“I Like You” by White Bike - A Song Feature

 

     Every aspect of “I Like You” is chameleonic. The rhythm at the start has a time signature and repetitive drive often associated with Krautrock (“motorik”). The vocals are also rhythmic, until they turn far more melodic during the chorus, which is a repetition of the song’s title. The instrumentation varies from motorik to Soft Rock to Psychedelic Rock.
 
     White Bike describes the song as a story about being young, falling in "like," and the dread of getting older. The band is based in Portland, Oregon, and comprises wife-and-husband Mirabai Carter and Nathan Trueb, along with Arianna Rose Anchustegui and Robin Levy. The credits for “I Like You” are:
   Lead Vocals: Arianna Rose Anchustegui, Nathan Trueb
   Background Vocals/Bass: Mirabai Carter
   Drums/Percussion: Robin Levy
   Guitars/Synths: Nathan Trueb, Gus Berry

 
     “I Like You” by White Bike

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/whitebikeband/
Bandcamp: https://whitebikeband.bandcamp.com/music

Lyrics of “I Like You” by White Bike
We got drunk on a Monday
And we don't care what the neighbors say
'Cause they got kids and they ask me someday
I reply they might get in my way
 
All my friends they're all runaways
Half of them might see prison someday
The other half are out diggin' graves
I could change but that might in my way
 
I like you
[Repeating]
 
I work all day and I don't get paid
I'd pay ten thousand just to hear you say
Those three words and they often fade
I could wait but I might get the way
 
I like you
[Repeating]
 
I like you
[Repeating]

“Oh, Molly” by Far Lands - A Song Feature

 

      First the use of horns and then the poem distinguish “Oh, Molly” from most of the singles featured by Indie Obsessive. Still, the guitars are the draw to the song from Far Lands. The main riff is tailored to the vocals, and the layering of guitars is attention-gripping.
 
       Far Lands is based in Portland, Oregon, and has a core of Andy McFarlane and Ivan Howard. The poem in “Oh, Molly” was written by Andy’s father Tom McFarlane, who entitled it “Sunset Fever.” Andy says:
  “They say you die the first time at the moment of your physical death and that you die a second death the final time your name is spoken. I guess by including my late father, Tom McFarlane’s poem at the end of ‘Oh, Molly’ I was offering up a little assist in his potential immortality.”
 
     “Oh, Molly” by Far Lands

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/farlandsband/
Bandcamp: https://farlandspdx.bandcamp.com/

Lyrics of “Oh, Molly” by Far Lands
I want inside your lovely room, so open up the door
Put down your drink and your solitude, that you worked so hard for
You’re deep inside your monologue, as you pace the floor
To be inside your arms tonight is all I ask for
 
I was in love
(Repeated 4x]
 
Inside your lonely hive your shape comes to life
I read into your every move, but I don’t quite see right
I see a darkness where we tried to fix the sky
With the gift of brokenness, so that we might see light
 
Oh Molly, oh Molly. Oh Molly what you doin’ to me?
 
I was in love
(Repeated 8x]
I was in...
 
Like a tear to cheek
To back of hand to shirttail,
And from shirttail into my almighty sky
 
Like a locomotive wailing down the track
And shriller as it races into silence.
 
Like rock to pebble,
And pebble to sand
On this beach, below that cliff
Before it ever knew to stand so tall
 
Like traffic lights on your deserted streets,
4am, eastern standard time,
With no one to command.
 
All pig meat and Lord’s Prayer
All torn and hung out to heal,
Up on cinderblocks
With rug burns for Christ’s sakes!
 
You gotta free the genie from the bottle.
You gotta put a penny in the tray sometimes.
 
You gotta get some real sleep tonight
and dream that dream for me again
Of sunset fever.
 
Oh Molly, what you doin’ to me?
Oh Molly, what you doin’ to me?

