Reviews
Album of the Week: Fleece – “Fleece EP”
Monday, March 1st, 2021 by Ronnie Gruseck
Reviewed By: Anna Markulis
Rate: 9/10
RIYL: Babe Rainbow, Post Animal, Paul Cherry, Gold Celeste, Post Animal, Sugar Candy Mountain
Canadian psychedelic indie rock band Fleece has released four happily laid-back songs in their newest EP titled Fleece. While the band formed in 2014, it was not until 2017 that they gained a large following after posting a parody YouTube video which gained over 7 million views titled, “How to Write and Alt-J Song”. Since their formation in 2014, Fleece has released three albums and even went on a North American music tour in 2017.
Despite its release in the dead of winter, Fleece EP is reminiscent of the warm summertime. Each one of the four tracks sounds like a trip to the beach, particularly in the third track “So Long” which is carried by a warm and uplifting guitar riff throughout the song. “Do U Mind (Leave the Light On)” showcases Fleece’s more psychedelic side of their musicianship with their dreamy, almost unintelligible lyrics and groovy instrumentals. Go check out Fleece EP now!
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Album of the Week: Waltzer – “Time Traveler”
Friday, February 26th, 2021 by Ronnie Gruseck
Reviewed By: Anna Markulis
Waltzer – “Time Traveler”
Released: January 29th, 2021
Rate: 8.5/10
RIYL: Woes, Burr Oak, Spacebones, Ohmme, Falcon Jane, Anna B Savage
Chicago musician Sophie Sputnik has released her debut album as Waltzer, Time Traveler. This album combines influences of punk, garage rock, and doo-wop to create a noisy, emotional, and energetic listening experience in just eight diverse tracks.
Waltzer shares her struggles with ADD, comparing her attention span to a swinging lantern in one of the most unsettling tracks, “Lantern.” She sings, “I read all the books only halfway through, my attention span is a swinging lantern.” “I Don’t Wanna Die” is perhaps the most cynical track on the album but is undeniably the catchiest as it blends hard garage rock with a 1950’s pop twist. Overall, Time Traveler is a unique album that shows off the versatility and potential for more good music by Waltzer.
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Song of the Week: Alice Ivy – “In My Mind”
Wednesday, December 9th, 2020 by Ronnie Gruseck
Reviewed By: Aly Martinez
Our WLOY Music Director, Aly, has a new recommendation for you while you study for finals!
“Especially with finals coming up it is important to have some chill and fun music to listen to. If that is what you are looking for this song is perfect for your playlist. It has that fun electronic sound, but it flows in a very mellow way which brings a nice contrast and is definitely unique. Definitely check it out!”
Tune in to WLOY Radio for relaxing yet energizing study music. And remember: we here at WLOY are rooting for you and wish you good luck!
Posted in News, Reviews | 1 Comment »
Album of the Week: Peel – “Peel”
Tuesday, November 17th, 2020 by Ronnie Gruseck
Reviewed By: Anna Markulis
Released: November 12th , 2020
Rate: 8/10
RIYL: Bauhaus, Yves Tumor, No Joy, Disq, Sorry, Spirit of the Beehive
The musical duo Sean Cimino and Isom Innis have just released their newest self-titled album, Peel. Peel recalls the recording sessions which took place in the band’s downtown LA loft and their efforts of creating a “wall of sound.” Their high ceilings and concrete floor created their signature cavernous sound present in Peel.
Peel’s 1980s New Wave influences and echoey shoegaze vocals presents a unique atmospheric sound that can be the soundtrack to any part of your day. While the lyrics of tracks like “Citizen X” and “Persona” are simple and repetitive, the simplicity perfectly complements the layered distorted guitar riffs and vocals. Check out Peel now on iTunes and other streaming platforms!
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Rising Artist TOKYO’S REVENGE Releases “GOTHAM” Music Video
Wednesday, October 7th, 2020 by The Professor
By Kelley Chan
TOKYO’S REVENGE, a twenty-year-old multigenre artist from Geffen Records, has recently released the music video for his new single “GOTHAM.” This rising artist is known and loved across the world, with his previous hit single “GOODMORNINGTOKYO!” reaching #2 on the Rolling Stone’s Trending 25 chart, #1 on Spotify’s Global Viral 50, and more.
Through Tokyo’s new rise to fame, he has remained anonymous, making fans more curious to know who he is. On September 16th, WLOY Loyola Radio was able to hear from TOKYO’S REVENGE speak about his musical background, influences, and inspirations. (more…)
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Album of the Week: Declan McKenna – “Zeros”
Friday, October 2nd, 2020 by Ronnie Gruseck
Reviewed by Anna Markulis
Released: September 4th 2020
Rate: 8/10
RIYL: Wallows, Peach Pit, HUNNY, The Honeysticks, Vampire Weekend, Cage the Elephant
“Zeros” is British indie-pop artist Declan McKenna’s second full-length album that is available now for purchase and streaming. McKenna procured a spot on the Billboard Top 20 after self-releasing his first single “Brazil” at age 16. In 2017, he released his first album “What Do You Think About the Car?” which gained him a loyal fan base and left listeners eager for new music.
