by Veronica DeFeo | Jan 23, 2018 | wolf tracks
London-based singer-songwriter and producer James Bakian may be only fourteen, but he is full of motivation to forge his path in the world of music. Singing and songwriting from an early age, he first penned a song at age 6 and a few of his tracks have made it to the UK Songwriting Contest 2016/2017 semifinals. Now fourteen, James recently released an EP, Unstoppable, as well as several singles, including “Usual”, an R&B track.
You wouldn’t think you were listening to a fourteen-year-old, as James’ sound is somewhat a blend of Shawn Mendes and young Adam Levine. “Usual” is one of his most grown-up tracks and it’s hard to not vibe to. While a deviation from his usual beats, James handles an R&B song quite well. The fact that James is self-made shines on his tracks, especially “Usual”, singing, playing bass, keyboard, and producing the track himself. With an easy-going beat, meaningful lyrics, expressive vocals, you’ll likely have “Usual” playing on repeat.
He’s got an impressive track record and “next big thing” potential already; James Bakian is certainly one to watch.
Check out “Usual”, Unstoppable, and more by James Bakian, and keep up with him here.
by Veronica DeFeo | Jan 23, 2018 | singles, videos, wolf tracks
If you’re looking to expand your musical horizons globally, set your sights to Sweden. Making waves across the Atlantic, Stockholm-based R&B singer Janice (Jah-NEES) is making herself known with her single, “Answer”, featured on her upcoming debut solo album, Fallin’ Up, set to release February 2nd, 2018. “Answer” is already gold, and looks to only grow more, especially as she is being introduced to the US and other countries .
Emotion-filled piano paired with Janice’s strong, soulful voice makes for a solid track, highlighted with some electronic beats and poignant lyrics. While at first listen it seems to be a love song, “Answer” is actually about feeling lost since the passing of her father: “It’s been four years, without you/Daddy can you cover my soul”. Anyone who has ever ached to hear the voice of a parent or loved one just one more time will connect strongly with this powerful single. Janice sings with the confidence of a veteran, and does her musical inspiration, the late Whitney Houston, justice.
Her latest video for “Queen” can also be found below. Let us know what you think in the comments!
Keep an eye out for Fallin’ Up, and check out “Answer”, as well as the acoustic version and more by Janice on Spotify.
by Jai'Tyria Hatton | Jan 23, 2018 | singles, wolf tracks
Hailing from the United Kingdom, upcoming singer-songwriter FØNX tugs at your heartstrings with his new single, “Don’t Feel Like Lovin”, which he produced alongside Grammy award winner Tommaso Coliva (Muse). “Don’t Feel Like Lovin” is a follow up to FØNX’s well-received last single “Can’t Get Enough”.
FØNX first learned how to play the guitar at the ripe age of seven. As he got older, he learned how to write lyrics and produce music. FØNX continued to sharpen his writing and production skills by performing at festivals around London. Citing some of his influences as Pharrell Williams, John Mayer, Frank Ocean and many more, FØNX brings an R&B vibe with a little flare of pop to his latest single “Don’t Feel Like Lovin”. He uses the sounds of his influencers to bring soul to his music.
The song starts off with a nice drum set and an upbeat guitar tempo that joins forces with an electronic beat giving the listener something that he or she can dance to. From the moment the song plays, it begins to capture the listener in its grasp. And the listener is completely on board.
“Don’t Feel Like Lovin’” is just the beginning of music from FØNX. This year expect to hear a lot more music from this independent artist. Keep up with him here.
by Jai'Tyria Hatton | Jan 23, 2018 | singles, wolf tracks
From Austin, Texas four man band Dryspell brings a new approach to the term ‘pop rock’ with their latest. “You Without Me” is the first single from the band’s new EP entitled More, which will debut on March 1st. Dryspell consists of band members Chad Doriocourt on guitar, Hunter Thompson on vocals and guitar, Samuel Jacobson on bass, and Hugh Vu on drums. The foursome formed and got the idea of their name after experiencing heartbreak.
From the moment “You Without Me” starts, the song will immediately grab the attention of the listener with the beginning guitar intro. The single sounds like true rock as the band pulls from the roots of garage rock.
“You Without Me” has a hint of pop underneath all of its rock sound. The song is about a relationship that is slowly disintegrating with the lead singer Thompson, hoping that it will overcome any differences that they may have. The song is very catchy. Not only is the beat memorable, but the lyrics are exceptionally well written. “You Without Me” is an exceptional starting single to the bands EP.
