discovering and sharing the music that moves us

Month: September 2023

Flora Cash’s ‘i’m tired’ Is A Soulful Journey
Features, Music

Flora Cash’s ‘i’m tired’ Is A Soulful Journey

Acclaimed Swedish-American indie-pop duo Flora Cash is back with a hauntingly beautiful new single titled "i'm tired." It's a must-listen for music fans seeking depth and emotional resonance in their playlists. Consisting of Shpresa Lleshaj and Cole Randall, the song was released on their own Flower Money Records. Photo Credit: Gina Scarpino With "i'm tired," the song's haunting late-night piano melodies evoke a sense of raw vulnerability and introspection. It's a sonic journey that not only represents the essence of their signature sound but also ventures into new and uncharted territory. The story of Flora Cash is one of love, resilience, and artistic triumph. Shpresa Lleshaj, who had to flee war-torn Kosovo, and Cole Randall, who endured a turbulent upbringing with an incarcer...
Charming Rom-Com ‘Love at First Sight’ Lands on Netflix (Review)
Features, Film, Reviews

Charming Rom-Com ‘Love at First Sight’ Lands on Netflix (Review)

'Love at First Sight' is an adaptation of a hit YA novel that finds the fickle finger of fate pointing directly at two strangers who meet at the airport. Narrated by Jameela Jamil ('The Good Place'), the film is charmingly slight, but fun to watch. The original novel is called 'The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight,' which is such a better title and, yet, you probably would be less likely to pick that off the Netflix menu. Haley Lu Richardson ('The White Lotus,' 'Columbus') is Hadley, who is on her way to England for the second marriage of her father (Rob Delaney). It's a special event that she has very mixed feelings about. She's still smarting from her parents divorce and not particularly excited to cross the pond to watch her dad get married to a woman she has neve...
Welcome to the ILYIT Tour, brought to you by grandson
Events, Features, Music, Reviews

Welcome to the ILYIT Tour, brought to you by grandson

As much as I love going the distance (literally) for my favorite artists, I was so relieved to see that grandson was bringing his ILYIT tour to Albany's Empire Underground. This summer marked my fourth time seeing grandson live–and if I’m honest, he simply keeps getting better and better. From intimate picnicky acoustic sets to massive state fair stages and every size club in between, there isn’t a single environment where grandson’s music doesn’t fit.  With the European leg of this tour currently underway, I figured now might be a good time to talk a bit about what to expect from a grandson gig. “This is our first-ever concert in Albany…”  Before we get into the details about this particular stop on the ILYIT tour, I want to address a very good point that grandson made...
Alter/Ego Returns with “Instance” by VARI
Features, Music

Alter/Ego Returns with “Instance” by VARI

Hex Cougar's Alter/Ego label returns in 2023 with a melodic-yet-glitchy new single by VARI: "Instance". This song is the first release coming from the label since its 2nd compilation album, which came out in April 2022. In short, there is so much movement in this one song that it's almost like embarking on a whole journey through outer space, all contained within three minutes. Do be sure to check it out. Listen to "Instance" by VARI on Spotify "Instance" feels like a cousin of the huge music that's been coming from REMNANT.exe, a fellow Alter/Ego artist-- but that statement is easily an oversimplification; VARI definitely stands on his own, with his unique take on cinematic electronic music. That first drop at around the 50-second mark is especially delicious, as i...
Rock Veterans Taproot Drop Highly-Anticipated “Favourite Song”
Features, Music

Rock Veterans Taproot Drop Highly-Anticipated “Favourite Song”

Michigan-based hard rock veterans Taproot have unveiled their latest single. "Favourite Song" marks the first official release from their upcoming album SC\SSRS. The highly anticipated new album is set to hit shelves on September 29th. "Favourite Song" features a guest appearance by Nonpoint's Elias Soriano. The hard-hitting yet melodic track and accompanying lyric video are available now everywhere you listen to music. Produced by guitarist/vocalist Stephen Richards at The Loft in Saline, MI, and mixed by Matt LaPlant (Nonpoint and Skindred), this album, entirely written and recorded by Richards, marks the band's first studio effort since 2012's The Episodes (Victory). In addition to their upcoming album, Taproot recently dropped Best of Besides. The 17-track compilation featu...
Asinhell (ft. Volbeat Frontman) Share “Desert of Doom” Video
Music

