“Running Away” by Cate Le Bon: Enigmatic Art Pop about Modern Malaise
This is one of those reviews that I’d normally start by talking about The State Of The World These Days, but I’m trying to wean myself off of that. For one thing, going on about the zeitgeist has become an obvious, predictable crutch in music criticism these days. It’s the equivalent of a high school […]
“SUNSHiiNE” by Oberhofer: Swooning, Pure-Hearted Psych Pop
The drum machine is the first thing you hear on “SUNSHiiNE,” the new single by the psych-pop artist Oberhofer. It’s a common instrument in dream pop and bedroom pop, but it’s used in an interesting way here. Rather than just keeping time in the background, it serves as a texture in its own right: a […]
Gregory Ackerman’s “Seasonal Living”: Evocative Autumn Music
Here is a list of three things that Gregory Ackerman’s song “Seasonal Living” reminds me of. But don’t worry—I’ll explain myself. 1: Brick walls. Specifically red brick walls, splitting down the middle, and the way it feels to run your hand up the cracks that look like a spiderweb. “Seasonal Living” opens with a fairly […]
Grimson on “Chimney Sweeper” and its Ambitious Animated Music Video
The music video for Grimson’s new song, “Chimney Sweeper,” is as ambitious as the song itself. Rows of cute kids-drawing people sway cheerfully from side to side before morphing into Russian nesting dolls; footprints track playfully across the screen in time with a bass solo; streaks of primary colors flash across the screen during the […]
“Psycho” by small town sci-fi: Accepting What You Cannot Change
A little over a minute into “Psycho,” a short but impactful new song by the psych-folk duo small town sci-fi (all lowercase,) we hear the song’s title. “Psycho, they call us psycho, because we couldn’t talk the same,” vocalist Anthony sings. (The two members are referred to as only Kim and Anthony in supplemental material.) […]
“Shrine Song” by Joe Levi: Expertly Crafted by a Songsmith
Perhaps the easiest way to summarize Joe Levi’s unique dedication to craft is in how he self-identifies his career: not as a singer, but a “songsmith.” A singer vocalizes stories. A singer nimbly slides across notes and tones to communicate a message. A songsmith creates the message. A songsmith synthesizes many elements of music making, […]
“The House” by Triston James: Vulnerable, Hopeful, and Grateful
Being a psychology student, I learn a lot about mental health and its treatment. All of us deal with periods of bad mental health, and whether it be clinical or not, one of the most advantageous things for mental health is a social support system. Having the love of friends and family give us immeasurable […]
Mountain Mansion on “Fog Walker of Copton Ridge,” Being a Fire Watcher, and Suspiria
I’ve found myself increasingly attracted to stories of the paranormal these days: ghost stories, UFO sightings, mysterious disappearances. They don’t have to be scary–in fact, I’m something of a baby when it comes to horror–but the fantastical stories themselves are enough to draw me in. I don’t care if they’re true, because the truth is […]
“Grieve” by Elissa Margolin: The Destructive Power of Grief
“Let us grieve, grieve, grieve” Opening the song with a plea, Elissa Margolin sets the melancholy tone for her song “Grieve” right away. By repeating “grieve” and coming back to this line several times throughout the song, the theme of grief is perpetually present. The repetition is also representative of being stuck in a cycle […]
Joshua Powell on “Sad Boy at the Skeleton Party,” Guitar Solos, and NPR Ambitions
There are so many flavors of indie rock that it’s hard to say you “miss” any one kind of it, because there’s almost certainly a dozen Bandcamp pages that can scratch any itch you have. But as the dominant strains of indie rock have grown more dreamy (your Beach Houses, your Real Estates) and/or more […]
