PREMIERE: LEND ME THE TWELVE ‘SONGS OF INTEREST’
“Devil’s Avocado” invites you to a greenish, energized world that sounds like the side-effects of eating avocado from the Devil...Full of protein, healthy, a little sick, and insane at the same time. Visualizing the facial expression when my daughter first encounters that rich, oily texture with a slight metal taste, however, she was completely hooked within a minute. “Devil’s Avocado” shares a similar experience. In the end, you even find it moving in this shower of weird illumination
Lucky for us, after two long weeks of wait, the highly anticipated full experience of Songs of Interest is finally here on Aug 11 released from DIY label Full Power Records. The cheerfully funky bassline has an infectious sense of humor that spreads like a disease throughout “Bird ‘n’ The Bees.”
Compounded mostly by three words lines, the track also shares a grunge attitude. Just when you wonder what adventure they’re going to take you on “Twelve Angry Man,” the strangely alluring vocal instantly draws you to dreamy, dazed darkness. And don’t worry, it’s only a matter of time when at least one instrument starts to act out.
Made up of member Sam “Kaiza Kushington’ Pappon, ‘St James’ McGuinness, and Callum ‘The Hyde’ Stephens, Lend Me the Twelve is an experimental, indie-rock band based in London. They have quietly buzzed around the South London area for the past three years, and it won’t be much longer till every venue and radio station ringing the familiar madness.
SINGLE REVIEW: BEACHMASTER “DOCTORS FOR TRANSPARENCY”
Drawing influences from pop-punk, rock n roll, and folk, “Doctors For Transparency” by Beachmaster is a dynamic kaleidoscope of colors and imageries. As the debut release from their upcoming album Mass, 100% sponsored by friends, family, and fans, “Doctors For Transparency” took us on a ska-punk ecstasy with a sneak peek.
Deep, expansive bass has paved the way for a melancholy undercurrent. A classic distorted electric guitar strum full of personality. Alternating rhythmic patterns underneath the vocal never lack imagination and new moves. Captivating hook followed by folk twang fired up the atmosphere.
Never derive far from the reflective, melancholy undercurrent. There is always a moment of silence in its loud, electric celebration. Fleeing the scene under the nightlight. Lighting up a cigarette in a quiet street, and there it is, the moment of truth and vulnerability.
Beachmaster is a three-piece band from the north of England. When the pandemic hits, their life was hugely influenced by lockdown and restriction. Not ready to give up hope, the band planned to fight back with a brand-new album Mass slotted for September 2021. Without sufficient funding, Beachmaster turned to the public. With the support from friends, family, and fans, the band has topped their original expectations four times.
SINGLE REVIEW: KUBOTA “SUNDAY VIBES”
As we quickly enter a fast-paced era where everyone is working during the weekends, juggling between their passion and a day job, paying mortgages, and moving forward with life, it can easily lead to anxiety whenever you find yourself catching a break. Inspired by Kubota’s personal experience, “Sunday Vibes” is a captivating, feel-good anthem reminding people of the good moments in life and the importance of self-care.
Setting its scene on a bird-chirping, perfect Sunday afternoon dipped in the sunshine and spread on the beach; ice-cold beer & Champaign; the laugher of friends and family, “Sunday Vibes” takes you to a Southern California style summer relaxation.
Simple, minimalistic dreamy synth pad with an electric, punchy beat revolves around an earthy, authentic narrative. The track features guest artist Monique Shi, who also adds an interesting color to its sound palette.
Born and raised in Los Angeles, Kubota is an Asian-American hip-hop artist with a pop edge. Influenced by Shwayze, Kota the Friend, Smino, King Green, and artists alike, Kubota has been writing and producing music, developing his sound over the past ten years.
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SINGLE REVIEW: O CONNELL BROTHERS “DOWN ON THE QUAYS”
When folkloric storytelling meets the dark, whiskey-twist rocker tone, poised lyrics get lost in thoughts and feelings, “Down on the Quays” knocks on your door at midnight with two guitars in hands.
