On “Reaper,” a song off their recently released album Mirage on the Meadow, Pine Barons combine psychedelic instrumentals and vivid lyrical imagery to deliver a haunting track that truly rocks; perfect listening for this, the spookiest of seasons. The tone is firmly established within the first few seconds, as a series of long atmospheric tones from the synth drape themselves over the drum and guitar lines. Before the lyrics come in you have already been set on a meandering walk through the dark forest in your mind. 

Songwriter and vocalist Keith Abrams cleverly illustrates the concept of scattered thoughts in the pre-chorus where, utilizing different production effects, he plays two intertwining inner monologues: one perpetually questioning, and one confident in its defeatist statements but not offering any answers. From this back and forth bursts the hook, which delivers everything you could ask for in a great rock chorus. It’s melodic, it’s powerful and it stays with you long after the song has ended. For much of “Reaper” there is an expertly curated sense of movement, like some physical manifestation of inner anxieties is stalking you at a distance. The closing guitar solo and coda, which layer in melodic callbacks from earlier sections, bring about a feeling of envelopment, like that fog of fear has finally caught up and engulfed you. Photo by Chris Sikich.

Melanie Faye is an R&B angel and internet star child. The 20-year-old songwriter and guitarist from Nashville plays by her own rules, dropping singles and posting YouTube covers whenever she feels like it. Her track "Eternally 12," a collaboration with your boy Mac DeMarco, emits the laid-back energy her and DeMarco are both known and loved for. With sprightly, funk-inspired guitar fills throughout, "Eternally 12" nods at Faye's influences like Blood Orange and John Mayer. The vocal has an edgy Princess Nokia-like tone to it, which moves the song into the realm of angsty, but still chill. Faye is currently finishing up her first EP, so stay tuned to her social accounts as we all wait for her next big thing. 

Singer-songwriter Buck Meek’s "Halo Light" comes in soft with minimal guitar plucking, steadily adding percussion and vocals to build to a fuller sound. Meek’s voice is clear, gentle and holds a subtle country twang. The Big Thief guitarist put out his self-titled album last year on the Austin-based record label, Keeled Scales. “Halo Light” follows the same folk sound as the previous record, but falls on Meek’s sweeter side. The pastoral quality of his music has led to comparisons to Neil Young’s Harvest era. Still, Meek stands on his own as a modern power. In “Halo Light,” he addresses the hardship of loss and the ephemeral nature of life with a tender touch. His pain leaks through the lyrics, but his sweet and light melodies prevent the track from dipping too far into melodrama. He sings, “I found the hole you climbed through/ but it’s too small/ to follow with the flowers.” Meek will be touring this Spring both as a joint headliner with Twain and as support for Jeff Tweedy. He will also make an appearance at SXSW.

“Teeth” by Small Talks is a heartbreaking recollection of a love that’s passed by. Anyone who has lost a love can find solace in the powerful repetition of nostalgic experiences the narrator has had: “You taught me how to love, you taught me how to love no one but you/ You taught me how to look, you taught me how to look/ You taught me how to look for the thorns on all of the roses.” Advice often passed on by wise counselors says not to value relationships for their permanence, but for those not yet ready to embrace this, “Teeth” offers an understanding embrace. Small Talks’ album A Conversation Between Usis out now.

Folksy by nature, “Another Louisiana” by Jennah Bell carries with it a somber emotional feeling with a hint of southern charm. The Oakland native’s single off of her newly minted full-length debut, Anchors and Elephants features her earthy vocals surrounded by haunting acoustic blues that outline her strong lyrical writing ability. Like much of the album, “Another Louisiana” is a journey about heartbreak, love, growth, and identity— masterfully wrapped with influences of indie, folk, R&B and soul. Bell remarks, “It’s a song about drinking, and love too...and is probably the most vulnerable point on the record.” The lines, “It's the middle of the afternoon / and my glass is empty / and my life is too,” evoke a profound sadness and reflection on a particularly difficult time. “Another Louisiana” beautifully recalls Bell's internal battles and her struggles in relationships past in a way that you can't help but empathize with.

