If It's Too Loud...

Photo by CJ Harvey Something about the latest single from Babehoven is simply magical. "Three Reds" leans more towards the world of folk, but it has plenty of indie rock for us all. It starts off simply, as a lush and irresistible alt-folk song. Singer/songwriter Maya Bon has never sounded as great as she does here, and her vocals are the true star of "Three Reds." Eventually, a more indie rock sound overtakes the song with plenty of feedback, and that somehow only adds to the song's beauty. We've been fans of Babehoven's charming combination of folk and indie rock for a while, and "Three Reds" might be one of the best examples of their sound so far. Maya Bon says of the band's latest single: "’Three Reds’ is inspired by a game we play on tour — we gain points by counting cars of the same color passing by. The song plays with synesthesia and the tension between concealment and exposure, sitting with the idea that we are made of the sam...

Photo by Jason Rothenberg October 2 will see the release of Contra-ICA Vol. 1: ICE OUT , a benefit compilation put together by Build Art Make Change. It's a whopping forty-seven tracks long, and the first single is out now. It's from Katheen Hanna (Bikini Kill, Le Tigre, The Julie Ruin), who teams with Ad-Rock (Beastie Boys), Money Mark, Fredo Ortiz, and Frank Figueroa. I would expect it to be a highly political song, but instead it's a cover of Justin Bieber's "Let Me Love You." I'm completely familiar with the original, but this cover is a lot of fun. It's the kind of song that people will first listen because they're fans of the artists involved, or just curiosity, but they're going to stay since it's a fun song. I doubt the original is as disco centered as Hanna and friends' version, but it also doesn't have the same indie cred. BAMC founder Dali Colorado says of the upcoming compilation: “ Contra-ICE is not only an album. It is...

Photo by Mason Poole In the world of indie rock and music journalism, the term "mainstream" is typically used in a derogatory manner. Because of that, I tend to try to avoid using it, but sometimes a song is just mainstream and there's nothing wrong with that. Allison Russell's latest single is the pinnacle of what mainstream folk or singer-songwriter can be. "Really Real" also features a verse from multi-platinum artist Norah Jones. The song certainly isn't breaking any boundaries, or rewriting what a song can be. However, it's simply a great song that can be liked by anyone (except for maybe metalheads or indie snobs). Russell and Jones have amazing vocals separately, and magic happens when they harmonize. This is music that any generation can genuinely enjoy, and shows that Russell belongs with the upper echelon of her peers. You can watch the video for "Really Real" below. In the Hour of Chaos is available now via Fantasy Records. For m...

Photo courtesy of The Alan Wolmark Archive As I previously stated , Ben Folds Five's 1995 self-titled first album was wildly important and vital to who I am today, and why I'm probably/definitely overly obsessed with music. Last month, Ben Folds announced they were issuing an expanded version of the album with alternate takes. It's mostly their first attempt at recording the album, which was shelved and re-recorded as the version we all know and love. They just released the Shelved First Attempt of "Philosophy," and with this one I can truly hear the difference. The Shelved First Attempt is a much cleaner and produced version. For me, the rougher aspect of the album was always one of my favorite parts, especially how they always made what I can now see as piano pop sound more punk and indie rock. This unreleased version of "Philosophy" is good, but it's a little too polished. If you were lucky enough to see them play live during this period, you know...

Photo by Noah Lenker The past two singles from Lily Seabird have been larger, more rock based songs. The Vermont artist is back with another single that shows off her more folk and Americana side. "The Afterglow" is a quiet song that focuses more on Seabird's vocals and lyrics. It has a slight twang to it, and strings that seem to counteract that style. Those opposing sounds end up working rather well together, and help make "The Afterglow" one of the most compelling songs out there. This is a track that sounds well polished but with a rougher, more lo-fi edge to it. We're currently in a time where artists aren't constrained by strict genres or styles, and that lets an artist like Seabird shine. Lily Seabird says of her latest single: “For part of this song, I imagined the perspective of the person who crashed their car through our fence and into our yard a couple weeks before,” says Seabird. “I wrote this song when I still lived at trash mountain. I met...

Photo courtesy of the artist Perennial are one of my favorite bands, but, like many of the bands I adore, they're an acquired taste. That being said, their latest single could be the one that wins them over a larger, more mainstream audience. "Ready! Steady! Go!" still has everything we love from Perennial. It's a two minute burst of art punk, but more of the lighter version of the genre. They're leaning very heavily into their mod inspirations, and this one has a bit of a The Kinks go garage rock sound. Perennial have been one of my favorite live bands for the past few years, and "Ready! Steady! Go!" is their first recorded song that (almost) catches the fun of their live show. Chad Jewitt (guitar, vocals) says of the band's latest single: “'Ready! Steady! Go!' Is us having an absolute blast in the studio; probably both our most POP song and our most psychedelic too. We definitely had mid/late-60s Motown in mind with the vibraphones and elec...

Photo by Seannie Bryan It's been twelve years and four albums since Caroline Rose released their Americana masterpiece I Will Not Be Afraid. Since then, they've gone in more of an indie rock/bizarro pop direction. Their latest single, "Chow Mein," is still more in that style, but for the first time in over a decade I can also hear their country roots showing. The new single is a relatively laid back song that's fun and more than a little groovy. It's filled with fantastic vocal harmonies. "Chow Mein" also has a delightful polished DIY feeling to it. The best part of Rose's constant musical transformation is that all of their releases feel like natural extensions of each other, making her discography feel like a true collection of music. Caroline Rose says of their latest single: “I relate to characters who are a little strange, who are outsiders, who seem to fuck up a lot or find themselves in awkward situations. Most of these stories are just pu...

Photo by Shelby Brakken There's just something about Laura Veirs' version of folk and singer-songwriter that is completely unique. Her latest single, "Arc Still Bends," is about as straightforward of a song as you can get... except it's not. It has moments that are oddly aggressive, and it sounds almost DIY at others. Veirs arranges her songs in such a unique way that the parts aren't wildly different, but the structure is. "Arc Still Bends" is a gorgeous song that has some unexpected dissonance throughout. Veirs is such a wildly unique artist that could easily cross over into the mainstream without losing a single indie fan. Laura Veirs says of her latest single: “This song wrestles with whether Martin Luther King Jr.’s idea that ‘the arc of the moral universe bends toward justice’ still holds true.  It sits in that uneasy space between doubt and hope–grappling with a sense of futility in the present moment, while the chorus reaches for something br...