by Madi Toman | Apr 9, 2020 | videos, wolf tracks
Alt-pop singer-songwriter Anna Shoemaker has just released the music video for “Someone”, the next focus track on her recently dropped album Everything is Embarrassing.
The 25-year-old artist became a SoundCloud sensation with her viral mashup of Kendrick Lamar’s “Bitch Don’t Kill My Vibe” and Chance the Rapper’s “Cocoa Butter Kisses,” which she recorded on her bedroom floor. The song now has over 869,000+ streams and caught the attention of key tastemakers. Shoemaker then signed to 5Towns Records in late 2017 when she was chosen as Steve Madden’s Emerging Artist of the Year. In September of 2018, Shoemaker released her debut EP, East Side, produced by GRAMMY- nominated producer JT Daly. While still catchy and pop, the new songs feel more vulnerable and personal than ever. She finds putting pen to paper is often the best way to process her emotions, thus creating raw and honest lyricism that will certainly define Shoemaker’s releases.
Shoemaker filmed the charming video for her new release herself on her iphone, which follows the young artist and her “Someone” through a night at their apartment. Full of wine, pizza, and face masks, it shows a budding romance through rose-colored glasses, tinted with hope and adoration for her love. The track itself is full of bright, head-bobbing synth beats and gently plucked guitar with Shoemaker’s unique voice painting it with her own style. The intimate video pairs perfectly with the equally intimate song, giving listeners and viewers a firm grasp on Shoemaker’s artistic vision, which is full of songs bursting with relatable emotional and life experiences.
The music video for “Someone” and Everything is Embarrassing is out now via BMG for your streaming consumption. Keep up with Anna Shoemaker here.
by Meredith Schneider | Apr 9, 2020 | singles, soundtrack
We haven’t really been addressing the pandemic at Imperfect Fifth, mostly because it has flipped every aspect of how we do things on its side. As fun and amazing as some experiences have been, some have been really, very difficult. Like staying inside during the entire month of April. And we know it’s the same for everyone, so venting about it hasn’t really been our shpeal.
The good news is, music doesn’t stop. And artists everywhere have stepped up and continued to offer gorgeous new hooks, beautiful lyrics, and a lot more soul this month. So let’s dive in… to inspiration, to erratic genre hopping and new things to keep our minds both occupied and at ease.
We love you. Take care of yourselves.
by Kendal Chandler | Apr 6, 2020 | albums, review
Brett Newski’s fourth studio album Don’t Let the Bastards Get You Down centers around regaining control, and we only have to wait until April 17th to experience it in its entirety. At a time of high depression and anxiety because of the current global health crisis, Newski’s newest album sheds some much needed optimism.
Newski creates a call to arms against the destructive forces one may find themselves battling, which pertains to individual struggles with toxic relationships, low self-esteem, loneliness, and apathy to the global challenges we are already facing in 2020.
Newski and collaborator Spatola blend Newski’s lyricism with Spatola’s up-beat tempo and guitar-driven alternative style to create the sound of this record. Tracks like “Last Dance” lay out the challenge of trying to stay informed and engaged while trying to not consume too much that it negatively affects one’s mind. Meanwhile tracks like “Lousy T-shirt” describes the traps of social comparison in the wake of social media.
Don’t Let the Bastards Get You Down is a reminder to not let outside forces negatively affect you. Keep up with Brett Newski here.
by Madi Toman | Apr 3, 2020 | premieres, wolf tracks
Americana-rockers Nicole Boggs and the Reel are releasing their new single, “I’m Gonna Break Your Heart”, a self-aware confession from someone headed down the wrong path and only capable of reckless love. The single precedes the group’s upcoming EP, None of Your Business, a 70’s style rock n’ roll revival to be released in July of 2020.
The single features distorted bass and tight harmonies as Boggs powerfully navigates the honest track. Of the single, the front woman says, “As a songwriter, I’m always looking for a new approach to tell a story and it felt bold and empowering to tackle a subject I’ve only heard from male artists. I flipped the roles and had to get inside the heads of some dudes that screwed me over.”
A fiery guitar solo breathes additional life to the track, which retains all of the sweet grit from live performance due to the fact that it was (impressively) cut in front of a live studio audience at legendary Ocean Way studio in Nashville.
“I’m Gonna Break Your Heart” is available everywhere on April 24th and EP None of Your Business is to be released in July of 2020.
by Madi Toman | Apr 3, 2020 | singles, wolf tracks
LA-based pop artist Ella Vos’s new single “Burning Bridges” is here to heat up your dreary self-quarantine experience. This most recent release from Vos is the third in a series of consecutive releases, with each piece just as striking as the last and each one offering a unique shine.
