IMC Listening guide

Best weather to enjoy this album

Sunny day

Best time to listen

Midday energy boost

Best place to listen

On the road, or at home

Does this album haunt the silence?

Melody lingers

Goosebumps scale

Chills guaranteed

Our thoughts

Let’s go not far from our friend Kahone Concept, into the streets of Philadelphia, to discover Trainwreck Boyfriend, a band of six friends: 4 guys and 2 girls. Vocally, the band is carried by Greta et Kristin’s voice. Yes, an alt-rock band fronted by girls! It’s quite rare, and it’s a detail we loved from the first seconds of listening to their debut album, simply titled Trainwreck Boyfriend.

As soon as you hear wonderful female vocals on “Freak Show,” the opening track, you get pulled back into a very nostalgic place. We immediately thought about a blessed era, when we were listening to bands like Hooverphonic, The Cardigans, and even The Corrs. Those unforgettable melodies that stay in your head, strong and well-built, pushed forward by female voices. That’s exactly what you’ll find on this album, and it’s honestly impressive how solid it feels from start to finish. There’s also one obvious thing that connects everything: you can hear the pleasure the band had while putting it together. You can feel it in the details, and you can feel it in the choices they made all along the way.

You get sounds we really love on tracks like “Apartment Life,” which mixes piano, strings, and electric guitar in a way that just works. It’s the kind of balance that only Moby used to pull off so well. Sometimes the electric guitar takes a bit more space, like on “Checkmate.” Sometimes it’s the synths that take the lead, like on “Love, Emily.” Nothing feels forced. It’s just natural, and it keeps the album moving.
Trainwreck Boyfriend also explores a lot of different territories. “Feels Like Summer” almost makes you think about reggae rhythms, while “Invisible” reminds you that yes, you’re still listening to a real alt-rock band, and a talented one. The band mentions The Cure, The Pixies, and The Smiths as influences, and it makes sense. You can hear that rock DNA, but with a soft heart behind it. And most importantly, the songs carry messages that mean something.

All through the album, you go through chapters of the human experience: the highs, the lows, the wounds, the vulnerable moments. And it’s done with lyrics that are written and controlled perfectly. Greta even told us she has a bit of a perfectionist side when it comes to writing:

“Writing thoughtful lyrics is very important to me. I put a lot of pressure on myself to get that right”.

She also gave us more context about how the songs are born. Most of the time, it’s Billy who starts things by throwing around a dozen riffs to the others every week. Then Greta tries to go through that whole mess and find a vocal melody on top of it, using nonsense words at first. And when it finally sounds right, it becomes real lyrics. Lyrics that will get rewritten again and again until everything feels perfect, and until it matches what they wanted to say.

That perfectionist side is everywhere on the album. You hear it in the vocals (there are absolutely no wrong notes), in the melodies, and in the production, which is clean down to the smallest details. The record was produced by Kyle Pulley at Headroom Studios, and the result is almost too clean for an indie band, in the best way. It’s exactly what makes you want more, because it sounds good instantly, and it stays good after many listens.

And since this is the band’s only album so far, you basically have two options. Either you play it on repeat. Or you take out your old Cardigans CDs and blow the dust off. But whatever you do, you’ll get a really enjoyable musical trip, where the listener is respected every second, because this album is clearly made for them. A great example of altruism from a new band with a chemistry that feels special.

A bit more about Trainwreck Boyfriend

We’re based in Philadelphia, and we’re Trainwreck Boyfriend: a female-fronted band serving up raw indie rock with riffs, melodies, and thoughtful lyrics that prove life’s a mess… but it sounds great. Our sound draws influence from The Beths, Momma, Veruca Salt, and timeless bands like The Smiths, The Cure, and The Pixies. We aim for the right balance between polish and grit, writing songs that hit with honesty and emotion, like a soundtrack for life’s imperfections. Each track feels relatable to us, capturing moments of tension, heartbreak, and hope in a way that stays grounded and still feels fresh. We’re excited about our self-titled album, and we’re looking forward to a coast-to-coast tour.

Reach out to Trainwreck Boyfriend

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If you enjoyed this song, consider supporting the artist directly on platforms like Bandcamp, Patreon, and Twitch whenever possible. Streaming services are great for discovery, but they rarely provide fair compensation for musicians. Every purchase makes a difference!

If you're an artist and want the same kind of feature, send a message on our contact page, we'd be happy to help.

IMC Listening guide

Best weather to enjoy this song

Sunny day

Best time to listen

Dusk reflections

Best place to listen

On the road, At home

Does this song haunt the silence?

Melody lingers

Goosebumps scale

Chills guaranteed

Our thoughts

Superstition doesn’t seem to matter much to Raze Michael. Thirteen songs made it onto his new album, released on October 10, and he didn’t think twice about it. Some would have stopped at twelve, just in case. Not him. He went all in, and we truly think it paid off. Right from the first seconds of “freckled n flushed”, featuring OGB, you know it’s going to be something special. The mix of strings, voices, and soft beats feels smooth and honest. It doesn’t try to impress you. But it just sounds good, like it came straight from the heart! You can really feel it.