Wet’s recent release, “Old Bone” is a cozy tune perfect for cuddling around a campfire. The song is one of two acoustic-heavy tracks released by the Brooklyn-based duo this month. In their first album since going from trio to duo, the band’s sound has evolved from aesthetically ethereal to a more fun, Michelle Branch-like spin on indie folk. “Old Bone” follows suit. It’s the musical equivalent of a wool blanket warmed up in the dryer. Singer, Kelly Zutrau’s vocals are consistently soft at the edges, soothing to the ear even as she hits the highest notes— creating a vocal melody that is beautiful and serene. They’re lazy without losing any of their clarity, which is a nod to the song’s great production. The quiet but close arrangement of the acoustic guitar, upright bass, and muted kick drum evoke such strong classic folk vibes that the careful addition of a synth in the chorus feels natural. Instead of taking away from the song’s acoustic heart, it compliments and energizes it. “Old Bone” is a captivating and emotional song scattered with intimate hooks and dreamy surprises.

“Chains” begins the way everyone wants an 80s-inspired pop song to begin: a bright sustained chord, an unassuming emotional bass line, and a clear vocal sent from the heavens above. Picking up into a pulsing, Springsteen-inspired verse II, the track lifts off into an anticipatory sparkling blue. Nostalgia-dripping imagery like “smoke halo angel smile” and “country songs in a bar full of neon lights” further feed the serious Born to Run vibes on “Chains.” The track is also informed by the loose, ambient sounds of Tangerine’s contemporaries, such as Wet and Japanese Breakfast. The Los Angeles-trio said they recorded “Chains” on GarageBand. I don’t know about you, but my own GarageBand demos don’t sound an eighth as polished or pristine as this undeniable banger in the making. Check out Tangerine’s 2018 White Dove EP for more spirited, contemplative pop.

Glassio has been a long love for The Wild Honey Pie. Recently, we released a Buzzsession of the band performing, “Weight Of The World II,” a dazzling song about coming to terms with one’s place in the world after a loss. Glassio can take a concept that we have seen elsewhere, and add musical technicality that elevates the idea of the song to a different and engaging new reality. This is what Glassio has done with their song, “Age of Experience.” The hook, “I wanted to be apart/ be apart of it/ in the New York/ New York,” is a concept we have heard before. Moving to the big apple and making something of yourself is something that we can all deeply relate to. Glassio has created a sonic landscape in this song which encapsulates the feeling you have when finally learning a subway route, or learning the name of the cashier at your bodega, or going to a concert and recognizing the venue. By manipulating his voice to sound more like a chorus than a single person, he is recognizing the multiplicity of living in NYC, of engaging with yourself and those around you constantly, sometimes curtly and sometimes kindly. I would recommend this song to anyone who has a even a whisper of this experience, and allow the music to take you out of your head and into the streets. 

With the announcement of their debut album coming in April, Flaural releases the first single off of the record. "The Thinker" is a glimpse into the world of these Denver-based psych-rockers. The band comes back to us after years of being away from the scene, giving us an aptly titled record Postponement to look forward to.  Flaural's blend of psychedelic and rock feels organic — a balance that has found it's true equilibrium.  Lead singer Collin Johnson wrote "The Thinker" and essentially the album as a tribute to his late father, who passed away after suffering from ALS. Beyond the initial feeling of eutrophic bliss, is grief and an ode to the unsettlement that death brings. “Nobody likes when you’re not well / Come up, come up, and feel better now.,” he sings. The well-rounded song ends in a swarm of electricity the idea of just laying it all out — the good, the bad and the unanswered.

Soothing songbird Jessica Pratt is at her best on “This Time Around,” the sixth track on her new album, Quiet Signs. It’s aptly titled; quiet has always been the place where Pratt is most comfortable, and “This Time Around” is no exception. When she sings, her hazy falsetto sits barely above a whisper, and the vocal echo effect feels like something out of a dream. When she strums the same few chords of her guitar, hypnotically rhythmic in its repetition, her movements are tight and deliberate. Even the synth, beautiful and nostalgic, weaves its way through the verses unobtrusively. It’s a quietly contained sound that forces the listener to pay attention by being soft, and it’s a skill Pratt has mastered on this album. Listen to “This Time Around” at night by candlelight to best capture the intimate mood it demands.

On his newest single “Hollow,” Sydney-based producer Hounded breaks down the dichotomy between joy and melancholia by merging a colorful arrangement of multi-layered hooks with the haunting vocals of Panama. This is some of  Hounded’s best production work to date. His sonics are upbeat and lush, blending vibrant synths and smooth keys with a pop-style percussion that builds in momentum until it culminates in a lively chorus. The pulse of the song is a direct contrast to Panama’s quivering vocal and moody lyrics, but that’s why it works so well; listeners who relate to Panama’s lyrics about a bad love affair can dance away the pain to Hounded’s euphoric melodies. “Hollow” is a song that transcends mood and genre. You can’t help but feel good after you listen to it.