PREMIERE: GIFTS FROM CROWS “THE UNIMAGINABLE BRIGHTNESS OF SUMMER”
Discovery
In a somber silence of the dark, the story unravels in the gracefully blossoming piano. An emotive string carries the motif throughout the registers counter to the piano’s storytelling. Fairy-like vocal phrases add a vibrant, spirited color into the music, giving the piece a magic touch.
After an intensified development, “The Unimaginable Brightness of Summer” concludes with sustained vocal phrases that remind you of the blazing sun and the blinding brightness of summer.
Inspired by the dynamic, contrasting nature of seasons compounded by a unique combination of colors and characteristics, “The Unimaginable Brightness of Summer” is an instrumental piece on the intensity and beauty of summer, which marks the debut release of the highly anticipated 2nd Gifts From Crows album.
As a composer, Richard Laurence, aka Gifts From Crows, had many years of experience writing for vocals, fascinated by the exquisite chemistry between the deep-reaching soulfulness of human voice and the complex combination of words and syllables. After the debut release of a purely instrumental album, the artist re-introduces the magic of human voice into the sound of “The Unimaginable Brightness of Summer.”
Written by Katrina Yang
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PREMIERE: REBECCA MCCARTNEY “REMEMBER LESS”
Staff Pick
Rebecca McCartney’s stunning vocal travels effortlessly between complex passages with an elegant, soulful R&B impression in a moody jazz vibe. “Remember Less” is a song about the natural process of drifting away. Like a bird in the wind with all the possibilities, the versatile track can’t be defined by a certain genre, nor can’t it be pinned down to an experience.
“Remember Less” was written when McCartney left for college in Minnesota, thinking about the boy she had left behind in New York. The unstoppable process is when the new gradually replaces the old, and memory begins to fade no matter how hard we try to grasp onto it.
“Remember Less” is fascinating and unforgettable. In a mellow rock, R&B sonic environment, a deep-rooted vibrant, urban feel is mixed with flakes of distant gospel memories. A blues rock-inspired guitar solo sweeps in with a modest, dedicated attitude that instantly melts in the sound.
Born in the city of New York, Rebecca McCartney was exposed to the rich culture and art from a young age. Immersing in the city’s classical music world has influenced her early songwriting style in indie-folk. Her study in jazz and her experience playing in an R&B band has transformed her sound drastically. After years of working on her craft, the artist comes back with a unique, mature personal style.
Written by Katrina Yang
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PREMIERE & INTERVIEW: SWEETER THAN SORROW “LIKE WATER IS FLOWING”
Artist Spotlight
Every love story is different, just like each soul is unique. In a fast-moving world of change and outside noises, Sweeter Than Sorrow stays true and vulnerable, challenging trends and traditional views with its unique beauty and timelessness.
No marriage is easy, but the common practice is to look perfect from the outside. Unlike our first impression of what a love song should be, in the beautiful ambient piano, “Like Water is Flowing” tells the story of love with a melancholy undertone, reflecting the ebbs and flows in life.
“I always wanted to write a love song,” said Sweeter Than Sorrow, aka, Mattias Wahlberg, “I wrote this to my wife about us and our marriage – how I may be distant and far away; far from the perfect husband but still always comes back to her, to our love. I wanted to tell the story about the beauty and strength in that.”
Sweeter Than Sorrow is a solo project of Mattias Wahlberg, who is also known as the frontman of Sombre View. Compare to the synth-oriented, collective sound in Sombre View project, Sweeter Than Sorrow explores a more personal, acoustic, natural sounding with a modern, timeless edge. “Creatively simpler and more direct; more honest and truthful,” Wahlberg commented, “there’s strength in making everything more personal and closer to the heart. I hope it goes through to people”
From Sombre View to Sweeter Than Sorrow, the melancholy minor remains a constant theme in Mattias Wahlberg’s aesthetic. “The sombre, sad, and sensitive is something that always resonated with me. It has always been there in the background even in the ‘happier songs,’” said Sweeter Than Sorrow, aka Mattias Wahlberg, “but in life, I don’t know if it’s actually a curse or a gift.”
