Every week, Atwood Magazine’s staff share what they’ve been listening to that week – a song, an album, an artist – whatever’s been having an impact on them, in the moment.
This week’s weekly roundup features music by Blind Pilot, James Bay ft. The Lumineers & Noah Kahan, Joy Oladokun, Neffy, The Beaches, Beeson, Natisa Gogol, BAYNK, Elthia, Evaride, Mae Graf, Webbed Wing, Pom Pom Squad, Jacqueline Hackett, Daniella Faith, Colatura, Minke, Plàsi, Soprano, Casii Stephan, The Collect Pond, KAGAMI Smile, & Blackpool Mecca!
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:: “Jacaranda” – Blind Pilot ::
Mitch Mosk, Beacon, New York
I have a habit of falling in love with the first song off every Blind Pilot album, and “Jacaranda” is no exception. The opening track (and second single) off the Oregon indie folk band’s upcoming fourth studio album radiates love and joy as frontman/bandleader Israel Nebeker sings an ode to his lifelong friend and band co-founder, Ryan Dobrowski.
He left them on the stairs of gold
Matsumoto crossed the world
Heard it on the southern wind,
blew the seeds into his hands
Blooming with the color of a miracle
Meet me on the same park bench
When the trees hang their purple heads
I’ll be playing the same song,
the beat you were working on
Singing, “Don’t be long, don’t be long.”
I won’t be long. I won’t be long
“I started working on this song during a trip that and I took to Mexico City,” Nebeker tells Atwood Magazine. “We were in a park hanging out under these giant jacaranda trees in full violet bloom, and it turned to a song of thanks to him for being so patient with me. We’d gone to Mexico because we were invited to play at a conference for people around the world who were involved in some remarkable work for humanity and the environment.”
For Nebeker, this thanks comes from an especially poignant place. “I went through a few years where I wasn’t able to write,” he explains. “I tried therapy, I read books on writer’s block, I went on writing trips, but nothing was helping. By the time we finished, it was the most joy we’d ever had in making an album together.”
Played it raw, played in true,
when I was young enough to lose
Saw it shine ever brighter
when I was young and on fire
It’s worth noting that upon its release later this summer, In the Shadow of the Holy Mountain will be Blind Pilot’s first album in eight years – their last record, And Then Like Lions, having released in 2016. Blind Pilot released their new LP’s first single, “Just a Bird,” in mid-June alongside the album’s announcement; Atwood Magazine hailed it as a “beautiful, triumphant return” and a “dramatic and dreamy anthem of intimate, authentic connection.”
From the second it starts, “Jacaranda” invites listeners to pause, take a deep breath in, and smile at life’s genuine beauty. The gentle swing of an acoustic guitar and Israel Nebeker’s tender voice builds out into a soul-stirring reverie emanating sweet, seductive euphoria. For Nebeker, his band members, and their audience, it’s also a release of deep, profound awe at the magic and wonder of human connection. As Blind Pilot channel this heartfelt gratitude and appreciation out into the world, they foster a moment of undeniable warmth that extends far beyond the bounds of two beings.
And though I heard no help at all
It came to me and I let it fall
The only home is in our steps,
I won’t wait to catch my breath
I am asking you for a miracle,
I am asking you for a miracle.
I heard love in it all
when it was young and my fault
Saw it shine ever brighter
when I was young and on fire
Just our breath was our gold
when we were young enough to know
Saw it shine ever brighterwhen we were young and on fire
:: “Up All Night” – James Bay ft. The Lumineers & Noah Kahan ::
Christine Buckley, Connecticut
In March 2019 Noah Kahan, a little-known artist from Vermont, got a big break opening for James Bay’s 20-date American leg of his Electric Light tour. In 2022, Bay opened for his pals The Lumineers on their Brightside tour. Earlier this month, Bay joined the now-insanely-successful Kahan as opener for his sold-out Madison Square Garden and Fenway Park shows, and the Lumineers also hopped onto that Fenway show. Kahan has also recorded with Lumineers’ Wesley Schultz on a cover of “If We Were Vampires” from May 2023, and there are bits and bobs of the three artists joining each other on stage and at festivals in recent years. It’s just a big ol’ broth of bromance that has now culminated in a trifecta of folk-blues-rock dudes, called “Up All Night.”
Let’s talk about dreams
Let’s talk about lies
Let’s talk about all the things
that keep us up all night
Let’s talk about who
Gotta talk about why
Let’s talk about all the things
that keep us up all night
There’s not a ton to say about these lyrics – they’re pretty literal and they’ll do – but the wonder here is the easy groove and vocals, the stomping and clapping, the rowdy bar-room feel and of course Bay’s excellent steel guitar riffing. If you have never seen this man live, I beg of you do yourself a favor – the super blues guitarist comes out in full force. And on this song, you really get the feeling they sat down in a room for an afternoon with some guitars and a piano, clapped their hands and stomped their feet and banged this banger out. It’s a toothy-smile kind of midsummer song. James’s fourth studio album Changes All The Time comes out on September 20.
