Absolutely nothing needs to be said about the year of our lord 2020 that hasn’t already been shouted from every social media platform like a shrieking alarm alerting us that the ship is sinking. We know. We’re all wet. I will not remember 2020 as mask-clad because I didn’t take any photos while wearing one. Every December, I reflect on the year through a short … Continue reading A Year of Happiness, Joy and Sarcasm: My 2020 in Review
Originally appeared on the 405, view archived article here. When you hear Iconique’s new release, you will want to stand and applaud. The Los Angeles trio honors the original disco divas, embodying a genre that has been pulled and stretched in many directions recently. Iconique is known for putting on unforgettable live shows with the raw energy of the ‘70s and ‘80s, and much of that enthusiasm carries … Continue reading Iconique’s Ovation EP honors disco’s past while simultaneously invigorating the future of the genre
sngalbums: Originally appeared on the 405, view archived article here. I’m Not Worried Anymore is certainly danceable, if rather predictable: eleven tracks with shallow layers, but layers nonetheless, that delve into friendship, life, and love. The album opens on one of its highest octane tracks, ‘Headache,’ setting a high bar that is consistently met by the band’s infectious production. Other tracks from the album are … Continue reading THE WLDLFE shake off their insecurities on their new LP, I’m Not Worried Anymore
sngalbums: Originally appeared on the 405. A mustachioed Duncan Nielsen is the mind behind DONCAT, having begun the project about six years ago. His last full-length effort was called Easy Cowboy, which demonstrated a more pastoral take on his evocative style of indie rock. Preservation may be more succinct than its predecessor but the emotion it channels is arguably more potent, once again able to … Continue reading Life-sized imagery brings DONCAT’s new Preservation of the Spirit LP to life
sngalbums: Originally appeared on the 405, view archived article here. Speculatio boasts a melting pot of influences, maintaining its heavy flutes and harps while introducing beeps and hums that change the album’s perspective. Even with my limited knowledge of French, it is evident that motifs in the lyrics also tie into the conspicuously psychedelic instrumentation. The story on this concept album is bookended with goddesses … Continue reading Gain a fresh perspective with Odessey & Oracle’s new album, Speculatio
sngshows: Jenny Hval and Dinner Come Together at Resident to Light Up a Dark Week Originally appeared on Grimy Goods. Words and cheesy photo edits by me. Without meaning to, Hval ended up addressing our recent election several times. She decided not to show us a video of zombies doing aerobics because it didn’t “feel appropriate,” then she stopped herself to apologize. “Everything I say … Continue reading Jenny Hval, Dinner @ Resident
Originally appeared on Grimy Goods. Sean Draper is a clever experimenter. The first thing you notice about her, especially if her forthcoming record is your introduction to the project, is the wordplay in her album title and moniker. Then you will be hit by the technicolor waves of fuzz and noise. Bothy is Pander Sera’s debut LP due out next week. In honor of the … Continue reading Pander Sera Wants to Rattle Your Sternum
Originally appeared on the 405; view archived article here. Self-discovery takes time. Society pressures us into finding a skill while we’re young and perfecting it until we are some iteration of “successful.” But that’s not how it works; the lucky ones will find their passion early, but it is another task entirely to secure the resources to pursue it. Then there are the late bloomers, … Continue reading Soft Streak declare it’s better late than never on new Late Bloomer EP
Originally appeared on Grimy Goods. Local songwriter Celeste Tauchar earned her stripes touring with bands like Frenship, but has proven her independent prowess with her new EP as talker. The leading singles were a good indication of what was to come, and the full release packs a punch. … “Show me your haunted side and I’ll show you mine,” Tauchar taunts in the title track. Much … Continue reading talker Embraces Her Haunted Side on New Horror Films EP
Originally appeared on the 405, view archived article here. As the band suggests, the themes of Oi Ma Yeah are broad and difficult to parse. The musicality of it makes this a fun album to decipher over the course of many listens. The journey is haphazard—synthpop accents and shoegaze noise and provocative prose all make brief appearances across the eleven tracks. The album’s namesake (Hebrew … Continue reading Tel Aviv’s post-rock group Bones Garage debuts Oi Ma Yeah
Sawdust & Gin 