beauty in a wicked world.

Yes, I know this show was a week ago, but a quick review is better late than never, correct (just nod your head up and down)? LA-based female rockers, Warpaint, followed Houston's own Balaclavas and Buxton on Saturday night. As many of you know, Mango's is not the most spacious of venues and can serve dually as a sauna. Concert-goers were constantly moving back and forth between the patios, bars and stage area to get their nicotine, alcohol, and music fixes, respectively.


To my surprise, Warpaint was not the headliner for the evening. Nonetheless, it didn't take away from their energetic, sometimes chaotic, performance. I would say they remind me of Liars with a few more pumps of estrogen. It is the type of music that makes you want to fight someone to the death but make love to them at the same time. Their aggressive musical punctuation is almost infectious. After a quick scan of the audience, I could single out the true fans of this sexy, psychedelic, garage rock. It seemed as if many were unsure what to think. In my opinion, their recordings do not do their music enough justice. They don't accurately capture the energy of Warpaint's live performance. On that note, this is probably what Warpaint is going for with their image. There are many bands that want to differentiate their albums from their live shows. This definitely keeps fans yearning for more of both.

Delorean has released their latest single, "Stay Close", in preparation for the debut of their full-length album, Subiza, on June 8th. This track truly leaves you yearning for more. It teases you into thinking a sick bassline is going to drop at any given moment and move those quiet feet of yours...but it never does. Many artists attempt to execute this tactic, but few prevail. With that being said, I'm sure a remix or two will be released in the near future to appease all of us hipster dance kids.

The lighthearted feel of this song is absolutely wonderful. Despite the lack of a bassline, this song can still move those hands of yours into a clapping frenzy. It is a perfect song for the upcoming summer season. Just as you probably guessed, the lyrics center around unrequited love and what distance can do to a relationship. Still, it creates a feeling of anticipation for what is to come, and I'm sure we won't be disappointed come June 8th. Check out the video for "Stay Close" below.

Leisure, from Cambridge, Massachusetts, is making a statement with their 7" (which can be downloaded here for free). It features two singles, "It's Alright (On The Suez Canal)" and "Outside These Walls". There is a clear contrast between the two. The first track takes it easy with a slower tempo and a more carefree feel. On the other hand, "Outside These Walls" is more upbeat yet has a somewhat serious tone. With their pleasant use of strings, endearing vocals and lyrics, and hazy guitar, you can't go wrong with these indie rockers. Lately, they have been on tour with bands such as Girls and the up-and-coming Dum Dum Girls. Check out this live performance of their title track, "It's Alright (On The Suez Canal)".