Then it keeps going naturally. One song after another, different moods, different colors, but it all feels connected. Fans of indie pop will have a great time with huge bangers like “neptune” and “rockn roll it”, both full of energy and catchy in all the right ways. But the rest of the album goes into a more RnB atmosphere, warm and rich, with a bunch of collaborations that each bring their own flavor. Every guest fits perfectly, no one feels out of place.

What makes this album being brilliant is the feeling behind it. It’s bright, it's full of life, even when the lyrics talk about breakups or things that didn’t go as planned. Raze Michael turns old wounds into something beautiful. The way he talks about love, loss, and finding peace again makes you feel like he’s sitting next to you, telling his story. There’s nothing fancy in the way he says it. But you'll find plain truth here, the kind that takes you because it’s real.

He doesn’t hide behind effects or metaphors. The production is clean but not sterile, and the songs breathe. You can feel that the people behind this project actually care about what they’re making. Every little sound, every layer has its place, and that attention makes a big difference.

The album also has some nice surprises. “things you wouldn’t say”, featuring rapper Shaudie Man, stands out right away. It’s playful and bold, mixing indie pop and rap in a way that just works. To be honest, this is the first time we’ve ever featured a track with rap on Indie Music Center. It’s not something we usually do, but this one was impossible to ignore. The quality is there, and it fits the spirit of what we do: discovering artists who make music that feels honest.

Another gem is “where you go”. It has that nostalgic side of a song you’ve known forever, even if you just heard it. And there's a reason for that. It sat for years on a hard drive before finally finding its place on this record, and you can tell it means something to him. It feels like closing a loop, or like finishing a sentence that was left hanging for a bit too long.

The whole thing runs a bit over forty minutes, but dang, it goes by fast! Each song adds something, and before you know it, you’ve listened to the entire album without skipping a track. That doesn’t happen often. When it’s over, you just want to hit play again. Oh no, not really because you missed something, but because it feels good to stay in that world a bit longer.

In the end, “i can’t wait to know you, always” is an album about love, in all the ways it changes us. The kind that lifts you, breaks you, and teaches you something new every time. Raze Michael doesn’t preach, but shares what he’s learned and brilliantly and smartly because there’s no bitterness, no regrets, just growth and clarity.

This album is out of our usual comfort zone but we felt comfortable while reviewing it! It’s simply good music made by someone who’s got something to say. And says it with honesty.

Reach out to Rize Michael

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If you enjoyed this album, consider supporting the artist directly on platforms like Bandcamp, Patreon, and Twitch whenever possible. Streaming services are great for discovery, but they rarely provide fair compensation for musicians. Every purchase makes a difference!

If you're an artist and want the same kind of feature, send a message on our contact page, we'd be happy to help.

IMC Listening guide

Best weather to enjoy this album

Sunny day

Best time to listen

Dusk reflections

Best place to listen

On the road, Out in nature

Does this albumhaunt the silence?

Impossible to forget

Goosebumps scale

Maximum goosebumps

Our thoughts

What first caught our attention with Mark Stephen Pelfrey was how naturally he fits into the IMC universe. As you know, here we take the time to enjoy music, far from social media and from environments filled with algorithms. And this guy who grew up in South Carolina takes the time to make music that takes its time. And that’s something we love.

He has just released his album Lake Isabelle, and we can tell you it’s a gem like we haven’t heard since the 2000s, and what a joy. From the start, with the first track Long Lake, we understand in just four minutes where Mark Stephen Pelfrey wants to take us: on a memorable musical walk where the one-minute intro offers beautiful rhythm variations before revealing this warm voice, perfectly controlled and balanced, creating from the first seconds a comfortable feeling that stays through the whole album.

Each song lets us dig a little deeper into the artist’s influences, and from Lake Isabelle, the second track and title of the album, we move into more cinematic tones, even with discreet brass in the background, later brought forward and joined by a harmonica and an incredible electric guitar.

In just over 40 minutes, you will feel like you have travelled through wide open lands, through this musical journey filled with an impressive number of instruments, magical and inspiring landscapes, and above all, the undeniable writing talent of the artist.

Slow down the pace with Hollow, shared with artist Calinoda, then speed it up again with Known as Sadness, which, despite what its title suggests, is a real indie folk banger with choirs and a lively banjo. Let yourself be carried by the soulful vocal performance of Skipping Stones, while Long Drive takes you into a moving story that might bring a few tears.

Like autumn leaves marking a time of change with their bright colors, Colorado Springs is a small interlude without vocals, only with a beautiful acoustic guitar. A bit like a delicate pause before the adventure starts again with Wild Stranger, a folk rock gem that shows a perfect meeting between acoustic and electric guitars.

