Wow, there’s snow on the ground! I hope everyone is braving the weather and not letting their finals trample all over them too much. But in all likelihood, you are losing it, and that is okay! I’ve got four must-listen tracks that will assure that you stay grounded.
“Loose Ends” - Sticky Fingers
Australian based psych-pop outfit have started to tease their fifth album, and they’ve done so with gusto. The song expertly navigates a varied sound throughout. The verses are relatively simplistic, stripped down to Dylan Frost’s low croon which sounds like a mix between Joe Strummer (The Clash) and Alex Turner (Arctic Monkeys). Then the song breaks out into full-throttle anarchic bliss - the lead guitar kicks in, and the resulting product is a pretty catchy chorus. Fun, simple, easy listening.
“Lonely Town” - Vulfpeck
Rejoice! There is new Vulfpeck. I prefaced this album in my last article, but it’s finally here, and its standout track is “Lonely Town” featuring vocals from Theo Katzman. It is a true love song for those who find themselves loveless. Lyricism doesn’t define this song and never has for Vulfpeck, so don’t think this is a depressing song. Piano walk downs and the funk riffs that define Vulfpeck’s sound are ever-present and better than ever here.
“Who Do You Think You Are” - Lake Street Dive
The always-reliable Lake Street Dive is back with a bang! They just released an EP (which is great). Lake Street Dive blends neo-soul and rock and takes notes from other genre influences. The trumpet present here leads the song, and the singer, Rachael Price, demands your attention with her sultry twang. The song wears on a bit too long, devolving into a bit too much scat for my liking, but hey, if that’s your cup of tea you’ll love the last minute. Overall, great stuff here.
“Nervous” - Magic Bronson
Magic Bronson is back it again, releasing their six-song EP just last month. “Nervous” is a song that wildly departs from the overall sound of the last three artists I’ve mentioned. Drum programming, use of synth, and an emphasis placed on production lead to a swirling, trippy, and infectiously catchy song.
As always, we always feature artists mentioned in these articles on air. So tune those dials to WGRE 91.5 - Your Sound Alternative, and keep ‘em there.