BY: Music Journalism Club
Every Tuesday, our Music Director, Allison, chooses new releases to add to our music library. Here are some recent highlights, presented to you by WSUM's Music Journalism Club.
The Velveteers, A Million Knives
HIGHLIGHT TRACKS: “Bound in Leather”, “All These Little Things”, “Go Fly Away”
GENRE: Alternative Rock/Rock
RIYL: Veruca Salt, Mannequin Pussy, Great Grandpa, Pink Fuzz
The Velveteers album, A Million Knives, is a true time machine of a listening experience back to the 90's alternative rock scene. In a mix of garage punk and hard rock, The Velveteers bring a massive amount of sound with only three members. Their lead singer, Demi Demitro, who has a voice similar to Louise Post of Veruca Salt, brings witchy and piercing vocals to a bashing backdrop of baritone guitar and heavy drums. The power trio of dark glam aesthetic brings loads of emotion into their music that flow through each song they produce.
— Tim McCullough
Venturing, Ghostholding
HIGHLIGHT TRACKS: “Play my guitar”, “Recoil”
GENRE: Indie rock, Shoegaze
RIYL: Jane Remover, Mk. Gee, Eterna
Venturing, a side project of Jane Remover, creates a mellow mood in their album Ghostholding. This album reminded me of something I would've listened to during my highschool years and would have made the perfect album for late night walks down suburban streets and mild amounts of angst, all to wake up to go to trigonometry class the next day. The low-toned distorted guitar creates an ambient and dreamy sound with a slightly muddy feel to it, which encompasses the melancholic emotions of the album. Although the album has a somber tone, Venturing uses a nice mix of slow and fast tempo songs, which adds onto how engaging the album is.
— Christine VanDen Heuvel
Denison Witmer, Anything At All
HIGHLIGHT TRACKS: “Making Love,” “Older and Free,” “Focus Ring”
GENRE: Indie, Folk
RIYL: Sufjan Stevens, The Lumineers, Bon Iver
Originating from Lancaster, Pennsylvania singer-songwriter Denison Witmer is known for his introspective folk music. His new record, Anything At All is a compilation of beautiful light melodies partnered with distinct and contemplative lyrics. Both the opening and notable track, “Focus Ring” features frequent collaborator and like minded individual, Sufjan Stevens. “Focus Ring” opens the album taking listeners through Witmer's common theme of self-observation. The album continues to curate a delightful and thoughtful listening experience one track after the other. A perfect album for sun-bathing or a whimsical walk in nature.
– Samantha Markus
Bummer Camp, Stuck in a Dream
HIGHLIGHT TRACKS: “Destructive Harmony”, “Pull The Thread”
GENRE: Rock, Grunge
RIYL: Knifeplay, Alex G, Hotline TNT
Punchy and defiant, this grunge revival album from Bummer Camp rocks as if from a decade past. Heavy guitar riffs define the group's signature sound and tie each track together. The opening song, “Destructive Harmony”, is perhaps the album's strongest with a solid buildup and catchy chorus. “Pull The Thread”, another strong track, is a jam that never stops. Nevertheless, Bummer Camp reminds listeners that they can slow down. The final song, “Animal In A Cage”, is a melodic closer to a head-banging chapter in the Bummer Camp catalog, leaving us interested to see where this group goes next.
— Joely Emerson
Mereba, The Breeze Grew a Fire
HIGHLIGHT TRACKS: “Heart of a Child” “White Doves” “Sanctuary”
GENRE: R&B, Neo-Soul
RIYL: Ravyn Lenae, Cleo Sol, Solange, Raveena, SAULT
In her first release with Secretly Canadian, Mereba's The Breeze Grew a Fire is an intimate exploration of her complex relationships, whether it be with herself, her past or her newborn son. The angelic airy vocals laid over gentle beats and soothing melodies create a healing experience during the albums 36 minute runtime. Punctuated by joyful tracks like “Heart of a Child” and hearty production on the outro “Sanctuary”, The Breeze Grew a Fire makes for an inspirational and empowering listen.
— Ryan King
Maude Audet, Blue Tears
HIGHLIGHT TRACKS: “Heal and Break”, “Blue Tears”, “Along The Road”
GENRE: Folk, Adult Contemporary
RIYL: Lomelda, Fleetwood Mac, Dead Gowns, Land of Talk
Although only containing three songs, each speaks volumes for the talents of Maude Audet and the other featured voice of Charlie Parcoeur. Her music brings me back to the slow melodic and breezy feel of tracks by Fleetwood Mac, when I was young and spending the day outside with my family. Maude and Charlie's vocals unite the happiness in their songs with the tambourine and guitar, making it feel like the sun is shining again despite any gloom overarching your day. Each track makes me simply want to smile and I can't wait to see where Maude Claudet goes in the future of her music!
— Tim McCullough
fish narc, frog song
HIGHLIGHT TRACKS: “old band”, “boxy volvo”, “return in flames”
GENRE: Rock, Alternative Rock, Alternative Indie
RIYL: Foo Fighters, Duster
Fish narc has quickly become a new favorite artist of mine thanks to his album, frog song. As the album progresses it starts out with an upbeat vibe, then changes into a more earnest tone and mellows out at the end. I really liked the flow of the songs, each one fit perfectly into the next and nothing about this album felt forced or unnecessary. I especially liked the transition between “never better” and “gas station”. This album has the perfect blend of songs to jam out to with your friends or dissociate in your room late at night to, making for an album that really brings everything to the table.
— Christine VanDen Heuvel
