mooncatmelodies

[mooncatmelodies]

Beyond The Charts: Music you missed in 2023

The year 2024 is finally here. 2023 was a particular year for music, So many incredible releases  such as Lil Yachty’s Let's Start Here, all the way to the latest Danny Brown record, Quaranta. With all of these major artists getting their roses, we thought we would highlight some releases that have most likely gone under your radar. Today, we are highlighting artists that should have had their appreciation, but have been missed due to major artist releases. 

추​락​은 천​천​히 (How to Sink Slowly) - Brokenteeth

The first release we’d like to highlight was released all the way back in february. This luscious shoegaze record is littered with incredible performances, amazing productions, and, dare I say, some of the best shoegaze moments of this decade. I first stumbled across this release on restless night on instagram where I was texting this one girl who sends me a bunch of incredible music; on this night she sends me one of the lead singles,  “Heaven Express(again),” to say I was entranced was an understatement; I had fallen in love with this track. And this effect wasn’t limited to that one track, the whole album was filled with these incredible, cohesive, gut-wrenching, tracks that puts you into this alternate reality. 

I Am The Dog - Sir Chloe

Wow, I’m honestly surprised that this wasn’t talked about much. This is the debut album of indie rock band Sir Chloe. If you’re not familiar with that name, then you may have heard her tracks like, “Michelle,” “Sedona,” and “Animal,” from where her audio snippets would create viral sounds on TikTok. This band has been able to create some pretty great tracks. A track that I enjoy is the opening track, “Should I”. The tones of the guitars are so crisp and Dana’s vocal delivery really just nails this track. I enjoy tracks where there are these theatrical moments that really were some of Sir Chloe’s best. If you enjoy this release as much as we have, definitely check to see if Sir Chloe is touring in your area. They are also bringing up and coming musician, Daffo.  

Dreamglow - Asian Glow X sonhos tomam conta

To be honest, I slept on this release pretty heavily. When it was initially released, I didn't completely listen to the whole album. I had only heard a couple of tracks and didn’t find it enjoyable. It wasn’t until a couple of weeks before writing this that I decided that I would give it another chance. I was so incorrect about my initial listen that I felt embarrassed. This album between two modern-day legends in the lo-fi scene is so gorgeous. From the incredible vocals from sonhos, to these sonic landscapes that Asian Glow creates, I'm honestly surprised that there isn’t as much of a buzz for this release. The beautiful blend of these two artists' respective styles create an experience that I wish more people paid attention to.

Failed at Math(s) - Panchiko

This is the latest and greatest release from everyone's favorite fabricated 4chan band, Panchiko. Whether you believe the story or not, this is their latest effort, and I find it quite enjoyable. There were a lot of great tracks throughout this LP, but I think what sold it, for me, is the track “Until I Know,” that hook is so addicting to have on repeat. It’s kind of crazy how they were able to sound so fresh. Even after twenty three years, it sounds as if they released this after their major debut, “D>E>A>T>H>M>E>T>A>L”. If you like this album, I am very excited to tell you that they are on tour! They will be touring the states with acts like Weatherday, Wisp, Glare, and Tagabow. Check to see if they’re in your area.

KNOWER FOREVER - KNOWER

Go listen to it. NOW. This synth-jazz album is packed with some of the best interesting hooks and basslines of this year. There is just so much happening all at once, and, I for one, think it's some of the best of its genre. Just from the track, “I’m The President,” that chorus has not left my mind since my initial listen. And it's not limited to just that track , there are countless times where I found myself humming the melody of plenty of tracks off of this album. It is most definitely worth your time. 

Lost Dogs - Keep it Together

   This album released mid 2023 is quiet but powerful. It's a mixture of snowy days in your room and hot summer nights by a lake with a friend - as contradictory as that sound. Honestly, there's so much great about this work. This little bit of uni rock (as the creators called it on their bandcamp release page) has got elements of hope, depression, loneliness, and intimacy. Having just under 3,000 listeners monthly on Spotify, I believe that the duo Keep it Together has a lot ahead of them. While this work isn't revolutionary, I think a lot of people would resonate with the fuzzy sounds and warm vibes that this music has. (You will be able to read a more in-depth review of this album in a future post.)

