Hot Shot Kixxx’s The Devil Inside immediately starts off in an intense and menacing way, with this sizzling guitar work reminiscent of Velvet Revolver. The intense vocals are the perfect match for these vocals, reaching out over the track. Hints of 1980s thrash and 2000s rock are present here, but Hot Shot Kixxx are able to make The Devil Inside their own song. We love the ability for the band to…
AV Super Sunshine’s “Baby Goodbye 2017 Dance” is a delightful blend of Scooter and Coldplay. As always, AV Super Sunshine are able to create their own unique style on top of their influences. A drum / vocal dynamic is what Baby Goodbye 2017 Dance soars on, as is the shift at 2:25 towards a brighter sound.
Jane N’ The Jungle’s “Faded Stars” is a stunning track, with the band bringing back all of the fuzz of early-1990s acts like Soul Asylum and Jane’s Addiction. With hints of later nineties emo (The Anniversary, Lucero) being interspersed during Faded Stars, new fans of Jane N’ The Jungle will find something that they can easily appreciate. Particular kudos have to be given to the rich, emotive guitars and the…
On their “Modern Media”, Room Full of Strangers create a quick sort of angular rock that builds off of the framework of 1980s pop-punk and oughts acts like OK Go and Franz Ferdinand. With nary a breath allowed, Room Full of Strangers tie together sizzling Southern California (a la Dead Kennedys) guitars with a bit of Fred Schneider (B-52s). The result is a track that will get listeners out on the…
Future Elevators create a crossover hit with their new single, “Modern World”. The track refreshes mid-1990s dance with an alluring set of vocals that work equally well no matter what decade one sits them in. A smart dynamic between the on-point percussive arrangement and the smoky, rich female vocals allow the track to shine. Twinkling instrumentation ties both pieces together, while Future Elevators adds sweeping synths in the middle of…
Danny Everitt begins his Dream Big with a titular effort that ties together Willie Nelson, Dire Straits, and Hank Williams Jr; the rich style that comes forth during this introductory track will immediately pique listeners’ interest. Get The Hook is a delightful blend of charismatic vocals and intelligent instrumental arrangements. The replayability of Get The Hook is high through the dense interactions between the guitars, drums, and organ.
Juno Bevilaqua’s Ghosts is a compelling indie rock track, with hints of Radiohead and The Appleseed Cast. Bits of echo are utilized to stand against the natural / environmental sounds of the guitar lines. A second counterpoint between instrumentation and guitars demarcates the second half of the single.
OneHundredTwenty is an engrossing effort by Emerald Portal that benefits from multiple musical layers. This means that the vocals are able to provide harmony alongside the synths, drums, and guitars. The track floats effortlessly through progressive, synth-pop, and new wave, while the crispness of the compositions will appease even the most technically-focused fan. OneHundredTwenty is an epic rock track that resounds much longer than its 3:11 run time may indicate.…
Desert Tundra have released their new single, Something Fierce. The track has a warmth and attention to intelligent arrangements similar to a Bif Naked or No Doubt. The guitar / drum dynamic will tattoo itself deep into your minds, while the vocals rest comfortably over the track. The guitar solo that kicks off the two-minute mark is precisely what Desert Tundra need to keep fans interested in every ending note.…
Travis Marsh’s Lay Me Down is a pop-infused track that touches upon modern country, emotive singer-songwriting, and a sick drop that keeps interest in the effort high. G Herbo’s flow provides a different sound to this track, adding a bit of gravitas to the venture while acting as the perfect sort of counterpoint to Marsh’s vocals. With all of these wide-ranging styles, sounds, and approaches, it is impressive that Marsh…
