Category: Blog

“Magic Hour” by Surf Curse Album Review

Post author By Hüttemeister
Post date October 19, 2022

Surf Curse, "Magic Hour" album art

From Reno to LA, surf punk band Surf Curse returns with their fourth album, “Magic Hour”. Started by childhood friends drummer/vocalist Nick Rattigan and guitarist/vocalist Jacob Rubeck, this band has created something truly magical in this record. Bassist Henry Dillon and Guitarist Noah Kholl help to flesh out the band’s sound perfectly.

Recorded at the infamous Electric Lady Studios, which has been the recording spot for the likes of Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix and Stevie Wonder, this album is a clear nod to the legends who have recorded there previously.

A review of their 2019 album, “Heaven Surrounds You”, can be found here. Before the singles for this record came out, I had only listened to a dabble of Surf Curse. Upon the release of the second single for this album, “TVI”, it was immediately all I could listen to for the next two months.

The Magic Trick

The sound of this album is silky smooth magic. The band almost called this album “Milky Magic” because they wanted to emulate and create a milky, white magic sound.

First off, I have to give major props to lead vocalist Nick Rattigan, who somehow manages to display an incredible vocal performance all while tearing it up on the drums, which is no easy feat.

Nick Rattigan also makes music under the persona Current Joys, which has a totally different sound and feel when compared to Surf Curse. The range of sounds and feelings Nick Rattigan can create throughout his music is commendable.

There are too many tracks on this album that have immediately stuck with me. If I had to name my three favorites from the record, they would probably be, “Self Portrait”, “Fear City” and “TVI”. All three tracks highlight the new steps Surf Curse has taken in their sound and what I enjoy about this album.

Surf Curse, “Self Portrait” music video

This album is Surf Curse at their most energetic. Rattigan’s visceral “YEAH”s throughout Self Portrait is heightened energy that can be found nowhere else in the Surf Curse discography. The discordant, blaring saxophone in “Fear City” makes it one of the most memorable tracks on the record.

However, the band does not forget the roots of their sound. There’s some classic Surf Curse in tracks like “Cathy”, “Lost Honor” and “Sugar” that will instantly get stuck in your head and give homage to their most popular tracks such as “Freaks” or “Disco”.

My only problem throughout the entirety of the 44-minute album is that I feel some tracks, especially the six-minute ones, could have been slightly shortened. Besides that, this is an excellent record. I highly recommend it to anyone that enjoys rock or punk music.

Conclusion

This record is probably my favorite of the year so far. I’m considering going to see them on tour the weekend before all of my finals. I wouldn’t do this for many other bands but hearing “Magic Hour” live would be incredible.

As Surf Curse’s discography continues to grow, they continue to vary and improve upon their already solid sound. I look forward to their future projects and how they will continue to build their discography.

Tags Album Review, surf curse, WKNC

Miscellaneous

“Babel” by R.F. Kuang Book Review

Post author By Hüttemeister
Post date October 19, 2022

“Babel” is a dark academia historical fantasy book by R. F. Kuang set in 1830s Oxford University. “Babel” utilizes fantasy elements to highlight the cruelty of imperialism all while creating an engaging story full of fleshed-out, interesting characters.

I have been following Kuang’s work since the release of her first novel, “The Poppy War”, in 2018. She turned “The Poppy War” into a trilogy and announced earlier this year after the end of “The Poppy War” trilogy, that she would be releasing her fourth book, “Babel” in August.

I was extremely excited to hear this and immediately pre-ordered a copy. I finished “Babel” and must say, this book lived up to and exceeded my expectations. Kuang’s prose continues to get stronger and her stories more elaborate and nuanced.

The Magic System

The most brilliant thing about “Babel” is its magic system. My main problem with many fantasy books set in the real world is the magic system has no impact on the world outside of the scope of the story.

“Babel” does not have this problem. Babel, which the book is named after, is the world’s center of translation and silver-working. Silver-working is the art of manifesting meaning lost in translation through enchanted silver bars, creating magical effects. In this alternative world, silver-working is what has made the British Empire an unparalleled power.

This is, in my opinion, an excellent way to incorporate fantasy elements into the real world. It is subtle but has such a large impact on everything going on in the world of the story.

