by Leigha Stuiso | Jul 17, 2020 | albums, review
Laraaji is cracking open a new chapter in his music with his latest project Sun Piano. The twelve-track album reveals a whole new side to his sound for longtime listeners. From an early age, he had been playing music originally imitating his favorite piano players, such as Fats Domino or Oscar Peterson. Since the late 1970s, Laraaji has been a loved cult-icon based in New York City This is just another chapter in his story, so take a deep dive into Sun Piano.
Sun Piano begins calm, easing you into the album. “Hold On To The Vision” is soft and beautifully composed, the perfect track to play in the morning while you get ready for your day. Throughout the album, Laraaji picks up speed on tracks like “Shenandoah” and “Moods & Emotions”, with various tempos and style. “Moods & Emotions” stands out the most among the others. Through the notes of hard hitting keys, there definitely are tons of moods and emotions on this track. “Resonance” is almost six minutes long, weaving in and out of different keys and showing a range of emotions. The sound, especially on this track, is very rich and doesn’t even come close to falling flat. Closing out with “Embracing Timeless” wraps everything up and returns to a familiar calming sound introduced in the beginning. The uplifting are sure to soothe your soul.
His instrumental accomplishments are unmatched and show the craft has evolved, growing stronger with every release. Listening to this album is sure to put you in a relaxing mood and you can truly appreciate Laraaji’s talent. The rhythm and varying textures is a skill that he has perfected since the 80s. This is the first release in a trilogy all tracked at the same session. The companion LP, Moon Piano, will follow sometime later in 2020.
Keep up with Laraaji here.
by Meredith Schneider | Jul 17, 2020 | albums, review
The masterful work of artist Thomas Arndt has been unleashed upon us with the new album from his solo project, Another Magic. The twelve-track release – Sunderwater/Underwater Sun – dropped today, and we know you will be enveloped in a unique atmosphere from start to finish. With percussion-driven initial tracks “Sites * Bones/Free” and “Breaking Promises,” we get a sense of the transformation Arndt went through while connecting with this project. All we want to do is dance and feel and breathe. “(Gone)” presents itself as a slowdown, notable for the saxophone and melancholy feel. “Set It Off” brings the pace back up, a track we can see being played at your next (socially distanced) outdoor barbecue event. (It’s so good, right?)
The rhythm and the introspective lyrics in “Want to Feel” make this one of the most relatable songs on the release. As Arndt sings of wanting these things, this sense of humanity cascades around you with the music. At a time when everyone is trying to be better and to feel in different ways, this track speaks to us. “Can the Body” takes a slower pace again, a more meandering track that leads beautifully into “Not Loud Enough.” It is at this point that the structure of the tracks comes alive because you can see how Sunderwater/Underwater Sun plays with pace and layers to present a robust audio adventure.
And just like that, “Ocean Goes” offers a reprieve from the cacophony of instrumentals in its predecessor, incorporating sounds that add a sense of tranquility to the atmosphere. It still feels quirky, almost imbalanced, but done so in such an intentional way that we can do nothing but appreciate the humanity in it. “Here (Like Love)” and “Stolen” maintain similar ambiance, whereas “Lost in the Future” takes on an almost Andrew McMahon-feel to parts of it, examining more than just the present moment in its lyrics. “Show for It” rounds everything out quite nicely, once again bringing us back to relatable lyrics, a slower – more calculated – pace, and existentialism laced throughout.
Don’t take our word for it. Take the album for a test drive. Let us know what you think.
by Meredith Schneider | Jul 16, 2020 | videos, wolf tracks
Kacy Hill released her new album Is It Selfish If We Talk About Me Again on July 10th, and we’ve been wrapping ourselves in its loving embrace ever since. But the official music video for “Everybody’s Mother” dropped recently, and we’re absolutely floored by the beauty.
Beauty in the color palette — look at those gorgeous oranges and greens — and in the artist’s bone structure. But aside from that, beauty in her movement, her lyrics, her vocals. There is both a helplessness and a hopefulness in her eyes that is so relatable, so emotional, so vulnerable. And this sense of loneliness has been amplified in recent months for absolutely everyone. So, for the first time in Imperfect Fifth history, I’m going to let the delicate lyrics and vibrant video speak for themselves.
I’m staring at the ceiling no sleep
Thinking what I’d do if you forget me
I know I can be a lot, but I just wanna talk
I just wanna give you all I’ve got, I need distractions
I’d do anything, do anything for a reaction
I’m everybody’s mother and nobody’s baby
been giving too much to feel lonely lately
And I think that I care more than you do, maybe
I’m everybody’s mother and nobody’s baby
Maybe I’m afraid of what’s next
Maybe I’m afraid of success
Am I even making sense?
