by Karina Marquez | Apr 10, 2019 | albums, review
BETWEEN FRIENDS’ latest EP is, to put it simply, good pop music. we just need some time together is the product of brother/sister duo Savannah and Brandon Hudson, along with drummer Brennan Benko. Together, they capture the essence of LA youth and the ability to view their art through the lens of dreamy, carefree pop songs.
The EP is a slice of the colorful contemporary fantasy, and everything about it, from the song titles to the floral album art to the absence of capital letters, screams cool. Tracks like “iloveyou” and “better friends” are dangerously catchy would fit seamlessly in the world of today’s top 40, with its distinct synthesized production. Each song comes with its own electric beat and memorable hooks, but there are also more emotionally compelling, relatable moments. One of the things that stood out to me was a lyric that is repeated throughout “affection:”
“I’m laying on the floor, we’re drinking ‘cause we’re bored.”
These words, paired with quiet harmonies and a tripped out guitar riff, created such an atmospheric sound that made this my favorite track. Ultimately, the EP ends with “blushing!” and the presence of a reassurance in the form of romantic lyrics:
“I see you, we watch stars on the pavement,
I kinda like your face.”
we just need some time together is the perfect summer record, capturing the feeling of being young, in love, and completely and utterly carefree.
Listen to the EP here, and keep up with the band here.
by ImperfectFifth | Apr 10, 2019 | soundtrack, wolf tracks
I created this collection of songs because they represent what inspires me in music. They all have an essence of authenticity. It’s that mix of an infectious melody and a rebellious spirit that ultimately drives me as an artist, and influenced my upcoming second album, True Nature.
I included “Electric Chapel” by Lady Gaga because she inspired me tremendously when I was 17 and decided I was going to be a pop star. That song is so specific to her. I love the twisted romance of it all, and the distorted guitar that ties the whole song together.
When I was 18 and moved to New York City, David Bowie, Prince, and Madonna became the soundtrack to my life. I have vivid memories of listening to “Rebel, Rebel” in my headphones while strutting through the East Village, or sitting in my dorm room at night watching Madonna’s early music videos.
I had to include one of my favorites by Chet Baker. Once I was a senior in college, I began writing songs more prolifically than ever, and I would let the smoothness of Chet’s singing and trumpet playing guide me. I also included my favorite song of mine, “Luvline”, off my new record out this Spring. “Luvline” is my favorite track of mine because it sounds like my heart is singing, even when I hear it now, and that’s how I feel about the songs I chose for this playlist. I’m attracted to music that doesn’t hide from the truth, and these songs are a piece of the artist’s soul.
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Keep up with Wilder Daze here.
by Meredith Schneider | Apr 10, 2019 | snapshot, visual
On Sunday, April 7th, The Coathangers made an energetic, impressive performance at recordBar in Kansas City, MO. It was the bookend to a gorgeous spring weekend, keeping the crowd on their feet and dancing late into the evening.
Keep up with The Coathangers here.
by Meredith Schneider | Apr 8, 2019 | singles, wolf tracks
As an up-and-coming alternative pop musician in South East London, Little Pale has her work cut out for her. But she seems to be taking it all in stride, having just released a re-imagined version The Stone Roses’ “I Wanna Be Adored”. In this particular track, she has taken the rock perspective out almost completely, and replaced it with an ambient, gorgeous kaleidoscope of sounds that perfectly cradle her effervescent vocals.
Says Little Pale of choosing this particular song to cover: “I came to this song quite late and found its lyrics to be especially poignant, more so now than ever, in the context of social media and its influence/rs”.
Keep up with Little Pale here.
by Karina Marquez | Apr 5, 2019 | albums, review
UK-based band Saltwater Sun’s newly released EP may only have three songs, but each one is unique and provides a truly electric listening experience. “Trying” is the funky opening track with some really great guitar riffs paired with a showcase of lead singer Jen Stearnes’ strong vocals – especially towards the end of the song as she belts out a disclaimer about somebody she can’t seem to forget about:
“It goes to show that’s the way I go on, still thinking about you.”
“The Great Deceiver” serves as the title track and has a more subdued vibe compared to the rest of the EP, but that doesn’t mean the lyrics are any less biting. As the title suggests, the song is all about how we are our own great deceiver. And amidst the indie pop sound, the lyrics explore the ideas of self-worth and confidence.
The final song, “Blood,” was my favorite of the three tracks. It opens up with an atmospheric ten seconds before bursting through with an alternative rock song that fills you up with a catchy guitar jam and deeply existential lyrics. It’s energetic in the way an uplifting pop song is, but deals with the angst of personal loss. Stearnes’ voice sings out for those we’ve lost, but her lyrics also bring about an important message – that those who die never really leave us:
“Every thought, every time, this is how you never die.”
