March 18, 2024

Solitary Bee: Love Wakes Up

Solitary Bee is an off-shoot from English neo-psychedelic power pop band It's Karma It's Cool. They felt that the more electronic poppy side of their material deserved another monicker. They share a love for Death Cab for Cutie and sure enough some of that band's sound has rubbed off on them, but the trio's debut single Love Wakes Up is more likely to be labeled as an extension of the output of the Canterbury scene. Tailor-made for being streamed from a top-off-the-line bluetooth speaker set during a picknick in the Summer. By that time the debut EP Bloom will be available as well.

Dusty Stray: Fire Place

photo: Auke Vleer

There are countless songs about heartbreak, so it is quite a challenge to come up with something memorable. Alt-folk artist Jonathan Brown is one of those rare artists who have found new ways to write about it. On Fire Place, the latest album by his Dusty Stray project, he goes through all the stages of grief, realizing that his love is not that Special and that he does not want to be with her Anymore, but also compiling Lists with the things he liked about her. She started drifting away and he is left to his own devices, collecting his thoughts staring at the Fire Place - the heat offers a bit of comfort. And while he sure as Hell wants to be Loved again and getting into a fulfilling relationship again, he is not that desperate that will try anything. After all, Happiness Strikes when you are not expecting it.

Brown's superb way with words are emboldened by a subtle, mostly acoustic band. Five years have gone by since the release of his previous album Estranged - which also was about the matters of the heart. With Fire Place he tapped into the same source, but now that he is getting older he looks to future with a bit more confidence as he has realized that being with someone might not be the be-all and end-all for him, at least for now.

March 17, 2024

Ward White: Continuity

Los Angeles based musician Ward White will release his new album Here Come The Dowsers on May 17. The art rock crooner will be taking a look at the movie business with his signature distanced wit. Lead single Continuity is served up in a comfu blanket of swirling guitars, tinkling piano and a subtle rhythm section playing catch. White uses the upper reaches of his vocal register to tell the tale of hope and dreams.

Being an art rock crooner is as far you can get away from what is popular right now, but his way of conjuring up an ace melody will be appreciated by fans of Sparks and David Bowie.

Words about music (726): Sun Ra

Music is a language, you see, a universal language.

Sun Ra

March 16, 2024

Rufus Wainwright: Perfect Day

Rufus Wainwright has made his cover of Perfect Day a late night lament, that is even more melanchiolic than the original. It will be included on the tribute album The Power of the Heart: A Tribute to Lou Reed, which will be released on Record Store Day (April 20).

» Lou Reed on Wikipedia
» rufuswainwright.com