MISS KARLSSON AND THE FOOD PROVIDERS - Car Radio
- English (US)
MISS KARLSSON AND THE FOOD PROVIDERS’ latest single “Car Radio” thrives on its sense of freedom and togetherness. It is easy to imagine this track playing during a long stretch of highway.
Charlotte Hall-Squeeze
Remember those glory years when Stevie Nicks continued as a solo artist? Yes, I miss them too. Not any more though, Charlotte Hall comes pretty close to channelling Stevie, while adding her own magic to the mix. Imposter syndrome might not allow Charlotte to compare herself to a legend, but we can Squeeze that confession out of her. Nailed it. Yes, that’s her single. With a funky bass line getting us underway, Charlotte gives us all parts of disco, funk and early pop. The years when it was good because there was so much room for experimentation. Her unadulterated vocals allow a real honesty to the lyrics, floating by as the breezy song keeps us hooked to it. The subtle bass beat is just enough, not taking away from the rhythm section and most importantly, not from Charlotte’s voice. The synths build for the chorus section, an interesting and fun number that has that stickiness factored into the DNA. Even though the song is every bit pop, I like how Charlotte Hall hasn’t layered away the strumming of the guitar or the natural twang of the bass that helps the live instruments have some agency. The track is can contend on the best of her tracks list, Braid, I Feel Alive and Stratosphere being some that I really liked. So when you remember that raw chemistry from Love Actually or Perks of Being A Wallflower, this track is going to give that scene so much more momentum!
Matt Saxton-Animal
Matt Saxton knows his way around complexity. Some say simplicity is the polar opposite. I truly believe it’s what is the rudiment of the most virtuosic elements of art. His single, Animal is a testament to this belief of mine. It is a simple, beautiful and effective track with simple yet hard hitting lyrics. Animal is from the same artist who brought you the song Seabird. That track was a very successful, highly streamed track. What is common from Matt Saxton’s songwriting is to keep it relatable yet simple, something everyone can find a different story and meaning in. I know this isn’t about me, but Matt’s song triggered a memory. It was during quarantine, and when I was noodling around on the keyboard, I played these same four chords. They aren’t complex, yet they convey a very essential emotional discourse with perfection. I’m no songwriter so I did nothing with it. In another part of the world, someone did. Matt Saxton uses the rich honesty of the piano with some basic drum backdrop and harmonics. That’s it. No frills and solos and other complicated stuff that hinders relaying that message. The primal nature of man and the defaulting of DNA. Where instinct takes over and conscience and civilized behavior are buried. Where one thing effects us all in the same way. These are just undertones from this hauntingly beautiful track that inspires and propagates humanities greatest boon and bane. I can picture this track being played perhaps in the ending of Oceans Thirteen right at that beautiful climax! Perfect! Check out the plot summary here - https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0496806/synopsis
Blake Dagley-The Nashville Sessions
Similar to Chicago’s popular album with the same name, Blake Dagley is here to rediscover his sound. The Nashville Sessions is Blake’s latest album release, a triple A side of energetic, whole soul music. With a bit of folk, Americana and blues whirlpool that he entertains, Blake wants to really earmark a signature sound. Though his voice is instantly recognizable, these are his best compositions yet. Let’s get into it. It is important that you realize your strongest suit. Blake has a semi-husky warm voice that is inviting yet invigorating. Ain’t Going Down Like This uses this to his advantage, paired with simple instrumentals. His track entertains the possibility of really letting a progression marinate before exploding into something larger. As this paper plane unfolds, you start to put together Blake’s design, simple yet effective. The Nashville Sessions are underway with a great track. With a much softer opening, Paradox uses the dreamy, floating tone of the electric. Blake proceeds with his pipes on display, touching lyrics that make you pause for a while. It is a bare to the bones approach to watch someone discover themselves through their art. Not only does it chart your progress, but takes a while for honesty to seep through. The instruments do a 50/50 with the vocals, each lifting the other to an elevated state of thought in performance. A tribute to oneself, executed with truth. Songwriting and purpose Milly has another great simple melody and clean progression. We all love hearing a silky, fingerpicking pattern that dictates lot of the song. Milly shows Blake’s passion for reason, and turning infatuation and affection to something bigger to the best that humans can do. Create. The Nashville Sessions see Blake take an acoustic, often skimmed over part as one loses themselves in crafting instrumentals. It is true songwriting skill here. From Melodies: Vol 1, this is a nice step into the wild. It is something that teaches artists who chase complication or massive airtime the essence. Not only of music and songwriting, but drive. This is a three track Magna Carta from Blake Dagley, and he has foraged for his own sound. As you watch Into the Wild or The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, you'll hear this perfectly fitting into the setting. So go ahead, and enjoy!
