Artist Spotlight

The Narcissist Cookbook present ‘This Is How We Get Better’ album

The Narcissist Cookbook, led by talented musician Matt Johnston, has released their third album “This Is How We Get Better.” The album has 12 songs and lasts for 41 minutes and 14 seconds. It is a beautiful piece of art that takes the listener on a journey through different emotions. The album teaches us about being true to ourselves and overcoming difficulties.

Matt Johnston started his musical journey while listening to American blues and country rock. He is a self-taught artist who has evolved. He rebelled against conventional sounds after listening to Green Day’s “Insomniac” and started to love unconventional music.

“This Is How We Get Better” is not just an ordinary album. It shows Matt’s transformation and reflects his story of discovering himself, overcoming adversity, and being honest about his feelings. The album has honest lyrics and dominant acoustic arrangements that show his journey.

The first song, “Practically ImPerfect,” is vulnerable and sets the tone for the rest of the album. The song “the Pattern” explores the complexities of life, while “Good Morning Sunshine” teaches us about resilience. The album climaxes with the emotional song “Eaten Alive by Wolves.”

Matt Johnston’s songs explore themes of mental health, non-monogamy, and abusive relationships, making the album relatable to a diverse audience. The album shows his commitment to self-acceptance and the power of facing our fears.

The Narcissist Cookbook’s unique music blends thrashy acoustic punk with folk storytelling and one-person theatre performances. Matt’s queerness is an important part of his storytelling, creating an empowering musical experience.

The Narcissist Cookbook has plans to tour internationally in 2024, and a compilation album featuring the highly-requested “Courtney (Director’s Cut)” is also in the works. Furthermore, Matt Johnston continues his artistic exploration with the upcoming album “MYTH.”

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Artist Spotlight

Sadie Brown delivers a heartfelt illusion of a fake life with her new single “Counterfeit”

At the heart of “Counterfeit” is a tale of love manipulated for selfish purposes, yet still feels captivating. Sadie Brown’s new single “Counterfeit” invites listeners into the deceptive lull of beautiful and bleak love, one that promises everything while lacking genuine vulnerability, ultimately delivering only heartbreak. Brown adeptly illustrates the anguish of being entangled in a romantic relationship that never fully reveals itself, leaving listeners caught between longing and the painful acknowledgment of reality. Through ethereal pop sensibilities and a bittersweet melody, Brown explores the complexity of a “counterfeit love life” alluring yet reserved, a love that’s perpetually poised to “cut its losses.” The outcome is a sonic experience that feels as vast and unreachable as a memory of love gone awry.

“Counterfeit” doesn’t just touch on the hurt that comes from unrequited love; it captures the quiet resignation accompanying it. With “Counterfeit,” Sadie Brown steps into a new creative direction in her music, mixing introspective storytelling with emotional resonance.

Written during the lockdown and produced by Cashybear (Tim Ross, formerly of Cash+David), “Counterfeit” builds a hazy, indie-pop atmosphere that feels grounded and otherworldly. The collaboration with guitarist Jimmy Sims (known for his work with George Ezra) lends a retro warmth, creating swirling riffs that complement Sadie’s soft yet piercing vocal delivery. This subtle instrumentation mirrors the song’s themes: a relationship built on false pretenses, with its sweetness fading away like mist.

Brown draws inspiration from artists like Camera Obscura, Kate Bush, and Lana Del Rey, bringing a charming and restrained sense of vulnerability. Like Joni Mitchell, Brown leans into the contradictions of love, evoking nostalgia but never retreating from the reality of unfulfilled desire. “Counterfeit” is a thought-provoking piece that establishes Sadie Brown as a voice that can authentically convey both the charm and the ache of illusion.

Artist Spotlight

“Unholy Prayer” by Coraline James unveils a Celtic ode to hurting hearts and liberation

With “Unholy Prayer,” Coraline James gives a soul-stirring voice to those who have suffered in silence, inviting listeners into a hauntingly beautiful world of resilience and healing. This cinematic atmosphere, layered with Celtic mystique and rooted in alt-folk influences, transports listeners straight into the heart of her tale of survival and the enduring human desire for freedom.

James’ masterful storytelling is incredibly evocative; she unflinchingly paints the story of a woman’s complicated feelings trapped in the shadows of an abusive marriage who, in a bold act of rebellion, seeks solace in a secret affair. The song features earthy, cinematic instrumentation meticulously crafted by Lisa Patterson, which echoes the grit and anguish of James’ lyrics. Her lyrics possess a poetic intensity, unsettling, and enthralling honesty. With the addition of Jeimmi Carrasco’s soaring violin and Sammy Duke’s bass and percussion, weave together a lush, raw soundscape that almost feels like a confession, an unholy prayer and celebration, which means breaking free from the bonds of despair.

“Unholy Prayer” is a cathartic experience, a paradox of entrapment and escape, love and longing, transforming pain into the beauty that lingers with you long after the final note fades, much like Damien Rice’s emotional ballad and the theatrical elegance of Kate Bush. James’ enchanting vocals are rich, reflecting vulnerability and strength, a potent reminder of life’s stark contrasts and that healing can emerge from even the darkest moments. There’s something profoundly timeless about this track as if it’s sung by women across generations, each adding her heartbreak and hope.

In “Unholy Prayer,” Coraline James does not shy away from the agonies of life; instead, she illuminates them, emphasizing that even sorrow can serve as a conduit to new possibilities for individuals who have endeavored to reclaim their narratives amidst oppression.