“Rose Colored” by Soft Loft – A Song Feature

      The song inspires cheeriness and possesses the ability to lure listeners into moving to its rhythm, perhaps without them realizing it. While it is fair to categorize "Rose Colored" within the Pop genre, the song from Soft Loft carries a degree of sophistication that far surpasses the typical expectations associated with the genre. The lyrics are intelligently crafted and the instrumentation is well-conceived and well-executed.
 
     As its name implies, “Rose Colored” is a song about optimism, “spitting in the face” of difficulty. At the Facebook page of Soft Loft, they explain:
  “we‘ve been in love with this song for quite some time now and so happy to share it with you! ‘rose colored’ is about having a shit day but then entering a rose colored house, a space where everything is super duper mega great! so if you‘re having a shit time go to your very own rose colored house and turn it into something great.”
 
      Instrumentally, the brief bridge, which begins around the 2:05 mark, is particularly enjoyable. The percussion includes “clicking” that is highly appealing despite the lack of complexity. Is it merely two drumsticks? At the same time, the guitars are hooky and the keys provide swirls.
 
     The members of Soft Loft are Jorina Stamm (vocals, guitar), Lukas Kuprecht (drums), Marius Meier (bass), Sarina Schmid (keys, backing vocals), and Simon Boss (guitar). They are based in Switzerland. Gianluca Buccelatti performed the production for “Rose Colored.” It is the first single from their forthcoming debut album titled “The Party and the Mess.”
 
      The bio of the band is interesting:
  Soft Loft is a safe haven, an attitude, a way of life. It’s where the broken and the imperfect are embraced and celebrated. Soft Loft is non-hierarchical. Soft Loft is where reality is transmuted into dreams and dreams back into reality. Judgement is suspended here. Because vulnerability is the gateway to connection. Anything goes, as long as it’s heartfelt and it flows. Soft Loft is a collective of musicians dedicated to creating safe spaces using sound.
 
     “Rose Colored” by Soft Loft 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/softloftmusic/
Website: https://softloftmusic.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/softloftsoftloft/

Lyrics of “Rose Colored” by Soft Loft
Lyon, the weather is poor
The room quite alright
The entrance hall impressive
The mood not so much
Can you build us up?
Can you build us up?
 
Lyon, the streets are filled
The traffic seems stressed
Or is it the people cursing
Out of their window
Can you build them up?
Can you build them up?
 
And now this mood in a rose colored house, a rose colored house
Can twist your mind around
This mood in a rose colored house, a rose colored house
Can twist your mind around
I wanna see you dance hey, hey
I wanna see us dance hey, hey
 
Imagine your beautiful curls
Being judged without cause
Stare as if it were a contest
You got this wrong
It’s out of your reach
This is out of your reach
 
Lyon, what happened to you?
Hiding parking in birds eye view oh oh oh
Can we build us up?
Can we build us up?
 
And now this mood in a rose colored house, a rose colored house
Can twist your mind around
This mood in a rose colored house, a rose colored house
Can twist your mind around
I wanna see you dance hey, hey
I wanna see us dance hey, hey
 
This mood in a rose colored house, a rose colored house
Can twist your mind around
This mood in a rose colored house, a rose colored house
Can twist your mind around
I wanna see you dance hey, hey
I wanna see us dance hey, hey

“White T Shirt” by Bad Flamingo – A Song Feature

 

     Bad Flamingo remain loyal to their sound, one that they own. Their music conveys the feel of present-day cowboy, featuring sparse instrumentation and a lyrical narrative that carries sufficient clarity to paint the intended scenery while leaving some open canvas for personal interpretation. Remaining true to their sound embodies the essence of the duo’s recurring quote – “Give a man a mask, and he will tell you the truth” (Oscar Wilde). Bad Flamingo always wear masks.
 
     "White T Shirt" is Bad Flamingo's most recent release.  Instrumentally, the start of the song features acoustic guitar. It isn’t until around the 1:24 mark that what sounds like an autoharp enters. The autoharp is a string instrument that sits in the zither family. The band’s website notes that the autoharp is played by “The one on the right” which is one of the many mysterious touches of the band’s description. Both members are attributed as being banjo players.
 