The Great Deceiver is a truly beautiful collection of songs with an undeniable vigor, approaching things like self-worth, love, and grief in an unconventionally upbeat way that allows their listeners to feel a sense of hope by the end of it.Be sure to check out their music, and keep up with Saltwater Sun here.
by Ian Schneider | Apr 5, 2019 | albums, review
Jai Wolf‘s new album The Cure To Loneliness is the perfect encapsulation of everything this budding star has to offer. Discovered by EDM mainstay Skrillex, the Bangladeshi born Jai Wolf (Sajeeb Saha) created a lot of buzz with his song “Indian Summer”. Raised in Long Island, Jai Wolf has been influenced by the likes of Phoenix and The Strokes, but you can feel the electronic influences most in The Cure To Loneliness.
With features from Day Wave, Robokid, and Mr. Gabriel to name a few, Jai Wolf is setting himself apart and establishing his legitimacy within the industry. You can hear those aforementioned Phoenix influences in the track “Lose My Mind”, but Jai Wolf also has the unique ability to slow it down, which is rare to find in an electronic artist. Almost with a trance like feel, most of the tracks on this album will have you swaying with electronic bliss. “On the new album, sonically all of Sajeeb’s eclectic influences can be heard. Lyrically though, the album is quite personal with themes of searching for connection whether to culture or people, from someone who was not only born in a very foreign land, but once he got to the United States moved around constantly. As a person Sajeeb is extremely bright, very outspoken on the current political situation, especially, as you can imagine, on the subject of immigration.” Jai Wolf has been able to channel his experiences into an art that is not seen from many, let alone electronic artists. Most musicians with Jai Wolfs thoughts and feelings might turn to other genres, but his ability to create an insightful landscape with drum machines is something to behold. The Cure To Loneliness will do exactly what the title entails.
You can check out The Cure To Loneliness now, and keep up with Jai Wolf on his socials listed below.
Socials:
Twitter: @JaiWolfx
Facebook: @JaiWolfMusic
Instagram: @jaiwolfx
by Karina Marquez | Apr 5, 2019 | albums, review
New York City artist Megg Farrell bares her folksy soul with the help of some friends with her appropriately-titled album Megg Farrell & Friends. The music’s vibe is Stevie Nicks if she was a blues singer with an affinity for the banjo, and it is truly a piece of art to behold. Each song is clearly and artfully crafted in terms of music production, lyrics, and instruments.
“Feelin Single” is the perfect opening track for a bluesy folk album, with it’s a capella harmonies and references to a wild night out:
“I was feelin’ single, seeing double, wound up in a whole lot of trouble … but I really had a ball last night.”
As the album goes on, two things becomes apparent: Farrell’s voice is beautifully nostalgic, and she creates a record that tells a seamless story. With song titles like “New Orleans Waltz,” “Tulsa Queen,” “New York Love Song,” and “Ooh Las Vegas,” Farrell showcases her ability to tell stories about all these different places and the influences they had on her.
Amongst the toe-tapping country vibes, there were a couple of stripped down tracks, and those were my favorite from the record. “If I Were a Woman” is a gentle and sad story of someone who wishes she could be the woman she always wanted to be. The lyrics are undeniably poetic, a punch to the gut:
If I were a woman, I’d teach you to be brave.
I’d fight for my sex and their race,
and I’d find me a new name.
If I could speak, I’d speak for something bold,
but my hearts grown weak or so I’ve been told.
Megg Farrell & Friends is a well-rounded album with the ability to make you dance, cry, sing along, and repeat. It perfectly encapsulates what the feeling of sitting in a jazz piano bar, sipping a beer and being completely captivated by a band’s ability to create something raw, honest, and real.
Be sure to check out the album, and keep up with Megg Farrell here.
by Meredith Schneider | Apr 4, 2019 | 5 to 7
Today, we sit down with incredible feminist indie-pop artist Michelle Birsky – the brainchild of BIRCH – to chat about her new album release, touching on points of sexism and the empowerment she stirs up in her music.
Today, we sit down with incredible feminist indie-pop artist Michelle Birsky – the brainchild of BIRCH – to chat about her new album release, touching on points of sexism and the empowerment she stirs up in her music. We also get deep into spiritual practice, and learn a bit more about getting in touch with ourselves.
0:00 Intro
0:11 EZVisibility.com
0:22 Dbl-take.com
0:33 imperfectfifth.com/merch
1:36 Spice Girls
2:31 Spelling Lessons
6:19 Normalizing stigma
9:15 Reiki/energy work
11:48 Spirituality whitewashing
17:10 Guided Meditations
21:43 Rituals
24:12 Aliens
27:25 Gracie & Rachel
29:44 April 11 Album Release Show
30:21 Asking For It
femme.one is out April 5th. Celebrate BIRCH’s CD release show on April 11th at Union Pool in Brooklyn with Rodes Rollins and Gold Child. More information is available here.
by Meredith Schneider | Apr 3, 2019 | snapshot, visual
On Wednesday, March 27th, Arvest Bank Theatre at The Midland opened its doors and welcomed a hefty crowd for the St. Paul & The Broken Bones show. Opener Michael Nau played some acoustic beauts, and we melted into the evening with the incredible Alabama-based collective that truly ignites our souls.
Keep up with St. Paul & The Broken Bones here.
