“away” by Lucas Stern: Short but Impactful Lo-Fi Rock
If this review seems shorter than most, there’s a good reason for that. “away,” a new song by indie artist Lucas Stern, isn’t a particularly long listen. Clocking in at just 1:41, it reminds me of vocal tracks that flash by in films or games. It’s the one song you hear after a breakup with […]
Banshee Beat: The Ten Best Songs by Animal Collective
In 2000, a curious little album picked up modest acclaim: a psychedelic oddity with faded storybook album art and an aura of childhood innocence, eerily distorted. It was called Spirit They’re Gone, Spirit They’ve Vanished, and it was released by two stoners from Maryland named Dave Portner and Noah Lennox, also known as Avey Tare […]
“Negging” by veronicavon: A Suggestive Song with Intriguing Subtext
“Negging,” as I’m sure we all know by now, is the practice of using backhanded compliments to lower someone’s self-esteem and make them more susceptible to manipulation. It’s usually used in the context of “pick-up artistry” by men desperate to pick up women, where they might say something like “the trashy look really works for […]
Does Playlist Pitching Work? Sometimes.
Yes, playlist pitching does work. Sometimes. Other times, it doesn’t. You might pay a playlist pitching company $300 and see zero results. You might pay a playlist company $100 and see weird placements on foreign-language playlists that drive thousands of fake streams and end up getting your songs removed from Spotify. (This is why some […]
Jackie West on “Amelia,” Her Musical Family, and Working on Farms in Massachusetts
“Amelia,” a new song by the New York-based singer-songwriter Jackie West, is a rich, soothing piece of music. West plays jazz-inflected folk, and on “Amelia” she takes the coziest elements of both genres and knits them into a warm sweater. The mellow guitar strum isn’t far removed from Jessica Pratt, but while Pratt’s strange, elfin […]
“Calling on Sunshine” by John Bickel: Happiness, Pain, and Musical Absolution
Philadelphia-based artist John Bickel’s latest song, “Calling on Sunshine,” is an ecstatic outburst of finger-snapping rock and soul, demanding joy in the face of life’s worldly challenges. The track stands at nearly five minutes, and seems to be a masterclass in choosing the most harmonious, funky elements across a multitude of classic American genres – […]
“Cinnamon Bun” by Kinzoogianna: Sonic Sunshine
“Cinnamon Bun”, by Kinzoogianna is a soulful nu-jazz track that anoints listeners weary ears with a bursting and sincere optimism. Embodying what can only be described as sonic sunshine, the four-minute track boasts honey-smooth vocals that waltz around flutters of harp, funky piano and hypnotic synths. My own synesthesia flooded the color yellow into my […]
“Amnesia” by Dude Low: Deceptively Thoughtful Vibes
“Amnesia” by Dude Low is a fun yet melancholy electro-pop song reminiscent of a lost Tame Impala track. Based on first instinct and sound alone, I expected the song to reflect a mild existential crisis and detachment from reality due to its synth-powered instrumentals and psychedelic feel. “I’m just looking for some lightning Climbing out […]
What is an EP?
In the constantly evolving landscape of the music industry, artists of all levels need to always engage with their fans if they want to remain relevant, whether it’s by releasing new works or by engaging with their audience directly. The streaming platforms tend to reward musicians who release their works frequently, and today’s listeners expect […]
13 Best Music Review Sites To Submit To (Or Read!)
Thousands of musicians play in bars each night just waiting to be discovered by the right person. They hope and pray for their fairy godmother (or dream talent agent) to waltz in and see just how stellar they are. With so many musicians in that in-between stage — producing quality music but not quite making […]
