5 Day Forecast: W2V5

Friday ∆ Matthew Parker - Bitter Tears (A Christmas Song)

Alright everyone, this week I was very busy with school work and other life activities. So, I wasn't able to write a Friday Forecast. But, good news I'll give you a song anyway...just not the review/description.

Anyway, Christmas is right around the corner and I found this pretty cool Christmas song by Matthew Parker. Bitter Tears is up for free download so you can download it add it to your Christmas playlist. So sorry for the delayed post and well, lack of post but I'll catch up next week with the artist spotlight that was meant for this week and the regular Forecast schedule. 

Peace for the week.

-Sam

5 Day Forecast: W2V4

Thursday ∆ WJLP - Diamonds and Pearls

The Beatles, probably the most influential. and most popular band to walk the earth. Also quick fact, Yesterday (by the Beatles, which I'm hoping you already knew) is the most covered song in existence. But, this song that I am reviewing today is no cover band of the Beatles wishing to live vicariously through the music of such a huge band. This band WJLP carries very strong Beatle-like influences in every song like bands such as Tame Impala seem to do as well.

No, this artist is not from England, in fact they come from Rotterdam, Netherlands. Pretty close I guess. Well, upon our first play of this song Cole and I instantly thought Beatles. The vocals, guitars, everything, spoke The Beatles.

The song initiates with a generic drum beat that you'd probably hear Ringo play. Some clean guitar chords with a very bluesy type progression play over the drum beat which is soon accompanied by some...you know what I'm just going to stop it here...just take a listen and you'll see exactly what I mean. I could go on for days about the comparisons so, just listen and see for yourself.

But, if you're ever in need of a Beatles cover band or a band that sounds very close to them, then look no further.

5 Day Forecast: W2V3

Wednesday ∆ Circa Waves - Good For Me

Well, it's an Indie Rock type day so here you go, Circa Waves - Good For Me. This band from Liverpool, England has two Brit Rock reminiscent tracks that are very upbeat. They still hold onto those British punk/rock characteristics while sounding like an American surf rock/indie rock bands like Best Coast or The Walkmen.

The intro starts off with this bass lacking fuzzy guitar melody. It then quickly breaks into a fast paced rock drum beat with hard strumming power chord sounding guitars on top. The trudging bass line is relatively prominent in the track and it provides the song with a heavier feel. Despite the higher amount of distorted sounds the vocals are clean and clear soaring over the guitar melodies, chords, bass lines, and hard hitting drums. The vocals are very "Indie Rock" sounding. The singer's voice has a little bit of a Billy Joe Armstrong twang to it. I really enjoy when the back up vocals come in. They sound very distant and reverby at times but it really beefs up the parts they try and emphasize, the main lyrics of the song "Good For Me".

The song sticks to the main format through out it. It mainly sticks to the fast drum beat/guitars strumming chords, to the guitar picked melodies with tom drum beat underneath mixed, to the 2 second vocal part singing "Good For Me". But, it's a pretty short song and the quick tempo really makes it go by fast. Therefore, the repetition and lack of variety in format doesn't really bother me. This song really has some pros to it and very few cons. It's an enjoyable, quick, memorable, and upbeat song that deserves some recognition.

So, check out the other song on their soundcloud, Get Away if you want more Circa Waves.

5 Day Forecast: W2V2

Tuesday ∆ GJan - Now You

Who is ready for some pop!? Well here ya go. This song is something to dance to, but instead of that generic Putbull crap we a presented with a pop song set to inspire. Besides her looks, GJan has a voice unlike anyone I've heard. She's Lithuanian so this is going to be good!

Now You provides a listen unlike experience most pop/ dance songs fail to achieve. This is what pop songs should model themselves' after. It actually is a beautiful composition. The song has a up tempo beat to keep you on your feet, yet it has a subtle delivery that spikes at the chorus. GJan makes this song very emotional, it's like shes screaming to whoever it's about and saying , "F&#K YOU!" The emotion of the song is also what sets it apart.

If you like The Naked and Famous or Young Wonder, you would like GJan. Her style is very similar, she incorporates her synths much like they do. She is not new to music either, she has a slew of great songs like Need Your Love and TATTOO which can all be heard on her Soundcloud.



