LE YORA is a group consisting of Jewels, SOMMA, yuma, and MAGNUS. On Ascension, their new track, they are able to craft an EDM trasck that speaks to the current scene while remaining tremendously reverent of previous eras. The insistent keys will drived the single’s beat deep into the minds and hearts of listeners, while as number of stylistic twists and turns that listeners will experience as the song continues…
Last Prayer has an insistent beat to it, linking together new wave with confident singer-songwriter fare (e.g. Richard Marx, Phil Collins). The depth that UniversalDice achieves here ensures that listeners will continue to find new twists and turns with subsequent plays. The song has enough of a nod of radio rock genres to play well there, but the dynamics established with the instrumental arrangements will titillagte serious music aficionados. Of…
MoMA is a luxe track that has style dripping off of it. With nods to The Dazz Band and Chromeo, Dude Reppin Knowhere’s rap style stands out bold as a melange of Asher Roth, Yung Gravy and Dynamite Hack. The chorus will have listeners singing along after their first play of MoMA. The linkage made here between this 1980s R&B-styled synth and 1990s New Jack Swing-infuse chorus makes this into…
You may be familiar with John Hall through his work with Orleans. I Think of You is his newest track, showcasing touching vocals and thoughtful instrumentation. The range that Hall achieves during this track is fantastic, while the piano, drums and guitars combine to create the perfect backdrop upon which these lyrics can reside. I Think of You is timeless in its execution, easily able to shine brilliantly today as…
Road To Damascus is a hard-nosed rap track, with Chris Waters whipping together Immortal Technique and Tech N9ne all while putting his own approach into the mix. One will immediately b ebopping their heads to the vitriol that is dropped down here. THere’s a melody that is present with Chris’s wordplay that few rappers can achieve. The backing instrumentation does well in establishing the bleak, dangerous soundscape upon which the…
Christian Parker’s “Spirit Of The Trees” a delicate effort that ties together John Denver with the more emotive works of Billie Joe Armstrong. Little more is needed during this new cut than Christian’s vocals and guitars. What results is an enthralling track that plays perfectly in the singer-songwriter genre. The narrative that Christian lays down here will have listeners focused in. Spirit of The Trees moves into an instrumental section…
I Believe God is the latest effort from Jekalyn Carr. From the onset, the song has a full and engrossing sound that will resound loudly with listeners. Carr pulls double-duty in this track, both providing fans with a strong narrative while further bolstering (along with her backing choir) the overall harmony achieved by the track. The dynamic that is established between the vocals and the band is amazing; there’s fury,…
Hit The Spot, the newest single from Life Change, builds upon the 50 Cent classic Candy SHop. Along the way in establishing his own unique flare, Life Change (along with featured artist B Red) craft a track that will immediately draw in fans of Tyga, Akon, and Jason Derulo. There’s a bit of harder-edged rap, but where the track succeeds the most has to be in its poppy demeanor. Emotive…
MattO’s “The Angels Went Back To Heaven” has a timeless rock vaneer that calls back to recalls acts like R.E.M., The Psychedelic Furs and The Violent Femmes. Fuzz-laden guitars, catchy hooks, and bright vocals combine here to make a song that will undoubtedly bury itself deep into the minds and hearts of anyone listening in. MattO’s harmonies here ensure easy placement on college and alternative rock stations as well as…
I Don’t Know The Way To Your Heart is an engrossing pop-rock track that simultaneously draws inspiration from the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Incubus. Along the way, the thoughtful instrumentation builds off of the work of rock stalwarts like Dire Straits and Queens of the Stone Age. The song’s charisma is off the charts, with the track’s instrumentation benefitting from a production that allows each instrument’s contributions to flow…
Codefendants’ “Def Cons” that a wonderful mash-up of The Transplants and more traditional ska-punk. The intense bass line that comes forth at points during this single acts as a solid counterpoint for the gritty vocals that are front-and-center. The band continues to shift and modify their sonic assault throughout the entirety of this song; the brooding intensity that demarcates Def Cons’ second half will keep listeners firmly on the edges…
We’re digging the latest track from Shaheed and DJ Supreme. The unfettered hope that is espoused during S.T.E.M., S.T.E.a.M., and S.T.R.E.a.M. is infectious. By showcasing the potential of education alongside a hooky backing beat, the duo is able to reach a wide swath of fans. Fans of rappers as wide-reaching as Outkast and T.I., NYC to California (“all across the nation”, to use a lyric from the single) will be…
Brian Keith’s “So Long Emily” shines immediately by its whole-hearted appreciation of 1980s and 1990s country music. Each element that one will hear on the single works perfectly singularly as well as part of the overall whole. Up first is the rich tenor of Brian’s vocals, which weaves a story of love into a track that shines with smart time signatures and masterful instrumentation. Whether it is the robust bass…
Taken By Desire is an effort that showcases the breadth of influences that inspire Cleo Alexandra. There are nods made to industrial, goth, and late 1980s hair metal that one can pick out through here. The honest and intense vocals continue to push the track along, while there’s a brooding, dark, and rich backing instrumentation that adds a fullness to the composition. This means that one will have to play…
On This Is Awkward, CALLISTO are able to tie together Green Day and Good Charlotte to provide listeners with a crunchy, chugging pop-punk track. Building upon that style, there’s a bit of a Foo Fighters growl and Monster Magnet-meets-early Sugar Ray stripped down set of raw guitar riffs. The song will tunnel its way deep into the minds of listeners. By working within this late-90s sort of paradigm, CALLISTO are…
Neon Dreams’ “This Is It” is a sunny, hopeful blend of pop, R&B and even a bit os island music. The song could easily make its way onto radio rotation as well as Spotify playlists. The inimitable vocals laid down here will draw in listeners, while the smart instrumentation that plays at the back of the track will keep fans focused in until the single’s final few notes. The cherry…
Social Lube, a Hazy India Pale Ale from Ohio’s Sixth Sense Brewing Co., pours with a vibrant yellow coloration and a fair amount of white head. Lacing makes its way down the glass, while the initial nose of Social Lube brings astringent notes along with just a bit of wheat. There is a balance between the more bitter hop notes with juicier and fruit-forward flavors. The beer succeeds because of…
Maui Brewing Company is once again partnering with Delaware’s Dogfish Head Craft Brewery on a rendition of the familiar and rare Liquid Breadfruit. Be the first to try this year’s evolution of the collaboration at MBC Kihei’s tasting room on Wednesday, February 22 from 3:30-5:30pm. The event will be hosted by MBC’s brew team along with Dogfish Head Founder Sam Calagione, and will feature a paired beer and pupu offering with live music from Matt…
Portland’s Ecliptic Brewing and Boneyard Beer of Bend, Oregon are collaborating on a mashup IPA to release next week. The beer, named STARPM IPA, will ship February 22nd in 16-ounce cans and draft and will be the second beer in Ecliptic’s 2023 Cosmic Collaboration series. STARPM IPA is a mashup recipe of Ecliptic’s Starburst IPA and Boneyard’s RPM IPA – both companies’ flagship beers. Both of the original beers are heavily hopped, and…
Oakspire, New Belgium’s collaboration with Four Roses, is a great effort in the American strong ale style. Crafted on a somewhat regular basis since 2018, this brew is something special among all of the other efforts that are currently being stocked in LBSes nationwide. The beer pours with a brown color and a small amount of white head. Lacing occurs as one continues on with the beer. There’s a good…