The Novel

“Babel” covers revolution, colonial resistance, and the use of translation as a tool of empire. It follows protagonist Robin Swift, orphaned by cholera in Canton and plucked out of China by a wealthy and mysterious Babel Professor, Richard Lovell.

Throughout the book, Robin becomes a student at Babel and comes to learn that serving Babel, creating silver, would be a betrayal of his homeland. What’s more, as his studies progress, he gets caught between Babel and the mysterious revolutionary group Hermes.

Throughout this book, Robin is constantly grappling with the question: can powerful institutions be changed from within, or does revolution always require violence?

This book does a great job handling the heavy themes it tries to tackle. Robin and Robin’s cohort feel like a very dynamic, alive group of characters. Often in fantasy books, I feel that characters are merely plot pieces waiting for the next moment to move the plot along. However, I did not feel this way with “Babel”.

This book also does give equal footing to both sides of the question Robin grapples with. However, Kuang is not afraid to take a firm stand when the question must be answered.

This book is great and is an excellent use of fantasy in the real world, which is rare to see. I look forward to Kuang’s next book, “Yellowface” coming out in May 2023, which will be stepping away from fantasy.

Tags babel, book review, WKNC

Weekly Charts

Chainsaw Charts 10/18

Post author By WKNC Admin
Post date October 18, 2022

#	Artist	Record	Label
1	GAEREA	Mirage	Season of Mist
2	IRON KINGDOM	“In The Grip Of Nightmares” [Single]	Self-Released
3	CASKET ROBBERY	“Worm Food” [Single]	Blood Blast
4	BLACK ROYAL	“13th Moon” [Single]	M-Theory
5	FROMJOY	it lingers	Self-Released
6	CALLOUS DAOBOYS,THE	Celebrity Therapist	eOne Rock
7	BOTCH	“One Twenty Two” [Single]	Sargent House
8	CABAL	Exit Wound [EP]	Nuclear Blast
9	OBSIDIAN SKIES	Saturnian [EP]	Self-Released
10	UPON YOUR GRAVE	Gold & Decay	Self-Released

Chainsaw Adds

#	Artist	Record	Label
1	BOUNDARIES	Burying Brightness	3DOT
2	SLIPKNOT	The End, So Far	Roadrunner
3	INHALE EXISTENCE	“Facade Breaker” [Single]	Self-Released

Tags Chainsaw Charts, NACC Weekly Charts, WKNC 88.1

Weekly Charts

Underground Charts 10/18

Post author By WKNC Admin
Post date October 18, 2022

#	Artist	Record	Label
1	JEAN DAWSON	CHAOS NOW	Handwritten
2	KENNY MASON	PUP PACK [EP]	2022
3	ACTION BRONSON	Cocodrillo Turbo	Loma Vista/Concord
4	PARIS TEXAS	Red Hand akimbo [EP]	Self-Released
5	SIDESHOW	WEGAHTA TAPES VOL. 1	10k
6	MAVI	Laughing so had it hurts	MAVI 4 Mayor
7	DIZ	Ultra.Violet	Self-Released
8	DENZEL CURRY	Melt My Eyez See Your Future	Loma Vista/Concord
9	REDVEIL	learn 2 swim	Self-Released
10	AVIAD	Believe [EP]	Self-Released

Underground Adds

#	Artist	Record	Label
1	MIKE	Disco	Self-Released
2	OVERPADE	Age of Aquarius	GORECORPS & Once upon a time
3	TOMMY RICHMAN	“Wasteland” [Single]	Self-Released
4	JEAN DAWSON	CHAOS NOW	Handwritten
5	KENNY MASON	PUP PACK [EP]	2022
6	ARMAND HAMMER	Haram	Backwoodz Studioz

Tags NACC Weekly Charts, Underground Charts, WKNC 88.1

Weekly Charts

Afterhours Charts 10/18

Post author By WKNC Admin
Post date October 18, 2022

#	Artist	Record	Label
1	WORKING MEN’S CLUB	Fear Fear	Heavenly/PIAS
2	ARCA	KICK ii	XL
3	FLUME	Palaces	Future Classic
4	LYZZA	Mosquito	Big Dada
5	FLOATING POINTS	“Problems” [Single]	Ninja Tune
6	VTSS	Projections [EP]	Technicolour
7	KY VOSS	The After	Play Alone
8	COL LAWTON	Jordi LOVE Groove [EP]	Salted
9	RGB	22222 [EP]	Raund Haus
10	DIVINO NINO	Last Spa On Earth	Winspear

