“Mates” by Routine Faces: Crisp, Lovely Indie Pop
There’s no doubt that there is a certain comfort that comes from scrolling through the expansive and familiar discographies of a favorite long-established artist, knowing that hitting shuffle will inevitably produce some sort of easy excellence. On the other side of the spectrum, though, is the fresh cleanliness of new artists. With only a handful […]
“Y.A.M.E” by Les Is a Stirring Reminder to Reflect
This new year’s eve countdown may have felt less like “Auld Lang Syne” and more like a ticking time bomb. How fitting that the latter is the way Les’ December 31st release “Y.A.M.E” kicks off. Created by Simon Wolfe and Vova Faust, Les is a self titled “musical and technological project” based in New York […]
Thomas Austin’s “The Morning” Is a Meditation on Light, Loss, and Faith
Light comes and goes, colors fade and bloom. Thomas Austin’s “The Morning” orients us towards the dawn, and the ways in which we can harbor its grace even through the night. When I first listened to “The Morning”, immediately it reminded me of a church hymn. The charming and simple piano melody that is introduced […]
Fiona Brice’s “Last Light”: An Elegant Meditation on Change and Loss
Piano ballads have been a staple of modern pop music for almost as long as there’s been pop music, which makes it easy to forget how hard they are to pull off. Since most piano ballads are stripped down and minimal, they leave no room for error: if the vocals are a bit strained, or […]
Guilt and Intimacy in Half Bath’s “Michigan”
Music carries a unique ability to remind us of our mutual humanity. Sure, the listening experience can be solitary—one riff can catalyze a mental chain reaction and bring us back to an intimate, personal past memory. But music is also an inherently communal experience. For when we listen to music, even if by ourselves, we […]
“Python” by Claire Heywood: Thoughtfully-Written Feminist Indie Rock
Music and lyrics have an ever-changing relationship, full of possibility. Sometimes, they are each other’s opposite — the lyrics are dark, but the production is upbeat, or the lyrics are lovely and moving but the production is more melancholy. There are also times when the two mirror each other, and they work together to create […]
“Hey Coffee Eyes!! (I Think You’re the One!!)” by Mapleway: A Gripping Emo Demo
Who doesn’t love a good demo? There’s something so exciting about your favorite artists releasing the early versions of their best songs. It gives us all the chance to dissect their songwriting process, muse over how differently their songs could have sounded, or sometimes, even just jam out. The Boston-based emo band, mapleway, just released […]
“Telephone Dreams” by Wolf Circus: Fresh, Charming Synthpop
One of the things that I love most about music is how it refuses to be a static art form. Musicians and songwriters are never satisfied with complacency in musical development. Instead, they are endlessly pushing the envelope of music—how it’s made, what it sounds like, where it goes. Yet, even with this constant sense […]
“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.” […]
“Michelangelo” by Cassandra Jenkins: Being Unforgivingly Open
It’s never easy trying to articulate how you feel inside, especially when you’re doing it on a public platform. Aside from it taking an enormous amount of courage to be so open, it places a great vulnerability upon anyone, let alone an artist trying to survive in this world. A popular way to somewhat sidestep […]
