Category: Review

Home Thru Hell

Deap Lips is a collaboration between Deap Vally and members of The Flaming Lips.

Psychedelic singer-songwriter garage rock? Yes please! We were thrilled to hear the collaboration of Deap Vally (duo) and impasarios of sound, The Flaming Lips, on this new set of material as the supergroup “Deap Lips”. The song we gravitated to “Home Thru Hell” features the vocals of Deap Vally (Lindsey Troy and Julie Edwards) on a track that is heavily lipped. The lyrics and vocals keep the track rooted and substantial as the constantly evolving music tries desperately to veer off into space. Such a pleasurable track that offers so much that binge loop listening may be required. When they managed to slip in the lyric “flaming lips of youth” I almost fell out of my chair. If you love rock and long for artistic integrity, definitely check out this album now! 

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Comfy Covers

Have you listened to a cassette tape that was left too long in the hot sun, like on a car dashboard? Maybe your turntable needed the belt replaced, or maybe your boombox was just about to run out of battery life? The sound created is off, there is something wrong, but you love it, and when it ended you just wanted more. That’s what just happened as we listened to the latest three song set “99 Dreams” by artist “Hackiku”. The latest release covers three classics by Nena, Sia, and The Cranberries. The work is steeped in lo-fi beats, keyboard and effects. What remains true on all three is the present vocals provided by band mistro Anika Ostendorf which capture your ear as the tracks both support and dissolve her performance. The songs are a pleasure and a welcome diversion from both pop and art rock. Best described as dream pop or avant garde , Hackiku provides an infectious performance that leaves you wanting more of these sleepy covers. Hackiku will no doubt be busy touring this year so check the site for upcoming international dates. 

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Love’s Heart Beat

Roots rock and reggae has a champion in Mike Love’s latest single “HeartBeat” which features an authentic reggae rhythm layered with hints of blues and soul. The tune opens with quiet affirmations by Love in a hushed voice “How much do I owe you? You gave me your heartbeat” before opening vocally over the mellow minor key based groove. The lyrics are intimate and positive, something that Love does remarkably well without any irony or cynicism. The song features a great acoustic guitar solo too that showcases Love’s fierce playing. The chorus proclaims “You are my heartbeat” as the vocal harmonies swell and the hand drums pulse out an onomatopoeia like human feeling. As Mike’s fans already know, you too will be feeling this one in your soul. Definitely check it out now on Spotify or watch the official music video on Youtube featuring his recording process in spectacular fashion! 

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The Best Things

Neo Soul duo Kindred the Family Soul, aka Kindred, deliver an uplifting message with their latest single “The Best Thing”. The lyrics remind the listener to look inward not outward to find the love and joy in life. The importance of family and life balance are front and center in this gentle verse beautifully sung by Aja Graydon. With lyrics like “It’s so easy to lose focus in this world we live, it’ll have you feeling like you ain’t worth a damn… so much love surrounding you, you can find joy in the moment”. She reminds us to look for what really matters in the modern world of endless wants that can take such a toll on people. As the chorus sweeps in, Sja is joined by Fatin Dantzler. Their beautiful blending of voices is a trademark of the group. The beat features a latin vibe with minimal percussion, flamenco style guitar and smooth synths that create a soulful foundation for the duo’s soaring vocals. Hopefully “The Best Things”  will be featured on an upcoming EP or album from this royal family of R&B. Until then, be sure to check out their popular songs on Spotify and also their new live event and web series “Kindred Presents” a live event and web series that focuses on interviews and performances by black artists. 

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Website: Kindred Presents

SunDub

Brooklyn based SunDub represents the best of the east coast reggae scene featuring modern production and exceptional vocals by Joanna Teters. On the band’s latest single “Ain’t Nobody” Teter’s  voice is rich with soul and fresh power rarely heard in new reggae releases. Her verse reminisces on love and offers up passionate imagery like “I’m flying through the stars, hope this night will last forever” before taking us to the chorus “Ain’t nobody love me better, make me happy, make me feel this way”. You feel the emotion in Teter’s silky vocal performance. ”Ain’t Nobody”  is a masterpiece that brings in elements of pop and electronic production while staying true to the dub feel. The song opens with the subtle swell of funky guitars and breaks into a minor key bass and drum groove that gets your body moving while the keyboard and guitar keep the song rooted in classic reggae style. Another highlight is the middle 8 that features heavy syncopation and really builds the drama before releasing us back to the chorus hook. We can’t wait to hear Sun Dub live in 2021. Check out the song now on Spotify and join the SunDub nation on their website.

