by Tiffany Czech | Oct 13, 2020 | singles, wolf tracks
Ireland’s Lucy Gaffney has crafted a pop/rock dream tune with her latest track, “Send Me Away”. Gaffney worked on the track alongside The Coral’s James Skelly, who produced it, as well as her brother, Thom Southern. The result is a tune that nods to greats like Carly Simon and The Cure, two of Gaffney’s musical influences. In no time after pressing play, you are welcomed into what feels like a mystical dreamland filled with love and hope. With synths that bring out the feeling of dancing along to the end credits of a coming of age film set in the 80s, “Send Me Away” can easily measure up to any timeless masterpiece.
There’s raw freedom that has been captured with this song. It’s the kind of freedom that comes with being young and in love and unsure of what the future holds. This feeling of fearlessness flows from the speakers the minute the music starts and carries all the way through to the final moments. Of the track, Gaffney says, “For me the track really encapsulates the dreamy element in the idea of love, getting lost in intoxicating moments and the electric excitement of the unknown.”
by Meredith Schneider | Oct 13, 2020 | singles, wolf tracks
Yes, that’s right. We got another powerful song about the change this country needs (desperately) to tantalize your earbuds with. While we all rev up for an important day in the United States, let’s celebrate the power behind our collective voice with powerhouse females. JoJo – the only JoJo that matters – released her new track “The Change” recently and the soulful single will inspire your intent, no matter what mood you started today in.
Let her goosebump-inducing vocals and words raise your confidence in what’s to come. We’re in this together, but it starts within each of us.
**Winner for possibly the cheesiest post we have ever published. Sorry – we are too invested in the current unrest to not feel validated by powerful anthems.
by Tiffany Czech | Oct 12, 2020 | albums, review
For anybody needing comfort on a dreary fall day, singer-songwriter ALIX has you covered with her new album, Feel Better. Filled with whimsical sounds splashed with springtime melodies, Feel Better is a collection of songs about feeling free despite some of the curve balls life throws at you.
“Easy Living” takes you on a trip to sunny California with a list of things that bring her the most joy. With a vibrant guitar riff, it has earned its place as the album’s opener. “Golden” is both one of the catchiest and happiest songs. It serves as a celebratory anthem that gives the green light for you to feel content about the place you have arrived at in your life. It can even be a pep talk. Just like life, Feel Better doesn’t come without its share of gripes. “Let’s Leave”, with the Los Angeles based pop group, 1323, offers the perspective of somebody begging to leave the party she is at to find something more worth her time.
ALIX has delivered an album about feeling content with love and life. Whether it is wishing a past love well like the NEZZA assisted “Good”, or finding someone who makes you happy like on “Satisfied”, Feel Better promises to be your companion through it all. ALIX says of the feel of the album: “I wanted to keep the sounds light, comforting and positive to symbolize a lifestyle I want to be dedicated to. But I wanted to include the humanity of needing to talk through feelings and turn frustration into constructive growth.”
by Tiffany Czech | Oct 9, 2020 | videos, wolf tracks
Relationships in the modern era are anything but simple. Because of social media and other ways that society sets standards, it can be hard to know what love is today. In his new video for “Listenin’”, Reggie Becton gives his perspective on what it is like to be a male navigating love in today’s culture while also confronting toxic masculinity and toxic relationships in general. With influences from past and present R&B artists, it is easy to be taken back to previous eras while also appreciating where music has gone since then.
The stunning visual illustrates the difficulties of being in love with someone when it isn’t easy to be with them for one reason or another. The two love interests appear to be physically separated by a wall, perhaps as a metaphor for how it feels to be in such a situation. This is likely to be the result of something much more complicated than one would initially be led to believe. The lyrics demonstrate that Becton struggles with conflicting thoughts about his emotions. It is evident from this and moments in the video, like the scene where he appears to be trying to work out a science experiment, that he is unsure which path to take when it comes to romance. Becton remains vulnerable when expressing his feelings about love and he does it in a stunning way throughout the entirety of the video. Perhaps many people his age identify with this very struggle.
by Tiffany Czech | Oct 8, 2020 | singles, wolf tracks
Michael Garmany grew up in the Bay Area where he was surrounded with a versatile range of artists including 2Pac, The Clash, and Social Distortion. Now, his own music is a reflection of the music he grew up with. This is evident upon listening to his new track, “Still Missing”.