Fish and Scale-The Kid
Fish and Scale is the performers name Roland Wälzlein has adopted. It mostly must have to do with his unique indie sound and the ripples he’s creating with his tracks. His latest is The Kid, a single from his album You Can Call Me Love. The song is a persona of dramatic proportions, the mass of which can be felt as well as heard. He has a great palette of inspirations: You mentioned Dylan and I can’t deny that he is an inspiration but also Neil Young, David Bowie or Lou Reed. Focusing on the primaries and the deep tones of guitar and piano, Fish and Scale uses moments to craft niches of drama into the mind. The listener is enthralled in the moment, the tale that unravels slowly and reveals itself furthermore every turn. To further accentuate this drama, Fish and Scale has perpetuates factions of dramatic instrumentation just past the first bridge. From the artist himself: The Kid“ tells the story of a child caught in an undefined pain. We all have this child inside us. From a young age, we unconsciously adopt the belief patterns and thought patterns of family and society and thus lose contact with ourselves. If this early separation from our true personality core is not dissolved, we often take the wrong paths later in life. We stumble and feel like a lone wolf wandering in the depths of the woods, longing for the moon and an unknown home. The video for the song shows the initially futile search for one’s own identity and the long road back to freedom. I won’t get into the words and lyrics; they are profound enough for you to derive your own imagery. A fantastic job has been done overall altering the narrative style of Dylan and putting the effort in to create something that has flavors from everywhere. The vocals alter with a weight that is unfathomable past the chaos of the instruments, traversing real and true emotion. On asking him about the roots of these songs: All my inspiration comes from my own experiences. The songs arise spontaneously from within me. I am a Singer/Songwriter and usually I perform live as a solo artist. It is this reduced way of music that interests me and I guess I’ve found my own style. I don’t have anything to offer in criticism due to what this song carries. It shows a part of the performer that is vulnerable at moments, truthful to himself. For sometimes, that is all you need to create beautiful art. Catch him on tour in the US next year. Breaking Bad is a show that comes to mind when I hear this masterpiece. Check out the series here - https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/breaking_bad
Marc Delgado-Wildwood Road
You might have heard of Marc Delgado from his single, The Cautionary Tale of Richard Manuel. The track was a beautiful single to release, combining Marc’s writing talent and simple music structure to create something that stands out within the ordinary. Now he releases his album, Wildwood Road, an assortment of different stories compiled for his listeners. Marc Delgado’s interesting journey Marc’s tales have the undertones of a travelers. His music reflects the same, like his opening track, We Drove out Through the Dust. The voiceovers have the desired effect, creating suspense for for the rest of the album, as it should. Marc tells me about his journey into music: When I was 39 I was very sick. I had been living a particular way for a long time. Hearing voices & was physical illness. I had to change my lifestyle or I was going to die. In a moment of, I don’t know what it was, clarity or spirituality or stubbornness, I decided I wanted to live. I got sober, begun playing the guitar & writing obsessively. I realized I didn’t want to do anything else. The jobs I had & the way I was living became meaningless to me. I quit the what I was doing to make money, I was working in a grocery store & waiting tables, & started driving around & performing wherever they would let me. Solace and a new chapter He seems to have found solace in many places, like the track California suggests. With the classic rock vibe, Marc is all praises for the beauty of the place, the people and the stories it has given him. This inspired me to ask him about his process in music, his inspirations and masters he reveres: Well the kind of music I grew up with & that inspired me is guitar & piano oriented rock n roll. I guess it is called classic rock now. It is music that is lyric driven &, I think, honest. Music that has something to say. Petty definitely had something to say, but he was also concerned with writing a “great” song. Neil