EP Review – That Music Magazine

Philly’s own Quiet Time’s Newest EP out now “Scheherazade”

Kilian O’Neil — Thu, 26 Sep 2024 10:19:52 +0000

Written by : Lisa Melograno

Quiet Time’s “Scheherazade“ is an electrifying, dance-punk anthem that reimagines the ancient tale of Scheherazade through a contemporary lens. As the second single off their upcoming EP “Everyone Is Having More Fun Than Me,” the Philadelphia-based emo band skillfully combines their unique sound with thought-provoking commentary on modern society. The song delves into themes of victimhood, power dynamics, and societal double standards, inviting listeners to question their biases and challenge preconceived notions of victimhood. Lead singer MaiAda’s lyrics offer a powerful critique of modern society, reimagining Scheherazade navigating today’s social media landscape, where public scrutiny and misinformation campaigns are all too common. Driven by gritty instrumentation and MaiAda’s incisive lyrics, “Scheherazade” demonstrates Quiet Time’s commitment to addressing important social issues through their music. MaiAda’s exploration of “feminine rage” serves as a poignant reminder of the ongoing struggle for equality and understanding faced by women today, both in the story of Scheherazade and in the present day. As Quiet Time continues to make their mark in the emo and punk scenes, “Scheherazade” stands as a testament to their ability to craft bold, introspective anthems that resonate with audiences. The band’s fearless approach to storytelling and their distinctive sound have garnered them attention and acclaim, positioning them as a compelling act to watch in the alternative music landscape. With their unique blend of engaging narratives and punk-inspired sound, Quiet Time proves that they are not only skilled musicians but also thoughtful storytellers, addressing pressing social issues through their art. As fans eagerly await the release of their upcoming EP, “Scheherazade” offers a tantalizing glimpse of what’s to come, cementing Quiet Time’s status as a rising force in the world of emo and punk music.

Quiet Time :

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Alternative rock trio, Waxflower, delivers new rockin’ EP ‘We Might Be Alright’ via Rude Records

Lauren Rosier — Fri, 16 Apr 2021 10:00:49 +0000

Written by Maria Arroyo

The alternative rock trio, Waxflower, shares their new EP, We Might Be Alright, out now via Rude Records.

The alternative rock trio signed with the European record label in 2020, of whom has worked with Saves The Day, Gideon, Blood Youth, and Sleep On It. Jumping right back into the studio, they were able to work with Stevie Knight (Stand Atlantic, Yours Truly, The Dead Love) to bring this 5-song EP to life.

“The name ‘We Might Be Alright’ is a representation of this, but there is more to the full product. The writing of the EP happened alongside me overcoming my crippling anxiety and panic disorder. Although that was a net positive, it came with the new challenge of having to shed the way I saw and projected myself due to those struggles. I had to replace my anxious life with a ‘normal’ one,” explains frontman Tristan Higginson. He continues, “This was scary to me because although my time living in the grasp of my anxiety was horrible, it led to this band, the songs, the tours that would eventually help me to overcome it. It’s the reason why shows like The Voice focus on the sob stories more than the singing. It’s an interesting part of the human experience, and there is a part of me that thinks we’re only valid in our scene if we continue brooding. It’s something that I’m still coming to terms with, and this EP catalogues these thoughts in each track.”

Their opening track, “Again,” is fun and catchy, with a ton of energy. They play off of each other’s vocals incredibly well and deliver the intensity and excitement of the song to a whole new level. Here’s their music video for their opening track, “Again.”

Their next song “Not Alone” screams punk and alternative rock, which is nostalgic for me as this reminds me of music my dad used to play for us when we were growing up. While it’s rooted in similarity, they still manage to keep it fresh with their perspective and execution of the song.

“This is our first cohesive release. I think it’s a perfect representation of what we’ve learned over the last year or two as well as the experiences I’ve had along the way. Hopefully people can resonate with its optimism, the world surely needs some right now,” Higginson notes.

“Food For Your Garden” is an interesting one. While the title of this song is kinda quirky and ambiguous, the song is catchy with an odd sense of familiarity. This was a little favorite of mines, and I hope you’ll enjoy their music video for this track as well.

My favorite track on the We Might Be Alright EP is “Fake Frown.” It’s the perfect balance of soft and sweet, with their edgy sound and energy. The vocals tiptoe the line of angsty pop vocals and modern alternative rock vocals, which is pretty neat. They blend quite a few genres in this track, which is why I think I grew to my number one spot for the EP.

Waxflowers closing track “We Might Be Alright” couldn’t have fit better for the ending. It really played to their diversity as musicians and songwriters, which I really loved. They really pushed to make this a diverse project without sacrificing their angsty alternative rock sound.

Overall, I really loved this record, and truly made for a great and enjoyable listen! Great job guys!