Afterhours Adds

#	Artist	Record	Label
1	MAGDALENA BAY	Mercurial World Deluxe	Luminelle
2	CLUB ANGEL	6AM [EP]	Astral People/PIAS
3	TSHA	Capricorn Sun	Ninja Tune
4	DE LUX	Do You Need A Release?	Innovative Leisure
5	FARID	“Mo Wax” feat. Brooklyn Shanti [Single]	Rhythm & Culture
6	BAD COLOURS	“You Don’t Know” feat. KAS, Jarv Dee & JVDE [Single]	Bastard Jazz
7	BON-PSY	Order [EP]	Folded

Tags Afterhours Charts, NACC Weekly Charts, WKNC 88.1

Weekly Charts

Top Charts 10/18

Post author By WKNC Admin
Post date October 18, 2022

#	Artist	Record	Label
1	FLY ANAKIN	Frank	Lex
2	BUILT TO SPILL	When The Wind Forgets Your Name	Sub Pop
3	MIKE	Disco	Self-Released
4	PRETTY SICK	Makes Me Sick Makes Me Smile	Dirty Hit
5	EMPEROR X	The Lakes Of Zones B And C	Self-Released
6	KWAMZAY	Motherland! [EP]	Corner Store Art House
7	LAVA LA RUE	Hi-Fidelity [EP]	Marathon
8	LITTLE SIMZ	Sometimes I Might Be Introvert	AWAL Recordings
9	MAVI	Laughing so had it hurts	MAVI 4 Mayor
10	SCUBADIVER	Godspeed To	Self-Released
11	PARANOYDS, THE	Talk, Talk, Talk	Third Man
12	ADE HAKIM	HAPPIEST PEOPLE IN THE WORLD WIDE WEB	Bronx Academy of Home
13	ARMAND HAMMER	Haram	Backwoodz Studioz
14	AUDREY NUNA	a liquid breakfast DELUXE	Arista
15	JPEGMAFIA	LP!	EQT
16	MAMALARKY	Pocket Fantasy	Fire Talk
17	YOUNG WABO	Mirage [EP]	New College
18	ACTION BRONSON	Cocodrillo Turbo	Loma Vista/Concord
19	ALEX G	God Save The Animals	Domino
20	AVIAD	Believe [EP]	Self-Released
21	CAMP COPE	Running With The Hurricane	Run For Cover
22	DENZEL CURRY	Melt My Eyez See Your Future	Loma Vista/Concord
23	FKA TWIGS	CAPRISONGS	Young/Atlantic
24	HIATUS KAIYOTE	Mood Variant (The Remixes)	Brainfeeder
25	JEAN DAWSON	CHAOS NOW	Handwritten
26	KENNY MASON	PUP PACK [EP]	2022
27	SAMM HENSHAW	Untidy Soul	Dorm Seven/AWAL
28	SHY HIGH	Goodbye Delicious [EP]	Self-Released
29	SKIIFALL	“Bloodclarrt Business” [Single]	XL
30	MOUNTAIN GOATS, THE	Bleed Out	Merge

Daytime Adds

#	Artist	Record	Label
1	MAMALARKY	Pocket Fantasy	Fire Talk
2	SOFIE ROYER	Harlequin	Stones Throw
3	STATUS/NON-STATUS	Surely Travel	You’ve Changed
4	MARINA ALLEN	Centrifics	Fire
5	FLORIST	Florist	Double Double Whammy
6	ELF POWER	Artificial Countrysides	Yep Roc
7	FAZERDAZE	Break! [EP]	section1
8	JOHANNA WARREN	Lessons For Mutants	Carpark
9	STARCRAWLER	She Said	Big Machine
10	MERCYLAND	We Never Lost A Single Game	Propeller Sound

Tags NACC Weekly Charts, Top Charts, WKNC 88.1

New Album Review

“DEPART” by Origami Angel Review

Post author By Michelangelo
Post date October 18, 2022

Cover art of "DEPART" by Origami Angel

Origami Angel is a emo-rock duo out of Washington, DC. Lead Vocalist and guitarist, Ryland Heagy, and drummer, Pat Doherty, have released perhaps their must ambitious release to date.

