by Meredith Schneider | Feb 28, 2020 | albums, review
As if we hadn’t been blessed enough this week, Munich-based pop rock quartet KYTES – expertly comprised of Michael Spieler, Kerim Öke, Timothy Lush, and Thomas Sedlacek – releases their new album Good Luck today. Eleven power-infused pop tracks, replete with punchy lyrics and accented vocals are about to put you in the best mood ever, despite some of the subject matters. Like first track “Runaway”, for example, during which we hear the protagonist either setting boundaries with a conflicted relationship, or acknowledging his runner mentality in life. Either way, we start on a highly relatable note, and that doesn’t fade as we melt into the 80s-inspired work.
“Go Out” keeps the energy going at the same pace, while the coming of “Emily” leads us into what we would prefer to identify as a quintessential ambient love song. A sense of nostalgia is established within the lyrics, leading perfectly into the highly danceable “Take Me Home”. “Want You Back” comes in with a slight disco feel, the guitar parts absolutely standout. While “Alright” doesn’t exactly convince us that he is quite alright, “Shot of Love” has a very Fine Young Cannibals’ “She Drives Me Crazy” feel to it over spans of verses.
“Like a Dream” is as sticky sweet as the title would suggest, “Fast Life” is a bit quirkier in both composition and lyrical content, and will definitely get you on your feet, while “Wheel” is the defining ballad of the album. Bonus track “Livin’ in Havana” serves as our last sounds from this euphoric release, and it puts us in such vacation mode that we are almost looking forward to our next two days off… even if that means we are midwest-bound.
Keep up with KYTES here.
by Kendal Chandler | Feb 28, 2020 | singles, wolf tracks
Americana sibling duo me&you release their new single “S.O.L”– which stands for “shit outta luck”– and in the case of this song, it’s in reference to bad timing of a relationship. The track is a country-folk, shows the complexity of a relationship, when one person is in another place compared to the other. “S.O.L” is also a track with a slow burn. It starts off simply and slowly builds, where it seems to peak in the chorus.
Siblings Karlee and Connor Hormell have been playing music together since they were kids. me&you project came into place after a month-long trip traveling through the backcountry of New Zealand in a camper van. Karlee explains their band name comes from something the two would always tell each other, “All we have is me and you.”
Keep up with me&you here.
by Meredith Schneider | Feb 27, 2020 | videos, wolf tracks
From the freezing forests of Norway emerges your new favorite ambience-inducing producer, a truly talented artist named Ruben Dawnson. His single “FYALMA” may seem a little jarring lyrically, but it is totally an anthem for those fighting anxiety. This is the unifying song we all needed even if we didn’t realize it. Admits the artist”
This is by far the most liberating song I’ve ever written! It’s a big fuck you anthem to anxiety! Like many others I’ve been struggling with it for a long time… hopefully this can lift people’s spirit and I hope people will connect with it and scream out the lyrics!! I really want it to reach as many as possible and help create a big “fuck you” wave towards anxiety!! I know it won’t solve any deep issues people might have, but hopefully it can make someone feel less lonely.
Dawnson just released the accompanying music video, which can be seen below. Watch as he runs around town, looking similar to the feelings those of us struggling with anxiety hold inside. Not only does this video feel a bit chaotic, but it’s also very inviting. Get your fresh air. Get outside and move. Break away from yourself sometimes.
What do you find powerful about this song and video? Let us know on Facebook!
Keep up with Ruben Dawnson here.
by Kendal Chandler | Feb 27, 2020 | singles, wolf tracks
Danish retro indie pop artist Favor releases new single “Soda”, which is a look at addiction through the eyes of the child. Under the name Favor, Jeppe Gande, shows off how he can create very own lyrical universe through his writing.
By addiction, Gande is referring to obsessions, like relationships, nights out, social media and work. “Soda” is his look back to the times of being a naive child – when the world was your playground and your life was not cluttered with responsibilities and commitments. Gande views childhood as a time ruled by innocence, and adulthood ruled with obsession.
