Dynamic alternative indie band Sandman Sleeps released their evocative debut album, Crisis Actor, on March 26th, and it is simply electric.
Sandman Sleeps Debut Album - Crisis Actor
Photo Credit: Parisa Farbakhsh
Last Young Renegade: All Time Low Album Review
All Time Low
Album Review by Emily Phung
All Time Low doesn’t disappoint with ten songs of pure pop punk, singing about heartbreak and rebellion in the seventh studio album, Last Young Renegade that was released on June 2, 2017. Beginning the album with Last Young Renegade sets the stage for the rest of the songs to shine through. Using the narrative of the Last Young Renegade has allowed one song to flow easily to the next and help connect the themes of the songs to each other. We get a clear image of a young renegade starting young and going through life’s trials and tribulations. Drummer Rian Dawson and bassist Zach Merrick provide a strong structure that compliment Alex Gaskarth’s strong vocals and lead guitarist Jack Barakat ties it all together with melodic and memorable guitar riffs.
Songs like Dirty Laundry and Nightmares slow down what usually is the very up-tempo pop punk that they’re known for. Ground Control features the sisters Tegan and Sara, an indie pop duo, and demonstrates their versatility and talent to work with artists outside of their genre to break boundaries and create something that can appeal to a wider audience. Last Young Renegade is quite different from their other albums because they’ve incorporated more mellow, electronic sounding beats. It’s clear that they’re trying something new, with darker sounds and having songs like Good Times feel like ballads (check out their official lyric video below!).
However, Nice2KnoU takes it back to their classic sound with chunky, distorted guitar riffs paired with strong, fast drumbeats and layered back up vocals. They do a nice job of staying with the ever-changing music trends and making sure that they remain relevant in the world of pop punk and in the world of music in general.
While this album doesn’t consist of the typical victorious and call to arms songs that make up an All Time Low are known for, Afterglow closes the ten-song album perfectly, leaving an uplifting feel for all the young renegades out there. Paired with their tour that starts on June 30th, there’s no doubt that this album won’t be a big hit.
Check out their tour dates below, and be sure to snag some tickets for a city near you!
Discover: Flor
flor
come out. you're hiding // review by Karen Rudd
It’s been a long time coming but Flor has finally released their debut album.
come out. you’re hiding features 10 tracks including previously released singles, as well as new songs. The album also contains remastered songs to bring a new feel. Flor mixes indie rock feels with synth pop to create addictive and catchy tunes. The album has an electronic tune but the sounds of guitars and drums aren’t lost in the music. Especially the drums as they are highlighted in almost every song.
The album starts off with guarded which just sounds dreamy. It includes innocent and pure lyrics with a contrasting beat, especially in the chorus. You are hit with beating percussion, yet somehow, it blends in perfectly amongst the soft vocals. The songs all seem to follow a pattern of having more percussion focused in the chorus or bridge.
Hold On was the band's first single leading to the album release. It maintained their sound and gave fans a tease into what the album was going to be. It follows their trend of having innocent lyrics matched with strong percussion. This is personally my favorite song because of the bridge. The vocals go softer and more synth is brought in.
Ending the album is their song overbehind, which has it's own music video full of rhythmic drums progressions, pleasing scenery, and hand-drawn animations as you follow Zach Grace into different rooms. Check out the video below!
Overall, their debut album really captures what the band is right now. I can tell that they’re getting their distinct sound and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for these boys.
What's New in Music: Album Reviews
Review by Angela Smith
Missio have just recently come off the Alt Nation Advanced Placement Tour alongside acts such as 888, Coast Modern, and Sundara Karma, and are getting ready to start their festival circuit for the summer. Austin native Missio have released their debut album, Loner, the day they start their summer tour at Hangout Fest in Gulf Shores, Alabama. Hit up missiomusic.com to see if they play a festival near you.
The album opens really strongly with Animal, one of the songs not previously released. With such strong and different singles like Middle Fingers and Bottom Of The Deep Blue Sea I had high expectations without really knowing what to expect at all. I can now say, I was impressed. Every single song has energy even if it wasn't the upbeat rock/hip-hop mix that is found in Kdv (feat. Shug). One part of the album that I truly enjoy are the somewhat angsty f*ck the world lyrics. Whether politically driven, or otherwise I find myself truly enjoying those songs. All of the tracks on the album have a darker feel to the lyrics even with upbeat energetic movement, and I feel that this juxtaposition really works for Missio. Honestly, the only downside I see to the album at this point is the ending. It kind of just stops suddenly. However, this could actually be a positive thing as it keeps you wanting more. If you're looking for an album that's different from what you'll hear on the rest of the charts, or even just an upbeat album with some powerful lyrics give Missio's Loner a spin.
