Featured
Long Neck Releases The Introspective “Soft Animal”
Introspection, self deprecation and sadness are the words of the day for our review of Long Neck’s latest full length album, “Soft Animal.” It’s the fourth album from the folk band, and it continues the bands signature style of down-to-earth folk music that also speaks out on darker themes.
Folk music is a breeding ground for discussion and commentary on deeper topics. The genre is predicated on its songwriting, with simpler arrangements and songs that are meant to mean something. This is something Lily Mastodimos and her band are more than aware of. To this end, “Soft Animal,” takes full advantage of this, sending a strong message on self worth.
The song “Ants,” for example opens with the lines “If I can’t put a pen to paper, what good am I.” It’s a shockingly common sentiment among people in the modern era, where self worth is tied to superficial ideas of what you’ve accomplished. It leaves many people feeling boxed in and depressed, and the songs address this. If anything, “Soft Animal,” is incredibly relatable for many people.
This sentiment is echoed by other songs like opening track “Evergreen,” where the singer bemoans her inaction and how she’s wasting precious time. But between it all, moments of levity are added in. In “Ants,” lines like “I need to get out of this room, I need the space to follow through,” show that sometimes all you need is a bit of room to breathe and explore yourself.
As with many folk albums, the songwriting is key to whether a folk album lands or not, and we’re happy to say that “Soft Animal,” is excellent in this regard. It makes fantastic use of its genre to provide a spectacle of storytelling. Every song contains musical choices that carry weight and make strong use of the limited sound of folk albums.
Singer Lily Mastrodimos’ also carries a lot of the album, with her voice carrying powerful emotional gravitas in every line. The emotion of every song comes through, from the tired and weary tones of “Gardener,” to the celebratory, joyful vibes of the title track “Soft Animal,” and even the angrier takes of “558,” which adds harsh synths to the mix.
“Soft Animal,” is a strong showing for Long Neck, with brilliant use of their medium to produce a lovely little album. Echoing our sentiment from earlier, “Soft Animal,” is painfully relatable, especially for anyone who’s ever been unsure of themselves. It touches on topics with care and understanding, and on top of that it just sounds great. We can’t wait for what the band comes up with next.
https://longnecklass.bandcamp.com/
Artist Spotlight
Alwyn Morrison explores betrayal, judgment, and survival on new EP “Trial”
Life isn’t always a straight line, and Alwyn Morrison explores that in “Trial,” a four-track EP that goes beyond the familiar territory of love and heartbreak. The project blends pop, rock, and singer-songwriter influences, exploring themes of betrayal, false accusations, emotional pain, self-defense, and survival. Each track is inspired by courtrooms and is a step in a personal journey of understanding, acceptance, and ultimately freedom.
The first track, “Puzzle Piece,” is Morrison’s raw, heavy alternative rock sound, fitting the weight of betrayal and false accusations. The song has a sense of tension, putting you in the shoes of someone trying to understand a difficult situation. Followed by “Everybody Bleeds,” which follows that emotional path, creating a song about confusion, openness, and the struggles we all face, and it’s an emotional listen, with hard truths and personal experiences laid bare.
The project’s focus track, “Monster,” goes into more personal territory. It explores what happens when we are judged or condemned for the choices we make, and it carries a message that goes far beyond Morrison’s own experience. The central theme will strike a chord with anyone who has felt misunderstood, unfairly labeled, or defined by others’ opinions.
The EP closes with “Fireflies,” a track that shifts the mood, contrasting childhood innocence and memories with the realities of adult life. The sequence moves the story toward resilience, survival, and earned acceptance. Alwyn Morrison spins a musical tale of hard life experiences put to the test. The courtroom concept gives the four songs real purpose to move on without letting past experience dictate the future.
Artist Spotlight
Fanny Alexandra explores emotional recovery and self-discovery on “Ceasefire”
Not every fight ends a relationship, and there could be long-term emotional damage, with questions about identity, attachment, and the difficult path to moving on. “Ceasefire” is a ghostly alternative rock ballad in which Fanny Alexandra navigates difficult terrain, exploring emotional dependency and the search for selfhood after a toxic relationship.
“Ceasefire” is full of sad melodies and hints of atmospheric rock, making it a dark, cinematic listen. The song’s alt-rock pivot provides an emotionally charged foundation, and it’s about the internal battle, especially when your identity has been so tied to another person.
Fanny Alexandra’s ethereal vocal approach suits the song, lending real emotional weight to the exploration of self-loss and internal tension. “Ceasefire” is a reflective track, with atmospheric instrumentation and deeply personal songwriting that capture feelings that can linger long after a tough chapter closes.
It’s about finding yourself again, and its emotional arc moves from openness and dependence to the hard-earned discovery that personal freedom is more than just walking away. Fanny Alexandra’s love for dark, emotional alternative music inspired “Ceasefire.” Her art is about intimate storytelling, cinematic atmosphere, and making music that explores the quieter struggles people tend to keep inside. In this record, she turns the fallout from a toxic relationship into a meditative reflection on the long road to selfhood.
-
Album Review4 days agoLegends of the Seven Golden Vampires explore healing and personal growth on “The Pumphouse of Broken Dreams” [album]
-
Artist Spotlight4 days agoRicky’s Rebel Rabble honor family and remembrance through “Molly”
-
Artist Spotlight4 days agoT1M1 featuring Keybeaux confront artificial creativity with latest release “Hip Slop”
-
Artist Spotlight4 days agofor KING & COUNTRY celebrate faith and everyday joy on “the most beautiful colours”
-
Album Review3 days agoBrynja Rán finds clarity in complicated relationships on “Unblurred” [album]
-
Artist Spotlight4 days agoLil Bales unveils a love bomb on latest release “Rust”
-
Artist Spotlight2 days agoBoy Sim explores heartbreak and self-deception on “Cloud Nine”
-
Artist Spotlight4 days agoTerry Ennison examines faith, illusion, death, and transformation on latest release “Testimonial”