Hailing from Canada, Post Death Soundtrack does not disappoint with its new wave trip hop sound. Set to release May 27th, a standout track from their upcoming album entitled The Unlearning Curve holds David Bowie undertones and elements of new wave. You Can’t Go Back delves deep into a narrative of a wandering mind, with poignant lyrics such as “you can’t go back, the system is out of order, and we all throw our hands out”. Further making references to falling in a rabbit hold will make the listener think they are reminded of Alice In Wonderland and the merging of reality and dreaming collide. Within the track as well are references to serpents as well, perhaps alluding to a forbidden fruit concept as well in such a simple, yet complex track. If you are wanting to listen to a band that has classical influences mixed with some new age thinking, The Unlearning Curve from Post Death Soundtrack should be next on your musical playlist.
Now from the category of best album I completely missed in 2015, Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats self-titled release may be one of the better releases not just last year but for some years prior. Look, as loyal readers of this blog – which is celebrating its wool/copper anniversary – may have noticed, posts have not been abundant over the past several months. If the blogosphere was a plush, verdant forest, The Music Court has turned into a desiccated wasteland with small oases (did you know that was the plural of oasis? I didn’t) in patchy areas of dirt and tumbleweed. That said, when I have a few moments to myself and when a band like Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats pops up in my music search I just need to share it.
When I first heard Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats I immediately thought about the soulful renderings of artists like Booker T, Otis Redding, and Sam & Dave: heavy soul with deep horn instrumentals featuring a powerful vocalist whose voice reverberated like an expensive scotch burnings one’s insides. Apparently my ear was as keen as the individuals over at STAX records where the aforementioned artists cut their teeth and where Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats are signed. And, boy what a great signing that was.
Let’s start out of the gate strong with the band’s single, “SOB,” which pairs a bluegrass-inspired song about the classic blues trope – alcohol – with a Blues Brothers inspired video. The song, which apparently – according to a BBC interview – was first constructed as a joke, gained immense popularity, and that has sang to the tune of more than 15 million YouTube plays on the video. If one told me that only 15 people have listened to the song but have done so 1 million times a piece, I would believe you. I’m actually not sure how one listens to the song only once. “SOB” is musical pringles, a veritable earworm that latches on with a toe-tapping spiritual hum and then eats away with Nathaniel Rateliff’s raspy croon that preaches behind an adept rhythm section. Try to not listen to this song over and over again. Just try.
“I Need Never Get Old,” which is the song that turned me on to the band, actually features a stronger rhythm, starting with percussion and a rising horn riff that leads into an echoey vocal. The staccato pace carries the rhythm to new heights and the gradual crescendo towards the end is powerful. The video, which features the band slowly losing its mind after 100s of takes of the song and then quite literally growing old at the end, is oddly fitting. The band is a little quirky, featuring a soulful sound not heard often today, and its quirkiness is due to the old sound that the band produces.
Ringing in electronic and synthesized sounds, award winning Estonian experimental pop/electronic group Tehnoloogiline Paike brings an original sound in the synth pop world. Leader of the rising group, Evar Anvelt carries the group into a sound that can be cited as almost dream pop, carrying heavy synth and strategically placed ambient sounds. The creative process involved use of analog instruments and effect processors as well, yielding an organic, yet futuristic sound. Breaking It explores also the stream of consciousness with lyrics such as “shadows following me, floating the ground”. With a sound very similar to the early days of Animal Collective, Panda Bear, and Black Moth Super Rainbow, listeners can anticipate Tehnoloogiline Paike to continue carving their way in their own dimension.
Bitter’s Kiss Self Titled Album brings out the inner hearty angst that anyone has post breakup, build up of heartache, and unrequited love. Chloe Baker’s voice paints a heartfelt picture through the tracks and the soft strums of the guitar and accompanying piano carries the 90s acoustic sound the album has overall. Baker’s vocals sound reminiscent of Allison Kraus, and have a soft ethereal quality to them. Her newest single, “No One Will” was shot in Cork, Ireland and delivers a reflective tone and artistic reflection throughout the video. For only having released other songs since 2015, its not too surprising that Baker has made herself known within a short amount of time. Overall, the album delivers almost a growth of emotions, ranging from heartache to sometimes a melancholic stream of consciousness. With Baker’s reflective songwriting and continued growth as a songwriter, listeners should take note of Bitter’s Kiss anthems.
So That You Can Feel Better opens with soft piano melodies, reminiscent of 90s grunge and the sound of Angela Burn’s voice pulls you in immediately. Her vocals will remind listeners a little bit of Emily Haines, Allison Mosshart, or a modern Amy Lee. Listeners should not be surprised that Burns’ upbringing in Austin, Texas with pop and grunge influences as they definitely are appear in her mixtape and overall sound. The track, Napoleon stands out for listeners with its heavy grunge tones and it being a song about power and has a mood of fury. Another song that overall, goes hand in hand with the album title So That You Can Feel Better, is All Together. It carries the most angst, the path of growing up, being overall strong, and not looking back. The overall tone of the mixtape would be best described as a cross of fueled emotions, struggles, and definitely has songs that can be your new rock anthem for the soul.
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