by Madison Blom | Feb 1, 2018 | albums, wolf tracks
From their heartbreaks and hard times, Tenderfoot has brought together the best of their sound to produce their newest album BreakApart. This new and upcoming band has brought out the best of the dream folk genre. Their new album, which is going to be released February 2, 2018, features memorizing drum loops and dreamy vocals that makes their music relatable and entertaining.
Tenderfoot’s roots are founded deep in trial, but they have since emerged at the peak of a potentially very successful career in the music community. What started as a solo project on the road has turned into a group of four who are dedicated to creating music that holds a sound unique to the group. After the traveling on the road Adam Kendall Woods (lead singer) recruited Jude Miqueli (drums), Gabriel Molinaro (keys), and Darcey Zoller (strings) and together they have found success in one of the fastest growing genres in the industry.
Not only does their newest album incorporate some of the latest musical techniques, but they also highlight some of the greatest personal triumphs and struggles-rendering their music highly relatable. However, their music is not all doom and gloom. Along with the heartbreak, the lyrics also bring out the beauty of creative progression as well as coming together with loved ones to find joy. Some of these topics include heartbreak, struggling in relationships and health scares. With the addition of three new members, the lush dynamic of a full band enhances their sound and elevates their credibility. After spending two years on this new album, fans are eagerly awaiting the release ofBreak Apart.
Fans and listeners of the folk genre will fall in love with this band’s appreciation for traditional sound with the incorporation of new and innovative lyric and rhythm. This is a band that came together for one purpose, to turn life’s hardest struggles into music that is highway, head banging worthy.
Keep up with Tenderfoot here.
by Jai'Tyria Hatton | Jan 31, 2018 | albums, wolf tracks
Spiritus is the second album from blues rock group Jane Lee Hooker, following the band’s first album No B!.
Jane Lee Hooker consists of five women – Dana ‘Danger” Athens on vocals, Hail Mary Z on bass, Melissa ‘Cool Whip’ Houston on drums, Tracy ‘Hightop’ on guitar, and Tina ‘T Bone’ Gorin on guitar – and accepts taking on the challenge of good blues with Spiritus.
The ten track album is really good and has high energy throughout every song. The tracks are inspirational, full of high energy, and encourage the listener to live their best life. The sound of the blues is prominent in each track on the new release. “Gimmie That” has a sound that shifts from blues to pop with high energy. Tracks like “Ends Meet” and “Mama Said” contain the band’s quintessential blues influence, but also a little bit of rock n’ roll.
The name of the album means “spirit,” and follows the theme of finding yourself in life. It lends itself to the idea of taking chances and not being afraid to be yourself. It is a fun listen, and will absolutely keep you engaged from start to finish.
Keep up with Jane Lee Hooker here.
by Kayla Hutton | Jan 30, 2018 | albums, wolf tracks
Lanterns, the full-length debut from Atlanta 3 piece
A Very Loud Death opens with “Consumer” an atmospheric stage-setter for a lucid journey into a darkness that could be the background music to any Edgar Allen Poe story. Don’t question the production of a simple 3 piece band, somehow they pull off full spectrum sound that you would expect of a 5 piece. Chris Edge’s vocals are heartful and poignant, while the slow to medium paced music confirms the emotive romanticism of nurturing a heart you yourself inflicted damage upon.
The album overall has segments of dreary alternative rock, emo but not whiny, and some metal dynamics. With a vast audience opportunity, A Very Loud Death would appeal to fans of Chevelle, HIM, Mars Volta, and artists that have that hint of saddened macabre. Animated and heartfelt A Very Loud Death offers heart on sleeve honesty that you can feel with every musical change and vocal melody. “Lanterns” has a System of a down like guitar riff that takes an entirely new meaning once the chorus kicks in and tones become more epic and the vocals more desperately dyer. Applying instrument and vocal effects that expand the tonal dreariness yet cast a spooky shadow that is as perfectly subtle as a thin cloud coverage.
