by Kayla Hutton | Jun 7, 2018 | albums, review
Lolaa, consisting of Toronto-based sisters Lex Valentine & Nadia Valerie King will release a Spanish version of their debut EP on June 8th. The musical project allows the sisters to explore their Mexican heritage, taking inspiration from Latin American 80’s pop music. The EP is a soulful approach with Latin-inspired instrumentation. Similar to that of Gloria Estefan minus the pop American influence and hiding the cultural percussion in the background. Lolaa puts them in the forefront and the result is a feel good, twilight, dancing in the streets fiesta.
“Lola” – the song bearing the proper spelling of the band’s namesake, meaning “Lady of Sorrows” – sways slowly in a gentle breeze accompanied by impactful and heartfelt vocals. While the verses are sung solo and with minimal instrumentation the chorus is filled out by an overlay of vocals giving it a thicker, meatier, stronger delivery. “Cancion 6” has a passionate vibe and produces a lot of warmth. Taking some influence from a 70’s disco ballad with a swaggering groove, intense pre-chorus vocal melody that leads the way for a full-on Pop anthem chorus. I have no clue what they are saying, but I feel the need to sing along. Maybe I will make up my own words. Could be fun.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bepmx9t4-CA]
Thus far Lolaa is bringing the synth-pop and danceable rhythms even during the slower paced songs. Embracing all the emotions in life and creating a sound that despite the mood or event, you can dance. “Barricada” demonstrates an almost haunting calling. While the beat boasts a Casio powered hi-hat and a simplistic stock snare kick combination the vocals definitely take the bull by the horns. I think this track could easily be even more dramatic and impactful a cappella aside from the ending with the comforting sound of an old music box. While none of the tracks are high energy they maintain a joggers pace and are in the key of motivation and are cinematically dramatic, the key of each song designed to appeal directly to the heart of your emotions.
Lolaa has a unique sound as you can definitely and obviously pick up on the Latin influence, as these tracks are En Espanol, but the music itself has a fusion of American pop, latin and old-school instruments, Canadian imagination and an immense of amount of passion. Don’t let the language barrier stop you from checking them out. You don’t need words to express an exact message. Tone and delivery will impact you just the same. A video premiere for the single “Espiritu” has been released via Nylon Espanol to hold you over until the E.P. is released.
Tour Dates
July 12th Coney Island Baby at 8 pm New York, NY
August 4th Handlebar’s at 8 pm Toronto, ON
Keep up with Lolaa here.
by Abby Trapp | Jun 5, 2018 | albums, review
Jessie Kilguss recently released her latest album, The Fastness. The Fastness is the fifth album for the Brooklyn based singer/songwriter. The alternative-indie artist has a lot of things to offer on her latest album. The Fastness is an album of regrets, hope, love, and wanderlust. Jessie’s voice and style brings weight to the album as you can hear the Stevie Nicks and Norah Jones influences. The album has ten tracks, each song a little different from the last. “The Master” is a song about a person of great wisdom, holding the key to all the answers. Leaving his followers behind, Jessie asks “Who will be the oracle when he is gone?” “New Start,” tells the story of one’s ability to believe in love again. The hopeful and upbeat song will lift your spirits with lyrics like “I thought it was over, but I made a new start,” “Now I’m ready to be mystified, I know I’m not the only one,” and my favorite “You changed my mind.”
Jessie shows us her darker side on “Hell Creek.” The song is full of sinful regret, shame, and morbid themes. “I knew I the time had come to break myself free- and every thing went red,” cries out the singer. The song remains haunting with the line “Going down to hell creek, wash the blood off my hands.” The artist also shows off her love for travel and the world with “Spain,” and “Rainy Night in Copenhagen.” I completely related to the song “Spain” as I once fell in loved with Madrid and the beautiful lyric “Maybe I’ll find it here- Spain stretched out in front of me.” It describes the country perfectly. “Rainy Night in Copenhagen,” is a place to leave all your troubles. “So peaceful, so far away from home,” Jessie sings on the countryside. “I’m not ready to go home,” laments the artist as the song is a feeling of wanderlust, a thirst for the world- something we all experience at least once in our lives. The Fastness provides a variety of melodies to feed your soul, heart and mind. Jessie’s beautiful voice and thoughtful lyrics will take you to a peaceful place that is all your own.
The Fastness is currently available on major streaming services. Get your copy here.
by Meredith Schneider | Jun 5, 2018 | albums, review
Kara Grainger may have had more humble beginnings in Australia, but her world travels and body of work speaks to a dozen lifetimes of success. All of her musical influences and inspiration have culminated in her latest 9-track body of work, her full-length Living With Your Ghost that dropped on June 1st. Full of robust harmonies, rock-tinged guitar, and a whole lot of twang, this album has so much attitude that it could give Carrie Underwood a run for her money. (Though we in no way are referring to any of this beaut as “pop music.”)