GIZMO - Tanukichan

   This latest Tanukichan release is a comfy one. With songs like A Bad Dream, Make Believe, and Mr. Rain, it's easy to fall into a dreamy trance. The music from this release is a wonderful mixture of intensity and slowness. Tanukichan’s soft and flowy vocals are so relaxing and the deep buzzy guitar keeps you wanting more. Overall, this release is wonderful and shows the variety of Tanukichan's musical abilities while still holding true to that familiar sound of her previous works.

Heartbreak Rules - Horse Jumper of Love

   Horse Jumper of Love has been a favorite artist of mine for a while now and this album is unique to the band's original style. It's got more monotone vocals, but you can still hear their signature sound. It's not a favorite, but it is still well worth a listen. This album is comforting to say the least.

LOVE + POP - Current Joys

   This album has quite a bit of controversy throughout Current Joys fans. It's very much unlike Nick's other albums. It's not the same soft and sad slow songs. He brings out a different side to his music. He has said in the past that he takes inspiration from artists like Lil Peep, which you can definitely hear in this album. This album has more digital elements to it that I think are nice. This album is a big change from what Nick has put out in the past whether you mean from his side project Surf Curse or his main name, Current Joys. I'm excited to see where his new passions take him and what happens with his career.

Antarctica - waveform*

   I had first only heard the first track from this album, Lonely without realizing who it was. I listened to it a few months later and ended up loving it. It's a breath of fresh air for my ears from everything going on. There's faster songs than what they've previously released which I like a lot. They take a lot of inspiration from artists like Alex G and Horse Jumper of Love. waveform* is an indie/folk rock band with elements of slowcore being brought into a lot of their tracks. Overall this album is great, especially if you like artists such as Sign Crushes Motorist, Turnover, or Wisp.

Not only were there some incredible albums, but there were some incredible EPS. Lets go over some.

Skin of My Teeth - Lowertown

   I've been a fan of Lowertown for about 3 and a half years now, and I can say that this release is one of their best. They've matured as an artist in both sound and lyricism. With elements of folk and indie pop, this EP comes through strong and emotional. The emotions portrayed throughout this release are vibrant and many, with songs like Marionette showing feelings of irritation and betrayal and Bline bringing in dissociation and carelessness. It's one of the best releases of 2023 in my opinion.

Hitchhiker - Cuco

2023 has been a pretty busy year for Cuco. It seems that he does not want to stop his creative flow long after his 2022 release, “Fantasy Gateway''. Say what you want about his previous releases, you can not deny that his songs are getting a lot more mature. Whether it’s because his songwriting is better, or his songs are becoming more cohesive, it feels like Cuco is becoming more than the artist you used to listen to in middle school, and it's being proven with this EP. I enjoy how Cuco has been able to stay to his bedroom pop roots while mixing in more of his psychedelic pop. While not innovative, this EP does a great job of having some incredible love songs, Cuco’s writing has improved and it contains the best of his work. 

CHASER - Femtanyl

   This is the latest release from the new hyperpop artist Femtanyl. Her fun and crunchy sounds really come through on this EP. She has recently gone to Twitter (or in other names, X) announcing new music for this year. She's gained a lot of popularity from CHASER and I'm sure will only continue to grow. This EP gets me awake and productive when I feel sluggish, and I look forward to hearing more from her soon.

the way night falls - flyingfish

   This EP is something else. It's so explosive and imaginative. This upcoming artist brings a lot to the table in the shoegaze scene. For fans of Lush and Julie, you should definitely give flyingfish a listen, starting with the song windowsill from this release. The harsh guitar mixes well with the artist’s soft vocals and ambient intros to the tracks. This 15 year old artist does what a lot of older artists wish they could do; the songs from this release are dreamy and wistful. Flyingfish has definitely become a favorite of mine from this release alone.

