Penelope Isles’ Genre-Hopping Rarely Rises Above Pastiche on ‘Which Way to Happy’
Penelope Isles love a lot of different music, and they spend much of Which Way to Happy approximating those influences and not quite establishing their sound.
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Eight AmericanaFest Best (and Not So Great) Moments
There were hits and misses at AmericanaFest 2021 in Nashville, but organizers made a valiant effort to ensure the festival allowed us to hear live music again.
Amy Helm’s Band Bond with Dad Levon Stirs a ‘Flood’ of Memories on Third Solo Album
Carrying on a family tradition of folksy musicality with joie de vivre, Amy Helm rambles on as a performer enriching the same stomping grounds where her father firmly planted his roots.
Afrobeat’s El’Vee Celebrate the Love of Football on New Single “Balotelli”
British-Nigerian twin sisters El’Vee bring thrilling Afrobeat textures to UK electronic club music on their latest single, “Balotelli”.
Swedish Dream-Poppers ViVii Deliver a “Smackdown”
Swedish pop trio ViVii play the dreamiest of dream pop with pristine melodies, gossamer harmonies, and enthralling textures.
Samantha Crain Settles Down on ‘I Guess We Live Here Now’
On Samantha Crain’s I Guess We Live Here Now, the four tracks are possessed by soothing ghosts weaving in and out of the musical lines to comfort the listener.
Singer-Songwriter Evie Sands Offers a Powerful Single “The Truth Is in Disguise” (premiere)
Evie Sands’ first full-length album in two decades is giving the storied artist a new lease on life. The soulful, gritty, and hard-hitting lead single makes the case.
‘Coming 2 America’? Sure, Why Not?
Eddie Murphy and Arsenio Hall’s unasked-for sequel, ‘Coming 2 America’, clears its very low bar and reminds that Wesley Snipes is a damn movie star.
When Civil Rights, the Vietnam War, and a Presidential Election Converged on Notre Dame
In One Week in America, Patrick Parr guides readers through several earth-shattering events and their impact on the 1968 Notre Dame Literary Festival.
Sean Baker’s ‘Khaite’ Makes Punk Classy
Sean Baker’s short film, ‘Khaite’, mixes high fashion with hard crime New York city style.
Marcell Jankovics’ Animated ‘Son of the White Mare’ Goes Behind the Beyond
Beautifully restored Hungarian animation film, Son of the White Mare, is enchanting.