O Connell Brothers have created a vibe in “Down on the Quays” that instantly draws you in, evoking feelings about those times when you hit the road, searching for answers. Not knowing where it leads to, but there was a sense of warmth and brightness in the journey itself.
Depicting an introspective atmosphere of a loner drawing classic memories of cigarettes, streetlight, whisky in water’s reflection, the lyrics tastefully tease its listener between hints and sentiments. “Whisky and a chaser and a bird-dog on, and where did you sleep last night?” “The old man beside me whispers in my ear, and we’re framed in the camera lens.”
As a sophomore release from O Connell Brothers as well as their forthcoming debut album, “Down on the Quays” have a more sophisticated texture and richer emotional contrasts compare to the debut single “Songbird.” Captivating melody melts in acoustic guitar’s narration, a sunset pad fades in the melancholy undercurrent. “Down on the Quays” intrigues you to learn more about O Connell Brothers.
SINGLE REVIEW: WOL “FRIEND THAT NEVER WAS”
Following a brief encounter with a kindred spirit, “Friend That Never Was” by the UK-based singer-songwriter WOL explores the mystical connection between one soul and another, going down the imaginary rabbit hole on a dreamful, psychedelic adventure.
Showering in the warm sunlight of guitar strum, the ritual-like drum pattern evokes a sense of familiarity and comfort. It felt like you’ve known each other in the past, although you’ve never met in this life. As if looking in a mirror of the past, the moment of encounter has brought back vague remembrance – there was a connection and history.
Photo credit: Tom Baird
“Friend That Never Was” narrates around the bittersweet of resurfaced ancient feelings forgotten in reincarnation. Swirling into a dazzling, tumultuous, surreal escalation, WOL captured the moment of confusion when feelings confront rationality, fantasies invade reality, and the past finally catches up with the present.
Finding solace in resemblance but only saddened by the default doubt and reality. “Links of a symbiotic nature, the fleeting touch of a past future. Well, the one I want to be in is the one I saw you in.”
Acceptance and honesty lead to an anthemic catharsis. No longer blindfolded or confused, the song concluded with an interestingly open-ended lyric. “I’ll catch you up sometime soon.”
PREMIERE: SWANNY.95 ‘PRIMAL’
“Let’s break things down from the noisy, complicated ideas and thoughts of modern society all the way back to the simple concept. Who are we? What are we each meant to do? How are meant to face our shortcomings, improve upon them and then group into our full potential?” SWANNY.95 on Primal
Photo credit: Tre Bennett
Primal is a project that gets under your skin. As a creative parallel to SWANNY.95’s personal story with hip hop, pouring out thoughts and captivating melodies, Primal reminisces Eminem’s 8 Miles movie in the different sonic ground.
Documenting city noise with an iPhone. The familiar surroundings faint into the blurry background of Primal. “Whether it's a car alarm that I turned into a riser for a transition or an ambulance siren tucked in the back of the mix to provide ambiance, my city's fingerprints are all over the production of this album,” said SWANNY.95.
“Totem” is a one-way street divulging the suppressed thoughts and feelings with no remorse. The poised, stirring lo-fi instrumental loop and vaguely taped city noise bring you to a murky, moldy basement, eating two-dollar ramen, staying low, building an empire from the ground up with sweets and hard work. Putting hours into improvement and getting better, while others live a high life, always having an opinion but no clue what you’re doing. “Totem” is about the lonely, challenging initial stage of fighting for the dream.
When the mantralike vocal line surfaces in the starry surroundings in “Empire” and “Sundown. Interlude,” there was a special moment of poise. "Can we build it from the ground up?” “Will you find me when the sun goes down?”
Photo credit: Tre Bennett
Rolling back the tape to when changes started to happen, “I’m Through” spirals down to the beginning of the story. Unsatisfied with the planned-out life slowly moving towards death and tax lawyers, trapped in a dead-end job, the disruption of covid has intensified the conflicts.
“So I woke up and I wrote until I drained my soul, then I chopped this beat, stop, drop, and roll […] everyone I know is tryna find themselves, well everyone that’s hating on them tryna finds more wealth. Asking me what I do, I seem so well, to tell you the truth, I feel like I’m in hell. If hell’s even real, that means heaven is too.”
