Authors

Raquel Dalarossa

Listed · MUSING

BEST OF 2014 LADY Fronted POP Acts: Raquel's Picks

1. Jenny Lewis - "Head Underwater" One of the best tracks off of one of the year’s best albums, “Head Underwater” is a doozy of a pop song. Lewis sings conspicuously dismal lyrics (“My own mortality, I contemplated”) over a bubbly, dynamic beat (that she also produced herself), creating interesting...

MUSING · Live Review

Yo La Tengo @ Town Hall

New York City's resplendent Town Hall is quite a place to have a birthday party. Amid the glistening chandeliers and velvety red carpet, an unassuming crowd filed in, featuring a mix of young kids with neon hair, older folks with silver hair, and everyone in between. Yo La Tengo's longstanding,...

Track of the Week

A Place to Bury Strangers "Straight"

Last week, Brooklyn’s own A Place to Bury Strangers announced their fourth studio album, Transfixiation, due out Feb. 17th via Dead Oceans. The first single off the upcoming record is the hard-hitting, noise-laden gem "Straight" — so good we chose it for our track of the week! "Straight" is the...

Reviews · Track of the Week · MUSING

Beverly's "You Can't Get It Right"

Frankie Rose's penchant for lo-fi garage pop is pretty obvious by now—not only did she play key roles, over the years, as a member of the Vivian Girls, Dum Dum Girls, and Crystal Stilts, but she also developed her own sound as a solo artist. Now she's teamed up with Drew Citron (from her touring...

MUSING · Video · EYE CANDY · Video Review

Chet Faker "1998"

Recently, a lot of our favorite music videos have come from the one and only Chet Faker, so its no surprise his latest release is eye-catching and creative. The Australian producer and singer released his debut album, Built on Glass, this week via Downtown Records/Future classic, and “1998” is the...

Reviews · MUSING

TRACK OF THE Week: Son Lux and Lorde

Last year, producer/composer Ryan Lott, aka Son Lux, released his amazing full-length album Lanterns to immediate praise. How’s now returning with Alternate Worlds, an EP of four of Lanterns’ songs reimagined and reinvented. The tracks are all worth a listen, but Son Lux’s collaboration with Lorde...

Reviews · Track of the Week · MUSING

Phox's "Slow Motion"

Madison, WI's Phox have been around for a few years now, steadily building hype around the world for their special brand of chamber pop. The septet, fronted by the ever so charming Monica Martin, received particular praise coming out of SXSW, and tonight they'll be opening for Laura Mvula at a sold...

MUSING · Track Review

Prinze George "This Time"

Brooklyn's own Prinze George are an indie-pop group that specialize in thumping synths and sweetly catchy melodies. We've featured them before for their last single, "Victor," and now they've come out with a new song, "This Time." "This Time" features a driving, upbeat rhythm that begs to be played...

MUSING · Album Review

The Vickers "Ghosts"

Ghosts opens with a bassline that worms its way into your brain, immediately hypnotic and catchy. The track, "She's Lost," unfurls with reverberating electric guitars that, at some points, craft a smooth wall of echoes and at other points, shred with gnarly intention. It's a pretty accurate...

MUSING · Track Review

Throwing Snow's "Summus"

London based electronic producer Ross Tones, aka Throwing Snow, recently released his four track EP "Pathfinder," and its closing track, "Summus," is now available to stream online. The track has industrial sound, with a pulsating bass that acts as the song's heartbeat. Though it starts off quite...

Reviews · MUSING · Video · EYE CANDY · Video of the Week

Avey Tare's Slasher Flicks "Strange Colores"

Avey Tare's Slasher Flicks' newest video for "Strange Colores" is a creepy, kaleidoscopic mini film befitting the band's name. The trio, made up of Animal Collective's Avey Tare, The Dirty Projectors' Angel Deradoorian and Ponytail's Jeremy Hyman, are releasing their debut album, Enter the Slasher...

MUSING · Album Review

The War on Drugs "Lost in the Dream"

Three years ago, The War on Drugs wowed the world with their sophomore full-length album, Slave Ambient: proof that they were an impeccably strong band with or without Kurt Vile in the mix. Their chilled out Americana vibe garnered overwhelmingly positive responses, and along the way, the band were...

