“When I Fall”, the latest song from Diane Arkenstone, recalls the work of performers like Jewel and Natalie Cole. Little more is needed to wholly engage listeners than Diane’s vocals and a lightly-strummed guitar. The narrative built up during “When I Fall” will have one firmly on the edges of their seat. The gradual increase in instrumentation and tempo keep things interesting. Setting up the stage for a truly epic…
America’s Sweetheart’s “Girl Down” is a fun track that fdeels like some long-lost cut from early 1990s alternative music. There are very carefully-performed vocals that are included alongside a richly emotive guitar and drum arrangement. The decidedly lo-fi approach allows Girl Down to shine among other contemporary tracks. The production is the glue that holds these disparate segments together, making for a track that we’ll be playing here at NeuFutur…
Hula Hoop has a bouncy, fun vibe that will immediately command listeners’ attention. This latest effort from The Infamous HER deftly blends together rock and pop in a way that is unique. The assertive guitars comprise the meat of the single, while the vocals show supreme confidence and intensity. While there are nods to the late 1990s rock scene, the tautness of the composition ensures that Hula Hoop is a…
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…
Birdie Nichols’ debut album, Into The West, captures a dusty, desert-tinged nostalgia for the raw, unvarnished roots of Western Americana. The music is gritty, personal, and reflects a sense of place that feels untouched by modern polish. Birdie, just 17, emerges as a storyteller whose voice and lyrics resonate with a rugged authenticity that recalls old-time country, yet avoids leaning into predictable pop-country stereotypes. Her album isn’t a slick Nashville…
Faithless Town’s “California Come Home” is a call-back to the 1990s alt-rock of the Gin Blossoms, Counting Crows, and Dishwalla. The vocals sit above the guitar fuzz and contemplative arrangements of the song. The repetition of California Come Home acts as a way for Faithless Town to change up their output. Keeping fans firmly planted on the edges of their seats until the single ends, Faithless Town showcases both their…
Adrianna Freeman’s “HALO” is a single that will immediately draw in listeners. The very traditional arrangement of the guitars, drums, and bass imbue HALO with a 1990s country vibe, while Freeman’s vocals recall a Jo Dee Messina, Carrie Underwood or Shania Twain. The sizzling guitar solo that acts as HALO’s bridge is something special, showcasing an intricatre arrangement that rises up just as much as Adrianna’s inimitable vocals. The bit…
On VIBEZ, Hailey Newman is able to craft an alluring style of pop music that touches upon the early work of Taylor Swift and Deana Carter. The rich vocals are given a boost through catchy guitar licks and on-point drumming. Each constituent element encountered during VIBEZ works together to make a track that stands up to repeat plays and would feel right on pop and modern country radio stations and…
On Takin’ It Easy, Kelsey and Lisa are able to call back to the island style of Jimmy Buffett and the more lighthearted fare of The Carpenters and Maria Muldaur. The instrumentation is warm and inviting, with guitar, bass, and percussion uniting to make a toe-tappingly-fun backing beat upon which the titular pair can present their vocals. The production of Takin’ It Easy ensures that there are ample opportunities for…
Cruel World is a touching, intimate song that immediately will draw fans in with alluring voals and thoughtful instrumentation. Porter Block’s latest single has an absolutely timeless approach threaded throughout, drawing in the widest possible swath of listeners. It’s hard to pigeonhole Cruel World; there are nods to 1980s pop-rock, 1990s alternative, and even bits of 1970s easy listening throughout its run time. With each subsequent single, Porter Block is…
Vixen Irish Style (Old Bust Head) is an irish red ale, pouring from a 16-ounce can with a reddish brown coloration with a fair amount of light brown to tannish head. Lacing is ample as one continues the brew. There’s a small amount of bitterness that can be picked up here alongside hints of toasted malt, hazelnut and wheat/grains. I feel that the back and forth between more biting and…
Shipyard Brewing’s Pumpkinhead Ale is a quintessential fall seasonal release, known for capturing the spirit of autumn in a bottle. Available only during the cooler months, Pumpkinhead is usually released in early September, making it a highly anticipated seasonal favorite. Its limited availability heightens the anticipation for many beer enthusiasts who eagerly await its return each year. The pour of Pumpkinhead Ale is light amber, almost golden, with a slight…
Pouring old wine into new bottles, as an ongoing musical concern, isn’t as easy as it sounds. This is especially true when we’re discussing genres such as bluegrass. Bluegrass’ stylistic kingdom, like other territories of Americana, is relatively narrow; there’s only so much you can do before you aren’t playing bluegrass anymore. You’re doing something else. URL: https://rockheartsbluegrass.com/ Inventive bands seize upon hybridization. This means they pick their shots with…
feel like we used to, the current track from Zimmer90, is a delightful lo-fi alt/pop effort. This could easily garner attention on XMU or other curated playlist. Dreamy vocals interact with sweeping synths to tattoo the single’s harmonies deep into listeners’ gray matter. There’s a timeless sound built throughout this composition that will draw in a huge swath of music fans. feel like we used to is the perfect song…
Fading is a touching effort that is able to impact listeners with little more than Ron Brunk’s vocals and guitars. The careful touch that is placed on the composition will ensure the song resounds with listeners long after it ceases to play. I find there’s a lot of commonality with Fading and My Ride’s Here-era Warren Zevon. There’s a sedate and serene look at his situation, an honesty that is…
Staunch Moderates’ “Mediterranee” is a laid-back effort that incorporates jazz, soul, funk, and 1990s rap into something that is wide-reaching as the subject matter covered in the track. This eclectic approach is made all the clearer through the contributions of GTS, DJ Staunch, and Casanova Ace. Each part puts their own stamp on the composition, all while the backing instrumentation ends up as the welcoming blanket enveloping everything. Listeners will…
Jim Peterik’s (Survivor) “American Dreamer” is a retro-styled track that would be perfectly at home in the biggest stadiums of the 1980s. There’s a vitality to the composition here that will draw in any fans of Foreigner, Journey or Stan Bush. The chorus is infecitous to the degree that fans will be singing along after their first few experiences with the effort. Of particular note during American Dreamer has to…
On Lemon Mountain Manatee, Ron Brunk immediately draws in listeners with a bit of fun brass before taking listeners on a narrative journey. The vocals are a modern version of the 1960s and 1970s singer-songwriter genre. The horns bubble up after Brunk’s chorus, acting as a palette refresher and amping fans up for what is to follow. There’s a certain cohesion to Lemon Mountain Manatee achieved by harmonies that Ron…
Pep Rally’s “Roll Around” is a fun rock track that feels as if the band is having the time of their life. There’s a fun groove that is built up through the entirety of Roll Around’s run time. The lead vocals are charisdmatic and alluring, while the co-lead matches each utterance perfectly. Keeping things progressing, the perfectly-punctual drums are the gluue that hold the track together post-bridge. Listeners will be…
Let Us Breathe, the latest from TT, is a positively-bouncy ssort of alternative rock treat that stands out boldly from the bulk of current music through taut instrumentation, intelligent production, and a laundry list of nods to acts as wide-ranging as Dick Dale, Deep Purple, and The Minutemen. The sizzling guitar line that bridges Let Us Breathe is a sight to behold, providing a fun deviation from the main body…