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PREMIERE: SONGS FOR SABOTAGE “PHANTOM”
The night was the perfect undercover. Walking past the twinkling neon light and disappearing into a narrowed street, the escape has already begun. Revolving around the theme of hitting the road, leaving the toxic past behind, the shoegazing, ethereal “Phantom” has a dark, evocative undertone.
As if walking into an American road-trip film from the last century, "Phantom” sets its scene in Hollywood, traveling between a motel, convenience store, and narrowed street. “Dressed up just like a rebel, lying next to me, cold and lonely; Out here on the dark side, this ain’t the void you’re looking for.”
Photo credit: @goodtimerickstudios
The moment of realization leads to the determination to leave under the night. The song perfectly captured the reflective moment when you light up a cigarette, driving into the night alone, and never look back.
“‘Phantom’ was inspired by two people we once knew - our former selves,” said front-woman/guitarist Lina Sophie, “…the lyrics are pulled directly from past traumas that were a result of toxic partnerships we both found ourselves in.”
Richey Rose adds, “Phantom describes the moment you realize the relationship doesn’t serve anything, and you’ve essentially trapped yourself. The lightbulb’s gone off and you’re like, ‘okay, I need to GTFO now!’ … from that second on it’s about leaving the past behind, both physically and mentally.”
There is usually no dialogue in the film when the main character leaves in the middle of the night, but a song fills up the void. The words left unsaid linger in the chilling summer breeze, in the sound of “Phantom.”
REVIEW & PREMIERE: COLL “WHO’S THAT”
“When I made ‘Who’s That,’ I wanted to make sure you could feel the energy that I had in the studio. It's about not caring about people's opinions of you and owning who you are to the max because life's too short. Express yourself.” - COLL.
Only with love and understanding will we reach our full potential. “Who’s That” encourages you to let it go and express yourself. The song creates a safe environment where criticism and fear are cast away in COLL's goofiness and feel-good dance. “Who’s That” is heartwarming and empowering.
Photo credit: Bartosz Halicki
Playful and laid-back, “Who’s That” is nothing but fun and has good vibes. Following his natural rhythmic instinct, COLL expands and playfully experiments with vocal expressions, effortlessly showcasing his ability of advanced vocal techniques with grace.
Sometimes we can be too hard on ourselves, living in our and other’s expectations, maintaining the flawless image while trying to be perfect and right. Tension and stress climb up our showers, and fear silences our voices. Embrace your inner child and have fun; from one person to another, “Who’s That” spreads an important message about self-love.
From Zimbabwe to the UK, the Norwich-based artist first heard his calling in music when he was eight. Inspired by The Notorious B.I.G and Tupac -- the Godfathers of hip hop, COLL’s passion for music has led to two EPs and a handful of singles with steadily growing stream counts and views, and his own record label, True Music Records, striving to support and promote local talents.
PREMIERE: TAKE FLIGHT “A MODERN ALLEGORY OF THE CAVE”
Take Flight has extended the emotive, evocative, ambient post-rock session with introspective lyrics spiraling down to sink into the melancholy, thought-provoking cave environment fully.
Dwelling in the reflection of one’s own creation, being trapped in limitations, “A Modern Allegory of the Cave” explores the cave symbolism with their remarkable musicality and unexpected color palette.
Photo credit: Harry Rudd
Like finding a lost item, they are always in the least place you look. Just when you’re expecting an explosive development, Take Flight shrugs your hand off and continues in their own storytelling. When you were almost convinced that this would be the struggling, wrenching song, the song suddenly takes off and lands at exactly where you want them to be.
The middle session of “A Modern Allegory of the Cave” has a fascinating, natural blend of hard rock, metalcore, and melodic, emo vocal delivery. The variety of influences and musical backgrounds is coming to play to its full extent in the song.
The theoretical impossible are being challenged and realized in the cathartic allegory. An interplay between a horsed, nostalgic Link Park-infused scream and a clean, emo belt finds its place perfectly in the high energy, hard-hitting, expansive sonic ground.
