Andy's Songs of the North Playlist Reviews - September 2023
Reviews by: Andy Ellis, Writer @andysmileyjay
Edited by: Andrew Perrizo, owner/editor @PlaylistTC
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September is here as well as the blazing heat. Luckily I was able to find some more music to help you through these last days of summer, and into the beginnings of a crisp autumn. There’s some punk rock, R&B, doom metal, and more.
As always, if you hear a song you like remember to check the artist out live and buy their merchandise. It’s the best way to keep our lovely independent music scene alive.
Check out the playlist embedded below, tell your friends, and lets show the world the music being made in Minnesota.
Fathom Lane “The Lookout”
Their new album In the Driftless has a pretty dark tone throughout, but this song uses the dark tone more as atmosphere than an internal state of mind. The production easily provides that dark feel, but there’s also an enticingly mysterious vibe to it as lead singer Michael Ferrier carefully sings about someone he’s attracted to in the room. Ashleigh Stills’ background vocals have this really cool echoing effect as if she’s playing the part of his consciousness.
Brynn Andre “Sad”
Brynn Andre’s new album Honeymoon is full of honesty and this song is one of the many standouts. It’s not just about admitting how you’re feeling, but letting yourself feel the emotion of sadness so you can let it all out and run its course. Even the use of the lyric “fuckin’ sad” in the chorus shows she’s done hiding what’s really going on.
Heiruspecs “Four Werewolves, Forever Ago”
With its opening bass line and thumping bass drum and a hi-hat combo, Heiruspecs drive and groove from the beginning of "Four Werewolves, Forever Ago.” The verses by both MCs are clear, direct, and you can tell they’re feeding off the rest of the band. The new album may be called Pretty Random but What Happened to the Heiruspecs, but I hope we keep hearing from them for the foreseeable future.
Twain feat. Jay Jaminii “Nu & U”
I’m always on the lookout for R&B and Rap that isn’t obliterated by autotune. In the mainstream world that’s not easy, but luckily we have artists like Twain with some help from Jay Jeminii on this song that’s ready for some intimate dance floor action. Twain’s swagger-filled performance and Jeminii’s smooth vocals have me eager to hear more from them in the future.
Molly Brandt “Revenge”
Molly Brandt’s music is a of breath fresh air that we need more of in country music, and “Revenge” is an exemplary example. The lyrics she chooses to paint the picture of what I feel could easily be a Tarantino Western are so vivid I can see the blood from the bodies the character leaves behind in the song. The production only helps further the story she’s telling which includes one of the most delicious blues-tinged guitar solos I’ve heard in a while.
Oister Boy “Deplorable Jim”
At first listen this song may seem like chaotic noise many associate with hardcore punk rock. But as I listened repeatedly this song feels like it could be crazy number in a punk rock musical as all the parts, including the sound effects and background dialogue, are really playing off one another really well. It’s crazy, fun, chaotic, and I’m about to press play again.
Grief Collector “Slipping Into Seclusion”
I had no idea a genre with the word “doom” in its name could be so enjoyable to listen to. The pounding drums, crunchy guitar riffs, thick bass line, and vocals that you can tell he’s giving the song everything he has bring me back to when I was just being introduced to music like Black Sabbath. Even the Reaper is smiling after listening to this song.
Mae Simpson “Cap Guns”
The opening song on Mae Simpson’s stellar debut album Chandelier & Bloom perfectly introduces you to Simpson and her band. It starts out simply with a guitar riff that has a very indie rock tone (think Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros), then Simpson’s unique vocals followed by the rest of the band throughout the song showcase a very tight and lively sound that can only come from musicians who know their instruments like an extra limb on their body. It’s the kind of sound and skill that makes you know you need to see them live.
Scalise “One in Seventy-Eight”
I’m a sucker for a song where the intro, no matter how short, is a build up that paints a very mysterious but specific atmosphere. I can even see the smoke rise as the band slowly materializes on stage with the lights down at a packed nightclub. When the vocals came in to combine with the rest of the band, and then with the slight tempo changes throughout the song, I was an instant fan ready for more.
Carolyne Naomi “Need You”
This is a summer love jam ready to give you that warm feeling even after the leaves have fallen off the trees. Naomi’s vocals are sweet, smooth, and you can just hear her smile as she sings this to that special someone. Combine that with production that makes you feel like you’re dancing next to the ocean as the sun sets, and I cannot help but smile every time I hear it.
