Strange Plants’ latest single, “Dance So Real,” takes listeners on a psychedelic rock journey, blending emotional depth with expansive musical landscapes. The track moves through riff-laden verses and trippy dream sequences before building to a soaring, no-holds-barred outro. Inspired by the raw energy of love at first sight, “Dance So Real” captures a moment of pure connection that marks the beginning of something lasting.
Produced by Rob Crowell (Sturgill Simpson, Midland), mixed by Josh Van Tassel (Rose Cousins, Bahamas, Donovan Woods), and mastered by John Baldwin (Brian Eno), the track showcases the band’s commitment to a vintage, analog sound. Recorded at Nashville’s legendary Creative Workshop Studio, “Dance So Real” marks a standout moment in the band’s debut album, setting the tone for the rest of the record.
Post-punk meets prog-rock on Slightest Clue’s latest single, “Car Crash Dialect”—a frenetic, heavy-hitting track that blends unpredictable song structures with raw emotional storytelling. Rooted in jagged riffs and dynamic shifts, the song captures a volatile moment of confrontation and self-liberation.
Taking inspiration from bands like Lifeguard and Shame, guitarist and vocalist Mac sought to merge chaotic post-punk energy with heavier, anthemic choruses. Lyrically, the song marks a turning point for him, stepping outside of personal narratives to inhabit a character’s perspective. “Car Crash Dialect” follows Molly, a woman breaking free from an emotionally draining relationship after years of feeling used.
The title itself had been sitting in Mac’s notes for months before finding its place in the song, reflecting the way people can speak past each other in moments of conflict—escalating to the point of destruction. The track’s structure mirrors this tension, shifting unpredictably from post-punk-driven verses into a sprawling, psych-inflected bridge, offering listeners a journey that defies expectation.
Shadowgraph, the independent media platform helmed by visionary filmmaker Ross Domoney, has just appeared on Episode 69 of Uncontaminated Sound—the highly regarded documentary series and podcast created by filmmaker and photographer Robert Lundberg. This episode presents an in-depth conversation that delves into the intersections of video journalism, documentary storytelling, and the surreal, often dystopian, nature of contemporary political landscapes. The episode is now available to watch and stream on all major platforms, offering audiences a chance to engage with this compelling dialogue firsthand.
Shadowgraph stands at the forefront of innovative political storytelling, blending factual journalism with speculative and imaginative elements that evoke the sci-fi quality of today’s global dilemmas. Through his work, Domoney challenges audiences to reconsider the narratives shaping our world, crafting visual investigations that unearth the hidden dynamics of power, resistance, and human resilience. By merging investigative reporting with cinematic storytelling, Shadowgraph provides a distinctive lens through which to examine some of the most pressing political and social issues of our time.
Robert Lundberg, known for his raw and unfiltered documentation of artists, musicians, and creatives, brings his signature approach to this latest episode of Uncontaminated Sound. Since its launch in 2020, the series has peeled back the layers of mainstream storytelling, offering an intimate, unembellished glimpse into the creative process of its subjects. Having previously featured industry luminaries like The National, Louie Anderson, Sinbad, and Rufus Wainwright, and more, Lundberg continues to expand his platform’s reach into compelling new territories with his latest guest.
On Episode 69, Domoney and Lundberg discuss the evolving role of political media, the blurred boundaries between reality and fiction in contemporary discourse, and the challenges of crafting narratives that both engage and inform in a chaotic media landscape. The conversation also delves into the importance of independent journalism, the need for alternative media perspectives, and how modern political events often mirror the speculative fiction of decades past. This thought-provoking discussion aims to inspire a new generation of storytellers to embrace the complexity of modern politics through innovative and impactful media.
With Shadowgraph’s distinctive style and Lundberg’s dedication to capturing unfiltered artistic perspectives, this episode offers a powerful exploration of how art and journalism intersect to shape public consciousness. Their discussion is not only an exploration of political storytelling but also an urgent call to action for creatives, journalists, and audiences alike to remain critical and engaged in an era of misinformation and rapidly shifting media landscapes.
Episode 69 of Uncontaminated Sound is now available for streaming on all major platforms, including YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts. Viewers and listeners can experience this revelatory conversation on the future of political storytelling at their convenience.
Toronto artist Ben Key unveils his electrifying new single, “James Dean,” an alternative track pulsing with passion, danger, and a us-against-the-world attitude. Blending groove-heavy rhythms, soulful vocals, and ambient synths, the song embodies the restless, rebellious love that defined the golden age of Hollywood.
