by Abby Trapp | Apr 27, 2018 | singles, wolf tracks
Kadhja Bonet just released her latest “Delphine”, which is the second single off of Bonet’s sophomore album Childqueen. “Delphine” is an ethereal, out of this world track. With sounds of bass, electronic keyboard, a slow drums, “Delphine” becomes relaxing and sultry. The thing that really sets the track apart is Bonet’s vocals, as she sings like a classic jazz singer and takes this track into another era. “I know exactly who you are Delphine, you’re the one for me, Delphine/I know the distance can confuse your mind, give it time Delphine, give it time” Kadhja sings as she rounds out the finishing sounds on “Delphine.” This song is one of a kind and definitely worth the trip.
Keep up with Kadhja Bonet here.
by Abby Trapp | Apr 27, 2018 | singles, wolf tracks
Canada based COTIS just released his latest single, a track titled “Phone Light Up”. “Phone Light Up” takes a look at relationships in the modern era of technology and how to play by those rules. “We living it up, not playing it safe, I give and I take; give me some space,” COTIS preaches on “Phone Light Up.” COTIS goes further into it on the chorus, stating: “Yet baby tell me what’s come over you, your phone light up.” Aside from the amazing writing, “Phone Light Up” intermingles classic pop with with urban hip-hop and R&B beats. The track flows effortlessly and has a real message – “Why are there so many rules to this game and does it really even matter?” A true “I said, she said” track, COTIS’ “Phone Light Up” is something that you can play over and over again.
by Abby Trapp | Apr 26, 2018 | albums, review
Toronto-based musician Bossie is set to release her latest album Not Pictured on April 27th. Not Pictured covers a wide variety of topics including modern culture, consumerism, and social media, among others. Bossie sparked public attention when she released her first single “Meteror” in 2015. Now, with her debut album, we are reminded of that infectious and beautiful sound that we have been falling in love with over the last couple of years. The album places emphasis on the sound of bubblegum pop with Boosie’s amazing, robust vocals.
First tack “Mild At Heart” discusses the mild nature in a relationship. “Take your headphones off we need to talk” says Bossie. Pondering the relationship she says, “What if we need to grow up?/Maybe we’re just mild at heart.” “Mild At Heart” really digs into the frustrations of a relationship. Bossie sings on falling in and out of love, not moving forward, and not having that “zest” in a relationship. “Strawberry Moon” shows off the artist’s quirky side. With the funky beat and electronic sounds, “Strawberry Moon” shows off Bossie’s diverse style. “Don’t set fire to the strawberry moon,” proclaims Bossie. What does it mean? Luckily enough, she leaves that up for interpretation. On “There Will Be Time,” Bossie takes a stab about the timing in life. A track about there being a time and place for everything, Bossie is transparent on “There Will Be Time.” “Yeah there will be time…there will be time to decide,” we hear on “There Will Be Time.” Bossie recognizes that whether it be a relationship, career move, or personal, not everything in life needs an immediate decision.
We are enamored by Bossie’s new album, and KNOW you will be too! Not Pictured is out everywhere April 27th. Keep up with Bossie here.
by Abby Trapp | Apr 25, 2018 | singles, wolf tracks
Ever-impressed by the incredible talent that is Jimmy, we are delighted to share his new haunting and dark single “Smile”, the follow up to his self-titled single “Jimmy.” “Smile” discusses the struggles of being told to smile when times are tough an not the easiest. It displays the power of connection, as listeners relate to the same feelings of powerlessness in a corporate world.
Jimmy explains his inspiration behind “the track by stating:
I didn’t write “Smile” because I’d found any answers and writing it hasn’t afforded me any catharsis. “Smile” is simply a reaction to the corporations who perpetuate addiction as a pillar of business, to all the trendy marketing campaigns of the tobacco, alcohol, and pharmaceutical industries with their side effects in fine print or sped-up voice-overs, and the innocent souls on the other side of a rigged transaction.
Keep up with Jimmy here.
by Abby Trapp | Apr 25, 2018 | singles, wolf tracks
Alternative-indie rock band Dommengang just released their latest single “Past Lives.” Recorded at Stumptown Coffee, “Past Lives” is an angsty anthem that we can’t stop listening to. The funky track samples a classic rock feel with whiny vocals. “Past Lives” talks on the relationship with a former lover. The relationship clearly isn’t over on Dommengang’s side. “Baby I can’t call you baby anymore,” cries out the regretful track. My favorite line is “I don’t belong to anyone,” describing the epitome of what it means for something to be over and even more so- to be able to acknowledge that. “Past Lives” is full of guitar, drums, and post-love blues. It’s definitely worth the listen.
Keep up with Dommengang here.
by Abby Trapp | Apr 25, 2018 | singles, wolf tracks
LGBTQA rockers Carry Illinois announce their new EP Work In Progress which will release May 25th. The band will hit the ground running with show release on May 25th in Austin, TX. In the meantime, the indie-pop rockers have released their latest single off of Work In Progress “Runaway.” “Runaway” dives into the synth-pop world of alternative indie with its electronic sounds. The lyrics tell of an uphill battle between anxiety, body image, and internal struggles. “When did you first begin to hate your body and your heart? I was six or I was seven…wasn’t I too young to feel that way?” proclaims the track. Diving into the chorus, Carry Illinois talks about the one thing that is familiar to them: “I know, I know how to runaway– I know, I know it’s not good to runaway.”