The energy becomes soft again and the light more gentle to end the album with Breaking All The Time, which, through its lyrics, perfectly reflects the main idea of this album: Take your time. And for those who want a bit more, an acoustic bonus track closes the listening experience nicely and shows that even with a simple studio take and no mixing, Mark Stephen Pelfrey’s vocal performance is incredibly impressive.
To sum up, we can say that it’s rare to hear such craftsmanship on a folk-oriented album, with a touch of folk rock and a little bit of soul music. Whether it’s the production, which highlights each instrument without mixing them all together, or the writing, touching and emotional, this album has everything you expect from an autumn companion: warmth, a link with nature, emotion, and above all, authenticity. The mix of styles and energies works well, sometimes with more dynamic tracks, sometimes calmer ones, without losing its unity. Mark Stephen Pelfrey is a real favorite for us and a musician like you don’t find often anymore.

By the way, while we were doing some research for this article, we noticed that our friend Susanne (@susbidi) had already featured this genius four years ago, and that he is followed by... Luna Keller, who happens to be our favorite podcast host and reviewer. Yes, we often tell you, the indie music world is both very large and very small at the same time, and everyone knows each other. But that’s fine with us. Because the day mainstream radios start looking into our wonderful artists, their magic will be gone.

On our side, we’ll be following this aritst's career closely because, in our humble opinion, he’s not done surprising us!

Mark Stephen Pelfrey's take on the album

I wrote, recorded, produced, mastered and designed this album independently. I take a lot of pride being indie, and I'd love to have my work featured on your site. The following is the story behind the album: it's themes are echoed throughout the 11 tracks. The tone, the mood, the vibes, the ebbs and flows of it all are very intentional

Reach out to Mark Stephen Pelfrey

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If you enjoyed this album, consider supporting the artist directly on platforms like Bandcamp, Patreon, and Twitch whenever possible. Streaming services are great for discovery, but they rarely provide fair compensation for musicians. Every purchase makes a difference!

If you're an artist and want the same kind of feature, send a message on our contact page, we'd be happy to help.

We live in an age that is almost entirely digital, and in which our attention is drawn from all sides on social networks. We got used to consuming content, content, and more content, and faster and faster. It has therefore become difficult to attract the attention of Internet users for more than 3 minutes to a piece of content. This is why most artists today limit themselves to releasing singles or EPs, but rarely albums.

And yet, the album is a format that is still appreciated by connoisseurs and true music fans. A bit like us. And a bit like you, if you are reading this article, it's probably because you don't come within the norm, and you obviously want to spend more than 3 minutes on content.

An album is often seen as a collection of songs. And this format is used nowadays as a kind of best of. This is the strategy used by The Satellite Station, who compiles 11 or 12 singles in an album, taking care to slip in one or more unreleased tracks. And that's what Jacqueline Loor, another member of the IMC Family, chose to do.

From my purely personal point of view, an album tells a story above all. The artist's story. Like a journey in their career, through their personal and sometimes professional experiences (as musicians).

Jacqueline Loor's debut album is exactly like that, like a book that you walk through while devouring each chapter with desire and passion. Like a roller coaster, because life is made of highs and lows (as her good friend from Tenerife, Luna Keller, would sing), "Show Them" is the result of many years of hard work, and you can hear it! The album has a theme, a bit like a common thread: toxic relationships. From the darkest times to the moment when you finally find the light, all the songs may speak to you.

From the magnificent "I Broke My Heart", which allowed us to discover her in February 2021 (yes, she is the first artist to join the IMC Family in just six months), to the bright and airy "I Can Fly", the album sums up the last two (or more) years of Jacqueline Loor. As a woman, as a twin sister, as a mom, as a lover, and as a musician. So many responsibilities on the shoulders of such a small woman, who reveals, track after track, her most intimate weaknesses and her most personal feelings.

"Show Them" (the album), allowed me to rediscover tracks of Jacqueline Loor released before we meet her and before we realize how amazing this artist is. So I took great pleasure in shaking my head on the leaping "Find Your Way", shed a tear on the moving "Don't You Pretend", and I reached the stratosphere with the very spatial "Just a Memory "and" Just Let Me Breathe " (with Will Evans).

Of course, we find in this album all the wonderful jewels that we have already presented to you on IMC over the course of this year, such as "Carry Through" the delicious duet with her friend Maria, aka Sunflower Summit (who has also become a regular at IMC). The very cinematic "I'm Done With You" is present too, as is the bomb "Burn It Down", which literally blew us away.

Then there are good surprises: the unreleased tracks. "I'll Take It" managed to get me up from my chair to dance, and reminded me, as much by its incredible production as by the vocals, of the early 2000s when I was jiggling to Kylie Minogue's hits. What a wonderful song, with a great catchy chorus that reminds me of the little Australian girl's "Love At First Sight".