Inspired by the timeless energy of late ’50s films, “James Dean” channels the spirit of reckless romance. Ben had been sitting on the song’s title for a while, knowing it perfectly captured the feeling of love that feels bigger than the world itself. The track merges modern sonics with a classic Motown groove, reimagining traditional horn sections with futuristic synth textures for a contemporary edge.
1. Tell us the story of this song, and why did you choose to visualize this song specifically? As the first single of this new project, it felt important to establish a distinct visual identity right from the start—one that reflects the era that inspired it. I’ve always been drawn to the look and feel of old black-and-white films from the late ‘50s, with their timeless elegance and understated drama. This song, in particular, carries that same classic energy, so it made perfect sense to bring it to life visually in a way that nods to that aesthetic. It sets the tone for everything that’s to come, both musically and visually.
2. What was the inspiration behind this video (visuals, storyline, etc.)? The song has a certain raw, immediate energy that I wanted to translate into the visuals. Rather than constructing a traditional storyline, the focus was on capturing the essence of a live performance—one that pulls the audience in and gives them a real sense of what to expect from this era of music. The decision to shoot in black and white, with a cinematic yet minimal approach, was a way to highlight that energy while staying true to the classic influences that shaped the project.
3. What was the process of making this video? The goal was to execute something simple yet captivating. We shot from three angles, keeping the focus entirely on the performance. By stripping away excess production and letting the music and presence speak for themselves, the video became more about feeling than spectacle. Every choice—from the framing to the lighting—was intentional in creating an atmosphere that feels intimate yet powerful, giving the audience a glimpse into the world of this new project.
The Neighbourhood Watch‘s brooding new single, “Die This Happy,” serves as the exciting focal point of their brand new album, Mr. Skin and Bones. This track explores the fear that life’s best moments may already be behind you, addressing the inevitable realities of illness, loss, and personal change while simultaneously reflecting the album’s overarching theme: life’s unpredictability, the power of love, and the profound beauty found in the small, often fleeting moments.
Mr. Skin and Bones, as a whole, is an ode to the human condition — a meditation on grief, illness, and the harshness of growing older. The album draws inspiration from personal hardships, the loss of loved ones, and the unpredictable nature of existence. Throughout the LP’s 10 tracks, the band conveys their ongoing journey through these challenges, acknowledging their fragility while also celebrating the strength they find in love, community, and shared experiences.
The album’s focus track, “Die This Happy,” captures this essence with haunting melodies and powerful lyrics that ask if we’ve already lived through our happiest day. “Die This Happy” dives deep into this fear, contemplating the impermanence of joy and the difficulty of embracing life’s darker moments.
Hey Melissa, hope your week is off to a good start!
The Neighbourhood Watch‘s brooding new single, “Die This Happy,” serves as the exciting focal point of their brand new album, Mr. Skin and Bones. This track explores the fear that life’s best moments may already be behind you, addressing the inevitable realities of illness, loss, and personal change while simultaneously reflecting the album’s overarching theme: life’s unpredictability, the power of love, and the profound beauty found in the small, often fleeting moments.
Mr. Skin and Bones, as a whole, is an ode to the human condition — a meditation on grief, illness, and the harshness of growing older. The album draws inspiration from personal hardships, the loss of loved ones, and the unpredictable nature of existence. Throughout the LP’s 10 tracks, the band conveys their ongoing journey through these challenges, acknowledging their fragility while also celebrating the strength they find in love, community, and shared experiences.
The album’s focus track, “Die This Happy,” captures this essence with haunting melodies and powerful lyrics that ask if we’ve already lived through our happiest day. “Die This Happy” dives deep into this fear, contemplating the impermanence of joy and the difficulty of embracing life’s darker moments.
1. Tell us the story of this song, why did you choose to visualize this song specifically?
Die This Happy explores the fear that life’s best moments may already be behind you, addressing the inevitable realities of illness, loss, and personal change while simultaneously reflecting the album’s overarching theme: life’s unpredictability, the power of love, and the profound beauty found in the small, often fleeting moments. We thought it would be good to visualize to capture the overall story of the new album, setting the tone for the whole piece.
