Flyte - Easy Tiger
WHEW I love Flyte. They're a three-piece British band with my heart in their hands. Their debut record The Loved Ones felt like a secret I kept between me and the band, an Easter egg in an 8-bit video game I revisited again and again, continually charmed and surprised. It's a gorgeous, passionate, musically beautiful album, which rounds out with an acapella cover of "Archie, Marry Me" by Alvvays. I think about it all the time. It's desperate and haunting. It's one of those covers that hops in your bones. But enough about their LP (but for real, open your window and listen to it), I'm here to tell you about "Easy Tiger."
"Easy Tiger" is a break-up track. It's a predator with a thorn in its paw. It's brought low, it's humble, it's sad. It's brilliant for all of that. Will Taylor has a giant vocal register, but he is so subdued on this track, the emotionalism is totally carried by the instrumentation. The music is anxious in "Easy Tiger," while the melody is steady, rhythmic and calm. It's the embodiment of trying to keep your cool while you see an ex at a party: on the surface, you're collected, inside you are an ocean.
Give Flyte the love they deserve today. I reckon a new record will be dropping soon from them, so listen to The Loved Ones and their 2019 EP White Roses after you give "Easy Tiger" a spin.
— Hannah Lupas on May 28, 2020Hippo Campus - No Poms
Within the folds of the bottom middle half of the brain, there exists a small, seahorse-shaped organ known as the hippocampus. As the apparatus responsible for learning and long term memory, the hippocampus is one of the most studied parts of the cranium. It’s also the brainy buzzword guitarist Nathan Stocker latched onto after seeing the term in one of his psychology textbooks back in 2013 when he and his fellow bandmates were forming their group Hippo Campus—the pop-rock outfit that’s planted its name in every indie enthusiast’s long term memory, fan or not.
Now, the Minnesota-originated five-piece has released two collections of demos featuring early and alternate versions of songs from their sophomore album, Bambi. Having amassed a dedicated slew of fans since their South days, the demo tapes allow an intimate look into the process of rough drafts that eventually become an album and headlining tour. One rough draft that sticks out in particular, is “No Poms,” (or ‘No Pomegranates’) which didn’t make the cut for Bambi but remained a faithful setlist resident and fan favorite during live shows. Nihilistic musings wrestle against a backdrop of fast-paced, surfy garage rock before exploding into a starry smattering of what can only be described as, if Rainbow Road from Mario Kart became an alt-rock ballad.
— Lindsay Thomaston on July 31, 2019girl in red - i’ll die anyway.
Oslo-based artist girl in red’s (aka Marie Ulven) newest track "i’ll die anyway." is a three minute and twelve-second glimpse into an existential crisis. The 20-year-old bedroom pop artist plays down the melodrama with new wave-inspired guitars and her edging on monotone vocals. The story of self-doubt, omnipresent anxiety over the future and creeping despair is achingly familiar as Ulven launches into the chorus, “I reach for me, but I’m not there / I always wonder why I’m here / it’s fine it’s ok / I’ll die anyway.” If you didn’t listen to the words, you could think it was an upbeat song as it builds from verse to chorus with gradual precision. Each instrument fills in to create a track worthy of tapping your foot along to as you overthink your place in the world. "i’ll die anyway." is the first track off of girl in red’s forthcoming sophomore EP Chapter 2, which follows last year’s successful debut Chapter 1.
— Corey Bates on July 31, 2019Villagers - Summer’s Song
Villagers’ upbeat new single “Summer’s Song” is like an invigorating burst of vitamin D to your senses. With a breezy, optimistic melody and catchy psychedelic hooks, the track is lively and fun, and it’s their most pop-leaning release to date. Spacey synths, energetic horns and upbeat, slapping percussion create an atmospheric introduction that kicks up the tempo to a head-bopping beat. Villagers’ distinctly smooth vocal paints a colorful picture of a carefree summer through vivid lyrics: “Wherever you go, I will follow / We'll leave it all behind / So alive / We'll climb the sunlight one beam at a time.” Magical horn and flute arrangements emulate shimmering sunlight and bright, warm afternoons, seeming to drive home the message that in the summer and on the open road, anything is possible. “Summer’s Song” is a sun-soaked, groovy pop song from one of indie folk’s loveliest voices.
— Britnee Meiser on July 30, 2019Adam Melchor - Joyride
Singer-songwriter Adam Melchor turns heartbreak into a celebration with his newest single "Joyride." The poetically joyful meditation on moving on opens with a trumpet fanfare before paring down to Melchor’s clear vocals and simple acoustic strumming pattern that highlight the narrative quality of his lyrics. He analogizes the process of moving on to the loss of an old family car. Maybe it didn’t run as well as you wanted, but the memories related to it make it hard to let go. There is a mature clarity as he sings, “things were going our way / but they kept going until they were gone.” The nostalgic track leans towards remembering the good while embracing the reality of its departure. "Joyride" is the first single since Melchor’s sophomore EP release Plan on You, which came out earlier this year.
— Corey Bates on July 30, 2019Christinna O - Don’t That Make You Mad
19-year-old, Philly-based Christinna O just released her debut album, Girl in Passing, and its stand-out track, “Don’t That Make You Mad,” calls out anyone who delights in watching others fail. The track is a smooth, grooving melody that shows off the young artist’s skills in R&B and poetry. A funky, jaded guitar riff and chilled-out tambourine taps introduce the song before Christinna O dives right into her title line—“I still find the beauty in it, don’t that make you mad?” Her message is clear from the beginning: success is the greatest revenge against someone who wants to see you fall. The compelling and catchy track reminds us not to waste our time worrying about what other people are doing. In the song, she wonders aloud, “what about your happiness?” before driving her point home with the line, “don’t you miss your own dream tripping over me.” Christinna O’s prowess as a spoken-word poet is evident in her lyricism (lines like “And I can be sweet with my tongue but I can draw blood if I want”) as well as her cadence, which builds and drops like a rollercoaster ride. In the end, she laughs off her critics with a repeated, “oh you mad, huh?” and lets us know that she’s not worried about anyone that’s worried about her.
