Music
Local Review: Anthony Pena – Apology
The inside cover of this album says, “With my sincerest heart, I am so sorry for who I was.” The music that follows is apologetic and cathartic, yet full of yearning. “Junius” combines upbeat vocal harmonies and emotional bursts of guitar with the lyrics “I never thought I would die right next to you.” … read more
Local Review: AudioTreats – Vol. 2
I’m stunned by the quality of music that has come out of Utah’s EDM scene as of late. AudioTreats’ Vol. 2 is no exception. This album is a hypnotic tapestry of hip-hop and electronica. Each track is incredibly fluid, and they each fit together in perfect harmony. … read more
Local Review: Braeyden Jae – Heaven House
SLC native and ambassador Braeyden Jae has created an album full of near-perfect textures. The timbre of all-encompassing waves drone, and obscured melodic passages peer out of cavernous, swelling sounds. … read more
Local Review: George Charles Nelson III – Little Engine
Sweet Salt Records was founded last fall by Tom Bennett, a transplant from North Georgia’s Piedmont region and singer/songwriter “in his own write,” to borrow a phrase from John Lennon.
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Local Review: James Junius – moth,wing,dream
A fluttery work of ambience, moth,wing,dream, evokes images of a flickering light in a cabin or a midnight walk through a cemetery. It could be a soundtrack for a horror film with its hushed chords and sci-folk vocals. “Lake Days” is composed in the style of Morrissey, with simple synth guitar and repetitive, gloomy lyricism.
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Local Review: Jay Citrus – Suck My Lemons
Jay Citrus isn’t exactly a visionary—his rhyming is sloppy, he gets his song titles from classic hip-hop tunes and, on at least one occasion, he straight-up jacks a beat without any attribution—“The Scenario” is Yeezy’s “Blood on the Leaves.”
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Local Review: Kemp. – Empty.
“Emo raps perfected,” boasts Kemp. on “Cougar Tails.” It’s a striking moment on a record that does get, well, emotional. Still, that line works on a couple of levels—as both a raison d’être and an endearing moment of self-deprecation. … read more
Huldra – Black Tides
Huldra are a favorite SLC metal band, and they’re gearing up for their release of their second full-length, Black Tides. … read more
Local Review: Twilight Transmissions – Temple Of Abandonment
Local musician Christopher Alvarado is on a creative binge lately and just keeps pumping out quality ambient pieces, this time alongside Jeff Duke. This is not as calming as what we are used to hearing from him, as it is a haunting release that has you envisioning the conflicts of an insane mind. … read more
Local Review: Tupelo Moan – Cocaine and Chicken Grease
Fuck yeah! No, seriously, I said, “Fuck yeah,” every 20 seconds the first time through this album. I tried to find both of the items listed in the album title to get the full effect. … read more
Local Review: Sights – Sonder
Sonder is a great improvement on Sights’ still pretty great debut EP, Mammoth. From a pure songwriting perspective, I think these guys are catching up with Eons (R.I.P.) in the race for who can put out the best post-hardcore music in Salt Lake. … read more
Local Review: Pillow Dragon – Teen Witch
Pillow Dragon are a local duo that have taken the purest elements of industrial and combined them with a modern-day feel. The best example I can give of this combination is “Repulse,” a catchy beat layered on top of subtle synth and laced with smooth, controlled vocals. … read more
