The Most Definitely » The Most Definitely | » Indie

The Old Boys Club would hate Sorority Noise

Felipe — Wed, 22 Mar 2017 21:43:27 +0000

Given the antics we are barraged with on TV and Facebook, it seems I can’t have any sort of discussion nowadays without it getting politicized. So when I was mulling over sending out this email about the new Sorority Noise album (which is hella tight!), the first thing I asked myself was, “Who’d hate sorority noise?” I didn’t necessarily mean the band Sorority Noise – although they’d hate them too – but like, those words and their word associations, like, sororities, women, noise, and fun? Well, the first thing that came to mind was old white conservative GOP-dudes in Congress who seem to hate women and want to control every aspect of them and their bodies, that’s who. Those dudes definitely don’t like good tunes, women OR noise – I mean, they went after NWA in the 90’s and Eminem in the 00’s – so it’s safe to assume they wouldn’t like the combo of women on their own, in their own house, not needing men around, and making “noise.” That would be, I presume, terribly vexing to them. “Just how could them gals be havin’ fun without us or our permission!? That just ain’t natural I tell ya!”

Anyways, this new Sorority Noise album is killer, even though there are no female members in the band (wait what? but then why all the talk about women? that’s just misleading Feli) (womp, womp). The Hartford, CT foursome got started in 2013, put out some lo-fi-ish indie/emo tunes that were pretty great. Then they buckled down, and put together this excellent 2017 release “You’re Not As ____ As You Think.” It’s fast, dark, and broody, and rips through quickly enough you don’t get bogged down by all their “feelings.” It came out last Friday, and ever since Joe Ciolli made me listen, it’s been at the top of the list, even above WSTR right now… I know, I can’t believe it either. Here are the first two tracks, hoping it tickles your fancy (“tickling fancy” sounds like something our esteemed POTUS has admitted experience in – especially given that fancy was a euphemism for fanny in old British English, a vulgar expression for female genitals.)

FeliSays Sorority’s Noise is the best Noise

The Midnight Faces of Sergio Flores

Felipe — Mon, 13 Feb 2017 15:47:37 +0000

Slide in to your Monday with these appropriately easy to listen to tracks with enough sexy sax to boost your spirits (granted, they could always use a little more sax, but I’ll take it. Did I listen to “Careless Whisper” on repeat afterwards? Maybe I did, so what? That’s the sexiest sax. Did I google funny Sergio Flores Sexy Sax Man videos after that? Signs point to probably). Midnight Faces is a Los Angeles-based synthpop+rock band by way of Grand Rapids with a new album out last fall called “Heavenly Bodies.” The album seems to be Monday morning appropriate: not too intense, got its ups and downs, easy tempos to settle you down after a raucous and sardine can-like subway ride to work. Is it an album you’re gonna crave to listen to when you get home, no, most likely not. Not me at least. But would I put it on shuffle in the background while idly working, doodling, or cooking? Ya, I would / I currently am. Would you put it on while nighttime driving, preferably with the windows down? Most certainly, it’s a very LA album.

Well, Feli Says he’s back, with hopefully less hiatuses to come. Here’s two sexy sax tracks off of Midnight Faces’ “Heavenly Bodies”, and an extra dose of “Careless Whisper” for good measure.

Crying for a fakeout #tbt

Felipe — Thu, 01 Dec 2016 22:48:19 +0000

Aaaaand we’re back! After a brief hiatus and whirlwinds of emotion, it seems a fake out throwback Thursday-style track is the proper way to celebrate the last few weeks. Take the past, reminisce, and improve on it (maybe “cry” a little, then “revive”… ya know, cuz of the band and song name…? idk man). First time I heard this track, I immediately thought, “what stupid 80’s playlist did I accidentally click on? I don’t listen to 80s unless I’m at a cover band show with my mates, listening to Punk Goes 80s (amazing album btw), or at McFadden’s on 42nd and 2nd. Everyone knows, if you’re at McFadden’s, you go 80s” (and yes, I thought all those things right when the song came on), half way through the song, after I finished that thought, it was followed by, “hey wait a minute… that riff would be great for a movie montage! Maybe MY biographical movie’s montage!?”, and then, “oh this is actually a really good song… niiiiice”. Crying, an odd name for a band that’s for sure (although let’s be honest, we’ve seen much worse on this blog… Shit Present? Diarrhea Planet??), are an NYC-based trio who have matured from snarky EP writers to full-blown intricate LP debuters. Crying mix 80s synth with modern day indie sensibility and top it off with some stadium rock flare for good measure – “minus the teased hair, laser light show, and stadium,” according to NPR. You’ve got touches of Rush, REO Speedwagon, and Van Halen, all smoothed over with some silky female indie vocals. Their debut album, Beyond the Fleeting Gales, is an all around awesomely fun music experience. It goes fast, it goes slow, it goes just right. The full Goldilocks album, minus the bear walking in and ripping your face off.