The vocals return with a soothing embrace on “The Ease of Absurdity”. Lightly brushed tom rolls accommodate a strong bass line that really takes the wheel and directs this track. The build-ups ad an unexpected turn that isn’t overpowering and breaks up the predictability that typically bores listeners. “The Wild” is the album’s most fast-paced song and pulls between the low dark overtone and a slight anger that cradles the ears yet instills that same uneasy feeling you get when someone shoots you an uncertain grin that you cant tell is sincere or wicked. With music that is melodic and driven to fulfill the albums intense theme, the lyrics have an offbeat obscurity that follows a rhyming pattern that kind of hints that a progressive rock influence had been tossed into the blender of sound that A Very Loud Death has inside their already genre-bending core.
In closing, the best way to describe A Very Loud Death’s latest offering is that there is enough dramatic loudness to wake up empathy in a stone-cold psychopath.
Keep up with the band
here.
by Jai'Tyria Hatton | Jan 27, 2018 | albums, wolf tracks
Today, the world is finally able to hear new music from indie pop band Felsen. The album delivers a message through melody and lyrics that they created in their late-night West Oakland Studio. A highly anticipated work, Blood Orange Moon is eleven tracks of musical wonder, from first track “Vultures on Your Bones” through the title track at the end.
“Vultures on Your Bones” has many different melodies crafted together as one. The acoustic guitar blends perfectly with the rest of the instruments and the leading vocals on the track. The song seems like it is about a vulture eating at the bones of an individual and the vulture will not leave the vocalist alone. The vulture continues to come back and bother the individual.
Blood Orange Moon will definitely take the listener on an emotional rollercoaster ride. The album goes from being about wanting to be with someone in songs like “Lovecraft”, losing a loved one in songs like “You and I will Meet Again”, and desire. It addresses human emotion in a beautiful way.It tackles communication, whether it’s face to face or direct. “Blood Orange Moon” is not only amazing because of the vocals and instrumentals, but the songs are relatable and relaxing. The album is great to turn on during a late night car ride when you just want to vibe to music or when you just want to unwind for the day and relax.
Blood Orange Moon is out now.
by Veronica DeFeo | Jan 26, 2018 | albums, wolf tracks
Kansas City, Missouri-based rock and roll indie band Listener is soon to release their full length album, Being Empty : Being Filled on February 2nd. Kansas City is home to a growing community of local indie/alternative artists, encouraged and supported by like-minded people, thanks in part to Kansas City being home to the largest revenue-making alternative radio station, 96.5 the Buzz. Thus, Listener couldn’t have a better place to call home and expand musically. However, they are by no means limited to the Midwest. Listener has been in the game for awhile, and has toured all over the world. A band of friends comprised of vocals and bass from Dan Smith, Kris Rochelle on drums, and guitar player Jon Terrey, Listener is a unique rock and roll band that pairs strong instruments with direct, bold lyrics.
From the first resonating notes of “Pent Up Genes”, you know that Listener is not a band that plays around. Already around for over a decade, the bandmates of Listener know their sound and own it unapologetically. Smith uses more spoken word than singing – what Listener calls “talk music” – in many of the tracks, which pairs well with the rock and roll tone of the band and allows for Rochelle and Terrey to sing through their instruments. While this idea of lack of singing in music may be something new for many, Listener makes it work. Focusing on the emotion and overall sound, at times, words are not even necessary, like in “Add Blue”. Aside from the clever title, already released single “Shock and Value” lives up to its name, filled with brash guitar and emotional vocals that at times surprise the listener (no pun intended). Place-themed tracks set right next to each other, “A Love Letter to Detroit” and “Manhattan Projects” encompass the feelings associated with those places. You can also view the video for “A Love Letter to Detroit” here. One of the most tender tracks on Being Empty : Being Filled is “Window to the World”, while maintaining Listener’s sound, with the simple yet touching repetition of “buddy, she was beautiful” and “the lights have to be bright to see anything at all”. Every track on Being Empty : Being Filled will leave with something to think about and hungry to hear more.
Listener is gearing up for a UK/Europe tour in March of 2018 with support from: Levi the Poet. Be sure to look for Being Empty : Being Filled, out February 2nd, 2018.
