If It's Too Loud...

Artist : Johanna Samuels Album : Bystander Quick Thoughts : Johanna Samuel's latest is a gorgeous folk-adjacent listen, to be sure, but I want to especially note that this gives off immense Aimee Mann vibes in all the best ways. It's an introspective, interesting record with some great songwriting and absolutely memorable moments. Easily my favorite of the week and one I'm looking forward to getting back to. Songs of Note : "Holy Mothers," "Golden Gate," "Valentine's Day is Stupid" Artist : The Watson Twins Album : Holler Quick Thoughts : Most people (still) only know the Watson Twins from their work with Jenny Lewis on her first solo album, and it's not fair. The two women have put out some consistent roots efforts over the years, and Holler is good enough where I start to wonder why they're not talked about more. Do not skip this one, it's a great listen. Songs of Note : "Holler," "Sissy Said," ...

Photo by David-Simon Dayan Johanna Samuels is an artist making folk pop that is so close to being mainstream but has just enough of a unique sound to keep it interesting. Her new single, "Ugly on the Inside," sounds a little like modern Jenny Lewis but a little more country. It has this upbeat sound to it, and it's an absolutely beautiful song. If it was just a perfectly straightforward folk pop song, it would be a wonderful song. But something about "Ugly on the Inside" sets it apart from other songs. Samuels just has a slight quirk to the song that keeps it unique and compelling. Plus, Samuels' voice has this quality I've never heard before. There's a natural twang to her vocals that doesn't quite sound like anyone else. It helps suck in the listener and demands that you listen to her lyrics even if you're not typically a lyrics person. Johanna Samuels says of her new single: “This song is a combination of both my inner demons and some expe...

Artist : Johanna Samuels Album : Excelsior! Quick Thoughts : I love good singer-songwriter folk-adjacent music these days, and the title of this record definitely gives off a fun and light vibe. The actual music, though, is extremely appealing, with a lot of interesting stuff going on. I love the gorgeous instrumentation, and the songwriting is top notch. If you're looking for something really pretty and gorgeous, with enough interesting flourishes to keep you coming back? This is your record. Songs of Note : "Sonny," "Nature's Way," "All is Fine" Artist : Smol Data Album : Inconvenience Store Quick Thoughts : I don't recall how I tripped up on Smol Data but holy crap is this good and fun. This is a neat little indie pop/punk record that's really just a good time start to finish. It reminds me a lot of The Beths crossed with Illuminati Hotties, which is right down my alley and might be up your alley, too. Songs of Note : ...