In Review:

Farewell Dear Ghost

We Colour the Night

When one finds a new artist they really start to dig, the first step is to look them up--scope out their Facebook and Twitter, sample their discography, watch some videos or read their interviews. All of this was grueling to obtain when it came to getting to know a bit more about Farewell Dear Ghost.

After a couple of days searching the web for background on the band I stumbled across a few interviews of the surfacing act. The up-and-coming Austrian band, which is lead by Philip Szalay, was originally a solo act until he chose to take his musical career in a different direction and experiment with his sound alongside a band. In November 2013,Farewell Dear Ghost's debut album We Colour the Night dropped in Europe. The album muses trailblazers The National and English rockers Bloc Party with Philip’s vocals providing a cue to the lyrics he calls “optimistic melancholy” which can be adequately said of his musical inspirations. His writing stems from every bit of emotion and experience, he tells an interviewer for the Redbull music site in response to comments made about his “sad” lines. 

The first single “Fire” starts off buttery, with lightly distorted vocals—smooth as water. Then the track flips 180° and transforms into a pounding, energetic rock anthem. Other tracks like “Words” and “Cool Blood” slow burn all the alternative elements reminiscent of The Boxer Rebellion with heavy drums and contemporary guitar solos. The sound is understated, simple and refreshing in this day and age of genre smashing and risky experiments with synth and bass. It could be called “safe”, but for the listener indifferent about the fluff We Colour the Night hones in on all the qualities giving heavy hitting indie-alternative bands like The National and Bloc Party their musical longevity. Farewell Dear Ghost’s album digitally debuted in North America this past January and, unfortunately, the group hasn’t made any plans to tour in the US for the Spring. In regards to the group being so recent to the music scene it may have been difficult to find information on them, but there is nothing lost in translation when it comes to FDG’s promising musical path.

In Review:

Broods

Broods EP

New Zealand might end up taking over the world with breakout artists like Lorde and The Naked and Famous. Accompanying the kiwis are newcomers Broods. Hailing from Lorde's native Auckland the brother and sister collaboration (Caleb Nott providing the instrumentals and backup vocals and Georgia Nott taking the lead) capitalize on whispers echoed over pop-filled house beats worthy of nods from hardcore fans of Ellie Goulding and CHVRCHES. Formed in 2013, the very new band has already been signed to Capitol Records and have received recognition from the producer, Joel Little,  of Lorde's chart-topping debut album Pure Heroine. "Bridges", the first single off the EP, rippled through social media in 2013. The track features vocals from both Caleb and Georgia, layered thick over distorted bass and subtle taps of piano keys. Then the EP composes itself with slower tracks "Sleep Baby Sleep" and "Taking You There" hauntingly Crystal Castles-esque with less grit. It only takes Broods six songs to whirl through a complete metamorphosis of multifaceted sounds and the band can hardly be labeled as "novice". 

Their full LP is expected to be released sometime this August and they have announced a few US dates for the Spring. Broods is sophisticated and beautifully complex and this is just a taste of what we can expect in the near future. Lorde has already expressed her excitement. August can't come soon enough.

In Review:

Young the Giant

Mind Over Matter

Back in 2011, alternative rock band Young the Giant literally crowd-surfed into the spotlight and became a modern twist on the typical alternative band and a force to be reckoned with when they took to the MTV stage for their explosive VMA performance. Since then their musical journey has sky rocketed, putting them at the forefront of mainstream rock (I mean, come on, they were covered by Glee). The quintet, opting to drop out of university to pursue music, deliver eclectic sound and their many ethnic backgrounds (Indian-American, French-Canadian, British, Persian-American, and Italian) contribute to the diversified takes on every track in both their self-titled 2010 album and January's Mind Over Matter. Just like their debut album, Mind Over Matter infuses new-wave alternative with experimental, gritty rock. Yet, demonstrating chameleon-like talents Young the Giant takes a risk with almost disco inspired "Eros" and psychedelic guitar saturations in single "Crystalized". Lead vocalist, Sameer Gadhia's abstract lyrics nearly rival the many dynamics of the instrumentals, but never clashing. With the constant shift of tones on every track, you would think that Mind Over Matter would jerk and pull its listeners to the point of overwhelmed confusion. However, the tracks seamlessly blend and flow providing a cultured sound that can be applied to nearly any setting.

