Katie Kuffel’s “Take It Up” Is The Refresher Blues Needed
Minimalism can get to you when it’s done right. Seeing just a few drawn lines come together and make a whole picture—tell a whole story—is stunning. (Of course, when done wrong you end up with a bunch of raised eyebrows wondering how a couple obscure shapes qualify as art.) On “Take It Up,” Katie Kuffel […]
Chirpy’s “Go Easy” Is A Lullaby With Teeth
Dublin Singer-songwriter Rebecca Shannon — better known as Chirpy — effortlessly blends elegant classical composition with her own dark, electronic twist on folk music with the latest single from her chart-topping EP, “Go Easy.” Combining eclectic elements from dream-pop, shoegaze, alternative rock, folk, and electronic, Chirpy entrances listeners with her lullaby-soft vocals and echoing landscapes. […]
Angstbadan’s “Nowhere Around” Is A Retro Revelation
Picture walking into an old saloon, or perhaps a secret speakeasy. The dim lighting accentuates the cloud of cigarette smoke lingering above, adding to the mysterious, yet striking, vibes in the air. Onstage, a band is playing a bluesy tune that pierces your soul. This band is the Finnish/Swedish retro rock group, Angstbadan, and they’re […]
Villagers’ “Again” Will Bring Your Emotions Full Circle
New track, “Again” from Villagers’ new album ‘The Art of Pretending to Swim’ is an atmospheric take on the feeling of rediscovering inspiration. Its dreamy soundscape starts as a minimalist arrangement atop a continuous pulsating beat with the word “again” uttered on a loop, answering each lyrical line. As the song plays on, the simple […]
Worlds Collide in Perlo’s “Front Lights”
Sometimes we come across songs with instrumentation that speaks just as much as the lyrics. Some artists rely on musical arrangement as a second voice to help carry the story along. This week, I had the pleasure of listening to “Front Lights” by Perlo, a very intimate song. I found myself getting lost in its […]
The Experimental Subversion Of Airhead DC’s “Honey-Colored Flame Blown Off My Candle”
On first listen, Airhead DC’s “Honey-Colored Flame Blown Off My Candle” sounds like a simple enough swing at mid-90s alt-rock tributism, but the more I listen to it, the less simple it becomes. Songwriter Vishal Narang has been making spacious, electronic, alternative rock for years under a variety of monikers including Milk Ghost and […]
“Shake” is Villa Coola’s Tale of The Forever Crush
Baby, maybe I’ll see you down the road It’s hard to come by a song that has all of the qualities of a home run. It greets you with bundle of warmth. That’s what I quickly discovered about “Shake” by Villa Coola. It’s easy-going simplicity is like ear sugar that sends a warm fuzz up […]
The Paper Kites’”Give Me Your Fire, Give Me Your Rain” Is Like A Glimpse Into A Parallel Universe
The Paper Kites’ “Give Me Your Fire, Give Me Your Rain” brings on the full nostalgic vibes for an era I’ve never experienced though always wished I could: the 80’s. The first notes are upbeat and makes me feel as though I’m part of one of the quintessential 80’s movies, like The Breakfast Club or […]
The Chilled Out Escapism Of Lauren Scott’s “Lost”
Philly’s Lauren Scott brings the smooth vibes with her chilled-out track “Lost.” The jazzy single is the perfect release to top off the end of a memorable summer. The atmosphere here definitely inspires relaxation, reminiscent of the way Jill Scott (any relation?) has always been known to achieve. The lush instrumentation, groovy bassline, and Scott’s […]
The Grit And Glamour Of Chuparuba’s “Electric Soul”
Miami-based alternative rock band, Chuparuba, electrifies listeners with their latest release, Electric Soul. A gritty, intense track crafted by partners and friends Emmanual “Maestro Manny” Sanchez and Darko Richards, Chuparuba combines the innovation of the 90s with the dark glamour of the 80s, set against an aggressive, indie-minded backdrop of rock guitars and synthesizers. “Manny […]
