“Free” by The Shelter and Clemente Castillo: Fresh, Catchy Indie Pop
A popping guitar riff, pulsing bass, coupled with silvery vocals that overlay the track, make “Free” by The Shelter a song to come back to again and again. The Mexican band, formed in January 2020 by three musicians: Elias Gameros (vocals), Javier Orduña (guitar), and Hector Chan (drums), is making waves in the Mexican music […]
“Shady Lane” by the Masterminds: A DIY Indie Tune
Coming in with a home-spun indie feel, The Masterminds have released a new track titled “Shady Lane” that blends folk rock with elements of DIY garage bands. “Shady Lane” purposefully creates a textured sound that comes off as muddled and low fi, complementing the lyrical content. The music on this track contributes to the garage […]
Gal Musette on “Honeymoon,” Her New Album, and Romantic Realism
The sounds of dream pop are usually used to convey a sort of blissful, starry-eyed romanticism–think Mazzy Star’s “Fade Into You,” Cocteau Twins’ “Heaven or Las Vegas,” or the Cure’s “Just Like Heaven,” an important forerunner of the dream pop sound. Gal Musette, also known as the California-based singer-songwriter Grace Freeman, has steeped herself in […]
“Breathe” by Paponeireau: A Gentle Reminder to Find Peace
While the world is occupied with decisions, consequences, desires and challenges, it is easy to lose sight of who you are. Without taking the time out of the day to revisit your goals and purpose, oftentimes you forget to ground ourselves in the midst of life. Thankfully, Paponeireau is here to remind us to breathe. […]
Sade Fox on “Necessary Nostalgia,” the Songwriting Process, and Learning Experiences
Sade Fox shares a visceral ache for the past in their new song “Necessary Nostalgia.” The four and a half minute track is framed in a gentle piano loop, making plenty of space for the bright and enchanting vocals. Sade Fox boasts a clear, shimmering voice that will remind listeners of alternative artists like beabadoobee […]
A Sweet Trip of Sweet Trip: A Guide Through the Cult Favorite Band’s Best Songs
Engaging with the music of Sweet Trip is a very personal thing. That’s true for all music–the thesis of this very blog is that the listener forms their own story when listening to a song based on their own experiences–but it’s especially true with Sweet Trip. A Sweet Trip song is never just happy or […]
Chico Harpo’s “He’s In The News Again” Is Rocking, Well-Placed Anger
Before the virus shut down much of the world, it seemed like every few weeks there would be news of another school shooting. I remember as a student, sitting silently next to my classmates in the dark during drills, shoulders tensing every time an announcement came over the intercom: will this be the day? Too […]
“Weird Dreams” by Mae Powell: Dreamy, Clever Songwriting
If you’re like me, and waking up early on a Saturday morning with the entire day ahead of you is the highlight of your week, and even if mornings aren’t your cup of tea, you will love Mae Powell’s new single “Weird Dreams”. “Weird Dreams” stays true to its title, and in both lyrics and […]
The Intimacy of “House Red” by Phillinois
Phillinois’ “House Red” off the album Blue Haze has a way of surprising you. The beginning of the song seems like a polite, inquisitive folk tune infused with electronics, a mix between Breakout and Ben Folds. As Phil Gerigscott’s lyrics go on, or possibly, as another glass of house red is served, a slight chanting […]
Alyson McNamara’s “Waiting”: To Want and Not Have
“The feelings that hurt most,” opined the famed Portuguese poet Fernando Pessoa regarding the dilemma of unrequited love, are those that are “absurd” and “create in us a painful landscape, an eternal sunset of what we are.” About ill-fated and one-sided romantic affairs, Virginia Woolf similarly stated in the modernist classic To the Lighthouse that […]
