MINNESOTA SOUND REVIEWS - 8/6/2025
Reviews by: Alexandra Haynes, Writer @xalexonlinex
Edited by: Andrew Perrizo, Owner/Editor @PlaylistTC
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ramona cuervo "strangers in parks at night [Remastered]”
“strangers in parks at night” is a great example of ramona cuervo’s haunting style. This remastered version is featured on the album HONEY: Welcome Back Edition (released in October, 2024) which is a complete deluxe rework of her earlier HONEY EP (October 2023.) Both appropriately dropping on Halloween, these twin records are unabashedly nightmarish in their subject matter, with an experimental structure that leans into the unsettling vibe. This track is reminiscent of a lullaby, matched to bilingual vocals that fluctuate from sweet to spooky. The breathiness throughout and that repetitive, unnerving chord progression which follows the sung melody are insanely effective at putting the listener on edge, waiting for the ball to drop. Declaring her revenge against her abuser, “Make a mess / On the doorstep / the floor is wet / With blood and sweat / I’ll be the knife this time,” cuervo manifests a violent justice against those “strangers” who otherwise get away with more.
afters "GEMINI"
A playful and astrologically-excused rejection of a connection, afters keeps the spirit of their name alive by singing smoothly about what comes ‘after’ the hook-up - “You’re probably a nice guy / But I can’t help it that my Venus is in Gemini … I know I made you believe / That we had good chemistry / But I’m lacking in sincerity.” The story is told atop a funky, low-key beat that has quite the groove to it. Poppy and instrumentally feel-good, “GEMINI,” track 2 of 8 on the debut album EVERYTHING WAS BEAUTIFUL album (January, 2025.)
Maria and the Coins "Call Me When You Get There"
The newest single from Maria and the Coins, “Call Me When You Get There” is incredibly sentimental — it’s a heart-wrenching post-break-up song, illustrating an unconditional love that lasts longer than the relationship it was born from. Maria Coyne’s well-controlled, beautiful voice is on fine display here as the main attraction, front of mix with gentle instrumentation behind, swelling slowly throughout. “Call Me When You Get There” is undeniably a folk-pop ballad, carefully, powerfully structured to bring the listener in on their grievous ups and downs; moving through the process of letting someone go, especially after they have hurt you.
Pandelion "One Last Time"
“One Last Time” by Pandelion (who are, sadly, no longer together) is for fans of Elton John and David Bowie. It was the band’s last release, having dropped in July 2024. There is a timeless swing to their blues-inspired groove while the lead piano and vocal styling have a theatrical bend. Knowing that Pandelion are no longer active adds an extra bittersweet layer to the lyrics here, which are a gigantic farewell. This sweet tribute is a musical eulogy to a beloved friend; whether that’s a metaphor for the project or a more direct goodbye to someone they’ve tragically lost is something I have yet to determine. Either way, “One Last Time” is solemn in its hesitance to close a chapter, and beautiful in that it does its grieving, anyway.
Kung Fu Hippies "Shelly Lee"
Kung Fu Hippies serve us beachy rock with “Shelly Lee,” track 6 of 7 on their EP North (released in March 2025.) Bright but organ-toned keys twiddle out a distinctive melody, with relaxed, confident rock’n’roll vocals proposing to the love of his life over these instrumentals (“Oh marry me / Shelly Lee.”) A sweet proclamation of affection, this song also features pure rock riffin’. a tangible bassline adding weight, and percussion that is playfully understated but incredibly skillful all the same. This composition makes for easy, pleasant listening, letting me focus my imagination in on what Miss Shelly Lee must be like.
Ryan Holweger "Dehydration"
Ryan Holweger’s “Dehydration,” released in March 2025 on The Golden Paper Flower EP, is an Americana love song wrapped up in layers of self-awareness, questioning contemporary convenience and appreciating/wanting for a simple life. It is as much a long song to a quiet lifestyle as it is a romantic confession to Howleger’s muse. It breaks the fourth wall throughout, addressing the irony of Holweger disliking songs that are too meta or personal while this one roots itself firmly in autobiographical storytelling. With lyrics like, “Feelin’ homesick for a house I’ve never known / All I wanna do is hang out in the kitchen, drinkin’ whisky with you,” “Dehydration” is contradictingly frank — an honest yearning and self-reflection (“think it’s weird when singers sing about their own songs / I’ll probably hang on to this [song] for a month or two / Then I’ll forget and hope the next one is less raw,”) never masked by sweet folk instrumentals that bolster the sense of sentimental vulnerability.
