I was recently introduced to From Indian Lakes, who released their new album, “Everything Feels Better Now,” in October. According to the group’s Facebook page, Joey Vannucchi, the genius behind the band, recorded “Everything Feels Better Now” in the basement of a coffee shop using only vintage analog equipment. This technique definitely shows in the album, creating the perfect vintage atmosphere.

When recording the actual music for the album, Vannucchi writes, “Delays were made using tape machines and other effects were made using various vintage equipment leftover from sound city studios. We used vintage synth equipment and vintage drums and guitar amps. When writing and recording this album, I was really trying to capture a lo-fi aesthetic, while still retaining a sense of thoughtfulness.” You can read more about the process of making the album here.

“Everything Feels Better Now” is the auditory embodiment of a low-key 80s-inspired indie-pop masterpiece. It’s vibrant and lively, but also very calming and intuitive. Vannucchi creates a romantic vintage aesthetic, reminiscent of neon burger signs and California palm trees. Each song blends perfectly into the next, although each offers a notably different experience to the listener.
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My personal favorites are “Blank Tapes,” “Hello” (which reminds me of the “Stranger Things” theme song), and “Nome.” You can listen to the entire album through YouTube (also below).

Make sure to check out From Indian Lakes on Facebook, Triple Crown Records (their merch is awesome!), their website, and their bandcamp.

“Fake Love"

Drake is really feeling the island, Caribbean, steel drum influence. I can only hope that this is at least in part due to Rihanna. But rumor has it they aren’t an item, at least not this week. Regardless I really enjoy this island influence, it keeps things light and playful compared to Drake’s notoriously sad boy-esque lyrics. The moral of this single is definitely that Drake thinks everyone is fake, and this is most likely a lowkey diss track, so you know who you are. This track is definitely my personal favorite out of the recent releases, and I hope it has a leading influence in his upcoming work.

“Sneakin’” (feat. 21 Savage)

Seeing that both “Sneakin’” and “Fake Love” were released together, as a duo of singles, along with the same cover art. The cover features his father, Dennis Graham, who is rumored to begin a rap career? So keep an eye out for that.

This track is darker and more methodical, with tasteful sirens (never thought I’d say that) and eerie fading yelps. The lyrics mention the Titanic, Satan/Devil, Drake referring to himself as a “goat” (true) and of course women. 21 Savage is a new name for me, he is an American rapper from Atlanta. He has a good rhythm, maybe there will be more from 21 Savage in More Life. 

“Two Birds, One Stone” 
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Drake seems to be into releasing multiple extremely long episodes of audio on his OVO website/store/blog combination. I’m not sure if this is a cool progressive idea, or just an annoyance to those of us who are lazy and want to see everything new magically pop up on Spotify. I’m leaning toward the lazy latter.

This track has multiple comments on family, and Drake’s dad Dennis Graham. It has a cool beat and the usual Drake flow, but the lyrics aren’t particularly memorable. Maybe this was a purposeful choice, to keep this track less easily accessible, and keep “Fake Love” and “Sneakin’” as the prominent singles for Drake’s upcoming project entitled More Life.
 
Read more here and here.

I was recently introduced to OnCue, a local Connecticut rapper who just released a music video for his single “3AM”. The video showcases the Olympia Diner, a Connecticut landmark, and it looks extremely clean despite one’s traditional predispositions of classic diners. The malfunctioning neon sign is indicative to its natural state, and makes for some great shadows and fall-off. The vintage corvette does not exactly fit in with the neon, eclectic vibe, but the Maple Motel sign ties the video back to the original theme.

​As far as lyrics, OnCue seems to have his own hip-hop/alternative style. He is able to rap on a solid beat, but still keep it slow and lowkey. Seeing that OnCue is still fairly underground, there is no clear confirmation that this video signals an upcoming album, but we shall see.