Not only is her soulful attitude palpable with each track, but the lyrics are something to grasp onto, making Grainger accessible and relatable in the best ways. Personal favorites include “Man Without Soul” and “Broken Record”, but we’re sure most of this album will be the soundtrack to your late night, summertime pool games all season.
Living With Your Ghost is available now. Keep up with Grainger here.
by Abby Trapp | May 31, 2018 | albums, review
Tancred is excited to release their latest album, Nightstand. The release of Nightstand follows up on the well praised 2016 album Out of the Garden. The album rounds out with eleven tracks, the first fittingly titled “Song One.” It is slow, sweet, and at 1:44 it is all too brief. Jess Abbott (Tancred) shows off her vulnerability on this track. “I will not lie to you, these words will be true,” leads the first line of Nightstand. “Why must she love someone else?” wonders Tancred. “Apple Tree Girl” has a folk indie vibe to it, with some interesting lyrics. “Drink my heart out, drink it up,” and “send me a photo, the two of us in the unknown,” make for interesting and almost emo lyrics.
I really enjoy Tancred’s “Underwear”. The song starts off slow and self-loathing, almost punk. “I don’t want to fight you, I’m already fighting me…and I’m losing,” sings Jess before the guitar comes in. The quirky title comes from the electric song line: “Remember when we were in the halls at 5am in our underwear running from ghosts and in my room I was learning that you were soft.” “Rowing” the last track on Nightstand, equally mirrors “Song One” and again shows the artist’s honesty and vulnerability. “I am crude and sweet in bed, I am gentle in a dress,” sings Tancred. With a taste of rock and tambourine, tinged with Tancred’s simple vocals, “Rowing” is a series of positive, gentle thoughts.
Nightstand, in one word, is diverse. It shows Tancred’s ability to navigate through a series of genres and styles, while remaining true as an artist.
Look for Nightstand which will be out June 1st 2018. Keep up with Tancred here.
by Abby Trapp | May 21, 2018 | albums, review
The Brooklyn based rock band Language, just released their latest EP Plymouth via Good Eye Records. The rock band consists of Omar Afzaal (guitar), Charles Sloan (bass) and Wes Black (drums). After self-released EP’s, Plymouth is the product of their signing with Good Eye Records. Plymouth has five tracks, including the title track “Plymouth.” The album encompasses all things rock and kicks off with the track “Where To.” With no vocals and only lasting at 1:21, “Where To,” holds up to its name. It really serves as an introduction to the band’s sound which include notes of bass, guitar, and a steady drums. “Game Piece” shows off the band’s vocal talents, far-reaching as they are. The band’s vocals remain gritty and angsty with true rock feel. “Fingers small, in a father’s hands,” Language sings on “Game Piece.” The song has a punk-rock feel and definitely is something to jam out to.
“Plymouth” remains creepy at first, with a distant sound of buildup to the drop of the beat. The song soon changes pace halfway with calming vocals– “Landed on a new rock, kinda like the old one.” I believe that the “rock” is in reference to Language’s new album, their signing with Good Eye Records, and coming full circle as a band and artists. Plymouth remains the band’s “new rock.”
Keep up with Language here.
by Abby Trapp | May 18, 2018 | singles, wolf tracks
Brooklyn based TOMI has been busy prepping for the release of her EP What Kind of Love, out today. The EP features the title track “What Kind of Love,” and “Every Morning I Feel Like Running Away Here.” On “What Kind of Love,” TOMI speaks on the kind of love that you crave and need. “What kind of love takes its under its wings, what kind of love ties you up in its arms and won’t do you any harm- what kind of love?” ponders TOMI. The song has an 80’s dance feel to it, and the music video is visually aesthetic. “What Kind of Love,” really shows TOMI off as an artist in terms of her voice, style, and creativity. “Every Morning I Feel Like Running Away” tells another story. Looking for an escape and breaking out of the comfort zone, TOMI sings “Even out in the open I want to sail away.”
TOMI shares her personal inspiration for What Kind of Love, explaining:
We all experience different versions of love, even in just one person. There is kind love, destructive love, boring love, obsessive love, drunk love, the list is endless. I spent this past Thanksgiving in Las Vegas, and it was a beautiful trip aside from a panic attack: ‘Every now and then I feel you coming up behind me.’ A lot had changed for me in a short period of time. I had been in a relationship for three years with someone who couldn’t quite figure out how to love me. It made me wonder if something was wrong with me. When we broke up, I felt a weight lift, and then as I fell in love with my current partner, I felt the weight pour back over me, even stronger this time.