Waters released their third album, Something More! on May 19th. The followup to 2015's What's Real starts off with the lead single Hiccups which if nothing else, makes you want to keep listening. The rest of the album just kind of flows. It reminds me a lot of What's Real with just enough of a difference that you can tell the band has grown and evolved in just these last 2 years. There are some major party songs such as Molly is a Babe which has a punk sort of feel to it. The super upbeat lyrics just make you want to mosh. On the other hand there is also a ballad entitled Stand By You. Described as a tearjerker by lead singer Van Pierszalowski, Stand By You brings moral support and a sense of comfort not often found in most songs nowadays. One of the best parts of the album is the fact that it ends with Stand By You which almost motivates you to just get up and go do something productive after you finish listening knowing that someone has your back.
A R I Z O N A (the band, not the state) have just released their debut album Gallery following the release of the single Oceans Away, A R I Z O N A has an amazing album that features just enough synth to make it exciting but not so much you feel that it is overproduced. Songs such as Electric Touch and Where I Wanna Be feature hopeful lyrics with the catchy melodies consistent across the entire album. The musical interlude Not A Single Day serves as the perfect transition into Cross My Mind which conveniently is the sixth of twelve songs on the album. This kicks off the second half of the album beautifully, and while there is no real separation between the two halves other than the musical interlude it feels like something worth noting. At the end of the day, A R I Z O N A’s Gallery is a great album that is perfect for anyone looking to support an up and coming band that is not from the place of which they are named.
San Cisco // The Water
If you're in need of some entrancing music and good vibes, we have the perfect thing! Australian indie pop band San Cisco just released their new album The Water, and it will keep you captivated from start to finish.
San Cisco is also hitting the road soon for tour to promote The Water, be sure to check out their tour dates below!
Discover: K. Flay
Written by Angela Smith
Illinois native K.Flay put out her debut album Life as a Dog in 2014 completely independently. Featuring songs such as “Make Me Fade” and “Can’t Sleep,” she rocketed to success within the alternative scene getting booked to play festivals such as Bumbershoot and tour across the United States with artists such as AWOLNATION. While she is from the suburbs of Chicago, she went to school in Palo Alto, California, referencing the Bay Area in many of her songs. As of today, K.Flay is just beginning her tour - be sure to get tickets to a show below!
K.Flay’s newest release Every Where Is Some Where (April 7th, 2017) is overall a good album. The opening song “Dreamers” really captures the attention of the listeners. It almost acts as an anthem for everyone who has ever had a dream; and let’s be honest, that's basically everyone. The lead singles off the album, “Blood in the Cut” and “Black Wave,” are everything you could possibly want a single to be. “Blood in the Cut” was an ideal choice for a radio single. While it may have originally been released as part of the xXx: Return of Xander Cage soundtrack, it did amazingly both in the album and on the airwaves. The song takes a new turn on a general breakup rock song. The hip-hop vibes that K.Flay dishes are incredibly unique; very bass driven rather than your typical sad sack ‘I feel sorry for myself’ lyrics. She shows the ways to pull yourself up and out of the lows that can follow a bad breakup.
“Black Wave” on the other hand may not have done quite as well on commercial radio. However, it’s the upbeat tempo and ‘I can do better than this currently horrible world’ vibes that are really relatable, and able to get people interested based on the status of the world. The one really notable thing about this album is its lack of low moments. Usually when trying to listen to an album all the way through, there are points where the album is tuned out, and needs the perfect song to bring a listener back in. K.Flay does an amazing job of keeping listeners engaged with the deep lyrics about family and even some more political songs such as “The President Has A Sex Tape.” Using the controversy surrounding current U.S. President Donald Trump, K.Flay writes about how crazy everything seems in our society today. Even the juxtaposition of the first two lines, “The president has a sex tape/The government just sold you drugs,” immediately captures the attention and sets a stance for the rest of the song. The album as a whole seems to have a similar theme of waiting out the bad in the world for something better to come. All in all, K.Flay’s Every Where Is Some Where is a solid spin and definitely worth a listen.