Feli Says he’s back alive and kickin’

Is Martha becoming a thing?

Felipe — Tue, 01 Nov 2016 19:36:33 +0000

According to the folks who track baby names and their respective popularity, the name Martha peaked in the 1880’s (#14) and has steadily declined to basically no one naming their kid Martha in 2016 (#1076). Given the cyclical nature of many baby names, as well as the fact that the sudden popularity of a celebrity will cause a quick firestorm of naming your child after said person (see: Miley [Cyrus], Adele, Arya [Game of Thrones]), some are predicting that Martha, along with other names popular in the early 1900’s (Audrey, Nora, Florence), are prime for a comeback. Furthermore, since we are a celebrity-obsessed culture, they are calling this the Downton Abbey Effect. Thing is, if you think that only nowadays we are celebrity-obsessed, you’d be mistaken. You gotta remember that back in the day, and then only until very recently, the most popular names were Biblical (or Mohammed). But what were saints other than the celebrities of their day and age? Only with TV and internet did we learn that Shaquille O’neal was awesome, and in turn, everyone name their kid Shaq in 1993, and only 1993.

There’s also a lot of pressure to name your kid something interesting and hip, without everyone in school having their same name (I’m pretty sure I only went to college with Jackie/Lindsey/Sarah. If I forgot someone’s name, I was pretty safe just saying those three names quickly at once, kinda like how my mom combines everyone in the family’s name together so she can address us as individuals and together as a group, simultaneously. Please meet: AnFeDeRichLeo – yes, Leo is the dog… not sure what that says about the rest of us). Officials in New Zealand have had to step in to change some kids’ names, since their parents are jerks and doomed them to a life of ridicule. Examples of names that needed changing were: Talula Does The Hula From Hawaii (wow), Fish and Chips, Sex Fruit (so mean), and in the honor of naming your kid after the place they were conceived, like Brooklyn or London, this baby was named Number 16 Bus Shelter…

Anywho, even though Martha isn’t a terribly popular name at the moment, this very cool foursome from England decided to name themselves Martha anyways. Who knows, maybe their success will help inspire some people to name their kids Martha, or maybe some couple will be listening to Martha’s killer new record (and this week’s Album Of The Week) Blisters in the Pit of My Heart during conception… Who knows? All we do know is Martha is a WAY better choice than Number 16 Bus Shelter… smh

Feli Says Listen and Repeat

Jarrow, Bungalow, Francis and the Lights, BOYBOY

Ashley — Tue, 04 Oct 2016 14:00:50 +0000

As I’m procrastinating on packing for a trip to Zion and Bryce Canyon where there’s a possibility of snow in the very near future, I’m reminded of how much I miss summer. It was only 2 weekends ago that I was eating brunch outside in the blazing sun and attempting not to sweat into my food (an impossible task in humid DC weather). It’s difficult letting go of summer, but these songs are so damn catchy that they’ll ease your transition into fall weather and pumpkin spice latte basic-ness. Get ready to soak up these songs and let them transport you back to summer bliss.

Jarrow-“$$Spoilers$$”

Jarrow is the solo project of 20 year old Melbourne musician Dan Oke. “$$Spoilers$$” is a shining example of bright, indie garage rock. This sunny track that showcases the most spunk and personality can be found on his recently released debut album, 2003 Dream. The accompanying video to this single is also something to behold.

Bungalow-“Fox”

I couldn’t glean much from the interwebs on Dutch indie-electronic duo Bungalow. However, I do know that their debut ep, 90/92 is pure listening magic. Though the ep only contains four songs, “Fox” is the song that grabbed my attention immediately…which maybe isn’t completely fair because it IS the first song. Regardless, it’s the catchiest song with the greatest promise of shimmy shaking. The ep as a whole is a blend of killer vocals, tremendous synths, and smooth production. Give the four tracks a spin and see if you’re not craving more before the last song is over.

Francis and the Lights-“See Her Out”

THIS SONG. THE SYNTHS. OMG. As soon as I heard the first few seconds of this song, I was snapped out of a work daze like I had just taken a midday caffeine break for my senses. Francis and the Lights lead singer Francis Starlite nails the mix of echo-y auto-tuned vocals layered over powerful, driving synths. The result is this bang up tune that could get even the most reluctant of listeners to hit repeat. “See Her Out” is the opening track on their latest album Farewell, Starlite! Start with this song, stay for the rest of the album.