I’m just asking for a friend
I wanna say it really doesn’t matter, but it’s deeper
The hours everyday move way too slow until I need them
I’m everybody’s mother and nobody’s baby
been giving too much to feel lonely lately
And I think that I care more than you do, maybe
I’m everybody’s mother and nobody’s baby
by Katy Mombourquette | Jul 16, 2020 | premieres, singles, videos, wolf tracks
Toronto-based R&B dancehall artist Lexxicon will soon be releasing a single and video from his upcoming EP Tropical R&B, called “I Don’t Deserve You.” Lexxicon is known for fusing his Jamaican roots with pop and world music genres. For this single, the producer, singer, and songwriter used this fusion to create an ultramodern ambiance that combines the genres of dancehall and electro-R&B. The track hones in on the feelings of desolation and detachment that loom over us during quarantine. Lexxicon found solace in the moodiness of R&B and decided to use it to express his feelings during the lockdown when he wrote Tropical R&B. As he reminisced about better days in the past, he developed “I Don’t Deserve You” to be about finding someone who you can brave the world with. The song is bittersweet, however, because although it expresses a deep love, a feeling of unworthiness is also present. “Sometimes when you finally get the love you deserve you don’t know how to accept it and you feel unworthy,” says Lexxicon.
A somber tone engulfs the music video. It alternates between several different scenes, but Lexxicon is alone in each one. His melancholic vocals gently sound in places like a vacant street or empty home. The loneliness in these settings is augmented by the somewhat sparse texture of the music. Some scenes are under a cover of darkness, others are a room with a soft red light. Even Lexxicon’s facial expressions are solemn, his eyes staring into the camera with a look of poignant longing. There is also a subtle tension within both the music and video. Flickers of overlaid patterns, colours, and scenes put you slightly on edge, and the buoyant beat and melodic ornaments clash against another, gloomier countermelody. On top of the rich scene-setting provided by the visuals and music, Lexxicon’s lyrics are compelling and all-embracing.
To listen to “I Don’t Deserve You” is to feel understood in these trying times. Stream it and watch the video when they are released this Friday, July 17th.
by Meredith Schneider | Jul 15, 2020 | soundtrack, videos
Every morning, news headlines basically present us with nightmares. Every day, just another nightmare. Wake up, a nightmare. Go to bed, probably also a nightmare. Not cool. So, we took it upon ourselves to give you better visuals to get you through your day. Below, find incredible new video releases from an array of talented artists. And don’t just take our word for it, discover your new favorite by pressing “PLAY.”
Trust us, you want an escape from your brain too.
by Katy Mombourquette | Jul 15, 2020 | videos, wolf tracks
The illustrious Tayla Parx is gracing the world once again with a video for her recent single “Dance Alone.” Parx has an extensive collection of achievements under her belt: Grammy nominations for her work on Ariana Grande’s hits “thank u, next,” “7 Rings” and “My Everything”, Janelle Monáe’s Dirty Computer, Christina Aguilera’s “Like I Do” featuring GoldLink, The Internet’s “Ego Death” and Hairspray; guest performances on Lizzo and Anderson .Paak’s tours, and the establishment of a songwriting camp called “Burnout.” She was born in Dallas where she trained with the legendary choreographer Debbie Allen. After sharpening her skills in LA, Parx released her mixtape TaylaMade in 2017, which now has over 25 million streams. By the time she released her debut album We Need To Talk in 2019, she had already become the first female songwriter to have three simultaneous top 10 songs in the Billboard Hot 100 since 2014: “7 Sings”, “thank u, next”, and Panic! At The Disco’s “High Hopes.” We Need To Talk itself was lauded by critics from The New York Times, Rolling Stone Magazine, and more. The album held characteristics that we also hear in “Dance Alone”: playfulness, a conversational tone, the blend of pop, R&B, and traces of rap, and high notes not unlike those of Grande herself. Parx is a creative powerhouse, already gearing up to release her new album Coping Mechanisms later this year.