      Thematically, our interpretation of “White T Shirt” centers around reuniting with a first love. The other person appears to have initiated the reconnection, based on the lines “The water was still till you skipped that stone // Now I'm coming on home.” The early relationship was not necessarily a healthy one. Interestingly, this song joins a long list of tracks that make reference to the significance of 17 years old (for our first post about the musical significance of being 17, CLICK HERE). The best guesses at the lyrics are included at the bottom of this post.
 
     “White T Shirt” by Bad Flamingo

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/badflamingomusic/
Website: https://www.badflamingomusic.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/badflamingomusic/

Lyrics of “White T Shirt” by Bad Flamingo (some best guesses)
We got acres and acres of green
We got years and years of 17
The water was still till you skipped that stone
Now I'm coming on home
 
White T shirts fallin' to the floor
Been here before
Baby
Whiskey and cola from the corner store
Drunk as before
 
Your hands got rough
But your lips are still soft
The storms are still wet and summer's still hot
Leaning me back on the hood of your car
Old habits dying so damn hard
 
White T shirts fallin' to the floor
We've been here before
Baby
Whiskey and cola from the corner store
Drunk as before
 
First cop, first wreck, first everything
We still fit like the best damn blue jeans
 
Give me a hug, I’m off the wagon
Give me a…
Give me a…
I’m off the wagon
 
White T shirts fallin' to the floor
We’ve been here before
Baby
Whiskey and cola from the corner store
Drunk as before
 
Drunk as before
Give me a…
I’m off the wagon
I’m off…

“Radio” by Moon Veil – A Song Feature

 

      "Radio" starts with a slow-tempo intro, and the first three notes distinctly capture the Soft Rock essence reminiscent of Seals and Crofts' "Summer Breeze." But that essence is soon discarded by the emergence of a drum burst and a shout of “Hey!” The single by Moon Veil is more aligned with Classic Guitar Rock, although with soaring power vocals that rival those of contemporary bands such as Nothing But Thieves. It's worth noting that Moon Veil self-identifies their genre as "Pop/Psychedelic Rock."
 
     A more muffled shout of “Hey!” resounds at the 2:39 mark, just before Moon Veil's guitar skills seize the spotlight. “Radio” is a hook-laden single with a diversity that maintains its freshness from start to the final moments of sustained guitar anguish. Still, it is the guitar solo following the second “Hey” that stands out as the instrumental highlight. Perhaps fittingly, the most vocally isolated and demanding section of the song coincides with the conclusion of the guitar solo. Moon Veil is a force from both the instrumental and vocal perspectives.
 
      The band explains that “Radio" is a song “about being out on the open road, leaving home, and finding the adventure that awaits—going so far that the only way for your past to hear you is on the radio! It marries a driving rhythm and bass with atmospheric guitars, a rippin’ guitar solo, all tied together with smokey but smooth vocals.” Moon Veil is based in Manitou Springs, Colorado. The social media of the band submit that they are “5 dudes making trippy music in the attic of an old house and in venues.” The members are Korben Mitchell (vocals), Julian Dillon (guitar), Jon Murphy (bass), James Phillips (guitar, synth), and Skye Lewis (drums).

 
      “Radio” by Moon Veil

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/moonveilband/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moonveilband/
Links: https://linktr.ee/moonveilband

Quoting content regarding of Moon Veil:
     Moon Veil is a young and promising Psychedelic Pop Rock band from Colorado that began their journey in January of 2022. Despite their short time together, the band has already started to make a name for themselves in the music scene with their unique sound, blending vintage guitar riffs and synthesizers with a grooving rhythm section, catchy pop melodies, and mind-bending yet relatable lyrics. Formed by friends and music veterans Korben Mitchell (lead vocals), Skye Lewis (drums), Julian Dillon (guitar), Jon Murphy (bass), and later adding James Phillips (lead guitar and synth), Moon Veil was born out of a shared love for the music of the 60s and 70s, as well as a desire to create something fresh and original.
     Their upcoming debut album promises to be a mesmerizing and dreamy journey through space and time, and they just released their first single “Radio” in September, 2023. With their talent and dedication, Moon Veil is poised to become a rising star in the world of Psychedelic Rock, and fans are eagerly waiting to see what they will come up with next.

