Kev & Ty’s Record Club 7/24
Reporting on last week’s releases, today!
The A Side:
Foxtrot & the Get Down – “Something’s Going On”
The neverending hype from Foxtrot & the Get Down rolls on! For the second summer in a row, the West Chester natives have been teasing their forthcoming album, ZEROS. “Something’s Going On,” is the latest from the 6-piece. It’s an off-kilter duet between vocalists, Colin Bundy and Erica Ruiz. Wil Schade’s E. Street Band-like Saxophone lines punch in and out, following sharp high-hat accents. The bridge explores an experimental funk fusion side that Schade knows all too well from his days with Philly basement blender, funkateers, Darla. -Kevin
Foxtrot & The Get Down! Great band! Their blend of soul & rock and roll make them a perfect Philadelphian musical group, and new single “Something’s Going On” forecasts that their upcoming album ZEROES will be a major step forward for the sextet. The up-beat sax heavy jam keeps pushing forward until the breakdown, which lifts this track into the stratosphere. -Tyler
Kirby Sybert – “Ease Fulfillment”
Mo Lowda & the Humble’s touring guitarist, Kirby Sybert, released “Ease Fulfillment,” an earnest, drone-like single from his upcoming album, Happy People Make Happy Things. The tune seems to reflect his newly found perspective on the music industry and how he’s longing for a more fulfilling life. He’s heading out to spend some quality time with family that will help him rediscover his passion for music. Great songwriting. -Kevin
I first met Philly singer-songwriter Kirby Sybert when I saw his old band Kirby & The Vibe Tribe at Dawson Street Pub about 5 years ago. In the past 5 years, Sybert’s evolution as a musician has been in the spotlight by playing in several prominent local Philly bands (Ali Awan, Up The Chain, Mo Lowda & The Humble). Kirby’s new solo record Happy People Make Happy Things is out next week, and he recently previewed it with this somber and eloquent opening track. -Tyler
mrnoname – “Keep My Cool”
Back in 2016, Noah Scheffey released Future Ghosts, as Backroom Dreamers. He’s since rebranded the project to mrnoname and released “Keep My Cool,” which debuted on Alt 1045’s New Music Discovery Show. This keyboard driven, synth-pop track clocks in at 2:50, with Scheffey spilling his guts on all of the little insecurities that make him a forthcoming songwriter. Scheffey consistently pairs his anxious-fueled writing style with a Baroque pop sensibility. -Kevin
Big “Pop” with a capital P on this one. Produced by Carl Bahner (former drummer of Cheerleader), this debut single from mrnoname is as rambunctious as it is catchy. A song built for Summer Block Parties. -Tyler
Billie Eilish – “my future”
It’s funny that the week that Taylor Swift comes back, so does Billie Eilish. If Taylor Swift ruled the late 00’s and 10’s as a millennial pop queen, it seems like Billie Eilish is the zoomer answer/rebuttal to take over for the next 10 years. After sweeping the Grammys last year and releasing a Bond theme for No Time To Die, Eilish had been relatively quiet until releasing “my future” last night; a classy piano ballad that slowly morphs into an upbeat strut. -Tyler
Am I wrong or does this have some Donna Summer “Last Dance” intro vibes? -Kevin
The B Side:
Courtney Marie Andrews – Old Flowers
The fifth album by Phoenix, AZ, singer-songwriter Courtney Marie Andrews brings more of the Joni Mitchell-influenced country rock that she is known for. You never would have known that she used to be in Jimmy Eat World in the early 2010s! Her new record, Old Flowers, is the perfect intersection between twang and the reverb of the ol’ days, but Andrews’ voice takes turns you won’t expect. This is also a great “ dark piano” record. (HIGHLIGHT: “Together Or Alone”) -Tyler
Taylor Swift – folklore
I’ve listened to folklore a LOT. Check out my full review of the new T-Swift record here. (HIGHLIGHT: “this is me trying”) –Tyler
I’m a casual Taylor Swift fan at best. Usually music documentaries get me further invested in an artist’s career, but after watching Swift’s Miss Americana doc, it did the opposite for me. It felt too scripted to be sincere. It’s as if her publicist took advice from Mac from Always Sunny In Philadelphia, “I’m playing both sides so I always come out on top.” – [Sorry Peter!] But folklore is different. Her collaboration with producer Aaron Dessner is prevalent in her songwriting. Swift’s musical stylings echo the National’s I Am Easy To Find. It’s a logical next step in her evolution of sound. My favorite records from the female pop variety are the one-offs. Like Lady Gaga’s Joanne (Produced by Mark Ronson) and Miley Cryus’ & Her Dead Petz (Produced by the Flaming Lips.) folklore is THAT record for Swift, but I don’t see her writing another record like this. What listeners have been given is a fantastic display of range from a method performer. Focus track: “august.” Side note, can’t stand when all track titles are lowercase, come on! -Kevin
Neon Trees – I Can Feel You Forgetting Me
The Killers’ Hot Fuss is a defining record for a lot of us. “Mr. Brightside,” is up there as a meme of a song (In a good way!) similar to…anyway, here’s “Wonderwall.” The next batch of records from Brendan Flowers and the guys explored more of a heartland rock n roll, Lou Reed vibe. If you’re looking for more of those Hot Fuss era jams, Neon Trees pick up right where the Killers left off. I Can Feel You Forgetting Me doesn’t beat around the bush, it’s a flamboyant, dancy break-up record made for the summer festival circuit. Focus tracks: “Nights” & “Skeleton Boy” have just the right amount of corny cheese, but the main course is more fulfilling. -Kevin
When I was in high school, we had a class field trip to Cleveland and we all went to the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame. It’s the only time I’ve ever been there and I loved every minute of it. For some reason, Neon Trees was there hanging out and signing autographs and I thought it was strange and funny. –Tyler
MisterWives – SUPERBLOOM
Fueled By Ramen released MisterWives‘ SUPERBLOOM this past week. At 19-songs deep, it might as well be a double album. Musically, MisterWives and Neon Trees share similar synth, alt-pop qualities so it’s easy to compare the two, considering they both dropped the same week. Neon Trees’ release takes itself less seriously and is thus a fun listen through. MisterWives vocalist Mandy Lee went on to tell Nylon, “writing this album has been a whirlwind of tears, anger, fear, pain and loss. But it has also given birth to new hopes, joy, and the celebration of growing through it all.” The heaviness of this record is due to Lee and Etienne Bowler’s breakup, however, both have decided to continue in the band. The lyrically themes on focus tracks: “the end,” “ghost,” “stories,” tell the story. -Kevin
Every week, Kevin & Tyler will take a look at 5 singles (The A-Side) and 5 albums (The B-Side) and report back on Kev & Ty's Record Club! - Reviewing last week's records today!