Galcher Lustwerk Goes Quiet on Information LP

sngalbums: To be perfectly honest, I thought I would notice symptoms of hearing loss while I was still working at my college radio station. In actuality, last fall marked the first time when my tinnitus became too loud to ignore. When I learned that Cleveland-born, Brooklyn-based Galcher Lustwerk had been living with tinnitus for years, it started to become clear why his 2019 album Information … Continue reading Galcher Lustwerk Goes Quiet on Information LP

Dynamic Sounds Reflect Kevin A’s Self-Exploration

sngalbums: In recent years, the music I connect with most largely deals with the painful, tangled nature of love. Yet, Kevin A’s incredibly romantic mixtape Tropic stood out to me in spite of itself. The Scarborough, Ontario native spent years on the project and said that it is an “exploration of his identity,” which inadvertently doubles as a meditation on all types of love.  Widely … Continue reading Dynamic Sounds Reflect Kevin A’s Self-Exploration

Galcher Lustwerk Goes Quiet on Information LP

To be perfectly honest, I thought I would notice symptoms of hearing loss while I was still working at my college radio station. In actuality, last fall marked the first time when my tinnitus became too loud to ignore. When I learned that Cleveland-born, Brooklyn-based Galcher Lustwerk had been living with tinnitus for years, it started to become clear why his 2019 album Information made … Continue reading Galcher Lustwerk Goes Quiet on Information LP

Dynamic Sounds Reflect Kevin A’s Self-Exploration

In recent years, the music I connect with most largely deals with the painful, tangled nature of love. Yet, Kevin A’s incredibly romantic mixtape Tropic stood out to me in spite of itself. The Scarborough, Ontario native spent years on the project and said that it is an “exploration of his identity,” which inadvertently doubles as a meditation on all types of love.  Widely labeled … Continue reading Dynamic Sounds Reflect Kevin A’s Self-Exploration

Caring is not creepy, smileswithteeth declares with new LP

Originally appeared on the 405, view archived article here. Pop music is no stranger to indifference—well, that’s how it may seem on the surface. In late 2011, Drake revealed the title track of his then-forthcoming record, Take Care, which was a tender declaration of love and not a passive aggressive goodbye, as the title may suggest. The following year, Icona Pop and Charli XCX had … Continue reading Caring is not creepy, smileswithteeth declares with new LP

Adeline Hotel embraces contradiction and nostalgia on Away Together

Photo Credit: Chris Bernabeo Originally appeared on the 405; view archived article here.  As Dan Knishkowy, aka Adeline Hotel, explains in his new record, life is filled with contradictions. Called Away Together, it is his third solo LP, though he has lent a hand on a few other recent releases such as Ian Wayne’s A Place Where Nothing Matters and Lung Cycles’ self-titled album. Knishkowy’s … Continue reading Adeline Hotel embraces contradiction and nostalgia on Away Together

Trabants Bring Back the Spaghetti Western With New LP, Nel Cuore Di Una Terra Selvaggia

Originally appeared on Grimy Goods.  The last we saw of Trabants, they were playing a set at Echo Park Rising back in August. It turns out that well before then, the band’s leader, Eric Penna, had begun working on a new album. That album, which emulates spaghetti westerns of the 1960’s, is finally finished after a painstaking process, and is officially out now.  Read more.  … Continue reading Trabants Bring Back the Spaghetti Western With New LP, Nel Cuore Di Una Terra Selvaggia

Have some grown-up fun with Phantastic Ferniture

Originally appeared on the 405, view archived article here.  Julia Jacklin has grown since her debut solo record, Don’t Let the Kids Win. With her new band Phantastic Ferniture, she sings of missed romantic opportunities and is happy to let life happen without allowing anxiety to impede. The Ferns (please let this nickname catch on) capitalize on lackadaisical adulthood rather than insatiable nostalgia.  Read more.  … Continue reading Have some grown-up fun with Phantastic Ferniture

Cloud wallows in sensitivity while celebrating life on Plays with Fire

Photo Credit: Carson Lund Originally appeared on the 405, view archived article here.  When you play with fire, you’re supposed to get burned. But what if you’re careful with fire? Even when handling flames with your most serious demeanor, it’s still possible to get hurt. At least, that’s what can be learned from Cloud’s sensitive and joyous new album. On the band’s nine-track effort titled … Continue reading Cloud wallows in sensitivity while celebrating life on Plays with Fire

A Steamer, a Cult, and Lauren Ruth Ward’s Debut Album

Originally appeared on the 405, view archived article here.  Lauren Ruth Ward stands in front of a mirror holding up a shimmering disco ensemble. We’re in the Echo’s green room joined by a few people that play in other bands on tonight’s bill, as well as some peripheral friends. It is the first night of Ward’s January residency and the two-piece suit and jacket on … Continue reading A Steamer, a Cult, and Lauren Ruth Ward’s Debut Album