Local Music Singles Roundup: January 2025
Local Music Reviews
No cultural references in this intro, just the music. January’s picks are notably mellow and built for those who love contemporary big band music, low-key hip-hop production and winding electronic tracks. If I had the space, I would pair each track with an elegant wine or a cold Four Loko.
Blushy Buttercup and Starmoon
“Saudade”
Tree Critters
Street: 11.23
Blushy Buttercup and Starmoon = death’s dynamic shroud x El Ten Eleven
A collaboration between Blushy Buttercup and Starmoon, “Saudade” is a sprawling, vibey cut. At over ten minutes long, it doesn’t crescendo or even build up, but instead vibes thoughtfully on the primary components. In this case the components are a sampled and deepened vocal melody, mathy and textural guitars and snappy drumming (gird yourself for a whole lot of rimshots). There are phases surely, but they gradate into one another in muted, unsaturated and cool shades of blue. Each phase has a uniqueness, but taken as a whole, “Saudade” has an early-2000s chillwave and downtempo feel to it — drenched in intimate rainy day melancholia. Fair warning: As this track is on the lengthier side, if you’re not enjoying the first minute of it, you don’t owe it to yourself to stay through the end credits. –tín Rodriguez
Henny
“Joshua (Ft. JUST JAY)”
Self-Released
Street: 11.28
Henny = The Alchemist + J Dilla’s room of records
The nuclear powerhouse that Voir Dire (The Alchemist + Earl Sweatshirt) has shaped up to be is undeniable, and it’s heard all throughout this single (and subsequent tracks on IN CASE OF FEAR). I’m not accusing Henny of being derivative nor JUST JAY of latching onto Sweatshirt’s signature casual baritone lyricism — there’s a ton on this single that breathes new life into its inspirations. Henny notably takes an even lower-key approach to his production, making it feel as if the listener is laid so low in their chair that their ass is in the air. JUST JAY is very intentional in his approach; he starts, stops and takes long breaths to let the track ease itself in and out of his lyrics. This track, and album, are for those who love when the the music gives you just enough — simple yet elegant. –wphughes
Melvin the Woodland Stray
“Moon Light Lover”
Mapapache
Street: 12.01
Melvin the Woodland Stray = Dirty Three + Chuck E. Weiss + Danny Elfman
I often think about how we interact with the music we listen to. How does having so much music at our fingertips affect us? That is why we have arrived at a natural point where Melvin the Woodland Stray can be simultaneously influenced by traditional folk music and new wave-y alternative rock. Beginning with some lone, ominous guitar noodling, “Moon Light Lover” is then joined by melismatic vocals matching the attitude of the preceding guitar part, creating an atmosphere of anticipation. Then the whole thing explodes with a full band, including some rollicking saxophone that brings it to electrified life. The song settles into this driving groove that sustains ‘til the end. It’s almost elemental in the way it comes at you and is nearly over before you even get your head around it. Strangely visceral, this song is an eruption of emotion and expression, done with sophistication. –James Orme
Sasha Haydn
“Phlip Fone”
Mother Goose
Street: 07.15
Sasha Haydn = (Haley Heynderickx + Courtney Barnett) “Dumb & Poetic” Sabrina Carpenter
Can you feel it? Can you feel the phantom buzz of the bejeweled fuschia flip phone in your pocket? That’s Sasha Haydn’s single “Phlip Fone” calling, caught somewhere between past and present, from Brat Summer to Soft Girl Winter. It’s a dance tune with brains, romanticizing the idea of leaving all of, well, *gestures broadly* this, behind. “Phlip Fone” begins with a wave of mostly-dead tech sounds before leading into a buoyant, bluesy pop piano track with gold-star lyrics. The nostalgic, Norah Jones-inspired instrumentation collides with Haydn’s clever, contemporary rhythmic wordplay dealing with modern day electronic anxiety: “I can admit I’m a bit of an addict / Can’t help but submit to the bit and stay static / Or chat in passing how I tend to reminisce / On the antithesis of what’s kicking the kids.” Departing from her emotionally raw, vocals-forward tracks like “Designated” and “Mercury in Marmalade,” “Phlip Fone” showcases both Haydn’s versatility and her intricate lyrical prowess. –Libby Leonard
Spencer Kilpatrick & The Sand Gators
“Vlade Divac (Small Town, Big Water)”
Self-Released
Street: 12.06
Spencer Kilpatrick & The Sand Gators = Steely Dan + Miles Davis + Santana
The funky bari-saxophone paired with the rock guitar instrumentation comes alive in Spencer Kilpatrick & The Sand Gators’ recent release of “Vlade Divac (Small Town, Big Water).” Composed of five musicians—Ivan Gates on bass, Dan Weiss on percussion, Rachael McElhiney on bari saxophone, Dani Taylor on guitar and synth and Spencer Kilpatrick on guitar—the ensemble’s music is big band with more of a ‘60s or ‘70s flare. With jazz and psychedelic rock influences, the group creates a complex track reminiscent of Herbie Hancock’s classic and soulful music with an edge. Starting out with big vocals from the whole group, the powerful energetic voices radiated from my phone speakers, almost as if I were at a concert in the front row. The jazz slowly turns to rock and roll with the heavy guitar and fuzzy synth. If you’re looking for some groovy jazz and psychedelic rock fusion music, check out Spencer Kilpatrick & The Sand Gators on Bandcamp now! –India Bown
The Wildfires
“Inferno”
Self-Released
Street: 01.25
The Wildfires = Slowdive + Johnny Cash
Time to jump ahead and cue your winter defrost with a little “Inferno.” That’s right Dante, you got nothing when it comes to The Wildfires’ latest track. Psychedelic, a little shoegaze-y and political, “Inferno” is a fun, trippy single from the band’s upcoming album, Drift. The Wildfires take us straight into a hell of our making right off the gate with lyrics, “Off we go down the spiral staircase / Into the inferno / Knowing the hell that awaits us / We forge ahead.” The cruel consequences of our corrupt society’s actions are what got us here in the first place: “I see the who has everything steal the baker’s bread / One man hoards the others squanders in unrelenting greed.” Now, it’s wildly apparent that media literacy is on the decline, but it’s blatantly obvious to the average listener just what The Wildfires are talking about here. While the air might still be bitingly cold outside, get heated up about the things that matter the most to you and take action with “Inferno” blasting behind you. –Yonni Uribe
Read more Local Music Singles Roundups:
Local Music Singles Roundup: December 2024
Local Music Singles Roundup: November 2024