MINNESOTA SOUND REVIEWS - 7/24/2024
Reviews by: Alexandra Haynes, Writer @xalexonlinex
Edited by: Andrew Perrizo, Owner/Editor @PlaylistTC
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emo daycare “Anita Cheeseburger”
Nostalgic guitars with plenty of spunk kick up into pop-punk choruses with steady percussion in emo daycare’s “Anita Cheeseburger.” Ironic but still vulnerable lyrics romanticize the protagonist’s past struggles and the destructive ways they coped with them. They reflect on this previous lifestyle, giving flowers to the version of themselves they were when at their lowest, with painfully relatable lyrics such as, “I kind of miss wanting to die / at least it gave me something to write.” With other noteworthy bars (“I find a full time job in a Netflix coma / always feel wasted when I drink alone / No, it’s not the dose / it’s crossfading, ADHD, beer, in my phone”) “Anita Cheeseburger” gives the listener plenty to think about while they party along to an otherwise upbeat and fun to listen to Midwesterm emo song. “Anita Cheeseburger” was released in July 2024 on the EP 28 Club.
Scrunchies “The Empire”
This high-energy track opens with a bang, launching you straight into the bombastic world of “The Empire.” Scrunchies blend punk influences with a rock’n’roll backbone to create a noisy, provocative sound, with lyrics to match - “If it clings to you, it’s a parasite feeding at the empire / Is it at war with us, so we war with it?” Just as it begins, the song ends abruptly; that sort of cliffhanger always leaves me wanting more. Scrunchies have an album release show for their upcoming LP, COLOSSAL, at Turf Club on August 24th at 8pm, tickets on sale now.
Speed Riders "Heaters"
“Heaters,” released in July 2024, has all of the fuzzy distortion the listener will immediately pin as grunge, partnered with delicately rhythmic percussion and clean vocals. It has a swaying build-up into each chorus which invites a gentle headbang. The lyrics poignantly reflect on our relationship with technology and issue a reminder to moderate your own use, while acknowledging the many ways it seems to serve our needs and is intertwined with our conveniences and relationships to each other. This single is from Speed Riders’ upcoming debut LP, which is set to release in Fall this year.
Nolen Sellwood "Lavender"
Nolen Sellwood’s “Lavender” is a beautiful folk tune. It pairs delicate string plucks with soft, murmured vocals as many layers of sound weave together gently. “Lavender” is a magical lullaby which never allows itself to become haunting, although its lyrics are somber - Sellwood wonders aloud whether its his perception of the world, or the world itself, that has changed. Sellwood muses on this through sensory metaphors, namely noticing how the smell of lavender seems “a little off … a little different now.” He generates in the listener’s mind a picture of a vivid, aberrated reality, while the song’s creative, acoustic ambience tugs at the heartstrings. You find yourself wondering about all the ways in which your reality might shift, and, with the grace implied by Sellwood’s sweet and thoughtful tone, we might realize that we are better off simply observing our changes than passing judgement.
Burning Blue Rain "Keep the Flow"
“Keep the Flow” is mellow and leisurely, dominated by jazzy instrumentation. Its lyrics serenade us softly about the importance of staying in the moment when the vibe is right. This track’s gentle, steady beat creates an extremely cozy atmosphere as it reminds us to be present in a way that never feels demanding. In embedding this message in their twinkling, easy listen, Burning Blue Rain have made it oh-so-pleasant to “Keep the Flow” and stay the course with them as talented musicians punctuate each other’s phrases with bluesy responses and take turns to play satisfying solos in the band’s rolling fields of sound.
Corey Lawson and Ghost Channels, Brandon Pulphus "Start Again"
This multi-artist collaboration is high production pop with slick autotune, a funky, electronically-charged beat co-produced by Ghost Channels, and low, smooth rap breaks from Brandon Pulphus. The message of “Start Again,” released in June 2024 on Corey Lawson’s Bit Dramatic EP, is an in-your-face optimism, embracing that “the truth is subjective, I’d rather feel alive.” They promote an enticing truth, a reminder that it’s okay to close one chapter and reach eagerly towards the freedom of “Start[ing] Again.” The chorus passionately calls for you to take action: “Baby, let’s give our pasts away / There’s no need to carry them with us, I don’t care / What you’ve been, who you were with…” I can’t help but groove along with this cheeky, energetic dance track which feels made for the dancefloor.
