What a time to be an emo kid. With nostalgia in vogue, scene kids like ourselves are begging for another chance to live out our Warped Tour fantasies. The days of thick rubber bracelets with “I Love Boobies” imprinted into them, free meet-and-greets at the merch tent, and a day chock-full of heavy-hitting acts in the alternative space. Luckily, When We Were Young Fest is filling this void for the second year in a row with another incredibly stacked lineup. From legacy headliners like Green Day and blink-182 to next-generation acts like Magnolia Park and Games We Play, the second-annual… Read more »
Lauren Mayberry is taking her power back. Releasing her new single “Shame” via Island Records, the CHVRCHES vocalist is experimenting with her love of ‘90s pop-rock, musical theatre, and synth-wave across the arrangement. It is a multi-layered piece that explores the relatable feeling of shame, which is an incredibly complex emotion. Mayberry paints a vivid picture that juxtaposes uncertainty with sarcasm, giving the song a twinge of humor that lightens the mood. “I had the idea for a while of a song that had the tagline of ‘what a shame’, but in a sarcastic way,” she says. “And the word… Read more »
Love doesn’t always feel like there are butterflies in your stomach. In fact, the emotions can feel so overwhelming that it’s like you’re diving headfirst into the concrete every time they say your name. LØLØ is expressing this relatable sensation in her latest single, “faceplant.” Co-written by Grammy-nominated writer Mike Robinson and pop-rock songstress Marisa Maino, the track is reminiscent of early 2000s guitar-driven bangers such as “The Middle” by Jimmy Eat World but adds a modern pop production. It encaptures LØLØ’s “take-no-prisoners” attitude and fiery writing perspective through fun vocal delays and unexpected harmonies. Just take a look at… Read more »
We love it when punk bands put their own original spin on classic songs. The Linda Lindas are no exception, giving us a fresh take on a ‘60s classic with their cover of “Little Bit O’ Soul” by The Music Explosion. Released today via Epitaph Records, the guitar-driven arrangement is on the soundtrack for the new Amazon Prime film, ‘Totally Killer.’ From the first riff, The Linda Lindas’ cover is as evocative and explosive as your favorite Joan Jett song. The simple arrangement of electric guitars, bass, drums, and filtered vocals make the track infectiously catchy and danceable. Plus, the… Read more »
God is real, and her name is Taylor Swift. Whether or not you’re on board with Swiftie mania, it’s impossible to deny that the record-breaking artist is an industry-changing champion. From country to pop and rock to indie, she defies genre and definitely has a streak of emo running through her veins, as she’s noted Pete Wentz as a major songwriting inspiration in the past. After all, her vault tracks from Speak Now (Taylor’s Version) include collaborations with Fall Out Boy and Paramore’s Hayley Williams. You also can’t forget “Two Is Better Than One” with Boys Like Girls or… Read more »
After a whirlwind international tour and a new album cycle, Paramore is back with a new remix album of sorts, Re: This Is Why, and they announced each artist taking part in the release. The LP is set to arrive on October 6. According to a social media post, the band says, “We’ve long wanted to recognize the connection we have with some of the artists who’ve influenced us as a band and/or who have cited our band as an influence. Re: This Is Why is almost a remix album. Some of the songs have been remixed sort of classically,… Read more »
It is a cute ongoing joke in the music industry that no matter who you are or how big your band is, you are destined to have at least one “come to Brazil” comment on a tour announcement post. Well, an entire roster of pop-punk bands have finally agreed to do just that, they are coming to Brazil. This line-up is so totally STACKED, it might as well be it’s own little festival. Simple Plan, The All-American Rejects and A Day To Remember are heading to Brazil this coming March for a very special string of performances. However, it doesn’t… Read more »
There’s finally a chill in the air, and we all know what that means: Halloween is on its way. Whether you enjoy dressing up for parties or hosting a horror movie night from the comfort of your couch, there’s something for everyone to take part in. Better yet, there are plenty of alternative bands and artists that find their inspiration in the spooky season. This doesn’t mean that they are carving pumpkins or telling ghost stories. Many bands in our scene incorporate paranormal or horror imagery and themes into their releases. This can take the form of voodoo dolls (The… Read more »
Now more than ever, we need female role models in rock music. That is, women who raise their voices onstage and off to give the next generation of artists the confidence to stay true to who they are and write songs that reflect that. The road can sometimes feel rocky, and there will always be criticism, hate comments, comparisons, and misperceptions. But it’s about turning those challenges into something honest and beautiful that will help break the glass ceiling. Nashville-based pop-punk songstress Taylor Acorn is cutting out the noise and writing about her journey as a female artist on her… Read more »
RØRY is delving into more vulnerable and vital topics with their upcoming second EP ‘Family Drama’. Prepare yourself, it’s going get heavy.