“DEPART” unlike their past discography, is entirely heavy rock and screamo. This fast paced, three track release is nothing but exhilarating.

The three tracks, “JUDGE”, “FAWN” and “FOE” are compact. Each falling just under two minutes, this set is a ridiculously big step for Origami Angel in such an unaburdly short duration.

This release could give someone whiplash from how different it is from the rest of their discography. There have always been dabbles of rusticity and grunge throughout the duo’s predominately emo sound.

It is refreshing and exciting to hear a band delve into a new genre with so much confidence.

I think many bands and musicians fear taking steps into new genres; many stay within their most familiar box. There are so many avenues and platforms of criticism that artists face through social media, it makes sense why many choose to stay within one genre their whole career.

I commend Origami Angel for taking the leap.

Tags New Album Review, Origami Angel

New Album Review

“Slowing Down” by The Backseat Lovers

Post author By Michelangelo
Post date October 17, 2022

Cover art for upcoming album by The Backseat Lovers

The Backseat Lovers have grown into quite the success in the past few years. Their 2019 album, “When We Were Friends” skyrocketed their popularity with tracks “Kilby Girl”, “Pool House”, “Maple Syrup”, and “Watch Your Mouth”.

Especially at NC State, this indie rock band grew into a fan favorite after their performance at 2022 Wolfstock at the end of last semester.

This band has a lot on the horizon as they prepare to release another album, “Waiting to Spill” on Friday, Oct. 28 2022. In preparation they have been releasing a series of singles throughout the last few weeks.

The Backseat Lovers’ most recent single, “Slowing Down” caught my attention.

If you have listened to “When We Were Friends”, you know that the key to their musical success it their ability to hit emotional and musical cues with such unanticipated power.

Opening track, “Watch Your Month”, is a prime example of this. They build intensity and groove through this track with an almost stairstep approach. They wait for the right moments to add more to each track and chose to retreat at the perfect moments to compliment.

“Slowing Down” builds upon this technique with a refreshing approach. They are taking a more subdued and relaxed identity, letting the overlapping waves of instrumentals build the intensity rather than increasing the volume of the vocals.

This track shows a lot of the confidence they have acquired over the years. It no longer sound like they are trying to prove themselves– they know they have a successful sound and are now comfortably exploring it.

The Backseat Lovers have such a talent for crafting lyrics for the listeners. It’s very easy to connect to their songs. Especially in this track the lines felt deeply genuine, as if he is speaking to you:

“The sound of laughter
Echoes from a few doors down
The sound of pressure
Is getting louder
Whisper in my ear
That you need me”

I honestly was not expecting much from their album after listening to the other singles “Close Your Eyes” and “Growing/Dying”. However, the complexity and tones in track speaks promise for the upcoming album.

I have high hopes for “Waiting to Spill”. I hope The Backseat Lovers continue to explore this more subdued tone. I’ll be looking forward to all they will be releasing Oct.28

Tags the backseat lovers

Playlists

September ’22 New Music Releases

Post author By Rachel Laminack
Post date October 16, 2022

If you are like me and live in constant fear of someone asking “What music are you listening to?” while listening to normie trash, then this playlist is perfect for you. Here are a few of the best Indie and Underground tracks released in September.

Note: Some songs on this playlist contain explicit lyrics.

Up first is “Jesus Freak Lighter” off of Blood Orange’s new EP “Four Songs“. The track is largely instrumental, and the synths on this song are incredibly groovy. While Blood Orange has been making a lot of music with other artists lately, including a personal favorite of mine “We Will Always Love You” by The Avalanches and Blood Orange, this is their first solo music release in over three years.

Loyle Carner is a jazz rap artist from the UK, and this playlist features his newest single, “Nobody Knows (Ladas Road)“. The samples, mixing, lyrics, and flow of this single are all perfect. This song is the third single off of his upcoming album ‘Hugo’, releasing on Oct. 21.

“SHELL” is off of Kenny Mason’s new album, “RUFFS“. Kenny Mason makes experimental hip-hop with metal and alternative influences. Other highlights off this album include “HALOS“, “333 / ATOM“, and “NOSEDIVE (feat. Jean Dawson)”.

“Yellow Brick Road” by Sudan Archives is a perfect example of new genre-bending music, with influences of R&B and electronic music. This song is off of her new album, “Natural Brown Prom Queen“.

