Song Title: “Magazin”
From The Album: Performance (art pictured at left)
Single Sentence Singles Review: Even those who aren’t comfortable in jeans will want to slip into this White Denim, a track that Rush may have written had they formed 40 years after they did.
Beyond The Track: After signing with City Slang, the Austin, TX-based band will drop Performance on August 24. Check out their upcoming tour dates here.
Artist: Anna von Hausswolff
Album: “Dead Magic”
Label: City Slang
Reason We’re Cranking It: Utilizing a 20th century organ from one of the largest churches in Scandinavia for the majority of the 47 musical minutes, Anna von Hausswolff crafts an epic expedition into the morbidly acute inner recesses of her creative brain that leaves a haunting impression on all who venture inside. Magic isn’t dead… “Dead Magic” is proof to that.
What The Album Tells Us About Her: When von Hausswolff closes her eyes to dream, the imaginative landscape must spring to life like a Tim Burton movie. Her ability to compose such compelling artistic expressions while painting eerily-irresistible imagery through the rise and fall of her voice alone is as unique a creative POV as we have experienced in a very long time.
Track Stuck On Repeat: This is not a pop album. You’re not spinning “Dead Magic” for a quick feel-good fix. You’re investing time and focus when you sit down with it because that is what the songs require in order for you to get the most out of them. At just over 16 minutes long, “Ugly and Vengeful” sucks you in, building upon a growing sense of doom that seems to follow you like your own shadow. Ominous and yet somehow uplifting, the hyptnotizing organ play combined with von Hausswolff’s chant-like vocal runs raises you out of the ashes like the phoenix and stays with you for days.
Coming To A City Near You: Anna von Hausswolff tour dates can be found here.
And that means…
Artist: Son Lux
Album: “Brighter Wounds”
Label: City Slang
Reason We’re Cranking It: Like a soundtrack to a trippy dream playing in its entirety throughout every nook and cranny of our subconscious mind, the album takes us on a steady tram ride high above the haunting songwriting of Ryan Lott. Your job is to sit back, enjoy the ride, and take in the scenery.
What The Album Tells Us About Them: Lott and his fellow Son Lux’ers aren’t just writing songs, they’re establishing an environment, building an ambiance that becomes part and parcel of the experience. If the band were a piece of bread, “Brighter Wounds” would be the butter.
Track Stuck On Repeat: “Dream State” doesn’t only offer a callback to our reason for playing the album at obscenely loud levels, it also pumps us up, inspiring us to get back in touch with our New Year’s resolutions and improve our physical and/or emotional selves. And therein lies the beauty of music… its ability to impact you beyond the surface.
Coming To A City Near You: Son Lux tour dates can be found here.
And that means…