“Zeros” features 80s inspired songs such as “You Better Believe!!!” and “The Key To Life On Earth” that will uplift anyone who listens. Despite the majority of these songs being upbeat with electronic synth tones, “Zeros” also features songs with a calmer acoustic guitar atmosphere that is apparent in “Emily” and “Eventually, Darling.” There is a song guaranteed for everyone, no matter their taste or mood. Be sure to give it a listen!
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Album of the Week: Cayucas – “Blue Summer”
Thursday, October 1st, 2020 by Ronnie Gruseck
Reviewed by Anna Markulis
Release: September 25th, 2020
Rate: 9/10
RIYL: Beach Boys, Beck, Real Estate, Allah-Las, Beach Fossils
Brothers Zach and Ben Yudin from Santa Monica return with more California summer-inspired music in their fourth album, “Blue Summer.” While COVID-19 forced us to stay home this summer, Cayucas instantly transports you to the warm carefree feeling of summer in California; driving with the windows down, surfing at the beach, enjoying the warmth without a care in the world. Cayucas takes the summer surf sound of the Beach Boys and transforms it into a new modern indie sound of their own in this album. You truly feel like you’re at the beach when listening to “Blue Summer.” (more…)
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Review: Lola Marsh – Only For A Moment
Thursday, November 7th, 2019 by WLOY Staff
By: Aly Martinez
Lola Marsh – Only For A Moment
Release: 2019
Rate: 8.7/10
RIYL: Acollective, The Backyard, Jane Bordeaux
Lola Marsh is a duo that is comprised of vocalist Yael Shoshana Cohen and multi-instrumentalist Gil Landau. They released their first EP “You’re Mine” back in 2016. Lola Marsh became very popular online and then during their live performances, and they have now played both in North America and in Europe. They released their first album “Remember Roses” in 2019 and hit 40 million streams on Spotify.
Only for A Moment is a new single released by the duo and if it could be just a taste of a new album coming. I would say this song starts off with a very chill sound, a sound that reminds of the song “Rhiannon” by Fleetwood Mac, but then takes an interesting turn and turns more upbeat. This is the perfect song to play when you’re just hanging out and want a song that will make you bop your head to the beat. If this is a sneak peek of what is to come, then I am very much looking forward to what is coming.
Tags: Music, music review, new album, new music, new release, Single, single review
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Review: I DON’T KNOW HOW BUT THEY FOUND ME – 1981 Extended Play
Monday, November 4th, 2019 by WLOY Staff
By: Aly Martinez
I DONT KNOW HOW BUT THEY FOUND ME – 1981 Extended Play
Release: November 8, 2018
Rate: 9/10
RIYL: Ricky Montgomery, The Honeysticks, half·alive
I DONT KNOW HOW BUT THEY FOUND ME also known as iDKHOW is an American indie pop duo that features Dallon Weekes and Ryan Seaman that was formed in 2016. Dallon Weekes is a former member of the popular band Panic! At The Disco, and he worked with Seaman before in the band The Brobecks. Weekes and Seaman had a unique vision to create a band that people would have to discover on their own, by only performing at small venues they built a devout fanbase.
If I were to describe this album, I would say it is fun and futuristic. It has incredible upbeat vibes and makes you want to get up and dance. My personal favorite is Do It All the Time, this is a song that you would listen to walking through the streets feeling like you can take on anything. I truly think this is a band we have to keep an eye on.
Tags: album, album review, Music, music review, new album, new music, new release, review
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Review: elbow – Giants of All Sizes
Saturday, November 2nd, 2019 by WLOY Staff
By: Aly Martinez
elbow – Giants of All Size
Release: October 11, 2019
Rate: 8.5/10
RIYL: Doves, I Am Kloot, Turin Brakes
elbow is a band that is based in England. They came together as a band in the ’90s when they were all in college and have since then created 8 studio albums and have received several awards for their music. They caught national attention with their debut EP in 1998. They have become staples in the UK rock scene since their creation.
When they recorded this album, some songs were done live in the studio and others in individual studios so they could all form their sound. It is an interesting dynamic that both appreciate teamwork and individualism. They can be described as a mellow rock sound mixed with some more hardcore sounds flowing in and out of the songs. The rock feels mixed with powerful and sometimes angry lyrics can be very capturing to the audience. One of my favorite songs is called “Empire” which has a somewhat upbeat sound mixed with slow and dragged out vocals. I recommend this to our listeners.
Tags: album, album review, Music, music review, new album, new music, new release
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