BOYBOY-“Daylight”

On the heels of his first three singles, “Boy”, “Need Your Love”, and “Vices” comes “Daylight” from the mysterious LA via New Zealand artist known as BOYBOY. While these are the only four songs on his Spotify and SoundCloud pages, he’s built strong momentum with the release of each song. “Daylight” is the most captivating, with a fetching hook and stimulating beat. I don’t know if it’s his anonymity, or the fact that his songs are all so addicting, but I feel very enthusiastic about him as an artist and am super eager for him to release new music.

The Academic teach you how to turn an adjective into a noun

Felipe — Mon, 12 Sep 2016 13:41:54 +0000

The lost art form of mixtaping was an effortful and rewarding experience when done properly, or an embarrassingly awkward process of rejection when your crush hates the mix you labored over, because, like, why would you put Creed and Trick Daddy, together, on one tape, then all those awful acoustic covers you played on your guitar?! And to answer track 12, no I will not go to the dance with you. American poet Geoffrey O’Brien called the personal mixtape “the most widely practiced American art form.” And just like most art, just cuz there’s a lot of it doesn’t mean it’s any good. That said, mixtapes still required effort and thought, regardless of how bad they were, while playlists, the mixtape replacement, lack that je ne sais quoi. I believe it to be the lack of tactility. You could say the mixtape is to the playlist the way a letter in the mail is to an email. Same same but different, face time will just never do what a good snug-session will (#snuglife). Anywho, this new track is called “Mixtape 2003″ by The Academic – an Irish indie rock foursome putting in their dues. That said, 2003 was a great year for mixtaping, especially with the heart of emo happening (see: Brand New, Dashboard, Something Corporate, etc.) and game changers like the introduction of 50 Cent (Get Rich or Die Trying), Jay Z’s Black Album, The Darkness (remember “I Believe In A Thing Called Love”?), Fabolous’ Street Dreams came out as well Beyonce’s debut solo album… So ya, 2003.

Feli Says what happened to Fabolous though?

Makeshift Shelters: only if you enjoy living

Felipe — Mon, 05 Sep 2016 13:30:27 +0000

If my time with Bear Grills has taught me anything, it’s that you can create Makeshift Shelters out of anything. You can hollow out a tree trunk (if you’ve got the time and the tools), you can weave those long stringy leaves together like a quilt with sticks and make a roof (if you know how to weave), you can hunt down some large game, cut them open and sleep inside their skin for warmth on a dark and cold night (if you can stand the stench), you can take a bunch of palm fronds and slap ’em together so the rain and wind doesn’t get you (climate & weather provided), you can dig a coffin sized trench in the snow (about 5 ft down), then cut in to the snow laterally and sleep in there (protection & warmth!), or you can do like Bear Grills and just sleep in hotels. (Bet you didn’t know I was such an outdoorsy guy and what not given my amazing manicure, huh?). Well these Makeshift Shelters are less earthy, but just as warm as the snow coffin. The D.C. foursome released their first full-length album, Something So Personal, last year to some heavy praise from folks like The World Is A Beautiful Place. They’ve been compared to Candy Hearts and even MCS and TBS, but to me it’s their slower cuts that bring it all together. Their second track “(This Song is Definitely Not About A Boy)” is really fun and catchy and spiteful (gotta love spiteful lyrics “i was pretty young and i was pretty dumb// because somehow you convinced me you were great”), and “Lighter fluid” are real highlights, although the whole album is pretty chill. The slower last 3 tracks “Overflowing” and “I’ll Be The One That Comes Around” and “Darkest Nights” really do it for me (ok, maybe I like the whole album :-/). Probably because the title “Darkest Nights” fits in to my earlier Bear Grills motif. And there’s nothing I like more than bringing it all together. RIP Steve Irwin.

Feli Says check it out on SPOTIFY

Hot Mulligan is in full swing

Felipe — Mon, 01 Aug 2016 19:02:03 +0000

Keeping in tune (get it? “tune”? whatever…) with the Detroit, Michigan theme from last week, is a band from Michigan’s upper peninsula (which is beautiful btw, if you’ve never been), currently residing in Lansing. Anytime I see this band’s name, Hot Mulligan, not only do I laugh, but I think about a buddy of mine named Bill Welch (if you don’t know him, look him up). Bill likes to pretend he’s really good at golf, and he ain’t bad, but let’s just say this band’s name is very reflective of whatever he claims his handicap is. Hot Mulligan (like Billy boy) is pretty darn cool, and when asked what sets them apart from other bands, they said, and I quote: “ Our song titles are better than any other bands’ song titles. Also, we’re basically the only band from the upper peninsula of Michigan. ” hah! As for musically..? Some choice song names are “Jimmy Neutron Had a Dog So Why Can’t I Have a Friend?”, and “I Fell in Love with Princess Peach” (very Fall Out Boy circa 2005 of them). So there you have it. And here you have a newer song of theirs, that I can only image was written about those named in the title. Although their band name has nothing to do with golf, it’s still good that you all know you can probably beat Bill at it.

