Welcome to another week of fresh sonic discovery here at bsideguys.com. We’re thrilled to introduce you to an eclectic mix of artists and tracks that have been curated to amplify your weekly soundtrack. From indie up-and-comers to seasoned virtuosos unveiling new directions in their soundscapes, we’ve got a diverse line-up that will make every music aficionado’s heart sing. Each of these offerings not only demonstrates the dynamism of the music scene but also highlights the boundless creativity and resilience of artists across the globe. So, without further ado, let’s dive into this week’s pickings, listen to the stories they tell, and let the rhythm carry us away. Welcome to your Weekly New Releases!
Drug Hunt – “We Are Dying”
On their latest offering, “We Are Dying,” Neo-Psychedelic agitators Drug Hunt team up with Adrian Terrazas-Gonzalez of The Mars Volta for a dystopian hymn that scrutinizes our society’s relentless march towards technological autonomy. The band’s hallucinatory soundscape and anarchic ethos shape a terrifyingly lucid narrative, dissecting the chilling implications of our surrender to the binary overlord. The result is a haunting track that amplifies the band’s signature blend of psychedelic chaos and hard rock vigor.
“We Are Dying” employs the band’s audacious lyricism to conjure a prophetic vision of an apocalyptic future in which humanity is eclipsed by its technological creations. “Speak of resurrection / But keep your lips sealed / When the code becomes human / All will be revealed,” resonates as an ominous mantra against a backdrop of growling riffs and thunderous drums. In its companion video, the satire is sharp, the commentary stinging, exposing the distorted identities that we unwittingly curate on digital platforms. Drug Hunt, it seems, have abandoned the “trip” of their Psychedelic heritage in favor of a more sobering, albeit macabre, reality check. As if Nick Cave himself penned a dystopian tale and set it to a soundtrack of The Doors on a bad acid trip, Drug Hunt’s “We Are Dying” is a bold, visceral critique of a society sleepwalking into oblivion.
EPONINE – “Pink Lemonade”
Introducing his self-proclaimed “grunge-soul” to the masses, EPONINE steps into the limelight with his debut single “Pink Lemonade.” The result is an intoxicating blend of contrasting elements, both musically and lyrically, that gives us a taste of his dark, beautifully twisted universe. From the onset, the song captivates with its sultry, languid tones, luring the listener into EPONINE’s lush sonic landscape that intertwines the organic with the melancholic. Yet, under the smooth veneer lies a tumult of raw emotion that subtly betrays the torment of a heart yearning for a fleeting connection.
Borne out of a blend of late-night drives and a deep dive into the protagonist’s psyche, “Pink Lemonade” brings together a rich palette of influences and narratives. A “really special feeling” is explored, one that highlights the rarity and transient nature of desire, couched in a production that skillfully oscillates between different musical cues. EPONINE, described as having “the heart of a poet, the mind of a scoundrel, and the body of a Tim Burton character,” beautifully encapsulates the complexity and contradictions of human emotions in his debut. As much a love letter to the subversive underbelly of pop as it is a poignant exposition of yearning, “Pink Lemonade” is a promising harbinger of what the grunge-soul pioneer has in store for the world. It’s an audacious, genre-blending introduction that, much like its creator, gleefully resists categorization while still delivering a potent emotional punch.
Fellow Hollow – “Smokies”
Fellow Hollow’s latest offering, “Smokies,” plunges listeners into a dreamscape that seamlessly melds the ethereal with the earthly. As with the work of artists like Big Thief and Sufjan Stevens, Fellow Hollow’s musical narrative oscillates between the abstract and the explicit, creating a liminal space rich with aural texture and vivid imagery. “Smokies” is a perfect encapsulation of this blend, using the theme of “Dollywood as a liminal space” as an emotional conduit to navigate the vast spectrum of human sentiments. The melancholic strains of piano and guitar, punctuated by resonant drums, create a musical terrain that’s lush and hauntingly beautiful.
Lyrically, the song is a meditation on loss, longing, and the cathartic power of memory. Lyrics such as “flooded eyes flood my eyes / gem of the sun / crash to earth / take me to task where it hurts” evoke powerful imagery of pain, reflection, and longing. Fellow Hollow’s voice, ethereal yet grounded, guides us through a surreal journey, replete with references to natural phenomena and everyday experiences. The repetitive, incantatory line, “sell the furniture,” amplifies a sense of existential urgency and disorientation, effectively underscoring the song’s themes. The ethereal cry, “oh, Dolly / oh, Dolly / the animatronics are escaping,” ends the song on a note of poignant absurdity, highlighting the transient, often unpredictable, nature of existence. “Smokies” is a testament to Fellow Hollow’s talent for crafting sonic landscapes that are as resonant and vast as the human experience they encapsulate.
Ollie Wolfe – “Making You Smile”
Ollie Wolfe’s “Making You Smile” takes the listeners on a nostalgic journey through the maze of unrequited love. With its bass-heavy, effervescent soundscape, the track is a vibrant exploration of romantic yearning and the vicissitudes of relationships. Through the dance-friendly cadence, Wolfe captures the essence of longing in a way that is both heartfelt and rousing. The song’s musical depth and infectious rhythm highlight the influence of artists like Robin Schulz and Maroon 5 on Wolfe’s work.
In “Making You Smile”, Wolfe’s storytelling prowess shines through in lyrics that oscillate between joyous anticipation and tender vulnerability. With verses such as “All I’m thinking about is you / When you keep playing around with me,” Wolfe encapsulates the bitter-sweet angst of one-sided affection. The line “We’re cuddling up in our bed / A garden with a round hedge / The kids awake playing by the shed / A dream that lasts for seconds” offers a poignant glimpse into the narrator’s dreams, painting an achingly beautiful picture of domestic bliss that never manifests. The recurring, desperate plea – “All I want Is / All I need Is” – underscores the unfulfilled desires and lingering hope. “Making You Smile” is a testament to Wolfe’s ability to transform personal experiences into universal narratives, creating music that resonates deeply with listeners. The combination of EDM’s pulsating energy and indie-pop’s emotive lyricism results in a captivating single that is bound to leave its mark on the summer music scene.
Jamie Turner – “How Lost I Would Be Without You”
In “How Lost I Would Be Without You”, West Australian singer-songwriter Jamie Turner pays a heartfelt homage to the comfort of enduring relationships. The track is a cozy, earnest folk-pop number, crafted meticulously in his home studio using a vintage Tascam 388 8-track. With this analog recording, Turner successfully evokes the characteristic warmth of ’70s music, emulating the likes of Paul McCartney, Harry Nilsson, and the Electric Light Orchestra. The song, featuring a mid-tempo orchestral arrangement from Kaska Records, takes listeners on a tender journey of gratitude, acknowledging the support and care that loved ones provide when facing life’s hurdles.
Turner’s lyrics are imbued with sincerity, depicting a narrative that underscores the significance of emotional pillars in our lives. Lines such as, “Every now and then I get insecure / As I fumble completely by no means discretely / And then you appear right on cue / Well where would I be without you” encapsulate the insecurities inherent in navigating life and the reassurance that comes from the constancy of support. Turner’s choruses are an admission of dependence and gratitude: “And if one thing is certain you’re there when I’m hurting / My light when the darkness comes”. These personal confessions, set against the backdrop of a captivating orchestral journey, create a rich, evocative experience for the listeners, reaffirming Turner’s prowess as a songwriter. The result is a testament to the resilience of human relationships, a beacon of hope and gratitude in a sea of uncertainty.