Posted in Track Reviews

Track: CHAMP – “Burnt Alive”

CHAMP Press
Track: “Burnt Alive”
Artist: CHAMP
Release Date: February 18th 2014
Label: Fleeting Youth Records

Hailing from San Diego four piece outfit, CHAMP‘s single Burnt Alive lays testament to the re-emergence of catchy as hell garage punk bands e.g. The Orwells, FIDLAR, and Mumblr. The song kicks off with a little bass lick followed by frontman Joel Williams howling over fuzz drenched chords, “I don’t wanna walk down memory lane / it’s all the same / it makes me feel like nothing’s changed”. With arpeggiated riffing and thematically weary verses, you just can’t wait for the anthemic chorus paired tastefully with squealing feedback to kick back in. CHAMP’s debut self-titled album on February 18th will be released in both cassette and digital formats via Fleeting Youth Records. Pre-order the album here, and stream Burnt Alive below!

Rating: 9.25/10

Track: Mumblr – “Puke”

Mumblr Press
Track: “Puke”
Artist: Mumblr
Release Date: November 12th 2013
Label: Fleeting Youth Records

Four piece outfit Mumblr from Kensington, North Philadelphia play a genre of music that they dub “fuzz punk”. With the stylings of second-wave emo bands such as The Promise Ring and an early Modest Mouse alternative punk feel their track “Puke” off of their upcoming release is one hell of a listen. Rapid distorted guitar strums, clamouring drums, and frantic vocals combined with the refrain, “I don’t know anything why do you lie to me?” is a recipe for distress leaving you eager for more. Mumblr have combined both of their EP’s to be released on a lush red cassette titled White Jesus/Black God via Austin, Texas based Fleeting Youth Records. Stream Puke along with the entire release below and pre-order the cassette and digital album here. Follow the band on Facebook for more information.

Rating: 9/10

Track: The Story So Far – “Clairvoyant”

Acoustic The Story So Far

Track: “Clairvoyant”
Artist: The Story So Far
Release Date: May 13th 2013
Label: Pure Noise Records

Clairvoyant is the first song by Californian pop-punk band The Story So Far has released off of their upcoming split 7″ with hardcore band, Stick To Your Guns, which you can currently stream here. The song is a soft acoustic number, differing greatly from the band’s usual brand of fast, hardcore-influenced pop-punk. Lead vocalist, Parker Cannon, sings over a poignant guitar that consistently drives the track. Cannon is typically known for his powerfully raw singing style, which some describe as “angst-y yelling”. Having said this, vocalization on the song will likely come as a surprise to many fans who are accustomed to the band’s heavy vocals. Clairvoyant features a vocal melody akin to the likes of softer acts such as Into It. Over It. and Koji.

Despite the heavy amount of versatility that the song demonstrates, Clairvoyant comprises of a couple of familiar elements of The Story So Far’s music. The lyrics of the song feature certain rhythmic and rhyming qualities consistent in many of the band’s tracks. Lines like “I think you’ll notice when things become different the good vibes in our lives won’t feel so consistent” and “You might hate my words but you know that I’m right, you know that I’m right” seem to fit perfectly in any The Story So Far song. The track almost feels like it could be an acoustic version of their usual, heavier material. Overall, Clairvoyant is a very satisfying change of pace, which also serves to demonstrate the multifaceted talent of The Story So Far. The 7″ split with Stick To Your Guns will be released on June 18th, 2013. You can pre-order the vinyl LP from Pure Noise Records here!

Rating: 9/10

Single: AF THE NAYSAYER – “Imagerial Denouement (feat. Myka Nyne)”

Imagerial Denouement
Track: “Imagerial Denouement (feat. Myka Nyne)”
Artist: AF THE NAYSAYER
Release Date: April 23, 2013
Label: ReSERVED Records

Producer AF THE NAYSAYER teamed up with Myka Nyne of Freestyle Fellowship to produce Imagerial Denouement a tribute to Japanese producer Nujabes. The track combines a jazz base, looped drum machine samples, and harmonic tones, accompanied by Myka Nyne’s rap verses. Originally an instrumental, which you can stream below, produced before Nujabes death, the track has now been transformed into a pioneering musical eulogy. AF THE NAYSAYER stated, “The title is a play on words of his song Imaginary Folklore. This song was my tribute to Nujabes, because he has such a large influence on my work.” ReSERVED Records is offering the digital version (iTunes), and a 7″ limited-edition vinyl or a poster of the cover art by Wes Sumrall for a special price on their Bandcamp page.

 

Rating: 8/10

Single: Pusha T – “Trouble On My Mind (feat. Tyler, The Creator)”

Track: “Trouble On My Mind (feat. Tyler, The Creator)”
Artist: Pusha T
Release Date: July 9, 2011
Label: GOOD Music/Def Jam

Pusha T always has his drugdealer past on his mind (and in his verses), but this time, the Clipse rapper teams up with Odd Future‘s Tyler, The Creator to discuss the trouble on his mind. The first single from Pusha’s upcoming mixtape Fear of God 2: Let Us Pray, “Trouble On My Mind” features simplistic, atmospheric, and ultimately haunting production from The Neptunes and three on-point verses. Pusha spins a story about his troubled past before handing the mic to Tyler, who delivers a maniacal verse in his signature style. The two then split the third verse, with Tyler referencing his highly-successful single, “Yonkers”, and Pusha T closing by addressing the mismatch between himself and Tyler: “This is for the critics who doubted the chemistry/Two different worlds, same symmetry.” Thankfully for us, he’s right; despite the stylistic differences on paper, the collaboration simply works.

“Trouble On My Mind (feat. Tyler, The Creator)” is from Fear of God 2: Let Us Pray, set to be released on August 23, 2011 via GOOD Music/Def Jam.

Rating: 8/10