This week we send you into your Saturday / Sunday with an indie/art pop gem from Newcastle artist Ruth Lyon. “Clown” grabs you from the jump with a steady and simple drum part, a tasty minimalist bass line and their rich vocals. Piano enters the mix at the first chorus to flesh things out, but it’s still a song that lets the open space keep you suspended in a special kind of groove. Shades of Regina Spektor here, but Lyon makes it their own with a vibe that is unique.
October 14, 2022
Week Ender – Ruth Lyon
October 6, 2022
The B-Side: Certain Self
God bless the delicate ones. Those songs that hang weightless and perfect like a fall leaf making an impossibly slow descent. “Prove Me Wrong” by Certain Self is a delicate one, with gently strummed acoustic, toy piano and vocals that are both hushed and emotive. It creates such an intoxicating space for the ears and mind that even once drums and a fleshed out musical accompaniment make their appearance the delicateness remains. It feels like staring out the window on an autumnal day, thinking about past seasons, past relationships and the last few days of the warming sun.
September 9, 2022
Friday 5×5
TGIF amiright? You know what that means. That’s right, it’s Tunes Goodenough Itsdumbto Fillyourscreenwithwordsbecausetheyspeakforthemselves. Check out the latest from Jessica O’Donoghue, Blue Lupin, Lukka, Hunter Ellis and Niall Summerton and our micro reviews of each after the jump.
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August 26, 2022
Friday 5×5
Five songs, five words each, it’s the most economical reviews on the internet. Check out the so-good-they-speak-for-themselves-tracks by Sofi Gev, Powder House, Axel Flóvent, J. Graves and Blissful Red after the jump.
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August 19, 2022
Week Ender – Mike Adams at His Honest Weight
It’s always cause to celebrate when Mike Adams At His Honest Weight release new music, and that day is upon us. So go get your celebrating pants and festive hat and turn up “Tie-Dyed & Tongue Tied,” the first single off the upcoming album Graphic Blandishment. It’s everything we love about MAAHHW (which is coincidentally the most fun acronym to say aloud, especially in a weird voice): an undeniably hooky indie rocker with pop smarts and Adams’ trademark earnestness that feels real and organic, not affected and put on. Simply put, Mike and the boys make some real good songs, and this one ranks as one of their best.
August 17, 2022
The Midweekly – Horsegirl
The Midweekly is our column from Mike Jeffers; lead singer of Chicago punk stalwarts SCRAM, music junkie and all around righteous dude.
When shoegazing to some jams, what do you see? A pair of vintage sneakers or some new modern kicks? For the rockers of Horsegirl it’s both. On their first official LP, Variations of Modern Performance, this Chicago trio are pumping some fresh blood into the old sounds of post punk and indie pop. With a rhythm section galloping along steadily, flowing guitar riffs, and the vocal harmonies of a wild spirit, these Variations include tight bangers, washed out gazers, and ambient interludes. These kids are stepping up with one shoe in the past and one in the future.
August 11, 2022
Thursdays With J.R. – Brooke Surgener
This weeks track begins on the one. Gently strummed acoustics, chorus-y sliding guitars and possibly mandolins flow in. There is nothing not to love about the track, “I Hate You The Least” by Brooke Surgener. Brooke makes us wait for the first chorus and it is worth it when it bellows from its cave…..both times! Her gentle voice filling each word with meaning, leaving our brains to piece together why there was any hate there in the first place. Where is this person from? What have they been through? They seem happy. The slide guitar during the humming vocals is just gorgeous sounding to the ear. She doubles her vocal parts with ease, they sting in the best way because of this. The lyrics are great, “I hate you the least, it’s my highest compliment”….so good. She leaves us hanging with the lyric about keeping a picture of them in her wallet. A sentiment from the days of this songs influences’ which range from shoegaze to country in my opinion. Really great arrangement and performance, highly recommend this artist, she does not disappoint.
August 9, 2022
Tuesday Tip-Off: Caye
Heavily effected / affected vocals are not our thing but man when a song is undeniable it’s undeniable and the latest by Caye is undeniable. Landing somewhere between minimalist future funk and soulful pop ballad, “Some Lakes” is not only a whole ass mood, it’s a complex one at that. What’s it about? No idea. With the vocals ran through effects and sometimes sounding as if they’re coming from beneath the lakes of the title, picking up lyrics was hit or miss at best, but perhaps that’s intended. With the language processing part of your brain on hold you’re able to just the song wash over you and soak into your pores for a vibe that demands repeat plays.
August 5, 2022
Friday 5×5
Today we keep it brief with new releases that don’t need all our jibber jabber. Check out the latest from MAYA LUCIA, Lunavela, Colyn Cameron, State of The Secretary and The Recombinants after the jump.
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July 29, 2022
Friday 5×5
Today we keep it tight for you (daddy) with the briefest of reviews of songs so good they don’t need a lot of blah blah blah, they just need you to spank that play button (daddy). Check out the newest from Stephen Peter Rodgers, Zack Keim, Phil Bourne, Post Drive and Jones Carwash after the jump.
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