Let's not forget "Show Them" (the song), which starts off as an indie-folk ballad, but becomes a real pop gem that will make you sing along and very loud to the point of waking up your neighbors. Here's the lyric video for this fabulous track:

But if you really want to piss your neighbors off, turn up the volume while you listen to the Semblance Remix of "Coming Undone", which will also have you dancing with its catchy melody and powerful bass.

If you are not superstitious, you will appreciate this logical sequence of 13 little gems, the production of which is perfectly crafted down to the smallest detail, exploring different musical universes where Jackie has fun and shows the full extent of her talent and her absolute control. Her recent live streams on Instagram will prove to you that there are no tricks. His acoustic version of "I Can Fly" is a beautiful vocal demonstration where high notes are reached without difficulty.

I have only one small regret about this album, which she also dedicates to her twin sister to whom she is very close: the magnificent "Nunca Te Olvidaré" is missing (but it's easy to understand why, it doesn't suit the album's main writing theme about toxic relationships). All in Spanish, which is a beautiful wink at her Latin roots, and above all, it's a moving tribute to her grandfather, unfortunately no longer in this world, but who must be very proud of little Jackie, from above. The little bit of a woman originally from Florida and now installed on a confetti off the coast of Morocco (Tenerife, Canary Islands), has set out to conquer the whole world with elegant, moving, and powerful songs. She sang "I Can Fly", and she's proving it with this incredible album.

We added "Show Them" (the song) to our "New Indie Music" Spotify playlist. Make sure you follow this playlist below to discover incredible new music every day.

"Son of the Hills" is Ben Greenberg's debut album.

It's out today and contains 10 songs. 10 jewels that we invite you to discover here (in case you don't know anything about this wonderful artist). And if you already know him, you may find some of your favorites and some new nuggets. We rarely post album reviews because it takes us half a working day, but when it's really worth it, we can't help it.

And even better: when the whole team is unanimous about the quality of an entire album, it is essential to tell you about it! Ready for a trip between the pines and hills of California and Notre-Dame-de-Paris? This album is an invitation to travel. Immediate boarding.

01 - End of the Line

As Ben said, "Maybe I could try to bring a little bit more beauty and light and truth into the world". Well, he made it. Again. This song was Ben 's fifth feature on Indie Music Center, on November 21, 2020. In each song, Ben Greenberg brings to the independent music world his light and a bit of hope. Sometimes feeling imprisoned by his demons, the Californian artist writes a lot. And writing helps! New horizons, new encounters, his life takes shape through his songs, and our favorite Californian finds like a second birth in music. A bit like a turning point in his very young career, 'End of the Line' brings new sounds to his upcoming album. An electric guitar, delicately placed, dresses the song wonderfully. A little confusing at first, when you know the first songs of the poet of the Northern Pines, which are usually much more acoustic. But ultimately, the electric guitar brings Ben a new string to his bow, a new tool to express his feelings. And God knows we never have enough tools to express ourselves. Once again here, the writing is more than worked on. Great poetry, set to music with talent and humility.

02 - River

This song was the third feature for Ben Greenberg at Indie Music Center, on August 28, 2020. When he submitted to us this new track, we tried an experiment. Approving the song even before listening to it, as we were really convinced that his work is always worth it. And we were right. This song is perfect to fit our concept based on emotions. And "perfect" is a word that has real meaning for us, but is sometimes difficult for artists to accept. Because Ben Greenberg is a bit like The Satellite Station: perfectionist, and humble. And as we always say: criticism is easier to accept than a compliment. Our favorite Californian writes with his heart. And that's what touches us the most in his music. In a discussion, Ben does not express his feelings. But he sings them. Music is his escape route. It's a safe bet that the artist still doubts his talent, even after recording the song, and the final result after a good mastering. And it is even certain that he still doubts when he sends us the song. But for us, there is no doubt: the talent is there. The artist has inserted a new instrument in this track: the electric guitar, present on a frenzied solo. But the ingredients that make his music so wonderful remain the same: a spellbinding voice, a catchy melody, and a relaxing atmosphere. Despite a correct 3:45 duration, when we reach the end, we have only one desire: to listen again.

03 - Northern Pines

It was the first Ben Greenberg song that we shared on Indie Music Center on June 26, 2020. It's a song about homesickness and nostalgia when Ben needed to regain his roots, surrounded by nature and the pines of Northern California. As he says, "It’s about discovering that the world is a tougher place than you thought it would be, wondering if you’ve lost your way and yearning for a place or time where you felt comfortable and belonging. For me, that place is my hometown in Northern California, where the hills are lined with pine trees and redwoods and the tranquility of nature is always close by". We all have our safe place, where we can find comfort, inspiration, and inner peace. Ours is this music platform, for example! With a perfectly mastered voice and writing skills, Ben Greenberg benefits from a high level of production quality. A state of mind and a sensitivity that are expressed, without any secret, in his music, and in particular in this single. We especially appreciate the catchy melody of the chorus, which stays in our heads for hours.

