MINNESOTA SOUND REVIEWS - 3/19/2025
Reviews by: Alexandra Haynes, Writer @xalexonlinex
Edited by: Andrew Perrizo, Owner/Editor @PlaylistTC
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Call Me Spinster "I Went Down"
With a hauntingly beautiful intro that has all the magical qualities of a choir, the three sisters of Call Me Spinster show off their incredible vocals in “I Went Down.” With smooth, high-flying harmonies fading into a slicker singing style, this track weaves easy going indie rock with catchy, rooted, and timeless melodies. The vocalizations in each chorus are a real ear worm; I can’t help but sing along with them. The song’s lyrics touch on the complicated tangle of emotions we have when at odds with a loved one, which fits into the album’s larger themes of survival in domestic life.
Airship Caravan "Category Five"
“Category Five,” from the album My Decorative Pond is Trying to Kill Me (July 2024,) gives me whole body goosebumps. Hypnotic drums provide a melodic constant, an earthy tempo lead, as ethereal tones flow in and out of where the empty spaces could be. Airship Caravan just don’t leave any empty spaces here, instead weaving together a delicate tapestry of incredibly pretty tones. Whispers of something heavier threaten to burst out from it as things densen and guitars get grungier, but they never fully explode out of their own dreamy bubble of sound. This is absolutely gorgeous work.
papa mbye "ACID CAMEO"
“ACID CAMEO” approaches hyperpop, though it explores a ton of electronic elements in a fresh way without just exploding into high-tempo noise. The production is incredibly playful, matching the romantic energy brought by the song’s lyrics and boy-band vocal style. This is the 3rd track on papa mybe’s August 2024 release, the PARCELLES 16 EP; it stands out as an energetic, slightly surreal, and charmingly vulnerable piece. It bridges PARCELLES 16’s hyperpop leanings into the more down-to-earth of the record.
Vin "Ephemeral"
The slow, progressive creep of “Ephemeral’s” atmosphere is an impressive web woven flawlessly by Vin. I easily drift away into their dreamlike, floaty crescendos - but when the pace begins to quicken, and grit worms out of these shimmering waves, I’m brought back forcefully, hungrily, to the here and now. Every hardcore/metal inspired release is gratifying, and so much better for the song’s hypnotic and mathy lead up. Just like the instrumentals, this track’s lyrics are bewitching, visceral and charming in equal measure. I can’t get enough of this. I’ll be giving the rest of the album, Ephemeral Horizons (released in June 2024,) a dedicated listen very soon.
POSTER BOY "White Walls"
POSTER BOY may be new in this format, but not to the scene. This is the new project of Cole Pivec and Henning Hanson of Dial Tone. The duo’s first single, “White Walls,” is defined by its chic, indie pop-rock bones. It’s catchy, with ear-grabbing choruses that are cathartic to sing along with (“Sometimes I feel nothing at all / Somehow my back’s against the wall.”) The rest of the song is filled with relatable lyrics challenging someone else’s fakery (“Dark shoes don’t get dirty / Is that why yours look so nice?”) “White Walls” has mass appeal - it feels classic, but features some intriguing production choices that keep the listener engaged.
Neighbor Dog “Move On”
Trauma and angst are explored by Neighbor Dog in “Move On,” the band’s newest single. They launch straight into action on this one, with shouted vocals kicking in swiftly, partnering with their smooth, soaring pop punk instrumentation. As frank as ever, they sing, “I’m gonna be sick / From just thinking of it / I can’t move on.” Turning pain and anxiety into a solid groove is a Neighbor Dog specialty.