— Brigid Moser on July 29, 2019Bon Iver - Faith
Bon Iver is releasing new singles! Praise heaven and earth and whatever god he's singing about on 22, A Million (his genre-shattering 2016 LP.) Following his singles "Hey Ma" and "U (Man Like)," comes "Faith," the newest single in a series of releases that can only mean a new album will be dropping in the coming months. A bit quicker paced than his two previous releases, "Faith" follows this fresh Bon Iver formula that consists of organic, atmospheric lyricism and soul-touching sound that is quite difficult to describe. The only thing we can wholly describe is the way it makes us feel, which seems to be precisely the point of Justin Vernon's music. Some poets and musicians have the uncanny ability to reach the heart of a matter with perfect language. As a succinct and visceral artist, Bon Iver falls under this category. His song "Faith" does not fall short—it's evenly exceptional, emotional, and lovely. Bon Iver's music speaks to everyone differently, making him one of the most influential and transcendent voices in music today.
— Hannah Lupas on July 29, 2019BEABADOOBEE - SOREN - BEDROOM SESSION
“Soren” is a hushed, yet mighty serenade of love from the lips of Bea Kristi, aka beabadoobee. This stripped-down version of the track, which appears on her album Loveworm (Bedroom Sessions), was recorded in her bedroom with just her lullaby voice and acoustic guitar. The 19-year-old singer-songwriter is refreshingly prolific, releasing this acoustic version of her album Loveworm, which was released months before, with even more work on the way. With her bold colored hair and her sincere charmingness, Bea invites us into her space to hear of her muse, “Soren."
— Laney Esper on July 29, 2019Papooz - Moon Pie
"Moon Pie" is a silky, sweet love song from Parisian pop duo Papooz. The two look like soft-rockers sucked from a time warp—with long shaggy hair, exaggerated collared shirts and flare jeans, their vibe is dripping late '60s / early '70s. Their musicality isn't a dead ringer for this decade (or era), but it's just as solid. While most of their music carries softer, indie pop vocalization (similar to Perfume Genius), this track is far more simplistic and stripped down, in a vintage rock kind of way—think Mac DeMarco but closer to the mic. Some of the harmonies are so pleasant and attention-grabbing, they rival the likes of Simon and Garfunkel or Flyte for a more contemporary reference. The duo's vocal chemistry is particularly evident on their track "Dorothy Says." That being said, Papooz remains far from cuddly by keeping an ostentatious, hard-rock front in making the cover art of this single a cartoon version of themselves blowing out candles on a boob cake. Whatever your initial impression of them may be, Papooz undeniably feel like a summer staple band. Play "Moon Pie" while you're winding down tonight. You won't regret it.
— Hannah Lupas on July 26, 2019Camp Howard - Don’t Say Shit You Don’t Mean
The Wild Honey Pie is proud to premiere “Don’t Say Shit You Don’t Mean,” the newest track from Richmond-based Buzzsession alums and Larabar enthusiasts Camp Howard. Both precise and seemingly effortless, the track grooves with an intensely lazy energy. It’s a sound that should be sloppy, but this young band’s relentless performance schedule has trained them well. Camp Howard has, in many senses, broken out of their hometown—they toured nationally with the legendary Stone Temple Pilots—but they’re still rooted firmly in the Richmond scene, a scene whose support allowed them to forge their sound in the fires of the opportunity to (or perhaps struggle to) play shows every night of the week. Though evident from one song alone, the band’s versatility is truly unmistakable with perspective on their whole catalogue. Nic Perea, one of the bands two singers, occasionally pens lyrics in Spanish—and other band members admit to singing backup on lyrics they don’t pretend to understand—but “Don’t Say Shit You Don’t Mean” is as clear-cut and direct as they come. Weston Parker, the other lead vocalist and writer of the track, draws firm lines after issuing the titular command—“I won’t cook / You won’t clean,” he sings, delineating responsibilities definitively, before waffling a bit, expanding his lines to fit in his more complicated emotions. “After all this wasted time / It’s doubtful that you even care,” he sings hurriedly, but the infections groove puts complex emotions aside to reinforce the chorus: “It’s alright.” Camp Howard’s new album Cañón is out October 11th.
— Daniel Shanker on July 25, 2019Ashe - Cold in California
California native Ashe delivers supple, introspective songs, flush with lush imagery. The LA-based songstress has been on a winning streak since she dropped her debut in 2017 via Mom+Pop Music, building momentum with tours alongside The Chainsmokers, Shaun Frank, LAUV, Louis The Child, Hobo Johnson, Quinn XCII and executing notable electronica collaborations with Big Gigantic. Major advertising syncs and glowing press from The New York Times and Teen Vogue have only bolstered her indie cred. Her newest offering, the delicate acoustic affair "Cold in California," is a Dylan-esque ode to the love/hate relationship she's developed with her home state. The somber chord changes elicit the existential angst that accompanies those unwelcoming, overcast LA days. “I love California and I also despise it," Ashe told Ones to Watch earlier this month. "I’m from California and in many ways, this song is more about me than the place itself. Nothing is ever one-sided or perfect or right all the time." Check out the single here and be sure to peep the newest dates on Ashe's first headlining tour.
— Mike Olinger on July 24, 2019