Now Listening: This Week's Tracks
By Astrid Ortega & Isabella Vega
Ivytide - “Blurr”
A somberly chill track with some solid beats to keep it moving “Blurr” hones in on smooth R&B elements with aspects of bedroom pop and indie sounds. The first single off of Ivytide’s upcoming EP, Pardon our distance, “Blurr” reflects on the “the distance between two people that comes from a disparity in perceptions, emotions and perspectives.” The dreamy tones mix with a lo-fi texture for a washed-out though attentive feel, letting the listener get lost with each beat.
Hollyy- “What A Shame”
With the first guitar chord, “What A Shame” radiates a groovy flow. With heartfelt crooning and even more emotive lyrics, the track gets the listener’s heart dancing. The band notes a shift in their writing style with upcoming music, sharing, “A common theme across a lot of our lyrics and projects incorporate heartbreak and a past love. One thing we’re really trying to work on when we write now, and was certainly a goal for our upcoming album, was to be a little more introspective and deep in our words, imagery and meaning.” From the layers of instrumentals and vocals to the touching flow, the track highlight’s the group’s attention to detail and the path they are starting to create for themselves.
Mind Shrine - “5 Long Days”
With a breezy melody throughout, Mind Shrine’s new single, “5 Long Days” encapsulates a sunny day in LA. The song was written after the band came out to California, their first time being out of state. Hoping to get here and get to business on music with another artist who invited them out to crash in LA, they got ghosted as they landed with no place to stay for five long days. The song is about that experience, and if occurrences like that are what inspire the band, it’s no surprise how good they produce their music and lyrics. “5 Long Days” will remind you of summer days that are to come soon, and it’ll soon fill your world with warm memories.
Deperuse - “The Fifteenth Curse”
“The Fifteenth Curse” is the first single of new artist, Deperuse. The song builds on nostalgia with slow yet fast melodies, almost hazy vocals, and the intricate use of synths. Described as the effect of coming out of a nostalgic or joyful moment, when everything feels slow and you’re in your head but you’re really not, like looking into another world. Deperuse continues to describe it as, “When you are snapped back into a reality that you don't necessarily agree with, but you must keep moving.” Also, the three minute mark on this song is like a small trip in your brain.
Roni Bar Hadas - “You’re Gonna Tell Me”
Sweet synths move Roni Bar Hada’s dream pop bop along with a underying retro tones. The second single from her debut album Calm The Beast, “You’re Gonna Tell Me” centers around “the conflict between remaining in a known, comfortable place, and the urge to go out to .explore the unknown.” Based in Tel Aviv, Hada’s strong though smooth vocals keep a solid flow to the track, leading the listener along with each note.