Antennae- Binki

This is the latest EP from actor, singer songwriter, Bikini. This EP is just so much fun. It’s the kind that doesn’t necessarily take itself seriously. With that said, this has so many catchy, memorable sounds throughout the EP. Definitely check it out if you’re a fan of acts like Remi Wolf, and Dijon

And that's it! if there were some releases that you thought should've been included, email us! [email protected]

thank you and have a good night xoxo

we also made a playlist to go along with this from the releases we wrote about, along with some more that didn't make the cut. you can find it here

#music #new music #favorite songs #music review #music recs #shoegaze #hip hop

[mooncatmelodies]

SCARING THE HOES Album Review

by Josefina Gaspar

The highly-anticipated collaborative album between JPEGMAFIA and Danny Brown has finally been released. This album has been on my radar for quite some time now, ever since Peggy expressed his desire to collaborate with Danny Brown on Twitter. After numerous leaks and posts on social media, I was eager to listen to this album and see if it would live up to my expectations. So, when it finally dropped, I waited until I got home, put on my headphones, and pressed play. And I must say, it did not disappoint. Without further ado, let's review the new record by JPEGMAFIA and Danny Brown, "SCARING THE HOES."

The album kicks off with Lean Beef Patty, and it sets the tone for the rest of the record quite well. Right from the beginning, you can hear the production style of Peggy's previous release, LP!, in the production. While there has been some criticism online about the production quality, mostly on reddit, I feel that it complements the style of the album. This project has more of a mixtape feel to it rather than a traditional album, and Lean Beef Patty serves as an excellent opening track. Peggy's performance is, as always, fantastic, but it doesn't feel like he's trying to replicate what made LP! great. Although Danny's verse is shorter than expected, it still adds to the overall quality of the track.

Moving on to the next track, Steppa Pig does an excellent job of maintaining the high energy established in the opening track. Danny delivers a spectacular performance, not overdoing it but adding enough to satisfy the listener. Peggy's verse is impressive, showcasing his ability to rap flawlessly along with the instrumentals he produced. The title track, Scaring the Hoes, is also noteworthy, especially with the unique, moist sample in the beginning. However, I did feel that the track could have been more, as it felt slightly drawn out. Nevertheless, it's still a great track overall. Garbage Pale Kids is possibly one of the better tracks on the album, and it's also one of my personal favorites. Peggy's sampling skills are on full display here, demonstrating his incredible talent. Similarly, Fentanyl Tester is another great track that features an unexpected but successful sample from Kelis's Milkshake.

Burfict! is another prime example of Peggy's exceptional beat-making and producing skills, as the track bursts with energy. The use of "super-bowl-ahh" horns is particularly impressive, and I would love to hear more tracks in the future incorporating horns in the mix. By this point in the album, I realized that I had been listening to the first five tracks in absolute awe. The album had completely captivated me, and I found myself shutting my mind off and just listening. The energy doesn't let up with the very next track, Shut Yo Bitch Ass Up / Muddy Waters. Every track on the album thus far has been great. One of the things I appreciate about this track is that it feels like Danny Brown has his moment to shine. Although he's featured on every song, it often felt like the album was more of a New Solo JPEGMAFIA record with lots of Danny Brown features. However, this track made me feel like it was truly a collaborative effort between Danny Brown and JPEGMAFIA, rather than a solo project with supporting features.

Moving on to the next track, "Orange Juice Jones," it offers a moment of respite and allows for some reflection after the high-energy first half of the album. While not quite an interlude, it still provides a break from the intense tracks that preceded it. "Orange Juice Jones" is still a great track that showcases Peggy and Danny's standard of talent. It's a reminder that even when they slow down the tempo, they still maintain their skill and ability to create captivating music. The next track on the album is "Kingdom Hearts Key," which is possibly my favorite track on the entire record. It features the only artist besides Peggy and Danny, and that artist is redveil. The energy on this track is electrifying and it stands out in every aspect - from the production to the beat switches and the overall performance from the artists. Peggy's first verse is a great start with his flawless flow and production, especially with his beat switch section. The track is so mesmerizing and catchy that it was my number one song on my playlist. Danny's performance is an excellent complement to the track, and you can really feel the chemistry between the two artists. The amount of fun they had while creating this album is evident in their work. Finally, I can't forget redveil's flow and style. While there are criticisms about redveil's solo work, he really shines on this track. His ending verse is outstanding, and it's impressive how he is the only artist featured throughout the entire project.