Dryspell’s new EP More will debut March 1st. Keep up with the band here.
by Katie Pugh | Jan 23, 2018 | singles, wolf tracks
“Torn Up” by Denny White effortlessly marries R&B vibes with futuristic synthesized beats. The layered textures of “Torn Up” instantly created an urge within me to move; without question I began nodding my head and swaying along to the uplifting sound.
White has worked with a plethora of notable artists including touring with Young The Giant, collaborating with OneRepublic’s Brent Kutzle, and penning songs for The Fray with Julia Michaels, Lukas Graham and Tiesto.
White’s warm, soulful, pop vocals coated over a smooth synth and drum mix draw listeners into the lyrics of the song which almost contradict the upbeat melody, adding an extra layer of complexity. This song flawlessly creates a bridge between yearning, anticipation, and hope.
“Torn Up” embodies a sense of vulnerability while effortlessly generating an infectiously catchy tune that grooves hard and gives any listener facing uncertainty feelings of promise and assurance.
Keep up with Denny White here.
by Kayla Hutton | Jan 23, 2018 | singles, wolf tracks
…..”Laugh in the Face of Darkness.”
This track is a moody, sexy, seductive almost darkly romantic song that belongs on The Lost Boys soundtrack, but in today’s day and age, I’d say the goth kids from South Park would do there face left, face right, hair flop dance to this. DATAROCK has taken those old 80’s synth sounds and brought them back. The lyrics have a Jim Morrison style in the way that it is written like a poem by some kind of a beautiful madman. This late-night candlelit anthem may even prove successful in a club with slow dancers silhouettes bleeding slowly through the sheets as the white light grows more intense then fades away.
However, if you were a little too intoxicated, you may get creeped out by the haunting perfectly panned sounds that are placed softly in the background on the remix version. Enough so that you may end up asking your friend “Did you hear that?” in a paranoid looking over your shoulder kind of way.
While “Laugh in the face of Darkness” goes down as smooth as that perfectly blended latte, don’t mistake the synth POP labeled genre for another bubble gum radio tune about a nasty break up. This is for all of you old school 80’s goths that know there is more to the genre than Soft Cell’s “Tainted Love.” DATAROCK isn’t just another one hit wonder label produced poser group. These guys have recreated and mastered the sounds of your glory days and did it justice.
Keep up with DATAROCK here.
by Meredith Schneider | Jan 23, 2018 | snapshot, visual
On Friday, January 19th, Courtship took the stage at The Truman in Kansas City, MO to open for the phenomenally fun Wombats. We were so in love with the photos at first glance, that we didn’t even bother editing them.
by Jai'Tyria Hatton | Jan 22, 2018 | singles, wolf tracks
It is insane to think that 2007 was literally just eleven years ago! 2007 may now be a thing of the past, however the music that came from that year lives on forever. Get ready for a little nostalgia because one particular song that debuted in 2007 is being re-released to the public. Le Rug’s “Gloss” is from their album Bleenex which was released in 2007.
“Gloss” is a fast-paced rock song that will catch your attention from its beginning tune. The song is catchy down from the vocals laid on the track to the beat that goes along with the song. The song sounds amazing on track so one can only imagine how great it would sound live.
The band is performing Friday, January 26th at 7:30pm in Brooklyn, New York. More details, information about this event and how to purchase tickets is available here.
by Jai'Tyria Hatton | Jan 22, 2018 | videos, wolf tracks
Musical duo Leslie Schott and Andrew Valenti of Holy Golden take you across the coastline in their new music video for their song “Arrival”. The duo met during a lunar eclipse on the island of Martha’s Vineyard. From there, they connected through music, thus forming Holy Golden. “Arrival” is the latest single from Holy Golden following their 2017 release The Licking River EP, which was well received amongst listeners.
Schott’s breathtaking vocals take over the track on “Arrival”. The music video starts out with the couple sailing in a rowboat on the coastline. The duo roams around the beach, reading stores, sharing bread and long gazes between one another. The video is fairly entertaining. They then have a romantic date on the beach that later takes an interesting turn.
The mood goes from being romantic to adventurous as the couple comes across a map with instructions. The video gives off positive vibes from the moment it begins, a mixture of romance and mystery of what the map entails.
“Arrival” is one of the latest songs from Holy Golden’s upcoming album Otherworld, which is available February 16th. Keep up with the act here.
