by Veronica DeFeo | May 5, 2018 | albums, review
Seattle-based artist Damien Jurado drops his 13th album, The Horizon Just Laughed, today. In his 20+ year career, Jurado has never self-produced a record – until now. The Horizon Just Laughed is being released via Secretly Canadian.
Jurado says of his record:
From the beginning I have approached this album differently than those in the past. I snuck away to record it without anyone knowing. I sat in the producers seat for the first time in years, where I followed creativity’s every turn. It was fulfilling to watch the things come to life before me with the help of some talented friends. I am so very proud of this album and I can’t wait to share it with all of you.
The Horizon Just Laughed track listing:
1. “Allocate” starts off the record on a mellow but strong note. Highlighting Jurado’s musky vocals, “Allocate” provides a glimpse into what is to come.
2. “Dear Thomas Wolfe” begins with a rhythmic guitar intro reminiscent of Jack Johnson. Featuring great lyrics like, “Was I faking trusting you?”, this song gets the ball rolling into the record.
3. “Percy Faith” takes a different approach instrumentally, and utilizes a storytelling manner to bring the lyricism a nostalgic feel.
4. “Over Rainbows and Rainier” is the leading single off The Horizon Just Laughed. A soft, moving track, this reflective song brings the listener gently along. Jurado has also put out a music video for this track. Check out the video for “Over Rainbows and Rainier” HERE.
5. “The Last Great Washington State” features some nice drum moments and steady vocals.
6. “Cindy Lee” is a beautiful interm track that has some well-placed harmonies, and moves the listener into the second half of the album.
7. “1973” perks up with a gentle but pointedly moving track.
8. “Marvin Kaplan” gets an almost samba sound going, as Jurado is accompanied by soft female harmonies.
9. “Lou-Jean” is closer to tracks like “Percy Faith”, telling a meaningful story through song.
10. “Florence-Jean”, the penultimate track on this record, takes an upbeat take on the tales that Jurado tells in The Horizon Just Laughed.
11. “Random Fearless” closes out the album on a fun note, unafraid of the future.
Jurado will be on his “Over Rainbows” tour from May-June. More info HERE
Read more from Damien Jurado here. Stay connected with Damien Jurado:
Website – Facebook – Twitter – Instagram
by Jai'Tyria Hatton | May 3, 2018 | albums, review, wolf tracks
Rock group Rad Horror is on the brink of success with the recent release of their four track EP Anti-Teenage Sensation Part 1. The collection of quirkily beautiful pop/rock tracks takes you back to that casual, laid back, feeling that we all crave from the 90s. The first track is called “Dark Times”, and is a song that takes you on a journey addressing people who act fake while making you feel like an outcast. Endearing as all hell, it paves the way perfectly for second track “Teenage Love”, which looks at the thin line between love and lust.
The album comes around full circle, touching on a variety of topics with “Stay Out” – which talks about all-too-relatable mind games – and “Only When You’re Lonely”, which seems to bring each topic element of the album together. Anti-Teenage Sensation Part 1 is a future classic at its finest, preparing us all for the ups and downs of summertime love.
Keep up with Rad Horror here.
**co-written by Meredith Schneider
by Jai'Tyria Hatton | May 3, 2018 | albums, review
Virginia-based pop/punk rock artist Corey Pavlosky is ready to claim his time to shine with his debut EP Atlas. The release features six songs that help set the tone of Corey’s artistry. One of the songs on the album is titled “Weathered”, which is a song that is totally put together, with haunting harmonies led by Pavlosky’s voice. The beat of the track, by the way, that is unforgettable. The song is liable to keep the listener interested and holds its own as the last song on the album.
“Better Days”, a personal favorite on the album, shows that even though something bad is going on in your life, better days are soon to come. Each song is completely different from the next, but the differences are what make it even more thrilling. Atlas has the power to pull at your heartstrings as a listener. The album takes you on a journey that you simply do not want to end.
Keep up with Corey here.
**co-written by Meredith Schneider
by Madison Blom | May 3, 2018 | singles, wolf tracks
Out with their second ever single is up and coming Chicagoland-based band Golds who are hoping to continue the success garnered from their last single. “Craving” is a creative mesh of several different genres that was inspired by some of the most iconic names of the 90’s such as Michael Jackson and Duran Duran. Not only does this song have lyrical weight that is perfectly juxtaposed by the warmth of the music, but it highlights the vocal strength of the band as a whole. As each note perfectly melts into the next, listeners are completely hypnotized by each passing synth loop and intoxicating heavy hitting drums. Although this band is young and still has so much potential to grow into the spotlight, they have done a fantastic job of producing a single that is well composed and displays a sound that is both stunning and memorable.