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PREMIERE & INTERVIEW: DALE ‘DALE EP’
Inspired by Dale’s life story as a firefighter, book publisher, and artist, the self-titled EP Dale follows in his footsteps, diving deep into the struggle with conventional expectations and one’s own salvation in the creative realm. Side A acknowledges pain from a “privileged, ordinary life” with five songs -- playing by social rules and fulfilling one’s obligation but feeling dead inside. Side B, on the contrary, finds freedom and happiness in self-expression and creativity.
“Side B is where all my daftness goes. I have a job that requires me to be quite serious from time to time, and side B was my place to ignore that completely. Side B is the polar opposite of side A. Side B is side A’s weird pal,” said Dale.
Side B opens with a short fiction written and narrated by Dale. “The Tallest Tree In The World” took a step further into the creative realm from the traditional audiobook, including DIY sound effects and mild scores. Revolving around an American veteran, Susie Jackson, a pilot held hostage by the opponent in the Vietnam war; she witnessed her fellow countrymen slaughtered every life form. She was offered two options when she threatened to go public: telling the truth that no one will believe and being treated as a traitor and a liar or returning home as an American hero. Susie chose the last and became an adventurer to climb the world’s tallest tree.
‘The Tallest Tree in the World” has a sarcastic underlying meaning one should savor in reflection. "Climbing the tree represents the struggles and sacrifice you have to make to achieve your ambition,” said Dale, “and we found out how she found herself there.”
Dale has always been fond of creating sounds and field recordings. The lockdown in 2020 has offered him a time to dive deeper into his passion. Inspired by the book publisher side of him, Dale EP has a unique sound environment and storytelling, adapting elements from film, theatre, literature, and other creative fields with full liberty. Personality over polish, creativity over format would be the perfect words to sum up, Dale.
“I used my phone to record everything ‘non-musical.’ Growing up; I always wanted to be a foley artist, so I really loved finding or recording my own sound effects – particularly in the beach song,” said Dale, “I really threw myself into making the story sound interesting. I asked a bunch of my friends to voice characters throughout the story. I feel that the creative process can be a bit lonely at times, and I love including people in my work – this was a natural and fun way to do that.”
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PREMIERE: YUKA TREE “THE MAN IN THE LEATHER LACED SHOES”
It’s hard to ignore the haunting guitar riff or Yuka Tree’s engrossing vocal. “The Man In the Leather Laced Shoes” is a song that can easily stand out in any crowd with its raging, out-of-the-world lo-fi post-punk expression.
Yuka Tree depicts a man in leather-laced shoes and a loosely messed-up three-piece suit, always be up your nose, trying to stay in complete power through edgy lyrics and spiral storytelling. In the burning, demonic sound environment, his ugly face and toxic behavior are even more intolerable.
“You can hear the ice clink in the man’s drink that he holds in his right hand; it’s half-past eight, and you’re running late. With the same sordid mandate wrapped in a band, his three-piece suit fits too loose and reminds you of the screws. That you will be sure, you’ll get what for, when you’re not wanted anymore, from the man in the leather laced shoes.”
Following their debut release, “Preacher,” the highly anticipated “The Man in the Leather Laced Shoes” does not disappoint. In its tireless, eerie guitar-driven theme and multi-angle storyline, a vivid, memorable character revolves around a toxic, abusive relationship.
PREMIERE: BULLPUP “ACTOR” LYRIC VIDEO
Following a ska-rock-metal fusion debut release “Veronica Sawyer’s Big Day Out” from their forthcoming album Be Evil, “Actor” adheres to Bullpup’s heavy-hitting rocker’s style with an emo, theatrical twist.
Interestingly, the track doesn’t have a beginning. “Actor” launches right in the middle of dazzling, manic chaos, where the roof is spinning, and so is the world. In the kinetic, buoyant flamenco-infused guitar riff, “Actor” throws you off of your feet before you even comprehend what it’s happening.