Young is the reason I wanted to learn to play guitar. Bob Dylan, Van Morrison, R.E.M. The emphasis is on the song. I love John Darnielle of The Mountain Goats. His albums are like short stories. I love literature. I love poetry & stories. The Novelists: Denis Johnson & Jonathan Lethem & Michael Chabon. Poets: Larry Levis & Phil Levine. These artists kept me alive. If it wasn’t for music & books I would have been sunk, lost for good. These stories & songs found me & let me know I wasn’t alone with my madness. I want to do the same. I want to give something back. A path that should not be This is where we chance upon his previously released single, The Cautionary Tale of Richard Manuel. Perhaps he had something to teach Marc, for he seems to have switched his life around with music as a savior and messiah. He talks about the same track that influenced him so much: The obvious answer is Richard Manuel. He was a beautiful musician who was destroyed by addiction. I use his story to tell mine. He killed himself & I am still here. Why? Why do some people get a 2nd or 3rd or in my case 50th chance & some don’t? It is inexplicable. I feel very lucky I was able to leave that locked room. All of the songs on this record are autobiographical & are written about a specific person in my life or myself. I pay tribute to my mother & her early death in “We Drove Out Through the Dust” & how it sent me spinning out of control. “Conquistador Blues” is a song about my Grandfather, who killed himself, & my father & myself. That strange relationship between fathers & sons. “Fugue” is written for my wife Melanie Delgado. “Mary, the Interstate…” for my daughter Mary. It is a very personal album. These are songs I “had’ to write. Other tales to narrate The Queens of Coming & Going does exactly that. It is a fable that needs to be told, people need to hear. It comes from the writers own heart, from experiences and moments that have been pivotal to him. The acoustic grace of The Wild Dogs of Central Valley also tells a tale of a vagabond that is searching for a home, demons chasing him continually. Simple yet in contrast, effective. What Wildwood Road is about: Wildwood Road is a short story. It takes you on a little ride from my troubled life in California to my life now living in Woodstock, NY w my wife & daughter. I lived my whole life as an addict. Leading a double life until the dark half completely took over. Then I made a change. I decided to start living. Reflecting on my life & doing what I always wanted to do. I met my wife. I chose love instead of fear. That is ultimately what the record is about. Writing with passion-family and friends Writing for his daughter, Mary The Interstate… is another track that is a lesson in itself. Teaching a pupil from experiences of his own, Marc tells tales that might guide, and provide the advice you might need. Fugue, is a strange state of transition that is again a snippet from Marc’s previous troubled life. A state of tiredness, from where self reflection might begin and teach lessons. Reeling into Conquistador Blues, Marc slowly shifts to the new life he wants to live. As it is a tale of progress and change, it is a library of metaphors and moments from a new man’s old book. Music has been a savior to him, as clearly heard in his carefully thought out, personal music. Marc Delgado on the road again Marc Delgado will be traveling with his music, something he has definitely wished for all his life. On asking about his future plans, Marc says: I hope to be able to get back to performing. I know we all do. It’s out of my hands. I will continue to collaborate w my partner Justin Tracy, my songwriting partner & producer. Wildwood Road is our first project together & we are very excited to see what we can do next! I am working on a new batch of songs & have some ideas about what to do next. I have a book coming out soon that is a collection of short stories, poems & essays. It is meant to accompany the songs on Wildwood Road. It is called: “The Black Socks: A book of stories & poems & other stuff that may or may not have actually happened…” I am very excited for this. I can easily see one of the tracks from the album being used in the film The Tree of Life. Check out the film here - https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_tree_of_life_2011
Chucky Trading Co-Honey Bee
