A recent trip to Hawaii served as the inspiration for Other Worlds, the new album by Victoria Bergsman a.k.a Taken by Trees. The influence of the tropical, calming excursion is no more evident than on Dreams, the standout track from the October 2nd release. The guitars, clacking percussions, and Bergsman’s soothing tone seem to echo into oblivion. So lay down or hide under your desk with a pillow, because this song is about as chill as it gets. Enjoy.
Seriously, Mother of Pearl by Silver Swans has to be the sweetest little track I’ve heard in a while. Even though Mother of Pearl, off of the San Fran-based duo’s 2012 sophomore album, Forever, is a slick, electronic, 80s inspired tune, it’s still unusually endearing and innocent. Maybe it’s the way Anna Yu hypnotically exhales high school crush lyrics, “And I will lay my eyes on you…” or maybe the way the song never crescendos but remains consistently relaxed with twilight-inspired sounds echoing in the background. Maybe you should just hear for yourself. Enjoy.
I thought I had uncovered this incredible unknown Norwegian pop singer when I stumbled upon Mr. Little Jeans, a.k.a Monica Birkenes. My ego was brought down a few notches when I found her on Facebook over 12,000 friends deep, and with good reason. Birkenes hasn’t released an album yet but has put out a few singles which have been the subject of multiple indie DJ remixes…some of them are actually pretty good. Birkenes’s music is complex in production and balances darker and lighter melodies with her clean, relaxed singing style. For your listening pleasure, check out the fun, synth heavy Rescue Song remix and the thicker, more ominous Suburbs. Enjoy.
I won’t lie. I was a little thrown off the first time I heard Helen Croome’s vocals on Gossling’s most recent 5 song EP, Until Then. However, I quickly realized that it’s Croome’s unique and youthful voice which gives Until Then an intimacy which makes you believe that she is carrying the weight of the world on her shoulders with each heavy emotion she sings.
With Croome on piano and an accompanying percussion, bass, and cello, Until Then keeps the instrumental component deep and subtle while focusing more on lyrics, which are like heartbreaking poems set to music.
Highlights:
Ancient Love: The slow piano chords accompanied by Croome’s deliberate, patient delivery encapsulate her loneliness and aching for a past love who chooses to drift while she waits longingly for his return. These seas have upheaved us, with strength of an idle wave/You’ve been happy drifting, while I’ve been your constant shore.
War: A quicker tempo coupled with Anita Quayle’s constant, soothing cello create a fuller sound, which makes War the most radio accessible track on the EP. Whether a metaphor for an embattled relationship or a true inquiry into the pains of war, this song makes us question why we do things that hurt us so much.
The rarest of female singers are the ones that can rock out and rip the mic to shreds. While not the strongest album in the world, Los Angeles-based Nico Vega’s self titled debut album contains a few decent songs, however, the shining jewel in the crown is So So Fresh. The immediate familiarity with the song is due to Aja Volkman, whose vocals are a throwback to Joan Jett.
I can’t help but snarl when I hear this song. It makes you feel like a righteous mofo with the rhythmic lead guitar and the chorus which has that balls-to-the-wall straining vocal followed by some messy chanting that fits the tone of the song perfectly. Even without a bass guitar, you feel deep full thump laced throughout the song.
If you fall madly in love with this song, I recommend Wooden Dolls which shows off Aja’s versatility in displaying her smoky vocals that easily transition to a piercing voice triumphantly bashing the chorus (a little over a minute into the track). I guess I’m cheating and should have called this double focus. Whatever. Get over it.
December 6, 2012
deuce311
