by Abby Trapp | May 22, 2018 | singles, Uncategorized, wolf tracks
The Centeno’s are more than just a family from New Jersey. Together, they are rock band The RocknRoll HiFives. Before fatherhood, Joe Centeno spent his days as a touring musician. Now he is joined by his daughter Eilee Centeno, his son, and his wife, and their latest single “Hold On” is pretty impressive.
The rock track starts out with sultry female vocals and sounds of very evident guitar, bass and drums. “Blonde hair, red dress- she got you drooling, you’re such a mess,” the song starts off. “Hold on, I’ve got something to say to you,” beats the chorus. Lyrically, “Hold On” is creative and sassy as it tells the tale of a female vixen who literally has a “hold” on you. “I need another minute with you,” the song muses. Their debut LP will be out June 29th via Little Dickman Records.
Keep up with the The Rocknroll HiFives here.
by Madison Blom | May 22, 2018 | singles, wolf tracks
Kicking off his forthcoming album with the release of a single that is both hypnotic and beat driven is Ben Browning and his latest release, “Sunshine Baby.” Although his sophomore album is not scheduled to be released until the end of next month (June 22), Browning has released this track that has made the hype surrounding the aforementioned album grow with each individual stream. This single beings with pulsing synth beats that immediately center the listener’s attention solely on each passing note. As the music continues and the first verse of this very modern track truly starts, Brownings vocal skills are captivating and bring the listener into a bright new world that is painted by each lyrically infused beat. With the bright synth loops that create a joyful soundscape, the track becomes a pleasure to listen to and distracts from the events of the methodical and, at times, monotonous pressures of daily life.
While speaking of this new project Browning stated,
After listening to this record I hope people feel like they’ve gone on a smooth psychedelic journey through a colorful musical world. I wanted to create an album that people would want to play in their homes whilst cooking dinner or getting high and imagine what they’re hearing comes from a land created by Jim Henson – or perhaps they’re listening a lost George Harrison album recorded in the Caribbean and discovered on a VHS tape 30 years later.
Without a doubt, Browning succeeded in the enormous feat and, like all of his fans, we are excited to see what new music he has in store for us in the upcoming months. As the title suggests, all those who have the pleasure of listening to this track will feel the warmth of the lyrics and the comfort that this uplifting track has to offer. Written as a nod to Italo disco and Takahashi from Yellow Magic Orchestra, “Sunshine Baby” is everything that fans expected from such a talented and promising artist.
Keep up with Been Browning here.
by Abby Trapp | May 21, 2018 | singles, wolf tracks
Toronto based musician Cherry Blaster is excited to announce her latest single “Demo Reel.” Cherry Blaster discovered her unique sound by accident. Spending years trying to write music for guitar, she discovered the magic of synthesized sound and re-kindled her love for the keyboard. Now, her latest single “Demo Reel,” is a perfect display of the sound she’s created for herself. The song begins with eerie electronic beats and sounds of a funky keyboard. As the beat never remains in the same place for long, Cherry Blaster shows off her talents with her melodic vocals. “I do what you want me to, just want you to want me too,” pleads Cherry Blaster on “Demo Reel”, which is more than just a display of the artist’s instrumental growth. “Demo Reel” also shows off Cherry Blaster’s personal inspirations.
The artist puts it beautifully saying:
I’ve never been particularly good at taking initiative in social situations, and this has often allowed me to retreat behind walls of self-protection. “Demo Reel” paints a picture of what I initially feel from this vantage point: the earnest desire to be accepted that comes before the envy that then morphs into a fortifying yet toxic cynicism (the age old “If they don’t need me, I don’t need them” attitude). I think most of us have gone through this, especially in our youth, so I wanted to ensconce the honesty and vulnerability of the lyrics in a vibrant, mercurial sonic palette that evokes the innocence of our school days.
Take a listen at Cherry Blaster’s eccentric and enticing latest single here.
