by Meredith Schneider | Jan 11, 2019 | albums, review
If you’re looking for some new tunes to keep you occupied on this beautiful, flurry-filled midwest day (we don’t care about your awesome weather everywhere else), then Angelo De Augustine has a new album titled Tomb you should really get your ears on. The title track starts us off, crawling us into the soundscape slowly but surely and with a palpable feeling of enchantment. “All to the Wind” and “You Needed Love, I Needed You” follow suit, with Angelo’s lightweight vocals really taking the forefront. “I Could Be Wrong” picks up the pace a bit, while “Tide” slows it down once again.
What we glean from this 12-track piece is that it really has been created in the same methodical, gorgeous and borderline-celestial soundscape that we have come to know from artists like Sufjan Stevens, whose producer Thomas Bartlett (Doveman) actually had a hand in this project. Angelo has graced us with poignant and beautiful lyricism, and a mellow tone to really jump start the new year with Tomb. We hope you enjoy it as much as we do!
Keep up with Angelo De Augustine here.
by Meredith Schneider | Jan 11, 2019 | albums, review
Today, Toronto indie pop four piece Tallies – comprised of Sarah Cogan, Dylan Frankland, Cian O’Neill, and Stephen Pitman – released their highly anticipated 11-track, self-titled stunner. We haven’t been this excited about new music Friday in quite a while, and we’re thrilled to have this album in our back pocket. From the very beginning of first track “Trouble”, there is a palpable energy that urges you to keep spinning. Second track “Mother” is a little more surf pop in its sound, while “Midnight” hits us with a more whimsical appeal. The vintage dance track beat to “Have You” makes the fourth song – slightly slower than its predecessors – something you might find in a 1980’s teen movie.
One will note – regardless of soundscape – that Cogan’s vocals are stand out, drenched in reverb and befitting of the “ethereal” label. While “Not So Proud” has the pace befitting of a leisurely stroll, her vocals absolutely soar, creating more of a ballad effect for the fifth track. “Trains and Snow” feels late 80’s, early 90’s-inspired, and is the first song in the offering that seems to enhance the instrumentals over the vocals. “Eden” carries the same pace, setting the stage perfectly for our hearts to thaw and grow from “three sizes too small” during “Beat the Heart”. (Seriously, this is our jam.) And while “Giving Up” has a slightly more melancholic feel to it, they end on a high note with both “Rocks” and “Easy Enough”, paving the way for more miracles to come!
Overall, Tallies in its entirety delivers a grandiose soundscape that could easily be found in a nostalgic and well-shot teenage romcom. It’s a gorgeous soundtrack to reminisce to, and we can’t wait to see this act on tour!
Keep up with Tallies here.
by Meredith Schneider | Jan 7, 2019 | albums, review
As you lean slowly into the gentle and mellifluous soundscape of Jane Willow‘s Onward Still, your mind starts to wander, and wonder what the inspiration for this work of art exactly was. From the first caress of vocals in “Onward Still”, to the last defining, harmonic moments of “Comfort”, this 6-track EP is nothing if not the perfectly watercolored canvas to hang over your blooming ideas and goals and adventures for 2019. “On My Mind” hits you with introspective and intense lyrics, sad strings to really rip into your heart’s deepest cavities. “Nobody Knows” has a strangely poignantly placed feeling of freedom to the delivery of the vocals, subtle yet defining nuances throughout.
“Hannah” brings the pace up, the Dublin-based artist’s most notably uplifting track to the work. “If I Did Love You” is quite the ballad, theatric and haunting in its presence. “Comfort” truly rounds the release out nicely, with a sound that makes you feel as though you’re basking in the glow of the sun on a patio somewhere amongst vineyards. This song itself evokes the title in an effortless and wonderful way, which seems to be the artist’s intention. We’ll be using this as our adult lullaby for a while, and we’re not even remotely ashamed.
Keep up with Jane Willow here.
by Meredith Schneider | Dec 27, 2018 | albums, review
Songstress Sophie Strauss recently released a new 8-track album filled to the brim with poetic intensity, a sense of self shining through that we have been craving lately. From Americana-tinged “Drive Down Mama” to the pop-infused “Aphids”, through the smooth atmospheric sounds of “Dog Fight”, Strauss’ work maintains an ethereal, playful soundscape that improves the mood of the room, regardless of the title and topic. “Text” gets slow and sensual, while “Sweetboy” contains primal percussion that would make anyone swoon. “I Was” is filled with reverb, a tinny effect that reflects the leading and ending quote.
“Joan of Arc” gets a little more military-feeling with regards to its percussion, apropos to the fact that the song is named after one of the greatest women warriors in known history. Listen closely to the lyrics, as it gets a bit vulnerable and we emerge with our hearts aching, though in a fulfilling and intensely emotional way. Sophie ends the album in “Aphids (Solo)”, a beautiful tribute to a picturesque and incredible memory.
Keep up with Sophie Strauss here.
by Meredith Schneider | Dec 21, 2018 | albums, premieres
Even though that one unavoidable holiday is right around the corner, you may have to wait until December 28th to feel like it’s Christmas. That day will yield the official release of Last Crush‘s EP SUPPORT C.E.N.T.E.R. The project – which is the brainchild of Mitchell Todorov (KLOZAPIN) – is synth-led, bursting into glittering cacophonies of sound in many of the tracks, as the vocals fluctuate from 80’s-inspired, to a yelling volume, to absolute scream-o. Displayed vocal range is impressive, each of the six tracks leaving a true impression.