04 - Let You Down

North Bay Area's artist was back one month later, on July 25th, with this second single. A little bit different from the previous single, "Let You Down" seduced us from the first seconds. We couldn't tell you why, but Ben Greenberg's voice has something very relaxing and calming. He could sing to us anything. The result would be the same, magic works. With amazing vocals, reaching easily the highest notes in the chorus, he really succeeded in creating a musical universe of his own! And we totally adhere. As Ben told us, this new song is "about shame and self-judgment, and the way those negative emotions can be amplified when we keep secrets from those who care about us the most". Words that can speak to everyone. Anyway, it totally spoke to us. With this second feature, Ben Greenberg was comfortably settled on IMC, and we even said that "you may hear from him again in the next few months". We weren't that wrong.

05 - Sparrow

Do you know the 7 wonders of the world? Here is the 7th wonder of Ben Greenberg that we offered you at Indie Music Center, two weeks ago. Ben Greenberg launched this new single to announce the album that is releasing today! March is going to be busy for our artist, who only sent us the track the night before the release date. But we understand it. Normally, the promotion period is intense. We forgive him. Because it is always with great pleasure that we immerse our ears in a new sound from Ben Greenberg. We know in advance that we will not be disappointed. "Sparrow" amazes me with its fluidity. The key changes surprised me a little at first, but ultimately they give the song such consistency. A track that could destabilize fans of the traditional "Intro, Verse, Chorus, Verse, Chorus, Bridge, Chorus, Chorus" scheme. But the beauty and the poetry are still there. Ben uses words brilliantly to make us dream and give us the hope we need. Oh yes. I forgot. I dared to reproach him... But rest assured, he didn't hold it against me. With only 2:18 this new gem is too short. Spring is coming. The sparrows are singing. The sun warms us. And Ben Greenberg's album is already shaping up to be the most beautiful bird of Spring 2021.

06 - Milk & Honey

"Milk & Honey" is one of the unreleased tracks, and is the most relaxing track on the album. In this stripped ballad, the artist wonders about the famous "American Dream": "Did I have it too easy?". Childhood memories, and current situations, like a journey through time for our songwriter. The voice, very present, in this piece, and almost "naked", since the song does not include vocal harmonies, makes us realize once again that Ben has astonishing vocal capacities. Like a break in the middle of the album, "Milk & Honey" is exactly in the right place.

07 - Our Lady

It has already been nearly two years since Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral burned down. Partially destroyed, and saved by brave firefighters, the building is still standing and is still being restored. I perfectly remember that day, watching the monument burn all night long on the news channels, and hoping there will be something left. It was on April 15, 2019, and I think I will never forget that date. As a Frenchman, it was experienced as an ordeal in our country. The monument is emblematic and was often represented all around the world. A bit like our second Eiffel Tower, if I can say so. Dear reader, I'm not able to know where each one of you lives, but imagine, for a second, that your country's most famous monument is disappearing overnight. I can tell you that it's heartbreaking. Ben Greenberg tried to capture this moment, imagining himself as the Hunchback of Notre-Dame and writing down what he might have said that night to Esmeralda. What a great idea. No one had ever thought of this point of view. Ben's creative genius will always amaze me. Even though the text is quite short, it is full of poetry and fantastic images. And we project ourselves very easily on the drama scene. What could be more moving than one of your favorite artists winking at your country? And above all, to one of its most famous symbols. As usual, Ben brings us all his restraint, his humility, and his talent for interpretation. The vocals are even calmer than usual with him, and this soft universe definitely suits him very well. I am really delighted that my favorite Californian has finally found his self-confidence and that today, he lets us enjoy, without shame, the full extent of his creativity. This was the sixth feature for Ben Greenberg on Indie Music Center, on December 18, 2020. Like a Christmas present :)

08 - For Nick

We talk a lot about humanity in this album. And especially in this song which is a tribute to Nick Drake. And since we're all human, after all, I admit that I missed this single, because unfortunately, or fortunately haha, I had too many artists to promote at that time. But luckily, it's never too late. For those who don't know, Nick Drake was an incredible British musician, who died in the 1970s at just 26 years old. The artist was a great inspiration to Ben Greenberg, who pays him homage in this song. A ballad that is, above all, folk-oriented, with a sublime acoustic guitar, and surprise, absolutely divine piano parts. In short. I love it.

