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vanNorte – As the Wetsuits Hang to Dry

Alison — Wed, 18 Feb 2015 17:00:03 +0000

It doesn’t happen often, but I’ve been stricken speechless by the soft, soothing sound of guitar strings creating this melody so warm and song so beautiful. I’m humming along, though I don’t know the tune. I’m singing the lyrics, though there aren’t any to be sung. I’m relating to the story, though I know it is my own. It’s all so simple yet complex, effortless yet full of intention. I am completely capitvated by the gentle comfort and charm I have just found in the awe-inspiring music of vanNorte.

Grammar – New World

Alison — Fri, 06 Feb 2015 19:05:46 +0000

This one is beautiful. It’s delicate and gentle yet powerful and moving. The strength in vocalist Barrie Lindsay’s words balances the softness in her sound. It’s like a quiet scream — trying to communicate something so potent and meaningful, but with poise and grace. She isn’t shouting out for attention, forcing you to listen with a beat too big and vocals too loud. Rather, Lindsay sucks you in as she tip-toes around the story with harmonic elegance. Instrumentally supported by her brother and three friends, Lindsay’s secretive and submissive voice highlights the track. And to top it all off, she independently writes, records and produces all recordings for the Boston-based band.

Also, check out this unbelievable rework of personal favorite, “Don’t Wanna Be Your Girl” by Wet.

Better yet, here is the Grammar EP in it’s entirety. Each song is better than the one that played before — like a gift that never stops giving.

KYKO – Animals

Alison — Thu, 05 Feb 2015 20:00:14 +0000

Sometimes, falling madly in love with a song is like falling in love with a moment: it’s the perfect touch, the perfect look, the perfect… thing, at the perfect time and perfect place. It just works, and it makes you appreciate all the times it didn’t. You know, those times it didn’t make sense why not and no one could convince you otherwise. Comfort could only be found in the hope it wasn’t from a lack of love or not-good-enough, but because the timing was all wrong. Someone got there first or something happened unaligned with your agenda. Timing is everything — it can either make or break your perfect moments. And the truth is, everything happens for a reason. Sometimes I think timing — whether on time or off — is the only thing we got to help us understand why one thing stays and another goes.

“Animals” by KYKO came to me at the right time. I am just so into it, I can hardly help myself. The soothing vocals of Scott Verrill are striking, filled with life beyond his years. The 18-year-old’s groomed sound is equal parts mature, mysterious and — I’ll say it — sexy. Floating on top a sea of uplifting beats, his charming music carries me and my mind away to my perfect moment.

Maybe The Moon – Two Birthdays

Alison — Wed, 04 Feb 2015 21:35:22 +0000

Music made by lovers — man, there’s something special about it. Something about their lyrics feel fresher, deeper and more understanding. Their vocals sync with the beat in a more natural, tender way. The rhythm rides down each curve effortlessly and with familiarity. Perhaps it is because they look to each other as more and for more than just creating sound.

Maybe The Moon, self-described as “two lovers making noise,” just released the first single in a batch they plan to share over the course of 2015. “Two Birthdays,” they said, “is about unrequited love and an undying obsession with a lost relationship. Year after year, the main character makes the same birthday wish, to reconnect with her ex-lover, yet each time it never comes true.”