If we still used cassette tapes, I would have worn all of mine out by now. I have a habit of putting songs on repeat until I need to switch over to a new train of thought. I am hardly even without headphones or earbuds and on those rare occasions there is a song playing in my head.
This is the first of hopefully many blog style reflections on the songs that captured my attention at the end of the month. I am focusing my attention more and more on music located in the scene near me, but I do listen to bigger artists. The goal of this publication overall is to highlight the community you can go out and meet today.
Before I get into this, I want to give a bit of a disclaimer. I am by no means an expert in anything music related. I just want to share the few songs that jumped out to me in no particular order. I am picking five songs because five is my favorite number and it feels right.
“Holy Stock” by Greenwood Forest
Right from the get-go “Holy Stock” grabbed my attention! As the single on the “Always Real” EP it is such a great introduction to gritty and nostalgic sound of Greenwood Forest. The guitar starts off solo with such a catchy riff, and the drums just come in to complete this beautiful opening before a single syllable is sung. During my first listen, the opening lyrics “Lately I don’t dream as much, static figures still show up,” immediately brought to my mind the feeling of getting sleep paralysis after already having a restless night. I have experienced this a few times, especially after having a stressful day. A once dreamless night gives way to a nightmare where I wake up unable to move or speak. Then the shadows at the edges of my vision start to form the outline of a person. This feeling is captured by the “Holy Stock” but I think the real focal point is this exploration of family relations with religion. It has some thought-provoking lyrics and very vivid images. I think the whole EP is worth a listen just for the storytelling alone!
“Gary” by ducking
I suggest listening to the “It’s Nice Out In Here” EP if you want the experience of soaking up the midnight hours without getting bit by mosquitoes. The hazy quality of ducking’s music is something that I can only imagine as being dreamed into existence. It feels like it was accidentally captured by recording someone as they are slipping in and out of sleep. The single “Gary” feels like waking up in the car at a gas station during a road trip. Dehydrated and still groggy, you can hear bits of conversation or maybe the radio and these things remind you of places and feelings you want to leave behind. I feel as though I am the person the singer is speaking to. I find myself looking for exits and asking why things have changed and why nothing is like it used to be. The lyrics “their saying we don’t have much time left/ and you’re always looking for the exit,” are pointing a finger at me saying I might need to kick that bad habit.
“The Claw is Rigged Anyway” by HummusVaccuum
This is definitely one of the highlights for me on the album “The Art of a Fake Laugh.” The relatable yet personal story of trying to connect to someone romantically as you are trying to figure out how to be a person, is something that I found very endearing. I found myself blasting this punk-pop ballad while driving to work thinking about who I wanted to share a summer shandy with once the weekend hits. The lyrics “I was never good at puzzles, but I think the corners fit just right,” is such a strong image to describe the feeling of finding the way you fit together with someone else. A puzzle doesn’t start to take shape until you form the outer frame and that framework in a relationship is the trust you build with the other person. The singer seems unsure at times about the trajectory of the relationship but is willing to have fun with it no matter what. I think we need more of this levity to be able to laugh at ourselves and the people we are close to. We should all be mastering the art of belly laughing without faking it!
“Gleam” by Villagerrr
When I first found out about Villagerrr I didn’t know they were right up the road in Columbus. I took a look at one of those suggested playlists that Spotify makes based on your listening history. The one’s with the weirdest titles like “Pink Pilates Princess Tuesday morning” or “Experimental haunting ballad Sunday night.” I am not sure what the playlist Villagerrr was featured on was called, but I am glad it was recommended to me. I was convinced in that moment to add “Neverrr Everrr” to a playlist and watch for new releases. The album “Carousel” is honestly a great listening experience start to finish but the short and sweet three minutes of “Gleam” are just perfect to put on repeat. The almost whispered vocals accompanied by the soft hum of distorted guitars and dependable rhythm of the drums create this dizzying feeling. I find myself whispering along with the song while I am supposed to be working. It’s like I am having my own Villagerrr concert because I still haven’t gotten a chance to head to one of their shows. If you haven’t heard Villagerrr yet, you need to change that!
“Fool’s Gold” by Passing on the Right
I am sure I am not the only 20-something looking for connection and meaning in messy world. This goal is unobtainable; you can’t find gold. You can’t fool yourself into thinking that there is only one thing in this world that gives your life purpose, but wouldn’t it be nicer if there was? I relate so much to the singer’s struggle in the song to find the shining thing or person that just makes life make sense. The thing is though; they are not even looking for real gold any more. They give up the hunt for it and will be satisfied with a cheap imitation because settling is better than being restless. This relentless push to keep moving even if the goal is a lie on is full display with how the song is arranged. The drum beat pounds along like a train on tracks while the lyrics “searching for something I never had,” ring out like a whistle over a frantic guitar. This upbeat but ultimately heart-breaking tune is so catchy that I genuinely find myself humming it in the rare moments I don’t have headphones on. The rest of the EP “End of Trail” is out now. I am sure that one of the tracks will make it to August’s recap because if there is one thing Passing on the Right does right is make some lyrically witty and catchy songs.
If you have any suggestions on songs to listen to, I hope to put a few polls up on the Howlite Instagram throughout the month to get some fresh faces in my music rotation. Until then, I hope you give all these amazing artists a listen! They are all worth hitting the repeat button!
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