09 - Son of the Hills

This single was the fourth feature for Ben Greenberg at Indie Music Center! We could already feel in "Northern Pines", the love that Ben Greenberg had for his region. From the pines to the hills, there's only one small step. A mostly acoustic track, featuring calm verses and powerful choruses, carried by an incredible voice that will always leave us speechless. When you listen to Ben, you just have to close your eyes to set the landscape. And it works. Again! Watching the sunset, and enjoying every moment of his life, the artist writes with his soul. When we hear such beautiful descriptions of California, we only want to move and discover this amazing state. At that time, I remember I wrote "the biggest news we could expect from Ben is an album announcement. We can't wait to hear all his wonderful tracks in a full-length record". Okay, a few months later, here we are!

10 - Mirror Mirror

Could Ben make it even shorter than "Sparrow"? Yes! "Mirror Mirror", which closes the album beautifully, is a very folk roots track in only two minutes. The banjo is omnipresent, and in this final song, the artist questions his image. Much like in Snow White, where the queen polled her mirror every morning to see if she was still the prettiest, Ben questions his mirror to find out if the girl he covets cares for him or not. He confesses his long-standing love to this mirror and finally asks it if love is going to knock on his door. Love is not a very present theme in Ben Greenberg's songs (unlike 99.9% of songs today). And that suits him pretty well. "Mirror Mirror" is a perfect conclusion.

To summarize

Since June 26, 2020, when I posted a review for his debut single "Northern Pines", I have never doubted the talent of Ben Greenberg. I have always believed in him, single after single, and he always surprised me, amazed me, and blew me away. I have been waiting for this album for a long time, and I am not disappointed.

Ben Greenberg is more than a musician to me. Month after month, release after release, he became a friend. Our discussions have always been enriching, on all subjects. He is one of the few artists who understood that genuine relationships matter in the music industry.

Although I already knew 8 out of 10 songs, since they were released as a single, the discovery of the two unreleased tracks was a pretty cool experience.

And the whole album is really coherent and logical. No matter which instrument you prefer, there is something for everyone in this record.

I admit that I have only one regret: that there are only 10 songs. I would have preferred 12 or 14, to make the pleasure last a little longer.

"Son of the Hills" is Ben Greenberg's debut album. It's out today March 19, 2020. And I challenge you to find a better album this year than this one.

Also, Ben is actually running a contest on his social media, allowing you to win some freebies if you help him promote his album. Visit his Instagram to find out more (link below).

Follow Ben Greenberg

 

Ah punaise, ça doit faire des années qu'on a pas entendu un son comme ça!

Un vrai plaisir d'entendre du vrai son indie-rock, puissant, émotionnel, et de qualité.

Camera Thief, c'est une bande de cinq copains de Philadelphie: Pasquale DeFazio, Brendan Duffey, Robert DeFazio, Joe Hartnett et Joe Duffey.

Normalement, on devait écrire sur la chanson "Modern Fiction", qui nous a été envoyée par le groupe.

On a adoré. Du début à la fin, de la première à la dernière note.

Tout est parfaitement calé, à sa place, un vrai chef-d'oeuvre.

Une identité vocale très forte, aussi bonne que Kings Of Leon ou Stereophonics, une vraie voix, que l'on peut reconnaître parmi des milliers.

Une vraie signature vocale, donc, qui confère au groupe un réel avantage sur tous les autres...

Et ce n'est pas tout. Vous constaterez que la mélodie est très travaillée, et aussi chargée en émotions que les paroles.

Alors, avec un tel combo de bonnes nouvelles, on a voulu en écouter plus.

La chanson est extraite de l'album "The War Parade", qui vient de sortir.

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Alors on a écouté la deuxième, "Starting Fires". Et BAM! Encore une claque!

Incroyable morceau, plein d'énergie, de puissance, de choeurs endiablés, et surtout... plein d'émotions fortes, avec un final épique!

Alors après cette deuxième claque, on en a voulu encore plus.

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On a enchaîné avec "Running Out of Road" et là... rebelote. Troisième claque.

Les frissons à chaque refrain. C'est pas possible, ces gars ont un truc magique! Avec de l'émotion qui monte, qui monte...

Bon on pouvait pas s'arrêter là.

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Alors on s'est laissés tenter par le 4ème titre "The Empty Weight"...

Dès les premières secondes, on est content de retrouver cette voix qu'on aime tant... et elle nous fait toujours le même effet.

Un truc de dingue, ce groupe est addictif. Les choeurs sont toujours aussi soignés, et la mélodie est incroyablement puissante.

On a envie de chanter avec eux alors qu'on a jamais entendu le morceau, c'est quand même fou!

Et là arrive un solo de guitare exceptionnel. Une montée en puissance progressive jusqu'à la fin, digne des plus grands.

On atteint la stratosphère avec ce morceau...

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On peut pas passer à autre chose, on risquerait de louper encore de l'exceptionnel. Alors on continue, avec "Sunset Satellite".

Une longue intro de presque une minute trente, un son divin de guitare, du pur bonheur.

Et on retrouve cette voix, qui nous est maintenant devenue familière.