The theatre-inspired track sets its scene on stage. Exaggerated makeups and puffy dresses, rehearsed lines, and never-stopping scenes. The increasing suspense and dramatic tension brewing in the air. The world on stage is so far away from reality.
Photo credit: Dani Danis
Revolving around the metaphorical theatre stage, “Actor” dives deep into one’s struggle with identity, shedding light on imposter syndrome. Self-doubt over achievement, feeling like a fraud playing an anticipated social role. The gap between fulfilling other’s expectations and being who we really are can affect one’s mentality heavily.
Tore up by the doubled life, Bullpup has nailed the level of frustration, depression, and struggle with brutally honest lyrics, worn-out screams, and tireless drums. The track ends with an introspective moment of disappointment.
The show is over when the curtain is closed, the crowds have left, and the world returns to silence with only you in the middle. A sad clone is looking at its own reflection and can’t seem to identify itself.
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SINGLE REVIEW: RICHARD “UNSTABLE”
The abrupt life changes always caught us off guard. A seemingly normal day might alter your life forever. “Unstable” starts with a luscious soundscape and laid-back beat. Smooth melodic vocal, vibing with the flow. The track took a gradual but sudden turn when the distorted alarm set off in the background: intensified rhythms and increasingly aggressive lyrics in a field of dissonance.
Photo credit: Artez Williams
Without notice, the rich, smooth, laid-back vocal has shifted into the complete opposite. The distorted alarm keeps on screaming in the background till the end. Like the way loss and trauma affects and haunts the living, nothing will ever be the same.
“This song is dedicated to my brother, who passed a year ago via drug use. The name, the instrumentation, and the vocal all represent how things can be altered abruptly in life, which is what his death meant for all of his loved ones as it was so unexpected,” said Richard, “at the same time, it is also a homage to him as he always informed me of how I should always live fearlessly and with minimal regret. The lyrics are also a bit raunchy and aggressive highlighting things I try to hide in my music, but now I am bringing them to the forefront.”
Photo credit: Artez Williams
“Unstable” is a masterpiece with great emotional depth. Being one of the first openly gay rappers in St. Louise, Richard is setting off to challenge the misleading orthodoxy around sexual orientation and one’s skillset. “I want to prove that gay dudes can rap rap, “ he said.
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EP REVIEW: OLYMPIC BINGO ‘ALOOF’
Released through Paper Rock Scissors Record, the experimental album Aloof by the Australia-based multi-instrumentalist William Bahnisch, aka Olympic Bingo, has a wild span of the color palette in its sound experimentation. Aloof takes you on an adventure centering on the expedition of jazz aesthetics, stretching out to alternative rock, shoegaze, soul, world music, sound effects, and cinematic soundtrack.
Photo credit: Rodney Magazinovic
The key track “Clouds” featuring Ciara Walsh explores the unpredictable essence of clouds with an extension to humanity and nature itself. The ebbs and flows are stored in stillness, glimmering in the dark in a lush, beautiful texture. Drums break the silence, bringing motion and movement along with a modest, kinetic bass line. Ciara Walsh’s stunning voice travels in between like a butterfly, landing on the everchanging shades. Turmoil and danger hide behind the increased dissonance, but chaos soon breathes into an immersive, stringlike soundscape. “Clouds” is everchanging, free, and inspired.
“Lemonade Serenade” brings you to a European, stylish coffee shop sitting on the city corner. In a cozy, laid-back afternoon, with bright, twinkling sunlight shedding from the shadow of leaves, saxophone solo and syncopated Brillian rhythms bathing in the warm, cloudy sonic environment.
“Tropicalismo” traces back cultural origins behind the Afro-Cuban bell pattern. It leans towards urban bossa nova with a warm, vibrant color and drifts into a raw, earthy communal drumming. It expands to jazz improv along the line of history and disappears in the natural surroundings.
The landscape changes again in “Should I Know Her.” Expansive guitar and head-hitting explosive percussion, ethereal vocal carries out dreamful, captivating melodies, “Should I Know Her” leans towards the emotive rock side of shoegaze with grunge undertone and Afro-Cuban percussive afterheat casually tugged in its surreal sonic wall.
