I’ve got another great release for you all from a good friend of the Music Court, Christoffer Øien and his Future Sounds. The new single, which was released on the first of this month, is the perfect way to break away from the long winter in both Norway and New York – you see, Øien, as always, his international appeal. “Reach” is carried by a steady chord progression and a lightly plucked melody. The verse finds Øien’s sultry voice utilizing a Colin Hay-like tone that sounds analogous to a nicely steamed latte or a perfect Spring day. Øien is not afraid to bounce his voice up to a falsetto once or twice and this serves as a perfect complement to the crashing drums of the drums. Shout out also to the excellent melody in the chorus and dulcet strings. “Reach” also features a slide guitar solo interlude that fits snugly into this multifarious release.
As has been stated several times now on this blog, Christoffer Øien and the Future Sounds are an exciting band creating exciting music, and you should be listening to them!
Take one listen to Cali Blake, and listeners will be flooded with soul and a dark finesse. Hailing from New Orleans, female singer/songwriter presents a mixture of heartfelt songs, poignant narratives, and elements of the dark turn of love as well from the album Cicadas In The Sun. Those who are fans of female musicians who are self-reflective, while still making a conscious effort to connect with the audience will have Cali Blake on repeat in their play list. Some examples of such lyrics, from the track High include “string you about like broken Christmas lights, and when I breathe you in/that’s how it all begins”. Whether you have had that relationship that you want to hold on to or otherwise, Blake’s lyrics set themselves up for multi-faceted interpretations.
With an upbeat-club like ambient sound starting off the track, Falling, Totemic puts the listener right into a futuristic experience. Performing at well-known festivals in Eastern Canada, their roster list of credits include Harvest, All Stars, OM, and Solstice. Amidst the musical scene that Toronto has to offer, Totemic’s unique fusion between electronic and futuristic sound sets them up for musical success. Set to release May 17th, tracks of the Falling EP, include a combination of violin with the heavily synthed and EDM undertones. In addition to an impressive impact within the festival scene, Totemic has also performed with Daega Sound, Funk Hunters, and Gremlinz. Fans of EDM music, sounds of the future, and experimental artists, Totemic will have you experiencing something new and unfamiliar to your ears.
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.
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