RĀI’s Southern upbringing ensures his musical talents are heavily influenced by the classic sounds of R&B, soul, and gospel and illuminates his music in a way few other performers from his generation manifest for audiences. His new single “Back to Life” is alluring R&B and soul with a positive message that RĀI embodies in the way he approach his life and art alike – he’s committed to embedding positive messages…
Based out of Charleston, South Carolina, the duo of John and Kevin Shields write and perform under the moniker Little Stranger and their latest single “Sing It High” will be wildly entertaining for those familiar with the duo and potentially revelatory for those encountering their work for the first time. It’s easy to hear, when you listen to this song, why Little Stranger has commanded such a passionate, albeit still…
Ah, Yacht Rock – the guiltiest of all the musical guilty pleasures. That 1970s soft rock sound best associated with Southern California (though the bands were from all over). Think linen sportscoats and espadrilles; soft jazz, clean vocals, catchy hooks and maybe a little white boy R&B. Kenny Loggins? Yup; Hall & Oates? Sure thing; Christopher Cross? Are you kidding me? He had a song called “Sailing,” so, yeah; Rupert…
Emo bands never die… they just usually grow up and keep making the same records they made in the early aughts. In the case James Dewees (aka Reggie & the Full Effect), that means another so-so effort with hints of promise that ultimately falls apart after repeated listens.
Lexie Rose’s rise from under the radar budding songwriting talent to major global star begins with this five song EP release. On My Own finds the seventeen year old giant in the making working alongside top notch producer Max Allyn to craft a collection that aims high and consistently hits its mark. It isn’t just breathtaking to hear a young songwriter so capable of learning from her collaborators; it’s equally…
Johnny Chops’ new album Johnny Chops & The Razors begins with Believer, an emphatic blues-rock track that deftly brings together country, rock and a hint of psychedelia tinge. The resulting effort is catchy, musically intense, and stands up easily to repeat plays. A lush production on this releases ensures that each element is able to shine on its own or as contributing to a larger whole.
Since their debut just over a decade ago, Scottish alt pop band The Fratellis have been churning out infectiously catchy pop, with enough jangly guitars and power chords to appease the indie kids, but also boasting a much wider appeal. And “In Your Own Sweet Time,” their fifth record, is no different.
Monsieur Jobs’ “Chow Chow eyyy Pow Pow” is an attention grabbing debut single featuring a cadre of top flight musical and songwriting talent. No Mercy’s long-standing vocalist Martin Citron gives this immediate commercial appeal it might have otherwise lacked, but the combination of Toby Holguin, Leo Jaramillo, Stan Kolev, and Charlie Illera deliver the goods from a musical point of view and their contributions are informed by a deep grounding…
At the Gates requires no introduction, not from someone the likes of me at the very least. Hailed among the forefathers of the Gothenburg melodic death metal scene, these Swedes have been iconic in shaping a genre and spawned a legion of like-minded bands in their decades-long career.
AV Super Sunshine’s “Smile” ties together a number of distinct dance styles – the mid-1980s style of Frankie Goes to Hollywood, the 1970s electronic approach of Gershon Kingsley, and even bits of INXS and U2. The sheer depth of Smile means that listeners need to strap on a pair of headphones to hear everything that is going on. AV Super Sunshine come out with a new song that completely changes up…
Nadia Kazmi’s “Like A Cat” is an effort that calls back to the days of performers like Patti Smith and Suzanne Vega. The clear and driving vocals that are the focal point of Kazmi’s new single will lock listeners to the edges of their seats, while the instrumentation is no shrinking violent. Particular kudos have to be given to the emotive (and splashy) drums, the chugging bass, and the fashion…
Beca’s “In Deep Love” is a song that calls back to early Madonna with a tremendously engrossing synth line. The insistent beat that plays at the bottom of the single will get listeners out on the dance floor, while their is a sly, coy sound to Beca’s vocals that is truly special.
Annalise Azadian’s “Passenger Mirror” is one of those tracks that hit on all cylinders. Azadian’s vocals are tremendous, showcasing the same complexity and range of performers like Lorde or Ellie Goulding. The vocals do tell a story, but the dynamic which they create with the instrumentation makes for an effort that will stick around with listeners long after the effort ceases to play. The track is able to exist at…
The Aces “Volcanic Love” is a powerful retro-infused song that melds together the rock of the 1980s with the alternative singer-songwriter style of the mid nineties to make for something wholly different from what is being played on radio rotation. Introspective guitar lines, a fullness to the backing beat contributed by the bass and drums, and rich vocals combine to tattoo the song’s melodies deep into the minds and hearts…
I Don’t Belong To You is a powerful R&B track that is able to bring in hints of gospel and pop to make something truly special. Delicate Marie’s story-telling aspect takes listeners on a journey that is understandable by anyone that has been in that situation. The backing beat is vibrant, with additional vocal layers and booming bass inserted in at all the right places. Delicate Marie’s vocals do more…
Where Are We’s “Not My President” is a hard track to pin down. The haunting vocals laid down here by Indee are haunting, while the atmospheric sound of WAW’s instrumentation effortlessly move through indie-rock and ambient music. Hints of Interpol, Muse, and even the spiriti of Subdivisions-era Rush can be picked up here. The track is surprisingly deep, meaning that fans will have to play Not My President multiple times…
Rocky Athas’s “Dictator” is a track that ties together hard rock, honky tonk, and even hints of country rock. Building off of the tradition of performers like Stevie Ray Vaughan, Rocky Athas is able to create a crisp arrangement that is authentic and tremendously affecting. The guitar work is fantastic, while the drums and bass are vital in providing an unparalleled depth to each section of this single. With considerable replay…
Xavier Toscano’s “Never Wanna Leave” is a track that deftly blends together pop, rock, and EDM in a fashion that his latest single could easily garner airplay on a wide variety of stations. Of particular note during this cut has to be the strong, emphatic beat that is interlaced throughout. A more delicate piano line allows for the track’s tempo to ebb and flow; the production of Never Wanna Leave…
On their new single “Goodbye Again”, Philadelphia’s The Soft Spots create a fuzzy sort of indie rock that links together The Smiths, The Cure, and adds their own unique take through the presence of a synth and guitar-heavy backdrop. The heavenly vocals provide the perfect counterpoint to the insistent drum beat and sizzling guitar work that comprise the backdrop for the song. Distinct movements within Goodbye Again keep listener interest…
Olive’s “Senseless” is a wonderful chiaroscuro of the light, higher octaves achieved by Olive’s vocals and the darker, more resonating sound presented by the drums, bass, guitars, and the rest of the song’s instrumentation. Together they make for a timeless track, one that is able to feel current and contemporary while taking a goodly amount from 1960s pop and rock performers. Listeners will love the dynamic of the vocals and…