“Greatest Hits” by Jockstrap is another mostly instrumental song, which is very experimental-electronica sounding. This track is from their debut album, “I Love You Jennifer B“. If you enjoy this track, I would recommend listening to one of Jockstrap’s first singles released – “Acid“.

“cracked screen” by blackwave. and Lute, as well as “Griffith Park” by Carter Ace are two alternative hip-hop songs that are very upbeat and groovy.

If you enjoy abstract hip-hop, you will enjoy ‘hollow’ by Medhane and JUNIE., and “ROSECOLORED” by justicexavier and Diz.

“SICK OF IT*” is the latest single for Jean Dawson’s upcoming album “CHAOS NOW*”. The album is scheduled to release on Oct. 7. Jean Dawson’s music is hard to define, falling under either alternative-pop or indie-rock. This track is a very upbeat alternative-style song.

“daydream” is an instrumental track by Luna Li off her new EP “jams 2“. The EP is only six minutes long and features six amazing tracks.

“Ghost (Injury Reserve Remix)” by Body Meat and Injury Reserve is a bit more of an obscure track and falls under the glitch-hop genre, but has incredible visualization. Injury Reserve is one of those artists that the more I listen to the more I find in their music to enjoy. There are so many little intricate details that at first listen seem odd or out of place but simultaneously blend in perfectly.

Here is a link to the Spotify playlist. Note: Some songs on this playlist contain explicit lyrics.

Hope you enjoy!

Rachel L.

Tags Indie, New Music, Playlist, Underground

New Album Review

“The Last Spa On Earth” by Divino Niño – Album Review

Post author By DMC Woodstock
Post date October 15, 2022

You’re trudging through a crumbling wastescape, your legs dragging you forward step by step. Every muscle in your body is sore beyond belief. You’re tired and hopeless. In the distance, below the biting wind, you hear the sound of moving water. You move towards the sound, parting some bushes and peer into a clearing. You’ve found it. Among the wreckage that litters the rest of the world, a world merely getting by, there is still a place dedicated to pleasure. The keys are yours. Have fun. That’s how “The Last Spa On Earth” feels.

Divino Niño’s previous work has stayed within the dream-pop-psych-rock realm (think Mild High Club), but with their latest release they’ve leaned much harder into the dreampop side of things, sprinkling a smattering of other influences into their music as well.

You don’t have to listen very far to hear the electronic influences presenting themselves. Fast drum break samples build up on “Tu Tonto.” Elements of bass are mixed into “Ecstasy,” sandwiched between an electro-house groove. “Miami” cheekily references the Will Smith track of the same name while backed by a club sound. “I Am Nobody” ends with a quick techno beat, while “Especial” has more of a house-y finish.

In terms of lyrical substance, it’s pretty hard for me to gauge. Most of the lyrics are in Spanish, and unfortunately, my rudimentary high school Spanish chops aren’t cutting it. From what I can gather, the lyrics are casual comments on love and lust, but I can’t say for sure.

Each song flows nicely into the next, never breaking the train of bliss from track to track, but the crowning achievement here is the variety in each track. When it comes to the variety in a song, there is a fine balancing act between novelty and coherence. Throw too many new ideas at the listener, and it becomes too easy to get lost. Don’t introduce enough ideas, and the song gets too stale.

Every track on “The Last Spa On Earth” manages to carry out this balancing act with grace. Let’s take the song “Ecstasy” for example, which starts out with a peppy four-on-the floor dance beat and ends with a slowed chorus of bittersweet guitars and spacey synths. The ending of “XO” enters full reggae territory after two and a half minutes of dream pop. These changes aren’t abrupt though. They bleed enough elements into each other to sound natural.

When you go to a spa, you aren’t just getting your back rubbed the whole time. That would be silly. At the spa, they’re gonna slather you with mud, put hot stones on you, guide you to the sauna, and perhaps perform a microdermabrasion or two. You’re getting relaxed and spoiled in a variety of different ways, and that’s exactly what you can expect going into this album.

Divino Niño has done the impressive; making an album that is extremely accessible without sacrificing depth. It’s a treat for the ears. All of my chips are on this album.

I give Divino Niño’s “The Last Spa On Earth” a strong ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆. Great album.

Tags divino niño