Today, some listeners are voicing concerns that dubstep is a dying genre—a fad that existed solely as an exciting, contrarian alternative to the growing popularity of catchy electronic pop. Likewise, they argue that with new mainstream acceptance, the genre is floundering—the limelight brings the destruction of a genre that can[Read More…]
Music
Hollerado: White Paint
The 2009 release of Hollerado’s breakthrough debut, Record in a Bag, uprooted the band from small-town beginnings and propelled them into the indie limelight. The band’s sophomore effort, White Paint, is the culmination of the ensuing four years—more than a thousand live shows and several tonnes of confetti later. The[Read More…]
PVT: Homosapien
The title of Australian trio PVT’s fourth effort Homosapien sheds light on the band’s perspective on sound. With its scientific tinge, the title alludes to the electronic infrastructure of the album. The band’s progression from instrumental electronic rock to a more electro synth-pop sound began with their last album, Church[Read More…]
Richard Thompson: Electric
The title of Richard Thompson’s new release, Electric, hints at vitality and novelty from one of the British Isles’ best guitarist/songwriters. Forty-five years into his career, Thompson still succeeds in rendering spirited ballads, oscillating from heartfelt to ornery. Whether you are a longtime admirer, or a newcomer to his funky[Read More…]
Tegan and Sara: Heartthrob
After spending a decade in the music industry, and crafting six albums that have cemented the band as a powerful indie-rock duo, Canadian twins Tegan and Sara decided to take the plunge into the world of pop by recruiting producer Greg Kurstin (Ke$ha; Katy Perry). Replacing guitars with synth-pads, simple[Read More…]
Portage and Main: Never Had The Time
Well, it’s February: the Monday of months. The nasty hangover after the wild weekend that is Winter Break. For those that could use some sort of pick-me-up, Portage and Main’s new album Never Had The Time is just what the doctor ordered. It offers a smooth respite from the grey[Read More…]
Apparat Organ Quartet: Pólýfónía
There must be something in the water in Iceland. The nation has given birth to many popular acts, such as Björk and Sigur Rós, known for treading into strange, experimental realms with their music. Apparat Organ Quartet certainly fits this mould, with their inventive electro-rock and their particular style, which[Read More…]
Petra Haden: Petra Goes to the Movies
You might have heard of the American singer and musician Petra Haden, in connection with her collaborations with internationally acclaimed artists, such as The Foo Fighters and Bill Frisell. Or, if a cappella is your thing, you may be familiar with the solo album she released in 2005, containing a[Read More…]
Naked Days: Sleeping in Herndon
Naked Days, an eclectic band hailing from Leesburg, Virginia, brings us a unique arrangement of acoustic alternative sound. Reminiscent of the likes of The Silversun Pickups, Edward Sharpe and The Magnetic Zeroes, and Montreal’s own Thus:Owls, this indie foursome fuses a muffled, low-definition sound with sweet lyrical supplement in their[Read More…]
The Joy Formidable: Wolf’s Law
The century-old Wolf’s Law says that our bones can adapt themselves to carry increasingly heavier loads over time; the more stress we place on our bones, the more resistant they become to these external pressures. There seems to be no better testament to this theory than Welsh band The Joy[Read More…]