“Ignorance Is Violence” by Sweet Imperfections – A Song Feature

 

     The song delivers a wealth of praiseworthy characteristics, but the multifaceted vocals most powerfully draw a listener into the force of “Ignorance Is Violence.” Perhaps most striking is the children’s choir that enters just beyond the two-minute mark of the single by Sweet Imperfections. The choir is appropriate, because younger and future generations are most likely to benefit from following the lyrical message of taking better care of our planet.
 
     Originally, the children’s choir is isolated, but later it harmoniously joins Bri Schillings, who performs under the moniker Sweet Imperfections. Schillings’ vocal style is also varied, ranging from a Miley Cyrus-like back-of-the-throat delivery at the start to moments of more pristine vocal purity. To top off the vocal richness of “Ignorance Is Violence, the conclusion includes a poignant snippet from a Greta Thunberg speech in the background.
 
     Still, it would be an error to refer to the single as a vocals-driven track. The lyrics are powerful. While Indie Obsessive tends to steer around politically controversial songs, the strength of a song sometimes takes control of the wheel. Bri Schillings explains that “Ignorance Is Violence” was written during a road trip in 2021, while in shock over the lingering smoke from the devastating wildfires that ravaged California. “She witnessed the effects of our ignorance around the pressing subject of climate change and the violence of our ignorance we were experiencing firsthand.”
 
     The lyrics begin “Smoke filled air covering the earth everywhere we go // It feels like the whole world is getting ready to explode,” setting the tone for the inspiring single, as the wailing guitar line cries for help. With a driving beat, the song ebbs and flows, injecting us with hope and determination to make a change. Hoping to raise awareness of climate change, Schillings releases “Ignorance Is Violence” to inspire individuals and groups to take action to counter the impacts of climate change.
 

     The website of Sweet Imperfections describes the band as “singer songwriter Bri Schillings and a collective of Southern California’s most talented musicians and writers.” They are based in San Diego. A press photo from an earlier release ("Be Brave") is embedded.

     “Ignorance Is Violence” by Sweet Imperfections

Website: https://sweetimperfectionsmusic.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sweet.imperfections.1/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sweetimperfectionsmusic/

“Free” by Ellur – A Song Feature

 

     Ellur explains that the lyrics of “Free” were inspired by a dream that eventually played a pivotal role in shaping her future. The lyrics, which are included in this post, allude to a dream visitor labeled as an "imposter," but who appears to be sincerely interested in having a positive impact on the dreamer's life. The visitor asks:

Are you free?

Are you really free?

Could you take it or leave it?

Could you take it or leave it?

 
       While taking about the single, Ellur said:
   “‘Free’ is about a character who visited me in a dream and caused me to question my sense of free will and my entire life situation. At the time, I’d been working part time as a bartender and the song became a metaphor for working for people who don’t respect you and how that has put me in some of the worst mental states of my life. It actually inspired me to take the leap into full time music and quit my day-job.”
 
     At one point in the lyrics, the visitor screams “Occupy your mind.” Ellur identifies her single as a song about feeling like an observer of your life, rather than actually living it. Interestingly, the final lines of the song are different for the official video, as compared to the Soundcloud and Spotify streams. In the video, the final verse/chorus is still questioning – “Am I free? // Am I really free?” In comparison, the non-video streams begin with declarations – “I am free // I am really free.” Both are appealing, because the song finished with the dreamer speaking in the first person while referring to whether she is free. But we prefer the resolution of the non-video streams.
 

     The video is a live session in the garden of Ellur’s grandparents. Ellur is the performance name of Ella McNamara, who was born in Halifax, UK. The other members shown in the video are Lucy Howson (guitar), Nicole Hope Smith (keys), and Emma Liu (drums). The band is based in Leeds.

          “Free” is the follow-up Ellur’s acclaimed single ‘Anywhere’ (co-written with Circa Waves’ Kieran Shudall). “Free” is rightly described as a showcase of an entirely different layer of Ellur’s sound, with grunge-fueled tendencies drawing inspiration from the likes of Cocteau Twins and Slowdive, whilst further amplifying her growing collection of deeply personal guitar anthems.
 