:: “DRUGS” – Joy Oladokun ::
Mitch Mosk, Beacon, New York
Joy Oladokun holds nothing back from sharing her raw, honest, visceral, and poignant truth in her new single: “The drugs don’t work, oh, I can’t get high. Oh, doctor, doctor, find me a new way to survive.” Released July 19 via Amigo Records / Verve Forecast / Republic Records, “DRUGS” is modern-day pain, personified in song: An achingly vulnerable, impassioned anthem of anxiety, escapism, inner tension, and emotional reckoning, the second single off Oladokun’s as-of-yet untitled fifth studio album hits hard and leaves a lasting mark as the singer/songwriter bares her soul for all to see, hear, and feel:
What happened to the good old days?
Where you could take a hit of that good shit
And feel your troubles fade away?
I guess I’ve got to make a change
I’m not sober, I’m just over
Tryin’ to smoke away the rage
The 2020s have been a period of private and public rage, instability, struggle, and – perhaps most notably – personal and societal turmoil for so many. Recording artists have not been immune, as in the wake of rising labor costs, COVID, and more, many have been forced to cancel tours, delay releases, move home, and rethink their careers. Oladokun has, on more than one occasion, hinted at her own retirement from music; she discussed it after releasing last year’s critically acclaimed fourth studio album Proof of Life, an uplifting and inspiring record that featured on Atwood Magazine‘s Best Albums of 2023 feature, and she’s continued to openly consider it in social media posts throughout this year as well.
If Joy Oladokun really does retire from her music career, it’s clear that she’ll be going out on top: Both “DRUGS” and her first single of the year, “Questions, Chaos & Faith,” find her weaving catchy melodies in with the most vulnerable, confessional, and compelling lyrics she’s ever sung. “DRUGS” is especially candid; like she did on last year’s songs “Changes,” Oladokun reflects on the turbulence of the world around her and the one within and try as she might, she can’t ignore or escape it. The burden of being alive and present to pain – whether it’s hers, or someone else’s – permeates throughout her expressive, emotionally charged vocals, her dynamic guitar and bass licks, her propulsive drum work, and more.
The drugs don’t work
Oh, I can’t get high
Oh, doctor, doctor,
find me a new way to survive
And my friends don’t call
Unless they need a ride
Oh, Father, Father,
feels like I’m barely getting by
Seems like l’ve gotta
look for a new way to survive
“I wrote ‘DRUGS’ about feeling like my vices weren’t vice-ing hard enough,” Oladokun tells Atwood Magazine. “I think it became really easy for me to medicate my anxiety or anger or disillusionment instead of addressing those things head on. This is song is about realizing that and finding a new way to get by.”
I’vе been running on empty
And calling it strength
I’ve rеopened old wounds
’cause I won’t take a break, no
I know l’ve got to make a change
I won’t hurt myself or go through Hell
Tryna prove my place
Ultimately, this is a cry into the darkness – one begging for the light that has yet to come. For all those who have felt some kind of gnawing, unrelenting ache over these recent years, “DRUGS” is a balm; a salve; a soothing, soul-stirring reminder that we’re not alone in our pain, even when the drugs don’t work. Ultimately, we’re all trying to find new ways to survive; as she’s done so well throughout her career, Oladokun sings all those things we’re too afraid to say out loud.
The drugs don’t work
Oh, I can’t get high
Oh, doctor, doctor,
find me a new way to survive
And my friends don’t call
Unless they need a ride
Oh, Father, Father,
feels like I’m barely getting by
Seems like l’ve gotta
look for a new way to survive
:: “Say Something” – Neffy ::
Sophie Severs, Boston, MA
It takes courage to express one’s feelings. Even when the truth is on the tip of one’s tongue, it can be quickly swallowed. Neffy, however, is unafraid to let her feelings run free; finding a way to unbridle herself from any self-limiting inhibitions through song.
You might be familiar with the intrepid singer-songwriter, as she was the winner of the Tiny Desk Concert competition in 2021. Her rich vocals and sonic honesty have charmed listeners all around the world, and she delivers yet another dose of authenticity with her newest track, “Say Something,” independently released Wednesday, July 17.
We find Neffy in a state; her heart is full to the brim of love for another, practically overflowing. However, this outpouring of love is not being reciprocated, at least, not out loud. Neffy questions why this loved one refuses to recognize this strong connection between them over playfully plucky guitar fingerpicking; “Baby, this is love, why don’t you say something? Say something to me / But I won’t be begging, so steal me good /I taste like heaven, do what you should.
“I had so much fun making this song,” Neffy shares. “I had the melody stuck in my head for the longest time and the whole song, top to bottom, finally came together in a weekend.” With the release of “Say Something,” Neffy enters a new beginning discography — and life — ushering in an era of self-love and miraculous creation.