“Soda” is off Favor’s upcoming album Crush out March 27.
by Meredith Schneider | Feb 26, 2020 | singles, wolf tracks
Have you ever been so thrilled with the way a song makes you FEEL THE EMOTIONS that you just want to shout it from the rooftops? With dark, brooding vocals, an incredible amount of dismal attitude, and whirring guitars, The Great Dictators bring us new track “Play Dead Together”, which is sonically just as morbid as its title suggests. Past the initial impression, it is a love song at its core, and sweet in a sinister and beautiful way.
To truly understand what any of this means, of course, you have to take a listen for yourself. So check it out, and check back in with us over on Facebook with your thoughts!
Keep up with The Great Dictators here.
by Kendal Chandler | Feb 26, 2020 | singles, wolf tracks
Los Angeles based artist Suzy & the Lifeguard released their newest single “Take it Slow” off upcoming EP ANIMA out May 1. “Take it Slow” is a look at the dichotomy between longing for love and falling to lust. This contrast of love and lust is shown within the vocals and the musical arrangement. The vocals are sultry and flirty teasing at the dark corners of this split. The horns used in the composition bring visions of forbidden romance, something that is both infatuating and dangerous.
“Take it Slow” is composed of lyrics of seduction and regret. With words that emanate a desire for love, our hearts break. “We both we’ll take it slow / As I am taking you back home,” is soon followed by feelings of remorse, “Nobody wins when we play games.” This back and forth creates a look at that rocky line between love and lust, when it turns, and what happens because of it.
Keep up with Suzy & The Lifeguard here.
by Kendal Chandler | Feb 25, 2020 | singles, wolf tracks
El-Paso based outfit Sparta release their newest single “Empty Houses” off their upcoming album Trust the River set to drop April 10. This is Sparta’s release since their 2006 album Three’s.
This electrified post-hardcore track is accompanied with an animation music video. The track centers around the lasting effects of the market crash, playing with the emotions of fear and anxiety of that time.
The video depicts a body with a house as a head running through destruction, trying to find solace while the house is also on fire. The idea of “Empty Houses” looks out how those affected coped with the upheaval and what became of those houses that were left vacant because of it.
Keep up with Sparta here.
by Kendal Chandler | Feb 25, 2020 | singles, wolf tracks
22-year-old LA native Jensen McRae releases first single and announces debut project. McRae truly dives into sensitive topics in her music, such as love, race, and the adversities of being a woman. We are huge fans of her new track, and not just because it is named for this section of the site. (Wink wink!)
“Wolves” is a deep emotional track, a look at getting forced into negative encounters with men. Referring to men as wolves and dangers they can hold, and the lasting effects these encounters have.
McRae’s powerful and emotional vocals carry the song, accompanied by a steady guitar pattern. These guitar notes never change, all build up and power in this song is left to McRae’s vocals. Having just the vocals carry the track gives more weight and emotion to the lyrics themselves, with McRae giving her voice all the power can be seen a metaphorical choice as her songwriting allows her to speak for those with similar stories who may not be able to speak for themselves.
Keep up with McRae here.
by Kendal Chandler | Feb 24, 2020 | videos, wolf tracks
French-Israeli singer-songwriter Yael Naim returns with a mystical new single and video for “Shine” off her upcoming album NightSongs, out March 20th. The video showcases Naim moving on a BOSU ball in a striking ballet-like style. Choreographed by performance artist and acrobat Yoann Bourgeois, Naim’s movements make her look as if she is defying gravity. This movement is accompanied by the use of shadows and sporadic lighting, created by Director of Photography Martim Vian.
The upcoming album centers around acceptance – of circumstance, self, relationships, and life. Naim process for writing the album was a look inward and writing at night – “when no one sees you, you can do things that aren’t allowed. I had what I called ‘night feelings’, and songs that I eventually called NightSongs.”
Keep up with Yael Naim here.
