Pussyft’s “Little Green Men”: A Sarcastic, Psychedelic Take on Hipster Culture
Pussyft’s “Little Green Men,” a single released May 8, takes a bizarre and intriguing twist on the indie music scene. Witty, sarcastic, and unflinching, this song toes the line of ridiculous and clever, executing a narrative which questions today’s views on entitlement, importance, and “hipster culture.” In its bolder moments, the song seems to suggest […]
Imbibe’s “Time Heals Every Wound”: Bittersweet and Healing
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ncjlkuNRFiI Groovy, sincere, and expertly crafted, Imbibe’s 2020 single “Time Heals Every Wound” is an off-center pop song about coming to grips with pain in a productive way. Listening to it feels like running your finger down a scar, gently, lovingly, while still acknowledging the hurt which produced it. Although the song aches from the […]
T. Thomason’s “King of Spades Pt. II”: Painful, Vulnerable, Real
Simultaneously dark and airy, T. Thomason’s “King of Spades Part II” blows in like an end of summer wind: warm and inviting but tinged with sadness. With a Glass Animals-like quality, it beautifully captures the internal battles that are faced in the bitter wake of failed relationships. Low spaces to breathe and reflect intermingle with […]
“Higher Hopes” by MILENA: Wintry Pop Perfection
Music critics like to compare artists with other artists; it’s just what we do. Sure, part of it is to show off how many obscure artists we can name (“ah yes, very Jandek-esque!”), but it’s also a way to compare and contrast different artistic approaches, as well as a way to give readers an idea […]
“Reaction” by Silvertone Hills: Jangly, Summery Indie Rock
“Reaction” by Silvertone Hills is a sophisticated song wrapped in an indie-rock package. It hearkens back to music made by bands such as The Kinks or some of the early Strokes, but with some of the nuance of R.E.M. There are the jangling insistent guitars, a steady but simple drum part, solid bass, and a […]
Float Point’s “Until the Noise Stops”: Sharp, Seething Electronic Music
When you first push play on “Until the Noise Stops” by Float Point (Paolo Pace), it’s unclear what journey you’ll go on. At first, the energetic synth sound hits you with a wave of tumbling arpeggios (when notes come one after the other in quick skipping succession). From there, the layers build – distorted leaf […]
“Til It’s Gone” by The Duke of Randwick: Soulful, Grim, Familiar
Harsh, dark, and vulnerable, “Til It’s Gone,” by The Duke of Randwick sweeps the listener into a story about holding on. It’s a song about clinging to the things you know even when you know they will hurt you – about holding on, and on, and on, until it finally runs out. Surrounded by rusty […]
“Box” by redbook Takes Off Your Rose Glasses
redbook’s song “Box” is a soulful break up anthem that boasts high energy, power-house vocals, and no shortage of righteous rage. It’s a song about anger, but more about regret – the pit you get in your stomach when you’ve escaped a relationship and you’re forced to acknowledge the crap you put up with from […]
Brad Peterson’s “Keepsakes in the Garbage” Is a Memorable Ode to Moving On
In the woods near Lake Michigan, Brad Peterson writes and records some incredible tunes from a garden shed he built. That setting is pretty ideal if you ask me. No wonder his music is so good. All of Peterson’s music feels so real. With five albums, an EP, and many singles out everywhere, you can […]
Ryan Cassata’s “California Woman”: Old School Cool with a Modern Twist
Ryan Cassata is proof that trans people can do anything. In fact, he might be proof that trans people can do everything, all at once. He is a singer-songwriter, an actor, a writer, an LGBT activist, a motivational speaker, and even a model. To make it even more impressive, he’s only 26 years old; for […]