:: “Takes One to Know One” – The Beaches ::
Rachel Leong, France
One thing about The Beaches is that you’ll recognise their energy from almost anywhere. The Canadian alt-rockers return with “Takes One to Know One” today, via AWAL. Surf rock-esque guitars and Jordan Miller’s discernible vocals make for the perfect in-your-car midsummer bop.
“Takes One To Know One” grapples with the hard-hitting truths that a lover could also hold a mirror up to yourself. Confessional and addictive, the track shines in its playful ability to expand while going deep.
Miller, says of the track, “Recently I’ve had the pleasure of falling in love with a very complicated person. This song – takes one to know one – is about exploring my own culpability in the messy parts of my new relationship, something I wasn’t really capable of doing until now.”
:: “Swimmer” – Beeson ::
Mitch Mosk, Beacon, New York
I give it less than a year until Jane Beeson’s mononymous singer/songwriter project is a known entity in the alt/indie world – and when that time comes, people will be looking back at songs like “Swimmer” and wondering how she didn’t capture the world’s eyes and ears sooner. Released July 19th via Jannabis Records, Beeson’s second song of the year is as catchy as it is cathartic: A breathtaking, achingly raw indie folk song ruminating on intimacy’s complexities and the comings and goings of our fragile hearts, beating and bleeding, loving and longing as they’re wont to do:
I could love you baby but I don’t have the time
I’m too busy living in the back of my mind
I wanna be a big star, is that such a crime?
I swear I think I love you,
I just don’t have the time right now
“The story of “Swimmer” is both funny and heartbreaking,” Beeson tells Atwood Magazine. “I hoped that it could feel fun and light while carrying a heaviness on the edges. Although the song is very loosely based on some lived experience, it’s more accurately a painting of some of the themes I’ve seen pop up in my life recently.”
i found a letter
from your college flame
you made it look just like an accident
well does it do it for you
when I don’t know what to say?
I wasn’t bitter but I should’ve been
I take the high road
I say that she’s crazy
that makes two of us baby
you say
Her words, vulnerable and visceral, sting with the familiar (and forever painful) burden of unrequited love as she sings, sweetly and sincerely, of hanging around someone from whom she should have moved on long ago. The head and the heart are often out of sync, and we feel that discord rear its ugly ahead through beautiful sound as she spills her guts. “Swimmer” is a gentle giant of a song, ready to fill our ears and hearts with beautiful music and raw emotion all summer, and all year, long.
I could love her maybe
but I don’t have the time
I’m too busy living in the back of my mind
I wanna be a big star
Is that such a crime
I swear, I think I love her
I don’t have the time
:: “Into the Wild” – Natisa Gogol ::
Joe Beer, Surrey, UK
Natisa Gogol unleashes her primal instincts in the empowering new single “Into the Wild.” Speaking of the power that runs through her veins and the dynamic force that comes with feminine energy, the intoxicating track comes to life with energetic beats and a move-inducing melody.
Speaking of the meaning behind the song, Gogol explains, “This primal nature doesn’t imply something immutable, but rather it’s about the passion that lives within us, which cannot be controlled because it is instinctive. The song is about how something within us can sometimes be stronger than us, especially when we love passionately. It suggests that we shouldn’t always suppress this, as it brings out certain feelings and emotions. Overall, it’s about the passion and fire that exist in relationships, but from a positive perspective—one of pure instinct, not vulgarity.”
A celebration of feminine power, “Into the Wild” is a fiery and passionate release that demonstrates the songwriter’s impressive vocal strength which ascends over kaleidoscopic synths and dance-worthy beats.
The breathtaking music video, which was filmed in Portugal, shows the Ukrainian born, Prague based artist dressed all in red, as she dances amidst stunning nature scenes. Packing a punch, both sonically and visually, “Into the Wild” perfectly encapsulates the song’s powerful message as she reminds listeners to embrace their inner-strength.
:: “Grin” – BAYNK ::
Josh Weiner, Washington DC
Smile and the whole world smiles with you, as the saying goes. By extension, then, so does the whole dancefloor. That’s the basic theme behind “Grin” by BAYNK, a New Zealand native who’s spent the past few years punching out electropop tunes in his adopted hometown of Los Angeles. These efforts culminated in a debut LP a couple of years ago entitled ADOLESCENCE, and a follow-up, SENESCENCE, is scheduled for September.
“Grin,” an early preview of said release, is a track that came so naturally to BAYNK that he was able to complete it in under two hours, along with the assistance of friend and frequent collaborator, Rutger. The resulting track is a feel-good chunk of electronica that is meant to “encapsulate the feeling just before you break into a grin or smile…. The short rush when you know you’re about to see someone you love…. The adrenaline associated with thoughts of a distant lover and the anticipation of reuniting.”
He describes it as “one of the fastest and natural songs I’ve ever written,” and the same sort of energy is well-contained in the resulting track, for the enjoyment of us listeners.