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by Kayla Hutton | Jan 25, 2018 | albums, wolf tracks
Ready for heavy and hardcore?
Primal Rite comes from San Francisco, an area that is known for cranking out metal (and any sub-genre of it) awesomeness. This crossover (metal with punk attributes) 6 piece began in 2016 and have released 3 singles and an E.P. throughout 2017. There can’t be a better way to bring in 2018 than by releasing their debut full-length album
Dirge Of Escapism set to release on
January 26th via Revelation.
The album begins with “Chapter Zero” a wind swirling intro that lands upon a beat fit to send the troops into battle. The introductory guitar riff induces a metal trance that will find you thrusting your upper torso back and forth. With a rawness similar to that of Sepultura’s Schizophrenia album there is no shortage of leads that squeal like an air raid siren.There are metal grooves with dynamics that offer each transition a welcome pass to slide on in.
“Interference” possesses a classic thrash/speed metal feel that is sure to gain the respect of any true metal head, “Sensory Link to Pain” shows some serious in the pocket groove and stomp that will have you pumping your fists to the sky. You can hear an influence that is a conglomeration of classic 80’s bay area thrashers with a hint of East Coast punk/hardcore.
If there is anything you need to know before you head over to their
Bandcamp and pre-order your copy of “Dirge of Escapism” it’s this, it’s heavy, it’s brutal, it’s reminiscent of a sweaty nightclub of clashing moshpitters and hardcore dancers. The album as a whole captures the energy of what a live show would be like. As a bonus, if you pre-order
Dirge of Escapism, you get 3 tracks now (streaming via the free Bandcamp app and also available as a high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more), plus the complete album the moment it’s released.
I almost forgot to mention, those guttural vocals, no it’s not Martin Van Drunen from Asphyx, it’s Lucy. That’s right a female. Don’t even think there is a moment of weak, pretty, “hand me my skirt” moments. This chick has raised the bar and proven when it comes to metal, it’s not just boys that can lay it down. Horns up to Primal Rite.
by Jai'Tyria Hatton | Jan 24, 2018 | albums, wolf tracks
London-based punk band Dream Wife sets the standards high with their debut self titled album Dream Wife. The group formed in 2014 at Brighton University as a performance for their art school. They wrote their own music and performed in many areas, solidifying themselves a future in music.
Dream Wife’s debut album consists of eleven songs in total each song ranging from two to three minutes long in length. The first song on the album is “Let’s Make Out”. “Let’s Make Out” is a second favorite because when you listen to the song, the song will make you feel young at heart, alive and free. The song is guaranteed to make you want to get up and dance. I mean come on, tell me you can’t picture yourself at a party or dancing around to this song in your house.
A personal favorite is “Love Without Reason”. In “Love Without Reason”, Dream Wife explores their feelings while also trying not to question how they feel at the same time. The song gives its listeners desire and ambition to love without question.
“Somebody” is the second song from Dream Wife’s album and is a song for women. The song is about women learning to love their bodies. “Somebody” is about women reclaiming themselves, as not just a body but, as a person. The songs shows what it is like to be a woman in society and women coming back to redeem themselves, showing the world that women are people and not objects.
Other songs on the album include “Kids”, “Hey Heartbreaker”, “Taste”, “Act My Age”, “Right Now”, “F.U.U.”, “Right Now”, “Spend The Night”, and “Fire”. The album is lively with many songs that are guaranteed to make the listener feel good.
Dream Wife’s self titled album Dream Wife is set to be released Friday January 26th. In the meantime be sure to check out other songs from this trio, you will not regret it. Keep up with Dream Wife here.
by Veronica DeFeo | Jan 22, 2018 | albums, wolf tracks
Some artists have difficulty reinventing themselves or putting out new content after being in the world of music for awhile. However, in James Mercer’s lengthy music career, this has yet to happen. Following the 2017 release of Heartworms – an album five years in the making – Albuquerque-based rock group The Shins just dropped The Worm’s Heart on January 19. The Worm’s Heart is a flipped album that discombobulates the track listing, instrumentals, and mood of Heartworms. The Shins as a band has always metamorphosed throughout the years, and The Worm’s Heart is only more proof of Mercer’s ability to appeal to a variety of genres and ears while maintaining an authentic sound.
