“Évanouie” by Meryam Aboulouafa: Expand Your Horizons
On October 3rd, 1999, ex-Talking Heads frontman and inscrutable delight David Byrne wrote an article for the New York Times called “I Hate World Music”. This would be a bold statement from anyone–we all hate something, but few of us get published in the Times for it–and it was particularly bold coming from David Byrne. […]
Nick D – The Story of “Running Scared”
I was immediately captivated by the simplicity and genuineness of Nick D’Andrea’s voice. It feels therapeutic, cathartic, and it makes you feel something. And it’s on beautiful display in his new track, out today: “Running Scared.” On March 22nd, D’Andrea posted an acoustic performance of the song on his Instagram and dove into some of […]
Chatting with Jared Celosse About “Hold”
Jared Celosse’s “Hold” is almost six minutes long, which is a bold, risky choice for a young songwriter. There’s nothing inherently good or bad about long songs, but in a world of impatient listeners, taking your time to build your song up could result in a roll of the eyes and a press of the […]
Mary Confurius’ “Cock Tale”: Bold, Unapologetic Sexuality
The title, of course, is a pun of sorts. Mary Confurius, the Dutch artist behind the brooding, bracing “Cock Tale”, is singing about an actual cocktail when she sings the title phrase in the song’s coda. “Let’s have that cocktail/It’s on me,” she sings, the friendly sentiment turned into a veiled threat thanks to her […]
“Evil Elephant” by TTRRUUCES: Down the Rabbit Hole and Into a Dystopia
“We live in a society” might have started life as a quote from a frustrated George Costanza, but it’s since become a devastatingly accurate internet meme. It pokes fun at certain galaxy-brained individuals who think that simply acknowledging the hypocrisies and injustices of modern life counts as enlightened activism. These people are broadly correct about […]
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 […]
