Andy's Songs of the North Playlist Reviews - May 2024
Reviews by: Andy Ellis, Writer @andysmileyjay
Edited by: Andrew Perrizo, owner/editor @PlaylistTC
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The warmer weather is back with more rain than we had all last summer, and the return of outdoor live music. While everyone else seems to be still consuming the new Taylor Swift record and debating Kendrick Lamar VS Drake, I’m filling that void of some new indie music from our great state. It’s got rock, country, and a whole lot more!
As always, if you hear a song you like remember to check the artist out live and buy their merchandise. It’s the best way to keep our lovely independent music scene alive.
Check out the playlist embedded below, tell your friends, and lets show the world the music being made in Minnesota.
Jest feat. The Sunsettes “Pink”
“It all started with some lust” describes the song really well. It’s a simple, dirty rock song with a lot of layers in packed in tight starting with a simple crunchy, guitar riff that opens the song and continues throughout, the slightly horny vocals, and keys that just turn the heat up. This one’s going to make everyone sweat when it fills the clubs and blares through your speakers.
Matcha Fever “Changed”
It’s hard to not listen to this and just want to cruise with the windows down through a summer night in the city. The smooth, funky production and vocals go down really easy for one of the most feel-good breakup songs I’ve heard in a while. I’m pretty sure the Dude would abide.
Clayton Ryan “Wild Man”
I can feel each layer of this song. It’s all given room to live and breathe, but also comes together to form a three-dimensional sound that’s meant to live a long life. Clayton Ryan’s vocals are instantly believable as a man both expressing gratitude for his soulmate, and how they’re making him slowly second guess who he thought he was — he couldn’t be more vulnerable if he tried.
Amanda Grace “Wouldn’t Be You”
The keyboard and guitar intro grabbed me right away with its short bursts that progressed into a dusk atmosphere that mixes Blues, soulful vocals from Grace, and that pop music catchiness. Amanda Grace’s vocals are a pointed and specific door-slamming goodbye, and when she sings “I’m done with you”— I believe it. There’s no coming back for her.
Ava Levy “cat song”
The song does a great job of balancing singer-songwriter intimacy while cluing us into something larger going on internally. We’ve all been there. When Ava sings it’s with a relative calmness, but the production has moments that hint at what seems like a never-ending fight.
Garden Tigers feat. Luke Hendrickson “Let Me Out This Cage (a little bit)”
If I enjoy a song about a Demon wanting to be freed, should I be worried? Garden Tigers and Luke Hendrickson team up for this Americana-meets-end-times tale told from the perspective of the Devil’s own. The band’s sound of acoustic and electric instruments bring this world to life incredibly vividly, and the harmonies may just banish the Demon back to Hell once he breaks free.
Davina and The Vagabonds “Find My Love”
This song’s personality is clear right away as the sounds whisks me away to what I can only picture as New Orleans through the eyes of Baz Luhrman. Its lively musical energy keeps you wide-eyed and smiling as Davina’s distinct vocals keep the story moving. I almost don’t want her journey to end, but I know once she finds her love the celebration won’t stop.
Leavin’ Page Town “Ride or Die”
It wasn’t long before this song had me itchin’ for a slow Sunday drive through small town Main Street. The calm vocals from Tony and Cindy Hades easily instilled their dedication to one another no matter the circumstance. It’s not a love song, but a relationship song.
Elour “Reputation”
If the word reputation had a theme song, this would be it. Sonically it’s a little distorted which gives it that let’s-break-shit attitude, and the vocals are clearly from someone with no more give-a-fucks. Elour is building her reputation on her terms only — that’s non-negotiable.
Trash Date “Same Old”
The solid drums and indie rock smooth vocals lay a solid foundation for this song. The vocals stay in the same range for most of the song, which points to how many times this conversation has been had — it’s old hat. It’s nothing new to her but the production and very slight vocal changes acknowledges the more complex emotions taking place.