Feli Admits Bill takes far fewer mulligans than he does :-/

Detroit’s Empty Houses are full of soul(s)

Felipe — Thu, 28 Jul 2016 16:36:14 +0000

This trio of Detroit natives sadly pay homage to their hometown through their band name. Thanks to the auto-manufacturing crisis, the poisoned-water crisis, the housing crisis, the employment crisis, The Detroit Lions crisis (ooh sick burn!), the bankruptcy crisis, and recently the education crisis, we have a Motor City band named “Empty Houses”… womp womp. Back in 1940, FDR gave a famous speech where he included Detroit in what was known as the “arsenal of democracy” (a group of industrial cities that were key in the manufacture of weapons in support of the Allies during WWII). Detroit was once the wealthiest city in America and the fourth largest (currently in a population decline free-fall); now an example of how everything can go down the toilet real fast if we let it. Some say a leopard cannot change its spots. Well maybe it’s time for this (Detroit) Tiger to take note of some fellow pop-punkers and change their stripes. Empty Houses is comprised of a couple members of the pop punk outfit Fireworks after they went on hiatus last year who have evolved in to something wonderfully new, while at the same time, old and fresh: a poppy retro-soul indie Motown feel. Basically they did exactly what Sonny Moore did when he evolved (like Squirtle to Blastoise) from punk outfit From First To Last and became Skrillex – although Empty Houses went to a lively and airy Motown sound while Skrillex became the audible version of assault and battery.

Empty Houses has their debut album Daydream out now and it’s really nice. Here’s some examples.

Feli Says go squat in some Empty Houses

EDEN-drugs

Ashley — Fri, 22 Jul 2016 13:30:17 +0000

As is the case with many folks, my 9-5 consists of sitting at a desk typing away on a computer day after day. Most of the time the only thing that helps me get through a long day is listening to music. I’m sure most of you can attest to the power that music has to pump you up during that mid-afternoon slump, chill you out after a particularly grueling assignment, or get you ready to tackle a stack of paperwork that, if it were to fall over, would bury you at your desk for weeks.

It was exactly one week ago today while I was listening to the #NewMusicFriday playlist, that one song in particular came on, and I literally had to stop what I was doing to click over to Spotify. The song that caught my attention was “drugs” by EDEN. I immediately started doing research on the artist–Who is this person? What other songs are available? Is the artist going on tour anytime soon or did I completely miss the boat?

Thankfully, I managed to glean some information from the Google machine regarding the person responsible for creating the latest song for which I cannot stop hitting repeat. EDEN is the moniker under which Jonathon Ng releases music for your listening pleasure. This 20 year old Irish multi-instrumentalist has previously released tracks as The Eden Project. He has his own label, MCMXCV, through which he released his most recent EP, “End Credits” in 2015.

What struck me initially about the song “drugs” was the line: “Cause I’m a fucking mess sometimes” which is (naturally) delivered right before the drop. I’m not sure if the lyric resonated with me so much because the first time I heard the song I may have been going through a brief period of self-loathing… or maybe because it’s a universal feeling many of us may have experienced before? After listening to the song on repeat solely because I liked how it sounded, I decided to delve into the lyrics. The song seems to revolve around the comparison of relationships to drugs because, “Hey! Sometimes I just can’t quit you regardless of the gigantic mess you’re making of my life” amirite?

Relating love to a drug is definitely nothing new. However, EDEN is able to spin the woes of relationships into a piece of music that showcases lyrics sung with a great deal of emotion layered on top of well crafted electronic beats. The song is a little dark, a bit moody, but definitely a dance-y piece you should be listening to on repeat. The song has a completely unique feel, which makes it a true indie-electronic gem.

EDEN’s newest EP is scheduled to be released on August 19th. You can pre-order “I Think You Think Too Much of Me” here.

If you live in North America, he’ll be embarking on a tour beginning on Sept 7th. Find the full tour schedule+tix here.

Listen to “drugs” below, and make sure you keep EDEN on your radar.