Le refrain arrive et on prend encore une claque. Comment est-il possible de trouver des mélodies aussi géniales?

Après le dernier refrain, la guitare est omniprésente et on profite du moment. On ferme les yeux et on se laisse porter.

On se rend même pas compte que le morceau durait près de 6 minutes.

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Après 5 titres, on se dit qu'on a trouvé un nouveau groupe "Coup de Coeur". C'est clair.

On est maintenant convaincus, alors il faut qu'on continue. Sixième pépite: "Left Behind".

Un morceau envoûtant ou des choeurs féminins s'invitent, pour un pont percutant, avant un final en apothéose avec des cuivres.

Décidément, deux surprises au même moment, ces gars sont capables de tout!

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Alors, "Sold On It" apparaît, comme pour calmer le jeu.

Avec des cuivres qui reviennent nous voir, dès la seconde partie de l'intro.

Calme, posée, l'atmosphère est relaxante. Vers 1:33, la chanson se réveille. Avec une très longue partie de guitare, comme une pause.

Mais une pause bien travaillée. Avant que le chant ne revienne de plus belle, pour dévoiler toute la puissance de la voix.

Les paroles s'enchaînent avec un débit rapide, une facilité déconcertante, et ensuite des envolées vocales majestueuses qui précèdent un solo de guitare époustouflant.

Que de claques avec Camera Thief...

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Il nous en reste une. "Medicine For Aching Hearts" clôture l'opus en beauté.

Alors là, celle-ci, c'est la cerise sur le gâteau, comme on dit.

Le petit digestif bien agréable en fin de repas.

Incroyable puissance, graduelle, parfaitemenet dosée et maîtrisée.

Et des frissons en continu de 2:40 à 3:20.

C'est clairement surnaturel. Comment font-ils?

Le morceau se termine par une lente retombée, comme si le groupe voulait nous faire passer un message comme "Alors, vous avez vu ce qu'on est capables d'envoyer? Reposez-vous, maintenant!".

On arrive sur les dernières notes avec comme un sentiment incroyable d'avoir vécu un moment historique.

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On vient d'écouter un album épique. Exceptionnel. Nous n'avions pas entendu un tel album depuis "X&Y" de Coldplay... en 2005. Il y a 15 ans.

On était partis pour une chanson. Nous voila sur une critique d'album.

Et clairement, on a pas perdu notre temps. On a pas beaucoup d'albums dans nos favoris. En voila un de plus.

Bravo Camera Thief.

On ne pouvait pas ajouter tout l'album dans notre playlist mensuelle, mais on a quand même marqué le coup en plaçant "Modern Fiction" dans notre playlist Spotify de Février 2020 et dans l'incroyable playlist "Indie Rock Killers".

Un album incroyable qui sort aujourd'hui, c'est le nouveau bijou des jumeaux Cattle & Cane venus du Royaume-Uni.

Il est rare que l'on vous présente des albums complets. Tout simplement parce qu'il est rare qu'un album complet nous procure autant d'émotions.

Vous savez, sur un album, il y a toujours un ou deux titres que l'on aime moins que les autres, et il y a toujours un sentiment de déception.

Là, non. Impossible de choisir une chanson préférée, car elles sont toutes très bonnes.

"Navigator", disponible aujourd'hui sur toutes les plate-formes, est un album essentiellement tourné vers la rupture amoureuse.

Du moins, c'est le sentiment qu'en avait le duo après avoir fini d'écrire toutes les chansons.

Mais il en résulte un album très lumineux, malgré le thème d'écriture un peu triste.

Beaucoup de couleurs, de mélodies puissantes, et d'harmonies vocales réussies, dans cet album.

Vous y trouverez des ballades, des titres un peu plus pêchus, et une vraie identité musicale.

Ces deux-là ont décidément réussi à se créer un univers musical, et il est assez difficile de leur donner un genre.

11 titres, 11 bijoux.

Comme un best of, mais avec uniquement des inédits!

C'est juste de la bonne musique!

Encore besoin d'un peu de motivation pour continuer la semaine?

Allez, on vous aide! Direction Toronto pour rencontrer le fantastique Rod Kreiger. 

Un artiste qui oeuvre dans le genre "Rock émotif". Forcément, ça ne pouvait que nous parler.

L'artiste a été très bien entouré pour réaliser son EP éponyme, dont est extraite la chanson "Joséphine", qu'il nous a envoyée.

On a tout de suite adoré le morceau, à la mélodie super entraînante, aux guitares puissantes et à la production soignée.

Mais on a eu envie d'en écouter un peu plus, et on a lancé la lecteur de l'EP. Et... Wow!

Le producteur ? Il a travaillé avec Sia, Norah Jones et Sting.

L'ingénieur du son qui a mixé l'EP ? Il a collaboré avec les Foo Fighters ou Paul McCartney.