God Loves You, another great track, does a really good job at building and maintaining energy. I absolutely adore everything from this project, and it’s just amplified with this track. Jack Harlow Combo Meal, on the other hand, is a standout for me. The piano sample used in the beat is amazing, and it's a great change of pace from the more aggressive tracks on the album. Plus, hearing Peggy's singing on this track is just beautiful. HOE (Heaven on Earth) should’ve been the ending track. It’s everything that this album is, it’s a project from the two legends of experimental hip-hop having fun. The ending part of this track is my favorite thing they sampled throughout this entire record. But finally, the last track, Where Ya Get Ya Coke From. While a great track, I do wish that this would’ve made it in the middle section of this record. Still a really good track. I don’t think there really was a track that I really didn’t like.

Overall, this album blew me away. I already knew this was going to be a record that I had on repeat, however, I think I underestimated the absolute greatness these two growing legends would produce. And to think that JPEGMAFIA isn’t done this year. He already announced, some time last year, that this was the one out of the three records he would be releasing. I can already predict what one of the releases would be, however, I won’t say much. Besides, I am just speculating. This album is simply a 9/10

My top 3 favorite songs are:

Kingdom Hearts Key (feat. redveil)

HOE (Heaven on Earth)

Burfict!

Least favorite song:

Run The Jewel's

you know this is all an opinion, right?

[mooncatmelodies]

I Love My Mom by Indigo De Souza Album Review

by: Mo Saylor

Indigo De Souza’s 2019 album, I Love My Mom starts off strong with a great opening track, How I Get Myself Killed. It’s lively and loud and without paying attention to the lyrics, you might even be able to dance to it. The next track, Take Off Ur Pants, is just as - if not more - loud and lively and danceable as the first. It starts off with a nice guitar line, followed by soft drums and goes off and on like that for a bit. The first verse talks about wanting to be more productive and “socially acceptable” like other people. The chorus moves on to talk about how she (Indigo De Souza) is just like everyone else and people shouldn’t have such high expectations of her. The song has serious lyrics yet a fun and funky flow. The song deals with topics of depression, not being good enough, anxiety, and fear. In another verse she switches the pronouns around singing, “When are you gonna take off your pants?”. This pronoun change is very important to the meanings behind the song. She’s flipping the expectations from herself to the listener. The next two songs from the album, Good Heart and Smoke are more easy-going and mellow. The latter of the two has a bit of a faster pacing but is still slower compared to the first two. The vocals are more relaxed and there’s less yelling. To be honest I could probably fall asleep listening to it (that’s a good thing), but knowing me I could fall asleep to pretty much anything. The next song in the order, Sick in the Head, is a very good transition back into the liveliness of the album. It talks about trauma and how it takes time to heal but how you don’t always need to forgive who hurt you. A very powerful song with lots of meaning behind it. Falling back into the mellow-ness from before you have What Are We Gonna Do Now. I don’t have much to say about this song other than it’s nice and gets stuck in your head easily. Home Team is up next, continuing with the slow and calmer sounds. The song has a nice mix of loud vocals with a dulcet sounding guitar backing. The song ends almost abruptly with her loud singing and a subito decrescendo of only the vocals. And with that we’re back into the lively music with her antepenultimate song Ghost. At first listen, it might sound silly based on the lyrics but it’s a very nice song with a deeper meaning than what meets the eye. The last two songs off the album are back to being softer and more toned-down. The two ending songs, The Sun Is Bad and I Had to Get Out are very strong in meaning. The first of the two is about not having hope and how everything is going wrong and the closing track is about leaving from a place of trauma. It’s acoustic with soft, slow vocals and light guitar strums. In my opinion, it’s a bit of a downer for a closing based on the rest of the album, but overall doesn’t take away from the rest of the album. Everyone is entitled to their own opinions and interpretations of things after all. After everything, I would give it a nice 6.5, maybe 7 out of 10 microwaves. Thank you for your time, I would recommend you to give this album a listen if you like indie rock, indie pop, or similar subgenres.

You know this is all just an opinion, right?

[mooncatmelodies]

Lil Pump 2 Album Review

by Josefina Gaspar

Lil Pump is a rapper who rose to fame during the 2016 Soundcloud era of hip-hop with his hit singles "Gucci Gang" and "D-Rose" released in 2017. He gained even more attention with his debut album "Lil Pump," which featured many beloved acts such as Lil Yahty, Gucci Mane, even Chief Keef, and a collaboration single titled “I Love It” with Kanye West, released all the way back in 2018. However, he hasn't been in the media much since then, except for his controversial tweets and endorsement of Donald Trump in 2020. When news of a new Lil Pump album came out, I didn't expect much from it. In fact, my initial thought was that it would be the worst album I'd listen to. Unfortunately, I was correct. Now, it's time to review Lil Pump's latest record, "Lil Pump 2."

