by Abby Trapp | May 15, 2018 | videos, wolf tracks
Vacation Forever just released their latest “Kamikaze Love”. The Sweden-based band is joined by producer Jeff Bhasker, who has worked with names such as Kanye and Kendrick. “Kamikaze Love” isn’t rap though. Instead, Vacation Forever brings a sweet indie sound to “Kamikaze Love”. “Take my heart, take my everything,” the chorus belts. The track has a summer sound to it with a hazy feel and remains adorably cheesy, but not to cheesy. The visuals to “Kamikaze Love” are equally as stunning with a 90’s spin.
Keep up with Vacation Forever here.
by Abby Trapp | May 15, 2018 | albums, review
Courtship. recently released their debut album, Denial in Paradise. I had the pleasure of being acquainted with Courtship. earlier this month as I interviewed them. It was then that I fell in love with the first single off their album, titled “The Kind of Woman.” I was lucky enough to have a chance to listen to all of Denial in Paradise, an album where the tracks flow effortlessly to create a one-of-a-kind pop sound. “The Kind of Woman” is just the start and enters with a groovy 70’s feel. Courtship. sings “…the kind of woman I want to be with, you know I’m going to put a gold plated watch on her wrist,” on their idea of the ideal woman. The track even incorporates French. Listening to it made me feel like “the kind of woman.”
Following up “That Kind of Woman” is “Nice Guy.” The infectious track has Courtship. and me wondering as they sing “Why is it so hard to be a nice guy?/Could have had a nice life, friendlessness could never stop…I can’t even fake a smile,” Courtship. declares. “Nice Guy” is the perfect anthem not just for guys, but for a world that struggles to be nice from time to time. “Nice Guy” isn’t as somber as it sounds, the song stays upbeat with its synth and funky sounds.
“Perfect People” has a different, misunderstood and creepy feel to it. The vocals are emphasized here and Courtship. makes another great point “We’d do anything just to be perfect people, blonde and beautiful on the beach.” They are not far off, candidly calling out the societal pressures to look, be, and have “perfect things.” “Live! with D+J” remains the quirkiest track. The track is only 34 seconds long, but samples the band as if they were on a radio station with a DJ. It give the pop album a unique twist. Of course Denial in Paradise is more than just Courtship.’s latest album; it is an array of feel good, wind in your hair, summer night, love sick anthems.
Keep up with Courtship. here.
by Abby Trapp | May 14, 2018 | singles, wolf tracks
Australian native Vilde just released latest track “Flash In The Pan”, which is the first track on the singer’s new album Thud, set to release July 13th. With a Glass Animals vibe, “Flash In The Pan” is hauntingly psychedelic. The track is infused with tribal beat and synth electronic sounds. The jungle-electronic sound is backed by soft vocals which brings the song home. Vilde is equally excited about the album saying:
Thud was a new experience for me. I realised that I felt like the last time I really knuckled down and dug into something was making the Kins album in 2012. I’d lost touch with the concept of work ethic in music. Everything since had been whimsical, I believed inspiration was reliable. My productivity waned. I felt an urge to prove to myself that I could actually commit to something and follow it through.
Keep up with Vilde here.
by Abby Trapp | May 14, 2018 | singles, wolf tracks
LIFE just released their latest single “Grown Up” coming off of their latest LP. Following up from their breakthrough album Popular Music, the band is back with progression and “Grown Up.” “Grown Up” discusses the coming of age with adulthood and the struggles of love. On the song Frontman Mez describes the single as: “Grown Up is about getting to grips with adulthood and wanting to fall in love again. Seeing the decay of human life as it ages in a park with the dying swans. Is there hope between the space on your plate as you fork at your tea? Can you be too grown up for love?” The “Grown Up” track is infused with punk and enough angst to vent your frustrations. The band has a bit of a Blur sound with a retro rock vibe to it.
by Abby Trapp | May 11, 2018 | singles, wolf tracks
Budding pop artist RAHH has just released her first ever single “Overkill.” When I first listened to “Overkill,” RAHH’s incredible voice stood out to me. She has the type of powerful voice that you may find yourself belting out too as it sparks inspiration. Despite its title, “Overkill” is not that bitter song about your ex. Instead, it’s about giving in to the power of music and letting go. “I can’t stand still, I can’t stand still, this beat is overkill,” belts RAHH. She continues to my favorite line “I need saving, I need saving.” What’s even more chilling is when RAHH gives us a taste of a cappella at the end of the song. “Overkill” puts into words the ways we feel, react, and engage in music. Aside from RAHH’s beautiful voice, the song holds a powerful meaning: that music has the ability to take us over at any time, and at any place.
