reviews

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reviews *

album reviews, on repeat, indie, pop Meredith Mattlin album reviews, on repeat, indie, pop Meredith Mattlin

ON REPEAT: THIS IS LORELEI

ON REPEAT: Despite this album being a “debut,” This is Lorelei is a genre-bending project dating back a decade. Amos somehow does it all, from country twang to early-aughts-sentimentalism to bedroom pop, and has used the Lorelei moniker throughout the process. Even though this catch-all project is many years old, Box for Buddy is Amos’ first true, complete “album.”

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ON REPEAT, pop, rock, experimental Meredith Mattlin ON REPEAT, pop, rock, experimental Meredith Mattlin

ON REPEAT: FANTASY OF A BROKEN HEART

Flying from tinny and upbeat to low-passed and faded-out, Fantasy of a Broken Heart is a band that keeps you on your toes. I have been addicted to their upbeat 2024 album, “Feats of Engineering,” for a few weeks now. They’ve got beat machines, theatrical dialoguing vocals, and delicate harmonies. There’s something for almost everyone on this album, as long as you keep an open mind.

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album reviews, indie, alt-rock Meredith Mattlin album reviews, indie, alt-rock Meredith Mattlin

ALBUM REVIEW: FROG - 1000 VARIATIONS ON THE SAME SONG

It’s a bold move to name your album 1000 Variations on the Same Song. At first glance, the title sounds like a self-conscious dig—one that would be ironic for a band with as much breadth as Frog. But a thorough listen through 1000 Variations reveals the title to be a celebration, rather than a condemnation, of all the myriad ways to iterate on a single theme.

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show reviews, festival, rock Meredith Mattlin show reviews, festival, rock Meredith Mattlin

festival of the year: kilby block party

Kilby Block Party is a standout festival. It’s in Salt Lake City, where the weather is perfect in May. It’s got a backdrop to die for—mountains as far as the eye can see. It’s conveniently located, in the middle of the city, accessible by light rail (yes, SLC has trains!), which was free for festival-goers on the last day. And most importantly: the lineup was absolutely unbeatable.

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show reviews, festival, dance Meredith Mattlin show reviews, festival, dance Meredith Mattlin

SHOW of the year: lcd soundsystem

LCD Soundsystem at Kilby Block Party was a sight to behold: between particularly electric performances of “Tribulations” and “Yr City’s a Sucker,” James Murphy was sucking on oxygen straight from the mini-tank, presumably short of breath from the city’s high altitude. It didn’t stop him from delivering a two-hour set so energetic I feel like I need to hire his doctors.

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show reviews Meredith Mattlin show reviews Meredith Mattlin

2024 in shows

I saw a lot of live music in 2024—61 bands/artists, to be exact—and documented as much as I could. This past year brought stacked lineups to some of my favorite venues, from Dkrmttr, Nashville’s favorite DIY gathering spot, to The End, a pillar of Nashville’s resilient “rock block.” From packed festivals to intimate DIY spaces to backyard jams, I tried to be a yes-man in 2024 when it came to live music, and I have 0 regrets.

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Meredith Mattlin Meredith Mattlin

2024 YEAR IN REVIEW

A lot happened in music this year. For Cabin Noise’s launch, we’re rehashing it all.

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