Retrospective Review: “The Jezebel Spirit” by Brian Eno and David Byrne
When you type “the jezebel spirit” into the YouTube search engine, without Brian Eno or David Byrne’s names attached to it, their song of the same name is only the sixth result. The previous five videos are from Christian sources, and they all patiently explain the concept of “the Jezebel spirit” without a hint of […]
Rue Delaney on A Faux Funeral and Her New EP
Both UK artist Rue Delaney and her label-mate Fauness have hypnotic voices that feel half-elfin – sorta like what Liv Tyler would have sounded like if she sang her lines in Lord of the Rings. Not only is Rue’s new single musically charming, but the lyrics are first-rate, too: Wipe the tears across my skin […]
Retrospective Review: Alice in Chains Unplug and Narrow a Chasm on “Brother”
April 10, 1996. As the lineup of anxiously excited fans gather outside of the Brooklyn Academy of Music, the conversations are all undoubtedly similar. “How do you think they’ll sound?” “How do you think he’ll sound?” It has, after all, been almost three years since anybody has heard or seen Alice in Chains perform live. […]
Fairhazel on “Comfort Inn” and the Wilson/Nilsson Connection
Fairhazel is a British-born artist now residing in L.A. whose music is reminiscent of two Southern Cal melodic geniuses: Brian Wilson and Harry Nilsson. His latest single “Comfort Inn” features a Wilson-esque tempo change – and last year’s “I Wanna Die With My Blue Jeans On” has an impish Nilsson-y charm. Fairhazel’s “Save The Planet!” […]
Kyshona on “Out Loud” and Music that Heals
Photo by Nora Canfield Throughout pop music history, there have been artists whose songs have provided emotional healing, not just entertainment. For example, James Taylor’s “Fire and Rain” has given emotional solace to millions of listeners dealing with their own surprise pain and dashed dreams. Roots-Americana artist Kyshona’s song “Out Loud” is a beautiful addition […]
The Hard-won Joy of Gabrielle Grace’s “Lost Somebody Else”
Sad songs sell well. The modern cultural algorithm (and don’t get me started on the TikTok one) have latched onto a critical aspect of human nature: in a sickening way, it can feel good to be sad. Our art reflects what we love, and humans love to wallow. I’m hypothesizing here, but I think the […]
“Missing Cows & You” by Natalina: UFOs and Heartbreak
When I was preparing to write this article, I looked up whether there were any UFO sightings in my home area of Long Island – and to my surprise, there were quite a few. In fact, Suffolk County reported the highest number of UFO sightings of anywhere in New York state, with more than 800 […]
Why You Should Let Yourself Rest
I’m tired again. Last week (as you may have heard – unless you dodged all seven of my emails, which I can respect), I launched my course on Spotify growth. It was great, and this week, I have the emotional and mental energy of a wrung-out dishrag. Launches wear me out, I think largely because […]
“Pictures” by Dan Petrich: A Complicated Reunion with a Complicated Mother
I have never been far from my mother. When I was younger, she was always there waiting to pick us up from school, clad in a black pantsuit from her job at a nearby college. She would smile and hug me close, and she smelled like clean cotton. She would later get another, busier (but […]
“Closer to Myself” by Rachel Angel: Self-Actualizing Through Golden Country Music
“Closer to Myself,” a new song by the Miami-based singer-songwriter Rachel Angel, starts simply enough: the click of drumsticks, and someone counting off “One! Two! One-two!” Then, after a quick drum roll, the song blossoms into its full, golden splendor. The retro-country sound is rich and appealing, with some nice Wall of Sound-esque production and […]
