“Proud” by Sarah Cicero: Searing, Beautiful Honesty
I remember a snow-bent day in February, riding the train back from my friend’s apartment. The windows were flecked with ice and I had a knot in my stomach. My friend, a relentlessly brilliant environmental major, had spent much of the visit agonizing over her work ethic. Despite working multiple jobs, attending class, and tending […]
“Lately, I Believe” by The Sarandons: A Bright Indie Rock Daydream
The Sarandons have dropped the soundtrack for your neon urban dream – and it’s called “Lately, I Believe.” The single is the result of a cosmic collaboration between Damian Coleman, Edumund Cummings, Craig Keeney, Phil Skot, and Dave Suchon – all of whom, aside from Skot, participate in the vocals of the production. (Sorry to […]
“Brand New” by Sea Glass, Misty Boyce and Dripping Honey: Pure Chill
I’m just gonna say it: “Brand New” by Sea Glass deserves a spot on your Chill Hits playlist. Full stop. This warm, swaying three-minute track is a song to listen to at the beach, with sunlight sponging over your back. It’s quietly captivating, with gentle vocals and a rewarding rise and fall. The song features […]
Rachel Efron’s “I Changed My Mind, I Want You”: Stellar Songcraft
Rachel Efron’s song “I Changed My Mind, I Want You,” is a clean, shining stand-out in Efron’s 2020 album, Human as I Came. In January of 2021, Efron’s album was noted as the number one folk add for college and community radio across the country, tied with the massively popular Andrew Bird. Efron’s appeal is […]
“Birch” by Maja Lena: Dark, Haunting Art Pop
When the glaciers of the ice age retreated about ten thousand years ago, birches were one of the first trees to recolonize the shifting landscape. It’s appropriate, then, that birches represent new beginnings in Celtic mythology – and that they represent the first letter of the Ogham, the Celtic alphabet. Spindly, paper-white, and resilient even […]
“Floating on Glass” by Jeremy Voltz: Gorgeous A Cappella Soul
It’s a familiar story: picture you and the person you love. A wrong word, or a silence when you should have said something clever. There’s shift between the two of you. Acidic words, rising voices. Then silence, a taste like metal in your mouth, and the ground suddenly feels unstable. You don’t know where you […]
“North Decatur” by Kelly McFarling: The Power of Nostalgia
Growing up in a small town in the mountains, there isn’t much to do. On the melty June nights when we would finally be free from school and work, my friends and I wouldn’t go to concerts or movie theatres or bars. We’d climb into the car and drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway. It […]
Joe Bartone (Brides of Jesus) on “Inside Me,” Time Signatures, and Tragedy
It’s not always easy to let someone in. Love forces us to be viciously vulnerable, to give others the opportunity to burrow into our skin. Brides of Jesus examines the terror and power of this emotional intimacy in their fresh release “Inside Me.” “Inside Me” boasts a rich, cinematic feel layered with haunting vocal strips. […]
“Man of Action” by Anguid: A Sax-Laden Take on Privilege
If you haven’t been hiding away from the world, you probably know about privilege politics in the United States. As more people learn about injustice and inequality, many folks from privileged backgrounds are faced with this personal reckoning: how can I hold myself responsible? Anguid’s January release “Man of Action” turns that question over in […]
“Different Man” by Paceshifters: Brooding, Hypnotic Indie Rock
The Dutch rock band Paceshifters is roaring back into the music scene with a fresh sound, look, and record label. Known for their electric live performances, loyal fanbase, and passionate vulnerability, Paceshifters embraces a new era without compromising their best qualities. Their dark, urgent sound comes to the forefront in their January release “Different Man.” […]