:: “medusa” – Elthia ::
Chloe Robinson, California
Most of us are familiar with the figure in Greek mythology known as Medusa. She possessed snakes instead of hair and was so hideous that anyone who looked her way would be turned to stone. Elthia transports us into a dark, fantasy world with her single entitled “medusa.” Though some think of the monster as repulsive, many see her as confident and fierce. She captures that cool factor that the creature radiates. Elthia’s intoxicating vocals are sung with immense skill and precision. Her music video is just as compelling. The visuals showcase the Medusa story set in the real world. Impressively she made all the costumes herself and the wardrobe is spot on.
The Singer-songwriter crafts indie-pop music that listeners gravitate towards with its otherworldly quality. She takes factual stories and blends that with whimsy, resulting in unique pieces that leave an impact. Her debut single “i love you but you make me cry” obtained millions of views online. Since then she has continued that momentum. “medusa” is another solid offering that truly excites.
:: “This Thing We Call Life” – Evaride ::
Julius Robinson, California
Life can feel like a whizzing rollercoaster ride. One minute you are up and the next you are sinking down. There are sometimes though it seems as if it has slowed, dipping into a constant down direction. Evaride’s indie pop/rock single “This Thing We Call Life” speaks to being trapped in a low and begging for anything to bring you back up. A passionate tone pours over driving guitar rhythms and it immediately grips us in. With powerful lyrics such as, “All I need is a spark to ignite. One touch, one look can bring me into the light,” we can all relate to that yearning for a change. The way the vocals plead for positivity amidst the dreaded gloom provides hope that we can overcome.
Evaride is a dynamic duo consisting of frontman Sean Michael Murray and guitarist Hayden Maringer. The pair can be recognized for their penetrating piece “Warrior.” The track was in the promos for the 2021 Tokyo Olympics and was also featured on the TV show The Titan Games hosted by Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson. Johnson even gave the group a shout-out on twitter. “Warrior” and “This Thing We Call Life” both represent a courageousness and vulnerability the twosome continuously retains. It inspires listeners to seek that strength as well.
:: “What abt me?” – Mae Graf ::
Mitch Mosk, Beacon, New York
Inner churn turns into supercharged pop/rock sound on Mae Graf’s third-ever song as the 15-year-old artist lets loose with style. Independently released July 19, “What abt me?” is the spellbinding product of love’s ruthless wreckage. With artists like Gracie Abrams, Avril Lavigne, and Phoebe Bridgers as her idols, Graf embraces a searing, unapologetic and gritty rock sound that captures the raucous energy she feels within.
Why’d you have to do this to me
I’m done yeah you won
I’m down on my knees
Look at what you did to me
You took everything
My life and my heart
And my ability to dream
It ended with a kiss on my cheek
You went and told me
I was the prettiest girl
that you would ever meet
“‘What abt me?’ is about the devastating aftermath of a relationship where you’re manipulated into believing you’re irreplaceable, only to realize the same deceitful behavior is being repeated with someone else,” Graf tells Atwood Magazine. “This song channels pure rage and betrayal, made for those left with the haunting question, ‘But what about me?‘ It’s an anthem for anyone who has felt discarded and deceived, a raw and emotional outlet for their pain.”
“The sound of this track captures the duality of anger and hurt, blending them into a powerful release. It’s designed for those moments when you just need to scream it out and let yourself be unhinged. Musically, I was inspired by the intensity of Hayley Williams, while also channeling the emotional vulnerability of Gracie Abrams and Taylor Swift.”
Graf’s rage is innocent and infectious; “What abt me?” hits hard, and all but ensures we not only keep coming back to it, but also that we pay special attention to the young artist as she turns her own teenage turmoil into stunning songs.
So what about me
And what about all the things you said
All the words you planted in my head
Now our love is hanging by a thread
And what about me
And what about all the things you said
All the words you planted in my head
Now our love is hanging by a thread
:: Vol. III – Webbed Wing ::
Jimmy Crowley, New York
Webbed Wing’s third full length album is a catchy indie rock romp. Throughout Vol. III, the Philly band wind between catchy pop-punk (“So It Goes”), jangle-pop (“Burn It Down”), and bluesy rock (“Where Mortal Men Dare Not Tread”). While there’s clearly a DIY ethic to the three-piece’s approach, their songwriting chops elevate the record, showing the band’s versatility.
The band’s pop sensibilities really shine through on this record. Tracks like “My Front Door” and “Burn It Down” are so easy to get stuck in your head. Even though so many tracks on the record show of the group’s punk rock roots, the band has shown off a softer side throughout Vol. III, and the more subdued moments allow for some of the most memorable moments. Like the album’s ballad “Hero’s Death,” where singer Taylor Madison sings about wanting to remembered fondly after he passes, there’s a touch of alt-country styling in the acoustic guitar and some electric twangs.