It ends with “Name For It”, while Heartworms starts with that track. “Fantasy Island” changes from nostalgic and slightly morbid to a completely different, upbeat sound – almost as if Buddy Holly and David Bowie remixed it together – and it totally works. As one might expect from a guitar rock group, the guitar on the flipped version of “Mildenhall” is absolutely spectacular, and is one of the best reinventions on The Worm’s Heart. It’s the perfect jam sesh song, whether you’re stuck in traffic or rocking out with friends. “Name For It” is flipped from an upbeat bop on Heartworms to a moody, synth-filled track on The Worm’s Heart. The flipped version of “Cherry Hearts” sounds Beatles-esque, while the original on Heartworms is a definitively 21st century, light electronica song.
By retaining the original lyrics but providing each track with a completely new sound, The Shins display their versatility, talent, and ability to put forth quality content to appeal to a variety of ears. If you already had trouble picking a favorite track on Heartworms, get ready for even more competition for your most-loved song on The Worm’s Heart. The Worm’s Heart is a treasure trove of synth, retro vibes, and a touch into various genres. It’s an absolute treat for the ears, and a fantastic tribute to The Shins’ ability to reincarnate their own music. Last, but certainly not least, the album art for both Heartworms and The Worm’s Heart is AMAZING! Who doesn’t love a good ol’ dark-floral-and-skulls thematic landscape? Mixing the perfect amount of edgy with wistful, The Worm’s Heart is sure to please both old and new fans of The Shins.
The Worm’s Heart
- The Fear (Flipped)
- So Now What (Flipped)
- Heartworms (Flipped)
- Dead Alive (Flipped)
- Half a Million (Flipped)
- Rubber Ballz (Flipped)
- Mildenhall (Flipped)
- Fantasy Island (Flipped)
- Cherry Hearts (Flipped)
- Painting a Hole (Flipped)
- Name For You (Flipped)
Check out The Worm’s Heart now, available to stream on Spotify and for purchase on iTunes.
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by Veronica DeFeo | Jan 22, 2018 | albums, wolf tracks
Performing under the name Tishmal (“hummingbird” in Luiseno), San Diego native Rachel Brockbank’s is gearing up to release her debut solo EP, Tishmal, on January 24.
The tracks on the EP masterfully juxtapose electronic pop beats with Brockbank’s natural vocal talent. Beyond the instrumentals, the lyrics are perhaps the most riveting part of the album, lending at times unexpected depth to the tracks. Tishmal wastes no time hiding behind a first release, and carries the whole album with refreshing self confidence.
Tishmal revs up with the already released single, “Underneath”, a tantalizing track that provides a delicious contrast of lyrics dealing with unsureness and questions with confident vocals. There is also a phenomenal music video for “Underneath”, which you can see above. It provides riveting visuals alongside Tishmal’s hauntingly beautiful track. “Underneath” is available now and can be streamed on Soundcloud and Spotify.
While “Underneath” offers a wonderful taste of Tishmal’s music, it is far from all she’s capable of. Up next, “Concrete” provides a great blend of conflict and resolution in love. If you’re needing a song to listen to when you’re torn, look no further. It has just the right amount of ‘standing up for myself’ feels alongside “I have no idea what to do.” Fans of Halsey or Tove Lo could easily find themselves vibing to this track.
Tracks like “Connections” and “River” offer a different sound, while still adhering to the thematic landscape of the EP. “River” provides a mellower sound, perfectly placed after “Concrete”. The track itself sounds like it is cloaked in mist, and provides great natural imagery for the song. “Connections” reminds to keep a bond with one’s past, and childhood in particular. Closing the album, it repeats the question, “are you making connections?”
Be on the lookout for Tishmal, coming January 24. You won’t want to miss it. Keep up with Tishmal here.
