Jackie West on “Amelia,” Her Musical Family, and Working on Farms in Massachusetts
“Amelia,” a new song by the New York-based singer-songwriter Jackie West, is a rich, soothing piece of music. West plays jazz-inflected folk, and on “Amelia” she takes the coziest elements of both genres and knits them into a warm sweater. The mellow guitar strum isn’t far removed from Jessica Pratt, but while Pratt’s strange, elfin […]
“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 […]
“Amnesia” by Dude Low: Deceptively Thoughtful Vibes
“Amnesia” by Dude Low is a fun yet melancholy electro-pop song reminiscent of a lost Tame Impala track. Based on first instinct and sound alone, I expected the song to reflect a mild existential crisis and detachment from reality due to its synth-powered instrumentals and psychedelic feel. “I’m just looking for some lightning Climbing out […]
Cate Le Bon’s “Dirt on the Bed”: Art Pop from a Singular Perspective
Today, not one but two members of the indie rock elite, both emblematic of their decades, have released new albums. Animal Collective, whose wild-child exuberance helped define the sound of the genre in the 00s, have returned with the balmy Time Skiffs, their strongest album since 2009’s Merriweather Post Pavilion. Meanwhile, Mitski reckons with her […]
Eileen Gogan and Sean O’Hagan on “Wave,” The Art of Arrangement, and Lucid Dreaming
When a singer-songwriter starts folding complex arrangements into their music, there’s always the risk of the music becoming too neat or too fussy: a Ferrero Rocher that’s all wrapper and no chocolate. Eileen Gogan’s collaborations with Sean O’Hagan avoid that pitfall, largely because, well, she’s Eileen Gogan and he’s Sean O’Hagan. Gogan has become a […]
The Moon Caravan on Collaboration, Process, and “Brand New Age”
To really review a song, you tend to leave it on repeat. You open up an empty document, start researching the band, and let the song soak in. Leaving it on as you pace around and try to bash out an outline while the song settles around you. The Moon Caravan’s “Brand New Age” did […]
Philippe Nash’s “Wounded Love”: Drifting and Sensual
Philippe Nash beckons listeners into a drifting, half-familiar landscape with his new single “Wounded Love.” To my own mind, the four-minute track shimmers with textures of gray: the unflinching glare of steel, the raw swirls of mountain fog, the pearly accents of snow crushed into your windshield. Much of Nash’s past work has been concerned […]
“Throw Me A Line” by The Moving Stills: Nostalgic Summer Warmth
Picture yourself in the passenger seat of a car with the windows down. Imagine it’s around five or six o’clock, you’re on the highway home after a long day at the beach, and the sun is setting. While you’re sort of bummed that the day is over, you’re mostly overwhelmed with feelings of calmness, fulfillment, […]
Erika Wester on “Novelty,” Songwriting, and Human Connection
“Novelty” feels like it was plucked from the past. It has a sepia tone over the flowing, expressive lyrics and dream pop atmosphere. It’s like a few dusty photographs in the attic, depicting the past of a relationship that just didn’t happen. Erika Wester explores these ideas inside this West Coast, dreamy style. The song […]