In my opinion, this record is one of the worst pieces of music I've ever listened to. It lacks creativity, it's irritating, and it's easily one of the most unpleasant media experiences I've had in the past few years. Typically, I try to start every review with something positive, but in this case, I can't seem to find anything redeeming about this album. The only thing I can say is that the production quality is okay, passable at best, but that doesn't excuse the terrible lyrics. The bars are simply awful, and every song feels incomplete. There are moments throughout the album where it seems like it might pick up, but Lil Pump's performance falls flat against the uninteresting instrumentals. Overall, it's not even something that could be improved with better production or lyrics. It feels like someone handed a middle schooler an iPod with a bunch of tracks from GarageBand and forced him to be the next Soulja Boy.

Despite his debut album having fun, interesting tracks, this simply doesn’t. It lacks so much character, and it hurts so much. There were countless times, listening to this album, that I wanted to break my headphones because I was in disbelief that someone who had some potential to make fun, interesting music simply didn’t. There simply isn't enough to talk about without sounding like I'm regurgitating the same points over and over. All I will say is that this album is lacking in general direction; it's bland; it's simply not an album.

My final rating is Not Good. I don’t really think I need to explain more than I already have.

[mooncatmelodies]

Red Moon in Venus Album Review

Kali Uchis has recently released her third studio album, "Red Moon in Venus," which is a great start to this year's music scene. Despite being released three years after her second studio record "Sin Miedo," this album was worth the wait. Uchis's vocals and production style are reminiscent of her debut album "Isolation," and even have traits from her first mixtape "Por Vida". The album has received a lot of hype and promotion, and it certainly lives up to it.

The first stretch of the album is exceptional, beginning with a beautiful breakup song that avoids the typical angry tone. It sets the perfect tone for the rest of the album. "Worth the Wait", featuring Omar Apollo, is an incredible track that showcases the production beauty. "Love Between..." serves almost as a transitional interlude track that captures the beauty of her . "All Mine" is my favorite track on the album, with Uchis's seductive voice and pleasant instrumentals.

However, the album comes to a halt with Fantasy, one of the weaker tracks on the record. Don Toliver's feature brings the track down, and the chorus doesn't add much. "Como Te Quiero Yo" is a good track, but the dreamy mixing is becoming repetitive at this point. "Hasta Cuando" on the B-Side of the album is a breath of fresh air with its production style, and "Moral Conscience" is another standout track. "Moonlight" is addicting and showcases Uchis's best singing.

Despite these great tracks, there are some forgettable ones like "Not Too Late" and "Deserve Me". Regarding "Not Too Late," while the beginning of the track starts off strong with Kali's vocals over a gentle instrumentals, it quickly loses its momentum and becomes repetitive. The track doesn't really progress or build on the initial melody and instead feels like it's stuck in a loop, which can make it feel like it's dragging on for longer than it should.

As for "Deserve Me," it's a track that had a lot of potential with a guest feature from Summer Walker, who has proven herself to be a strong R&B artist. However, the track falls flat with a lackluster beat and uninspired vocals from Kali and Summer. It doesn't offer anything unique or interesting compared to other tracks on the album, making it one of the more forgettable songs. "Happy Now" is a decent closing track that ends the album on a good note, emphasizing the message of leaving behind toxicity and embracing happiness.

Overall, this album was, in my opinion, well worth the 3+ year wail. There were so many moments on this record where I had it on repeat for hours on end. And while there were a handful of flat moments, there were so many memorable moments that simply blew me away. I’m feeling a solid 8/10 on this album, one of my favorite albums so far.

My top 3 songs are:

1. Moonlight

2. All Mine

3. Worth the Wait (feat. Omar Apollo)

Least favorite song:

Not Too Late (interlude)

you know this is all an opinion, right?

#new music #kali uchis #red moon in venus #review #music

[mooncatmelodies]

The end of February is here, and what a month it was for music! This month, artists such as Cuco, Omar Apollo, and many more, released singles this month. And after many listens of these singles, here is a monthly recap on the greatest singles from this February, 2023!!

