If It's Too Loud...

Artist : Queen of Jeans Album : All Again Quick Thoughts : Been a fan of Queen of Jeans for a bit and this album is definitely a play for the folk-rock mainstream, but songs like "Karaoke" are radio-friendly in the best way, and "Last to Try" one of the better songs they've thrown together. This could be a breakthrough for them, so check this one out. Songs of Note : "All My Friends," "Karaoke," "Neighbors," "Bitter Pill," "Last to Try" Artist : Towa Bird Album : American Hero Quick Thoughts : Towa Bird is a young guitarist out of the NYC area, and this debut full-length is Charlotte Hatherley by way of Girl in Red. Confessional, hazy rock songs with a little edge and a lot of fun, even the parts that feel like they might stumble out of control (like "B.I.L.L.S.," which could be cringeworthy in less skilled hands) work well. This is a great record from a great talent, and I'm looking forw...

Photo by Fernie Renteria Jenny Parrott is one of those artists that you're either going to adore or just not get, with very little in between. They're labelled an alt-folk artist, although that description doesn't quite fit their latest single. "I Hear It All the Time" is a song heavy on the Omnichord, with Parrott's vocals sounding more like a 60's girl group than anything on the folk side. It's a fun and somewhat quirky track that reminds me of 90's artists like Money Mark or Beastie Boys side project BS2000. We're definitely landing on the adoring Jenny Parrott side of things, and hopefully you'll be joining us! Jenny Parrott says of their latest single: “It’s that awful burn in your chest when people casually mention someone who has deeply wounded you, and you wonder if it was all your fault.” You can watch the video for "I Hear It All the Time" below. Love Spell is due out June 28. For more on Jenny Parrott, check out the art...

Photo by Fernie Renteria A lot of music that is considered experimental folk tends to be large songs and complicated arrangements. Austin's Jenny Parrott makes experimental folk, but a very simple and stripped down version. Their latest single, "The Other Cheek," has a unique swirling quality to it, but other than that it's a fairly standard singer-songwriter track. Except, it's not really. Parrott just has this certain musical quality that makes a song like "The Other Cheek" wonderfully unique. This new song is simple, but sneakily complex, and endlessly engaging. It's the type of song that rewards you after multiple listens by discovering new qualities each time. Jenny Parrott says of her latest single: “The track explores what it feels like when people tell you to turn the other cheek – or change your emotions, or outlook, or to forgive – and the feeling of wanting to but also being uncertain about how.”  You can watch the video for "The Othe...