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

New Music Monday #16

Practice (feat. Saba) by Jamila Woods

Groovy and energetic, “Practice” is a feel-good vibey song perfect for your chill playlists. The songwriting is bold, clever, and honest, giving devotion to one person all beside a lovely tune that feels reminiscent of 80’s soul-pop songs. The song touches on the issue some might have where we forget to live in the moment within our romantic relationships, and the lyrics dive into the idea that we can learn and grow from that together. The track is simultaneously energetic and soothing blending into musical heaven, “Got more patience than a tree grow / Got love that feels like a cheat code”.

Planet Express by Cuco

Cuco has released another song filled with more emotion than one can merely describe. The melody feels like a lullaby, with a stunning array of instrumentals paired with Omar Banos’s vocals. The usual bedroom pop artist has delivered that again with the songwriting being painfully beautiful altogether. The yearning for a past lover is expressed in a way that only Cuco could do, while the drums, synths, and electronic keys within the song further make it as special as it is, “Drowning in sorrow on all the lost beautiful days”.

Swinging at the Stars by Claire Rosinkranz

Hitting play instantly begins a listening experience of invigorating liveliness. Claire has an energetic kick to her voice on this track that perfectly matches the meaning behind the song. The song feels exactly what it’s like to be young and excited to experience all that the world has to offer. It’s a classic feel-good indie-pop song that makes you want to dance around while singing to the witty lyrics, strong drums, and delicate harmonies throughout, “Falling into you and your wild embrace // Wanna be tired when I get to my grave”.

How’s It Gonna End? by Aiden Bissett

A gentle guitar strum and soft vocals introduce you to the start of the song. “How’s It Gonna End?” uses simplistic instrumentals with thoughtful lyricism drawing you in. Hitting the two-minute mark Bissett raises his voice and preps us for the build-up of repeating drums and guitar riffs. Piano keys meld it all together until the song crashes like waves on the shore, “Taking your time / Living on a landslide / Heaven in a goodbye”.

WORTH IT by Offset & Don Toliver

This collaboration isn’t one I would say I’ve been expecting; however, I can say I’m glad it happened. Offset’s verses are him in his bag while Don Toliver carries the chorus in his R&B expertise. It’s a steady beat alongside both artists, whose chemistry works well throughout, creating a chill track just in time for cuffing season. While it’s more lowkey, the vibes given off by the artists are palpable, talking about relationship problems, expensive items, and trust issues, “The message says delivered, so what you delayin’ for? / You think I’m out fuckin’ around, I’m in the studio”.

unconditional by Miki Ratsula

An intimate love song about giving and showing your all to someone while not feeling judged or othered by them. Miki Ratsula’s vocals are dreamy and fuse effortlessly with the soft guitar strums and distant trumpets. The track is painfully gorgeous with a catchy melody and unforgettable harmonies. This being the last track on their new album i’ll be fine if i want to is the perfect way to wrap up an album full of introspective thoughts about every avenue in life (love, anger, pain, etc.) “‘Cause all I am and all you are / Is all that matters and all I need to know”.

Why Would I? By Fivio Foreign

Fivio Foreign completely owns this song with overtly self-assured lyrics putting him on top. Some say drill music/artists can be a hit or miss, but I think “Why Would I?’ embodies everything a drill song is. While the track itself is short, Fivio Foreign’s flow is unapologetically smooth and quick-paced, “Why would I trip over internet posts? (Why would I?)”.