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New Milli Vanilli Documentary Takes You Beyond The Scandal (Review)
Features, Film, Reviews

New Milli Vanilli Documentary Takes You Beyond The Scandal (Review)

For a brief moment in time in the 90s, it seemed like Milli Vanilli were the future of pop music. Their songs were inescapable. Their debut album produced hit after hit on the charts. Until, at least, it all fell apart. Fabrice Morvan and Rob Pilatus were on top of the world until they were proven to be frauds. Or that's the story that everybody remembers. In a new documentary from director Luke Korem, we're offered a lot more information about what really went down. The two young men were living in Munich and both wanted to be famous. They were dancers on a popular German music television show and eventually formed a band. Discovered by producer Frank Farian, he signed them to a contract and agreed to record their music. The only problem? He loved their look, but didn'...
Flora Cash Reflects On Musical Journey With “Holy Water”
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Flora Cash Reflects On Musical Journey With “Holy Water”

Acclaimed indie-pop duo Flora Cash, comprised of Swedish-American husband-and-wife Shpresa Lleshaj and Cole Randall, has just unveiled their latest single, "Holy Water." This release is accompanied by a heartfelt music video directed and edited by the band themselves. Photo Credit: Gina Scarpino Flora Cash's "Holy Water" presents a unique perspective on love, emphasizing its role as a force that binds people in ways that can be almost otherworldly. The song combines the lyrical depth reminiscent of romantic poets with a fresh, modern approach, narrating a story of two souls drawn together by what feels like fate, hinting at a deeper, mystical connection. Behind The Scenes The song's production adds a layer of emotional depth to the narrative. Djordje Milanovic's mournful viola...
Green Day’s Latest Message: ‘The American Dream’
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Green Day’s Latest Message: ‘The American Dream’

Global rock icons Green Day are back with a powerful message in their new single. "The American Dream Is Killing Me" marks the first release from their upcoming 14th studio album. Saviors is set to drop on January 19th, 2024, via Reprise/Warner Records. Saviors album art The band debuted this song and another track, "Look Ma, No Brains!," in Las Vegas. First during a sold-out surprise show at the Fremont along with back-to-back headlining performances at the When We Were Young Festival. Billie Joe Armstrong, the frontman of Green Day, describes "The American Dream Is Killing Me" as a critical reflection on the traditional American Dream and how it often falls short for many people, causing harm instead. The track resonates as a fiery call to action. Collaboration with Grammy-...
Looking to Experience ‘Barbenheimer’ at Home? You’ll Have to Wait!
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Looking to Experience ‘Barbenheimer’ at Home? You’ll Have to Wait!

In 2023, the most unifying cinematic moment of the year was thanks to the unlikely 'Barbenheimer' phenomenon. Few could have predicted that Greta Gerwig's enthusiastic comedy based on the iconic Mattel doll and a historical drama from Christopher Nolan about the creation of the atomic bomb would create a perfect double feature. Instead of being rivals, 'Barbie' and 'Oppenheimer' brought people to movie theaters in droves. And not just in America. The two films were wildly successful around the globe. When both films were released in late July, it was clear that 'Barbie' would be the big box office winner, but both films earned their fare share of ticket sales. In fact, 'Barbie' is the biggest box office hit of the year, with a global gross of over $1.4 billion. 'Oppenheimer...
Psycho, We Will “Never Forget U”
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Psycho, We Will “Never Forget U”

New releases from Liquid Ritual are practically guaranteed to be epic. The label's recent release of "Never Forget U" by Psycho further proves this fact to be true. This newest song is a dreamy blend of UK garage and breakbeat structures wrapped up in wave music's emotional undercurrent. All together, Psycho delivers a tranquil, low-tempo wavy treat that is perfect for this time of year--or any time of year, really. Find the new song on Spotify, below. "Never Forget U" feels like the descent into fall that we experience here in upstate New York. It's slow, cold, aching--it's almost as if a crisp November breeze is on the metaphorical horizon of the song itself. With each note, another fistful of crisp autumn leaves have fallen away; with each note, we're transported deeper into...
Death Cassette Release Gritty Punk Rock Single “Reflector”
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Death Cassette Release Gritty Punk Rock Single “Reflector”

