New Music Monday #18

Dancer by IDLES & LCD Soundsystem

Thrilling strings at the start of the track grab your attention as it transitions into heavy drums and a sick guitar riff. The delivery of the compelling lyrics is haunting while thundering through speakers. “Dancer” is a track that feels like one too many things are happening at once in the best way possible, creating an opportunity to dance or mosh– depending on what you prefer. The track expresses the intimacy of being on the dancefloor with another person, all that is seen and felt up close, “Push me away like I’m Lucifer, so to speak / My focus is on the cocoa butter running down your neck”.

bella by EKKSTACY

The song starts off with the lyrics "Don't even know her name” but upon further listening we’re suddenly singing along to “Bella”. The theme of the song feels full of the frustration behind longing for someone and trying to convince yourself you don’t want them. The indie-alt song has a heavy bass, strong drums, and an electric guitar that continues through the catchy chorus. Vocals accentuate this angsty feeling through the story-telling of the mysterious ‘bella’.

A Night To Remember by beabadoobee & Laufey

A seductive jazzy track, Bea and Laufey are a match made in musical heaven. Hypnotizing lyrics pull you in with gorgeous keys and strings that give the sensual feeling Bea and Laufey were aiming for. Both artists' vocals are special in their own way, but working together it’s like they were made to make music together. A sophisticated take on essentially a one-night stand, “All wrapped up in embers / It was a night / Enchanting night to remember”.

GLOW by MICHELLE

Bubbly and light, “GLOW” embodies all that is a fun indie-pop song with a different meaning behind it. The drums carry through the dazzling synth keys along with the bass creating a bouncy track to dance along to. The soft vocals and harmonies contrast with the vibrant instrumentals showcasing the band’s creative expertise in production. Everything about the track exudes excitement and ease, “Zoom in on the action / Get a little glow”.

What Should I Do? by Kevin Abstract

Everything about this song is eclectic from the use of instrumentals, the lyricism, and the way Abstract performs. It sets off a sense of intrigue about the meaning behind the song as he rap-sings through. An acoustic guitar riff plays behind the storyline of love and trying to move on. The bridge is full of “Ba-ba-ba”s until the end of the track with the instruments completing the artistry of the entire song. The drums and electric guitar are strong yet chill and elicit a head nod til the song ends.

Whispers In The Echo Chamber by Chelsea Wolfe

Hauntingly mesmerizing, the track begins with an eerie feeling and whispered vocals by Wolfe. Perfect timing to release such a track during the Halloween season, so there is just enough time for you to add it to your spooky playlist. Synths and electronic distortions create this mysterious and almost chilling feel within the instrumentals. Wild drums take over the end of the song leaving you astonished, “Surrounded by living ghosts, you see / I thought I had to swallow them before they swallowed me”.

The Tower by Future Islands

The known synthpop group added a bit of rock to their recent track “The Tower”. A heavy bass is heard throughout with the raspy vocals and a steady drum beat. It’s a feel-good groovy song with an interesting production. The lyrics are pensive and riveting, making it difficult to decide what grasps your attention first, the moving melody or the captivating songwriting, “Tell myself, ‘It’s nothing,’ when it’s quite right / Everything grows stronger in the light.”

New Music Monday #17

Backwards Walker by La Prave

The song being just about 5 minutes, it’s nothing short of an out-worldly, transcendent experience. Fascinating lyrics keep you engaged with an absorbing bass and guitar to tie together with the smooth vocals. The digital experimentation of instruments blends effortlessly with synths throughout, leaving you with a tranquilizing feel, “And from the bottom, endless autumn / Leaving space for what was left of my perpetual problem”.

Dead 2 Me (So Naïve) by Cafuné

Calming instrumentals and a peaceful melody contradict the bitter lyrics superbly. The storytelling through the lyrics is captivating and relatable. Retelling the time a love was once good, but the reflection on the past shows the truth of being naïve. Singer-songwriter Sedona Schat and producer Noah Yoo make up Cafuné, and their work together is constantly ravishing. Schat’s glistening vocals float beautifully alongside the instrumentals, “You invented me / Had me orbiting / Now you’re dead to me / I was so naïve”.