Keep up with Cherry Blaster here.
by Abby Trapp | May 21, 2018 | albums, review
The Brooklyn based rock band Language, just released their latest EP Plymouth via Good Eye Records. The rock band consists of Omar Afzaal (guitar), Charles Sloan (bass) and Wes Black (drums). After self-released EP’s, Plymouth is the product of their signing with Good Eye Records. Plymouth has five tracks, including the title track “Plymouth.” The album encompasses all things rock and kicks off with the track “Where To.” With no vocals and only lasting at 1:21, “Where To,” holds up to its name. It really serves as an introduction to the band’s sound which include notes of bass, guitar, and a steady drums. “Game Piece” shows off the band’s vocal talents, far-reaching as they are. The band’s vocals remain gritty and angsty with true rock feel. “Fingers small, in a father’s hands,” Language sings on “Game Piece.” The song has a punk-rock feel and definitely is something to jam out to.
“Plymouth” remains creepy at first, with a distant sound of buildup to the drop of the beat. The song soon changes pace halfway with calming vocals– “Landed on a new rock, kinda like the old one.” I believe that the “rock” is in reference to Language’s new album, their signing with Good Eye Records, and coming full circle as a band and artists. Plymouth remains the band’s “new rock.”
Keep up with Language here.
by Abby Trapp | May 21, 2018 | singles, wolf tracks
Brooklyn based indie duo Pollens, just dropped their latest track “$$$_PSA.” The duo consists of Jeff Aaron Bryant and Elizabeth “Emay” May. Right off the bat, the name of the track of grabs your attention. Listening to the track invited me in even more. The track starts off with the sassy chanting of the duo “Affluent men in their 30’s they’re all asking, ‘Is it better to get the credit for all of the things I know?” The title of the track immediately makes sense almost as “Affluence, PSA!” The track is adorably snarky with talks of affluence, sophistication, and intelligence. Combined with the pop-indie beat, the duo really feed off each other. The ingenious lyrics really shine through on “$$$_PSA.”
Pollens lyrics are purely intentional as they want their music to be “simple and immediate.” Jeff of Pollens says on the creativity “with a tiny band, we’re totally free to explore sparse, dumb, over committed ideas without a lot of risk or investment.”
Keep up with Pollens here.
by Madison Blom | May 21, 2018 | singles, wolf tracks
One of the hottest LGBTQ artists from this generation has just announced that she will be dropping her next single this Wednesday for the public to hear and her fans have been going nuts ever since. Pronoun returned to the music scene recently with her last single, “Run” which was not only adored by her fans, but by internationally acclaimed magazines and other well known artists. On Wednesday, she will be releasing a single entitled, “Wrong” which addresses some of the personal struggles that she was facing after a difficult breakup. In her own words she stated,
“I wrote this song when I found out some really weird news about my ex. All of a sudden I just said out loud “I feel embarrassed again”, and I went from there. For the longest time I was so angry at her, and the news that should have been the final straw actually just made me feel really bad for her which spun me in to the weird emotion of how can you feel sorry for some one you “hate”. How is that even possible, do other people feel this way? I guess in a way it’s what I would want to say… if I wanted to talk to her…. which obviously I don’t…. so iI wrote this song instead.”
Like most of her other work, “Wrong” is the perfect mix of old and new. Along with the upbeat synth loops, there is a beautiful guitar overlay that syncs perfectly with the drumming beat. Vocally powerful, Pronoun takes each low and high in stride and blends perfectly with the lush atmosphere created by the back up vocals and lighthearted instrumental components. Although there is a slight psychedelic flare to the overall soundscape created by this band, they are nothing less than the future of the pop industry.
Keep up with pronoun here.
by Madison Blom | May 21, 2018 | singles, wolf tracks
Releasing their first ever official single, “If You’re Over Me”, is up and coming British trio, Years and Years. Not only is the announcement of this new single exciting, but it has also been said that this single will set up their forthcoming album Palo Santo which is scheduled to drop July 6 of this year. With all of these new releases, there is no doubt that this new group will find their way to the top of playlists and billboards across the world.
