Holy Mother of God is a straight-forward rock track that shines because of Greg Hoy’s charismatic vocals and the strong relationships that are fostered between the aforementioned vocals, drums, guitars, and bass. Part of the allure here has to be how uniquely Hoy’s the track is. It works well with The Hives, The Kinks, and The Strokes but in no way sounds like any of them. We love the intense…
On Break Thru, DEF MACHINE is able to speak directly to listeners with his message of hope and faith. There’s a rapid-fire flow that begins things before a more ethereal, gospel-infusedset of vocals takeover. It is this ability to quickly shift through styles that will keep listeners’ attentions throughout the entirety of the track’s run time. The production of Break Thru creates emotive calls to action all while making Break…
On her new single I Remember PT2, Kelly Morgan is able to make a bouncy dance-meets-pop track that showcases how one can overcome challenges in one’s life – personal, professional, or spiritual – and become even stronger for it. Kelly’s vocals sit softly upon the booming bass lines and guitar strums. The single’s infectious beat will have fans get on out to the dance floor, while there’s enough in the…
Honeydew is the newest single from Lauren Hulbert. On this track, a very close-knit composition with guitar and vocals open things up before percussive elements enter into the mix. It is this trio of contributions that are able to gel together and create something much greater than their constituent parts. The single reminds me of early-1990s alternative fare like Jill Sobule and Rusted Root. The brightness of Honeydew will put…
They Don’t (Make’m Like You) is a powerful R&B track from Levi DaRosa.The track draws upon the output of Brandi and Monica, while bringing in hints of soul and gospel. The twinkling backing beat provide ample highlighting for DaRosa’s vocals. There’s a delicate nature to this single that stands boldly out from other modern efforts. In an era where loudness is commonplace, it is this honesty and earnest approach that…
Light ‘Em Up starts off with a fast tempo and assertive vox. The Dead Daisies are contuing to build out their unique take on 1980s hard rock and hair metal. With sizzling guitar work matched with splashy drums, it’s no surprise that the resulting track will be burying itself deep into the minds and hearts of listeners. The production is skillful here, both keeping the rough-hewn sound of the period…
Elise Harper’s “Bartender Therapy” is a touching pop-country track that expresses a sentiment a great proportion of her listeners will understand. The desire to reach out and have human interactions is part of life. Elise’s vocals are great here, both establishing a narrative and bolstering in the backing instrumentation. The presence of lap steel and deliberate drums in this track tie Bartender Therapy into the larger country and western tradition.…
Loud Pack and Chill, the latest cold India Pale Ale from Saint Paul, Minnesota’s BlackStack brewing, pours with a golden coloration and only the smallest amount of white head. The initial nose emanating from the brew is a bit juicy with only the slightest indication of bitterness.The bevy of hops – Citra, El Dorado, Mosaic, and Australian – create a nuanced flavor profile that is piney, juicy, and dry. The…
Devil At My Heels has some fantastic guitar licks issuing forth during its run time. Add to that the country-meets-pop approach of Ginny Luke and what results is something that is an amped-up version of a Kelly Clarkson or Maren Morris. The song could easily be brought on modern music playlists, but there’s a lot more meat to the track’s bones. Specifically, the dynamic that is established between the guitars…
Starting out with a second-wave ska bop, Nuek The Bugs’ new single Bugs will immediately draw in fans. With a nod to They Might Be Giants and Elvis Costello, the vocals act as the more straight-laced side of the track, while the bouncy beat and up-strum of the guitars keep things light. Inserting in just a hint of psych and rockabilly (with Knopfler-meets-Police elements)to the post-chorus section, the act continues…
On Dare Me, The Infamous HER is able to create a bombastic and assertive track that splits its time between rock and morre Cardigans-esque pop. The two styles are expertly melded to ensure listeners are kept fascinated with the output throughout. The production of Dare Me allows the single to be very complex while still espousing an easy-going sound. Tying together these disparate elements, The Infamous HER is able to…
There has been considerable discussion about what AI (artificial intelligence) means for music. Many individuals feel that utilizing AI tools to generate music is ethically wrong, explaining that what is generated procedurally by a program is not “music” by any definition. However, I believe that AI music tools can be used to create music that is as valid as an Andy Warhol Campbell soup can or a Roy Liechtenstein panel.…
Visitation is a journey. The current track by Terri Bannister keeps listeners focused on in as the single gradually increases in tempo. Piano and drums unite to establish an engrossing backing for Bannister’s rising and falling vox, while the presence of additional vocal layers provides considerable depth. The extended run time of Bannister’s latest gives the performer ample time to weave a compelling tale of faith and devotion. The secondary…
Strong is a timeless country-rock track that will appease fans of a wide variety of styles. The confidence that Murgo espouses here is hard to deny, while the easy-going instrumentation encountered during the track will have listeners bopping along throughout. The guitar work that weaves through Strong matches Joe’s narrative quality, while the drums kick in at all the right places on Strong. There’s a vibrancy and earnestness to Murgo’s…
Cigarette Lover is an emotive and intense track that showcases drive and ambition on the part of Cleo Alexandra. The dynamic between the vocals and guitars pushes each to an entirely higher plateau, while the bit of blues riffs that play at the top of the track provide further depth to an already complex instrumentation. With all parts working so well in tandem, it’s not surprising that Cigarette Lover will…
On Smoke Clears, Dylan Clears is able to create a track that successfully looks back to the pop-rock of the 1980s and the alternative rock fare of the 1990s to create something distinct from the other music cluttering the charts. Taylor is able to create some serious hooks with the chorus before moving back into the driving beat of the main sections of Smoke Clears. We’re loving the assertive drums…
Damage is the lead single off of Colm O’Mahony & The Hot Touches Band’ – Damage’s self-titled album, and it provides fans with a wonderful blend of rock, psychedelic, and alternative msic. Building off the tradition of the Counting Crows and Every Mother’s Nightmare, the act’s able to make something that both can garner serious playlist looks while impressing even the most picky of music fans. The dynamic that exists…
Save Your Cry is a hopeful track that works well in the sunny spring days we initially encountered it. This track showcases tremendous charisma and heartfelt vocals in the vein of The Kid Laroi or Mac Miller. The backing guitar work links together 1990s rock acts like Stone Temple Pilots, Incubus and Oasis. Together, these elements create something vibrant and current, a distinctly different sound from anything else that’s currently…
We Feed Alone’s “What Burns Beneath” draws on late 1990s and early 2000s hard rock for influence. The song imparts a dark and brooding sound on listeners, while the angsty, tortured vocals are able to match the drums and guitars beat for beat. Whether Static-X, Nine Inch Nails, or late Nirvana, We Feed Alone are able to distill the spirit of acts that have preceded them into one seriously-awesome track.…
Milwaukee has came into national recognition with J.P.. His new effort Bad Bitty is one of those feel-good tracks that will get people out on the dance floor. Existing in the space between rap and R&B, the song incorporates tremendously catchy lyrical hooks and perfectly-placed percussion. Bad Bitty comes in at a hair under two minutes but will stick with listeners long after it ceases to play. This is one…