“3” by Thyla – A Song Feature

     The vocals during the verses of “3” deliver a composed, straightforward description of the circumstances. In comparison, the occurrences of the chorus are melodic shouts. The contrast between the two is among the reasons the single from Thyla is raising anticipation for the band’s upcoming debut album.

     “3” begins with a guitar that hints at intros of some of our favorite Scottish bands, such as Twilight Sad and Frightened Rabbit’s single “Holy.” Then, the song departs from the hint with the entrance of a higher pitch guitar and appealing rhythmic percussion. The departure should be no surprise, since Thyla is based in Brighton, which is at the southern shore of England, while Scotland is along England’s northern border.
 
     In talking about the single, Thyla explained:
   "'3' is about ego, pride and suffering; and the folly of living in the past. It’s also about bouncing back from past traumas and coming to learn that suffering makes you who you are. It’s about not needing validation from anyone other than yourself. Whatever you decide to do in life has to be for you, not because you should but because you could!"
 
     The members of Thyla are Millie Duthie (vocals, guitar), Danny Southwell (bass), and Dan Hole (percussion). 

     “3” by Thyla

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thylamusic/
Webpage: https://thyla.co.uk/

Tracks of the upcoming “Thyla” album:
  1. Amber Waits
  2. Breathe
  3. 3
  4. Flush
  5. Gum
  6. Echo For Ingrid
  7. Kin
  8. Imbude [Interlude]
  9. Making My Way Through The Skyline
  10. Dandelion
  11. Rabbit Hole

“Taking On Water” by Qwiet Type – A Song Feature

     It’s a song that you experience, not just hear. Determination and a sense of purpose seemingly drive the flow of “Taking On Water,” the latest single from Qwiet Type. Similar to most songs in which lyrics remain interesting over time and after repeated plays, the meaning of “Taking On Water” is subject to interpretation [The lyrics are included in this post]. Is the song about a rocky relationship (probably); or about the wellbeing of an individual? Or is it a political reference in which there is a fire in the stern (the right), while the portside (the left) is looking good? It doesn’t matter, other than to allow flexibility in interpretation depending upon the listener’s mindset.
 
     The soulfulness of “Taking On Water” is apparent from start, with its low-frequencies hum. Soon, the voice of Qwiet Type (Matt Powell) enters to begin the metaphor of the relationship/wellbeing/politics:

We are cruising these still waters

So much darkness down below

There’s a feeling when I’m steering

That I’m still not in control

 
     Perhaps the most stirring aspect of “Taking On Water” is its use of horns. The horns are strong together, but the musical creativity is particularly apparent in transferring the honor of performing a horn solo from the trumpet (1:00) to the trombone (1:58), and then to the saxophone (3:10).
 
     Qwiet Type is the performance name of solo artist and producer Matt Powell. He is based in Pensacola, Florida. In talking about “Taking On Water,” he said it’s “a swampy rock song with some Cajun swagger and a dance flair. An incredible team worked hard to make this a lasting gem!" The song is on the recently released EP “Uninvited.” The Spotify stream of the full EP is embedded below the lyrics of "Taking On Water.".
 
     “Taking On Water” by Qwiet Type

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/qwiettype/
Website: https://www.qwiettype.com/
 
Lyrics of “Taking On Water” by Qwiet Type
We are cruising these still waters
So much darkness down below
There’s a feeling when I’m steering
That I’m still not in control
 
No signs of danger lurking
Just an aching in my bones
Don’t fall into temptations
I will never go back home
 
Here comes the storm
Here comes the storm
Here comes the storm
Here comes the storm
Here comes the storm
Here comes the storm
Here comes the storm
 
Now we’re taking on water
Can you feel the pressure, building all around us?
We’re taking on water
Can you feel the pressure, building all around us?
 
There’s a hole in the bow
There’s a fire in the stern
Men are falling over starboard
But the portside’s looking good
 
It’s looking good [Repeated 5x]
 
It’s looking good [Repeated 5x]
 
But we’re still taking on water
Can you feel the pressure, building all around us?
We’re taking on water
Can you feel the pressure, building all around us?
 