For those in search of an indie rock record to really set the tone for those late, hot summer nights, Vol. III does flow to surpass all your needs. From hard rockers to the more stripped down ballads, there’s a little something for everyone.
:: “Downhill” – Pom Pom Squad ::
Mitch Mosk, Beacon, New York
Pom Pom Squad’s first single in (checks notes) three years’ time is an instant reminder why we’ll always be one of Mia Berrin’s biggest cheerleaders. Released in late June via City Slang Records, “Downhill” is feverish, unapologetic, and unrelenting: A bold, brash, and irresistibly catchy reintroduction to the Brooklyn artist’s singular post-grunge project, and one that effortlessly conveys inner angst and turmoil:
Downhill, looks like downhill from here
I’m still wondering how I made it through the year
I’ve been trying to find the difference
Between the feeling and the fear, but it’s unclear
Downhill, couldn’t stop it if I tried
I still see the broken glass, the flashing lights
I’ve been selfish, I’ve been reckless
Never thought I’d feel so numb at twenty-five
At twenty-five
“In my everyday life, I’m pretty reserved and shy, so it’s odd, even to me, that I feel this pull to be on stage – to put my music out and open myself up to everything that comes with that,” Berrin tells Atwood Magazine. “When I was writing ‘Downhill,’ I was thinking a lot about the push-pull between those opposing sides of my personality. Sometimes being ambitious feels like being self-destructive and I wanted to explore the line between the two. Also, it’s been nearly three years since I’ve released anything new so this song feels like my reintroduction to the world. Pom Pom Squad is soooo back, baby!”
Berrin comes to a fever pitch in the track’s dramatic chorus, letting loose the weight of the world through heated guitar work and a dreamy, dynamic vocal performance that aches in all the best ways.
I’m breathing into my chest
I wake up shivering cold
Look at the blood on my hands
Feels like I’m losing control
Through all the tears and the sweat
Feels like I’m starting again
I never said I was done
I’m coming back from the dead
I’m coming back from the dead
I’m coming back from the dead
“Downhill” calls to mind the searing stir of “Bad Guy”-era Billie Eilish, as well as the dynamic, seemingly limitless energy of Hot Fuss-era The Killers. It’s moody, groovy, and all-consuming, driven by an authentic, burning passion within. For Pom Pom Squad, it’s also somewhat of a reinvention; as Berrin explains, experimentation played a large part in taking the track from pen on paper to sound and song.
“l had a lot of fun experimenting with production on ‘Downhill’ — I think the journey of the song, opening with just vocal and guitar and progressing into something with a range of different textures mirrors my journey as a writer and producer. When I was demoing it, I tried not to think too much about genre. I just wanted to open up a session and play around with sounds.”
Heavy yet light, explosive yet intimate, propulsive and impassioned all at once, “Downhill” is just the beginning of an exciting new era for Pom Pom Squad – and one we cannot wait to uncover over the coming months, as Berrin treats us to what will ultimately become the band’s highly-anticipated sophomore album!
:: See the Light – Daniella Faith ::
Ciaran Short, New York, NY
This week, singer/songwriter Daniella Faith released See the Light, a two-song EP featuring “The Morning Song” and “Ayeayeaye.” The two songs compliment each other extremely well in building a warm and inviting world in which a listener can momentarily immerse themselves. As mainstream culture and music seems to be embracing a brutal maximalism that teeters on chaos, Daniella Faith has gone in the exact opposite direction with this stripped down care package of new songs.
Leading with gentleness and honesty, Faith serves as a reassuring narrator urging the listener to persevere and recognize the positives in their life on See The Light. Often, such positivity in music can feel hollow, but the rawness in Faith’s lyrics and delivery don’t just establish her as a removed advisor, but also a participant in a shared journey. Balancing between a subtle conversational tone and crafting a narrative-like story, there’s multiple access points for listeners to find a way to relate to Faith’s perspective. Overall, the greatest strength in Faith’s music is providing a sense of optimism rooted in lived experience, all captured in genuinely good and soulful music.
:: “Favorite Part” – Minke ::
Rachel Leong, France
London-born Minke dropped her latest single, “Favorite Part” last week, a reverberating hum of self-discovery and faith that vibrates with powerful vulnerability. Minke’s vocals echo atop synth-pop beats that embrace you in her vision of self-revelation and rebirth, inviting you further into her introspection with every pulse.
“Look at all the shit I have / Look at what I can’t take back / Raw emotion in the trash / I don’t wanna be like that.” Minke stirs with unapologetic feeling, balancing the polarities of frustration and lightness, and in turn creating a culmination of hope.
Following her debut, The Tearoom, in 2019, Minke has picked up support from the likes of Zane Lowe, Billboard, and headlined sold out shows in LA (where she is currently based). Despite these milestones, Minke still found “the whole world screaming at me”. “Favorite Part” is a personal testament that serves as an ode to us all – there is hope at the end of every tunnel.
