The Underrated Flow of “Whatever It Takes”
This is not a review of an Ed Sheeran song. But allow me to gush about him for a second to make a point. Ed Sheeran’s amazing. He’s got all the talent in the world, he’s a genius song writer, and he worked his way up through hard work and determination. I could go on […]
Hopping a Train Down to “Mexico” with Jordan Ziskin
Time, a perpetual state of movement and the measurement of life. Measurements made up of the people we love, the experiences we create and the paths we choose to follow. Jordan Ziskin’s “Mexico” encompasses this perplexity. It’s simplistic in its essence, yet complex in its dimensions. The story begins with a man traveling across the […]
Hippo Campus’s Beautiful Lyricism on “Passenger”
Scaled back. Spacious. Soft and flirty. Hippo Campus captures a sound and story that takes the modern romance song into the future. It’s futuristic, and not just for the band’s branch of the alternative rock genre. “Passenger” is a departure from the successful, fanciful, hipster sound Hippo Campus and their contemporaries are known for. Even […]
The Enchanting Vulnerability of Von Grey’s “Plans”
My captivation with the Atlanta-based alternative rock group made up of sisters Kathryn, Annika, and Fiona von Grey, began over two years ago, with the release of their provocative single, “Forever Bound.” Haunting in tone, the lyrics lay bare the darkness of devotion and paint a blurred portrait of heartbreak and surrender. I was initially […]
The Glorious Take On Nostalgia and Football on “The Last Game of the Season”
Football and poetry—a strange and surprising pair to write a song about. But that’s exactly what The Glorious did on “The Last Game of the Season.” The track off of their new album Kings is a moody and nostalgic acoustic rock song that uses football season as a symbol for young love. On their Youtube […]
The Daytimers’ DIY Charm Shines Through on Pat’s Song
Deep down, everyone is kind of a hipster. Not that many would admit to it voluntarily, but the truth is that most people have some serious hipster qualities. We all want to be the friend that introduces other friends to what’s fresh and cool, whether that’s a new sushi place or a little-known dive bar […]
Cautious Clay’s Okay with Being Different on “Call Me”
Soundcloud can be a hit or miss platform. Mixed into its diverse multitude of creators are professional producers, podcast hosts, underground superstars, kids in their garages, high school choirs, artists who are unsigned for a reason, and artists who are unsigned because they don’t need a label—they’re good enough on their own. Fortunately for Cautious […]
The Emotion of Zach Kleisinger’s “Feeling Like This”
I cried after the first two lines of Zach Kleisinger’s ballad “Feeling Like This.” Not weepy tears. Torrential tears, the kind of flowing tears Elliott Smith used to bring to my eyes in my teens. Yet, these tears weren’t the melancholy “woe is me,” Smith tears. They were hopeful tears. I’ve had a tough year. […]
How Maren Morris’ Vocals Make “The Middle”
Sometimes the context of a performance makes all the difference. Hitting a homerun in professional baseball is cool, but hitting a leadoff homerun in the first game after one of your teammates died and sobbing as you round the bases? Chills. Whitney Huston’s performance of the Star Spangled Banner at Super Bowl 25 was great, […]
The Gentle Wanderlust of Matthew and the Arrogant Sea’s “Travelling Show”
What’s our fascination with songs about travelling shows? From soul classics like “Don’t Cry Out Loud”, to show tune standards like “Have I Stayed Too Long At The Fair”, songs about running away with the circus are everywhere. Even contemporary pop music is enamoured with the idea, Emma Dean’s concept album “Dr. Dream and the […]