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MV PREMIERE: PAOLA BENNET “MY MOTHER SAYS”
New Music Friday
Photo Credit: Mimi Adki
Paola Bennet’s keen observation of the rising mental health among the younger generation and the common misconception of depression has brought us the highly relatable single “My Mother Says” as the second release from her upcoming album Maybe the Light. Through intimate, honest storytelling, “My Mother Says” sheds light on the frustration and pain one suffers from mental health. Narrative spirals from memories and conversations to the confession of frustration.
“And my mother says, ‘being sad sometimes is alright. At your age, God knows, so was I.’ How do I tell her it’s a constant haze, it’s always; it’s the sky falling, breaking over me all the time. Breaking me all the time.”
Alternates between quiescent, ethereal storytelling and energized, reverberant, distorted confession, the contrast of its color palettes, harmonious texture, and soundscape create a fascinating effect that makes the song addictive and irresistible.
“I want to hit the walls until they break, someone to say to me I’m no mistake; I want an inch of kindness, but I know that if I want to find it, I’ll have to bare my throat. And how can I, how can I?” Voicing frustration is just as powerful and cathartic. Sometimes we just needed to be heard and acknowledged.
The music video directed by Marielle Boland was created in the memory of Boland’s mother, featuring items that filled with memories: grapefruit, the ocean, painting to music, and a vintage piano owned by the previous generation of the family. “I lost both my parents this past year, and this song made me feel a connection to my mom again,” said Boland. Inspired by the music video “Les Filles Desir,” the lo-fi, nostalgic aesthetic was a wonderful, unexpected extension to the sonic experience of “My Mothers Say” as it echoes the experience Paola Bennet created with sampled sounds from old childhood footage.
Written by Katrina Yang
LISTEN TO MAYBE THE LIGHT
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EP REVIEW: EMMA HUNTER ‘HERE I GO’
Staff Pick
Photo Credit: Carrie Southall
Here I Go explores a shadowy world where the sun doesn’t shine. Like a nightingale singing in the dark, Emma Hunter’s voice unchain elegance and beauty in the void, emerging and evolving with strength, weaving an igniting, floral world.
The EP opens with an intense track about domestic violence with its title track, “Here I Go.” Setting the motion of leaving with no sound. A deeply haunting, blues-infused guitar riff invites you into an emotive, dark world. Sunflowers were shattered in blood; a beautiful woman dancing in a red dress, repeatedly drowned, and abused; the drag of limbs across the floor. “Here I Go” unveils the horrific nature of violence: the brutal destruction of something beautiful.
Further reaching to the muddy street of jazz with surfing guitar and chromatic walking bassline in “Nightingale,” anthemic in the swirling sounds. There is a constant stare that follows you throughout the EP. An eerie, swelling electrified noise emerges from the underworld, gazing at you in the dark like a shadow. Here I Go is astonishing and unsettling in its storytelling. The singer/songwriter has shown immense potential in her vocal performance and songwriting.
“Treacle Well” is a contemporary vocal piece where rhythms and harmonies allure in the dark, weaving into a cinematic, polyphonic modern dance masterpiece. In the immersive, harmonious waves, “Window” comes to life when the reverberant guitar riffs join in for the hypnotic sound bath. Emma Hunter’s voice travels freely, like little fairies dance on the top of branches, landing on places you wouldn’t expect.
Written by Katrina Yang
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ALBUM REVIEW: M.A.G.S ‘SAY THINGS THAT MATTER’
Album of the Week
Photo credit: Avi Loud
Say Things That Matter instantly fills up the space with its vibrant, adventurous shoegazing sonic bath. Characterized by bizarre, stimulated sonic adventures and straightforward lyricism, the resounding reverberant waves continue stretching those lazy, infectious tentacles to the furthest, reaching to anyone who hasn’t heard the magic word, M.A.G.S.
Located in Los Angeles, California, M.A.G.S is a rising artist/producer with great versatility and rich musical vocabulary. Electric guitars may only have six strings, but they become chatty and radiant full of creative new phrases and endless possibilities in M.A.G.S's hands. Like a chameleon that constantly adapts to the surroundings, no matter how bizarre the colors. M.A.G.S continues to surprise you within the three short minutes of each song and the distinctly characteristic 14 tracks on Say Things That Matter.
