Reflection and Loneliness in Lande Hekt’s “December”
“It was December / I wasn’t feeling well,” Lande Hekt laments in the first verse of her newest single. She then goes on to wonder aloud, “But am I ever?” The Exeter-born musician Lande Hekt is releasing her debut solo album, Going To Hell, next month, and the singles already out to stream tell stories […]
Bobcat Rob & The Nightly Howl Remind Us of “Beauty in the World”
As we near the end of one hell of a year, many of us are trying to figure out how to breathe again. “Beauty in the World” by Bobcat Rob & the Nightly Howl premiered December 16th of this year and is like the exhale of 2020 with uncertainty in anticipating the next breath. And […]
Guitar-Driven Beauty: “Lilith” by Jade Collective
“Lilith,” the fifth track in Jade Collective’s 2020 EP Cycles, is like a moving picture, full and lovely while bustling with slight, repetitive movements. From start to finish, its trajectory is horizontal, but that’s not to say it isn’t complete. It’s an atmosphere that breathes, floats, sways, and convinces me to do the same. As […]
“To Bleed” by Myers Rooney: Reviving the Sound of Decades Past
There is no shortage of music taking inspiration from the past nowadays. However, while many people can aim to create songs which sound vintage and from another era, not many can do it well. By recreating a sound so specific, you sort of back yourself into a corner as far as creativity goes. That being […]
The Stress of an Active Mind: “Overthinking” by Rikas
Appearances, as we’ve heard said many times throughout our lives, can be deceiving. And sometimes, detrimentally so. That’s because it’s difficult, or near impossible, to address a situation if you are entirely unaware of it. To successfully tackle a problem, first you must be able to identify it. As we’re all well aware, issues are […]
“Fruitcake” by Subsonic Eye: Singular Indie Rock from Singapore
The singular Singaporean indie rockers Subsonic Eye just dropped their latest single from their upcoming album, Nature of Things. Part post-punk, part dream pop, part new wave, “Fruitcake” is an anthemic track brimming with depth, fervor, and raw sincerity. The group of five finds new life in liminal spaces in this sneak peek of their […]
“Cool Dry Place” by Katy Kirby: A Relatable Journey
While trying to come up with an introduction for this piece, something struck me. My mind was wandering about the state of the world and how we are swiftly approaching the end of this unprecedented year. A year which started off with such high hopes, it was the beginning of a brand-new decade, one which […]
“Verdant” by Floraphona and Naoba: Beguiling, Uncanny Pop
There’s a concept called the “uncanny valley” that’s become more relevant in recent years. As humans, we’re wired to feel empathy towards things, even inanimate objects, that have some humanlike qualities: it’s why everyone cried during WALL-E. The uncanny valley, then, shows the limits of that empathetic response. According to the theory, there’s a threshold […]
Retrospective Review: Laurie Anderson’s “Sharkey’s Day”
The first lyric of this song–that opens Laurie Anderson’s second album, Mister Heartbreak–are: “Sun’s coming up…like a big bald head poking over the grocery store.” With just that, Anderson has already invited you into the world of Sharkey, whoever that person might be and wherever they are. The feeling of morning has already been fully communicated […]
“Moonstone” by Parlour Magic: Catchy, Atmospheric Synthpop
One of my favorite things about electronic music is how it’s constantly pushing the envelope of sonic possibilities. Even when a producer uses vintage synthesizers or retro beats, the creative spirit of the music often feels forward-looking, or boundary-pushing. Maybe it’s just our tendency as humans to equate electronic spectacles with futuristic vision, but you […]
