Writing about music in lieu of human interaction
Some Faith are a newly formed darkwave duo who released their debut single earlier this month. "The Pain Has A Purpose" comes at you with a simmering drive; it's the kind of thing that a vampire (the Blade kind, not the Nosferatu kind) might listen to as it cruises down a midnight alley on a … Continue reading Daily Yinz – Some Faith – The Pain Has A Purpose
Nathan Whitman's West/Step returns with Peace Material, a nebulous collection of warped electronics and obscured vocals. "Revere" rolls in like an industrial storm cloud, all rippling static and flanged percussion, before ascending heavenward aboard Whitman's layered, impressionistic chants. His delivery gives the song an exalted feel, like an hymnal being sung from the top of … Continue reading Daily Yinz – West/Step – Revere
Holy Rivals are a Pittsburgh trio that specializes in scuzzy, stripped-down punk rock. On most weekdays, it takes until about 2pm for my brain to start working. On Mondays...well, it takes until about 2pm on Tuesday. Luckily, Mind Blinder, the newest release from Holy Rivals, comprises seven tracks whose lyrics can be printed, in entirety, … Continue reading Daily Yinz – Holy Rivals – My Minds Blind Stupid
Pittsburgh's Kallan Elizabeth (or just Kallan, for short) released The Impermanent Spectacle of Now, a poetic, assured folk album, in mid-August. For someone with such a minimal catalogue (just this album, preceded by one single, is available on Bandcamp), Kallan brings a unique, fully-formed sound to the table. Searching lyrics, often containing nature imagery and/or … Continue reading Daily Yinz – Kallan – Honeybee
Eccentric Pittsburgh indie-poppers Sommelier join forces with Andrew Muse, another theatrical area artist, for a remix of their song, "My Hypocrisy." The original "quarantine version" of the track, released in late July, is a cryptic ballad that places vocalist J Trafford's swooning vocals over a bed of windswept synths; think The Blue Nile fronted by … Continue reading Daily Yinz – Sommelier – My Hypocrisy
Veteran Pittsburgh producer BusCrates teases his upcoming LP, Blasting Off (Bastard Jazz), with the ebullient lead single "How Ya Gonna Do It." The song taps into the classic funk energy that hangs in the air all around us, bringing to mind images of a time (well before I was born, mind you) that featured perms, … Continue reading Daily Yinz – BusCrates – How Ya Gonna Do It (ft. Kate Moe Dee)
Slowhaunt (a pseudonym for Pittsburgh artist Nathan King) recently released Funeral Hits, Pts 01 and 02, two albums stuffed full of Halloweeny synth tracks. Blessed with names like "BLOOD IN THE POTPOURRI," "THE FLORIST IS A PIECE OF SHIT," and "PUSS COVERED HEALING CRYSTAL," the songs evoke a Rob Zombie semi-funhouse, a place in which … Continue reading Daily Yinz – Slowhaunt – SCARY LITTLE CHURCHYARD
Greensburg, PA native Emily Zuzik (now based out of California) recently released Torch & Trouble, a collection of songs that combine a classic country sound with modern pop sensibilities. "Get It Right," one of my favorites from the album, leans closer to the Torch side of things than it does the Trouble. Gentle organ and … Continue reading Daily Yinz – Emily Zuzik – Get It Right
Gnarly Ant, a newcomer to the Pittsburgh hip-hop scene, recently released his debut EP, Basement Tapes. Gnarly Ant brings a youthful energy to the project, his around-the-beat flow reminiscent of a less hyperactive Blueface. On "187," a track built around wooly, blown-out trap production, he manages to discuss gun violence, suicidal thoughts, lustful exploits, and … Continue reading Daily Yinz – Gnarly Ant – 187
The ever-glitchy Pittsburgh artist The Universe Online returns with the incredibly named Full metal jagoff. It's Friday! A day that, to many, used to signify fun, human interaction, and a coming break from the drudgery of commuting. I've found that social distancing has warped the concept of Friday until it signifies nothing but the weekly … Continue reading Daily Yinz – The Universe Online – Sindiana