The magic treasure chest opens its mouth and swallows you into a psychedelic adventure of a charming, kooky world in the warm lo-fi crackles. Flashbacks and shattered pieces of sound add to its sonic collection. No matter how far it has gone, the nostalgic past will always follow you—something to hold on to when you’re losing control.
M.A.G.S music remains a mercurial nature throughout the ebbs and flows of the album. An energetic delight followed by a swirling lo-fi “intro.” Hypnotic, bouncy sound wall splits the time and space into playful little pieces, regrouping into various colors. It escalates into a massive, fast-paced “Waits,” leading you into a fiery, manic world of electric guitar. After a chaotic, exotic encounter, the album temporary rest on a soft, melancholy world of feelings,
Leading by a bendy, bluesy guitar riff earworm, “Sunrise” concludes the album with a revived new beginning with a sense of awe and wonder. There’s no guarantee of where M.A.G.S will take us in the next adventure, but one thing we know for sure is that it would be a place where no man has been before.
Written by Katrina Yang
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SINGLE REVIEW: ARIN “WE LOOK SO GOOD”
Discovery
In a beautiful hazy sonic surrounding deftly arranged around Arin’s moody, ethereal voice, “We Look So Good” melts in your ear like the sound of a whisper. The luscious, exquisite track paints something pure and mysteriously wonderful, like the warmth of shimmering light.
A mellow piano is well rendered in an airy surreality. As if the sea breeze gently swifts the silky drapes, “We Look So Good” stirs up your feelings. The theme of heartbreak paints the melancholy color in the sky, up in the air yet earthy and grounding.
Shattered pieces dance to the cadential beats, tempting you to forget on the dance floor, leaving everything behind. “We Look So Good” remains the sensitive, sacred nature of Arin’s songwriting.
Beautiful, evocative sonic texture revolves around an ambient piano, embarking a journey with electronic and dance elements. Arin’s music is constantly in conversation with itself, inviting you for an intimate slow dance.
Written by Katrina Yang
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SINGLE REVIEW: SAM BAIRD “SHAPE OF OUR FEARS”
Discovery
A bitter vocal line travels in kooky dissonance, entering an odd, disconnected mental space. The level of discomfort teases your nerve in slow motion. Inspired by the overwhelmingly high number of people struggling with mental health related problems, “Shapes of Our Fears” depicts stagnation and anxiety vividly, shedding light on the way it alters our normal sense of self.
The UK-based singer-songwriter, Sam Baird, has captured the intensity and suffocation one suffers living with anxiety and stagnation precisely. An intentionally unnatural tempo brings attention to the subtle changes within slow motion. Magnified emotions and motions fed up fear and the increasing incapability to escape. “I see it like a conversation with myself,” Baird commented.
Despite the discomfort and pullback alongside every step forward, the song walks towards a captivating, anthemic resolution. The emotive guitar solo offers a temporary emotional release as it screams to the roof with a crooked voice. In between the closed doors, sometimes feelings awake, hungrily breathing in the fresh air.
“Shape of Our Fears” is confrontational and raw. Sam Baird directly tackled those feelings and emotions with brutal honesty. Unapologetic with his unique style and creativity, the artist is channeling important messages through artistic storytelling.
Written by Katrina Yang
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SINGLE REVIEW: DARRIAN GERARD “I’M NOT SORRY”
Discovery
Back in 2015, after a confusing heartbreak with someone who could not reciprocate the same way, Darrian Gerard wrote down “I’m Not Sorry” in her basement with two guitars, a bass, and a mini keyboard while the wounds were still raw. As if a letter of youth and hurts stamped from five years ago, “I’m Not Sorry” had preserved the magic power of a turning point in the artist’s life when Gerard took back her power and stood up for herself.
“21 times I apologized for being made about the way that you hurt me, you never ever said you were sorry.” The shivering raw emotions can still be heard behind a distorted, roaring guitar riff. The greatest change often happens destructively. Through Gerard’s raw, unapologetic lyricism, we could feel the tenderness and pain of growth.
Inspired by some of her favorite pop-punk artists such as Avril Lavigne, blink-182, and Angels & Airwaves from an early age, Darrian Gerard has the courageous, angst-ridden yet optimistic energy imprinted in her sound.