Well, it looks like Christmas came early. You have to wait to add the collection to your music log for a few more days, but we’ve got your first listen in its entirety to celebrate all weekend long.
by emily burke
Keep up with Last Crush here.
by Meredith Schneider | Dec 18, 2018 | albums, review
Chicago-based art rock trio Arthhur – comprised of Mike Fox, Matt Cian, and Luke Dahlgren – released their fourth record on December 14th, and we’re really digging it. The 6 track tape is titled Lost In The Walled City, and is packed to the brim with attitude and a certain, unexplainable je ne sais quoi, if you will.
The title track hits hard, revving us up for the disco-laden rhythm of “Kinky Post-It”. (Yes, that’s the name of a song.) “Astral Fortnight” speaks to our higher beings, upbeat and ready to party, while “Choc Electronique” is something we would totally enter a dance contest with, as it would seem a little out of left field though the instrumentals are insanely catchy and could inspire a new line dance, if we’re being honest.
“Large Party” kicks it off with a series of sound effects and continues in the same artsy, experimental way, something we would definitely mosh to at a live show. Arthhur rounds it all out with “Get Fermented!” which is a track we’re into just from the mention of the title. Its smooth, enticing soundscape lures you in to a night of – if you’re lucky – consequence-free bad decision-making.
Keep up with Arthhur here.
by Meredith Schneider | Dec 12, 2018 | albums, review
Folk pop duo Fox and Bones – comprised of Sarah Vitort and Scott Gilmore – lays the groundwork for a fun, adventure-filled album from the very first lines of Better Land‘s initial track “Little Animal”, which boasts the feeling of a mid-album track, tempo having already had time to build. But this duo hits the ground running with every track, establishing its energy and diction separately than its predecessor. While “Love Me Like a River” brings the album into a deeper soundscape, “Roots” has a soulful anthem feel to it. “Roads” slows everything down exponentially, poetic in that fact, as they focus on the little details of spending life on the road.
“Reckless” sets a very different tone than “Tricky Love”, which happens to be one of our favorite tracks on this collection. The title track brings the tempo back up, definitely a staple on the album. “Strange” takes on ballad form, while “Pin Up” brings more twang to its instrumentals, setting a simple, beautiful tone to it. “Any of it With You” brings the positivity back in, establishing a sense of energy to work hard with what time you have left. Eleventh and final track “Welcome Home” is a head bobber, absolutely your next staple on long road trips as you search “for that spark.”
Test the new album out for yourself below!
Keep up with Fox and Bones here.
by ImperfectFifth | Dec 7, 2018 | albums, premieres
Hailing from Oakland, indie rock/experimental pop project We Is Shore Dedicated – the brainchild of Sam Tsitrin – has a bit of new magic to share with us this holiday season. New album No Ski Here Ogi Sap is here, boasting 9 instrumentally mellifluous tracks that will keep you dancing gracefully around your home all day. Though the lyrical edge to the album – politically and emotionally-driven – can be found outstandingly in tracks like “Sorok Sapogov”, it’s still a bit of a masterpiece, to be shared regardless of background or belief. Check it out in its entirety below!
Keep up with We Is Shore Dedicated here.
by Meredith Schneider | Dec 7, 2018 | albums, review
Pop-punk collective The Travoltas – comprised of Perry Leenhouts, Erik van Vugt, Jochem “Skokie” Weemaes, Wouter “Woody” Verhulst, Michel “Mikk” Meeuwissen, Daan van Hooff, Tim van Doorn – is coming at us hard this holiday season with their self-titled, 14-track full-length. With their quintessential pop/punk sound, the quintet has taken on a 60’s pop flare – much like that of The Oneders – that will get your toes tapping from the very first lines of “I Can’t Say No”, through to the very end of fourteenth track “Thing”. And though “Snowball” clearly nods at the cold weather of the days upon us, the soundscape feels very island-vibey, and we’re all for it. While “Work of Art” continues at a similar clip, “Ghost of Your Love” is slightly darker instrumentally, mirroring its name. They up the jazz factor with “Mail Ya To Australia”, and then get back to a pop/punk, Weezer-y vibe with “If You Could Be the Star”.
Seventh track “Making Out” once again occurs at a pretty quick pace, a notable love song, while “Blame My Baby” slows it down, and has a very Fountains of Wayne feel to it (in only the best ways). “Crying Shame” has a misleadingly upbeat instrumental piece, though the vocals tear through you and evoke the emotion fitting of its title. From the low lows to the very highest of highs, “Tower of Strength” comes next to bring the party levels back up. “I Was Dancing in a Lesbian Bar” and “Did I Lose You at I Love You?” have, perhaps, the most insightful titles, boasting catchy hooks that will easily get trapped in your head. “Hurry up!” has way less energy than you’d expect from its title, but that fact doesn’t detract from its endearing nature in the slightest. The Travoltas round out the album quite well with their quirky, hit single-worthy track “Thing”.
If you aren’t a fan of the band after reading our positive thoughts on their self-titled work, you might try giving it a spin. Actually, do that anyway. It’s quite the experience, and we’re big fans.
Tracklisting
01. I Can’t Say No
02. Snowball
03. Work of Art
04. Ghost of Your Love
05. Mail Ya To Australia
06. If You Could Be The Star
07. Making Out
08. Blame My Baby
09. Crying Shame
10. Tower of Strength
11. I Was Dancing In The Lesbian Bar
12. Did I Lose You At I Love You
13. Hurry Up!
14. Thing
Keep up with The Travoltas here.