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Multi-talented musician, SYML, shares new EP titled ‘Dim’ out now via Nettwerk Records

Lauren Rosier — Fri, 16 Apr 2021 10:00:45 +0000

Written by Maria Arroyo

Singer, songwriter, programmer, engineer, and self-taught producer Brian Fennell, the man behind the project, SYML, shares his new EP, DIM via Nettwerk Records. Listen/share HERE. SYML says that this record is a “loss exploration,” and each track explores the different forms and stages of grief.

“This EP is largely about losing those close to us,” says SYML. “Calling it DIM really applies to the light we carry during our time here. When those lights go out, it’s this sort of dimming process, but rather than living in that sadness – even though I think that’s a really healthy thing to do, to stay in that cozy, warm blanket sadness sometimes – it’s about honoring what that light was, and realizing that there’s still that same light in all of us that are still here.”

SYML pulled this EP together with the help of producer Paul Meany (Twenty One Pilots), mastered by Levi Seitz at Black Belt, and mixing engineer Joe Visciano (SZA, Earl Sweatshirt) at Studio 112 with one track at Bunker Studio. “People like Paul and Joe act as mirrors instead of wrecking balls,” says SYML. “They showed me different angles of my songs and creative process that have ultimately made each better. When you find people like that to collaborate with, it’s a feeling of equal parts excitement and humility.”

SYML‘s opening track, “Stay Close,” is a nice, lo-fi, pop song with catchy melodies and a strong melodic structure to keep the song going. Right from the beginning, his production style is infectious. His lyrical ideas are overly incredible. It was right after this track that I’d realized I had completely fallen for him and his music. SYML shares that this track is a pretty personal one, as he talks about his father’s battle with cancer earlier this year. Catch the official music video for “Stay Close” below.

His next track, “Black Teeth,” has a darker indie sound, but still is as incredibly produced and executed as the first track. I think his decision to put these tracks right by each other only helped diversify his sound and add more color to his songs.

“True” is another catchy and inviting track that mixes in a little bit of R&B vibes, too. The instrumentation is just as solid, which speaks to his immense talent as a multi-instrumentalist.

“Yes And Know,” which is the only track to be mixed at Bunker Studio, highlights some different production techniques, one of which is the ability to reverse the reverb on certain tracks, which is a neat trick to hear in a song. Once again, SYML’s infectious lyrics and melodies make this song a hard one to forget, which is only heightened by his smooth and incredible vocal skills.

The final song is the title track, “Dim.” This is also the only song that SYML co-wrote with someone on, so a big thank you to Brian Eichelberger for helping to bring this song to life. I can’t repeat it more, but his knack for top-of-the-line melodies and easy-to-connect with lyrics is beyond something I could ever put into words.

This is definitely another favorite for the books. SYML’s Dim is a beautiful creation that really resonates with me and I think it will do so for so many other people out there. Fennell is a force to be reckoned with, and I already cannot WAIT for his new music!

Connect with SYML

Frontside create excellent song in “Einstein Killed Me”; leave more to be desired

Lauren Rosier — Wed, 03 Feb 2021 22:54:43 +0000

Written by Killian O’Neil

The first track starts to roll on for a half of a second and I’m confused. Confused as to if my phone had skipped into another band or if it was actually Frontside that was blasting through the airwaves.

I had the pleasure of interviewing them about their upcoming release of their new EP Closer to Closure, a few months ago and had to take it for a spin. I was extremely excited to hear what they put out since I only got a teaser. Unfortunately, that excitement started to fade fast as the album continued to play. The first few seconds of “Give It Up” (their first track) is something like off of an old Coheed and Cambria, album but watered down. It had all of the proper ingredients, just enough screaming, and grit, not to mention the intricate guitar solo to catch your attention but the arrangement was all out of whack. It was very unclear on what they were doing or at the very least trying to do. There was a 50/50 shot that this album was going to be put to rest. Reluctantly, I didn’t turn it off and continued to keep an open mind, but truth be told it was a lot harder than I thought. With music, you can normally find a silver lining off an album and Einstein Killed Me is theirs.

“Einstein Killed Me” is the single they released off of Closer to Closure and now it’s evident as to why. That song is what makes Frontside stick out and really showcases the talent that they have. “Einstein Killed Me” is the only song that gives a clear idea of who they are as musicians and portrays what they are trying to convey.

Unlike the rest of the songs, this one has rhyme and reason. “Einstein Killed Me” teases you with a sexy intro and comes in softly. The vocals and drums slide in, preparing you for the buildup that, anyone who loves pop-punk is waiting for, and they surely deliver. The entirety of Closer to Closure is just one track melting into another. It all sounds the same. The mediocre vocals are either drowned out by the guitar riddled throughout this EP or non-existent. I can’t tell if Frontside is trying to be Coheed or A Day to Remember with how back and forth the sound is. Make no mistake about it, Frontside has all of the components to put out amazing records. Unfortunately, this time around they were unable to nail it on the head.

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