SINGLE REVIEW: JŌVIKY “LONELY PHONE”
Staff Pick
Swirling siren in the background, the image of a busy, distant city comes to mind. Lo-fi ambient has a warm, obscure aroma; lush, surreal soundscape paints the artistic sonic ground for intimate storytelling. Created out of pure emotion and art, “Lonely Phone” depicts loneliness with tenderness and empathy.
In a beautiful, luminous downtempo texture, the song explores a vulnerable moment. The desperate act of finding solace and comfort in one’s phone is approached from an emotional standpoint, bringing attention to our generation's rising mental health problems.
Derived from Joviky’s usual style as a “rap/dance artist,” “Lonely Phone” is an exception and an artistic expansion to Joviky’s music vocabulary. “It felt as if there was some other entity writing and performing the song through me. This experience has changed the way I approach songwriting and honestly the way I view the world,” Joviky commented.
Although loneliness may not be one of your favorite feelings, it has been there accompanying us throughout some of the darkest, most vulnerable times. Joviky has channeled something deeply moving and beautiful through art and music, taking inspiration from an emotional moment.
SINGLE REVIEW: RENEL “CRAZY”
Song of the Day
Setting its mood in an intimate, heartfelt guitar soundscape, honest lyricism, and genuine storytelling invites you in for a discussion about mental health. Revolving around Renel’s personal struggle, “Crazy” hits you right in the feels.
Renel is an artist that speaks his truth with music. He sheds light on a difficult topic that is so common yet rarely discussed openly. “Crazy” is highly relatable for anyone who has been through the low and the pain in life.
The song remains at an intense pace between spoken lyricism and melodic elements as it dives deep along Renel’s personal journey and realization. The verse is first paired with a well-knit drum beat and mesmerizing guitar loop.
“I’ve been all alone. I’ve been chasing all these goals, trying to find my soul in a city so cold.” A moment of truth and realization sweeps in from the low with a captivating hook. Fragments of vocal phrases fill the gaps and develop alongside the second verse, creating a more engaging, emotive reaction with the audience.
Renel is influenced by a vast range of musicians: Prince, Lil Wayne, Amy Winehouse, Bob Marley, to Pink Floyd. The diversity in his music influences allows the artist to explore genres and new songs. Aside from music, Renel is a recreational beekeeper and a regular contributor to philanthropic and non-profit work.
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PREMIERE: MARCUS HERNE “FORMS”
New Music Friday
Fascinated by evolution and the beginning of the universe, Form is a four-year-long project of Marcus Herne. Making artificial sounds organic and organic sounds artificial, Herne is approaching the infinite middle point. “My sound lives somewhere in the exceptional middle,” Herne commented.
In nothing lies everything.
Photo credit: Matt Wash
“Forms” is an interactive conversation in relation to existence. Emerging from the wilderness and complete darkness, millions of invisible particles gather into being. Vaguely formed in the shape of the moon, the sun, the universe, a pupil, in the reflection of water, light, and landscape.
The natural occurrence of symmetry is one of the beauties of the universe. Shapes and forms spontaneously formed and vanished in sonic reflection. In this multi-media project, the visuals and music complete each other, creating a bridge for a stimulating discussion between the artist and the audience.
As a seasoned composer for a vast range of media, including film, photography, and spoken words, Marcus Herne’s music connects and interacts with different art forms and collaboratively creates a unique experience. But the art isn’t complete until the audience interacts with it and forms their unique interpretations. Therefore, the form becomes a carrier for thoughts, emotions, and intentions.
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PREMIERE: JOE TRAXLER “DON'T DANCE”
New Music Friday
“Don’t Dance” marks the beginning of the Vienna-based multi-instrumentalist and producer Joe Traxler’s upcoming debut LP Lifelines slotted for release in spring 2022. Revolving around social anxiety and insecurities, “Don’t Dance” bluntly hits you right in the feels with an odd, slightly detached, groovy bass.
Lucrative, hip, and edgy at the same time. Like its creator, “Don’t Dance” is a track that easily stands out in the crowd.
“Trapped in a feeling and a crowd full of people colliding; sudden cold sweats guess the panic attack is arriving.”