-Cole

5 Day Forecast: W2V1

Monday ∆ The Holidays - All Time High

Melodies make music, they make you cry, feel joy and get goosebumps. This is a song that gives me goosebumps. That's when you know when music is good. This song from Australia's The Holidays is a track that I love. It has that melody you could put into a commercial or a action montage, it works. The vocals perfectly accompany the rest of the instruments, creating a very unique sound and feel.

All Time High has that spunk to it that brings joy to your ears. And here at the radar, we love upbeat songs, especially this one. As a matter of fact, today I played this song on repeat for a good hour and lost track of myself in the melody. This song is sure to put you in an all time high.

Indie Pop is becoming more of a cookie cutter experience, oh the irony. However this track seems to break it and mystify the listener. If you like The Temper Trap you will love these guys. There riffs are very similar and have to same vibe. Specifically I love how the drums and the guitar riff work together in unison, you don't hear that much anymore. I have too much to say about this song, but I won't hold you any longer. Here it is...



-Cole

5 Day Forecast: W1V5

Friday ∆ Eliza and the Bear - It Gets Cold

It's winter, it's cold, you want to get out of the frigid hell that is the northern hemisphere. Well, this London band knows how you feel. It sure does get cold in the winter but the song It Gets Cold will have you warm and toasty despite those chilly wintry vibes. Also, hey, it's friday don't you really need a "pick-me-up" song to start your weekend?

Eliza and the Bear's song has a rhythm, tune, and feeling, of a band that you would hear in a pub in England. But, they mix their English influences with a modern indie pop feel. The beat gallops and keeps a really upbeat atmosphere. The guitars, oh the guitars, I just love the clean melody it plays and the quick little noodles and chords that ring throughout the song. It really makes you well, "turn that frown upside-down" that you've had from all your seasonal depression.

All of the instruments fit splendidly together but, the vocals really push this track along. The singer's english accent actually makes this song feel more *auth, like you really are listening to some english pub band. Their use of reverb on the vocals are minimal but, when he sings "it gets cold" (0:49) the reverb really beefs up the vocals and emphasizes the lyrics. The beginning is great but, when the breakdown hits (2:20), the song gets even more lively and exciting. The hard strumming guitars, the big cymbal crashes, and yes those beautiful horns really get you going and "jamming out". Then all the back-up vocals come in and it's just...just...just...wonderful. It gets your blood pumping and really puts a smile on your face.

If I were to make some comparisons I'd say their Indie-Pop styles are very reminiscent of Shortstraw on their 2013 LP Good Morning, Sunshine. But, their UK sound for some reason remind me of The Real McKenzies or a toned down (in distortion) Dropkick Murphy's.

Massive, kudos to these bros from London. Great track and great way to end the week.


 

-Peace for the week
∆ Sam

*auth = authentic

5 Day Forecast: W1V4

Thursday ∆ The Black and White Years - Strange Figurines

Hey, are you guys into dreamwave? Well if not this song will turn you into a total dreamwave bro. The Austin, Texas group The Black and White Years has put out this fun loving, synth filled, totally sap song, Strange Figurines. Also, check out the plays it has. At the time I am writing this it only has about 54. But, before you know it this song might rack up the plays and end up on Alt Nation with all mainstream indie hits. Congrats you stupid hipster, you're listening to some pretty underground tunes now.

The song opens up with some simplistic synth lines, but the melody is too wicked and has me instantly hooked. The synths remind me of some synths that chillwave dudes such as, Chad Valley or Small Black would strike up in their tunes. The 2 step minimalistic kick and snare beat really gets the groove going despite its simplistic vibes.

The verse hits with an additional basic plucking synth and some melancholy relatively basic vocals. But, this bro's vocal melodies totally compliment the song and the atmosphere it creates further fits it into the dreamwave genre. Then, comes the chorus which varies slightly from the verse in terms of melody, chords, etc (not by too much). Although the beat, melody, and chords remain relatively the same throughout the whole tune, "I don't care, I love it" (please tell me I didn't just use that line). The repetition in this song believe it or not adds some character to it and I really like it.

This tune has got me bobbing my head throughout and really puts off some chill vibes. In the song they constantly repeat the lyrics "shut up, and kiss me" but I won't be shutting up about this song.

5 Day Forecast: W1V3

Wednesday ∆ Bad Suns - Cardiac Arrest

Those of you who listen to Alt Nation on Sirius XM radio may have heard this song by Woodland Hills, CA band Bad Suns before. Yes, it was featured on that station recently. Alt Nation is becoming a mainstream source for hip restaurants and teenage kids. However, it still puts forth some good indie music that obviously hasn't reached the charts yet. 

