New Releases

Little People Release Hypnotic 'Embrace'

A down-tempo track filled with lush strings and warm bass.

Press Photo

Yesterday, Swiss/UK producer Little People, aka Laurent Clerc, dropped a new single, "Embrace."

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New Releases

Ryan Gibeau Escapes by 'Flying Away'

Honest lyricism amid a soulful melancholy soundscape.

Photo Credit: Laura V.

Brooklyn-based alt-pop/rock artist Ryan Gibeau just released "Flying Away."

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MUSIC

Premiere | Calvin Arsenia Winds Up 'Toxic,' String-Laden Britney Spears Cover

The musician reinvents Britney Spears' iconic hit "Toxic" as a dark, twisted fantasy.

Arsenia creates a savage paradise of strings.

Covers of iconic pop hits are ubiquitous these days - but when Kansas City multi-instrumentalist and singer Calvin Arsenia covers Britney Spears' iconic 2003 hit "Toxic," he infuses the same instant thrill of electricity that charges much of his work. In his dark, orchestral-driven cover, Arsenia weaves in and out of the melody with Eurythmics-style dreaminess. The strings pulsate along tight, vibrating lines vacillate between reality and surrealism.

In fact, self-proclaimed "surrealist soul" artist, Arsenia slips between the cracks of reality into an Alice in Wonderland kind of fantasy, while also drawing from his classical training. Such a hybrid approach is palpable throughout the entirety of "Toxic," with refined gravitas and fractal theatrics coursing through the record. All the while, there is a stark vulnerability in his voice that weaves the strands together into an emotive retelling of the oft-played pop hit.

Arsenia's "Toxic" is co-produced with J. Ashley Miller and Simon Huntley, recorded at Miller's own studio, The Infoaming Vortex, and later mastered by David Kutch, known for his work with the likes of Alicia Keys and Solange. The piano crescendos and explodes into a thick cloud of electric guitar, ghost-like synths, and orchestral strings. He croons the familiar chorus ("Baby, can't you see / I'm calling / A guy like you, should wear a warning") with distinctively languid vocals over the flair of strings.

And yet the spirit of Spears' original still pulsates under Arsenia's dazzling composition. And rightfully so. “I remember the first time I heard Britney's 'Toxic.' The wigs, outfits, iconic strings, drums, crazy production, and sultry vocals," he explains to Popdust, set to premiere the vibrant but fragile piece today. "It plucked some chords in me about music and sexuality that was fun, passionate, and exciting. I wanted to bring some of that sultry, sexy energy to my world of harpy, whimsical, drippy, folk-soul mishmash."

As a result, the rich layers of Arsenia's composition invite the listener to dig deep into the artist's raw and unhinged headspace while also dragging you inward, begging introspection. "When recording it we wanted the music to really sound like the tumultuous chaos of emotions I feel when I've been stricken and made lovesick over someone," he says. "It's stripped down. It's chaotic. It's sexy. It's weird. It's me. It's you. It's toxic. Enjoy. May it give you life."

"Toxic" follows the release of another new cut titled "Headlights," the first single off Arsenia's forthcoming studio record Cantaloupe with Bullseye Records, which is anticipated later this year.

Listen below:

Follow Calvin Arsenia on Twitter | Facebook | Instagram


Jason Scott is a freelance music journalist with bylines in B-Sides & Badlands, Billboard, PopCrush, Ladygunn, Greatist, AXS, Uproxx, Paste and many others. Follow him on Twitter.


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MUSIC

MUSIC | Leland and The Silver Wells

Dazzling classical flavors blended with alt rock textures

Singer-songwriter Leland Ettinger, aka Leland and The Silver Wells, will drop her latest album September 14. The self-titled album is her first in more than ten years.

In 2004, she dropped Forever, followed by The Golden West in 2007. Released under the name of Leland, both albums garnered considerable acclaim. During the hiatus, Ettinger immersed herself in her photography and began a family. The title of her imminent effort – Leland and The Silver Wells – was borrowed from Joan Didion's Play It As It Lays.

"This album was the product of many years of stops and starts in songwriting after the birth of my daughter," Leland explains. "After I had her, it became very difficult to write, and I thought I would never be able to complete a song again. The songs on this album are composed of many of the scattered fragments I could come up with over these years, which I revisited on my iPhone and which miraculously came to life."

Based in L.A., Leland, who plays piano, guitars (6-string and 12-string), and banjo on the new album, leaned on the talents of producers Marc Dote and Steve Gregoropoulos. Encompassing nine tracks, the album merges alt rock with classical flavors.

Highlights on the album include "We Dissolve," a textured tune radiating sultry tropical colors and creamy vocal harmonies. Leland's exotically inflected timbres enhance the music with sumptuous opulence. "Luck of the Draw" opens with a twinkling guitar and elegant piano flowing into a punk-lite-flavored new wave tune. Vaguely reminiscent of Pink Floyd on the verses, the chorus takes on tighter energy.

"Give Up The Gun" starts off with a Mozart-like piano moving into a measure alt rock tune. The combination of classical piano, strings, and rock savors is subtle and effective. "Coming Down," my favorite song on the album, features streaming strings atop an infectiously gentle alt rock tune. "Play It As It Lays," another personal favorite, mirrors a soft sensuality that's wickedly mesmerizing.

Leland and The Silver Wells is deliciously persuasive, full of gossamer hues, resonant textures, and Leland's scrumptiously mysterious tones.

Follow Leland and The Silver Wells Website | Facebook | Instagram

Randy Radic is a Left Coast author and writer. Author of numerous true crime books written under the pen-name of John Lee Brook. Former music contributor at Huff Post.

MUSIC

MUSIC MONDAY | Chill summer kind of vibe with Megan Davies

MAY 14 | Chill this Summer with an acoustic version of "Doesn't Matter"

THE MIX | Chill Summer Kind Of Vibe

by Megan Davies

05.14.18 | "This is a playlist of what I'm jamming out to right now! Its a mix of good summer looks and chill vibes by some of my favorite new artists, with some classics that are sure to get you moving this Monday." -- Megan

Nashville, Singer songwriter, Megan Davies released her new single "Doesn't Matter." The song is about overcoming bullying and how it doesn't matter what happens. Stay strong and discover who you truly are. It is the next new song that is "Brave" (Sara Bareilles) And "Fight Song" (Rachel Platten) kind of ballad. Her debut original project, "Bad Poetry" EP, was released July 2017.

Check out the impressive Official Music Video for her song "Doesn't Matter"

Megan Davies is well-known for her acoustic covers and mashups on YouTube, where she collaborates with both her sister, Jaclyn, and some friends in Nashville community. Since then, her creative stylings have garnered her over 175 million views and 1.2 million subscribers. Her influencer status has offered up many amazing opportunities. From collaborations with the Red Cross & American Cancer Society to performing for Hugh Jackman, Zac Efron, Zendeya & the creators of The Greatest Showman and attending the films premiere in New York City.

This completely independent project has amassed over 2.2 Million Spotify streams and the title track from the EP is now playing Sirius XM's, The Coffee House station. Watch the acoustic version of "Doesn't Matter"

Follow Megan Davies on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube

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