:: “suffer dude” – Colatura ::
Mitch Mosk, Beacon, New York
I am admittedly brand new to Colatura – and have plenty of music to catch up on – but if “suffer dude” is any indication, I get the sense they’ll be one of my favorite artist discoveries of the year in no time. Independently released July 11th, “suffer dude” is the Brooklyn/Pittsburgh band’s first single since their debut album And Then I’ll Be Happy’s release in spring 2022 – but more importantly, it’s a dazzling display of their spellbinding indie rock and dream pop sound.
Three minutes of lush, shoegazey guitars, glistening, expansive synths, propulsive drums, and achingly expressive singing make for an utterly entrancing experience as the band reflect on a relatable fear of vulnerability – “being afraid to put yourself out there, and take risks, because if you do, people might criticize you or think you’re not cool because you’re ‘trying too hard’… but also realizing that living a life that’s too safe won’t make you happy either.”
i’m addicted to the rain
in it I feel nothing
just drift away
I don’t really wanna change
think i’d rather just be comfy
and disengage
don’t ask if i’m alright
i’m no good at lying
i’ll tell ya I am fine while crying
that i’ve got a place with a view
it’s right on the ocean
with all the suffer dudes
This is a truth borne out not just in Colatura’s lyrics, but also in band members Jennica Best and Digo Degorio’s daily lives. “Embracing vulnerability as a musician can be daunting and takes a tough skin, because there are always going to be people to criticize you,” Best tells Atwood Magazine. “And there’s such a fine line, ‘cause as an artist you need to be authentic, or people won’t connect, but it needs to be just the right amount of authentic, otherwise people might think it’s too much, too cringy. Your ‘authentic self’ still has to be cool, whatever that is. It’s exhausting and can make you want to not even try. I personally put off taking the leap on performing for way longer than I should have, because I was terrified people would think I wasn’t good enough. That’s what “Suffer Dude” is about. It’s about being afraid to be vulnerable and trying to convince yourself that you’re okay with sitting on the sidelines while others take the risks, but knowing deep down that it’s a lie.”
“We recorded ‘Suffer Dude’ at Studio G in Brooklyn with Aron Kobayashi Ritch of Momma actually the day after our dog died. Aron asked if we wanted to reschedule and I was like, no I need to push through this, this is what’s going on right now and feeling vulnerable and trying to do it anyways is on theme. I don’t know that other people can hear it, but when I listen back to the vocals, I can definitely hear the sadness in my voice, which I guess kinda works for the song. I mean, I literally sing, ‘I’ll tell ya that I’m fine while crying.’”
press my back against a wall
so no one can whisper
what i’ve done wrong
i’ve become so risk averse
if I just keep it simple
I won’t get hurt
don’t ask if i’m alright
i’m no good at lying
i’ll tell ya that i’m fine while crying
i’ve got a place with a view
it’s right on the ocean
with all the suffer dudes
“suffer dude” hits hard and leaves a lasting mark, ensuring we remember the name Colatura as they craft a seductive sound around our ears, our minds, and our hearts.
and when i’m here
it never changes season
don’t have to care
got nothing to believe in
it’s fine
there’s nothing to believe in
it’s fine
don’t need a hill to cry on
but don’t ask if i’m alright
i’m no good at lying
i’ll tell ya that i’m fine
i’m thriving
but i’ve got a place with a view
it’s right on the ocean
with all the suffer dudes
:: Salamina – Plàsi ::
Joe Beer, Surrey, UK
Greco-Swedish artist Plàsi transports listeners to a place under the sun with his new EP, Salamina. The stunning five-track release, which was written on the Greek island, sees the songwriter soaking up his surroundings to deliver something that is just as beautiful as its setting. Plàsi shares, “Life in Salamina changes in a second. You can go from the cosmopolitan capital to the rural island—almost right next door. It’s rough, but honest. In a way, the landscape tells us a lot about life and its natural beauty. This particular environment really made me think outside of the box.”
Title track “Salamina” is the catalyst of the entire EP. Setting the tone, it introduces Plàsi’s new sound, as he strives to create something that has more depth and marks the beginning of a new direction. Celestial synths enhance the dreamlike melodies as the songwriter draws inspiration from the island. His melancholy vocal tone floats delicately over folky, enchanting instrumentation, providing a listening experience to remedy all of life’s woes.
:: Freedom – Soprano ::
Josh Weiner, Washington DC
The Olympics are starting today, and the opening ceremony will likely feature plenty of great French musicians performing… but why wait that long?! I’ve spent plenty of the past week or so diving into lots of great music from France (it helps that Bastille Day was earlier this month as well), and I’ve certainly made plenty of room in my playlist for possibly my favorite French musician of all, singer/rapper Soprano. He’s made a lot of high-quality records over the years and has kept his winning streak alive and thriving with the June release of his eighth solo album, Freedom.
