#stephanie euler

[wcurmusicreviews]

Dream Shake - Dream Shake

It'd be easy to assume that Dream Shake's self-titled album is a collection of songs about girls who broke lead singer James Nee's heart, considering each song is named after a girl. Instead, he says it's a "concept record, but no one will get my references." After listening to the album, I can attest that he's right. The album isn't anything that's in-your-face exciting, and there isn't one song on the album that will get stuck in a listener's head. That's not to downplay Nee's ability to make music that is good in its own way; in fact, the album seems to find its footing as it progresses, offering the later songs that have solid content and guitar notes that compliment perfectly. Track 7, Rachel, is really where the album starts to pick up and prove that Nee is more than background music. In fact, the last three tracks on the album (7-9) are where the money is going to come from for Dream Shake. As a new artist, he has plenty of time to grow, and one can only hope he takes the inspiration from the end of his first album and runs with it.

-Stephanie Euler

[wcurmusicreviews]

Pompeya- Tropical

Moscow's own Pompeya catches listeners' ears with music drawn from 70s disco, 80s New Wave, and 90s indie rock. Needless to say, the band's mantra could easily be "there's something for everyone." Pompeya's talent lies in its ability to have different sounds per song, while still sounding cohesive and interesting. Songs such as "Nobody's Truth" are more upbeat and fast paced than opening song "My Mind is Clear," but that is not to say that "My Mind is Clear" is any less of a song. When you think you get a feel for the band's vibe. they throw in different chords such as the ones in "We Like Songs," which is sure to make you tap your feet while writing the paper you put off for English class. It's surprising the band has not found roots in America yet, but at this point, it's just a matter of time before they explode.

-Stephanie Euler

[wcurmusicreviews]

Ghost Beach - Miracle EP

Surprisingly enough, the addicting and catching melodies of New York City's musical group Ghost Beach are not backed by any major label. Though the band is only a few months old, its retro aesthetic has been blowing up on the internet; undoubtedly catching the eyes of fans of The Police, Daft Punk, and Passion Pit. The EP opens with Miracle, a song that sounds almost too "pop"-y and upbeat to be a song with lyrics about falling in love again. "Been There Before" and "Moon over Japan" slow things down, before Miracle takes over with two remixes. Regardless, this group seems to be doing well for themselves despite a label backing, and their infectious sound is sure to continue growing in popularity. 

-Stephanie Euler

[wcurmusicreviews]

Haerts- Hemiplegia

Haerts is a fairly new band, whose first EP shows they have exactly what their name implies: heart. Catchy melodies accompanied by lead singer Nina Fabi's lovely voice creates an exciting and addictive sound that is bound to make the Brooklyn-based group blow up on the underground scene quickly. The EP starts with "Hemiplegia," a more electro-sounding track which precedes more emotional songs, such as ending track "All the Days." But whichever tone you're in the mood to listen to, Haerts is proving they are more than just background music. They are sure to gain more exposure in the music world with their new flair and interesting sound.

-Stephanie Euler

[wcurmusicreviews]

Cub Sport- Paradise EP

Formerly known as Tim Nelson and the Cub Scouts, this australian indie-pop band is still fairly new, formed in 2010 by singer Tim Nelson. Since putting out their first EP that same year and changing their name a year later, the band dropped a few singles before putting out their second EP in 2012. Their newest EP, Paradise, stays true to their popular single"Evie" roots with addicting upbeat music to offset Nelson's not overly "pop" sounding voice. Paradise EP gives us 5 songs to taste, each with a different sound. The first track, "Paradise," is a song to make a road trip to before wrapping things up with "Write You a Letter," a song to make any kind of ending a little bit better.

-Stephanie Euler