Talk about a pleasant surprise. Something that should belong in our time now, but unfortunately doesn’t in the mainstream. Fortunately for my selfish good, I get to hear some cocooned gems in the indie music world. Chucky Trading Co is a collective I’m truly grateful for. Their single is Honey Bee, an innocent, beautiful song with some great elements. If you’ve watched Jakob Dylan chase the nostalgia in Echoes in the Canyon on Netflix, you know how important the Laurel Canyon was for folk rock. Some of the most important names from Dylan to The Byrds and Beach Boys came from that movement. And yes, Tom Petty as well. Reviving that same magic with some great chord progressions, CS Taber & Everett Young give you a nostalgia ride but with their own sprinkle of fairy dust. The lyrics have to be heard to be appreciated. Platonic in a sense, playfully innocent and crafted with the heart, Honey Bee has to be felt to be appreciated. With a Brian Wilson style progression, Chucky Trading Co share the warmth of love and infatuation with this rare song. The melody is arranged with such compassion that it reminded me of my favorite song of The Byrds’, It Won’t Be Wrong. Not similar by symphony, but just how I felt listening to it. It is the mark of some great songwriters and musicians, and I am excited for their album due for release in December. I'd love to see this track being used in the George Clooney movie The Descendants. Check out the film here - https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_descendants_2011
Yorige- Kalėdų Belaukiant
Yorige has a sensational way of inviting you into a scene. Their sound represents freedom, a dose of magic and the uncanny ability to transport you with their sound. Kalėdų Belaukiant is their latest single, once again opening a portal to a moment beyond time and space. Time to float on notes of chimes and bells to a promised land. How she gets her heavenly sound is a celestial connect. It takes tons of experience and fluidic chord changes for the arrangement that has come to fruition. The lack of percussion twirls the focus on the beautiful instrumentals and vocals, the dance that happens between them. The vocals almost phase between the foreground and background, being careful not to disrupt the ethereal flow of the track and the moment therein. It is a wonderful composition, and paints quite the picture. This is what I envisioned. It is a climb to the peak, a pinnacle that has been evasive. The scene begins with the beleaguered struggle of climbing a peak, trudging across snow. As the goal approaches within arms reach, the song begins, joy flushing the protagonist’s face. I imagine a film like Everest or even Eight Below capturing this song with the scenic beauty of the song and the exasperated desert that is populated with the warmth of this song. As we’re approaching the holiday season, I must remind you that the literal meaning of the song is Waiting for Christmas. I know this is less dramatic than what the word painting I made, however, Christmas movies have a predictable pattern. The drama in this beautiful song could never be captured in those films, do check out Motina by Yorige as well. This is one talented group who continues to craft exquisite music and inspire.
Clay Joule-Nothing Like Loving You
Clay Joule is as much of a hero as he is a musician. His single is an effort to raise awareness about pet adoption. With his soulful banjo playing and rich, rhythm heavy songs, we hear the miracles of his lyrics as well. This is Nothing Like Loving You, the endless, faithful love expressed by song. The opening of the song is with the banjo, setting the mood for this wonderful song. As it builds, we get to hear some chiming string play, between acoustic strums and the tempo spine. The lyrics come in with a smooth transition, bringing to light some beautiful lyrics that showcase the kindness and never-ending love we get from animals. It is a cause that is close to his heart, and the lyrics show it. The brilliance is in the collaborative effort of creating such soulful, wholesome music. I recommend watching the video for this as well, it has been made very well. This might not be a traditional romance, but it does remind you of movies where there is an irrefutable love between animal and human. The stills are from A Dog’s Purpose, Marley and Me and of course the very famous, Hachiko. Understanding this love without purpose is complex for humans, and Clay Joule has talked about this complexity through song vert well. I urge you to not only listen to the song, but take part in the purpose if you can, pet adoption rocks. Listen to his other songs like O’Dream, and We Are Together, be sure to follow him on Spotify for his latest music!
