MINNESOTA SOUND REVIEWS - 1/29/25
Reviews by: Alexandra Haynes, Writer @xalexonlinex
Edited by: Andrew Perrizo, Owner/Editor @PlaylistTC
If you like what we are doing please consider supporting us on Patreon, PayPal, or Venmo.
Clare Doyle “On My Own”
Clare Doyle’s “On My Own” (from the album Stranger, released in November 2024) is bittersweet honky-honk, with rich vocals and warm country instrumentation that pleases the ear. This song is a testament to needing to ride solo, discovering distinguished differences between your way of life and another’s. The lyrics are killer: “You loved to hide / ‘Til it’s time to pay the price / That’s what lovin’ me looks like … Well I’ve had enough of your cold shoulder / If you can’t take the heat.” The breakup is vivid, though it’s bundled into a smooth soundscape of acceptance.
Maygen & the Birdwatcher "Won't Have You"
Romantic strings and whisper-soft vocals have so much dimensional power in “Won’t Have You,” as they are full-bodied and well controlled. The back-and-forth duet between vocalists Maygen Lacey and Noah Neumann emboldens the story being told; when they sing together, they compliment each other in such a candidly beautiful way. It tugs at my heartstrings the way they celebrate, albeit somberly, a final separation. Those strings always return to volume to punctuate the swell of emotions released with the repeated phrase, “It [the future] won’t have you.” This song was released in August 2024 on the album Leap Year.
HUNNY BEAR "Candy Cigarettes"
The HUNNY BEAR band is locked into an energetic groove in “Candy Cigarettes” (from the album Honeymoon, released in January 2024.) The lead sax is a treat, but each funky piece of this song’s composition works to uphold the vibe and tempo, which is jazzy and peppy in equal measure. “Candy Cigarettes” feels like its namesake, sugary sweet but with an edgy form. The playfulness of the melodies is fully realized, complete with quick drum fills and breaks that transition the listener’s ear into new bridges, where instrumentation pushes into new musical territory and expands upon established rhythms in a satisfying way.
Bad Idea "Massacre"
Bad Idea cooked us up some classic punk rock with “Massacre,” so we shall feast! Punk rock and protest are once again going hand-in-hand thanks to these locals and their EP Breakout, released in July 2024, which features this impactful track. A layer of grit smokes out the tone of their snarling guitars, spunky riffs are lashed out in upwards movements, and percussion clashes behind politically charged lyrics: “...just another day / In the pocket of the NRA / Would you give another lame excuse? / When it’s your family on the evening news? / Just another massacre!” Referring to the trend of inattentive politicians sending their “thoughts and prayers” to the families of victims of gun crime in later lyrics, it’s easy to catch onto Bad Idea’s message on your first listen - deliberately so.
Jared McCloud "Mama"
McCloud laments on not being “the man [Mama] raised [him] to be” in this poignant Americana track, released on Vacancy in September 2024. He devolves into anger quickly, leaning into the fantasy of killing his enemies and running away. Childhood games are juxtaposed with this imagining of his crimes (“Sticks and stones and slinging mud / I’ll paint this town red with their blood”) as he turns to the one person we all tend to crave when we’re feeling so vulnerable - his mom. Country rock instrumentation rises and falls throughout, with just a sprinkle of tangible pop punk flavor in its defiant profile.
Corzine "Guarded"
A vulnerable trip into pop-flavored sweetness, “Guarded” flits between different musical influences like a butterfly visiting a garden of flowers - everything fits, and everything is nourishing. There’s a pretty haziness, a delicate fuzz around the edges of the instrumentation, with synths at play and intriguing tones woven through that never feel out of place decorating the rock speckled landscape. Corzine’s voice is lovely, clear and well enunciated while soulfully holding onto notes. Each gentle eruption of the chorus feels so gratifying. “Guarded” is the artist’s latest single, having been released in October 2024.