Keep up with TOMI here.
by Madison Blom | May 18, 2018 | albums, review
Breaking out with his first ever full length album full of energizing anthems and inspiring lyrical loops, is Nashville native Taylor Cole (Chalaxy, Creature Comfort) and his music project Tayls. The self entitled album, Tayls is his greeting to a wider demographic of fans who he hopes to inspire with his commitment to insane fun and beautiful art. Although this indie project has gathered a great following since the very first single, this new release is surely going to push his popularity over the edge as he dives even deeper into the sound profile that he has created for himself. From a humble start to his current standing at the top of thousands of fan playlists, Tayls has created a movement composed of self-empowering music that is both easy to listen to and incredibly intricate.
The instrumental talent that is demonstrated captures the attention of listeners instantly. Coupled with the intense and pumped-up vocals that match the mood set by the music, Tayls can do no wrong as his lyrics pack a “powerful punch” of exciting empowerment to the individual. Known for overenthusiastic live performances, it is clear that Tayls was able to focus the same energy into the recording sessions. Although fans won’t be able to experience all of the lights, dance moves, drag queens and giant swan dives that have become essential elements of the live performance, the music on this album speaks for itself.
Layered with subtle scream vocals, there is no doubt that this album is going to pull in fans of The Flaming Lips, Bright Eyes and everything in between. As this project continues to deepen its understanding of its unique sound, Tayls is sure to pick up fans throughout the world who are inspired by the out of the box lyrics and fast paced rhythms.
Tayls is available now. Keep up with the project here.
by Abby Trapp | May 18, 2018 | albums, review
Deafman Glance is 28-year-old Ryley Walker‘s latest album, out May 18th via Dead Oceans. The album consists of nine tracks, each one a little different from the next. “22 Days,” the second track on the album is perhaps one of my favorite tracks. “22 Days” has a slow jazz instrumental intro for at least a two minutes, rendering the song tranquil, yet engaging. What sounds like a purely instrumental track at first, “22 Days” has help with Ryley’s vocals. “But I gave myself 22 days to come up with a master plan,” Walker sings. “And people can be so plain, with the power to re-arrange,” remains my favorite line. What seems like a tale of despair at first, the piece is soon picked up and flips gears to upbeat jazz, rock, and then slows back down again. “Can’t Ask Why” is yet another beautiful track on Deafman Glance. Like “22 Days,” the instrumental lasts for a while, except instead of jazz we hear wind chimes. In fact, the wind chimes are incorporated throughout the song. “I can’t sleep at night,” Ryley sings ironically, as if the chimes are the things will put him to sleep. “Telluride Speed” sounds like the beginning of a fairy tale with light sounds of a flute. Like a fairy tale Ryley sings “I threw a a rock at your window.” The track is sweet, innocent, and makes you feel at home.
Perhaps my favorite thing about Deafman Glance is the variety of sounds and instruments that Walker incorporates into each song. Inspired by the sounds of the city, Walker says:
And it’s more Chicago-y sounding. Chicago sounds like a train constantly coming towards you but never arriving. That’s the sound I hear, all the time, ringing in my ears. Everybody here’s always hustling. Everybody who talks to you on the street’s always got something they’re coming at you with. It’s the sound of strangers dodging one another. And landlords knocking on doors to get rent that people don’t have. But it’s eerily quiet at night. This record is the sound of walking home late at night through Chicago in the middle of winter and being half-creeped out, scared someone’s going to punch you in the back of the head, and half in the most tranquil state you’ve been in all day, enjoying the quiet and this faint wind, and buses going by on all-night routes. That’s the sound to tune in to. That’s the sound of Chicago to me.
Deafman Glance is out now. Keep up with Ryley Walker here.
by Madison Blom | May 17, 2018 | singles, wolf tracks
Exploring the deepest corners of the mind and the demon found there that are egged on by anxiety and guilt is the latest release from LA darling Esbie Fonte and her new single, Manumit.” Growing up surrounded by a family that was equally involved in music and frequent trips to the record store inspired her to take her sound to new heights. After spending several years attending Sarah Lawrence College, immersing herself in the education opportunities offered there. The same passion that brought her to that school also carried her across the Atlantic to deepen her understanding of the world of production. Now, fresh out of college and moved to one of the music capitals of America, Fonte is ready to take her music to a whole new level–from bedroom artist to working with one of the most successful produces around, she has released her single, “Manumit.”
One of the most enticing attributes of this single is the dreamy vocals accompanied by synth loops that seem to transport listeners to the world built by the lyrics majesty spun by Fonte herself. As a wonderful tribute to the experience one faces when attempting to battle personal insecurities, “Manumit” speaks to all who have ever face mental debilitation on any and all levels. This single was written in the center of calamity in hopes of achieving mental clarity and deeper understanding of oneself. No doubt, this is a song that will touch thousands and raise Fonte to a whole new level in the music industry as she continues to produce meaningful, flawless tracks.
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