AOTW: Mako Road – “Stranger Days”

Friday, February 10th, 2023 by Liz Kosik

by Analia Cortez ’25

Mako Road – “Stranger Days” 

Release: 2021

Rated: 8.5/10

RIYL: Peach Fur, Gromz, The Shambles, Letters to Lions

Mako Road is a four-member indie-rock band from New Zealand, consisting of two guitars, a bassist, and a drummer. Being highly popular in New Zealand, and the Australian area, these guys are very fond of at festivals. Now with a larger music selection, they just had their first official tour! This album was heavily anticipated as several singles and EPs had been released, leading up to the album. Before this album release, they came up with three EPs- those being “The Green Superintendant”, “Local Safari”, and “Stranger Days” before releasing the “Stranger Days” debut album. The sound revolving around “Stranger Days” captures the groovy sound of indue-rock and “psych-surf” vibes. This makes it the perfect soundtrack for the long summer days that are also waited for in anticipation. Overall good vibes while listening to this album, not just for Aussie or Kiwi listeners, but everyone. (more…)

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AOTW: The Alchemist – “The Alchemist Sandwich”

Tuesday, February 7th, 2023 by Liz Kosik

by Amelia Dunat ’25

The Alchemist – “The Alchemist Sandwich”

Release: December 16, 2022

Rate: 7/10

“The Alchemist Sandwich” is a compilation album of collaborative singles the producer has created over the past few years, combining the track lists of two EPs from 2018- “Lunch Meat” and “Bread.” The compilation includes two new tracks in addition to the EP’s, with features from artists such as Schoolboy Q. I found the overall production and beats better than any of the verses themselves, as no track was significantly better than the rest, but my favorites were “The Hopeless Romantic” featuring Action Bronson, “E. Coli” featuring Earl Sweatshirt, and “Roman Candles Burning” by Roc Marciano.

These tracks may be a few months or years old, but The Alchemist has managed to combine them in an imaginative and raw way, making sure to add his trademarks like soulful elements, innovative samples, and heavy bass. “E. Coli” is dense with symbolic lyrics, “Mac 10 Wounds” features a memorable beat change and Action Bronson’s flow on “The Hopeless Romantic” is unmatched. With only 10 tracks adding up to 30 minutes, the ambient album featuring some of the best rappers today is for sure worth a listen.

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SOTW: King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizards – “Exploding Suns”

Thursday, November 17th, 2022 by Liz Kosik

SONG OF THE WEEK: King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizards – “Exploding Suns”

by Isabelle Braudakis ’25

Rate: 9/10  

Released: October 28, 2022  

RYIL: The Murlocs, Art of Sleeping, Moses Gunn Collective, Pipe-eye, Post Animal

King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard is an Australian rock band formed in 2011 in Melbourne. The group were all friends who liked to jam out and create unique and meaningful music. The band’s current lineup consists of Stu Mackenzie, Ambrose Kenny-Smith, Cook Craig, Joey Walker, Lucas Harwood, and Michael Cavanagh. Throughout the years the band has explored many genres, but their music can be described as psychedelic rock, garage rock, progressive rock, and heavy metal.

Exploding Suns starts with a slow and steady drumline accompanied by a guitar. The reverb helps create a dream-like state which Mackenzie contributes to with his soft and gentle voice. The drumline throughout the song remains steady while other strange instruments join in. The song almost sounds like you are floating in space all while on a psychedelic trip. I would recommend listening to this song during a chill nighttime drive or just having it in the background when hanging out with friends on a relaxing night in.

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AOTW: Karmic – “Disco Submarine”

Thursday, November 10th, 2022 by Liz Kosik

by Analia Cortez ’25

Karmic – “Disco Submarine”

Release: September 2022

Rated: 8/10

RILY: Thunder Jackson, PRESSYES, Little Element, Leyya, 5K HD, Wargirl, DIVES, Cari Cari, Roast Apple.

In September 2022, Los Angeles and Vienna-based Karmic released their debut album. “Disco Submarine” was born into the Indie Pop world after being recorded during the Covid-19 lockdown. The intention of this album was to get a connection formed between people and music. “Disco Submarine” is built around the idea of a small space with music where closeness and connections could be created. The variety of sounds produced for this album echo the waves of emotions that were experienced not just through the pandemic, but everything in their five years together. A personal favorite from this album would have to be the sixth track “Boomerang“. Tracks four and five – “Dive Bar” and “Mantra” – are a close second and third. These songs have an upbeat yet relaxing feel to them, making them suitable for homework, a nice walk, or simply relaxing! This sound on this album is one I would listen to on occasion, however, overall, I enjoy the vibe of it and do take a strong liking to this. For a more upbeat feel, I would suggest checking out their singles “Wisdom Pie” and “Little Lucille“.

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