The Hybris “The Game Of Cat And Mouse”
“The Game Of Cat And Mouse” darts across the globe wearing capes of dark knight palettes, hitting hard rock, shooting out retro comic webs to fight villains and wicked forces. Though The Hybris have always been a force of anti-heroes, fast-paced, undeterred, thrilling, breath-taking,and just in time for a crime rescue, “The Game Of Cat And Mouse” sees them really stepping into their superhero persona—that’s what they are, saving the world with their grits and wits.
“The Game Of Cat And Mouse” continues the heroes’ journey, arriving more than ever timely, speaking out and aloud about social disparity and injustice. Unlike the punks who fight powers with torches and riots, rushing in heart-racing backbeats, The Hybris are more vigilant and aggressive. Due to the nature of crime, the measure of extreme is called upon. Laced with metal, charged by the raw attitude of punk, and at last, not forget a hint of grace and style to separate them from unmannered ravagers, “The Game Of Cat And Mouse” is a mixture of precision, captivity, brutal honesty and in-your-face rawness.
They don’t have to explain anything to anyone, they see a problem and are simply here to do something about it.
The latest track sees a maturity and confidence in The Hybris’ sound. In the past, one can always spot the ghosts in their sound—sometimes, you find a section that beams out a Red Hot Chilli Pepper vibe, or in the other times, you begin to compare them with My Chemical Romance, Joy Division, Billy Talent and such. “The Game Of Cat And Mouse” is completely The Hybris. They remind you of no one but themselves, the hard rock superheroes here to save the world, at the same time, save your ears from bad music.
Things That Fly ‘Things That Fly’
Things That Fly captures your heart with chiming lyrical rhymes and nourishing, imaginative soundscapes, flashing nostalgic fuzzy 90s rock aesthetic. The captivating EP from the band Things That Fly is filled with charming songs. Free-spirited, spicy and noise-coiled melodic sensation in the company of clashing percussions and reverberant guitarscapes. Grit and creativity is being intricately woven together.
Things That Fly has a sort of distant and rainy feel that resembles the soundscapes drawn by PJ Harvey. It burns with pop and angst like Avril Lavigne and haunting grunge vibe as Nirvana. The pinch of melodic fierceness also reminds you something of Paramore’s. The album no doubts evokes many familiar feelings, as if ghosts joining up for a dance, but there’s also something new and refreshing happening there. Things That Fly isn’t like the rest of harsh and bleak rock n roll written by angry men who seek for the one thing they can’t get from a bullet to the head. The soundscapes in this album feels adventurous, vibrant and freeing. “Nothing in the Middle” rings in with bright colors in an emo-infused soundscapes. Something would never die. Something will always be alive. That’s the spirit of rock n roll and these ladies bring that young and tearful kind of spirit back.
“Crunch Went the Snow” dives into scenic immersion with unique melodies that paint a mood-filled sky. Drastic and intricate feelings are on a train of awakening. In crashing percussions and fleeting melodies, the song has an edge as well as a heart.
“Early River” surprises you with Green Day jumpy punk rhythm. The song immediately leaves a strong impression, drawing a parallel forestry folk aesthetic. “Don’t Count Me Out” returns to earthy acoustic rock ballad with a bend of indie. Rainy and moody, intimate and unapologetic. “Confidence” concludes the EP with a middle finger, announcing its uniqueness.
As a track that can be enveloped into any style or form, it keeps dancing its way from one idea to another. At one point, it bounces around with quirky chords. At another, it rumbles and flows, then it showers down in loud clangs, thunder and storm. Then the cinematic dance of vocal and piano kicks in, accompanied by a wooden backbeat.
Louise Distras ‘Beauty After Bruises’
Beauty After Bruises invites you into Louise Distras’ exuberant, retro sound land. Rich and full of layers, but in heart, it’s just good music. Distras has the voice of a power voice. Her genuine performance with tears in each powerful moments touch you deeply. She rocks these lyrics with all she has. Her music is alive. They aren’t just songs to sing, but to be experienced.
Beauty After Bruises reminds you of Avril Lavigne and Paramore with punches and attitude. Beauty After Bruises is fully entertaining and captivating. The songs on there are ear worms, but not the one to eat your brain out, but the kind that heals your wounds and nourish your heart.
With a Lana Del Rey kind of moodiness and nostalgia, Beauty After Bruises recalls a retro aesthetic and a charismatic blend of mood-filled, desert palettes and sultry soundscapes. Like the ocean and the desert coexist in every single song, it feels like the great California landscape permeating through the sound walls with a full smash of emo, rock and punk.