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EP REVIEW: ANGELIC CIRCUS “OPEN TO THE FUTURE”
Following a woman’s awakening journey, Angelic Circus explores mystical spirituality in a psychedelic, semi-lucid, fluid-like sonic space in Open to the Future. Hyperconnected to the higher realm, the EP consists of four nature-inspired songs which embark on different journeys.
Photo credit: Adi Helman
The world is quiet and peaceful in “Quiet,” illuminated by the magical nature. Observing the world with the wonder of a child, fascinated by the endless possibilities and colorations. It evokes a profound feeling of love in the healing sound bath.
The meditative “6.4.3” invites you on an introspective journey with your inner voice and higher self. Setting its scene in a sacred, humid cave, tapping into an ancient time and entering a trance state in a glitchy psychedelic encounter. Drawing influences from Eastern musical and ritual traditions, Angelic Circus created a unique listening experience.
Galit Aufgang’s ethereal, bewitching voice reminds of a mermaid’s enchantment, flowing into the dream, stealing your heart. Its stunning celestial texture has a therapeutic touch. Angelic Circus expands its musicality by blending grounding, modern elements into its experimental mix.
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SINGLE REVIEW: MICHAEL BARROW & THE TOURISTS TELL ME HOW TO GET TO YOU
Starting with a laid-back reggae vibe coiled in folk-rock soundscape, Michael Barrow & The Tourists’ “Tell Me How to Get to You” is a lighthearted delight. Showering in the sunshine, charged with positivity, the song is full of unexpected, wonderful encounters.
Photo credit: Dani Sork
A warm, dazzling vintage world invites you in as the landscape changes in front of your sight. Blithe whistles bring back memories. “Suddenly I feel something new” is a wake-up call that pulls you back to the presence. Return to a more emotional, evocative pop-rock sonic environment, “Tell Me How to Get to You” continues to build up to a cathartic, anthemic climax.
The soulful vocal delivery, atmospheric guitar solo, and infectious melodies, but couldn’t begin to describe the energy and fun in “Tell Me How to Get to You.”
Photo credit: Dani Sork
"This song is special to me for a lot of reasons," says frontman Michael Barrow, "it got me out of a year-long creative slump. It was the product of a lot of rewrites and collaboration with friends and other songwriters, and a lot of the textures we added and experimented with made for a really fun and memorable studio experience. It’s one of our more laid-back, positive tunes, and it was a joy to make."
As music is always an honest reflection, the unforgettable journey and the chemistry between like-minded friends are imprinted in the sound.
SINGLE REVIEW: ETTIE “STARTING AGAIN”
Mellow, cloud-like dream-pop surroundings create a romantic, misty atmosphere. Nervous, excited, and inexperienced, but feeling like everything has fallen to the right place. Ettie’s naked, honest voice stands out in the dreamy surroundings, certain and vulnerable, ready to embark on a new life that she, for one, has always known is true.
Following Ellie’s coming out journey as a queer singer-songwriter, the third release, “Starting Again,” from her forthcoming album Manic Pixie Dream Girl, has the tender, stirring feelings of new love and an empowering undertone.
The eccentric song resonates with the current cultural, political movement as we challenge and confront orthodoxy. The song has inherited the unapologetic punk attitude rooted in honesty and rebellion inspired by pop-punk artists like Avril Lavigne, drawing introspective influences from Hayley Williams and Pale Waves. The James Blake impression subtly adds the minimalist embellishment and deep bass characteristic.
Compare to the laid-back, indie-rock debut release “Manic Pixie Dream Girl” and upbeat, whimsy “I’m Sorry To My Exes,” “Starting Again” is another delightful surprise to the color palette of the forthcoming album.
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ALBUM REVIEW: TIMOTHY AND THE APOCALYPSE ‘FUTURE SO BRIGHT’
Formally known as an internationally acclaimed photographer traveling the world, capturing stories and movements, Timothy and the Apocalypse’s Future So Bright portrays the extended world behind stilled impressions. Original elements scattered in nature merge into illuminating, luscious color floating in the whims. Through its entrancing atmosphere, the reflection of familiarity flashes back from time to time.
