This is a playlist for those spending a lot of time alone but dreaming about being together with others or even lost in a crowd.
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by: katy mombourquette
Ever since he was a kid, Salim Nourallah has had a deep appreciation for English rock ‘n roll music. As he grew up and cultivated a career as a musician into the 90’s, he found his life intertwined with two other multi-talented individuals: Chris Holt and Paul Averitt. The trio started bands together, played on each other’s albums, and got involved in many of the same collaborative projects. The two decades of shared respect and friendship along with Nourallah’s love of English rock have culminated in a new project that celebrates a reenvisioning of old music, called A Break in the Battle. The name comes from the Pretender’s “Back on the Chain Gang”, the words fitting to Nourallah, Holt, and Averitt’s belief in music as a respite from the toil of life. Like a giant love letter to their heroes, each song is stripped back to the essentials, which are then illuminated by the guys with a loving hand. The first round of tracks came out in 2017, with classics like The Replacements’ “Kiss Me on the Bus” and The Cure’s “Boys Don’t Cry.” After a two year hiatus following the death of Nourallah’s mother, the trio is set to release the second collection of songs later this year.
Kicking things off for round two, the boys have released Nick Heyward’s “Kite.” The original features a full sound, punchy beat, and a complex web of sounds including metallic guitars, warm horns and strings, and twinkling bells. The tone Heyward’s voice vaguely reminds one of Billy Corgan’s, but instead of the patented and glorious harshness that the Smashing Pumpkins’ lead singer is known for, Heyward’s voice is pleasant and earnest. A Break in the Battle’s version maintains that humble, earnest tone in the vocals, and has the same overall spirit as the original, but it achieves this using a different instrumental blueprint. The iconic waterfall-like guitar picking remains in the intro, but in the 2020 version it’s backed by prominent acoustic guitar strumming. The track is less punchy and more dreamy, complete with gentle harmonies and dazzling combinations of metallic guitar and reverberating piano.
One of the biggest pitfalls to avoid when making a cover is trying to sound like a carbon copy of the original. Nourallah, Holt, and Averitt’s version of “Kite” successfully sidesteps this stumbling block. It carefully preserves the essence and integrity of Heyward’s song, but approaches it from a different direction. With “Kite”, we see that the boys’ imagination is just as finely tuned as it was three years ago.
While the rest of the collection will be out later this year, in the meantime there are 16 opportunities on the first collection of A Break in the Battle for you to experience your favourite English rock tunes like it’s the first time.
Nourallah’s announcement of “Kite” | Nourallah jamming on twitter
by leigha stuiso
Zanya is releasing a new track called, “Wake Up”, that calls people to action and to take a look into current and past problems. There is no better time than now to release a song that deals with equality and speaking up for what needs to be done. Zanya and her bandmates created another pop-rock track with a unique twist, with serious lyrics that will inspire listeners to think about the subject matter. The lyrics, “it’s not been equal / since day one / we have to speak up, to get it done,” are a reminder of the inequality people face daily and encourage you to take action.
Zanya began collaborating with bassist Patrick Reaves and guitarist Drew Carsillo shortly after moving to Los Angeles. Since then, they have continued to push each other to create music that draws on their fascinations and passions in life. Listen to “Wake Up” now and get inspired to make some changes for the better. Keep up with Zanya here.
by: katy mombourquette
Texan singer-songwriter Zachary Knowles found himself drawn to music from a young age when his parents gave him a light-up keyboard in the first grade. He spent his childhood learning songs and then began to write his own, but always kept his creations to himself. When he got older, he ventured to share his songs online, and was pleasantly surprised by the positive reaction he received through tens of thousands of streams on SoundCloud. His new single, “Slow Summer” is a product of this longtime effort, and it shows off Knowles’ skills in the form of a sleepy, feel-good banger.
The bouncy track features light and spirited guitar plucking but also adopts a ballad feel from the tender piano. There’s a subtle dance beat in the chorus, peaceful but stirring, perfect for at night when things are sleepy but you’re not ready to stop moving. Knowles’ vocals are smooth on top of his stripped-back instrumentation, with his touching lyrics depicting how completely at ease he is with the person he’s singing about. As you listen to his voice and the relaxing music, you can’t help but be coaxed into comfort yourself.
Knowles has spent his entire life leading up to this moment, honing his craft and developing his skills. Don’t miss out on giving him the appreciation he deserves, and enjoy the drowsy bop that is “Slow Summer” for yourself.
by: leigha stuiso
It’s hard to believe that pop artist Anna Hamilton has not released her own music until now. With her viral cover of “Bad Liar” by Imagine Dragons, which now has amassed over 50 million views on Youtube and over 16 million streams on Spotify, and being featured on NBC’s Songland as a writer for Ben Platt, she is taking the world by storm. Now Anna Hamilton is releasing her own music, starting with her debut single “Self Help”. The track is a real success, with an acoustic pop-like melody and her natural storytelling abilities.
Focusing on others and their well being, Hamilton finds herself worn down and needing some care on “Self Help”. Instead of writing a silly pop song about love or heartbreak, she went with a raw and honest topic for her debut, proving she is here for all the right reasons. The stand out lyrics are:
I’ve been passing out all my energy
treating me like I’m a dispensary
going through the withdraws, I know it’s my fault
it should be easy (easy, easy) in theory
god I need to get some self help cause I know how to wear myself down
trying to pick up everybody’s pieces, disregarding all my inner demons
I can’t even help myself, help me
The echoey track is easy on the ears with thoughtful lyrics that bring it to another level, it is hard to believe this is only her debut. From her beginning, of writing songs at an early age with a guitar and a banjo, to releasing her debut single, we can only imagine what her next moves are.
