Music
Little Wretches Explore Themes Of Faith And Struggle On “Red Beets And Horseradish”
“Red Beets and Horseradish” is the new album from band, The Little Wretches. Named after a traditional Jewish side dish that is commonly served during Passover and Easter, the album is all about the suffering of the singer’s people as well as their history, all presented in the performer’s signature stripped down and raspy performance style. So, how does it all sound?
The very first song on the album, “Rise,” is a perfect summation of just what the album as a whole sounds like, and it’s a fitting opener track. It’s a folksy and joyful ballad, with hints of determination and positivity sprinkled all throughout its mix. Lyrically, the song is a message to the singer’s people to rise up together and harmonize, a strong message of unity.
Musically, most of the songs on “Red Beets and Horseradish” are sparse, though not lacking in spirit. In such a spiritually charged album, this makes sense, especially as each song calls for the listener to rally and join in joyous song. The second song on the album, “Lovingkindness,” exemplifies this, with harmonious harmonicas and an overall upbeat tone, with themes of enlightenment throughout.
Songs like “Palms & Crosses” and “Old Hundredth” ramp the tone up a little from the softer songs, though it never really pushes things too far, preferring to keep things mellow and happy. What does stay constant throughout all the songs however is the vocal performance on display, which is always solid, clear and full of emotion and passion. They’re a highlight of the album without question.
Some songs do rein back the happy tones, especially key songs like “It’s Raining,” which is a bit more biting and sad than the typical “Red Beets and Horseradish” song. They’re a nice change of pace, and make the album a much more fun listen overall. Some songs like “Old Lillian’s Story” also shift styles, framing the song more like a framed narrative being told as opposed to a typical song.
“Red Beets and Horseradishes” manages to keep your interest throughout its runtime with its small narrative shifts and fascinating touches, really capturing the listener’s attention effortlessly. While the subject matter may not exactly be for everyone, there’s no denying that it’s a well done album.
Overall, we recommend giving “Red Beets and Horseradish” a spin, especially if it’s something you’d be interested in. With solid instrumentation, good vocal performances, a fun narrative and engaging performances all around, it’s an album experience that you don’t want to miss.
–Jason Airy
Artist Spotlight
Lana Crow turns challenges into a celebration with “Laugh With You”
“Laugh With You,” the latest single from Lana Crow, is a sincere rallying cry to embrace life in all its messy, beautiful mess. In the song, indie pop and alt-pop combine to deliver an emotional blow that feels both personal and universal.
“Laugh With You” feels like an instant connection, and Crow is telling you stories of hard times with a cozy, knowing smile. This song is as much about struggle as it is about how strong you are. It serves as a reminder that these struggles are simply what give us the strength to keep going, even when life is tough.
Crow encourages people to welcome them, create happiness in the cracks, and laugh even as the world gets heavy. The result is a song that delicately nudges you to love and embrace yourself. It is an anthem for anyone experiencing tough times who refuses to give up hope. Lana Crow continues to demonstrate her songwriting skills, both musically pleasing and emotionally rich, with “Laugh With You.”
It’s a reminder that it’s how we respond to tough times, rather than how they affect us, that’s key. With this song, not only does Crow provide us with music, but she also lets us know that sometimes a laugh is what we need to remember that there is always something to smile about and that, even when it feels like life has waged war against you, laughter can still be found.
Artist Spotlight
Lisa Boostani creates a mesmerizing tidal realm in “Ocean”
Lisa Boostani’s “Ocean” takes you deep into a sensory world where body, spirit, and myth come together, beyond the surface of genre. Boostani makes a soundscape that is both ethereal and deeply human by combining the broad essence of psychedelic pop with the strong appeal of alternative rock.
Her voice rises as if it is coming from deep within her, shaped by emotion rather than action. She intentionally channels the intangible, turning weakness into strength rather than a source of pain, and “Ocean” tells people to get involved in this inner world, not just watch it. This release is an integral part of her first EP, “One,” which will come out in March 2026 and is based on love, sensuality, and unity.
If “Ocean” is any indication, the EP will show sensuality not as something pretty, but as a kind of spiritual intelligence, a way to know yourself by connecting with others. The song’s textures and structure have an aquatic quality, moving between clarity and delirium, rhythm and freedom. Its emotional focus is on immersion instead of resolution.
The striking quality of “Ocean” is the blend of the mystical worlds. Boostani understands that strength often shows up as gentleness and that deep feelings are better expressed through frequencies than words. She wants people to see consciousness as immediacy, sensation as truth, and openness as an undeniable strength.
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