Discover: DREAMERS
On October 21st, I had the pleasure of seeing, photographing, and interviewing Dreamers, a 3 piece cosmic rock band hailing from Brooklyn. With their recent release of their new album "This Album Does Not Exist," Dreamers have been climbing the alternative charts with their psychedelic sounds and themes of existentialism and existence.
Meet The Band:
This Album Does Not Exist - Album Review
"This Album Does Not Exist," a much anticipated album released on August 26th, 2016 by an upcoming band known as Dreamers, delivers exploding melodies and tunes of the smart pop genre. Whether you want songs to dance to, or you want to travel down a road of existential thoughts, this album has it all.
All 12 songs on the album have something special to it, and we start off strong with one of their hits Drugs, full of heavy guitar riffs and soft piano transitions. After the dance vibes brought on by Never Too Late to Dance, the album continues to another hit song, Sweet Disaster, which has been in the Alternative Nation's top 18 chart. Painkiller entrances us with upbeat and catchy melodies, Wolves (You Got Me), will have you howling for more, and Cry Out For Me will leave you dancing to the beat of the drums. Their energetic vibes continue through Lucky Dog, Shooting Shadows, and Last Night on Earth, shown through the cool guitar riffs and sing-along choruses. The guitar riffs start to become lighter as the album reaches To the Fire, the harmonies drawing people in, making the lyrics in the song, "drawn to the fire" very true. Come Slow Down, as the title says, brings down the high from earlier in the album and takes us to a place full of airy, floating vibes. After a small break from the high, the band pulls you right back in for the last song of the album, Little New Moon. Heavy bass and drums start off the song, leading to a chorus that would make any person lose control into a dancing frenzy.
Overall, "This Album Does Not Exist" brings a new kind of energy to the music scene. The thing about this album that makes it so interesting, is the fact that while a person can enjoy themselves and stay on the surface of the music, many can fall through and find deeper meanings, a connection between the listener and the lyrics of the band. If you enjoy crazy pop and entrancing indie music that toys with mind bending themes, be sure to check out Dreamers, and become a dreamer for yourself!
Full Gallery: October 21st, 2016 - The Troubadour, LA
Interview:
What inspired your album name?
Often on long sleepless drives we find ourselves having philosophical discussions on the nature of reality, existence and consciousness. "This Album Does Not Exist" is an extension of those themes. What is an album? What does it mean? It's a bit tongue in cheek.
If you had to pick one song off your new album to represent what your band is, which song would it be?
It's impossible to pick a favorite, but "Sweet Disaster" is a good representation of who we are and what we are trying to say with our music. We think it has all the elements and ingredients of our vibe.
Was there any songs on the album that almost didn't make it? Or songs you originally planned to put on the album but decided not to?
There are definitely songs we love that didn't make it onto this record, but we're keeping them in our back pocket. Little New Moon almost didn't make it but we are so glad it did. Now we see people singing all the words at shows!! At any rate, we have more songs brewing that we are eager to share.
What are some pre-show routines you do before you get on stage?
Usually about 30 minutes before we hit the stage we disappear into dark green rooms and cultivate the vibe. There are vocal warm-ups, hugs and genuine expressions of gratitude to each other that we get to do this together. It's always a semi-private love-fest between us right before we hit, no matter what else is going on.
Have you ever had anything strange or funny happen to you on tour?
Every day on tour is strange and funny!! Whether it's Detroit Papa Smurf bestowing upon us magical beads, a massive tornado heading straight for our van in Oklahoma, which we were compelled to Snapchat once confident we had escaped its path. The entire experience of literally living your life in a different city every day is strange. So many strange and beautiful people and places. Why we try to document so much and share online.
What was your favorite part of this past tour and what are you looking forward to with the next one?
This tour was a blast. We had so much fun with The Mowgli's and Colony House. The sold out show at The Troubadour in LA was a highlight. We've been friends with Mainland for years and love their music. We adore Night Riots and have all become friends. It felt like a homecoming and powerful celebration of new music and supportive, inspired vibes. Another love-fest!! Next tour, we look forward to sharing the stage with Great Good Fine Ok, meeting and making more friends and fans, and sharing those strange and funny moments which are bound to be plentiful.
Become A Dreamer:
Be sure to check out Dreamer's website below to find their music, tour dates, and more!