“The Mindful Cherub” has a delicate, celestial texture in addition to its alluring, stylish nature. A blues-rock-inspired lick embellishes a hip-hop-powered drum beat, vague vocal pads floating in the wind and crystal-like texture. The water impression is carried out by harp-like arpeggios. Vaguely hearing jazz and gospel from a distant bar. Originated from biblical tradition, Cherub is a celestial winged chubby angel in child form. “The Mindful Cherub” is sophisticated with a touch of innocence and whimsy.
“Sex Tape” sets its mood in a red-light district. Intrigued by its brilliant color and windows of displays, the danger of an unknown underworld pumps up the adrenaline. Pleasure and imagination brewing in the smell of perfume spaced out in psychedelia.
Looking at the world through the curious eyes and adventurous mind, sorrow is a difficult color to paint. Timothy and the Apocalypse have a different vocabulary when it comes to downfall. “Falling Apart” approaches falling apart through a darker tone in its cinematic storytelling.
Over the past two years, world pandemics, career change, natural disasters, and family issues have fueled his frustrated creativity into two albums worth of songs. “Ethereal Event” is set to release in September.
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SINGLE REVIEW: FIRE JANE “Alien”
“Alien” continues to carry out Fire Jane’s uplifting, empowering musical statement, creating contrasts in its texture. Revolving around the alien symbolism, Fire Jane’s euphonious voice tells a story about following your heart and fighting against the odds.
A mystical vocal invites you to the rite of passage. Your vision is clearer than ever when the destined, guided path unfolds before you. You know the journey will be full of challenges, but you are determined and enlightened.
As if fire illuminates in the dark, the stars above guide the travelers, there is strength underneath the song’s dark, melodic tone and excitement in the euphoric EDM soundscape. A sense of clarity and calmness navigating through the staggering, chaotic nature.
Inspired by artists such as Ava Max, Doja Cat, and Selena Gomez, the electro-pop artist Fire Jane aims at creating upbeat, feel-good dance music.
FEATURE: CAL IN RED “ACT LIKE”
“An eruption of bright reds and oranges that up to this point were concealed in a blue, unsuspecting haze.” Cal in Red on “Act Like”
Frisky, lurching guitar riffs coiled in the glazing synth-wave announces its ethereal presence. It sweeps you off of your feet for a spin in the sizzling air of a summer afternoon charged with vitamin D. “I had just watched the movie ‘Drive’ for the first time and loved the heavy synth-based soundtrack. After that, I immediately found a cool patch on my Juno and started playing this bouncy riff that eventually morphed into ‘Act like.’”
Photo credit: Austin Wyeth
The glittering, surreal soundscape has weaved a nest of a cocoon, locking up comfort and security in its bubble. In contrast to its vibrant summer vibe, the song approaches stagnation with understanding and compassion when disruption dampens one’s full potential. “It’s tricky to come at this topic without sounding like some heartless accuser, but we all have someone in our lives we’ve seen going through this,” said Kendall.
“Act Like” music video was shot within a day north near Traverse City, MI when the duo decided to put their friend Austin Wyeth up to it last minute. Going with the flow and following the heart, the music video featured their love for disc golf and captured laughter and moments worth of memory, along with stunning visuals and good vibes.
Photo credit: Austin Wyeth
“It was probably 90 degrees, and yet we were sitting by a half-lit fire, getting absolutely berated smoke,” said Cal In Red, “I think the wildest thing that happened that day was when the three of us discovered that ‘naked chicken chalupa’ is something that is sold and consumed here in America. We were never the same.”
“Act Like” is the sophomore release drawing from their upcoming EP, navigating through ebbs and flows of the 20 something adulthood in the digital age. “In a way, we’re trying to challenge that disconnection while not wanting to step outside of the norms that we are now presented with,” the band commented,
“Sonically, I think we’re building towards a bigger focus on melodies and tones and looking for more things to pop out of the established landscape. The other songs draw mostly from bedroom pop inspiration while stepping into modern psychedelia at times.”
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