MUSING · OUT AND ABOUT · Live Review

Bryce Dessner's Lachrimae US Premiere @ Le Poisson Rouge

Le Poisson Rouge might seem like an ill-suited venue for a classical concert, but on Friday March 7, the place was transformed into quite a classy joint. The disco ball hanging above the heads of the elegant and clearly seasoned audience was the only giveaway that the concert would be followed by a...

MUSING · OUT AND ABOUT · Live Review

Quilt @ Mercury Lounge

Quilt’s show on Feb. 28 was supposed to take place at Rough Trade, so obviously it took place at Mercury Lounge instead. It was an early show, with Quilt mounting the stage promptly at 9pm, but that seemed to suit the night’s comfortable vibe. Natalie Mering, otherwise known as Weyes Blood, opened...

MUSING · Track Review

Flashlights' "Failure"

Florida punk rockers Flashlights have just released their new track, "Failure," in anticipation of their upcoming album Bummer Summer, due out in late spring via Hard Rock Records. Singer/guitarist Terry Caudill's emotional vocals bring Taking Back Sunday's Adam Lazzara to mind as he rasps, "Don't...

MUSING · Album Review

Bryce Dessner and Jonny Greenwood

Most people know Bryce Dessner and Jonny Greenwood as members of The National and Radiohead, respectively (they both play lead guitar). But outside of their work with two of the most respected rock bands currently around, both Dessner and Greenwood have a background in classical music—Dessner...

MUSING · OUT AND ABOUT · Live Review

Skaters @ Bowery Ballroom

Skaters have spent the last year building up a dedicated fan base who have been practically salivating in anticipation of the band’s debut full-length, Manhattan, so it was about time for this album release show to come around. The Bowery Ballroom slowly filled up with girls all clad in Skaters’...

MUSING · Album Review

Highasakite, "Silent Treatment"

Highasakite are a Norwegian indie pop quintet that came on the scene with a pretty big bang. They received high praise for their breakout performance at Norway’s Øya Festival in 2012 and their debut EP, “In and Out Of Weeks,” was also critically acclaimed. So it comes as no surprise that their...

MUSING · Album Review

Skaters, "Manhattan"

Here’s a band that can make The Strokes seem, once and for all, obsolete—which is saying something considering The Strokes were lauded as “vital” and “indispensable” back in their day. Consider Skaters the new “vital” rock band; in fact, there’s a lot of comparisons to be made between the two...

MUSING · Track Review

Team Me "F Is for Faker"

After two years of sold out shows and festivals from here to Tokyo, Norwegian indie pop band Team Me are finally returning with some new music. The six-piece group just debuted their new single, "F is for Faker," a lively track that brings Of Monsters and Men and Imagine Dragons to mind. The song's...

MUSING · Editorial · Video · EYE CANDY

VIDEO Review: Big Scary "Invest"

"Your life was new, but you waited for too long," sing Tom Iansek and Jo Syme on their song "Invest." The melancholy and subdued single from the Melbourne-based indie pop duo, known as Big Scary, comes off of their most recent full-length record, Not Art, due out March 25th on Barsuk Records....

Track Premiere

Blackstone Rangers "You Never"

Descendant opens with a pulsing beat and glimmers of what’s to come in the next 27 minutes: a washed out, floating female voice, distorted guitar freak-outs, and catchy, upbeat pop rhythms. These six tracks are the work of relative newcomers, Blackstone Rangers, a trio from Texas consisting of Ruth...

MUSING · Video · EYE CANDY · Video Review

Chet Faker "Talk Is Cheap"

Chet Faker has already made a name for himself with his smooth, soulful voice, particularly through his work with Flume. Built On Glass, his upcoming debut full-length (due out April 15th via Downtown Records/Future Classic), will put the spotlight on his strengths as a solo artist following a...

MUSING · Album Review

True Love Kills the Fairy Tale

“It feels as though we found each other, when we reflect back on the myriad of minutia decisions that were made to cross paths at that exact point in time,” says Phaedra Greene of the fateful day when she and sister Elsa met producer/songwriter Ryan Graveface. The story goes that Ryan stumbled upon...