Le guitariste? Jay Stapley, qui a bossé avec Roger Waters ou Mike Oldfield.

Autant de beau monde autour de notre Canadien pour réaliser un bijou de 6 titres, puissants, résolument rock et très bien faits!

Si aimez le rock, si vous aimez les émotions, vous allez l'ajouter à vos favoris, c'est promis!

If you were looking for an album to warm up, as the temperatures gradually drop, here it is!

Here is "Open Sea", the debut album of Urban Escape, a group from Los Angeles, formed by four Brazilians in 2017.

It's even hard to believe that it's a debut album! Because it's very good!

And unless you are told, you would never have guessed their Brazilian origins, because there is no accent in singing.

Let's start this amazing musical journey, with a band you may fall in love with.

The album opens on "#54" and we can already feel the full potential of the band.

With a powerful intro, where all the members are engaged, we already know where we put our feet.

Crazy vocals, amazing melody. This album may be a delight.

"Angel" opens on a more mysterious side.

If you were a fan of Franz Ferdinand, you will appreciate this bouncing intro.

A very catchy chorus, and a powerful guitar solo confirms our first feelings : this album is worked.

And is very close to perfection. As this track is almost 5 minutes, we didn't feel time running.

And if you liked the song. Good news : there's a music video for it!

"Alone" is even more powerful. As the chorus is ending, we detect something in the voice...

We don't really know what, but like a kind of memory.

I got it. It's like I can hear "Hey, this is me, Chester Bennington, and I'm back to haunt you".

The resemblance is quite amazing when it comes to supported notes.

But it's pleasant. Like you're discovering a totally unknown universe, but you still have some landmarks.

We can really feel how deeply the members are involved in that track, we can feel the power of everyone. 

On the final part, it's like they're unstoppable.

If you enjoyed this track, there's also an incredible music video, released in August.

"This Is The End" opens on a quieter side.

But do not be fooled by appearances.

It quickly builds around bewitching vocals, supported by a discreet but effective echo, until an amazing catchy chorus.

You already feel your head shaking.

Incredible vocal flights conclude this new masterpiece.

"Holy Man" reminds us of another band: Coldplay, on the "X&Y" album released in 2005.

The art of mixing sweet melodies with energetic vocals.

I know bands don't really like to be compared, but in this case, it's rather flattering.

We love the end that goes down smoothly.

"Frankenstein" opens on a gradual intro.

Which could perfectly suit a movie, as it shows green landscapes of Portland's forests.

Maybe you guessed which movie it is.

Well, this track is more on the emotional side.

The melody is sweeter than in the other tracks.

No exaggeration on the end: all the power is under control.

As we already reached the middle of this album, maybe you feel like dancing now.

And maybe the band had anticipated that feeling.

Here is "Do You Want Me?"

This is the first music video the band released in May.

On this track, we appreciate the power of the guitars, and the very catchy chorus.

We keep the rhythm, throughout the song, until the last second.

A perfect radio track!

"Jack & Coke" offers a beautiful intro and smothered haunting vocals.

What a talent! Alternate quiet and percussive parts, so easily!

There is mastery, for sure! This band perfectly knows how to dose its music.

This track was amazing.

But it's not over, as "Neither Side" comes slowly.

Despite the background melody is beautiful, the voice gives us almost all the magic.

The final part can be surprising if you're not really prepared, but reminds us that Urban Escape can do everything.

With a quite long intro, "Everyday" appears, with amazing vocals on the first verse.

There's not much text in this song.

Even though it's very well written, as all the other tracks of the album.

But the power of this track is in the haunting "Oh-Oh"s part at the end.

"You Vs Me" announces that the end is near. Yeah. Already. We would have wanted 10 more songs haha, but it's already great.

We can imagine how hard the band worked on those 11 tracks!

Well, back to the song, where it says "One last try". Perfect ending.

Powerful choruses, indredible lyrics. For sure, this track could be released as a single, radio stations would play it!

Even if they may cut the end of the song, which, however, allows the album to end smoothly.

Without even realizing it, you probably had a listen to one of the best albums of the year.

It's hard to realize it's already over. 11 tracks is not enough when it's so good.

But as we previously said, it's much better to have 11 perfect tracks than 18 unfinished songs.

This band managed to create its own musical universe, even though we felt some Coldplay, Franz Ferdinand or Linkin Park vibes sometimes.

They have something special : if they succeeded in keeping us awaken in 11 tracks, without no repetitive impression, they will succeed in making a second album...

Then a third... And well. You got it.

This band can go very far. This is a sure value.

And that's why we wanted to talk about this album.

And don't ask us which track is our favorite. It would be impossible to tell.

We loved them all.

Play it, stream it, buy it, share it on the platform of your choice.

Singing / Guitar : Eric Urban

Guitar : Rafael Picoli

Bass : Julio Mendoza

Drums : Lucas Bidran.