Toebow’s “Kitchen” is a Brilliant, Eclectic Fusion of Styles Orchestrated to Express a Playful Amusement at Vainglorious Clout Chasing

Toebow, photo by Moriah Ziman

The intricate arrangements of percussion, guitar and electronics in Toebow’s “Kitchen” conspire to create a unique mood and texture. When the vocals come in it helps to change the quality of the song like some bizarre and fascinating mix of folk rock, prog, R&B and psychedelia. In moments it sounds like the weirder end of an LCD Soundsystem song but if Adrian Belew was bringing some alien guitar sound and technical heft to the songwriting. The lyrics seem to be about clout chasing and wanting to win accolades and distinctions that don’t really add up to much. Casting these words into music that at times sounds like arty dream pop seems inspired and when the song waxes 1980s hard rock and Joe Satriani-esque jazz fusion the potential cheese factor transmogrifies into something that seems perfect in capturing the essence of pursuing vainglorious rewards. Listen to “Kitchen” on Spotify and follow Toebow (which includes former and perhaps current members of Zula, Peel Dream Magazine, Dirty Projectors and other noteworthy NYC ensembles) at the links below.

Toebow on Instagram

Toebow links

Child Seat’s Glam Synth Pop Single “Burning” is Like a Tribute to Living in Your Feelings Like You’re a Character in a 1980s Science Fiction Action Epic

Child Seat, photo courtesy the artists

If Bonnie Tyler had a current career as a writer and director of science fiction movies you’d hope she’d tap the likes of Child Seat to do music for her various films. The “Burning” single and its music video festooned with imagery of interstellar objects while Madeleine Matthews dances and sings in the foreground with wind sweeping through her feathered hair as Josiah Mazzaschi unleashes fiery and tasty guitar licks with an all but stoic calm. It’s a personal dynamic not unlike that of Sparks with Russel Mael delivering the physical melodrama in the performance while his brother Ron in his own quasi-stoic way helps to orchestrate the music that gives the vocals their context. Toward the end of the video Jeff Schroeder comes into view with a guitar solo worthy of Joe Satriani or Steve Stevens circa 1986 and seals the aesthetic. But the energy of the song doesn’t feel throwback, it feels very present and visceral. Watch the video for “Burning” on YouTube, follow Child Seat on Instagram and look out for Child Seat’s debut album out in Fall 2022.