Photo by Julian Master Originally appeared on Grimy Goods. The cynicism of Ian Wayne’s new album is evident from its title. A Place Where Nothing Matters is out today and deals with hopelessness and disinterest via unique songwriting that feels more like poetry than lyrics. This LP follows his lofi At Home EP from last summer, which itself was a reinvention of his career; he … Continue reading Ian Wayne’s New Album is a Cynical Delight
Originally appeared on the 405 as “The 405 Meets Honors”; view archived article here. Honors, a Toronto-based band not-so-coincidentally named after a virtue, values qualities like trust, perseverance, and brotherhood. Yet their new album was borne of vices. The alternative pop group just released Feel Better, a moving 9-track LP written during what began as a dark moment, particularly for lead vocalist Patrick Gillett. Depression … Continue reading Honors & the Significance of Feel-ing Better
sngalbums: Originally appeared on the 405. The newest release on earnest Ontario label Other Songs is a fitting welcome for winter. I felt lucky to finally experience it myself when I left the desert to visit the midwest this past weekend. Snow fell for an hour in Minneapolis on my final day in the city; the neighborhood where I was staying was quiet save for … Continue reading Scott Orr’s Worried Mind is a peaceful welcome for winter
Originally appeared on the 405. The newest release on earnest Ontario label Other Songs is a fitting welcome for winter. I felt lucky to finally experience it myself when I left the desert to visit the midwest this past weekend. Snow fell for an hour in Minneapolis on my final day in the city; the neighborhood where I was staying was quiet save for the … Continue reading Scott Orr’s Worried Mind is a peaceful welcome for winter
Explore Power and Chaos with Steady Holiday at Their Bootleg Show on November 18th Originally appeared on Grimy Goods. Like many of us, Dre Babinski has found herself exhausted by the country’s state of affairs, so she unpacked her thoughts via songwriting. The record she wrote, Nobody’s Watching, became the sophomore LP under her moniker Steady Holiday upon its release back in August. Now the … Continue reading
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
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
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
Dream Phases Show Maturity on New Single “To Walk Away” Ahead of September European Tour Originally appeared on Grimy Goods. When I spoke to Brandon Graham a few months ago, he hinted at a plethora of upcoming material from his relatively new project, Dream Phases. Today, an album cycle is supposed to last months, where bands must coordinate social media campaigns with new assets all … Continue reading
The new album from John Cathal O’Brien contains a sweet spirit, implied by the cute illustrated skeletons in the artwork. Follow the tale of Patrick in the namesake track above, or enjoy his previous single “Sun Followers” here. Grab the full These Borders LP on Bandcamp. Source: SoundCloud / John Cathal O'Brien Continue reading
Sawdust & Gin 