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Showing posts from October, 2025

Album Review: The Inevitable Demise of Bungalow Bill

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​Gus Sheaves' album, The Inevitable Demise of Bungalow Bill, is a captivating journey through intense and contrasting emotions, tackling themes of intense relationships, betrayal, and the search for inner peace. ​The album is defined by its dramatic shifts in mood. Tracks like "The Inevitable Demise of Bungalow Bill," "Tokoyo Blues," and "Now and then" delve into the complexity of attachment, heartbreak, betrayal, and lingering pain. These songs create high-contrast drama, moving from urgent pleas for connection to the stark reality of infidelity.  This intensity is balanced by moments of pure, surrealist fun, most notably in "Monkberry Moon Delight," a chaotic track that abandons narrative for bizarre, abstract wordplay. Other songs offer comfort, such as the unconditional love found in the ballad "Sister," and the confident new start in "Like the city." ​The album concludes with "Please don't let me go," an...

Artist Interview: Emily O'neal

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  Rising Nashville singer and songwriter Emily O'Neal discusses the creative leap of her debut album, Bird's Eye View, how she blends pop and rock elements, and the valuable lessons she’s learned while pursuing a full-time music career. Tori: Your debut album, Bird's Eye View , was released in May 2024. How does this complete body of work showcase a new artistic maturity compared to your earlier Otherworldly EP ? Emily: My EP Otherworldly was a small collection of songs I’d written with no original intention of grouping them together. The album was intended to represent me and my life, as wholly as possible, up until its release. Artistically I explored more into the rock and indie genres, and working with amazing producers and instrumentalists strengthened my craft. Tori: Your sound blends both pop and rock elements. How do you navigate that sonic space, and what specific artists—from both the rock and pop worlds—have most influenced this unique combination? Emily: Current...

Artist Interview: Frogsoft

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 The music world is being introduced to Frogsoft, the ambitious new pop project from an artist who has spent years honing their craft. Blending classic influences like Michael Jackson and Madonna with modern electropop sensibilities, Frogsoft is set to make waves with a forthcoming double-disc album, preceded by the new 'Scream Party' EP. In this interview, the artist behind Frogsoft discusses the shift to ultra-pop, the influence of the vibrant Buenos Aires music scene, working with prestigious producers, and the grand vision for a multi-part musical statement. Q. You've worked in music since your teenage years; what was the pivotal moment or realization that led you to shift gears and launch Frogsoft as your main serious Pop project? A. It was a project I had always had in mind — creating an ultra-pop concept. Like many people around the world, the pandemic and isolation were the final push that made me start. I began learning Ableton with a teacher (who is now one of ou...

Single Review: Eternity By Elizabeth Wear

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 Since Elizabeth Wear’s "Eternity" is currently a demo, we are giving the track a fair shot by analyzing the songwriting and emotional depth purely through the lyrics, unclouded by production decisions. Right away, the song plunges us into a scene of private, agonizing grief with the opener: "in the early morning when everyone is sleeping I'm awake thinking about you." The isolation is palpable, and this sense of profound preoccupation is cemented by the standout imagery in Verse 2, where the singer struggles to "weigh the stars that you are well"—a stunning metaphor for the exhausting work of trying to ensure a lost loved one is okay in the cosmos. The chorus cuts through any subtlety, delivering a raw, crushing confession: "I felt so bad that I'll never get over it, I dream about you... but I wish I had you like I used to." This tension between constant spiritual presence and agonizing physical absence forms the devastating core of the ...