     “Free” by Ellur

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ellurrrr
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellurrrr

Lyrics of “Free” by Ellur
An imposter
In my seat
She wears my lipstick
Fueled by grief
 
She seems erratic
Spilling belief
And through the static
She’s talking to me
We were driving slow
But she’s picking up speed
Turns the engine off and throws away the key
 
She said:
“Are you free?
Are you really free?
Could you take it or leave it?
Could you take it or leave it?”
 
She said to me:
“Are you really free?
Could you take it or leave it?
Could you take it or leave it?”
She said leaving me
 
Now I’m pulling pints
Like pulling teeth
She reverberates my head
A phosphene
 
And through the static
I hear her scream
She’s saying
“Occupy your mind”
 
But
Are you free?
Are you really free?
Could you take it or leave it?
Could you take it or leave it?
She said to me:
“Do you wanna come and see?
I can take you or leave you
I can take you or leave you
Do you wanna come with me?”
 
If I leave you in this mess
Can you find your way to break out of it?
If you keep breathing in their smoke, you’ll see
You live your life through an internal TV screen
 
I am free
I am really free
Can I take it or leave it?
Can I take it or leave it?
Now I can't breathe
Am I really free?
Am I really free?

Am I really free?

“Home” (feat. Rafi Lari) by EarlyRise – A Song Feature

 

     “Home” engagingly begins with pensive piano, complementing alluring vocals that emotionally embrace lyrics narrating the rewards of building a refuge from a troubling past. The lyrics (included in this post) are intelligently and poetically crafted. The music video by EarlyRise depicts a child who opts for a life as a runaway, believing it to be the better alternative for her.
 
      In contrast to its beginning, the final minute of "Home" features a segment that is far more tumultuous and intricately textured. Now grown, she reconnects with her father, and it appears to be a beneficial reunion for both. The scene is supported by power percussion and the vocals of both individuals, but in unrelated genres. The daughter is Orly Lari, who is the vocalist of EarlyRise. The father is Rafi Lari, Orly’s father.
 
     As strong as the song is throughout, the highlight of “Home” is the instrument that is best seen at the 2:18 mark of the song. Raz Klinghofferl plays a ten-string Cuatro, which is sold by Oscar Schmidt (see https://www.oscarschmidt.com/product/oq40se/). Although the instrument is part of the "Latin Collection," in the context of the EarlyRise song, it imparts a distinctive Middle Eastern sound. This is noteworthy given Orly Lari's connections to Israel.
 
     EarlyRise is based in Los Angeles. The members are Orly Lari (vocals, piano) and Raz Klinghofferl (guitars). “Home” is the title track of their recently released third album. The Spotify stream of the album is embedded at the bottom of this post.
 
     “Home” (feat. Rafi Lari) by EarlyRise

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EarlyRise
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/earlyriseband/

Lyrics of “Home” (feat. Rafi Lari) by EarlyRise
I found a place to call a home
And now I got it all
Away from you
I got my pictures on the wall
So that I don’t forget
All that I knew (knew)
 
And all the twists and turns
And violent burns
Are all but gone
And it’s all new
It doesn’t feel quite the same
And I don’t understand
But I say I do
 
Waiving our knives
Cutting our ties
Are we all scarred
For the rest of our lives
 
Feeding our pride
Trying to hide
All the while we keep
On saying we’re fine
 
It’s ok to lie
Once in a while
It’s ok to lie
Once in a while
 
The pretty houses all around
And driving through the fog
Remind me of you (you)
You know I’m always on the run
‘Cause all these feelings
Of detachment aren’t true (true)
 
So I just wrap them up
And throw them out
And tell myself that I’m brand new
But I don’t feel quite the same
And I don’t understand
But I say I do
 
Waiving our knives
Cutting our ties
Are we all scarred
For the rest of our lives
 
Feeding our pride
Trying to hide
All the while we keep
On saying we’re fine
 
It’s ok to lie
Once in a while
It’s ok to lie
Once in a while
 
[Bridge]
Waiving our knives
Cutting our ties
Are we all scarred
For the rest of our lives
 
Feeding our pride
Trying to hide
All the while we keep
On saying we’re fine
 
It’s ok to lie
Once in a while
It’s ok to lie
Once in a while