Mousey on “Rachel” and Heartbreak in Friendships
Indie singer-songwriter Mousey’s track “Rachel” propels listeners into outer space, creating a sonic vacuum of simple keys, haunting vocals and reverb-laden production that creates the feeling of floating weightlessly through the ether. Mousey herself likens the song to being in space, stating “there’s no gravity” on the track which appears on her anticipated sophomore record […]
“Roller Skating” by Plunki: Elated Dream Pop for the Elusive Crush
In the process of reviewing songs, sometimes you receive a project to review that you know is objectively great , but you might not actually incorporate into your oh-so perfectly curated playlists. Upon first listen of “Roller Skating” by Plunki, I knew this would not be the case. This dreamy Indietronica track is now on […]
“Dark Thoughts About a Pretty Flower” by The Lovelines: The Life Cycle of Love
A synthesized xylophone chimes like a bell at midnight, before a smooth and jazzy drum beat kicks this seductive track into gear. The sultry tone is set immediately – we’re getting excited and perhaps moving our shoulders to the rhythm of the hot, bustling city night we have been sonically transported to. “Dark Thoughts About […]
“When You Turn On the Light” by Frog Eyes: Mortal Awakenings through Thrilling Indie Rock
Canadian band Frog Eyes depict a swift descent into emotional chaos in their hypnotizing Indie-Rock single “When You Turn On the Light” from the upcoming album The Bees, set to release in April 2022. Like a crude, sobering elixir force-fed down your gullet, you are reminded of the impetuous cataclysms of life – death, illness […]
Alysia Kraft on “Cold Mountain,” Queer Identity, and Live Music
Alysia Kraft’s magnetic voice cuts through crisp air in a bittersweet serenade of imperfect love and loss in “Cold Mountain”. The shimmering, indie-folk-pop song paints time and place with a clear brush, sharing mesmerizing vignettes of her homeland. The place Kraft describes is one of an opaque, sometimes harsh beauty. Coming from a small cattle […]
Ethan Luce on “Airplane Mode,” Music During the Pandemic, and Having Fun
“Airplane Mode” by Ethan Luce blends surf rock with indie pop, sending you into a delicious, summery haze where funk is on cruise control. Upbeat and playful, the splendid track substitutes the head noise of incessant news media with something more delightful. “Airplane Mode” opens with just soft, naked guitar plucks shadowed by a subdued, […]
“Calling on Sunshine” by John Bickel: Happiness, Pain, and Musical Absolution
Philadelphia-based artist John Bickel’s latest song, “Calling on Sunshine,” is an ecstatic outburst of finger-snapping rock and soul, demanding joy in the face of life’s worldly challenges. The track stands at nearly five minutes, and seems to be a masterclass in choosing the most harmonious, funky elements across a multitude of classic American genres – […]
“Cinnamon Bun” by Kinzoogianna: Sonic Sunshine
“Cinnamon Bun”, by Kinzoogianna is a soulful nu-jazz track that anoints listeners weary ears with a bursting and sincere optimism. Embodying what can only be described as sonic sunshine, the four-minute track boasts honey-smooth vocals that waltz around flutters of harp, funky piano and hypnotic synths. My own synesthesia flooded the color yellow into my […]
