Melissa Erin on “Settle On Down”, Her Influences, and This Whole Crazy Year
2020 has been a year marked by anxiety and trauma. Beginning with the raging wildfires that spread uncontrollably across the Australian heartland back in January, the last eleven months have given us a bottomless pit of catastrophic events too numerous and disheartening to enumerate. “When life gives you lemons”, the saying goes, “make lemonade.” But […]
Retrospective Reviews: Brian Eno’s “Baby’s on Fire”
Brian Eno is the kind of artist where people talk about his “importance” as much as they do his music. It’s understandable, even if it does Eno a disservice. His work with Roxy Music, as well as his early solo albums, shaped and warped glam rock at the same time, while also looking ahead to […]
Retrospective Reviews: Leonard Cohen’s “The Stranger Song”
Leonard Cohen is, of course, a classic powerhouse in the music world. Even if he’s no longer with us, his music is still going strong, with his latest album having been posthumously released last year. His later music is amazing, of course, but there’s always something special about oldies. His song, “The Stranger Song,” came out […]
“Cumberland River ‘58” by Addison Johnson: Returning to Country Roots
One question which I am constantly asking people (or being asked, for that matter) is “What genre of music do you like?” To which most people will respond, “Basically everything… except country.” While the genre began with incredibly bare roots, telling relatable stories about working class individuals, it slowly drifted away into something nearly unrecognizable. […]
“D Y W” by Airpark (feat. St. Lucia): A Masterclass in Melody Crafting
No matter the genre or era, the one thing that connects all good songs (in my opinion) is their melody. Lyrics and instrumentation aside, if the song does not have a melody that can get stuck in your head, its chances of succeeding drop dramatically. Think about it: how many songs can you sing every […]
Einsam on “Pressing Matters”, His Home Cities, and How He Writes
When forced into relative solitude during a pandemic, what is it that we cling to? What is it that we long for? As expressed in “Pressing Matters,” the debut from Bristol-based producer and songwriter Sam Jackson’s new project Einsam, it is connection and contact for which he yearns. “Pressing Matters” is a fresh electro-pop track […]
“Summer Up North” by Martha Hill: Bittersweet Yet Optimistic
Can you have too much of a good thing? Is there a point when you need to cut yourself off from the things that you do, even when they make you feel good? In the title track of her new EP Summer Up North, Newcastle-based Martha Hill confronts the demons of her own reality and […]
“I Love Only You” by Smokescreens: The Unrestrained Joy of Romance
When you think back on some of the most romantic moments in cinematic history, what comes to mind? Is it Kate Winslet tumbling down a hill in the rain only to be swept up by a dashing young gentleman? Is it Julia Roberts, just a girl, standing in front of a boy, asking him to […]
“Woman of Now” by Morchella: A Haunting Rush
London-based musician, producer, and multi-instrumentalist Morchella serves up a haunting rush with her release “Woman of Now.” The song shares its title with the EP it appears on – and fittingly, it epitomizes the sound Morchella is known for. Haunting. Floaty. Fierce. “Woman of Now” has the moody, crooning atmosphere of a Radiohead song with […]
“For No One For Now” by Lael Neale: Looking Towards the Future with Positivity
It’s so easy, especially in today’s world, to get caught up on the internet about all the terrible things happening in the world. Even if you were to get rid of all your technology, this influence has still inspired your favorite writers to create based on these powerful emotions. While it is important for artists […]