You’re talking load
Call me proud
Crash into me
I’m off my feet
Call me what you want
But I’m still not listening
On my knees
But I’m still not listening
Your heart is good
But I’m still not listening
Misunderstood
But I’m still not listening
 
But we’re still taking on water
Can you feel the pressure, building all around us?
We’re taking on water
Can you feel the pressure, building all around us?
Taking on water
Can you feel the pressure, building all around us?
We’re taking on water
Can you feel the pressure, building all around us?
 

“Bonnie” by Cuffed Up - A Song Feature

 

     Percussion loosens the seal on the energy of “Bonnie,” then it’s the collaboration of the contributions that ensures a continuous release. The male and female vocals cooperation in a set up and deliver approach that allows four strikes. The guitar is skillful in multiple tempos, and the drums are aggressive.

     “Bonnie” is a single from Cuffed Up’s four-track EP, “Asymmetry,” which is scheduled for release on October 22 via Royal Mountain Records. The EP can be pre-ordered at the Bandcamp site CLICK HERE. In explaining “Bonnie,” Cuffed Up said:
  "’Bonnie’ is an anti-love anthem about the grief and pitfalls of a serious relationship crumbling due to lies and deceit. This is explored through the eyes of Bonnie (of Bonnie & Clyde fame), in an alternative universe where Clyde selfishly leaves Bonnie for dead. Bonnie is arrested and she decides to give Clyde up to the cops out of pure spite. Not because he left her in a dangerous situation — purely because of the end of their romantic, albeit toxic relationship."

     Cuffed Up is Ralph Torrefranca (guitar, vocals), Sapphire Jewell (guitar, vocals), Vic Ordonez (bass), and Joe Liptock (drums). The band is based in Los Angles. Sadly, fans will not have the opportunity to see Cuffed Up with Joy Formidable in 2021. Last week, Joy Formidable apologetically sent an announcement that they are dealing with personal circumstances which dictate moving the Cuffed Up/Joy Formidable tour to 2022.

     “Bonnie” by Cuffed Up

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cuffedupmusic
Website: https://cuffedupmusic.com/
Bandcamp: https://cuffedup.bandcamp.com/
 
Lyrics of “Bonnie” by Cuffed Up
Strike one
When it’s all on me and there’s nowhere else to run to
Strike two
And I tell the lies of a compromised being
Strike three
Didn’t mean to fight back: Is it alright that I can’t tell the truth?
Strike four
I apologize for the lies wishing we were across the border now
 
Stay back, say that, I’m all you need
The sunset, is all red, for you and me
The sunset, it’s all red, and you say I’m all you need
 
Strike one
When the chips are down and you’re left without a warning
Strike two
You’re a fiction prize, that left me in the dust for dead
Strike three
Put it on the right track, I’m here to take back what you ripped from me
Strike four
I apologize for the lies wishing we never ran at all
 
Stay back, say that, I’m all you need
The sunset, is all red, for you and me
The sunset, it’s all red, and you say I’m all you need
 
Come back for a little, come beg for a little bit
Come back for a little, why don’t you just beg for a little bit
Busta
 
Stay back, say that, I’m all you need
The sunset, is all red, for you and me
The sunset, it’s all red, and you say I’m all you need
 

“Anthem” by WULF – A Song Feature

 

      The piano begins melodically, but migrates to an aggressive cooperation with the drums. “Anthem” shows the ability of WULF to compose a song that features vocals and cooperative instrumentation, while showcasing a strength in building to a feel of strife among the instruments. There are hints of the aggressiveness in the first half of “Anthem.” In the second half, the song has a progressive build that accelerates at 2:56 until reaching a calm outro.
 
       WULF is a UK trio formed of Josh Bowyer (vocals, piano), Jimmy Gardiner (guitar), and Sean O’Neil (drums).
  
     “Anthem” by WULF

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WULFtheBand/