Doom by hyderdaze

Sleek electro-pop duo hyderdaze has created a track that is mysterious and distinctive. “Doom” is a quick listen that’s bouncy and disruptive pulling you in with its tantalizing lyrics. A dizzying contortion in production and layered effects keep the song lively making it the ideal song you’d hear out at the bar. Bass-heavy and sharp drums mixed with husky vocals further amplify the song's excellence.

Name of God by Mustafa

Soft raspy vocals paired with a consistent guitar strum might be one of my favorite combinations in a song. Mustafa has written a raw, heart-wrenching track, added a gorgeous melody, and sang like no tomorrow. Something is so special about a track that consists of mostly an acoustic guitar and enchanting vocals, yet still feels like it's puncturing my heart. The songwriting dealing with existentialism leaves the track feeling very delicate, “And every letter of fire, you read me when I’m tired / It’s replaying as a choir”.

Invisible Hand by ††† (Crosses)

A unique track embracing the different specialties within various genres. Instrumentals remain numerous as the band incorporates an alternative/rock vibe with electronic elements, embracing the genre-defying title. A complex production further escalates the stirring lyrics and invites intrigue for the rest of the song. The track evokes a mystical feeling within, but captivates the listener to continue listening, “The rules are few and empty / Drip out of your heart / Reach out of your cell”.

10, 9, 8, 7 (feat. D Smoke) by Quincey White

Vulnerable and honest, this track is artistically told with lyrics that are evocative and clever. Quincey takes us through his experiences growing up alongside a hypnotic melody that carries the catchy chorus. D Smoke adds a feverish delivery with an undeniable flow that adds something special to the song. Overall the beat summons a head nod while appreciating the lyricism throughout.

Into The Walls by Griff

A beautiful track about the complexities of emotions felt during early adulthood and Griff perfectly encapsulates it through her songwriting. A fluid pop song that feels dreamy because her vocals deliver every line with ease yet power. The song contains layers of beats and instrumentals that combine smoothly with her harmonies during the chorus, “Oh, today, I don't feel like talkin' / Oh, soak me into the walls / And I'll just watch the world go”.

Thus Love: The Electrifying Post-Punk Band

Thus Love, a queer post-punk band from Brattleboro, Vermont, recently performed at the Knitting Factory (formerly known as The Pyramid) and shredded the stage where elite bands such as Nirvana, Richard Hell, Nico, The Red Hot Chili Peppers, and many more have performed. Thus Love is an incredibly talented band consisting of three multi-instrumentalists, Echo Marshall, Lu Racine, and Nathaniel van Osdol, whose goal for music is to create music that resonates with who they are, where they come from, and the community they have found in Vermont.

Before Thus Love stepped on stage, the room was full of electrifying energy after the two opening acts, Robber Robber and Flossing, set the mood for the night. They gave spectacular performances from their post-punk, grunge, and rock sound to having an eye-catching set-up with projection on the ceiling playing clips of eyes and scenes.

Thus Love’s set provided an exhilarating eleven-song set list, including three unreleased tracks. They started with an immediate bang, starting with one of their biggest songs at the moment, “In Tandem”. With every song the energy built up, and just exceeded all expectations as Echo added onto this energy by screaming, transitioning into the fourth song of the set,” House On A Hill.” This brought everyone to a new level as Nathaniel took over singing as Echo was playing into the audience. The audience was then rewarded as they performed a song called "Lost in Translation" (a song they wrote during the tour), making the night even more incredible as this tour is probably the only group of people who will hear this song for a while.

Towards the end of their set they brought to the stage a friend of theirs who played the saxophone, adding a new element to their beloved sound. They ended their set with my favorite song, "Put On Dog," where utter mayhem was unleashed on stage, from Nathaniel playing on the floor with one knee to Echo jumping onto the drums and kicking every part of the drum to the ground to Lu working with what was left of his drums, ultimately ending in Echo running into the crowd and falling to the floor without missing a beat.

Thus Love has an incredible image that perfectly meshes with their sound. They lead with love, charisma, and perform like no other band, with great stage banter that makes everyone feel welcomed and loved, creating a memorable night for everyone at the Knitting Factory

Photography by Nicole Miller