Jamie Smith and Romy Madley-Croft have a history of making subdued, commanding songs as The XX. With Loud Places they reunite as individuals collaborating on a sound that reaches for new heights. The lead and backing vocals are nothing short of perfection and it sounds destined to be a festival epic. But Loud Places eclipses the hackneyed anthem fare with heartfelt sincerity both in terms of sound and substance. The ex-couple play off each other with their respective talents, the melancholy vocals competing against a triumphant electronic backdrop. The result is glorious.
Demitasse – “Comfy Coffins”
Minor-chords define the opening of Demitasse’s new song, “Comfy Coffins.” The lyrics describe the sense of being alone and that we all share the misery collectively. Yet, as soon as the darker tone is set, we are temporarily relieved with the first major chord that sparks a more uplifting chorus. It’s got friendly hand claps and upper register harmonies that help create this musical glow. In the end, the music is bare and poppy, yet deep and thoughtful.
CONCERT REVIEW
Artist: Tobias Jesso Jr.
Venue: The Mercury Lounge
Date: 3/26/2015
Rating: 4.5/5
It’s truly inspiring when someone finds his/her footing, creates a work of art he/she can stand behind, have people notice this art, then be showered with praise from both critics and the general public, thereafter become a touring artist to sold out shows and all the while…remain completely humble. As is the case with a RunTheMill favorite, Tobias Jesso Jr.. We have been covering his meteoric rise to stardom for quite some time, and have been amazed by the way in which he has handled the spotlight. With very few live performances to his resume, Tobias exceeded my expectations and delivered. It was just him on stage, a black curtain, and a spotlight overhead. He was completely exposed. The audience was small and intimate. Perhaps only 150 people, but most held back singing along in order to listen to Tobias’ nuanced melodies and heartfelt lyrics about love, heartbreak, dreams, and discovering your path. A highlight was his poignant, philosophical “Just A Dream.” In between songs, Tobias didn’t hide his goofiness and was quick to make fun of himself. As he moved from piano to guitar, he joked about how small the former female performer’s guitar strap was on his oversized 6 foot 7-inch frame. Tobias is still learning how to handle a solo performance, and he didn’t stray away from the structured and simplified set. That being said, I’m looking forward to his continued success and what else he has in store. Could a band be involved? I hope so.
James McMurtry – “Copper Canteen”
“I woke up last night in the grip of a fright scared to breathe for I might make a noise
This life that we craved so little we saved between the grandparents graves and the grandchildren’s toys”
Looking back at youth and the mistakes you easily make, James McMurtry understands what it means to be a cowboy as he softly sings on “Copper Canteen.” It’s easy to pay compliments to this singer-songwriter sweetheart, as he is often too wise and he never stops telling stories. In some ways, he’s got the tenor of Lou Reed and the small-town lyrics of Bruce Springsteen. And while I believe artists can succeed via a more traditional corporate-worn path, it is all the more noble that he has been able to stay true to himself after all these years. Hats off to James McMurtry for another timeless album.
Andy Shauf – “You’re Out Wasting” & “I’m Not Falling Asleep”
It’s nice to bump into albums, even if it’s a month or two after they’ve been released. It happened as I came across the new LP “The Bearer of Bad News” from Canadian singer-songwriter, Andy Shauf. His music is often sleepy, harmony-heavy and full of cryptic imagery. I’m also a big fan of those nasally clarinets. Check out the upbeat indie beat “You’re Out Wasting” and the weary “I’m Not Falling Asleep.”
Villagers – “Hot Scary Summer”
Mercury Prize nominees Villagers are regular critic sweethearts. As Conor J. O’Brien, the singer and songwriter, said in an article by Kernan Andrews -“I also feel an ‘impostor syndrome’ about it. I don’t actually deserve all the praise that’s going around.” Conor has a way of painting a scene with all of your senses accounted for and all of your emotions hanging on your sleeve.
“Remember kissing on the cobblestones in the heat of the night/ And all the pretty young homophobes looking out for a fight/ We got good at pretending, and pretending got us good.”
As the seagulls chime a few last words, it is definitely looking like we might have ourselves a hot scary summer. The full album comes out April 14, 2015.
Chastity Belt – “Joke”
Nothing serious
Everything’s a joke
When we smile
It’s all in smoke
A little rockabilly. A steady bassline. And blunt guitars. Mix that in with some dry humor and a little wretchedness. You get Chastity Belt. The four girls originally attended Whitman, “one of those small liberal arts colleges,” and after entering a Battle of the Bands, the group never looked back. I truly believe rock’s not dead. It is still well and alive with all these female rockers who really don’t care what you think. Check out the album that comes out on March 24th.
Patrick Watson – “Love Songs for Robots”
Sampled in a preview for the current season of The Walking Dead, the acclaimed TV series on AMC, Patrick Watson’s “Love Songs for Robots,” is murky and mysterious. Its experimental sounds move from background noise to the forefront and back again almost seamlessly, and his orchestration is top-notch, especially in the way the song continuously shifts in shape. Look for his album that comes out on May 11th via Domino Records.
Broken Witt Rebels – “Shake Me Down”
They probably are sick and tired of the comparison, but when you are talking gritty, southern rock with a natural affinity toward pop melodies, Kings of Leon definitely comes to mind when I listen to Broken Witt Rebels. What many forget is that the Kings of Leon started playing in the basement of Jackson, Tennessee only to become a frequent headliner at festivals around the world. Just listen to that first line and the way he rolls his “out:” “It’s in the way she keeps calling me oooouttt.”
FUTURISIC FRIDAY
In light of “Throwback Thursday or #tbt” which involves posting something that has nostalgic value, we at RunTheMill wanted to turn this popular convention on its head. This weekly posting will share a song that is either ahead of its time or attempts to push us out of our comfort sound zone.
Jon Lawless – “Capital (feat. Daniela Andrade)”
This song has an almost innocent energy that builds from within and emits steadily outward. It can particularly be hear between Jon’s voice, which provides the effortless narrative and Daniela’s upper register harmony. It creates a hollowness. The same quality can be found in the introduction of Dillon Francis’ collaboration with Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosauars, “Without You.” But in contrast, whereas “Without You” seeks an EDM-approved drop to provide a recognizable structure to the listener, “Capital” doesn’t let go of the hollowness. We end up wanting a little more.
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