2. What was the inspiration behind this video (visuals, storyline, etc.)?
The idea came after seeing Hannah, one of the dancers, krumping on Instagram. She’d been in another project I made, and when I saw her dance, I thought it’d be interesting to pair that style with a totally different type of music. I wanted to see how Hannah and other dancers (who all came from different backgrounds but could all freestyle) would respond to the song when they heard it for the first time. I find the song itself really emotional, touching on themes like the turbulence of youth, the fear of aging, and the pursuit of fleeting joy. It just felt like a perfect match for that kind of raw, free expression that I saw in Hannah’s dancing. I’m also a big fan of Bakar’sAlivevideo, which features this amazing choreographed dance all shot amongst members of the general public in the streets of London. I thought it’d be amazing to try something similar but with freestyle dancers instead.
3. What was the process of making this video?
We shot it in a really guerilla, documentary style. We used two cameras with super long zoom lenses, the kind you’d usually see on wildlife documentaries. It was important to me that the dancers didn’t know we were filming them as I felt it would help make it feel authentic. I didn’t want them to feel like they were performing for the camera, but instead just getting lost in the music. That made the whole thing feel more real and natural. We also wanted the general public to just see the dancers as people freestyling on the streets of Toronto. Most people were too caught up in their day to stop and watch, but a few were clearly impressed. I think some people were a bit concerned about what they were seeing. Some of the dancers were so immersed in the music that it almost looked like they were possessed. At one point, a shopkeeper in Chinatown quickly shut their shutters when one of the dancers moved toward them. Definitely a memorable moment! Normally, music videos rely on choreographed dances, so it was cool to see how each dancer interpreted the song in their own way. The song really has so many different meanings depending on how you look at it, so letting the dancers freestyle gave it a more personal, authentic feel.
ARK IDENTITY‘s new single, “Take Me To Tokyo,” is a high-energy track that captures a yearning for escape and the thrill of new experiences. Blending elements of 80s synth-pop, indie sensibilities, and modern pop, the song is an anthem for those dreaming of breaking free from the ordinary and embracing the unknown. “Take Me To Tokyo” is both a personal expression and a universal anthem of wanderlust, inviting listeners to reflect on the impulse to explore and reinvent themselves.
The song’s inspiration comes from a long-held dream between ARK IDENTITY‘s Noah Mroueh and his best friend to one day visit Tokyo—a dream that has yet to be realized. The track blends that aspirational longing with the infectious energy of chasing adventure.
“Musically, it began as a droning synth idea that we jammed on with Ron Lapota, my producer. It evolved into a track about breaking away from routine, chasing something new, and embracing uncertainty,” Noah explains.
1.Tell us the story of this song. Why did you choose to visualize this song specifically?
This song has an interesting backstory. Going to Tokyo has been a dream of mine for years. Ever since high school, my best friend and I talked about going to Tokyo, but life always seemed to get in the way. Even after our college and university days, we never had the time or funds to make the trip. The stars just never aligned. This dream trip was the inspiration for Take Me to Tokyo.
On the surface, the track may be interpreted as a party song, but it’s really about escape, urgency, and self-reflection. It’s meant to capture that feeling of being stuck—whether mentally or physically—and making the choice to chase something new. For me, on a deeper level, Tokyo isn’t just a place. It represents breaking free from old cycles and stepping into the unknown.
2.What was the inspiration behind this video (visuals, storyline, etc.)?
The inspiration came from both the song’s themes and the visual aesthetic of Tokyo itself. We wanted to capture the feeling of searching for something bigger—wandering through neon-lit streets, caught between urgency and mystery. We also aimed to give the video an ’80s-inspired cinematic look, using bold colors and dramatic lighting to heighten the sense of adventure.
As an independent artist working on a shoestring budget, we had to get really creative. We couldn’t afford to fly to Tokyo to film a video, so our director and editor curated stock footage that felt authentic to the world we wanted to build. Together, we crafted visuals that felt cohesive with the footage we did film, making the video feel as if it was all coming from one unified source.
3.What was the process of making this video?
With a limited budget, we knew we had to think outside the box to bring this vision to life. We filmed it at the Orange Lounge, a cool recording studio in Toronto filled with interesting textures and colors. We meticulously selected stock footage that captured the right energy and emotion, piecing together a story that felt cinematic and real.We focused on visuals that matched the ’80s-inspired aesthetic with bold neon colors.
Now, with the release of Take Me to Tokyo as the first single off the new upcoming EP, that high school dream is turning into a reality. To help promote the song, my best friend and I are actually going to Tokyo to film social media content while we’re there. One of the most exciting parts of the trip is that we plan to visit some of the exact locations featured in the music video, bringing the visual journey full circle. In a way, this video is just the beginning—the real-life Tokyo adventure is just getting started.
Modern Mystery 
You must be logged in to post a comment.