Asinhell (ft. Volbeat Frontman) Share “Desert of Doom” Video

The frontman of legendary Danish rock band, Volbeat, has unleashed a new death metal project: Asinhell. This new band, comprised of guitarist Michael Poulsen (Volbeat, Dominus), vocalist Marc Grewe (Insidious Disease, Morgoth), and drummer Morten Toft Hansen (Raunchy), is a labor of pure love; not only are these three musicians good friends 'in real life', but the Asinhell debut album, Impii Hora, is a tribute to some of Poulsen's favorite groups. For example, the band's newest single, "Desert of Doom", was inspired by Bolt Thrower, Death, Entombed, and Motörhead. Check out the music video for "Desert of Doom", below. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eTKqYZN0Uno Video directed by Shan Dan Horan. "Bang your head 'til it doesn't bang no more!" As it turns out, once a (dea...
Jennifer Lawrence Delivers Plenty of Laughs in Raunchy ‘No Hard Feelings’ (Review)
Features, Film, Reviews

Jennifer Lawrence Delivers Plenty of Laughs in Raunchy ‘No Hard Feelings’ (Review)

With four Academy Award nominations and one win (for 'Silver Linings Playbook') under her belt, 'a hard-R teen comedy' No Hard Feelings' is not the first place you might expect to find Jennifer Lawrence. Inspired by an actual 2013 Craigslist ad, Lawrence stars as Maddie. She is a young thirtysomething struggling to keep it together in Montauk, New York. When the government starts knocking to collect back taxes on the house she inherited from her late mother, Maddie takes a local couple up on an unusual offer. Percy (Andrew Barth Feldman) is a socially awkward teenager who has grown up coddled and comfortable. He has so experience with dating or sex. His desperate parents (Matthew Broderick and Laura Benanti) take out a Craigslist ad looking for a woman to show him the ropes befor...
N3ptune and Rusty Steve: Genre-bending Pop in the Mile High City
Features, Music

N3ptune and Rusty Steve: Genre-bending Pop in the Mile High City

N3ptune and Rusty Steve from Denver, CO are making some of the most interesting music in the Mile High City right now. Named the “Best Breakout Artist of 2023” by local magazine Westword, N3ptune and Rusty Steve’s music blends pop with dark, thumping electronic beats, gospel music, blues, soul, and a healthy sprinkling of kickass guitar solos.  N3ptune himself started music while still in high school, quickly proving himself in the Denver scene as a singer/songwriter and producer. His star has risen quickly, as him and Rusty Steve, his co-producer and guitarist, have since received placement on syndicated radio station KTCL Channel 93.3 with the single “Black Horse.” They’ve also headlined Denver’s Pridefest, performed at some of Colorado’s biggest and most beloved stages like Red...
Immerse Yourself In The Joy Formidable’s “The Hat”
Features, Music

Immerse Yourself In The Joy Formidable’s “The Hat”

Welsh alt-rock icons, The Joy Formidable are back in the spotlight with their latest single, "The Hat." Following closely on the heels of their previous release, "Cut Your Face," this latest track is now available for streaming on all major platforms. Ritzy Bryan leads the band with her captivating vocals and masterful guitar work. Rhydian Dafydd provides the pulsating bass lines and adds his vocal prowess to the mix. Drummer Matt Thomas keeps the rhythm tight and explosive. Originally hailing from North Wales, the band now divides their time between their homeland and the vast expanses of Utah. Throughout their career, The Joy Formidable has nurtured their connection with their devoted fanbase. In 2019, they launched the TJF Music Club, a platform that offered fans exclusive a...
Music Books by Women: A Reading Guide
Music

Music Books by Women: A Reading Guide

Despite the wealth of content available online, there’s still something special about thumbing through the pages of a book. The good news is, there’s no shortage of literature on all things music. The bad news is, the abundance of books out there makes it hard to decide which one(s) to pick up.That’s where we come in. Let us help you pick out your next read. In the body of this article, you will find a list of books that are definitely worth your time. As a little bonus, we selected titles exclusively written by women for this piece. Happy reading!  A MendoWerks Reading Guide: Music Books by Women Below, you will find a list of 5 books about music that were written by women. Among them are memoirs, essay collections, and more. Find these titles at a library near you with...