Our Hearts, the current single from Vitasun takes an impressive approach to things. With hints of U2 and The Cure playing in the background, Our Hearts links together hints of new wave and electronic to make an effort that will get fans out on the dance floor while considering some of the headier sides of things. Including a sizzling horn line during the track’s final half-minute is precisely what is…
Kodiak is able to call back to the emo-rock of the early 2000s with their new single, Alone. Whipping in hints of hair metal (e.g. Enuff Z’Nuff, Winger) into the mix is something we’ve not heard before, but it turns Alone into one hell of an effort. Taut instrumentation builds a wall of sound that allows the supersonic vocals to shine brightly. There’s a ton of interactions here between the…
Remixes, particularly when they’re boxed together in a single disc, allow for us to look at a song from a litany of different angles, but the new extended play centering on ooberfuse’s “Call My Name” composition goes well beyond that. From the abrasive sounds of “The Noise” remix to the fundamentally simple “Hal St John Radio Edit,” each version of “Call My Name” gives us a unique insight into the…
In his latest album, the long-awaited Vertigo, Nicholas Altobelli delivers an eclectic collection of alternative Americana via songs like the brilliant “Runaway Trains,” “Red, White, And Blues,” and “Don’t Let the World Get You Down” whilst redefining his artistry with an experimental aesthetic that just wasn’t present in previous offerings bearing his moniker. Altobelli pulls out all of the creative stops to make Vertigo as unflinchingly honest and endearingly melodic as possible, and…
Plunging percussive thrusts are joined by a gush of distorted melodies in “Butterfly Joint,” one of the eight songs comprising King Ropes’ exquisite sophomore album, Gravity and Friction. In “Butterfly Joint,” and really all seven of the tracks that it’s accompanied by on Gravity and Friction, a mind-bendingly surreal soundscape is utilized as a forceful canvas atop which the band can colorize the otherwise simplistic beats. The music is unrepentantly experimental, but…
Although Mike Jacoby offers hints of Americana and even rockabilly throughout his third solo offering, the record is still firmly planted in the world of rootsy rock and roll. Jacoby cites folk troubadour Todd Snider as an inspiration for Long Beach Calling, but it’s just as easy to pick out influences from folks like John Fogerty and The BoDeans here. The opening song, the rollicking title track with its Johnny…
Tell us about being a musician in Los Angeles. Being a part of the creative music scene in Los Angeles is cool. There is a network of us indie musicians that gravitate towards each other in different areas of town. I’ve got my singer-songwriter clan in the Valley, the rock ’n rollers in Hollywood, my EDM & hip-hop crew in K-town, and the chill surfers down in Venice. We all…
During Gamble on our Dreams, Paul Kloschinsky is able to make a country and western infused rock track that will keep listeners eagerly focused on what Paul has to say. There is little more to this composition than Paul’s voice and guitar, but the space that Gamble on our Dreams takes up is considerably greater. As the song moves to a quicker tempo, Kloschinsky is able to call back to…
Though its sway can be, at times, both nauseating and cerebrally entrancing, Jaco’s “Say Goodbye” is nonetheless one of the most evocative tracks that you’ll encounter in the debut solo affair from the noted Birmingham scene stalwart, You Know. Released this past July 19th to critical acclaim, You Know is built around stylishly heavy tracks like “Say Goodbye,” the crushing “Shoe” and monolithic “For Myself,” all three of which contain as many pop facets…
On A/B Vision, THESE PEOPLE are able to make a dreamy track that builds upon the tradition of Ziggy Stardust-era Bowie and the dreamy progressive rock of Donovan and early Genesis. Beautiful instrumentation continues to yield new twists and turns for listeners long after the song ceases to play. With vocals that touch upon Wayne Coyne and a more space-focused Perry Ferrell, THESE PEOPLE make a truly epic sound to…
Jade Gotti is able to bring listeners to her side thorough the lyrics of her new song, Nik Nac. The track is short and sweet but is able to bury itself deep into the minds and hearts of listeners; with there being so much in the way of lying and cheating in modern married (and dating) life, what Jade Gotti shines a light onto is something that likely most fans…
On On Purpose, The Peculiar People come forth with some tremendous beats and spat-out lyrics forged in the fires of Kanye and Meek Mill. The rapid-fire word play on this single puts traditional gospel music on its head while cutting up some hard hitting lyrical content. The Peculiar People use a bit of screwed and chopped sound to separate the two distinct sections of On Purpose. With a crystal clear…
Nothins Changed is a hard-hitting rap track that blends together a robust flow with an in-your-frace backing beat. The bit of thoughtful pre-chorus bars that issue forth during Nothings Changed allow for switching out between the distinct vocal approaches of 88 Lo and 88 Goldie. This single is able to refresh the rap approach of the late-ought while calling forward to performers like Migos and Young Thug. It’s this desire…
On Sad Summer, Baker Grace effortlessly blends together modern pop music with the electro-pop of the mid-1980s. With nods to Gloria Estefan and Madonna, Baker Grace is able to bring to bear all the sultriness and coy sounds of her inimitable take on modern music. Mixing together a bit of Lily Allen and La Roux with Halsey , Baker Grace is able to transform Sad Summer into something that deserves…
On Take Care, Chloe Tang is able to make a pop track that ties together mid-oughts R&B with modern EDM. These stylistic flourishes allow the track to shine brightly when compared to other tracks. The soft, silky sound of Tang’s vocals are able to bridge the gap between the sweeping synthesizers and the booming beat that issues forth. A stylistic shift at the 2:20 mark provides a brief breathing space…
In the 11-year span of their first run, Australia’s Crowded House could simply do no wrong, churning out one brilliant album after the next at a rate of just about an album every other year until their split in 1996. The band has since reunited twice – between 2006 – 2011 and again in 2016 – but it’s hard to find a period as creatively solid as their first four…
The Gillum Bros are able to reinvigorate the style of Lou Reed and Pulp with their latest track, Sticky Note. With wistful guitars and deliberate keys, the act is able to imbue a timeless sound to the composition. Beautiful in its execution, The Gillum Bros are able to make something that will stick with listeners long after the song ceases to play. All too short at a hair over three…
Chris Butler creates his own brand of 1960-infused rock. Dreamy vocals and contemplative guitar riffs paint a solid picture while Butler’s vocals add fine detail to the composition. With a lead-in to the chorus built upon the tradition of Van Morrison and The Who, Summer Money sails away with contemplative arrangements. The extended instrumental interlude separates the two sections of the track, keeping the song’s energy high while showcasing some…
The Pale Blue Dot is a bouncy effort that links together surf rock, rockabilly, and has the band come forth with a tremendous amount of charisma. The distinct sections to the track are what will keep fans coming back to the track, as it showcases the tremendous capability of the band. Able to change up styles at the drop of a dime, the NaveBlues are able to keep their fans…
ONLAP creates some hard-hitting melodic rock with their new single Miracle. The track is delightful not only for the supersonic vocals that reach their crescendo during the song’s chorus, but also for the intricate arrangements and interplays that exist between the guitars and drums. Each part of ONLAP on Miracle is clear and crisp, be it the synths, the double-bass drums, or the shouted-out statement “We Don’t Care”. With enough…