This song has 30,000 plays on soundcloud (at the time I'm writing this) which isn't as much as other songs that Alt Nation has advertised such as Paris by Magic Man (coming in at 370,000 plays). I actually like this song, though the vocals take on that generic new wave of "we have the capability of making it mainstream with our 'indie hits'" vibe. However, they are still very inviting and well, pretty good to say the least. 

The drums move the track along with their "bigger" sound accompanied with the bass grooves and guitar chords intermixed with some clean melodies. The chorus "I try my best (blah blah) cardiac arrest" (though I don't fully know the lyrics, it is really catchy, and I like it). It makes the song memorable. 

Ultimately, if you like bands such as St. Lucia, Atlas Genius, and Bastille, that carry those vibes that can make it in the mainstream then this song is for you. Or if you like songs that have a pretty nice upbeat feel and crisp memorable melodies well, you're in luck because this also may be the song for you.

5 Day Forecast: W1V2

Tuesday ∆ Forgiveness - Jessy N. Bademagresto

I don't know where everyone reading this blog lives, but for central New Jersians (keep in mind this was written last Tuesday), it was rainy and cold today. Which is why I present you with the warming track, Forgiveness by Jessy N. Bademagresto.

This comforting folk track sounds as if B A S E C A M P, Seal, and some elements of Bon Iver (I regret saying that) came together and formed one track. R&Besque vocals glide through the noodled acoustic guitar and float over the subby bass to create a comforting atmosphere.

Although Bademagresto comes from France, the vocal tone and scale in this song reminds me of something middle eastern. His voice has this hiss to it that cuts right through the sound waves and grabs your attention. As the song progresses and he hits those longer notes, you realize just how powerful his vocals are. It also sounds like there are two samples of his voice going at once with a slight delay between the two. This really adds a ghostly effect that which emphasizes what seems to be the most important and repeated phrase in the song "here I am".

 After some glorious singing some strings enter the scene and just compliment the guitar fantastically, adding some great energy. Overall the atmosphere produced is great for those cold rainy late fall days. It made me want to curl up in a window sill chatting with Siri staring out into the rain like Zooey DeChanel in that oldish Apple commercial. But, aside from that, give Bademagresto some follows and likes on his tracks on soundcloud to give this bro some recognition.

5 Day Forecast: W1V1

Monday ∆ fwdslxsh - Oceans (ft. starRo)

This London producer, affiliated with Last Night In Paris puts out some absolutely chill tracks. Tracks that have you drifting off to other dimensions upon your first listen. The song Oceans grasps the day one spot on the Forecast for it's pure chill vibes. A perfect song to curl up in bed and close your eyes to catch up on that sleep you lost the night before from looking at this blog. 

The female vocal sample cooly sings "not trying to be rude, baby" which the beautiful amount of reverb carries and sends you off into space. The chord synths reminiscent of some euro lounge vibes, layered with some extremely ambient piano sounds are spectacularly arranged and carry the track along. But, for some strange reason this song reminds me of a SweetValley type tune such as Bros Beyond or Stone. Most likely it's the dreamy abstract mood they create. The drum beat is smoother than butter and the wood blocks intermixed with the running hi-hats are reminiscent of something Giraffage or XXYYXX would produce.

Those hip-hopesque drum beats seem to be growing in popularity in modern ambient/chillwave/chillout music now a days. But, I'm not complaining because it really does enhance the groove and entices that chilling feel. If you listen to other songs by fwdslxsh the beats hold true to each other. Mostly every song consists of this engulfing kick drum, followed by some 808 style claps or snares with a reasonable amount of reverb. Not only do the drums remain consistent, but the heavy amount of *side-chaining as well. However, their consistency is commendable because it forms a recognizable sound for this producer.

Overall, the song is so elegantly and beautifully produced which has me bobbing my head until the end. The song fades out with some light guitar and children talking. It's hard to understand exactly what they are saying because most of it is shouts and gibberish, but most likely they are talking about the chill vibes of fwdslxsh - Oceans.

For more fwdslxsh, take a peek at their soundcloud:

Also Check out Last Night In Paris:



Definition:
*side-chaining [to put it in its most understandable form.] = a style of compression that ducks (reduces volume) of one instrument or sound based on another instrument or sound. A common form of this would be the kick drum ducking the sound of a synth to get a pumping effect.