Photo credit: Cherie Hansson
Under a cold, blue light with minimal movement, a straightforward vocal delivery in the middle between being emotionally exposed and completely detached. The track gradually breaks into a feel-good, danceable indie-funk wrapper. Like the night is full of contrast and variety, “Don’t Dance” is a unique experience.
Art, fashion, and music come into play in Joe Traxler’s aesthetic. Instead of chasing the trend, the artist is embracing his own iniquity. Staying authentic to his own taste and style, Joe Traxler is becoming the new trend.
PREMIERE: LETTING UP DESPITE GREAT FAULTS “GEMINI”
New Music Friday
In a fuzzy noise, an ethereal voice blossoms in its purest and most beautiful form. Deep-rooted in chaos, Letting Up Despite Great Faults brings us a different dream pop experience. “Gemini” is an open discussion about eternity.
Like the way perfection emerges from imperfection, we witness great love and deep friendship falling apart. Revolving around those thoughts that come to you in between the enormous feelings, “Gemini” thrives for hope.
Photo credit: Elysia Perkins
Depicting the noisy, anxious world we live in, the track is driven by an upbeat, hopeful guitar soundscape, pumping blood supply to the rest of our body like a beating heart. The voice in the middle of its surroundings remains calm and uninterrupted. Maybe nothing is perfect, and maybe even the strongest connection would part their ways one day, but maybe it doesn’t matter at all.
Letting Up Despite Great Faults was founded by Mike Lee in the city of Angel. After meeting Kent Zambrana (bass), they decided to move to Austin, TX, where they found Daniel Schmidt (drums) and Annah Fisette (guitar, keys, vocals). Diving deep into a hip, dreamful, ethereal music world, they are bringing more songs into the world. With “Gemini” being the debut release, a new album is on the horizon.
PREMIERE: SEAN GRINSELL “R IS FOR REDEMPTION”
New Music Friday
Music speaks louder than words in Sean Grinsell’s R is For Redemption. Revolving around words starting with the letter R, R is For Redemption is a collection of epic sonic poetry.
Hailing from Chicago, United States, Grinsell is a multi-instrumentalist and composer. Inspired by Led Zeppelin, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Deep Purple, and Christone Kingfish Ingram, the artist narrates blues first.
“Rogue” is full of personality. A bossy guitar carries out a captivating idea while the flamboyant, flaming synth is pumped into the sky. Darker, contemplative keys navigate themselves into the melodic ideas. Destiny rings in the cinematic statement. A low, soulful moan concludes the first half.
Photo credit: LaMar Price
Being thrown into a festive second half filled with cheerful keys, notes chase its tails in a circle. Then the theme returns with an anthemic development, hovering over the scene.
“Rush” portrays the idea of rush featuring a stirring bass and brisk percussion. Sequential melodic ideas are slightly psychotic. The track takes a darker turn towards the end. On the contract, “Rift” is a slow dance with a bluesy, groovy atmosphere.
“Reflection” enters a reflective space where the time is still. The track paints a sensitive, transparent environment, evoking thoughts and feelings. Adhering to a thematic characteristic, it’s hard not to expect a grand gesture. Through-the-roof guitar solo creates a special moment of self-expression.
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PREMIERE: SALT HOUSE LAVISH “DO NOT FOLLOW THEM”
New Music Friday
From one idea to another, reacting and interacting, “Do Not Follow Them” from the UK based artist/producer Salt House Lavish takes you on a wonderful, ear widening journey.
A glitchy, throbbing beat in a simulating, starry ambient soundscape. Just when you’re settling under the calm, glamorous canvas, tuning into the wonderfulness, drum machine levels up simulation introducing amusement with wild vocal samples spontaneously shooting out in space, passing through in awe.
From a light, stringy evocative to the deep throbbing bass, to the fun and catchy melodic line, there is at least one layer of the song you’ll end up falling in love with. “Do Not Follow Them” is an expanding phenomenon blossoming into an upbeat EDM.
Born out of a happy accident, “Do Not Follow Them” was finished within 2 hours. The track smoothly imprinted fun and free-flowing inspirations and has been well-received by blogs and radio stations. Originally, the track was designed as a standalone single, the overwhelming response from people around the world has led to an album, Franternise.
