Category Archives: Ben Slowey

AUDIO: Adorner – “Right Time / All the Time”

Psychedelic rockers Adorner recently dropped their debut single. With soaring vocal harmonies, New Age-friendly piano and sensual guitars, the band conjures a multicolored layer cake of a song, bursting with lovelorn emotion. It’s the type of song where you notice a different sound or component embedded every time you give it a listen. We hope to hear more from this

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AUDIO: Genesis Renji – “Siamese”

Hip hop artist Genesis Renji’s got a new joint out today. He raps about being in a relationship where he and his partner have different needs, and even though they miscommunicate sometimes, they know they’ve got something special. It’s a song about navigating the gray area; Renji knows himself and his boundaries very well, and not everyone will understand. Many

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AUDIO: Jacob Slade – “Gridlocked Clouds / Lavender Skies”

Dream pop artist Jacob Slade has a new single out this week. It’s a cooled-off tune about a relationship that you don’t want to lose; it feels painful every time you have to think about being apart. Slade compares the fading summer heat to the dissolution of the flame in the relationship, but it’s always still burning just a little.

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AUDIO: Bad Year – “Paranoid Failure”

Pop punk band Bad Year’s latest single is about “jumping ship” in a relationship. Things have been rocky lately and the future is looking bleak, so you’re debating whether or not to abandon it. The song makes effective use of the sinking-boat metaphor, giving it all you got while you’re still here, but ultimately knowing the fate that lies ahead.

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AUDIO: Old Wolves – “Weep Not For Wandered Fawn”

Blues folk act Old Wolves is out with a new record, closely following last week’s single “Shovel and a Broom.” For those that yearn for the darker side of folk music, look no further. These songs are largely about impending doom as we remain trapped by the shackles of capitalism, fighting for survival. As the song “The Lonely Oak” touches

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CONCERT REVIEW: Pitchfork Day 1 (Armand Hammer, Dehd, Hop Along, Black Midi, Animal Collective)

This year I had the pleasure of attending day one (of three) of Pitchfork Music Festival in Chicago. It was my first time seeing a large-scale live music event with thousands of people in attendance since the pandemic. Pitchfork thankfully required proof of vaccination and many showgoers wore masks, so despite the readjustment anxiety of navigating crowds again, it felt

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AUDIO: Lady Cannon – “Steal Your Girl”

Americana-folk rockers Lady Cannon have a new single out today. Accompanied by ethereal guitar work, a provocative bass line and heavenly backing vocals, Martha Cannon sings about observing a woman who’s obviously unhappy in a relationship and she contemplates interfering. It’s a bit stripped-down compared to Lady Cannon’s previous work, but that’s a good thing; it definitely works as a

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AUDIO: Xposed 4heads – “Planet A’ Go-Go”

New wave rockers Xposed 4heads have their new album out today. It’s a planetary party with plenty of funky grooves and sci-fi energy. The 4heads bring friendly, welcoming fun to the forefront with synth solos, group vocals, and danceable delight. Even in the midst of the apocalypse, the band is here to entertain. Star Girls make an appearance on the

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AUDIO: Faded Francis – “FRANCIS I”

Hip hop artist Faded Francis has a new EP out. There’s themes of aimlessness, intoxication, navigating relationships, and just trying to mind your business. The production is jazzy, watery, and airy all at once; Francis brings the hooks with a reserved, honest demeanor. It’s a tape about merely existing with chaos occurring all around you, and doing what you need

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AUDIO: Synymata FT. Neverwaves – “Bury Me Alive”

EDM producer Synymata teamed up with vocalist Neverwaves for a new track. This one’s a dubstep jam featuring soaring vocals about wishing to disappear in order to hide from pain. Emotions are tumbling down, making you feel like you’re descending into an abyss. It’s a rather emotional effort from the two artists, but it makes for a cathartic headbanger. Check

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AUDIO: Nightfall Heroes – “Radiance”

Industrial bass duo Nightfall Heroes recently dropped another single. This one finds the heroes going up against a bipedal radioactive behemoth out in the urban. The song is a progressive synthwave beater that perfectly complements the alternation between battle and retreat. It’s going to take immense strategy and teamwork, but the Nightfall Heroes know what they’re doing.

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VIDEO: North Warren – “Life’s A Beach”

Slacker rocker band North Warren’s got a video out to “Life’s A Beach” from their wonderful new EP “Glue.” Filmed by Bailey Fiste, the scenes feature frontman Luke Esperes seated in a chair in various places, holding a dog in his lap as he sings about routine malaise. It’s a song that feels especially relevant as many folks struggle to

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AUDIO: Plaid Hawaii FT. SPOILS – “Put Down Your Tears”

Tropidelic progressive dance producer Plaid Hawaii dropped another summer single, and this time he collaborated with vocalist SPOILS, who sings about having lived a lonely life all the time only to stumble upon someone that changed everything. He’s ready to put the sadness behind him and live a life full of joy and adventure. Plaid Hawaii lays down the brightly-shining

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AUDIO: Old Wolves – “Shovel and a Broom”

Dark blues-folk project Old Wolves has a new single out. It’s a song about everyone’s spirits getting buried at the end of the day by the titular tools; the sentient vehicles we call our bodies ultimately return to the dirt that birthed us. Joe Zumpano kicks the tempo up with some bluegrass sensibilities here. Face your fate with Old Wolves’

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ARTIST SPOTLIGHTS: Death Tape Super Bass, Citizen 2-13, Chamber of Knives, J. Mollerskov, Steve Schlei, Lorna Dune, Tampertamper, Pleasure Thief

Noise label/concert promoter FTAM hosted a massive noise showcase in the backyard of X-Ray Arcade Sunday afternoon. Sets from Death Tape Super Bass, Citizen 2-13, Chamber of Knives, J. Mollerskov, Steve Schlei, Lorna Dune, Frenia, TamperTamper, and Pleasure Thief all took place. We got to talk to each and every one of them – except Frenia, since we spotlighted them

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