Death Cassette, hailing from the vibrant punk scene of Winnipeg, Manitoba, is back with a new single and album announcement. They've been making waves with its distinctive blend of grunge and hardcore. Their music is characterized by a melodic, high-energy vibe and a strong focus on vocals. The band has joined forces with High End Denim Records to release their new EP Get Rid Of It. The album features six electrifying tracks. The first single, "Reflector," is available now and offers a glimpse into what this EP has to offer. You can expect the album to drop on November 17. New Single "Reflector" is a musical tirade against moral superiority and self-serving hypocrisy. Death Cassette's lyrics confront the tendency to point fingers at others without self-reflection, represented in...
Cherry Lena Weaves Together Darkness & Feminine Rage in “EDGE”
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Cherry Lena Weaves Together Darkness & Feminine Rage in “EDGE”

Canadian alternative pop artist, Cherry Lena, just released a new single: "EDGE". Touching on emotional themes like loneliness and isolation, this song is imbued with dark feminine energy and feminine rage. It also shows off the artist's rich vocals as well as her unique blend of drum 'n' bass beats and hypnotic dark pop tropes. Check it out: https://open.spotify.com/track/2uhtmKLHFHdf3K0NRWT1HE?si=33b6ddb822f94187 While this song doesn't quite emanate the same kind of "dark feminine"/"villain era" energy as some other tracks we've recently covered, it does lean into a specific side of 'bad bitch' behavior: inner strength and relentless self-care. It shows how one can drag herself out of the darkness--back from 'the edge'--and start anew. Explaining the song's history, C...
‘What Kind of Fool’ Are You? The Lovelines Help Us Find Out (Exclusive Interview)
Features, Interviews

‘What Kind of Fool’ Are You? The Lovelines Help Us Find Out (Exclusive Interview)

"I love recording with my sister. It’s like dumping a box of Legos on the floor and building something together."- Todd goings, The Lovelines Many musicians consider their bandmates to be like family, but in the case of The Lovelines, the music truly is a family affair. A sibling duo, connecting across the Atlantic, is responsible for making the special sort of sickly-sweet pop music found on The Lovelines' streaming platforms, including a new single, "What Kind of Fool Would Want to Fall in Love?" If you're a fan of dreamy romantics, clever songwriting, and soulful femme vocals--this one is for you. We also come bearing exciting news: Todd Goings, one half of The Lovelines, connected with us here at MendoWerks Magazine and gave us a look into the band's origins, this new single...
‘The Exorcist: Believer’ May Make You a Skeptic (Review)
Features, Film, Reviews

‘The Exorcist: Believer’ May Make You a Skeptic (Review)

With 'The Exorcist: Believer,' director David Gordon Green has taken another legacy horror series and updated it for modern times. Whether or not he has succeeded in that is debatable. I was a fan of his 2018 reboot of the 'Halloween' series, but stretching that into a new trilogy felt unnecessary. Now, the plan is for another new trilogy using the backbone of 'The Exorcist.' I gotta say, it feels like Green should stop while he's ahead. This is not to say that 'The Exorcist: Believer' is unwatchable. Far from it. The first half of the film is rather compelling. Unfortunately, things change once efforts are made to tie the new storyline into the original tale of possession from the 1973 classic. Leslie Odam Jr. is Victor, an overprotective single father raising his teenage daug...
House of Harm Announces Playground: A Sonic Journey of Shadow-Pop
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House of Harm Announces Playground: A Sonic Journey of Shadow-Pop

Photo Credit: Gerson Vargas In a revelation for fans of the buzzworthy three-piece group House of Harm, album news has dropped. Their latest album Playground is set for release on December 1st. This new record sees them expanding on their signature shadow-pop sound. You'll hear blending of midnight atmospherics, '90s jangle pop vibes, and catchy synth hooks. Alongside vocalist Michael Rocheford, House of Harm features Cooper Leardi (guitar/synths) and Tyler Kershaw (guitar/synth). Together, they've cultivated a dedicated and growing fanbase, selling out shows on both coasts purely through the power of word-of-mouth. New Single In conjunction with the album announcement, House of Harm has released a new single and music video for "Roseglass." An interesting departure from their...