Track of the Week

Chad Vangaalen's "Where Are You"

Alberta, Canada's Chad VanGaalen is set to return with his fifth studio album, Shrink Dust (his first solo release since the 2011 record, Diaper Island) on April 29 via Sub Pop Records. "Where Are You" is the second track on the upcoming record. The song is lo-fi and a bit bizarre, as per...

Interviews · Profiles

Skaters on Their Debut Album and NYC

Skaters have had a hell of a year. The New York City-based foursome—comprised of singer/songwriter Michael Ian Cummings, drummer Noah Rubin, guitarist Josh Hubbard, and bassist Dan Burke—got together in early 2012 and immediately started booking shows, even before they had officially practiced...

Track of the Week

Prinze George's Victor

Prinze George is an exciting new electronic pop trio from right here in New York. Their latest single, "Victor," is anchored by lush sounding beats and singer Naomi Almquist's beguiling vocals. The song is a soulful slow burner for the most part, but it steadily unfurls and picks up the pace near...

MUSING · Album Review

Held in Splendor

"Everything will regenerate as love.” “Quilt” is an apt name for this Boston trio, who weave together assorted instruments, genres, and moods on their stirring sophomore album, Held in Splendor. The psych-folk band were already known for their layered vocal harmonies and vintage sound, displayed in...

MUSING · Track Review

Neneh Cherry "Everything"

The hype for Neneh Cherry’s upcoming solo album—her first in 18 years—has been building for quite some time now. As we near Blank Project’s release date (Feb. 25th in the U.S.!), we’re getting another preview of the album by way of its closing song, “Everything.” The over seven-minute-long track is...

MUSING · Track Review

"Tie up the Tides"

Quilt is back with a third preview of their upcoming sophomore album, Held in Splendor, this time sharing the gorgeous “Tie Up The Tides.” The track features a simple base melody with elegantly layered guitars and lush vocal harmonies that we’ve come to expect of the psych-y, folksy pop band. Anna...

Video of the Week

This Stone Is Starting to Bleed

In preparation for the release of their debut full-length, here’s this week’s featured video: Roman Remains’ “This Stone is Starting to Bleed.” The electronic pop duo is the side project of English band The Duke Spirit’s Liela Moss and Toby Butler, who got together with director Marcus McSweeney to...

Interviews

Casket Girls

The Casket Girls seem to have come together by a serious stroke of luck—or magic. The Savannah, GA three-piece was formed when Ryan Graveface (of Graveface Records and quite a few other bands) happened upon sisters Elsa and Phaedra Green, singing and playing Autoharp under a tree in a park. Their...

Flashback Friday

The Neptunes

In hopes that the rumored Clipse reunion circulating the blogosphere this week is for real, we’re going through the best moments in The Neptunes’ career, which now spans two decades if we consider Blackstreet’s “Tonight’s the Night” their first official gig as a production team. Chad Hugo and...

NEWS

Weekly News: Gov Ball Dates, Self's Reunion, Album Announcements Galore!

Governor's Ball music festival announced the dates for its 2014 edition earlier today. The New York City event—in its fourth year, now—will take place Friday, June 6th through Sunday, June 8th in Randall's Island Park. Keep an eye out for the lineup and ticket details to be announced very soon!...

Track of the Week

"The Woods Are Gone"

Here's a new song that simultaneously warms you up and gives you chills—a perfect complement to the coming post-Hercules weather. Solander's second single from their upcoming album, Monochromatic Memories, is a sweeping track that alternates between a sense of motion and suspense, combining rolling...

Track of the Week

TRACK OF THE WEEK 12/23 : "Ambien"

"Don't wake me up," howls Blank Paper's lead vocalist, Marie Kim, on their new track "Ambien." It's not a track that will put you to sleep in the least; instead, it's more likely to hypnotize you with its sharp beats and bombastic percussion. You, too, won't want to be woken up from this electronic...

Flashback Friday

A Letter to Tegan and Sara

Dear Tegan and Sara, It’s 2002 and you guys just released your third album, If It Was You. The record is a little bit “indie rock” and a little bit folk and a little bit understated pop—a combination that works like a magical key to unlocking all of your best attributes. It sounds honest and...

AF Showcases · Interviews · OUT AND ABOUT

AF Live: Spike Hill 12/18

Ooooh, we're having a showcase! Please join us on 12/18 at Spike Hill in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, and peep some local bands who we believe should be heard and seen. Doors are at 730 and the show is free. Below please find artist profiles of the talent we booked. We hope to see you there! 8PM:...