Layered with elements of funk, R&B and psychedelic pop, the track starts off mild with a simple piano and bass as he sings about wanting something that he isn’t sure he is worthy of having. As the verse progresses, the melodies continue to get catchier. Once the chorus hits, the music speeds up and you’ll find yourself dancing along. The catchiness of the melodies is enhanced by various sonic choices throughout the song. These ear-catching additions, such as bells and hand claps, take the song to new heights. Drawing on personal experiences, Garmany is clear that he has been unable to find a love that works for him. During the more up-tempo portions, it might be easy to forget that he is singing about missing something from his life. With various influences present, it doesn’t sound like “Still Missing” is missing anything.
by Tiffany Czech | Oct 8, 2020 | premieres, videos
In the new music video for his song “My Mind”, Trent Toney creates an intriguing visual where he and the subject of all of his woes are replaced by two stuffed animals. This silly interpretation of the track should not take away from the heartbreaking words that he sings, however. In the simplest sense, it is a breakup song. With a dominant guitar, Toney sings about how unbearable it is to go on without his former love. At first glance, it might seem like using stuffed animals takes away from the sadness of the lyrics.
When listening and watching further, the song is loud and clear about how heartbreaking it is to go through a breakup. The video paints this picture well. From going through an old pile of photos from the relationship to trying to keep oneself busy by doing household chores or taking a long drive, Toney does an incredible job of creating imagery that the viewer can identify with. Through a blend of lighthearted storytelling and heart wrenching lyrics, this video is the perfect balance of emotions. It is also a great reminder that animals make perfect music video stars.
by Tiffany Czech | Oct 6, 2020 | albums, review
Gray may be a good way to describe 2020, or the color of the sky on a rainy fall day, but it is also the title of the new album from Byland. Led by Alie Byland, Gray gives full permission to pace around your bedroom on your first listen, unable to believe that each song blows you away as you pace your way through the 10-track release. The first of these is “Passed Me By”, which comes equipped with a gentle drum beat and chilling piano as we hear the story of a girl struggling with her newfound loneliness. “Mine” comes along later as the singer bravely admits that she is unable to give people as much as they seem to want from her. Then comes the haunting “Grow Old With Me”, which reaches its most impressive moment during the last minute as she admits that her anxiety and loneliness have taken hold of her life. The album closes out with “Did I Win When I Won”, a raw guitar track that sounds like a voice memo recorded on a cellphone. As the shortest song, it serves as a simple outro that leaves the listener wanting more.
Lyrically and sonically, every inch of this album is chilling and beautiful. By the end, you will feel invited to start listening from the top because you want to fully immerse yourself into every word and understand the emotionally complex world Byland have created. At its core, Gray is a very human album.
by Meredith Schneider | Oct 6, 2020 | singles, soundtrack
Hi. It’s October. That’s really all the energy I have for this one. (But the following new release music videos by Nadia Vaeh, Rebekah Fitch, Priya Ragu, Jessie Reyez, Maren Morris, Evie Irie, Black Pink, and more are worth checking out. So… do that.)
by Tiffany Czech | Oct 5, 2020 | singles, wolf tracks
Constant criticism about the way you live your life suck, and Philadelphia-based rock group Humilitarian want listeners to know that they understand the feeling on their new track, “She Said”. It happens to be one of the first songs the band completed together. As a band, Humilitarian are influenced by indie rock, which is clear from the moment you press play on their latest release.
“She Said” paints the picture of someone who struggles with letting go of any negative feelings that come with opinions that were not even asked for in the first place. It makes it clear how it feels to be fed up with being told everything you are doing is somehow a misstep. Throughout the emo-rock track, we learn that this person struggles with defending herself against unwanted commentary and that she knows she deserves to live her life unapologetically. Nearing the end, the song becomes an anthem for those who feel the same way as the listener is encouraged to reject these criticisms and just live. With clever lyrics and catchy melodies, it is easy to put on replay. It empowers and comforts while also getting out some frustration in the process.
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Facebook: @humilitarian.phl