“Runaway” shows off a raw and open emotional narrative with no shame. Inspiration for many of Carry Illinois’ songs comes from the loss of a close bandmate, John Winsor. Frontwoman Lizzy Lehman explains this saying, “After John committed suicide in March of 2016, I decided that I no longer needed to shy away from the real struggles that I face. I decided that writing about it, singing about it, and performing with utmost strength and courage is what I need to do.” The cathartic writing that Lizzy touches on is present on “Runaway” and the latest Work In Progress.
Work In Progress is out May 25th. Keep up with Carry Illinois here.
by Abby Trapp | Apr 24, 2018 | albums, review
Following up on his album Home, singer-songwriter Nathan Evans Fox has released his new album Texas Dust. The Atlanta based singer has a penchant for folk, and is bringing his country roots to his latest work. A North Carolina native, Nathan was immersed in the sounds of folk, bluegrass, rock, and country at a young age. He is also well versed with a range of musical instruments such as the fiddle and the guitar. Texas Dust displays all the talents of Fox’s songwriting, instrumentation, and musical inspirations from his hometown.
A natural storyteller, Nathan’s lyrics tell the tale of his difficulty with religion and heritage growing up. The album is composed of eleven tracks, including the album’s title track “Texas Dust.” Out of those eleven tracks, my personal favorites are “Texas Dust,” “Saint Louis,” and “Great Sky.” A bittersweet ballad to a lost love in Texas, “Texas Dust” tells the story of Nathan’s grandfather- a Southern migrant worker turned Army Sergeant who eventually left the military following the death of his young daughter. The opening line sparks personal and political controversy saying “I was raised by violent men- drinking daddy and Uncle Sam.” The chorus keeps its foreboding tone, “I can’t change all my ways, can’t change the laws of grief—back when I was 21, I was Texas Dust and you were Tennessee.”
“Texas Dust” encompasses the salty and sweet of folk, while staying personal. “Saint Louis,” a wanderlust track, discusses all the places Nathan plans to go across the USA. “It’s been a full year in Saint Louis and we still ain’t getting used to it,” sings Fox. With the Midwest blues, Fox goes on “Now I’m dreaming about that boat taking me where I want to be.” “Saint Louis” holds a feeling of hope and longing, even though Nathan is stuck there. To me, “Great Sky” is perhaps the most uplifting track on Texas Dust. With talks of starting new, Fox sings “What more do I seek from this Heaven upon me?” Fox is looking to turn a spiritual new leaf. While those three tracks remain my favorite, Texas Dust has a little bit of something for everyone- even if you are not one for folk, Nathan’s lyrical talent alone will blow you away.
Look out for Texas Dust and more from Fox here.
by Abby Trapp | Apr 24, 2018 | singles, wolf tracks
NPR just premiered the latest from L.A. based band Hit Bargain, “Hell Is Real”, which is off of the band’s LP Potential Maximizer, out May 11th. Nora Singh, Hit Bargain’s front woman, found inspiration for the track from her experiences of small-town Ohio. She describes her experiences as a “self-imposed exile.” The frustrations are evident on this punk-rock track as Nora sings “When we’re afraid we shoot, point blank, point blank,” and “What’s far is unknown, what’s unknown makes us afraid.”
Nora further describes the core of “Hell Is Real” saying:
There is a mural in my partner’s Ohio hometown that prominently features this phrase painted in four feet letters on the side of a building. Opposite is a picture of people suffering in a lake of hellfire. I found it a funny declaration, “HELL IS REAL”, like “THE END IS NIGH”, just this warning of this intangible myth juxtaposed with this very American rust belt town that’s falling apart, losing its jobs to automation and outsourcing. The lyrics revolve around xenophobia and Capitalist complacency.
“Hell Is Real” is not an average punk-rock track and draws on reals problems faced today by many.
Tour Dates
April 13 – Los Angeles, CA @ Emerald House w/Post Life, Media Jeweler
May 12 – Los Angeles, CA @ Rec Center
June 16 – Ottawa, ON @ Ottawa Explosion
June 18 – Burlington, VT @ Hope All Is Well
June 19 – Boston, MA @ O’Brien’s Pub
June 21 – Brooklyn, NY @ Alphaville
June 22 – Philadelphia, PA @ The Barbary
June 23 – Baltimore, MD @ Joe2
June 27 – Chicago, IL @ Empty Bottle
June 28 – Detroit, MI @ Trixie’s
June 30 – Hamilton, ON @ The Casbah (all-ages matinee)
Keep up with Hit Bargain here.
by Abby Trapp | Apr 23, 2018 | singles, wolf tracks
Tanners just released her debut single “Holy Water.” The New York based songwriter/producer has already engineered several artists’ records and is taking music into her own hand with “Holy Water, which resides in the world of synth psych-pop. With the help of Tanners’ sweet voice, “Holy Water” exudes sensuality. She pulls you in with lyrics like “I can be your Jesus if you let me” and “Come with me and swim into my daydream.”
“Holy Water” is inspired by Tanners’ childhood fondness for the beach. It revolves around of being born again by water in the purest form. Tanners comments on the track: “It’s a thank you song to the ocean for teaching me to embrace vulnerability.”
Keep up with Tanners here.
