robyn, honey

robyn, honey

Swedish pop icon Robyn releases her highly anticipated new album Honey today, and we’ve been counting down the seconds until its release. The 9 track stunner stays true to Robyn’s glittering personality, wrapping her ethereal voice up in electronic instrumentals that feel, quite honestly, out of this world. While initial track “Missing You” feels like the sequel to 2010’s “Dancing On My Own”, “Human Being” features Zhala and feels earthy, more primal in its disposition. “Because It’s In The Music” has a throwback feel to it, “Baby Forgive Me” plays with some disco-era sounds while maintaining a fresh, pop/r&b feel, while “Send To Robin Immediately” is a whole other beast entirely, toying with dissonance and establishing itself as an inspirational dance track.

We reach “Honey” in the 6th slot on this collection. the track itself feeling as smooth as its namesake. This song is summer reincarnate, and we’re thinking we might be clinging onto it as the weather gets colder and daylight gets shorter. “Between The Lines” feels like the soft EDM track that a swanky hotel would play in their lobby, and that’s not a bad thing. Its beat captivates you, and sends you into a tailspin while “Beach 2k20” fuses island vibes with dissonance, spoken word, and simplified beach lingo. Honey is rounded out with ninth track “Ever Again”, which brings us back into an upbeat, disco-infused electronic dance space with lyrics that evoke confidence and tell a tale of learning from one’s past. It’s a message that will last, especially with such a catchy melody.

Keep up with Robyn here.

taco mouth, a deafening silence

taco mouth, a deafening silence

Nashville-based rock collective Taco Mouth – comprised of Erica Sellers (Vocals/Guitar), Shawn Hammer (Guitar), Flip Cooper (Bass), and Angela Lese (Drums/BGVs) – releases their new, hard-hitting, 10-track full-length A Deafening Silence today. We’ve been particularly excited about this release, as it ushers in an energy we’ve been ready for.

Keep up with Taco Mouth here.

kitten, fitness @ brew at the zoo 2018

kitten, fitness @ brew at the zoo 2018

On October 20th, Kansas City’s 96.5 The Buzz hosted Brew at The Zoo & Wine Too at The Kansas City Zoo. This year, thousands from across the metropolitan area gathered to taste test wine new brews, enjoy full pours from more than 45 breweries, try out a mixed drink or two, enjoy live music and a night of frivolity, all in the name of the giraffes. Kitten headlined, with Fitness supporting while onlookers enjoyed a spirited, enigmatic performance from each.

young the giant, mirror master

young the giant, mirror master

Having become a household name due to their unique sound and incredible live performance tactics, it is no surprise that the release of Young The Giant‘s new album Mirror Master was met with great excitement in the music community. The Los Angeles quintet – comprised of Sameer Gadhia (vocals), Jacob Tilley (guitar), Eric Cannata (guitar/vocals), Payam Doostzadeh (bass), and Francois Comtois (drums/vocals) – has created 12 gorgeous tracks that will keep your ears perked and begging for more from the very first light, voluptuous lines of “Superposition”. Through the heavy guitar of “Simplify”, to the smooth sounds of “Call Me Back”, to the end of “Heat of the Summer” – which, to its credit, gives off that nostalgic, balmy summer vibe – Young The Giant has taken this opportunity to take you on a true audio adventure through genres, pulling inspiration from many soundscapes.

While “Oblivion” boasts a slight theatrical tinge to its rock roots, “Darkest Shade of Blue” slows everything down to a haunting, poetic crawl before picking up exponentially throughout “Brother’s Keeper”. “Glory” gives off a soulful vibe, a warmth not particularly noticed in its predecessors, as both “Tightrope” and “Panoramic Girl” re-introduce the head bobbing tempo we’re so fond of from this particular act. “You + I” has a glittery feel to it – perhaps most notable in the simplistic, puppy love-like lyrics – and the title track rounds out the collection with the most layered, danceable feel to the entire album.

Keep up with Young The Giant here.

astralingua, “plunge”

astralingua, “plunge”

Space folk duo Astralingua – comprised of Joseph Andrew Thompson and Anne Rose Thompson – recently released a captivating, artful black and white visual to accompany their single “Plunge”. The video depicts people of all cultures dancing, while the song plays in the background. “Plunge” has been explained as a track about having courage no matter what, which aligns perfectly with the title and the fun dance moves utilized. The instrumentals have a bit of yesteryear flavor, with a dash of “Eleanor Rigby”-era Beatles to accompany them. We’re big fans of the sound, as it’s a fresh take on confidence than what we have heard as of late.

Keep up with Astralingua here.

cyn @ the truman

cyn @ the truman

On October 17th, the stylish powerhouse CYN opened for Years & Years at The Truman in Kansas City, MO. We nabbed a few key shots to make you feel like you were there, front row, enjoying her thrilling live set.

Keep up with CYN here.

years & years @ the truman

years & years @ the truman

On October 17th, The Truman in Kansas City, MO welcomed the incredible Years & Years to the stage, following an absolutely gorgeous set from opener CYN. We nabbed photos of both to make you feel like you were there, and our Years & Years snaps can be found below!

Keep up with Years & Years here!

shockpowder, “airy”

shockpowder, “airy”

Today, post-metal trio Shockpowder – expertly comprised of Joshua Scurfield (guitar/vocals), Alasdair Spence (bass), and Louie Watson (drums) – releases their latest track “Airy”. The track blends their normal grungier sound with a sound that is very much reflective of its title, opening with a lighter, more feel-good sound that then layers in some rougher, heavy-hitting instrumentals. It’s a dichotomy that translates gorgeously, and we’re big, big fans.

Keep up with Shockpowder here.

sure sure heads out on fall tour, set to play recordbar on november 2

sure sure heads out on fall tour, set to play recordbar on november 2

Los Angeles-based alt-rock project Sure Sure has been making waves lately. The four man project has over 14 million Spotify plays, has hit #1 on Hype Machine, and had the opportunity to perform on the ESPYs Red Carpet on ESPN. Their latest single “Lie Lie Lie” has been played on KCRW’s Morning Becomes Eclectic and SiriusXM’s Alt Nation, and the recently released video is a gem, showing us a bit of each of the band members’ personalities in a Brady Bunch-esque, simple and stunning way.

On November 2nd, Sure Sure will take the stage at recordBar in Kansas City with support from the indelible Wilderado, and we absolutely cannot wait. (We might have been saving up our pennies for some of this rad merch for a hot second, and we highly suggest you do to!) This 18+ show still has tickets available, and you’ll want to nab yours before they sell out!

Get better acquainted with their music before the show, check out the remaining tour dates here, and be sure to keep up with Sure Sure here.