evelyn cools, “gold woman”

evelyn cools, “gold woman”

A true nomad, Evelyn Cools has found herself exploring the world all throughout her life. As a child in Belgium she studied piano, flute, choir,  and musical theater. Eventually, she made her way over to Hong Kong and Budapest. At her university in London, Cools found herself captivated by the music scene and made some musical friends, and together these things provided the foundation for her career. Finally, in 2018 she moved to Los Angeles. Inspired by the nature of California, the new people she met that would eventually become her creative team, and the unparalleled love she found, Cools decided to bring to life her upcoming EP Misfit Paradise. Her penchant for wandering and connection to other people and nature are the driving forces behind this record.

Regarding Misfit Paradise, Cools says that it “explores the complex relationships we have with ourselves, others, and our environment, and how we find peace and meaning within it all. It is about life’s greatest joys – love, acceptance, nature, adventure – but also its greatest sorrows. It aims to capture little specs of magic against a world of unknowns.”

Her new single off the EP, “Gold Woman”, reflects some of the qualities that you can expect to hear in Misfit Paradise. Cools‘ personal songwriting is enchanting, with her ethereal voice and strong emotional resonance. Her sound lies somewhere within folk, indie-folk, alt-country, and folk-pop music. That being said, don’t think that the single is simply a girl fingerpicking a guitar and singing simple melodies. This music grabs you and commands you to listen to it. You can definitely hear undercurrents of country, but overall this track sounds a lot like alt-rock. It places a strong emphasis on the guitar which has a heavier quality to it. On top of this, amidst countless songs today which are making heavy use of harmonies (although fabulous in their own way), Cools isn’t afraid to let her voice stand on its own. She shows impressive control over her robust chest voice and delightfully airy head voice, both of which are showcased in the adventurous vocal lines throughout the song. Her accessible lyrics and storytelling abilities reveal her folk roots, however, reinforcing who she is at her core.

 

drama dolls, “favorite girl”

drama dolls, “favorite girl”

Some may feel as though the music of today lacks the fire and fervor which used to be so plentiful in music from days gone by. If you find yourself agreeing with that sentiment, then let spunky girl group Drama Dolls fill that void with their new single “Favorite Girl.” The LA based band produces rampant brat-punk music that has the grit and energy of the Misfits and the Ramones, but also the musicality and power of the Bangles and the Go-Go’s. The single will be on the group’s upcoming EP Over The Shoulder / Boulder Holder which was recorded at the legendary Larrabee Studios, the same place where the Foo Fighters, Blink-182, Tool, and countless other iconic artists recorded their music.

When asked about the meaning behind the track, Drama Dolls stated (somewhat cryptically) “WE WANT TO BE THE GIRLS WITH THE MOST CAKE.” While you make sense of that, settle into the nostalgia of “Favorite Girl” and feel its energy seep into your veins. Right away you hear the rugged guitar, and the punchy drums remind the listener of the opening drums in The Go-Go’s “Vacation.” The lead vocals are bold and full-bodied, sounding both fresh and familiar. The high energy established at the beginning of the track is further magnified by the key change in the courses. It culminates in the instrumental bridge/interlude that hits you with rapid-fire drums and heavy, distorted guitars. The reverberating harmonies after the final chorus are like a choir in a resonant church: resounding, and glorious. With its spirit and spunk, “Favorite Girl” is loads of fun and definitely one to rock out to.

keshi, “more”

keshi, “more”

Following the release of his last EP, bandaids, Keshi is back with a new track, “More”. With global streams exceeding 500 million, the singer-songwriter continues to expand his fanbase and forge his own path. After teasing the single in a tweet earlier in the year, fans were eager to hear the track. He even delayed the release of this single to avoid taking the focus away from the  Black Lives Matter movement that is happening in the United States and across the world.

After two weeks, Keshi released “More” and it definitely was worth the wait. With lo-fi beats and a catchy chorus, he might have another success on his hands. The 25-year-old opens up about being away and this relationship taking a hit, especially with the pre-chorus, “Like hasta la vista, dyin’ to see ya/ In a dream that I had where I sing in arenas/ Hasta la vista, dyin’ to see ya, baby/ It ain’t so bad when there’s nothin’ between us.” Keshi wrote, recorded and programmed the song, showing his talents don’t just stop at his smooth voice. His passion for music definitely shows here so don’t sleep on Keshi, because he might just become your new favorite artist.

Listen to “More” out now!

byland | gray

byland | gray

Songs to resonate with you on heavy days, to remind you you’re not alone. With many artists coming from the gray sky capital of the world, my musical hometown, Seattle. Shoutout to some of my local favorites and friends, “Lemolo”, “Abby Gundersen”, “Deep Sea Diver”, “Racoma”, “Temple Canyon” and more…

microcosms, “scenes”

microcosms, “scenes”

Microcosms released its newest single “Scenes,”  focusing on the post-punk sound. With angular guitar and bass lines, the trio is crafting up their sound. The track is moody and carried by the heavy sounds of the drums and bass, playing into a dark alt-rock sound. Instead of just putting out a song we’ve all heard before, Microcosms is releasing music that is authentic and raw. After building up the local fan base, the Chicago-based band is ready to put themselves out there and show the world its sound. Following up the last single “Tightrope,” the band continues to release thought-provoking music that keeps you rocking your head to the beats. This is only the beginning for the group with a bright future ahead in the alternative rock world.

Check out Microcosms here!