Rydell’s “Three Wise Monkeys” is a modern interpretation of the ancient Japanese proverb. The track calls on the listener to open their eyes, ears and mouths to what is happening in society and throughout the world. This is the lead single off of her debut EP, Stained Notes, which is out now. It was also the first track written for the EP with producer Magnus Thomson. This marks Rydell’s launch into a new chapter of the music industry.
The cycle of corruption continues through the length of the song, the lyrics hitting close to home for many these days. The Vienna-based artist speaks her mind to remind people to avoid becoming desensitized to these shortcomings we see from those in power. Her raw vocals fight against the instrumental, making for a strong track. The gospel vocals add to Rydell’s to soar above the majestic brass with a snare that beats down on the song. There are just some songs that can truly convey emotions, and this is one of them, it feels like a marching anthem.
This is only an introduction of what is on Stained Notes, so if you like what you’re hearing check it out now!
NYC-based brotherly duo Eighty Ninety’s latest single “Know Me” is an understated love song that is tinged with woe but overcome with sweetness. It talks about how love inspires hope, meaning, and possibly even absolution when faced with tragedy. Formed recently in 2016, Eighty Ninety has been making waves in the music world. Their music, videos, and performances have been featured in prominent blogs and publications such as Ones To Watch, Alternative Press, Billboard, and NME. Their debut single “Three Thirty” reached #2 on Spotify’s Global Viral Chart, and since then they have curried favour with the world, including superstar Taylor Swift, who chose Eighty Ninety’s single “Your Favourite Song” as #13 on her official Spotify playlist “Songs Taylor Loves.”
While “Know Me” stays true to the band’s 80-90’s indie-pop aesthetic, its twangy guitar rift introduces a fresh touch of Americana, a style that the band has not yet explored. The uncomplicated guitar and soft atmospheric background music feels completely genuine. This song isn’t trying to be something it’s not, something that’s quite refreshing in today’s world. The simplicity of the music is also reminiscent of the minimalistic pop productions that the duo is known for creating. Abner James’ refined falsetto is embraced by backing vocals in the chorus, giving the effect of a breeze: easy and carefree. The hills and valleys of his vocal lines are a serene treat for the ears to traverse. Even with the twinge of sadness in the lyrics, the story of this song is beautiful and uplifting, and its universal topic infuses the song with a sense of timelessness.
Eighty Ninety is currently working hard to finish their next full-length album, coming out this Summer. You can pre-save their upcoming single “Happier” here, coming out on August 21st. The down-to-earth clarity of “Know Me” is just the beginning. Be sure to check it out.
The Blam Blams put a spotlight on behind the scenes magic in their latest single and title track of their upcoming album, “Opening Night”. For their debut album, they have created a concept album exploring the life of Sydney Fabel, a bisexual actor/artist in 1970’s London, stepping onto the stage for the first time both literally and figuratively. The curtain is drawing and there is an inside look into the mind of Fabel with this track. The narrator is nervous, but excited for the show to begin as the opportunity to be heard and seen is finally here.
“Opening Night” can resonate with anyone who struggles to express themselves and longs to be seen, despite the fears that may come from it. Starting with the muffled voices of the audience and introducing the inner thoughts of Fabel gives a theatrical sound. The song continues to build and grow stronger, not only with the music but with the character and his journey. The Blam Blams, made up of Bradley Owens (lead vocals, piano), Christian Northover (drums), David Estes (guitar, producer) and Rob Stewart (bass), are exploring themes of sexuality, gender, love, and living without a mask with their album Opening Night. This track is only the beginning of an enticing story, an undercurrent of the entirety of the album.
Pre-save the album HERE.
In their new affection-infused single “One in a Million”, NYC pop trio Running Lights remind listeners to savour the moments in life that we hold dear. The trio wants to stress the importance of cherishing your loved ones, especially in light of the social isolation that has come with the pandemic. If you don’t actively nurture your relationships with love and devotion, it’s easy to lose sight of them. “‘One in a Million’ is a leap of faith. It’s about letting moments that feel like they’re meant to happen, happen,” explains vocalist/guitarist Mike Squillante. The infectious track uses a dance beat and a zealous electro-pop sound to perfectly encapsulate the energy of a romantic late night on the town. It fuses together the tenderness and the intoxicating thrill of love, using romantic piano and adoring lyrics but also zestful beats and electric synths. The words paint an endearing picture of a couple exploring the city in their own bubble of bliss, lost in love-driven oblivion.
Running Lights is made up of siblings Mike and Nick Squillante and their childhood friend Stephen Ranellone. Hard work is their mantra, a deep-rooted concept coming from their Italian working-class upbringing and the perfect pairing to their passion for music. The trio has a plethora of experience in the music industry; Mike has toured as a guitarist and keyboardist for major label acts such as Melanie Martinez and Gnash, Nick utilizes his skills as an engineer at NYC’s Electric Lady Studios, working with legendary artists such as Frank Ocean, Bon Jovi, and Mumford & Sons, and Stephen is the touring drummer with the indie artist Pronoun. Running Lights is the dynamic culmination of each of the members’ unique skills and experience, and “One in a Million” is a testament to their talent and determination.