The Moth and The Flame entertained the masses at 96.5 The Buzz’s annual The Night The Buzz Stole Xmas event at the Midland in Kansas City on December 4th. We nabbed some photos so you can feel like you were a part of the festivities too!
Indie rock musician Jane Frank is ending 2018 on a particularly high note, with the release of her stunning, layered new track “Fight or Flight”. Soft – like the caress of your fingertips on your forearm – her voice carries lightly over the instrumentals, creating a certain magical feeling that is absolutely perfect this time of year. The most interesting part? The song’s meaning isn’t as pleasant as the soundscape would insist.
“‘Fight or Flight’ is about how we’re all scared, admits Frank. “And how, after several failed relationships, we start to close up. Everybody is thinking about what they gave, or what they didn’t get.”
Keep up with Jane Frank here.
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.
Shining brightly over on Absent Mind this week is the new single from ZENDR and singer/songwriter James Chatburn. It is the second time ZENDR has released on the newly established label, and we love this latest offering.
Once again ZENDR brings out soulful, jazz-inspired notes into this production, whilst Chatburn does a glorious job of allowing his tones to fill the space in between brass-led riffs and smooth electronic transitions.
Be sure to check out this collaboration right away for a dreamy end to the week.
Looking for something silly and perhaps a little sticky sweet in its pop-infused sound? We’re actually taken with the upbeat production of Mona On The Radio‘s “Bright Blue Bathrobe”, which reminds us of Owl City – meets – Weird Al, with a twinge of hip hop. And if you close your eyes, you can hear the instrumentals in the back of your favorite Nintendo game.
Keep up with Mona On The Radio here.
Having been flummoxed by the talent of Chvrches for years now, it was our incredible pleasure to head out to see them headline The Night The Buzz Stole Xmas this year in Kansas City. Those gorgeous, lightweight vocals, that insane energy that could give anyone life… the night was absolute perfection. Photographer Meredith Schneider shares her point of view below.
P.S. You’ll notice even in the imperfections, there are rainbows everywhere. We cannot tout this live show enough.
Los Angeles-based pop duo YVR recently released their new stunner of a track “Messy”, with a soundscape that couldn’t be less so. Pounding bass sets the tone, Courtney Jenae’s ethereal vocals make the track almost seem otherworldly. While the lyrics warn of a messy romantic situation on the horizon, we’re pulled toward the feeling of something brand new coming our way. Check this track – and add it to your holiday party soundtrack – below!
Keep up with YVR here.
Just released on Sony Music Norway is “Better With You,” the latest slice of electronic goodness from Maybon. With a whole host of wonderful sounds under his belt, the producer is back for more with this track that features Temmpo.
It is somewhat darker than some of his previous works and will pull you in under its enticing spell. Riddled with slow-transitioning synths and powerful vocals from Temmpo, this is well worth a listen. Maybon says: “‘Better With You’ is about how you feel better when you’re with that one special person. We all have someone who can lift us when we’re having a bad day – and the song is about that feeling.”
You can stream it here.
With his swoon-worthy vocals and gorgeous guitar work, East coast-based singer/songwriter Adam Melchor is someone we are expecting to be top-of-mind this time next year, as his mellifluous approach to his work has quite a stunning effect. His new track “Real Estate” is the perfect break from our cold weather feels, bringing us to a place and time that is slower, warmer, and more wonderful than we probably even deserve. Check it out below, and make sure to add it to your soundtrack today!
Keep up with Adam Melchor here.