When the band isn't on the stage they're collaborating with cinematographers from In the Open to perform stripped-down versions of their energetic songs. Young the Giant has proved over the years that their art can stand out in any medium--whether it be live, acoustic and intimate, or covered in popular shows. Mind Over Matter makes a positive name for itself and steps from behind the shadow of their highly successful debut album. Just like their beautiful, scenic photos on the band Instagram every creative outlet put in Young the Giant's grasp turn out to be a captivating work and it only seems to be getting better from here.

In the past they've supported heavy-hitting acts like Marina and the Diamonds and Kings of Leon, but perfectly able to hold their own--this Spring they embark on another lengthy North American tour. Stream their sophomore album in its entirety on the band's Soundcloud.

In Review:

Wild Cub

Youth

Wild Cub may be new on the music scene, but their electro-pop is nothing short of radiantly infectious. The American band released their debut LP Youth back in 2013, then added a few new tracks and commentary late this January with Mom + Pop records ( famous for indie alums: Andrew Bird, Flume, Neon Indian, and Metric). Wild Cub's lead singer Keegan DeWitt proves to be a man of many talents, having composed the score for 2013's indie documentary "Inocente" which took home an Academy Award for Best Documentary Short. Don't be fooled, this isn't a one-man show: DeWitt's decision to leave his day job and mesh with multi-instrumentalist Jeremy Bullock, drummer Dabney Morris, bassist Harry West, and keyboardist Eric Wilson united captivating lyrics with the construction of a fresh wave of synth-pop dramatizing the fast-paced life we all aspire to have in our youth. Every track weaves and builds intensely and you can't help but bop along with every catchy trill. DeWitt's lyrics paint the scenes of seemingly dark and never-ending summer nights and love gone miscommunicated while intricate instrumentals pulse in harmony on every track. Single "Straight No Turns" is euphoric of the soul and raw funk emitted by Daft Punk's Random Access Memories, but breathes its own flavor with almost tropical-like influences and timeless synth that hasn't been on the market in decades. 

Since the album's release, the band has collaborated with Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr. and Twin Shadow for remixes of their songs and covering Atlas Genius. Then later year the American band was spun into the spotlight with their hit single "Thunder Clatter" endorsed by Bose and used in their summer commercial.  We not only see many more endorsements in their future, but an incandescent home in their forever young fans' hearts and a blossoming musical career.  Youth not only lives up to its title, but it encompasses its  seasoned listeners with jives of the early 80's; yet, keeping it modern enough to be enjoyed by today's demanding teens. Wild Cub has announced a few dates for the UK and US, with two festival stops at Firefly and Hangout. They'll be supported by indie-rockers American Authors. Want a dance party that will domino into early hours? Check out Wild Cub's Youth on the road and download their album on iTunes. 

In Review:

James Vincent McMorrow

Post Tropical

The stage is set: minimal with very dim lighting; guitar, keyboard, banjo, and a few other instruments crowded, then one lone skinny, half-balding man saunters on to beloved cheers. He takes his place at the keyboard, hands trembling ever-so slightly. He begins in whispers and with every crescendo of his trademark falsetto the audience sways and quivers, silently, at his will. His listeners are in trance with every verse as hallow slow-claps in "Cavalier" resonate and fill the venue. James Vincent McMorrow is a master at captivating audiences of all sizes, with no flash and fluff or even a band to fall back on. His sophomore album Post Tropical stands for everything James is all about: the simple art of music and the allure of it alone.

Back in 2011 the Irish-bred indie folker released his debut LP Early In the Morning.  Boasting slow, simplistic love ballads and lullaby-like tracks soft enough to keep a child sleep through the night--James barely strayed from his roots three years later with slightly more modern Post Tropical. Post Tropical takes cool, artistic notes from R&B musicians like The Weekend and the creative linguistics of Bon Iver--to the reverberating drums in his mid-album track "All Points" to the stacked harmonizations of his inconceivable vocals in "Post Tropical". Listeners can't help but just close their eyes and let Post Tropical subdue and lap over in cold waves, carrying them to James' world which is strangely more frigid than anywhere tropical. 

"And I was someone else, I was something good," he croons in one of his darker tracks "Glacier". 

James has been known to do extraordinary covers of popular songs and his talent isn't just limited to any genre structure. Post Tropical breaks all the rules and doesn't come across as pretty, but gorgeous as it reflects not only the winter season, but beauty in that less can truly be more with slow-building zenith and cascading of harpsichords paired with humming guitars trumping overworked, mainstream pop.

Not only are James' live performances bewitching, but his studio albums tell tales of the sad and beautiful with his sheer panache being the climax with no let down. Post Tropical is a versatile soundtrack to anyone's life and it provides just the right touch of magic and isn't at all shallow or too brash--natural perfection and complete musical transcendence.