Throughout the song, listeners explore the yearning that is so often experienced in daily life–a need that can never be met, water that can never quench the dry thirst of summer. The journey encompasses each carefully crafted verse and every slight change in the direction of the song. Without a doubt, with the release of their new single, Golds will find new opportunities and continue to find success in the career that they love.
Keep up with Golds here.
by Veronica DeFeo | Apr 27, 2018 | albums, review, wolf tracks
After nearly a decade since his last release, Clint Michigan has just released his brand new LP, Centuries. Following several difficult years struggling with sobriety and other issues, Clint Michigan (irl Clint Asay) is back and better than ever. Clint Michigan has displays the strength he possesses and the difficulties he has faced since 2009’s Hawthorne To Hennepin.
“Knickerbocker Street” starts off Centuries with a mellow, and emotional folk-pop track, highlighted some well-composed guitar playing and vocal harmonies.
Next up is “Beg for It”, a hauntingly beautiful track that follows up “Knickerbocker Street” in the perfect manner, alternating soft, nostalgic vocals with an irresistible, off-kilter beat.
“Steven Says” follows “Beg for It”, starting off with the trademark guitar playing that makes Centuries so excellent. Bringing in some violin towards the second half of the song, “Steven Says” explores many of the issues and despair that we face.
“The Way Out” will give you goosebumps from its astonishingly beautiful piano intro to its touching lyrics. Filled with a childlike, yet adult sound, this song is truly a treat.
“Centuries”, the title track of the record, is found in the middle of the album, and invites the reader along a nostalgic sonic journey. You won’t be able to help looking back on your own life as this track plays.
“Tired of Being Kind” is a unique track that lends itself more the folk side of Clint Michigan’s sound. Relevant and honest, “Tired of Being Kind” voices what many of us have on our minds but never say. “Shirt Off” muses on some memories of growing up as well as the present, again including some excellent instrumentation. “Eager to Leave”, the penultimate track on Centuries, takes a look at some of the stupidity of modern experiences (like unnecessarily taking pictures of our food before we eat it) through a timeless sound.
Appropriately, “That Is All, That Is It” closes out Centuries, along a simple beat that gradually brings in more instruments. When the piano and bass come in about 1:00 into the song, this song really gets going, creating the bittersweet goodbye of the record.
Centuries is truly a beautiful record. Check it out today.
Stay connected with Clint Michigan:
Official Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
by Abby Trapp | Apr 26, 2018 | albums, review
Toronto-based musician Bossie is set to release her latest album Not Pictured on April 27th. Not Pictured covers a wide variety of topics including modern culture, consumerism, and social media, among others. Bossie sparked public attention when she released her first single “Meteror” in 2015. Now, with her debut album, we are reminded of that infectious and beautiful sound that we have been falling in love with over the last couple of years. The album places emphasis on the sound of bubblegum pop with Boosie’s amazing, robust vocals.
First tack “Mild At Heart” discusses the mild nature in a relationship. “Take your headphones off we need to talk” says Bossie. Pondering the relationship she says, “What if we need to grow up?/Maybe we’re just mild at heart.” “Mild At Heart” really digs into the frustrations of a relationship. Bossie sings on falling in and out of love, not moving forward, and not having that “zest” in a relationship. “Strawberry Moon” shows off the artist’s quirky side. With the funky beat and electronic sounds, “Strawberry Moon” shows off Bossie’s diverse style. “Don’t set fire to the strawberry moon,” proclaims Bossie. What does it mean? Luckily enough, she leaves that up for interpretation. On “There Will Be Time,” Bossie takes a stab about the timing in life. A track about there being a time and place for everything, Bossie is transparent on “There Will Be Time.” “Yeah there will be time…there will be time to decide,” we hear on “There Will Be Time.” Bossie recognizes that whether it be a relationship, career move, or personal, not everything in life needs an immediate decision.