Despite being a newcomer to the indie pop scene, Vos has already racked up over 100 million streams on Spotify. A cancer survivor and a mother, the young woman is an inspiration to many and has a stellar skillset to match.
“Burning Bridges” is an emotional narrative about a toxic relationship going up in flames. The catchy indie-pop tune features Vos’s angelic voice floating over the springy track with grace and ease. Vos is a blooming new starlet on the indie-pop scene, and we can’t wait to see what else she has up her sleeve.
by Kendal Chandler | Apr 2, 2020 | singles, wolf tracks
Drawing influence in an array of places, Bay area native Chelsea Collins exists in a world somewhere dizzyingly electrifying. With her new track “Used to Be (L.O.V.E.)”, she offers a bold standout. Her appearance and style can be found in the place where anime, gothic aesthetics, and troll dolls meet. This eclectic mix makes Collins alluring in her many visual appearances and voice.
“Used to Be (L.O.V.E.)” is a brash pop song that looks back on past love and where it went wrong. Collins samples Frank Sinatra’s track “Love”, but changes each letter’s meaning to showcase her negative feelings towards this person she once loved.
The track release is accompanied by a music video, which provides another way to showcase Collins captivating aura.
Her independent releases have garnered millions of streams on Spotify, and “Used to Be (L.O.V.E.)” is just one of the few anticipated tracks Collins is set to release this year.
by Madi Toman | Apr 2, 2020 | singles, wolf tracks
Rising indie singer-songwriter
Zachary Knowles (I’m not hip to any knowledge of relations to Beyonce but I encourage you to form your own conspiracies) has recently released his newest offering to the world, a single entitled “Cherry Wine”, which serves as the centerpiece on his forthcoming EP,
Magnolia (Out May 2020). The Texas-bred artist has released a hypnotic new music video to accompany the single as well.
“Cherry Wine” sees Knowles gently glide across a brightly picked acoustic guitar track with his angelic and carefully placed falsetto. In similar fashion, the music video shows him floating through landscapes, first pedaling a bike and then sprinting through forests and fields, softened by the sweet and constant presence of slow motion. Knowles only stops when he reaches a tumultuous seascape.
Of the track he explains, “The meaning behind “Cherry Wine” is super personal. I wrote about what life looked like before I was dating the girl I love. Before we started dating I was crazy about her (at the age of 14 haha that’s crazy to say) but didn’t know if she felt the same. I wanted to capture what that time of my life felt like.” Tranquil and sweet like simple syrup, the delicately crafted single showcases Knowles’ ability to build a sonic haven around himself that transcends the harsh borders of the outside world.
“Cherry Wine” is out now and Magnolia will be available for your consumption in May of 2020.
by Madi Toman | Apr 1, 2020 | videos, wolf tracks
Indie-pop singer/songwriter Stevie Wolf has released new single and music video for “Paper Maché Doll”. Wolf has a propensity for crafting intricate and intimate songs that make you feel not so alone, and this brilliant track is no exception.
The Colorado native was diagnosed with Tourette syndrome and major anxiety disorder at a young age and found relief in channeling his impulses and angst into music and songwriting. After attending college, Wolf found his way back to music and is finally ready to share his work with the world. “Paper Maché Doll” is the second release from Wolf’s upcoming EP.
The video features Wolf among a jungle of red strings as he sings the soaring ballad. He becomes entangled in the strings as his passionate vocals soar while he tackles relatable issues such as social anxiety and self-esteem issues. Wolf scrutinizes societal expectations and powerfully and passionately sings that he “want(s) to be so much more than my body, than my acne scars..” Wolf skillfully builds the song and navigates the impressive arrangement and is a relatable and inspirational figure for all to look up to.
“Paper Maché Doll” is out now on all streaming platforms.
by Kendal Chandler | Apr 1, 2020 | singles, wolf tracks
Continuing to cement himself as an artist to watch in 2020, self-taught singer, songwriter, producer, and composer ROSA reveals his newest single, “Phone”. This track follows his debut single “Drunk Girl” released back in 2017.
“Phone” is a hip-hop infused left-pop track that tackles our ongoing fascination and dependency sought after on our cellphones. Nowadays, these hand-held devices connect us to a world far beyond our reach. “Phone” dives into what that means and its impact on our lives.
With musical influences ranging from Phil Collins and Snoop Dogg, ROSA is able to channel an array of sounds and ideas into his music.
In the coming year ROSA is set to showcase his music ability with his debut EP FEMALE. The EP centers around female empowerment and the need for men emotional maturity. FEMALE resembles an auditory diary for ROSA to bare his vulnerability on his personal battles
With “Phone”, ROSA kicks off the theme of expressing vulnerability by welcoming listeners to break masculine barriers and own their your own quirkiness. ROSA is able to powerfully combine undeniable melodies with infectious beats and create music that provokes danceability and deep thought.
