Music Blurbs, Vol. 10

More of my capsule commentaries.

flipturn
Launched in Fernandina Beach, Florida in 2015, flipturn has gone on to become a popular force in indie rock. Flipturn is noteworthy for a few reasons that have helped them stand out in the indie rock scene. The group’s sound combines surf and alt-rock, delivered in the form of lush melodies with heartfelt and introspective lyrics. The band’s spirited live shows emphasize crowd involvement. Early releases like the 2017 Heavy Colors EP and singles like “Churches” (2018) helped build a solid fanbase. Flipturn’s genre-blurring style has led to recognition from critics and fans alike. Released in January, the group’s latest album Burnout Days is highlighted by “Sunlight,” a catchy tune with a very personal subject: lead singer Dillon Basse’s mom’s struggles with alcohol addiction. But what could have been a melodramatic or dour song is, in flipturn’s capable hands, a heartfelt and inspiring work that takes a clear-eyed look at a topic that’s all too familiar. With a well-earned reputation for authenticity and relatability, flipturn’s steadily growing presence on streaming platforms and positive reviews from publications also suggest they’re only just getting started.

North Mississippi Allstars
Formed in 1996, four-time Grammy nominees The North Mississippi Allstars are led by brothers Luther and Cody Dickinson, who are deeply rooted in the Mississippi Hill Country blues tradition. Sons of famed record producer Jim Dickinson (Big Star, Green on Red, The Replacements), the brothers have a deep an abiding love and understand of American musical forms. The Allstars’ music blends Southern rock, blues, soul, and funk, creating a unique sound that reflects their regional influences. In their early years, Luther (guitar and vocals) and Cody (drums) were accompanied by bassist Chris Chew and guitarist Duwayne Burnside; since 2016 the brothers have – in the studio, at least – taken on all duties. On record and in live performance, The North Mississippi Allstars showcase a raw sound built on improvisation. Today, with 12 studio albums (2022’s Set Sail their latest), four EPs and nine live releases, The North Mississippi Allstars continue to carry the tradition of roots music into present day, positioning it to endure into the future.

The Linda Lindas
Los Angeles-based punk rockers The Linda Lindas are an all-female group band known for their youthful energy and unapologetic spirit. Formed in 2018, the group originally consisted of four members: sisters Mila and Lucia de la Garza (drums and guitar respectively), guitarist Eloise Wong and Bela Salazar (bass). The Linda Lindas’ music combines raw, fast-paced punk with clever lyrics. The group’s self-penned songs draw on personal experiences, often exploring activism and identity, activism, and personal experiences. The group was “discovered” by Amy Poehler, for whom the band would record the soundtrack for the 2021 film Moxie. That same year, The Linda Lindas’ video for “Racist, Sexist Boy” – a track recorded at the Los Angeles Public Library and featured on their debut album Growing Up – went viral ” at the LA Public Library went viral. The tune is a succinct and spirited critique of – you guessed it – racism and sexism, and at present the video has over 1.9 million views. That video raised The Linda Lindas’ profile, and with it widespread acclaim. As articulate and positive role models for a generation of young women and persons of color, The Linda Lindas are exerting influence even beyond their compelling music.

Ghost-Note
In response to enthusiastic inquiries from fans, Snarky Puppy percussionists Nate Werth and Robert Sput Searight were inspired to launch their superstar side-project, Ghost-Note, in 2015. The duo decided to explore their unique chemistry in that new band, with a sound that incorporates funk, jazz fusion and hip hop. In time, the duo recruited former Prince sideman Dwayne “MonoNeon” Thomas on bass and guitar, A.J. Brown (whose credits include work with Snoop Dogg and Fred Hammond) on bass, and L.A.-based keyboardist Dominique Xavier Taplin (Prince, Toto). Ghost-Note also features a top-notch horn section that includes Mike Jelani Brooks, Jonathan Mones and Sylvester Onyejiaka. And that eight-member core group is often joined live by a rotating roster of guests that includes members of bands led by Justin Timberlake, Erykah Badu, Beyoncé, Jay-Z and other prominent artists. Both onstage and in the studio, all members contribute to the creation of the funky mix of sounds. That resulting sound doesn’t necessarily sound much like the music from any of those other names; Ghost-Note has a musical approach all its own. Ghost-Note’s albums include 2015’s Fortified, 2018’s Swagism and their latest, Mustard n’Onions, released in 2024.

Kraftwerk
When Kraftwerk formed in Düssledorf, West Germany in 1970, the group was a deeply experimental outfit. The group’s earliest releases, 1970’s Kraftwerk and 1972’s Kraftwerk 2 both made use of conventional instrumentation, but the sounds on those records were anything but conventional, exploring musique concrète and ambient textures largely alien to rock and pop. Beginning with their fourth album, 1974’s Autobahn, Kraftwerk moved in a largely electronic direction, employing synthesizers. That breakthrough work and the albums that would follow set the template for electronic music. Kraftwerk went on to become the most influential group in the so-called krautrock movement, inspiring countless artists who would follow in their wake. 1980s synthpop owes a massive debt to Kraftwerk, but so too do The Orb, Björk, Joy Division, David Bowie, U2 and scores of other innovative artists. While today only Ralf Hütter remains from the group’s original lineup, and while the group hasn’t released new music in more than two decades, the pioneering spirit of the band from Düsseldorf remains very much alive.