by Sadie Battle | Dec 2, 2020 | singles, wolf tracks
The indie pop world welcomes new talent Elise Eriksen with her debut single “Less” featuring Shoffy, a song already proving that new fans will only want more and more from this young and talented soul. Norway born, Manhattan raised and LA based; 17-year-old Elise Eriksen juggles her schoolwork with her passion for writing and recording songs. After devoting years to playing piano, refining her vocal skills, and honing her songwriting craft, the 17-year-old has mined inspiration from artists as eclectic as Stevie Nicks, Alicia Keys, and Don Toliver to form her own emotionally honest yet feel-good form of pop.
The bass-heavy grooves and subtle 80’s texturing on “Less” bittersweetly complement the verses Elise and Shoffy trade on feelings around growing apart in a relationship. Elise’s vocal presence is this bright, up-tempo force that stays with the listener throughout the entire song. The harmonious balance of the lyrics delivers the hope still within the relationship with this verse: “’Cause I want less space between us / Less room between our skin and the bed / Less ways to keep us / From drifting apart the way that we did.”
With more music to come, make sure to keep an eye on Elise as she gears up for an exciting 2021! Stream “Less” today and keep up to date with Elise Eriksen on her Instagram page.
by Tiffany Czech | Nov 27, 2020 | singles, wolf tracks
With her new single “Moonlight”, Gillian Heidi proves to her audience that she has both the talent to impress vocally and the ability to draw you in with catchy chorus melodies and stunning metaphors. What starts off as a gentle guitar strum and notes of insecurity turns into mid-tempo ballad about the feeling of security when looking into the eyes of somebody who shines light into your life. This security is not uninterrupted for Heidi. The track does not shy away from the fear that can still linger even in the most secure moments of our lives. It actually does a magnificent job of highlighting that the fear of the unknown with this person can be a fulfilling, promising experience.
In a stunning display of freedom, Gillian Heidi lets the world know loud and clear that she has the creativity to narrate a story that progresses from those starter nerves to a full-on prance around nature’s most beautiful displays. All in all, she really is the one taking darkness and turning it into moonlight.
by Tiffany Czech | Nov 27, 2020 | singles, wolf tracks
The critically acclaimed and Grammy-nominated band, Tank and The Bangas, have just put out their new EP, Friend Goals. Within this release sits the track “To Be Real”, a blissful ode to the joy of spending time with the group of people that brings out your favorite side of you. Created with the help of many fellow New Orleans-based artists, it acts as a bit of a narrative of what a typical weekend night out in the city is like. One may also speculate that the chorus feels like a longing for the time being described in the verses. Regardless, “To Be Real” paints the perfect picture of a fulfilling time with people we love.
Frontwoman Tarriona ‘Tank’ Ball says of the EP as a whole:
There are hair goals, body goals, but Tank and The Bangas are actual friend goals! This special EP is full of some of our favorite artists from New Orleans and around the globe. The fun, creative, energy is put into every track and each one is sure to have you dancing your quarantine blues away. We made this one just for you.
by Sadie Battle | Nov 25, 2020 | singles, wolf tracks
While clubs and after hour parties are still unfortunately on hold this year, there are no restrictions on anyone still craving music that channels a good time. New York reigning electro/rap artist Heather Hills is definitely serving up a good time with her new song “Get Dun”. Just over the four minute mark, it’s an infectious dance track blended with Hill’s witty, confident rap verses and a humble beat sprinkled with an 80’s twist. Her verse on getting ready shows off her high intensity and independent charm, “Treat it like a first date / Throw on the paint, brush out the mink / The lashes to blink, lip nude kinda pink”.
Heather Hills is on the artist lineup of Trans Trenderz, a black trans owned organization aiming to help trans artists achieve mainstream success while feeling empowered and respected for who they are. On being signed to this label, Hills was elated at the chance to truly be herself and make the music she wanted to. “Life taught me that everything that I am will hinder my progress. If I wanted to move forward successfully, I would have to mold myself into an ever-changing idea,” she says of her time putting out music before this new endeavor. “This opportunity, to me, presents itself as an award for always refusing to conform. It represents the value in following your OWN path and showing the world that what makes you different, makes you powerful”.
Stream “Get Dun” today, and check out the new music video for a euphoric look into her mood and style.
by Sabrina Thurber | Nov 25, 2020 | singles, wolf tracks
Ethereal, delicate, light — these are just some of the words that can be used to describe singer-songwriter Charlee Remitz’s new single, “Movie Theatre”. Within the first 20 seconds, the listener is warmly greeted by Remitz’s gently layered vocals and peaceful instrumentation.
The 21-year-old from Bozeman, Montana makes it all too easy for us to melt into the pleasantness of this track. Swooned by her Maggie Rogers-like-sound, Remitz’s voice embraces us, and makes us feel at home. This sentiment is contrasted, however, by the message behind her lyrics. While providing us with extreme warmth in her sound, Remitz simultaneously discusses much darker topics – mainly, the doomsday that our current world seems to resemble, and wanting to share such tumultuous times with another human being.