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You and Me

The 2020 single “You and Me” by Kyle Ahern, touring guitarist for reggae phenom Rebelution, delivers a warm and gentle west coast reggae breeze. The song offers up a moonlit beach party vibe featuring mellow keys, guitars and deep bass that keep this jam groovin’. With earnest lyrics like “take a lift tonight, the vibes so right” and “It’s so easy to love you, just you and me” provide the universal messages of positivity and love that underpins modern reggae. The track also features a collaboration with reggae bands The Elovators and Kings & Comrades. Good times, warm weather and new love. Check this tune out and let it sweep you away with it’s reggae sunsplash. 

Listen Now: Kyle Ahern on  Spotify Insta

The Virus

Atmospheric guitars and drums lure you into this alternative metal rocker by alt-rock trio, The Finite Beings. As “The Virus” builds the clean and clear vocal of Michael Nicholas speak directly to the listener “This enemy is alive, it comes to us and our humanity” as chorused guitar and bass tones give way to dark heavy slabs of burning energy that fuel the fire of this incendiary track. The wall of snarling guitars creates a perfect foundation as Nicholas asks “I wash my hands clean of this, am I in this alone?” speaking with responsive care about the global pandemic in a way that adds perspective and solace. The track continues to evolve and build until it reaches a full explosive peak with a stratospheric guitar solo that finally releases you back to earth. Comparisons to bands like Tool and Black Sabbath are worthy, but fall short, of describing the depth of this fresh New Jersey indie rock trio. Definitely check out “The Virus” and another track we really dig “Spirit Driven” on the band’s Spotify artist page. 

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Pure Gould

There is something magical that happens when people play live, especially in a jazz combo. The opportunity to watch as four master musicians come together to play is irresistible. That is why we are loving this live video from Jocelyn Gould performing the Cole Porter composition “I Concentrate on You”. From the first round notes of the song she envelopes the listener in gentle and traditional jazz tones. As the song progresses and the band begins to dig in we are treated to a flourish of artistic pleasure. The quartet enters with a light bosanova and quickly sways into a deep swing on this classic standard. Right around the three minute mark Gould reveals why she is one of the best jazz guitarists to emerge in recent years. She unloads with her razor sharp bee-bop chops just long enough to fascinate both guitarist and jazz enthusiasts before pulling back to let her band shine. Gould’s latest album is entitled “Elegant Traveler” and it precisely describes her virtuosity and style. Did we mention she is an accomplished vocalist too? Check out the new album now on her website www.jocelyngould.com

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Foes Time

The new single by The Foes of Fern offers up an effervescent indie rocker that explodes out of the speakers! The song “Time Management” features soaring vocals and a teetering groove that threatens to rock right off the rails but instead delivers the listener home with lush horns, group vocals and an attitude that is perfect for this moment in time. Lyrics like “I was sleeping in the afternoon because my alarm clock, she loves to snooze” are both funny and relatable. The Foes larger than life sound contains shadows of The Beatles, Polyphonic Spree and Arcade Fire while burning a new torch that shines a blistering bright light all it’s own. Definitely check “Time Management” and also go back and mine the band’s back catalog for many more gems, you won’t be disappointed!

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Shark Attack!

Jersey Shore jam outfit Waiting on Mongo sounds the alarm on their latest funky pop-infused single “Shark Attack”. The song opens with a spanky guitar groove that quickly gives way to the band’s trademark horn section raising the sound ever higher with power and soul. The lyric hook repeats “These sharks are swimming in the high tide, watchout, these sharks are feeding in the night time” what does it mean? We’ll never know and it really doesn’t matter. The cut just rips, checking every live band box: killer jam, funky groove, amazing horns, fist pumping fun, all checked! All that is missing is a crowd of people getting down with this one-of-a-kind live band! Listen now on Spotify and make sure to follow them on Insta for the latest live events. 

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