Katy Kirby’s “Blue Raspberry” is Cubic Zirconia in the Rough
Katy Kirby’s new album is a languorous, poetic ode to artificiality and imperfection. Chronicling the end of a relationship and the bright, sparkling discovery of a new one, Kirby warbles, trills, and serenades over somber piano, understated guitar, and the occasional soaring strings. The album drawls in slow and almost hymnal with the syllabic, chantlike […]
Noele Flowers’ Triptych Singles Are a Sight to Behold
Noele Flowers has time and time again proven her unique ability to write stirring and frustratingly relatable heartbreak songs, not about a lover but instead: friendship. And in her most recent trio of singles—”Spider’s Silk,” “Red Sweater,” and “Let You Down”—she walks us through a friendship of 10 years—how it slowly degrades, and is lost. […]
JUNGWOO’s “Cumulus” is Blissfully Liminal
I heard JUNGWOO for the first time in 2019 when she popped up in my new releases with a Kim Sawol feature, one of my favorite singer-songwriters of all time. I made the grave mistake of not further exploring her music or clicking onto the album from which the song joined my playlists. Unfortunately, this […]
Joel Ansett delivers a quiz show for the soul
First impressions mean a lot. No one likes a floppy handshake. Opening lines of a novel matter too. How many books have you not read because the story sets off blandly? Albums are no different, and the opening song not only creates a statement for what’s to come but needs to grab the attention of […]
The Japanese House’s “In the End It Always Does” & Cycles
When I was in middle school, I wrote a science paper from the perspective of a water droplet to prove I understood the water cycle: evaporate, rise, cool & condense… I got rave reviews back about the emotional turmoil of my water droplet as she was ripped from her family’s river current to the sky […]
Noele Flower’s Debut EP “Wait For Me” is a Stunning Retrospective
image: Luca Pearl Khosrova Noele Flowers’s debut EP, “Wait For Me” is a journey, a diary, a biopic – a testament to letting go of regrets and holding onto hope, and ultimately? A damn good listen. Ranging from optimistic, bright surf pop, to heavy-hit ballads and soft forest-folk, Flowers has taken inspiration from the path […]
Haley Harkin Absolves Anxiety with To Heal Her Too
Haley Harkin’s newest album, To Heal Her Too, has a theme of self understanding that brings an intense sense of peace and purpose. The album is reminiscent of something from the 70s, and not only is the album incredibly calming and uplifing, but the sound is magnetizing. A brilliant album full of plucky guitar and […]
Around The Sun In 80 Ways
Songs make my mind a traveler, and as I listened to GALASO’s EP Around the Sun, my thoughts ventured to a few different places. Well, one place in particular. It might sound trite, but GALASO’s smooth vocals brought me back to the old roller rink- so much so that I Googled “Roller Rink.” (What do […]
Sorcha Richardson is All Smiles After Returning to Dublin
Irish singer-songwriter Sorcha Richardson – just like London artist emie nathan – went to college in the U.S. before returning home. Consequently, Sorcha understands the world a lot better than most of who didn’t study abroad – and her songs have gravitas and wisdom. Every song on Sorcha’s new album Smiling Like An Idiot lures […]
Billy Woodward’s The Boy from the Bay Is a Brilliant Modern Western
Written as a self-described “therapy album,” Billy Woodward’s The Boy from the Bay covers the scope of human struggling with vivid imagery, evocative lyricism and brilliant instrumentation. Detailing everything from grief, substance abuse, traveling to salvation, Woodward’s album reflects the stark realities of the world as he sees it. Putting listeners directly into what feels […]
