Derek Smith and the Cosmic Vultures - Songs from the Plastic Ballroom

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We've gotten used to getting singles from Derek Smith and the Cosmic Vultures, so getting a four song EP all at once is a treat! The Boston based band released Songs from the Plastic Ballroom last week, and it combines everything we've come to love from the Boston based band. "Rolling Over" starts out as a groovy, psychedelic soul song with roots in Americana. From there, "I Don't Wanna See You Cry" is a slowed down neo-soul song that will mesmerize anyone listening. I think this might be the most Smith has leaned into his soul side, and he nails it. "Astral Days" keeps the funky side of the band intact, albeit in slightly more of an alt-rock kind of style. Closing out the EP is "Surreal World," which lets Smith truly shine. It keeps the groovy, soulful style of Songs from the Plastic Ballroom going, but cranks up the psychedelic factor. It's great to see an artist play around with their sound, and Derek Smith and the Cosmic Vultures expand themselves quite a bit on this collection of songs.

You can listen to Songs from the Plastic Ballroom below, and is available through Bandcamp. For more on Derek Smith and the Cosmic Vultures, check out the band on Instagram and Facebook.

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Hiding Places - "Waiting"

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Photo by Calli Westra Brooklyn's Hiding Places are originally from North Carolina, and that sound is all over their latest single. "Waiting" has a strong alt-country meets dark indie rock sound. The song is as hypnotic as it is heartbreaking. Even if you're not paying attention to the lyrics, the vibe of the song is overwhelmingly dark and somber. There's plenty of country twang and indie rock fuzz throughout the song, with the music carrying the weight of the song as much as vocalist/guitarist Nicholas Byrne's voice does. The song is stunning, both in its beauty and mood. I feel like I've been sitting on "Waiting" for a while now until I could fully wrap my head around it. Hiding Places has something truly special here. Nicholas Byrne says of his band's latest single: "Hiding Places’ first bassist, Anthony Cozzarelli, left the band in July of 2022. I wrote the chorus the day before Anthony left the band. I recalled the slow death of my ...
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Failure - "The Air's on Fire"

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Photo by Lyndsey Byrnes With their upcoming seventh overall studio album, the highly influential band Failure will have released more albums since reuniting in 2014 than they did during their first run. The first single from that album, "The Air's on Fire," shows the band expanding their sound while still being rooted in what has always made them great. The song is a dark and moody one that is always threatening to explode but never quite does. This is an example of 90's alt-rock meets art rock at its very finest. It's the kind of song that could easily have come out thirty years ago, but that doesn't mean it sounds dated. After the first listen, "The Air's on Fire" will sound like a killer alt-rocker from a 90's band that hasn't lost a step at all. The more you listen, the more complex Failure get on the single, and the more the song reveals itself to you. Ken Andrews says of his band's latest single: “That song is directly about my ...
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Mama's Broke - "How it Ends"

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Mama's Broke, the post-folk Canadian duo of Lisa Maria and Amy Lou Keeler, have just released a break up song that might be their most accessible yet. While the previous singles from their upcoming album have a certain darkness or a sense of foreboding, "How it Ends" sounds relatively upbeat. Considering this is a song about how you never think you'll find someone as good as your ex after a break up, that's quite a feat. This is a traditional folk song with some slightly modern folk harmonies. As much heartbreak as their is in "How it Ends," there is also the warmth of remembering a recent relationship. You can listen to "How it Ends" below. Narrow Line is due out May 13 on Free Dirt Records, and can be pre-ordered here . For more on Mama's Broke, check out the artist's website .
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