals cascade down, singing of adventuring “out of this hemisphere” with someone. (Presumably, her love.) This call for adventure is what our souls ache for at this time of year as things settle back into a routine in the Northern Hemisphere, and elegant slims has the anecdote. Check out her new track “Hemisphere” below, and keep your ears open for more ambient music from this electro-pop commodity.
Keep up with elegant slims here.
by Meredith Schneider | Aug 30, 2018 | singles, wolf tracks
Electro-pop duo Ekaruz is back with silky new track “Sigh”, the second in their musical journey together. And though it’s only their second single, they’ve pulled it off with precision and maybe a little bit of grace, as smooth as honey vocals lead the words through a captivating soundscape. Explains vocalist Nicolas of the track:
We wrote the song towards the end of our university-career when we discussed real world dreams and goals with our peers. We realized that mostly status and materialistic aspects seemed to be prioritized,” says the duo’s guitarist Marius. “Nico and I played along for a while, however, we couldn’t help but feel torn – just like the person in the song. We’re extremely happy that we went with making music after all.
Keep up with Ekaruz here.
by Meredith Schneider | Aug 28, 2018 | singles, wolf tracks
Oakland-based solo musical force Bobey has mastered percussion and loops in an amusing and beautiful way. This fact is evident in new track “Melon Cauliflower”, which can be found on his brand new full-length Siblings. “Melon Cauliflower” gives off an ambient vibe, perfect to set as the backdrop at your Labor Day barbecue or end of summer soiree. We’re actually thrilled with the bit of melancholy in its disposition, as it slows us down and preps us for the coming of autumn.
Keep up with Bobey here.
by Meredith Schneider | Aug 28, 2018 | videos, wolf tracks
Malaysia-born emcee Zamaera is experiencing quite the whirlwind romance with music lovers across the globe. In the wake of her success with debut music video “Helly Kelly“, she recently released new track “Z vs Z” with an accompanying music video. The video itself was shot in black and white, and features an full orchestra. What’s beautiful within the simplicity of this video is that you can truly appreciate Zamaera’s live performance tactics. You can tell she truly feels the lyrics as she’s saying them, as they’re dripping with emotion as her facial features are full of conviction. It’s beyond captivating, and we’re ready for a live show, but even more pumped for her forthcoming EP.
Keep up with Zamaera here.
by Meredith Schneider | Aug 27, 2018 | videos, wolf tracks
Everyone’s favorite indie band Hop Along – comprised of Frances Quinlan (vocals, guitar), Mark Quinlan (drums), Tyler Long (bass), and Joe Reinhart (guitar) – is revving up for an exciting autumn as they travel overseas, largely in support of The Decemberists. And, though that means The States won’t get them for a hot second, we are just basking in the glow of the inspired, imaginative new video for their track “Somewhere a Judge”. Travel with the quartet as they adventure on tour, participate in mundane everyday activities, and get sucked into household appliances to experience a wonderland all their own.
Catch them overseas at the upcoming dates below!
European Tour Dates
* = w/ The Decemberists
9/9: New York, NY @ Pitchfork OctFest
10/30: Paris, France @ Pitchfork Avant-Garde
11/4: Dublin, Ireland @ Vicar Street *
11/5: Glasgow, UK @ O2 Academy *
11/7: London, UK @ Eventim Apollo *
11/8: Bristol, UK @ O2 Academy 1 *
11/10: Leeds, UK @ O2 Academy *
11/11: Nottingham, UK @ Rock City *
11/12: Manchester, UK @ Albert Hall *
11/14: Uthrecht, Netherlands @ Grote Zaal TivRe *
11/15: Amsterdam, Netherlands @ Paradiso *
11/16: Berlin, Germany @ Asstra *
Keep up with Hop Along here.