At the core of this synth-pop outfit is Olly Alexander who has the potential to take the world stage by storm with upbeat killer vocals that are both infectious and hypnotic. His personal ambition and drive to achieve his dream will take Years and Years to the next level as they continue to produce music that is fresh, unique and completely original.
The lyrics for this track address the classic issue of trying to stay friends with an ex partner. In their own words, “This is a song about trying to stay friends with an ex. Spoiler alert – it doesn’t often work. In fact, in my experience, the relationship often ends up ruined. ‘If You’re Over Me’ is about the emotional torture that ensues – meeting up and making out, then breaking up all over again, then making out some more.” Not only is the toxicity of this genre of relationship explored throughout the song, but much like its cyclical nature, the music itself seems to parade in intricate loops that eventually finds its way back to the start. With all of this raw talent, there is no telling just how far this group will go as they take on some of the biggest stages in the world, but judging from this release, it won’t be long until they are named one of the fastest growing pop artists.
“PALO SANTO” ALBUM PRE-ORDER
Retail | iTunes | Apple Music | Spotify | Amazon | Google Play | Years & Years
by Abby Trapp | May 18, 2018 | singles, wolf tracks
Brooklyn based TOMI has been busy prepping for the release of her EP What Kind of Love, out today. The EP features the title track “What Kind of Love,” and “Every Morning I Feel Like Running Away Here.” On “What Kind of Love,” TOMI speaks on the kind of love that you crave and need. “What kind of love takes its under its wings, what kind of love ties you up in its arms and won’t do you any harm- what kind of love?” ponders TOMI. The song has an 80’s dance feel to it, and the music video is visually aesthetic. “What Kind of Love,” really shows TOMI off as an artist in terms of her voice, style, and creativity. “Every Morning I Feel Like Running Away” tells another story. Looking for an escape and breaking out of the comfort zone, TOMI sings “Even out in the open I want to sail away.”
TOMI shares her personal inspiration for What Kind of Love, explaining:
We all experience different versions of love, even in just one person. There is kind love, destructive love, boring love, obsessive love, drunk love, the list is endless. I spent this past Thanksgiving in Las Vegas, and it was a beautiful trip aside from a panic attack: ‘Every now and then I feel you coming up behind me.’ A lot had changed for me in a short period of time. I had been in a relationship for three years with someone who couldn’t quite figure out how to love me. It made me wonder if something was wrong with me. When we broke up, I felt a weight lift, and then as I fell in love with my current partner, I felt the weight pour back over me, even stronger this time.
Keep up with TOMI here.
by Abby Trapp | May 18, 2018 | albums, review
Chicago’s own Hidden Hospitals is excited to share the release of their new album Liars, which is officially out today. “Razor Blades” is the first track to kick off the album, and shows off Hidden Hospital’s pop-punk flare. “I want it all but everything won’t fit,” proclaims the band. The track remains angsty with lines like “rush to the razor blades” and “haunted crosses” highlighted among others. The title track “Liars” is very ethereal, more reminiscent of outer space. “Liars have lips who call out love,” the upbeat electronic pop track sings. “Liars” remains upbeat and funky, but with a sad lyrical message.
My personal favorite track is “Better Off”. On this post-apocalyptic track, Hidden Hospitals touches on the aftermath of a relationship and the toxic environment one can get caught up in. “I didn’t know what we had started, I couldn’t see the pieces then- pull us close found us toxic/how misleading it had been,” the band shares on a painful but truthful experience with listeners.
On the album, vocalist Dave Raymond says: “Sound is language, and our fluency and vocabulary 2018 is vast. Why not use it? I can make a guitar do anything, we can make a drum kit say or control anything, and that’s interesting to me. It’s the feeling of “kid in the garage with their amp turned all the way up.” I’m forever chasing that, and LIARS is the most recent expression of what got me there.”
Liars is available here.