The opening and title track is, indeed, an Ode to Freedom – “I know we’ve destroyed you a little, I know we can do better,” Soprano sings in French. “I regret it, and now I’m looking for your beauty, hoping to find you again.” This theme of having to preserve freedom in all its forms continues to be explored in the album’s remaining 11 tracks, with Soprano’s signature signing-rapping hybrid and high standards of production maintained throughout.
Plus, for longtime Soprano fans such as myself, Freedom features a fair number of memorable Blasts from the Past. For instance, way back when I was studying abroad in Paris in 2013, I got to meet rapper S.Pri Noir at a hip-hop-themed ESL class I was volunteering at. Now, years later, it’s awesome to hear S.Pri Noir collaborate with Soprano on the song “Bellingham”! Also, one of my old favorite Soprano tracks is 2014’s “Luna,” in which he sings an ode to his then-baby daughter. One decade later, it’s awesome to hear “Luna” get updated in the form of “Papa Dis-Moi,” on which Luna gets to appear on her own dad’s track, Hailie Jade Mathers-style, and gets to ask him some tough questions (“Daddy, tell me why money costs much more than a life does? Could I ever become president, even though I’m a girl?”)
For all those looking to get into the French spirit now that the Olympics are underway– or those who just want to tune into some lively and energetic new music in general– Freedom by Soprano is the record that can do the trick for you.
:: “Average Man”- Casii Stephan ::
Chloe Robinson, California
Pop artist Casii Stephan’s new release “Average Man” is an empowering funk-fueled anthem. The track is for all the women out there who are done with being let down by men with big egos. Her radiant, soulful tone shines atop a bold punchy production. She reveals, “I was inspired by Shania Twain’s documentary where her ex-husband cheated on her while she was going through lyme disease. An Oncology Nurse told me it’s so common for some men to leave their partners when they get cancer that nurses will counsel women about it. When I heard this I knew I needed to write out my anger.”
The Minnesota born Tulsa based singer started writing songs at the piano at just 16. Now she continues to showcase her self-assured, fiery vocals that some have compared to greats like Florence Welch. Stephan’s music embodies so much intensity and emotion, which has gained her many loyal fans. “Average Man” delivers that vast passion.
:: “Snaggletooth” – Jacqueline Hackett ::
Mitch Mosk, Beacon, New York
You can hear the deep love, as well as the deep pain, in Jacqueline Hackett’s voice from the moment she starts singing “Snaggletooth.” A tender, soul-stirring song about her late father’s life, his legacy, his dreams, and his demons, Hackett’s third release of the year aches from the inside out – and understandably so; the Brooklyn-based singer/songwriter holds nothing back in capturing her own parent’s humanity, in all its fragility and fracture. Who among us can faithfully call out the failures of those who brought them up in this world? Who among us can then pen, sing, and release a song about them?
Tommy boy counted the tick tock,
Tick tack clock back and forth
With a toothpick scratching at his bad teeth,
Not enough money to do too much about it
A danger to himself,
Just waiting for the moment he could leave,
Grow up be a priest or a rockstar
“The writing process for ‘Snaggletooth’ was something I went into very intentionally,” Hackett tells Atwood Magazine. “It’s a song that’s based on my late father’s life based on the memories he’d share with me as I was growing up. At the time of writing this track, I was in a weird place with my grief. The first few years after my dad passed I idealized everything about him and had a contorted reality. But as time has passed, I have become more stabilized on my feet and can look at the turbulence and complexities of my father and I’s relationship while also facing his addiction. I wanted to share a new piece of my dad that was full and didn’t leave out any of the parts I was too ashamed to sing about beforehand.”
The song’s chorus is a particularly powerful, poetic moment of cathartic release:
Everyone learned then forgot his name
Doomed at 16, never gonna get laid
“Fatboy,” “redhead,” swore with his fists,
They’d all see the day
Wanting nothing to do with his youth,
Laughing while crying
and howling with pride,
And a snaggletooth
“The track was produced by Sahil Ansari and Quinn Devlin and recorded at the Creamery Studio in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. There was a sort of wildness we wanted to get in tune with as far as sonically speaking. Like this character I had built in the lyrics was an unpredictable, curious person that no one could track down or figure out, which stays true to how I feel about my dad as a person now. Bassist, Andy Shimm, described the outro as Tommy Boy screaming into a vast canyon in the night wanting to be heard, but being drowned out by his echo. And that interpretation specifically felt incredibly aligned to my father’s suffering and death.”
He turned 21 and he learned how to shred,
Learned how to get girls in their heads
Leave one date for another in a tight black dress
Drink her up and leave her empty,
But he was always the one,
Leaving with a burning in his chest
So he sat down in the pews and bowed his head,
Vowed that one day he’d get clean
And start a family
This is not a happy song; the weight Hackett conveys is nothing, if not deep and painful. Nevertheless, “Snaggletooth” is beautiful – an expression of emotional release that taps a nerve deep inside many of us, whether or not we had our own snaggletooth parents.