Every track is a fuzzy celebration on its own. There are stories to be heard, messages to be spread, words to be said. Like in “Hollywood Drug,” Distras speaks about the chase and illusion of fame and the creation of this illusion. “She fell broken on the street. City of angels. These streets are selling dreams, dreams that bleed your soul,” Distras sings. Her words pierce through the mice, speaking with much emotions.
“Hollywood drug made Marilyn Monroe. Lonely she weeps, weeps all alone. Cleansing her blood from a concrete star. Do you wanna be someone else?” Her words are thought-provoking like a memory-triggered time capsule that invites an overlap in time.
In “Time Heals Nothing,” she talks about wounds and shadows that can’t be erased. Her poetic lyrics always have feelings in the theme. “Your words are dreams from a thousand miles,” she sings on “Forever Is You.” “Today you’re gone with lies untrue. Take me with you. Take me with you.”
Beauty After Bruises is an album that takes you breath away. It has much potential in live performance—even in this studio album, you can imagine hearing the resounding echoes of captivating melodies coming from waves of crowds and having Distras’ vintage lovin’ sounds filling up the entire stadium—it’d be memorable.
I Got Worms ‘The Second Shot’
The Second Shot opens a box of impressive earworms with each and every one of them full of heart and wit. I Got Worms, the eclectic, fun-loving band from Indianapolis create such a vibe with their own brand of noise coiled drones, foot-stomping rhythms and infectious melodies. They pop up anthems like candy pops. Intoxicating and irresistible. They are clever and humorous, upbeat but never lack of depth. They are the kind of artists you just know would leave an experience so deep that will probably stick with you for the rest of your life.
They are never lack of personality and little surprises. I Got Worms’ anthems have an inventive palettes of sonics. Witty word play, in-your-face lyrics, deep topics but hearty words. But there’s definitely a deepening and colorification in the progression of The Second Shot. Even though all the songs adhere to their own brand of earworms, they manage to make each song memorable and distinctive.
“Endorphins Are Good” sprays you cool with spicy guitars, where as “Waterboy” speeds up with raspy voices full of hard-hitting punches. “Ammo” is darker in sounds, “Wait For You” wears its heart on the sleeves. Pop and frankness. “Born To Die” then ends on a sentimental note.
Songs like the ones on The Second Shot can only be written from people who genuinely appreciate life for all its bullshit and fun. Harsh, no BS but plenty of BS. They just have the attitude that you really love. Like a tickle. I Got Worms is an unstoppable force. They are here to make you laugh and here to make you dance. Their songs tackle deep, serious subjects too, but all written from an honest place.
The second Shot is perfect for festivals and any kind of road trip, beach hang and live shows. They are a promise for an unforgettable night.
Oddysseys “Enough”
With haunting soundscapes making a mood-filled atmospheric impression and mesmerizing melodies linger in your ears with a lingering aftertaste, “Enough” proves that Oddysseys can make you fall in love with your music before a song reaches its end. They draws you into a spiraling and deepening introspection with your heart wide open. Something scenic and impressionistic, but at the same time, emotional and raw. You can’t really escape the influence their music has on you even if you try. There’s just something very special about these guys that gets under your skin. ”Enough” is infectious and intoxicating at the least.
As a pioneer band, Oddysseys forge their own path, one show and one release at a time. In the past years, they have left a trace of musical breadcrumbs from basements, warehouses to legendary venues across the U.S. and Canada. In the past, they have ventured into noise-coiled angsty aggression and so have they explored the elements of grunge and psych, but never the same time until “Enough.” The single marks a new era for Oddysseys. They are at a crossroad of sounds. Breaking and forging.
Through the shattered, fluttering noise came the rasping soar, but then these sharp edged sounds twist and weave into soundscapes, blurring the scenes like sonic panting. The melodies are a mood and a state of mind. They are deep in an introspective and vulnerable space, while it’s also explosive and aesthetic. There are so many different things that organically happen in the music. It traces back to the emotions at core.
Even though dark and depressive in color, there’s heart in the sound, and that’s what makes Oddysseys’ music so relatable. Dug from the underground and brings to you with honesty. They give you storytelling inspired by life, and there’s no pretense or bullshit or whining in their music. Everything in there that’s so sharply contrasting or atmospheric or sad—it’s just life.
“Enough” is at core genuine and authentic to who Oddysseys are as musicians. Together with their next single “Music Video,” they are embracing the next grand journey through a 2-part EP in conjunction tion with U.S. and Canadian tours set in July and September.