Keep up with RAHH here.
by Abby Trapp | May 1, 2018 | singles, wolf tracks
UK-based indie quartet Plaza just released their latest single “In The Know”, which is pleasing with its rhythmic, steady beats and chill vibes from the very beginning of the track. Exactly at the minute mark, “In The Know” drastically shifts into a fast paced beat. Plaza talks about being at the precipice in their single, singing: “It’s like I’m stuck in the know, just when I needed the most.” “In The Know” is an inspirational track that will surprise you, as it is a testament to the middle that we all fight to push out of everyday. The track reminds listeners that, yes, it will all be okay in the end.
Keep up with Plaza here.
**co-written by Meredith Schneider
by Abby Trapp | May 1, 2018 | 5 to 7
I had the pleasure of interviewing Irene Greene, a Philadelphia based singer-songwriter who released her enigmatic single “Platinum Baby” just today. After speaking with her, I have been beyond elated for the release of the single, and now we might be playing it on repeat. But I digress. Below, you can find what Irene had to say on her latest single and her inspiration for music.
When did you first decide that music was something you wanted to make a career?
“It was when I was a child, and I knew that nothing else would feel like making music does.”
Your debut single is titled “Platinum Baby.” What’s the story behind that name?
“The story is that I fell in love with my current partner who has (dyed) platinum hair, and how I felt that I wasn’t good enough for him.”
The cover art for this shows a girl holding a knife behind her back. Is this symbolic or where did you draw inspiration for that?
“It’s gonna sound silly, but I had a dream with a girl holding a knife behind her back. I love toying with line of love verses obsession in “Platinum Baby” and I think that this image captures it perfectly.”
This is your debut single. Is this single reflective of “Hey this is me as an artist”?
“Normally not, because this song is actually somewhat positive and I am a debby downer.”
Even though “Platinum Baby” is releasing May 1st, are you working on anything currently that we can look forward to?
“I’m putting out a new music video for “Platinum Baby” that is 1960s inspired and very spooky!”
Where do you hope to see yourself musically in the next five year?
“Hopefully touring around the country with my band and playing sweet tunes!”
___
Keep up with Irene Greene here!
by Abby Trapp | May 1, 2018 | singles, wolf tracks
Australian native and Nashville based Quinn Lewis just released his latest “Weekend Luv.” The indie-pop artist is following up on his recent releases “Slipping” and “In Between.” “Weekend Luv” is one man’s search for seven day of the week kind of love. “Five days is more than a foreplay,” Quinn comes in with his clever lyrics. “Weekend Luv” discusses the struggles of dating in an adult world. “I’ve been working too much lately- you’ve been waiting for the weekend…to see me, hold me, love me right,” Quinn says on his busy schedule but his desire to have a seven day romance stating “Don’t give me that weekend luv.” Along with Quinn Lewis’ clever lyrics, he incorporates several sounds that back his voice perfectly, and even throws in an electronic vibe with bass drops during the chorus. “Weekend Luv” is infectious and an instant summer jam.
Keep up with Quinn here.
by Abby Trapp | Apr 30, 2018 | singles, wolf tracks
RF Shannon just released their latest single “Tooth Ache”, which is off of their latest album, Trickster Blues, due out May 5th. “Tooth Ache” pays tribute to all things alternative-indie, but also throws in a western vibe. The intro gives us that western sound with an acoustic guitar, slow drums, and sounds of a classic piano. “I take it slow right in the back road,” hums the band.
Aside from the amazing instrumentals, the vocals are haunting and will capture you. My favorite thing about “Tooth Ache,” is its ability to put a new twist on a classic rock sound. Shane Renfro, of the band says, “I tend to feel like all is right in the world when I’m slowly driving down old country roads with the windows down, so this song is kind of an ode to that vibe. I wanted to write a good backroad song.” A vibe we have all felt, RF Shannon encompasses the feeling on “Tooth Ache.”
Keep up with RF Shannon here.
