Tag: music review

Album Reviews

Richard Luke Speaks Without a Voice on Voz, Featuring Amira Bedrush-McDonald

One day in Góis, Portugal, during summer of 2017, Richard Luke woke up without a voice. That did not stop him from writing a new full-length album with Amira Bedrush-McDonald, a violinist collaborator from the Scottish Chamber Orchestra. Called Voz, the new album is a neo-Classical anthology. At the time that Luke was temporarily stricken mute, Portugal was ravaged with wildfires. Unfortunately, I become more … Continue reading Richard Luke Speaks Without a Voice on Voz, Featuring Amira Bedrush-McDonald

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Album Reviews

Radio Skies Discover Their Contradictions Through Double Life

Contemporary psych rock has the ability to reach other-worldly canopies. Rock music has been warped for generations, and decades ago, the aforementioned subgenre appeared with a vengeance. Since then, every musical experiment on the genre has been conducted, and with constant technological improvements, the experiments continue. The Ojai-based group Radio Skies has done some exploration of their own culminating in their new album Double Life; … Continue reading Radio Skies Discover Their Contradictions Through Double Life

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Album Reviews

Embrace Community and Growth with Empress Of’s Sophomore LP, Us

Photo by Fabian Guerrero My favorite line from Us, the sophomore full-length record from Empress Of, appears in “Love for Me,” as an explanation for living life to the fullest: “The whole world spins on a thin string / Touché let’s get up off our seat.” Of course, you will be hard pressed to find a spare moment to sit as you listen to the … Continue reading Embrace Community and Growth with Empress Of’s Sophomore LP, Us

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Album Reviews

Rosalía Tangles Innovation and Tradition on El Mal Querer

There are few albums as surprising as El Mal Querer. The shock of it hopefully wears off for future generations, though; flamenco deserves a spot in the mainstream and, according to the success of this title, it has staying power. Rosalía is from Barcelona, and has studied flamenco for some time. Her first record was filled with various interpretations on the genre: traditional movements with … Continue reading Rosalía Tangles Innovation and Tradition on El Mal Querer

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Album Reviews

Che’s Shuco EP is a quilted electronica tapestry

As far as labels go, Astro Nautico destroys the game every year. Their output is wonderfully eclectic and a release always tends to stick with me come December, like L’Rain or Photay in years past. Che’s Shuco EP took the cake this year, having nestled into my ears and created a home among my memories. The short release starts with a hesitant and thoroughly mechanical … Continue reading Che’s Shuco EP is a quilted electronica tapestry

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Album Reviews, Zines

The eponymous record from KNIGHTSTOWN is steel-clad and sensitive

Originally appeared on the 405, view archived article here.  Human memory is selective, favoring joyous moments in the margins of our lives. Why else would we buy the picture of our goofy faces on a roller coaster or bother with nature photography? We crave the butterflies that fill our bellies on momentous occasions, and KNIGHTSTOWN, also known as Michael Aston, has found a way to … Continue reading The eponymous record from KNIGHTSTOWN is steel-clad and sensitive

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Album Reviews

THE WLDLFE shake off their insecurities on their new LP, I’m Not Worried Anymore

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 nearly … Continue reading THE WLDLFE shake off their insecurities on their new LP, I’m Not Worried Anymore

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Album Reviews, Zines

Princess Chelsea clinches the title of Loneliest Girl on her new album

Originally appeared on the 405, view archives article here. For her new album cover, Chelsea Nikkel sits among overgrown wildflowers hugging her knees to her chest while shooting the camera a grin. Pastels adorn her and butterflies float around her feet. But the first thing you may notice are her searing red eyes. Read more. Princess Chelsea | buy The Loneliest Girl | website | Facebook … Continue reading Princess Chelsea clinches the title of Loneliest Girl on her new album

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Album Reviews, Zines

Megadead presents melancholy on Benjamin Shaw’s terms

Photo by Aisha Latosski Originally appeared on the 405, view archived article here.  You can cry if it’s your party, but what about when you’re just the guest? Benjamin Shaw encourages you to embrace reclusivity. He’s a musician with many facets, and on his new album, Megadead, he puts his left-field gloom to work. As part of the DIY, bedroom producer scene, Shaw’s biggest statements come … Continue reading Megadead presents melancholy on Benjamin Shaw’s terms

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Show Reviews, Zines

Russian Producer Kedr Livanskiy Made a Rousing Appearance at The Roxy

Originally appeared on Grimy Goods. Words by me, photos by Martin Santacruz. It was a good night for underground techno lovers this past Friday at the Roxy. Gel Set opened the show for headliner Kedr Livanskiy, who has finally come to Los Angeles as part of an extensive European and North American tour. Hopefully she had a chance to enjoy the sun before she returns … Continue reading Russian Producer Kedr Livanskiy Made a Rousing Appearance at The Roxy

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