Author: James McQuiston

Posted on: January 25, 2024 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0

Voodoo Ranger Tropic Force (Tropical IPA)

In terms of readily-accessible imperial IPAs, the Voodoo Ranger line is top-of-the-line. New Belgium has created a number of distinct offerings in the line, with the Fruit Force being one of the most innovative IPAs we had tasted last year. The brewery has expanded their line to offer Tropic Force, an IPA that pours with a very light yellow coloration and a goodly amount of persistent white head. Tropic Force’s…

Posted on: January 24, 2024 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0

Johnny PE “Changes” 

Changes has such brilliant imagery that Johnny PE presents. One can identify with the narrative that is built up during the track; the sheer amount of self-doubt and one’s lack of confidence in their own abilities is something that practically everyone can understand. Discussion of substance abuse will also hit home for many listeners, but there seems to be a bit of a bright light shining behind the clouds here.…

Posted on: January 24, 2024 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0

Jeff Roberson & Nulife “PSALM 118”

PSALM 118 is one of those timeless gospel tracks that will have listeners bouncing around and singing along even after a few play. The number of moving parts during PSALM 118 is substantial, but everything – the numerous vocals, the tight backing band, and even the visual components to the music video (attached below) – works together flawlessly. It’s a sight to behold and showcases the tremendous skill that goes…

Posted on: January 24, 2024 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0

Virtue Scripts “Heading For The Light”

Heading For The Light has a strong, shuffling sound that gradually opens up to allow for sizzling guitar work and some seriously charismatic vocals. At any point during Virtue Scripts’ new single, there are a number of things occurring – fans should go in and play the song multiple times to hear each twist and turn that the band has inserted within. I love the fact that the band does…

Posted on: January 23, 2024 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0

Fort George Brewing Sets 2/18 for “The Aftermath” Bottle Release

Copy courtesy of Fort George Brewing. If you’re in the Astoria, Oregon area on February 18th, pop on by. A barrage of stout releases culminate mid-February in a massive barrel aged bottle release at The Aftermath on 2/18. More beer, more Matryoshka variants and more additions than ever before.  THE AFTERMATH is Fort George’s largest bottle release of the year. In December they released Matryoshka 2024 – The Mother, a legendary 14%…

Posted on: January 23, 2024 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0

Benjamin Race feat. Donna Odain “Memories”

The amount of 1980s/1990s funk finesse that is dripping off of the new Benjamin Race single Memories is intense. The vocals (laid down here by Donna Odain) are rich and warm, the perfect counterpoint for the synths and perfectly-placed percussion acting as the song’s instrumental back drop. Everything feels period-accurate while possessing an immediacy tthat will keep listener interest in the single high. We love every new element we’re exposed…

Posted on: January 23, 2024 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0

Blackstate “The Arsonist” 

Blackstate’s The Arsonist immediately tattoos its melodies deep into the minds and hearts of listeners; one can here a bit of Plastikman and Benny Bennassi in the song’s opening minute. The ability of the act to tell a story without having to dip into vocals too often showcases the act’s ability. The Arsonist is one of those songs that you’ll have to strap on your earphones and really focus on,…

Posted on: January 23, 2024 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0

Autumn Kings “Sleep When I’m Dead” 

At first blush, the new single from the Autumn Kings, Sleep When I’m Dead, builds upon the tradition of performers like Bring Me The Horizon, Tom McDonald, and Imagine Dragons. Assertive drums, synths, and a perfect blend of metal and pop-tinged hard rock turn Sleep When I’m Dead into one of those songs that listeners will be singing along with long after the song ceases to play. The Autumn Kings…

Posted on: January 23, 2024 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 1

Johnny PE “Somehow” 

Somehow is a slinky and sultry track that will immediately draw in listeners with haunting instrumentation and smooth vocals. There’s a deceptively deep dynamic that is achieved between the vox and the instrumentation, virtually ensuring that one will need to play the single multiple times before hearing each and every nuance that Johnny PE has placed within. We’re particularly digging the chorus to Somehow, which both changes up the overall…

Posted on: January 19, 2024 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0

Cookie Delicious – Broken Connection (featuring Natalie Bohrn)

Cookie Delicious’s Broken Connection begins with a fun, funky groove that differentiates itself from much of modern EDM with its look back to the late 1980s and early 1990s. The vocals (laid down here by Natalie Bohrn) stand out boldly among the drums and the slinky synths. Broken Connection is one of those tracks that will have listeners going out on the dance floor, but the most interesting side of…