“Movie Theatre” comes from Remitz’s forthcoming album, Heaven’s a Scary Place, arriving on December 18. Her most recent album, Garden, was entirely self-written and produced and came to surface earlier this year.
by Elizabeth Schneider | Nov 24, 2020 | albums, review
The gift of music is always the best and I was recently gifted a vinyl remastered copy of Sign ‘O’ The Times by Prince. And it is the best.
Originally released on March 30, 1987, the re-release on September 25, 2020, was a much-anticipated balm for this year of canceled live tours and shows. The songs on Sign ‘O’ The Times sound as fresh as they felt to audiences 30 years ago. Prince created a tour de force with wide-ranging genres, rock-solid vocals, and lyrics that stand the test of time.
Although “Sign ‘O’ The Times” and “U Got The Look” were the two singles off the album that got the most attention, there are so many more choices that will become favorites on your playlists. “Play In The Sunshine” and “Housequake” are back-to-back songs designed to get you moving. “If I Were Your Girlfriend” also never disappoints.
I have discovered my own new favorites – “Starfish and Coffee” is one of those. Written by Prince with Susannah Melvoin, it sparkles with fun lyrics and bright beats. It’s catchy and surprising. Additionally, Prince performed it with The Muppets in 2016, which makes it that much better!
I have played Side B of Album number Two three times now while I write and I see a fourth play in my future. “The Cross”, “It’s Gonna Be A Beautiful Night” and “Adore” are the three songs on this side. They are completely different from each other, but each one is brilliant.
Sign ‘O’ The Times is becoming one of my favorite albums in my collection. Although I was aware of, and heard, all of these songs over the years, I had never purchased the album to listen to in its entirety . Now that I have it, I will make up for lost time.
by Tiffany Czech | Nov 23, 2020 | singles, wolf tracks
The new track from pop-rock band KITTEN has dropped, and it asks the question everybody seems to have on their mind these days. “What Year Are We In” is exactly the type of song that you may expect people to listen to years from now in order to get an idea of what life may have been like in the year 2020. Not only does it make the expected pandemic references, it also offers commentary on other various things that have come to shape the year like social justice movements, worry of climate change, and the fact that movies don’t really seem new anymore.
It isn’t only the lyrics that make you question the era. Sonically, the track is reminiscent of the 90s punk scene, a reminder that maybe none of these time periods are really all that far. KITTEN successfully solidifies any suspicions that 2020 is the year that seems to revisit other decades in a plethora of ways.
Brainchild Chloe Chaidez says:
It’s a bizarre time to be alive. We have history at our fingertips. Teenagers wear Joy Division t-shirts, and moms listen to Drake. ‘What Year Are We In?’ is a funny question to pose, but it also feels like the simplest way of conveying a feeling.
by ImperfectFifth | Nov 20, 2020 | albums, review
Hannah Grace has been praised by music legends like Lady Gaga, and you only have to press play on her new album, Remedy, to understand why. From top to bottom, this album is the story of finding and losing love, and in the end, becoming sure of yourself. Tracks like “Feels Like Home” and “Different Kind of Love” are the optimistic phase of falling in love. Both songs reflect on the past with the hope to move forward in what could be a safe and loving relationship. Grace does little to shy away from the more heartbreaking parts about falling in love, however. “Missing the Show” details the struggle of saying goodbye to a lover but recognizing that the back and forth has proven to be unsuccessful and therefore, it is time to move on. The more celebratory pieces like “Blue”, “How True Is Your Love”, and the darker layered “Live Like Love” represent the freedom and openness that we all long for in our lives.
With the help of radiant choirs, powerhouse vocals, and dance breaks when needed, Grace’s Remedy covers important ground when it comes to falling in and out of love. Not only does she give insights on how to love, but she also gives us an idea on how to heal.
by Sabrina Thurber | Nov 19, 2020 | premieres, wolf tracks
Stephen Patchan commands all attention with his new single, “Thank You for the Panic”.
The independently released track arrives under Patchan’s artist name, The Ceiling Stares, and most certainly accomplishes his goal of illustrating the madness that has been 2020.
With a jarring start and an abrupt ending, discomfort is just one of the many sentiments that this song evokes. The piece includes overlapping vocals, pulsating synths and fast-moving brass instrumentation — creating a similar ambience to what we would expect from Alt-J and Moon Hooch coming together for a genius, impromptu recording session. It becomes clear that Patchan has a knack for building tension, as he leads us to a dead stop that no one was expecting. Suddenly, we find ourselves being prompted to, quite literally, “go insane”.
I don’t know about you, but it’s not too often that I am encouraged to go crazy… Yet, I think Patchan is on the right path with this notion.
What this song proves is that, from time to time, chaos is good. And if anything, listening to a chaotic song might just make the rest of life seem a little bit less chaotic in comparison.
In “Thank You for the Panic”, the born and raised Los Angeleno uses his synth rock sound to illustrate the personal and societal angst this year has brought. Patchan takes inspiration from groups such as Wire and Yellow Magic Orchestra, and this track serves as a nod to Golden Age hip hop.
Patchan’s debut album, Wicked Problem, was released this past August.