The video for “Dance Alone” ties in with the concept of coping mechanisms as well. To cope with quarantine and social isolation, Parx offers a breezy video of her dancing at home in her pajamas. She says “We need human connection, but at least when you’re home dancing in your pajamas while blasting your favorite song, you feel a little less alone.” The video is captivating, drawing you in with an adorable dog shot at the beginning, then keeping your attention as you watch Parx move through her home in elegant pajamas, bathed in dreamlike purple and blue light. Her smooth and carefree moves put a smile on your face. The music is made up of funky bass, guitar, and drums and provides an infectious groove for her to dance to. But instead of the music being simply a foundation for her to maneuver upon, the two feel more like distinct equals, like they are keeping each other company. Parx’s vocals are spectacular as well. She attacks her high notes precisely and deftly, with no need to prepare. They are like little gems that give the track an extra sense of enchantment.
“Dance Alone” is sure to have you dancing the quarantine blues away in no time. Get your dose of sunshine here.
by Katy Mombourquette | Jul 14, 2020 | videos, wolf tracks
Jenny March, a Los Angeles based rising singer/songwriter, has released her first single off her forthcoming EP: “November Nights.” This moody track and accompanying music video are inspired by a past relationship, one that maybe wasn’t very healthy but the longing for love and validation made it addicting nonetheless. “November Nights” has March’s signature personal and electrifying sound that empowers girls to have fun. Whether that means going out and partying or anything else that they enjoy, March’s music encourages them to go for it, regardless of what other people think.
The music video is a picture of glamour. March’s several stylish outfits, her dazzling “BABE” choker, and the flashing lights and nighttime setting all point to the partying atmosphere that she unapologetically enjoys. But the inky night that pervades through every shot also reveals some darker undertones, reminding us of the compulsive relationship which “November Nights” was inspired by. From a musical perspective, this song is minimalistic pop that exudes feminine power. There is only an inkling of background music, but this music lays the groundwork for March’s voice and lyrics to really shine. Her lyrics affirm her self-proclaimed reputation as an “open-book” artist, dealing with this deep topic in an approachable way, writing lyrics as though she’s texting.
Watch the video for “November Nights” here, and be sure to check out March’s non-musical endeavors as well! In her weekly Instagram live show “Wednesday Sessions,” March brings in an artist to perform and engage with. She will also be a social ambassador for Rihanna’s SAVAGExFENTY line, giving her an opportunity to combine her love of music with her obviously stellar fashion sense that we see in the “November Nights” music video. She certainly is on the rise, and you’ll want to catch her on her way up.
by Meredith Schneider | Jul 13, 2020 | albums, review
Close your eyes and press play. The lush, tranquil sounds that burst forth from your speakers make it feel like there is another layer to your reality. And that is all before the smooth-as-honey vocals cut in, compliments of Los Angeles-based songwriter & producer RYTERBAND. In a world where everyone’s timelines seem to be upside-down and inside-out, this is the type of music we need. Songs like “Stay Awake” have the propensity to offer an escape, as well as a reminder on how to handle yourself in your current atmosphere.
As his debut offering, Undefended boasts catchy hooks, a vibrant disposition, and twinkling after-effects. Lines like “You move like dust in the sunlight” – found at the beginning of second track “Brilliant Eyes” – are absolutely drenched in poeticism. But delve into how RYTERBAND plays with dissonance in “Lighthouse,” and I dare you not to be moved to tears.
Take a dive into any one of these tracks. The layers that exist, the way the sound seems to encapsulate you and carry you around on its back. There’s something primal somehow entrenched within this electro-infused set of tracks that tugs at you, something that makes it clear that if this is just the beginning, there is simply more intrinsic beauty to come from this talented musician.
by Leigha Stuiso | Jul 13, 2020 | singles, wolf tracks
Sometimes we face challenges in life and these struggles tend to be portrayed negatively or stereotyped. Artist Dan Croll is no stranger to the feeling and is upfront about how mental health has affected his life, showing the struggles he has faced. “Hit Your Limit” emphasizes the need for each of us to offer empathy to anyone who has run out steam. Now, artists are more open about their struggles, but not many tend to tackle these issues in their songs like Croll does. Not only does he give us these songs, but he has a Dial Dan line which provides an outlet for those who need help easing the pressures of loneliness. Embracing his emotions has created such a positive environment for not only him but for a whole community of people.
Croll’s soothing voice makes for easy listening, in addition to the light instrumentals. The track sounds like it could be a part of a coming of age movie when the main character is reaching their breaking point. “Everyone succumbs, everyone’s got their point/everybody bends and breaks/believe me when I say it’s as clear as night and day / you’ve hit your limit” These personal, yet encouraging lyrics are meant to calm people’s fears. Everyone needs this reassurance, especially in a time like the one we are in right now.