Jewelia-The Best We Can
Jewelia expertly draws the line between surreal poetry and stark reality. It is a balance difficult to approach, and master. Her songs do both, with the plain, sparkly background of live instruments, creating something rich and detailed for each story she pens. This is her latest single, called The Best We Can. With the instrumental highlights an expert way of navigating emotions, Jewelia knows exactly what a song needs. The chimes and creative pathways she takes make for a maudlin and enriching listen. The bridge to the chorus is one of my favourites in the year, trying to make the chorus unique but create a sequitur of cosmic proportions for the song. The strumming is still something that stays in the back of your mind, as the piano chords accent each line. For such a short song, it is incredible what her songwriting is able to achieve without compromising meaning and essence. The love song changes the way you look at the image, much more picturesque towards the end. A film this instantly reminded me of was Blue Valentine & The Ides of March. It displays an attempt at a relationship, the affection growing and waning-while the couple brings whatever their emotional spectrum is on the table. Jewelia has the talent for keeping these ideas real and with purpose-the messages ringing true but still arranged soulfully. You can hear more of these kinds of songs with her original No Lover, her cover of Sting’s Fields of Gold and even Second Best. Listen to her catalogue here:
Agent Envy-No Friend
Agent Envy has the keys and means to the post-grunge rock universe. Starting off with incredible covers of her favourite songs, she has progressed to create some rattling, rocking originals. Today we look at No Friend, her snippet of the alt-rock creation that is organic yet obliterates any sense of doubt that this is a rock star in the making. Opening with an intriguing, mystery formulating bassline, her vocals come in soft, but wary. It is worth the warning she is issuing, creating a foreboding environment. This is where she capitalizes on her dynamic voice range, shifting from soft to aggressive with just a change in pitch or the modulation. As the overdrive guitars explode, you can hear the Deftones influence clear as day, the vocals taking the route of Chino’s alleyways and styles. As Agent Envy recedes into the verse, the second push is stronger, and brings more of the harmonics and layers. It is a perfect embodiment of who she identifies as a musician, forging a weapon so uniquely marked with her fingerprints-it is evident. The bridge brings the kind of build a chorus like this deserves, intensifying the emotion and range. Any classic revenge film comes to mind with this song, especially the scenes in John Wick and the Bourne series, where friend turns to enemy. Agent Envy banks on her speciality of the vocal ballet she can perform with her tantalizing and powerful voice, resonating with the lyrics she writes. Listen to her covers of Deftones and Nirvana, along with her soul shaking originals.
Charlie Freeman-It's Christmas (Let's Be Kids For A Day)
Very few voices comfort and bring us into the Christmas spirit like Charlie Freeman. His arrangements and vocal style incite a joyous atmosphere. The use of simple transitions makes his songs a catchy tale to hear and admire. This one is something that catapults us back to the past, his new single just in time for the holidays. This is It’s Christmas (Let’s Be Kids for A Day). Here is the kind of song that you’d like to see featured in a film. With soft piano chord changes and a full, voluminous strumming-he bakes in the essence of the holidays. This is where Charlie Freeman chooses his simple and inventive lyrics, asking us to forget the dull facets of reality We blast past to the innocence of the younger days. The chorus is an entertaining, riveting part of the song, engaging everyone who is listening to change into the holiday pyjamas. Charlie Freeman is known for bringing the listeners in with these kinds of gleeful and stupendous verse sections, things that ring out the true elements of the holidays. As the unity and purpose of coming together is understood, just listening to this song brings all those memories back. You can hear Charlie Freeman at his best with his detailed lyrics. His 2021 album Love is chock-full of experiences and shows the best of his songwriting. Christmas films like A Christmas Story & The Holiday come to mind with this exquisite song. Listen to Charlie Freeman’s beautiful song and enjoy the holidays!