MINNESOTA SOUND REVIEWS - 10/30/2024
Reviews by: Alexandra Haynes, Writer @xalexonlinex
Edited by: Andrew Perrizo, Owner/Editor @PlaylistTC
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Lake Davi "The Exhibitionist"
Lake Davi call themselves “alt cuntry,” which I think is single-handedly the best genre denomination ever. Folksy harmonica kicks things off in “The Exhibitionist,” which was released in February 2024 on the band’s EP Inevitable. Lake Davi showcase skillful, soft vocals over plenty of twinkling strings and gentle percussion. “The Exhibitionist” is a lovely tune, with lyrics as tender and wistful as its melody - “Baby baby, don't you see?/How lovable I can be?/Baby baby, blue blue blue/Everyday, I need you.” The band has a show on Halloween at Palmer’s Bar - 7pm, $15 cover, 21+.
Reticent “The Mirror”
Poetic lyrics come in fast over crashing percussion, which stands out in this project as particularly fantastic. “The Mirror” is featured on Reticent’s Four Songs EP, which was released in September 2024. The whole EP is sonically consistent, each track flowing into the next in a satisfying way; the band was clearly totally locked in during recording. “The Mirror” stands out for its confidence and intriguing use of metaphor (“I shouldn’t need physical reminders / An empty egg carton sits still,”) and the lesson it teaches us on how we can change our own circumstances (“The sun doesn’t seem to rise if I never lift my head above the windowsill.”) They are next performing at a triple EP release show at Pillar Forum on November 23rd, 6:30pm, $15 cover, all ages.
Meezy<3 "OLD NEWS"
Playful keys and high energy electronic beats layer atop one another with a break beat style to serve us up a post-Soundcloud hip hop track in “OLD NEWS.” This entry feels inspired by trap, trance, and contemporary rap, rolling all its influences into one underground sound that will go down easy for fans of XXXTENTACION, Trippie Redd and the like. Meezy<3 released this song as a single with a B side, "RUNNERS HIGH,” in May 2024.
FarFarAway "Cant Let Go (Demo)"
Demos always feel intimate to me - they’re a glimpse into what musicians are focused on and working towards. They are more raw than polished recordings and that adds plenty of charm for anything under the punk umbrella of sound, and I love when we get to hear them. “Can’t Let Go (Demo)” is no exception to this, released to stream in September 2024. This project is still very new to our scene, with their debut show coming up fast! FarFarAway deliver here on their pop-punk promises, singing their woes in a relatable and fun tune, complete with choral singing, edgy guitar riffs, and a catchy, self-deprecating chorus. You can support them live on November 14th at Pillar Forum at 6pm for $10.
Ber “Oh, To Be Cool”
Ber’s range is always impressive, and this time, we get to hear a glamorous, contemporary pop song that sparkles like Sabrina Carpenter. “Oh, To Be Cool” is delightful from start to finish, with repetitive lyrics that are a real ear-worm over high production melodies. I’m sure to be singing its chorus to myself later - “Oh, to be cool / Oh, to be fun / Oh, to be beautiful and reckless and have it all … Oh, to be somebody I’m really fucking not.” Hyper-relatable, sugary sweet in its construction, and so much fun to listen to, Ber has nailed a really specific musical aesthetic here that is sure to have widespread appeal. (Ber, If you’re reading, I’ll be sharing this track with my burlesque and drag queen girlfriends, ‘cos I know they’ll be obsessed with you after listening. Do we have your blessing to dance to this? I know our readers must already be bopping along with you at home.)
The Rockford Mules “Honeydripper”
You know when you hear something that makes you go, “Yeesh!” and you pull a nasty face, which means you actually really, really like something? Yeah, that happened to me during the introduction of this song, and reoccurred several times throughout. This song is 110% rock’n’roll, but it has a progressive creep to it, a real easy, almost psych-rock groove that erupts into the excellence of old school arena rock frequently. “Honeydripper” dips in and out of these modes, taking the listener on a sonic journey. I loved every part of it; I hope you do, too. The guitar squeals and quick fingerings are magical, the distortion glorious, and their vocalist perfect for this project. I also really enjoyed the auxiliary percussion having its moment in tandem with the drums and how sensual the story is here. “Honeydripper” is the 4th track on The Rockford Mules’ 5 song EP The Last Camero, which came out in November 2023.
