Music

Stray Dogg: Fires Never Wrong

Hang out by the pool and strut those tan lines while listening to Stray Dogg‘s Fire’s Never Wrong. This 2012 release from the band features nine tracks that jumps over fences of indie folk and Americana.

Stacy Barthe: P.S. I Love You

Sometimes, the cure to a seemingly banal existence is a quick dose of infectious pop. This is exactly what newcomer Stacy Barthe [if you still count 2011 as new] is offering us. With her 2013 EP, P.S. I Love You, Barthe presents eight tunes of love — diversely presented for last year’s Valentines celebration — greatly puzzling us why we’ve never heard this promising talent before.

Eliot Wilder: Manual of Errors

A Manual of Errors is an intriguing album of Eliot Wilder. Its funky beats fused with alternative country folk makes up this exciting album. It has twelve tracks, with two of these purely instrumentals. Funky raps and beats, and definitely a fun, fun song, A Manual of Errors has more than the usual “interesting” tag. Its creative interlude, sudden silences in between the verses and the chorus creates anticipation. This track is a paradox of good old fun and dark humor.

Clare Costello: Halloween EP

Ambient blues rock has a leg up with other genres when it comes to writing reflective lyricism that punches the heart. This intent to hone clear stories into a relaxing yet entertaining fashion is clearly shown in Clare Costello‘s Halloween EP.

Audience of Actors: Love Like Thieves

Love Like Thieves is a 16-track album by the band called Audience of Actors. The musical styles of this band are reflected in this album ranging from alternative, indie folk, and rock. Someone’s Side of Forever is a track that is a perfect example of band’s low and morose vocals. This track is centered with heavy, melancholic guitars. Despite the obvious sadness of the tune, Someone’s Side of Forever showcase alternative indie folk at its finest.

Lindsay Katt: Picking Out Boxes

Combine Fiona Apple and Regina Spektor and you get the whimsical and fresh sound of Lindsay Katt. In her October 2013 release, Picking Out Boxes, the performance artist/musician/songwriter elicits some goosebumps by combining rich vocals, upbeat indie pop, and some heavy pensive songwriting.

Casual: The Return of the Backpack

The Return of the Backpack is as exciting as the return of the king of the elite rap lyricism. Casual and the Seattle-based, indie rap beat maker Jake One made thirteen tracks that make up, a smooth, solid album. “Backpack” represents rappers who do not appear charming to a big audience. Casual though, wears his backpack proudly because he is rhythmically convincing and his character reverberates on every track he makes.