Listed · MUSING

YEAR END List: Top 7 to Anticipate

I’ll be honest: 2013 wasn’t the best year for me. I had my moments (like joining AudioFemme, for one), but overall this past year had a few more downs than ups in my experience. So I’m ready for 2014 and determined to make it a good one no matter what—although, by the looks of it, I’m not going to...

Track of the Week

TRACK OF THE WEEK 12/9: "Birth in Reverse"

"Oh what an ordinary day / Take out the garbage, masturbate," begins St. Vincent's brilliant new track, "Birth in Reverse." In her typical fashion, St. Vincent (the moniker for multi-instrumentalist and singer-songwriter Annie Clark) manages to entice and electrify with this preview to her upcoming...

Flashback Friday

Graceland

In 1986, Paul Simon released his critically acclaimed, music-history-making album Graceland. The record would make waves across the globe, topping charts in the US as well as the UK and snagging the Grammy's Album of the Year award in '87. We know its songs well to this day: "Diamonds on the Soles...

MUSING · Album Review

Cruel Optimist

It’s a rare but exciting thing when you can tell you’re going to like an album within the first few seconds of listening to it; like getting a small gift when you’re least expecting it. Hearing the punchy electric guitar riff and Lauren Denitzio’s raw vocals laid atop a bedrock of noisy pop-punk in...

Band of the Month

The Denzels

"You're the love of my life and I hate you." If you’re wondering why Bushwick’s The Denzels sound so surfpop-y and West Coast garage-y, it’s because they’re originally formed in California. Their relocation to Brooklyn was a smart move for the indie rockers, who quickly got involved with the local...

EYE CANDY · Loud and Tasteless

HAIM

Every Thursday, AF profiles a style icon from the music world. This week's icons are the Haim sisters, whose long-awaited debut full-length dropped earlier this year to plenty of rave reviews. HAIM's Days Are Gone is a sleek melange of '70s rock and roll, '80s pop, and contemporary R and B that...

Listed · MUSING · Upcoming Events · OUT AND ABOUT

TOP Picks: Record Store Day's Black Friday Releases

Here’s another reason to love the holidays: Record Store Day’s Black Friday event—an opportunity to snag special vinyl and CD releases, re-acquaint yourself with your local record stores, and get a head start on the season’s general merrymaking. This Nov. 29 will be RSD’s third annual Black Friday...

Track of the Week

TRACK OF THE WEEK 11/25: "Gillie Amma, I Love You"

In the spirit of giving thanks and giving back, we’re featuring Four Tet’s mesmerizing “Gillie Amma, I Love You” as this week’s track of the week. The song comes from upcoming double album BOATS, part of the ambitious Everything Is New project benefitting Dalit (“untouchable”) children in southeast...

MUSING · Album Review

"Shine Your Light"

Gabe Fulvimar emerged on the scene last year under musical moniker Gap Dream with his eponymous debut, a psych-y, garage-y record that immediately hooked critics and listeners alike. Now he’s returning with his sophomore release, Shine Your Light, produced by Bobby Harlow in conjunction with...

Video of the Week

VIDEO OF THE WEEK 11/18: "Drop the Game"

Flume and Chet Faker first teamed up for Flume’s track “Left Alone,” featured on his self-titled debut from 2012. The pair are now returning with a collaborative EP, “Lockjaw,” written over the course of four short days this past year. Their new video for “Drop the Game,” the first track off of the...

OUT AND ABOUT · Live Review

Quilt, 11/15

It’s tough to feel at home at an unfamiliar venue, seeing relatively unfamiliar bands, so I was pretty pleasantly surprised by my first experience at Baby’s All Right for Quilt’s Nov 15 show. The new Williamsburg spot was the ideal setting for the dynamic show—a swanky place, but without any sense...

MUSING · Track Review

Neneh Cherry's "Blank Project"

Musical virtuoso Neneh Cherry recently announced that she’s returning with her first solo album in 16 years, Blank Project, due out Feb. 25 on Norwegian label Smalltown Supersound. The highly anticipated album is a collaboration with RocketNumberNine, produced by Four Tet and featuring an...

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