Month: August 2016

Posted on: August 24, 2016 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0

Johnny Maxwell – Numb

On Numb, Johnny Maxwell is able to link together R&B, reggae, and EDM into an infectious track. A flawless production allows Maxwell’s inimitable vocals and the sweeping synths ample space to shine alone. These elements combine to create a carefree track that has wheels well beyond the autumn months.

Posted on: August 22, 2016 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0

Alok Pathak – Butterfly

Alok Pathak starts out his latest album Butterfly with Johnny, a rock track that takes equal amounts of 1990s alternatives and the pop-rock of the 1960s and 1970s for influences. A lush instrumentation and epic sound to the introductory track means that listeners will be on the edges of their seats. Where Do U Belong slows things down and showcases the technical skill of Pathak’s playing. The emotion in each guitar…

Posted on: August 22, 2016 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0

AVIDYA “The Human Struggle”

AVIDYA showcases some powerful vocals on her current outing, “The Human Struggle”. Hints of Sarah McLachlan and Bjork are threaded through AVIDYA’s inimitable voice, while darkly emotive instrumentation gradually coalesce into a shuffling, shambling fury. The track rises and falls in a fashion not unlike the titular experience.

Posted on: August 22, 2016 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0

Checking in with Simone Cilio

Can the music that you composed for The Reaping (premiering in 2017) be enjoyed outside of the show itself? Does the context in which one listens to your music change based on how they experience the compositions?

Posted on: August 22, 2016 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0

Bill Wren – Road to Chiang Mai

Bill Wren begins his latest album Road to Chiang Mai with a hopeful, inspiring composition.  Enchanted Kingdom (feat. Frank Ralls) possesses a wonderful dichotomy of new and old, organic and electronic, that makes for a wholly engrossing track that will have listeners on the edges of their seats. The narrative quality of this instrumental composition is as rich and intricate as vocal-lead bands with the added benefit of allowing each…

Posted on: August 21, 2016 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0

Ember Atom – What You Came For

Ember Atom is able to create a catchy rock track in their latest single, What You Came For. The call and response of the guitars and vocals push each element to a higher plateau, while the on-point drums do much to keep order in the single.

Posted on: August 21, 2016 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0

Charlie Star – Payroll

An intense, focused sort of rap, Charlie Star is able to break free of the issues that present themselves when artists have such a laser-like focus on their success. The crisp production and shifts in tempo are precisely what is needed to keep listeners focused in to Payroll, Charlie Star’s latest single.

Posted on: August 21, 2016 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0

Melbourne’s Nostalgia goes soulful with “Freak”

Melbourne, Australia’s Nostalgia does an erogenous, sexy R&B track that deftly takes up hints of EDM and ambient to create something building off of the blueprint laid down by The Weeknd and Frank Ocean. Hints of 808s & Heartbreak-era Kanye can be heard threaded through the production. Nostalgia’s Freak is a track that could easily make it onto R&B or pop rotation; the starkly brilliant production that represents the framework…

Posted on: August 21, 2016 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0

Xaye FoxX – Sensual Ft. Nitty Scott MC

Sensual is a laid-back rap track that will impress through intricate wordplay and a stellar dynamic between the vocal and instrumental sides. Where the outward sound of Sensual feels pretty light and airy, there is considerable depth that bubbles just below the surface. Hints of R&B, reggae, and even classical guitar can be discerned here.

Posted on: August 21, 2016 Posted by: Saif Shaikh Comments: 0

Dræmings – The Eternal Lonesome (CD)

Sumerian Records are one of my favorite modern metal record labels and its founder Ash Avildsen has a keen eye for up and coming artists. Veritable modern metal juggernauts like Periphery, Animals as Leaders, Veil of Maya, Born of Osiris, etc. have been pushed into the limelight by Sumerian Records and they have instantly become crowd favorites in the metal scene. So when Sumerian signed Dræmings, I was admittedly confused.…