Everyone learned then forgot his name
Soon enough he was drinking til late,
With the other men who would never see,
Their daughter’s wedding day
Never really thinking that he’d lose his youth
Laughing while crying
and howling with pride,
And a snaggletooth
:: “Disassociating (Cigarette Dress)” – The Collect Pond ::
Julius Robinson, California
Indie folk/rock outfit The Collect Pond’s single “Disassociating (Cigarette Dress)” is a hazy and hypnotizing must-listen. Laid back yet also rowdy, it creates the perfect juxtaposition. Disassociating can be described as disconnecting from your thoughts and feelings and this piece definitely delivers that sense of escape. The video showcases the group playing to a packed crowd and the unique way the camera moves adds to the psychedelic sensation.
The Collect Pond is a dedicated four-piece that includes Moffat (Vocals/Guitar) Rob Carrington (Drums), Roger Maranan (Keys/Bass) and Ben Bonadies (Guitar/Bass). Moffat was born in Bellingham, Washington State, but boldly made a big change at 23 and moved to New Zealand. The band reflects that vibe with their wistful, beach-like ambiance. This is another one displaying that signature sound at its finest.
:: Same Dream Pond – KAGAMI Smile ::
Frederick Bloy, London, England
Same Dream Pond conjures two, interchangeable realities. The first is a world where you are almost unconscious with drowsiness, but your neighbours at the end of your street are throwing a party that they neglected to ever invite you to. You can feel the drubbing of drums and bassy tones rattling your skull. Alternatively, you are deep in sleep, caught between the dichotomy of an impenetrable and surreal dream, or a claustrophobic, alien nightmare. You can feel yourself being dragged underwater, the luminescence of the surface fading, and are those obfuscated whispers? What are they saying? Are they friend or foe?
As I’ve written before, vaporwave can justifiably be described as an oversaturated genre. But, Same Dream Pond is by no means ‘common’ vaporwave. Arguably, ‘vaporwave’ here is a misnomer. It is an ambient record, an alternative house record, but, most notably, it is dreampunk. There are obscured synth melodies, mesmeric drum patterns, and those thrumming bass tones that blur the line constantly between real, and other-wordly. This is not to be dismissed as just another electronic release. If certain vaporwave, unfortunately, blurs into something barely lucid, Same Dream Pond was intended to make you question whether you were ever awake at all.
:: “Loud” – Blackpool Mecca ::
Mitch Mosk, Beacon, New York
True to its name, “Loud” is loud. Blackpool Mecca’s third song of the year, independently released July 26th, is a spectacular, sweltering fever dream of unapologetic, unrelenting stadium-sized rock that demands our undivided attention. The Nashville band of Baxter White and Kristofer Jedd unleash their own inner weight in a visceral, vulnerable upheaval of sound and feeling as they capture the pure pressure of everyday life.
F’ed up again
And I can’t remember when
I decided to live like this
Why can’t I be more like my friends
I don’t know who I am
I don’t think I’ll ever be the same
Cause I can’t even remember my name
And I’m drifting through the day
Can you tell me if I’ll ever be okay
“‘Loud’ was a full instrumental demo that Kris brought to the band years ago,” Blackpool Mecca tell Atwood Magazine. “During a sleepless night he wrote its rhythm guitar part followed by layering a rough drum track, bass, and finally lead guitar ideas. Baxter saw the demo was uploaded in the band’s Google Drive and listened to it that morning on his way into work. The lyrics came immediately to Baxter as he arrived at his day job, so he hid in the restroom to write them all out before he would forget them.”
“Kris had the demo titled ‘Loud’ even before the lyrics were written by Baxter. The lyrics focus around mental health, dealing with personal inner dialogue and the feeling of going through the motions of everyday life. Sometimes with everything going on in the world and what you tell yourself, it becomes too loud making it hard to let your mind rest.”
Stand up stumble to the kitchen
Drink a glass of water it’ll be okay
Cigarettes and coffee breath
Can we stop the spinning for a sec
I don’t think I’ll ever be the same
Cause I can’t even remember my name
And I’m drifting through the day
Can you tell me if I’ll ever be okay
It’s not just you: Simply “getting by” has become a gargantuan task for so many these days, and music is a means of relief, of escape, of self-expression, and of connection. “Loud” is supercharged, hitting hard because life hits hard; because we need an anchor to lean on, and Blackpool Mecca have just the cure – albeit a temporary one – for our suffering. Following recent released “Pavement” and “Alright,” “Loud” is a true show of force for Blackpool Mecca, and one that is sure to put the Nashville rockers on the radar once and for all.
Am I too old to be this selfish
Cause I can’t stop thinking about myself
All these voices in my head are all so loud
I don’t think I’ll ever be the same
I don’t think I’ll ever be the same
Cause I can’t even remember my name
And I’m drifting through the day
Can you tell me if I’ll ever be okay
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