Cat Ryan’s “Blessed Through the TV”: Helplessly Hoping
If you turn on the radio today, it’d be easy to believe that there are only so many ways to write a pop song. In a world where the music industry has forgone creativity in favor of commercial viability, it can become difficult to find anything truly unique. Thankfully, bands like Cat Ryan (an England-based […]
Exploring Grief Through Benfield’s “Morbid in the Morning”
If you asked me to name five musicians hailing from Australia, although its admittedly sad, I would most likely not be able to deliver. Even after a few serious moments of thought, the list would likely taper off somewhere between Vance Joy and Sia. Though he may not yet be on the world’s radar, and […]
Uchechi’s “Violet Storm”: Mysterious and Beautiful as the Storm Clouds Gather
As I write this review, a storm is brewing outside my window. My neck of the woods is currently being menaced by Tropical Storm Fay (because, you know, we don’t have enough going on already), and while the storm isn’t making direct landfall on Long Island we’re still getting strong winds and torrential downpours. In […]
Natalie Schlabs’ “Go Outside”: A Timely Reminder for Self-Care
For as long as I can remember, I’ve always been a bit of a shut-in. While most kids were running around outside in the sun with their friends, I was inside my dark bedroom playing video games on my computer. While everyone began freaking out about their social lives when it was announced that we […]
“The Cheek” by Sprints: An Energetic Punk Anecdote
Entering my fifth month of quarantine, I can’t help but get a little bit restless (well, to be honest, the restlessness started around week one). It turns out that, as nice as it sounds, a person can only sit in bed for so many days doing nothing before they start to lose their mind. Despite […]
“Balcony Scene” by Nervous City Nervous Self: A Bittersweet Shakespearean Dream
Romeo and Juliet is one of Shakespeare’s most famous plays, and as such one of his most misunderstood. It’s widely recognized as one of history’s greatest and most tragic romances, and the titular couple have become a byword for star-crossed lovers. However, others read it not as a romance but as a cautionary tale. To […]
Laura Gagné’s “I Love You Friend” is a Bite of Heaven
Canadian singer-songwriter Laura Gagné serves up whimsical sweetness in her 2020 release, “I Love You Friend.” This is a song about the circular nature of longing and regret. It’s a song about the inextricable link between love and pain, about the rise and fall of closeness and detachment – and its slick, soaring sound will […]
SAER’s “Start a Fire”: Approaching Grief with Curiosity
Full disclosure: SAER’s May 2020 release “Start a Fire” will definitely make you cry on the drive home – and I mean that in the best way. SAER, a multi-skilled artist who serves as the singer, songwriter, and producer of his own music, approaches grief with a tender curiosity in this song…and it’s powerful stuff. […]
Chatting with Sleepy Gonzales about “Sally on the Avenue”, Dream Pop, and Anthony Fantano
Dream pop bands aren’t known for their sense of humor. After all, dream pop prioritizes music over lyrics; from Mazzy Star to Cocteau Twins, dream pop lyrics range from cryptic to incomprehensible. The genre also values sincerity and romanticism, which doesn’t leave much room for irony. But Sleepy Gonzales, the Canadian band behind “Sally on […]
The Delicate Poetry of Jenny Dee’s “Wolves”
The simplistic emotion is my favorite thing about Jenny Dee’s music. From the moment she starts singing, the tone her voice possesses automatically draws you into whatever she has to say. Her delicate indie-folk aura is evident in her new debut album, Dancing From A Distance released on March 6. Every song is fairly minimalistic, […]