Kicking off the month on a high note, PinkPantheress and Ice Spice teamed up for the release of their single “Boy’s a Liar Pt. 2”. The infectiously catchy hook sung by PinkPantheress and the lively verse by Ice Spice have been all over TikTok this month. This track exudes an abundance of energy and personality, making it a much-needed collaboration that no one knew they needed. Following a lackluster January in terms of music releases, I was beginning to lose hope for this year's music scene. However, this single is a breath of fresh air and I highly recommend giving it a listen if you haven't already.

Moving on to the next single, let's talk about 100 gecs' "Hollywood Baby", which serves as a preview of their upcoming album "10,000 gecs". This track is refreshingly different from their usual hyper-pop sound, with a unique production that blends voice pitching with natural-sounding vocals. It's a departure from their earlier work and showcases the band's evolving sound. Fans of this new direction will be excited to know that the album drops on March 17th, and they can catch 100 gecs live on tour with other artists, including Machine Girl. If you're interested in seeing them perform, check to see if they're coming to a venue near you.

Moving on to the next track, which comes from the multi-talented actor and musician Elliott Fullam. "A Hopeful Ending" is a poignant and beautiful song with a melancholic, somber tone that might not be the most uplifting choice for Valentine's Day. However, its production is amazing, and Fullam's artistry shines through in every note. If you enjoyed his previous release, "What's Wrong," then you're sure to love this single. Fans of Duster, Elliott Smith, or Alex G should definitely check out Fullam's work and support this talented artist.

Shifting gears, let's talk about Beabadoobee's single "Glue Song," which is a simple yet amazing love song. Although this track isn't new, it was recently made available on all platforms for everyone to stream, so I wanted to include it. "Glue Song" is a perfect choice to send to your significant other. It's catchy, pretty, and features beabadoobee's signature charming vocals. At this point, it's hard to say anything new about the immense talent of Beabadoobee that hasn't already been said, but this single is a great reminder of why she's such a beloved artist.

Alright, let's talk about the one and only Cuco. His latest track, "Best Disaster," is an absolute banger that showcases his incredible talent and unique style. While he's shifting away from his bedroom-pop sound, he's still staying true to his psychedelic roots by layering various instruments to create a mesmerizing sonic landscape. The sound is similar to his previous album "Fantasy Getaway," but with an added focus on synths. It's clear that Cuco is carving out his place in the modern music scene, and I, for one, can't wait to see what he's got in store next. While I'm hoping for a full album however, these singles are more than enough to keep me satisfied.

I'm excited to discuss Omar Apollo's latest release, "3 Boys." It's a beautiful song that showcases Apollo's growth since his previous release, "Ivory." While "3 Boys" may not be sonically similar to "Ivory," it still captures Apollo's unique charm. In my opinion, "3 Boys" is some of Apollo's best work to date, although it may not surpass the excellence of "Evergreen." Many believe that it’s possible that Apollo could become the next Frank Ocean, given the increasing attention he's receiving with each release. It's clear that Apollo is deserving of this attention and recognition for his artistry.

Sir Chloe's latest single, "Hooves," from her upcoming album "I Am the Dog," is simply fantastic. In fact, I was so impressed with the song that I pre-ordered her vinyl release, which is something I don't typically do. The instrumentals are crystal clear, smooth, and bursting with character. The hypnotic guitar combined with the catchy lyrics creates a sound that's markedly different from her earlier work, though that's not to say her previous releases were lacking in any way. Overall, I'm eagerly anticipating the album's release on May 19th of this year, and I hope you are too. If you're interested, be sure to pre-save the album now.

Next up is the talented Kali Uchis, a well-known artist in the current music scene who recently released a single from her upcoming album "Red Moon In Venus," set to drop on March 3rd. As a big fan of her previous release "I Wish You Roses," I had high hopes for this album, and listening to this track only helped build up my excitement. Her voice on this majestic single is absolutely mesmerizing, and I'm already predicting that this album will be one of my personal favorites of the year.

And with that, February comes to a close. What a month it was for music!! If there was a single that you thought should’ve made the cut, email us at [email protected], give us your thoughts on why it should’ve made it, we would be more than happy to read your email. We will see you next month.

#music #new music