We are enamored by Bossie’s new album, and KNOW you will be too! Not Pictured is out everywhere April 27th. Keep up with Bossie here.
by Veronica DeFeo | Apr 24, 2018 | albums, review
Nashville-based Pale Houses has just released their new EP, Songs of the Isolation. Collaborating with producer Brandon Owens (Mutemath), the four-piece follows up their 2013 self-titled debut with this EP. Pale Houses is made up of drummer Ryan Rayborn, vocalist/guitarist Aaron Robinson, bassist/guitarist Aaron Yung, and Joshua Hood on lap steel/guitar. This long awaited second release encapsulates the beautifully different sound that Pale Houses so wonderfully owns. While the title of this EP references isolation, it is anything but uninviting. Pale Houses touches on familiar emotions and experiences in a deeper and different way through their lyricism and instrumentation.
Songs of the Isolation:
1. “The Ocean Bed” starts off the EP with a metaphoric track, featuring some hitting lyrics and carefully crafted guitar playing. Leading into the chorus is a beautiful moment of rising percussion that is truly the clincher for this track.
2. “Tenderfoot” carries a sound of persistence along with earnest vocals and an energetic beat. This song simply has to be amazing live.
3, Who Will I Be For You?”, a unique track, layers soft synth in its beginning, questioning the roles we play in each others’ lives.
4. “Ring Around the Moon” brings the listener into a nostalgic, gentler soundscape highlighted by smooth vocals and a yearning, soulful sound.
5. “Hideaway” is a moving track with a strong beat and emotional lyrics, featuring a beautiful medley of guitar playing.
6. “Olivia and Courage” is a slightly abstract piece that hovers on the edge of breaking, while maintaining a quiet strength that keeps the listener in its hold through the entirety of the track.
Moving along a variety of instrumentally breathtaking tracks, Pale Houses manages to be both flexible and focused with their sound. Songs of the Isolation is simultaneously different and perfect. This EP is not one to miss, so check it out today.
Stay connected with Pale Houses:
Facebook – Instagram – Spotify – Bandcamp
by Madison Blom | Apr 23, 2018 | albums, review
Sine the release of his wildly successful synth laid single, “Let It Go,” singer/songwriter Lonely Benson has been working towards the release of his newest self-titled LP. Not only is “Let It Go” the perfect sneak peak to this wonderfully laid back LP, but every song that Lonely Benson contains is full of the same indie pop magic that fans have come to love from this artist. Throughout the entire release, the listener is taken through story after story that has been perfectly executed with the use of clever lyricism and dreamy vocals. One of tracks in particular, “Lazy Lover” aligns itself to this description. Lonely Benson is the ideal listen for any occasion or circumstance–whether you are spending time with friends, laying on the beach, or on a drive by yourself in the countryside.
Throughout all of his tracks, fans will fall in love with all of the thrillingly nuanced synth-pop influences and skillful guitar work. Along with this killer skills in his back pocket, Lonely Benson has the unique ability to create a warm and inviting atmosphere with his music that is both infectious and highly coveted. Without a doubt, this artist has what it takes to make it big time, seeing as there is already a significant amount of buzz surrounding this new project. Since his debut as an artist, he has been featured on Apple Music’s alternative list and has been awarded over 2 million streams on Spotify. Along with killing it with his now millions of stream, he has also created a following through his coverage everywhere from Indie Shuffle to KickKickSnare. No doubt, this new album is going to satisfy all of those who have jumped on the Lonely Benson band wagon.
Keep up with Lonely Benson here.
by Madison Blom | Apr 19, 2018 | singles, wolf tracks
Still rolling off of the thunder coming from the reaction of their last single, Mating Ritual has just released the title track, “Light Myself on Fire” for their forthcoming full length album that will be released under the same name. Not only is this psychedelic single being adopted and adored by fans throughout the country, but it is a perfect complimentary follow-up to their last release in March, “U + Me Will Never Die.” Of course, along with all of the skills and aptitudes that they have showcased within all of their other tracks, this new release has a particular funk vibe that is sure to get listeners moving. While this song is exciting and has a killer beat, it also carries with is a story that is being told from the prospective of the performing dynamic duo. Within the lyrics, these two brothers tell the tale of working hard to ear a living, but at the same time produce their own out-of-the-box art.
Along with their new release, Mating Ritual will also be starting their spring tour on Thursday, which will also give them the opportunity to gather a larger fan following and explore even more opportunities for growth and expansion. With so much on the horizon, we are excited to see how this LA-based alt-rock outfit morphs and develops into their full capacity.
Keep up with Mating Ritual here.
