Every Friday, Ears to Feed staffers will be highlighting our favorite tracks of the week.
Editorial Board
Maxwell Cann, Editor-In-Chief
Yves Tumor – “Crushed Velvet”
Ever morphing underground pop auteur Yves Tumor returns with a brilliant surprise EP The Asymptotical World. The six-track EP features the sundrenched single, “Jackie,” while interweaving the various palettes of influence that appear throughout Tumor’s albums, such as experimental noise to glam rock. “Crushed Velvet” is an electrifying track featuring shades of acoustic guitar, sequenced rhythm and a delectable bassline that builds into a searing climax.
Bria – “Green Rocky Road (Karen Dalton Cover)”
Best known as fronting Toronto’s noise rock quartet FRIGS and permanent member of indie country star Orville Peck’s band, songwriter Bria Salmena will be releasing her debut solo effort with Cuntry Covers Vol. 1 this September. Salmena’s raspy tinged voice provides a depth of longing and fractured tenderness on her cover of Karen Dalton’s track, “Green Rocky Road.”
Bnny – “Sure”
Chicago musician Jess Viscius aka Bnny is set to release her debut album on August 20th on Fire Talk Records. On her third single, “Sure,” Viscius’ inhibited vocals gently float over isolated guitars and sparse percussion. Viscius ruminates on the various contexts the word “Sure” can be used for, whether it be taking a drink to calm your nerves or going along with the flow even though you’d rather not be at the party.
Staff Writers
Brooke Jensen
Hana Vu – “Maker”
In Hana Vu’s first release since 2019, she navigates the current that flows between real and imagined hierarchies. Painted against a brooding yet bubbling pop melody, Vu introduces us to the latest iteration of her blooming 20-year-old musical identity.
Shannon Lay – “Awaken and Allow”
In “Awaken and Allow” Lay’s vocals well like tears within a melody that should live in a stained-glass church. It’s a hymn of promises to one’s self, but like prayers, there’s no guarantee they will be fulfilled. As her third single off of her forthcoming album, Lay has carved out space for her delicate vocals to build their own sanctuary.
Hovvdy – “True Love”
In their typical fashion, Hovvdy swirls a melody that situates listeners in a dream-like space. Their lyrics in love songs tend to be littered with melancholy commas and gaps; however, “True Love” doesn’t shy away from wrapping itself in unbridled joy.
Lala Lala – “DIVER”
Lala Lala returns with another single that bends and swoops in moments that you wouldn’t expect it to. They detail a horrifying yet fantastical scene that they equate to a relationship lasting and to be romantic. There are threads of tension and release in the melody that evokes a particular bittersweet feeling, which Lala Lala’s tracks always navigate expertly.
Marcos Hassan
King Woman – “Boghz”
The Kris Esfandiari-led doom metal band are teasing one of the most exhilarating records of the year with an amazing third single. “Boghz” is as atmospheric as it is cathartic.
Damiana – “Sunken Lupine”
Damiana is a collaborative project featuring Natalie Chalmi and Whitney Johnson, two amazing artists in experimental music right now. “Sunken Lupine” is atmospheric and synthetic, with melodies that embrace the listener in warm and unexpected ways.
Canal Irreal – “Pestes”
Having fronted Los Crudos and Limp Wrist, Martin Sorrondegay is an indisputable punk legend, and now he’s ready to show yet another side of his artistic vision. “Pestes” showcases Canal Irreal’s death rock meets hardcore approach that is energetic as well and intricate.