by Meredith Schneider | Oct 31, 2018 | albums, review
The eleven-track compilation stunner just released by Dazzleships Records honestly serves as our life soundtrack at this very moment in time. Ever since we got our first listen, we’ve been running the tracks back through our minds, creating more with these songstresses as our inspiration. Dazzleships Records Presents: Raise By Women is both tantalizing and evocative of a generation – or more – in its entirety. Skull Diver‘s “Bad Star” sets the tone, giving us a grunge indie/pop soundscape to play with, absorbing itself into the quirky and lighthearted tone of Mini Blinds‘ “Happy” before Cat Hoch‘s “Say You Love Me” throws us into an 80’s-inspired bliss.
Natasha Kmeto‘s “Your Girl” blends synths in a similar way to its predecessor, but in a much more contemporary and soulful way. While Rilla‘s “Side Sleeper” is one to get your head bobbin’ to, your feet groovin’ a bit, Johanna Warren‘s “The Blessing The Curse” dunks you in an ethereal, mellifluous soundscape before DANDAN gets all experimental on us with “Broken Mirror”. Black Water Holy Light‘s “Sunrise” belongs on an episode of The O.C. (Seasons 1 or 2 exclusively, please?), and Laura Palmer’s Death Parade brings us to a slow, folk-tinged, melancholia with “Scrollin'”. Haste basically says it all within the instrumentals of “Let’s Touch Ourselves”, with gorgeous vocals and alluring lyrics to make it a powerhouse of a track. And the entire collection is rounded out quite nicley with Sheers‘ “An Osscasion”, which plays with dissonance and a more earthy, string-led sound that really feels delicate.
Keep up with the latest from Dazzleships Records and all their new projects here.
by Meredith Schneider | Oct 30, 2018 | soundtrack
This month was full to the brim with spooky, gorgeous tones in new music releases. We chose some that match our mood for the witching holiday, and curated what looks to be the perfect Halloween soundtrack full of new music. Featuring new tracks from Nuela Charles, The Penny Serfs, Dead Naked Hippies, Rich Hope, Bonnie Li, and more, check it all out below!
by Gemma Harewood | Oct 26, 2018 | singles, wolf tracks
It’s been a while since we last heard from ZES, so we’re stoked to have a new treat from him. The Dutch producer brings an electronic/future bass sound that pours out longing and conflict, both internal and external.
Between the driving drums and bassline and the shifting vocal chops, the production creates a strong parallel with the vocals and lyrics. Forward-moving and progressively steady while varied and unsure on the surface, “Set Mind” is totally raw and honest in its delivery.
Give this beauty a listen below!
by Meredith Schneider | Oct 26, 2018 | albums, review
To say Bets‘ new album Future Color plays with dark and light like crazy would be an understatement. With each track comes a new feeling, some eery and inescapable, others lift your soul to a place you hadn’t been in a while. The entirety of the album – all 10 tracks – entices its listener to feel something, and that’s what we’re so fond of.
“Another Night” starts us immediately with frantic instrumentals, the first line “dance with me” coaxing us into a frenzy while “Out of View” slows everything down a bit and darkens the instrumentals to an eery octave fit for October. Third track “Left My City” is the perfect anthem for anyone who has ever experienced a slight thrill at seeing someone leave their immediate vicinity, be it a former lover, an old friend, or someone who was bringing you down a bit. While “Da Da Da” has an experimental, robot vibe to it while Bets speaks simple truths, “Maybe” picks everything back up again and reintroduces the playful, light side to her vocals.
“The Daylight Beside Me” is slow, comprised of acoustic guitar and Bets’ mesmerizing vocals. It’s easily one of our favorites, though we’d take an argument for “All I Want” as it picks up the tempo – and transforms our mood – within seconds. “Fear Of” lurches us back into the darker side of Bets’ work, her vocals more mechanical, though no less appropriate at a club in Manhattan after 2am. The instrumentals of “Tunnel Vision” belong first in an action movie, then perhaps in a video game. The lyrics will play on in your ears for a while, though “Gold” will be the one that sticks with you, the instrumental layering something out of a gorgeous dream and Bets’ vocals more of an audible kaleidoscope than anything else.
Future Color is out now. Keep up with Bets here.
by Meredith Schneider | Oct 25, 2018 | videos, wolf tracks
Space folk duo Astralingua – comprised of Joseph Andrew Thompson and Anne Rose Thompson – recently released a captivating, artful black and white visual to accompany their single “Plunge”. The video depicts people of all cultures dancing, while the song plays in the background. “Plunge” has been explained as a track about having courage no matter what, which aligns perfectly with the title and the fun dance moves utilized. The instrumentals have a bit of yesteryear flavor, with a dash of “Eleanor Rigby”-era Beatles to accompany them. We’re big fans of the sound, as it’s a fresh take on confidence than what we have heard as of late.
Keep up with Astralingua here.
by Gemma Harewood | Oct 25, 2018 | singles, wolf tracks
Tracks like “Glass House” and “Hey Gorgeous” from Nick Talos have unsurprisingly gained him impressive numbers of both streams and fans. The Berlin based producer has now put out “Home To You,” which features his lilting vocals against an upbeat backdrop.
He is able to write both romantic and dance-ready singles, and this is another example of that. Folk-style flute and guitar patterns sound wonderful aside its dynamic beat, and Nick Talos has clearly drawn on personal experience to create this tune.
It’s available now to stream worldwide – give it a listen below.
by Meredith Schneider | Oct 24, 2018 | singles, wolf tracks
Today, post-metal trio Shockpowder – expertly comprised of Joshua Scurfield (guitar/vocals), Alasdair Spence (bass), and Louie Watson (drums) – releases their latest track “Airy”. The track blends their normal grungier sound with a sound that is very much reflective of its title, opening with a lighter, more feel-good sound that then layers in some rougher, heavy-hitting instrumentals. It’s a dichotomy that translates gorgeously, and we’re big, big fans.
Keep up with Shockpowder here.
by Meredith Schneider | Oct 22, 2018 | singles, wolf tracks
Los Angeles-based rock duo OcnSide – comprised of Toeknee Aguiar and David Dennis – infuse a fitting soulful vibe into their new track “Bless Your Soul”. With a strong beat – including foot-stomping staccatos to make your head spin – the song has a freeing, fun vibe as they croon “bless your soul / be all that you want to be” repeatedly. Explains the duo of the track:
’Bless Your Soul’ really tries to encompass the distress and heartache of life, but at the same time, it seeks to throw a positive spin and encourage uniqueness and individuality,” the band explains. “Also, picking yourself up despite everything and being able to look around and say to yourself ‘it’s going to be alright.’ Go after life and be anything, don’t be afraid.
Keep up with OcnSide here.
by Meredith Schneider | Oct 22, 2018 | premieres, singles, wolf tracks
Santa Cruz-based indie folk artist Joe Kaplow has been digging into a musician’s life on the road. His latest single – “Allison” – which finds its premiere right here, right now, was actually inspired by a woman he met on his adventures in Baltimore. Their meeting sparked a whirlwind romance, detailed in this gorgeous, delicate new track. “Allison” is introspective, allowing its listener to go on this specific audible adventure with Kaplow, as well as really giving them a post-relationship evaluation to rival their own. Driven by acoustic guitar, the percussion layers in slowly and is intricate and beautiful in its existence.
Keep up with Joe Kaplow here.