PREMIERE: UNDERWATERSUN “TEARS FOR SOUVENIRS”
New Music Friday
Lo-fi crackles and frizzles take you to a different time and space; traveling through the low-resolution old footage, “Tears for Souvenirs” is a letter of hope to the teenage self. Like a cloud hug on a summer afternoon, Underwatersun created a warm, reminiscent feel.
The song starts with an intentionally out-of-tune effect. Like the way wind slightly distorts scenery, everything becomes surreal in the distance. This unique soundscape immediately grasps your attention. Underwatersun’s light vocal floats alongside the mellow guitar strums.
Suddenly you begin to remember: the smell of summer breeze; the insecurity of a younger self. The ethereal, harmonious chorus brings you closer to the vague. Like a dream, you don’t want to wake up from, “Tears for Souvenirs” has something beautiful and pure in its sweet, velvety texture. It brings a smile to your face, even you know that nothing is perfect.
Located in the UK, Underwatersun is the sole DIY dream-pop project of emerging singer-songwriter and producer Harry Aiden Sampson. Inspired by Rex Orange County and Dayglow, the artist is bringing perspective to the scene.
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EP REVIEW: THE ROUTINE ‘UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES’
Album of the Week
The opening track “Too Many Times” quickly submerges you into a distorted, electric guitar-driven rock sound environment. A melodic, emotive vocal line in the middle of the chaos is the voice that comes to you on a silent night. The Routine gets under your skin and hits you right in the feels with their latest release, Under the Circumstances.
Under the Circumstances was a creation of long-distance collaboration. Hailing from the UK, the band spreads out across Cambridge and London. Written during the lockdown, the EP name was also inspired by the unique, isolated circumstance.
Photo credit: James Nunn Photography
“Do it For You” has an emotional-charged, bluesy guitar riff that gently leads the way and puts us in the hand of lead singer Liam Palmer’s soulful, road-worn voice. There’s a sensitive, vulnerable aspect of their music that connects immediately with people. Whether through their buoyant rocker color palette or raw, authentic lyrism, The Routine always gets you under any circumstances.
As shocking it may sound, but no two songs are alike. The band has shown their incredible versatility by exploring various sounds and styles in Under the Circumstances. Each title brings you on a different journey, evoking a feeling that you’ve long forgotten.
SINGLE REVIEW: GLASI “MARY JANE”
Discovery
Vibrant, captivating, and dynamic, “Mary Jane” invites you to a dreamful celebration at 130 bpm. Deep, evocative bass stirs your feelings; you can’t help but join the crowd while the swirling synth continues to fire up the atmosphere.
An ethereal vocal enchants you to its special location, located in a place far away from society, watching firework blows up the sky, dancing and embracing life all night long.
Derived from its EDM root, “Mary Jane” is full of surprises in its arrangements. Unexpected turns and encounters with reduced beats and complete drops out take you on a different journey. The track is refreshing and stimulating. Inspired by a conversation between Glasi and his father, the title “Mary Jane” was a spur of a moment creation through shared experience and discussion.
Located near Stuttgart, Glasi is a producer a DJ with enormous creative output. Blending EDM with deep house and big room, Glasi expands his music vocabulary with new creations.
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SINGLE REVIEW: FINCH FAUX “SO LET IT BEGIN”
Finch Faux “So Let it Begin” is a collaboration with her former self as well as the oldest song and the debut release from her upcoming LP Flounderbound.
Finch Faux “So Let it Begin” is a collaboration with her former self as well as the oldest song and the debut release from her upcoming LP Flounderbound. Written about ten years ago on an afternoon against her camper van wheel, the song is about the old lost and found.
Obscure and resounding in a slightly chaotic manner, “So Let it Begin” steps into the gap between the past and the present, where the miniature time is still. A winding synth reminds you of the echoes of water drops from a cave.
Faux’s voice comes from a distance, a location beyond visible to your sight. It fascinates you and intrigues you to walk into the tunnel. Her voice soon blurs into the immersive soundscape, becoming semi-indistinguishable.
It's hard to imagine what the song would sound like ten years ago, but the rendition has a special flavor from a different time. Something nostalgic and moving from the last decades. In a quiet space, “So Let it Begin” gently touches your soul.