the hunna, “if this is love” ft. phem

the hunna, “if this is love” ft. phem

The Hunna released their new single “If This Is Love” ft. phem on May 29th, and a video to go along with it. This seamless blend of the alt-rock band and the genre-fluid artist phem feels like the perfect unity of a couple in love. But “If This Is Love” recognizes that love is more complicated than that. It delves into the raw, painful moments that come after an intense, genuine love dies. Made within isolation, the music video features close up shots of what is presumably lead singer Ryan Potter and phem, which evokes a sense of intimacy. The pair are doused with red and green light, perhaps pointing to the kind of inner conflict that one faces after a meaningful relationship ends. The track itself echoes this idea, beginning slow and tender with sparse but comforting music and gentle vocals. It continues to increase in intensity, however, reaching an emotional climax when Ryan sings “and now I never want to see your face.” Here the music is harsh and unbridled, just like the pain and anger that emanates from this track.

From Watford, England, lead singer and guitarist Ryan is joined by lead guitarist Daniel Dorney, drummer Jack Metcalfe, and bassist Junate Angin to form The Hunna. Ryan was a fan of phem’s before they met, but it was only by a stroke of fortune that the band happened to meet her at a party thrown by Halsey! The Hunna are thrilled for the opportunity to work with phem, and it’s certainly obvious in “If This Is Love” that the collaboration is a success. If you’re like me and find yourself empathizing with the low spirits in this track, don’t fret! The Hunna will be releasing a track from their new album I’d Rather Die Than Let You In every month up until its debut on October 2nd. These tracks will trace the entire journey of heartbreak, beginning with anger and dejection but eventually shifting to acceptance and ultimately moving on.
You can pre-order the album here.

anna sofia, “either way”

anna sofia, “either way”

Anna Sofia’s “Either Way” is a love letter to someone very important in her life, who was struggling with body issues. The first verse immediately deals with her love for this person, but their hate for everything about themself. The thoughtful lyrics accompany a soft melody that persists throughout the song, setting a strong introduction to her upcoming EP, Broken Perfection. Sofia and producer Jeff Hazin worked alongside Jeff Kleinman, someone the 16-year-old looks up to, on the record.

This single shows that love is there, no matter what you look like. The chorus addresses being stuck in the internal war and the fight put up to deal with these negative thoughts.

Either way you put it, you are going to love this song.

the dragon berries | music we love

the dragon berries | music we love

These are the songs that inspire us. They cover a wide range of sounds which is telling of the music we create. Just like our music, this playlist covers the electric guitar sounds of the 60’s all the way to modern artists such as Twenty One Pilots and John Mayer.

Keep up with The Dragon Berries here.

trace of lime | walkin’ music

trace of lime | walkin’ music

This playlist is all about sounds that make you want to walk with some pep in your step. We love syncopation, funky bass and powerful drums and try to capture that same energy in our own music. Many of these songs are from artists that have influenced us throughout our lives.

Keep up with Trace of Lime here.

blake english, spiders make great poets

blake english, spiders make great poets

Did you happen to know that Spiders Make Great Poets? That’s the truth, at least, that Blake English will stick to when asked, since that also happens to be the title of his new 5-track EP. Beginning with an otherworldly soundscape, “Sad Girls Dance Party” bursts into an honest yet fun, high energy space worthy of Warped Tour. Maintaining a similar pace doesn’t seem to be difficult for English, as second track “This Is the End” builds to quite an impressive and catchy chorus as well.

It is only with “The Neighbors” that the release slows down, back to the power punk ballad life we will absolutely come to expect from English. But it’s only the first few seconds that allow this sonic reprieve, as everything revs up before we even hit the 45 second mark. If ever there were a physical representation of the Energizer bunny – especially mid-pandemic – we would go ahead and give that honor to English. But don’t mind that assessment, as we are speaking of tourniquets very early on in “A Ghost I Knew from Yesterday,” a track that comes in to remind us that we are hanging out in the emo genre. This, this is the ballad we thought we were getting previously. This is the song we needed to prepare for post-pandemic karaoke nights.

But let’s not get ruffled, thinking the EP will end with no attitude. We jump right into “United States of Depression,” a very sharp commentary on current times. A very open and vulnerable song might lean to the dark a little more than anticipated, but it’s honest. And honesty is what we’ve all been craving.

So revel in it. Then do it again. And let us know which track is your favorite!

Keep up with Blake English here.

michael vickers, “dead and buried”

michael vickers, “dead and buried”

In the lead up to his new 4 track EP, Michael Vickers is releasing his new music slowly, tragically slowly, if you ask us. With new track “Dead and Buried,” there is an energy we haven’t felt in a few weeks, and the track leaves us wanting more. With Vickers’ accent-laced vocals, there isn’t a bit of this track that we can imagine anyone not loving. Fall into its quirky, beautiful soundscape below!

our favorite new tracks of || may 2020

our favorite new tracks of || may 2020

Have you been taking your time with the silence lately? Really analyzing every aspect of a sense? We suggest trying on all of this gorgeous, new music for size from this month of social distancing, perhaps in a way that allows you no distractions. (Amidst the bevy of new plants you’ve acquired during quarantine?) We have some stunners this month, and we’re not ashamed of the fact that we’ve gotten lost in this playlist all month.

Enjoy!

jessie hyde, “charity”

jessie hyde, “charity”

French songstress Jessie Hyde brings a certain sense of charm to her work. This rings true for her latest track “Charity,” a smooth as honey track, quirkily specific and wonderfully darling. Lyrics like “look at the sign on the wall / this ain’t a fuckin’ charity” make us laugh when we remember that she is just now dipping her toe into the music world. Her past life in tech and biochemistry definitely doesn’t feed her creative ability, so learning about such an incredible facet of her personality in addition to her sheer genius is pretty impressive.

We’re smitten with this track. Check it out below, and there’s a 77% chance you will be too!

Keep up with Jessie Hyde here.

ili, “breath”

ili, “breath”

We’ve been craving a pop gem to play on repeat during our weekends. Why? Because the weekends are feeling less like weekends… we need to reinstate the party mentality so that we can transition back into our post-apocalyptic every day eventually. (Very far down the road.)

While we wait ever-so-impatiently to change our landscape, we should dance it out to ili. Her new track “Breath” is an absolute banger, something we are definitely going to prep to dance to when the clubs open back up. But until then, we might just be bumping this while we dance in our rooms, craft in the dining room, or drink copious amounts of water to stay hydrated and sane!

Keep up with ili here.