Single Review: Home Aint on the Map by Max Marginal

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 Algerian artist Max Marginal delivers a captivating and contemplative piece with his instrumental single, ' Home Ain't on the Map ', released on October 8, 2025 . Categorized as Folk instrumental , the track dives deep into the intangible concept of belonging, exploring themes of isolation, longing, and inner freedom by positioning "home" as an internal state rather than a geographical location. Marginal, along with collaborating guitarist Khaled Ambes , uses his skills to craft an immediate chill out tune. It successfully blends warm acoustic guitar textures with delicate ambient tones , creating the reflective, atmospheric soundscape promised by the artist himself—an environment where the listener’s brain can easily shut off and immerse the senses. ​The true mastery of 'Home Ain't on the Map' lies in its composition and execution. The piece flows with remarkable smoothness from start to finish, characterized by gentle guitar tones that expertly r...

Artist Interview: Unspeakable Monday

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  In the vibrant music scene of Edinburgh, a fresh blend of folk lyricism and fiery rock ‘n’ roll energy is making waves. That blend belongs to Unspeakable Monday, the band formed by a group of music students at Edinburgh College in 2021. As they gear up for the release of their first single and much-anticipated debut album, we sat down with vocalist/lyricist Bekah, guitarist Will, bassist Kris, and drummer Xander to talk about their unique sound, memorable gigs, and the stories behind their music. Tori: Can you elaborate on how the Folk Songwriter element influences your overall Rock 'n' Roll sound? Bekah: I think overall, the folk influence really shows through in the melodies between the vocals and guitar. Will and I work with each other to find suitable harmonies within his guitar parts, so they tend to have a more melodic feel even when they are in a harder rock sounding song. Tori: Bekah, as the primary source for lyrics and melodies, how do you manage to blend those se...

Artist Interview: Maisi

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  Maisi's new EP, 'u could be something,' is a raw, hyperpop-infused journey through the anxieties and overthinking of a generation. Known for her candid songwriting, her co-founding of the LOUD LDN collective, and her massive TikTok presence, Maisi is quickly establishing herself as a distinct voice in alternative pop. We sat down with her to discuss the personal potential she's unlocking, the emotional core of her music, and how she balances vulnerability with viral fame. Tori: The EP title, 'u could be something,' is both a plea and a statement of potential. Since you said the EP is the most personal project you've ever made, what part of your own potential are you actively trying to unlock with this release? Maisi: Oh, that’s a great question. With this project, I’ve really tried to tap into a more vulnerable and honest side of myself. I deal with a lot of existential dread , and this EP is a reflection of that—it’s how I truly feel. I also think I’ve fo...

Artist Interview: Caleb L'Etoile

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  Caleb L'Etoile is a Virginia-based multi-instrumentalist and producer known for his genre-fluid approach and ability to weave together grief, humor, and a DIY punk ethos into his work. In this interview, he discusses his creative process, the unique friction in his music, and the horror anthology concept behind his fifth album, PS. Tori: You write music the way others write ghost stories. What specific elements of a great ghost story are you intentionally trying to capture in a three or four-minute song? Caleb: I think a great ghost story needs to be punchy, engrossing, and surprising. You have a limited amount of time to get an emotional reaction from your audience and you’re using atmosphere, characters, and events to accomplish those goals. Each of these songs strives towards the same goals. I want them to be punchy and sticky (like a good pop song). I want them to tell a richly detailed story that invites you in and helps you to see the world they’re describing. And I want th...

Artist Interview: Dafties

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Dafties, the alternative pop/rock duo from Wigan, Greater Manchester, burst onto the scene in late 2024 and have been relentlessly releasing music ever since. In their breakout year, they've garnered over 100,000 streams, secured major radio features, and established a distinct, high-energy sound that's earning them comparisons to everyone from Lily Allen to Sonic Youth. We caught up with Rae and Connor to talk about their origins, their prolific creative pace, and the single that became their turning point. Tori: "Dafties launched in November 2024 . Can you walk us through the moment and the conversation that led to the decision to officially form the duo?" Connor: “We both used to be in a band together called Estaters . A while after Rae had left that band, we had the chance to sit down and talk over a few beers — Rae said she wants to do music together again professionally, so we both discussed strict goals we wanted to achieve before making anything official, then...