If It's Too Loud...

Photo by Gabe Long Been Stellar mix up some of their 90's alt-rock influences in their latest single, but we certainly don't mind when these are the results. "Sweet" has that floating dream pop quality that edges at times into shoegaze, especially with some of that guitar work. At other times, the guitar is far more jangly, and others there is almost a post punk beat. But, "Sweet" just straight up rocks in a power ballad sort of way. To me this is sounding like of Catherine Wheel leaned into their sensitivity more than they already did. This is a highly engaging song that latches onto the listener tightly without even hinting at wanting to let go. Vocalist Sam Slocum says of the band's new single: “ We were all intrigued by the simplicity of the verse, it felt like something we would usually shy away from.  I really tried to let the music inform the lyrics, and to not overthink what was coming from the song’s natural feeling. One of the first lines that ...

I truly hate just lifting a description from an artist's press release, but sometimes they just nail it. According to the press release for Savoir Faire's latest single, Sarah Fard's musical project is "... floating somewhere between jazz and art rock." "Sweet" perfectly reflects that description. Fard's vocals definitely bring the jazz sound, but in the way that Fiona Apple sings jazz. Musically the song definitely has jazz roots, but it meanders throughout a musical spectrum that kind of reminds me of Tori Amos with less piano and a killer guitar solo. "Sweet" is a unique song that deftly delves into art rock while still being accessible to a fairly mainstream audience.  In the same press release, Sarah Fard says of the new song: “'Sweet' is a rejection of the term so often thrown upon myself and other women. Throughout my career, I've been consistently told that I am 'sweet'. Though well intended, the term carries wit...

Photo by El Hardwick If Porridge Radio's last single, "Lilac," had us excited for their upcoming album, "Sweet" has us in a frenzy. You know that whole loud/quiet/loud thing the Pixies trademarked and Nirvana made famous? Porridge Radio have reinvented it completely. "Sweet" is pure alt-rock glory. You know the loud parts are coming, but you don't quite know when. The quiet parts feel more quiet and more intense because of this. And the loud parts? They're just ferocious, and you find yourself needing them more and more while you wait. "Sweet" is the kind of song that will remind you of why you love music. Lead singer Dana Margolin explains the song: " ‘ Sweet’ is a song about holding grudges and learning how to have fun and letting go of an old version of yourself.  I was feeling light-hearted when I wrote it, but when we came together to play it as a band, it suddenly felt really dramatic and exciting. When we play it liv...