motel void

WADE EASY – HOT HONEY

Honey Venom, Wade Easy’s third album in less than a year, brings his slow-burning Appalachian psychedelia into a more sensual, primitive territory – a record about love in all its tangled glory. Desire slips into dream as bliss, death, and devotion begin to blur. The album is due out October 2.

So far, we have Hot Honey, and I have to say I have a real soft spot for this kind of meditative, hypnotic music. It is driven much more by atmosphere than by instantly memorable melodies or obvious standout moments, and that is exactly what makes it work for me. Listening to it, I feel like I’m back on a trip through some sun-scorched Nevada desert, slightly lost somewhere in the middle of nowhere – and this could be a perfect soundtrack for it.

GORRO – LEMME B FREE

This is a really interesting track from Gorro. It has a very contemporary sound, driven by energetic, almost motorik drums and a somewhat lethargic vocal that could easily fit into a genre like hyperpop. I particularly enjoyed the instrumental section in the middle, which really kicks into gear and gives the track a completely different energy. I imagine this must be a particularly interesting song to experience live, too!

D. L. FORREST – CAN’T SLEEP (FEAT RUNNER)

D.L. Forrest is a singer-songwriter from Lenni Lenape land (Philadelphia, PA), now based in Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh lands (Vancouver, BC). Forrest grew up spending summers at the Philadelphia Folk Festival, but remained more of a fan of the genre until 2022, while writing indie rock songs with the band Buddie. Inspired by the comfort of the folk music he grew up with, he eventually began combining his favorite elements of folk, rock, Americana, and pop.

The first few seconds immediately reminded me of MJ Lenderman’s Manning Fireworks – slightly ragged, guitar-driven indie rock with a strong melodic sense. The female backing vocals work beautifully here, while the chorus suddenly introduces a much more pop-oriented feel that reminded me of one of my favorite Canadian bands, The Weakerthans. Overall, it is a really fun and wonderfully melodic track. And, of course, it wouldn’t be complete without the obligatory guitar solo!