Sonarpilot’s “Gorgon” is their latest chapter of The Mirage Project. From the onset, there is a decided sense of brooding, a sort of industrial cityscape in which some force is immediately watching the listeners. There’s considerable technological trappings here, providing a sense of intensity through the single’s early moments. The momentum gradually ramps up the further one delves into the composition, increasing is volume until one feels nearly swallowed up…
Maiden Seoul cultivates an 1980s-infused style during their new single “Verve”. The vocals build off of the tradition of performers like Debbie Harry and The Waitresses, while the taut instrumentation that plays at the bottom of the song draws influence from 1990s alternative and later midwest emo styles. Together, these two elements build something that stands up to repeat plays. We’re enamored with the twinkling guitars and ropy bass lines…
Let’s Get Back To Rock And Roll is a stripped-down hard rock track that will immediately draw in fans of Thin Lizzy, Poison, Boston, and KISS. There’s considerable focus here on the narrative weaved by the vox as well as the assertive guitar work. Filling out the soundscape are booming drums and an emotive, dynamic bass line that flits through the track. There’s an honest effort here to imbue Let’s…
Take It Back is the new cut from Shaheed and DJ Supreme. From the single’s onset, listeners will be greeted with brilliant wordplay and a backing instrumentation that calls back to mid-oughts Chicago and New York. The mentions of rap’s royalty is an homage to the genre, all while the track is able to bury itself deep into the minds and hearts of listeners. This is a song that will…
Robert Abernathy’s “Big Bass Problem” is an ode to country music from the early 2000s. During this single, Robert is able to call forth the spirit of Craig Morgan and Blake Shelton. The dulcet tones achieved by Robert play perfecrtly with the immaculate honky-tonk that is crafted by his backing band. There’s a vibrancy to this song that ensures that the second that each watering hole and honky-tonk happens upon…
Make The World Go Away has Sudano slide into a thoughtful, funky sort of track that will immediately be appreciated by anyone that has had any sort of anxiety about how human interactions go. The intimations laid down here by Bruce touch upon David Bowie and Phil Collins with a hint of Thom Yorke interspersed in here. The bit of horn that presents itself during Sudano’s latest single take up…
Jasmine Crowe’s “The Shirt Song” has an allure to it that will speak to fans of pop and singer-songwriter genres. There’s a vibrancy to Jasmine’s vocals that build off of the tradition of performers like Pink and Meghan Trainor. The backing instrumentation is incredibly taut here, with the bass, drums, and a whistle all combining to comprise the main body of the track. The distinct bridge that separates The Shirt…
Allende starts out Russ Hewitt’s new album, Chasing Horizons. Listeners will immediately be drawn into the soundscape Hewitt’s guitar crafts. The titular track “Chasing Horizon” features Nuno Bettencourt, a decision that provides the single with an additional richness. Together, the guitar, bass and drums combine to render something brilliant. The distinct twists and turns that listeners will experience when they progress through this single will stick with fans long after…
Actor Linda Collins has a huge slate of projects slated to release this year. Whether it is the upcoming show Clique or a role in Omar Moore’s Paper, Collins makes sure that her dance card is quite busy. This seems to be the modus operandi for Collins, who’s turn in Three For The Road has been routinely lauded through numerous showings at film festivals. Of all the roles that Collins…
What is the meaning behind “Touro de Lide”, and what made you choose a Portuguese title? RONE WORTHEN (lead singer): The meaning of “Touro de Lide” is to be as bullish and as aggressive as necessary to protect what’s important to you. We choose a Spanish title because bull fighting is romanticized but the reality is the matador is seldom in any serious danger, and the bull has virtually no chance…
The titular, opening effort on Ruby Topaz’s new album Rabbit Hole has the guitar sizzle and alluring vocals of a BTO or Boston. Therre’s a quality to these guitar / drum dynamics that will stick with fans long after the song ends. The robust momentum achieved from this opening salvo will keep listeners firmly locked to the edges of their seats. You’re Still Running benefits from a production that allows…
Kate Fenner’s new album Dead Reckoning begins with My River, a track which sets the stage for the album. There is deliberate and careful piano arrangements which act as the backing for Fenner’s vocals. These lyrics build up a narrative that will draw in listeners even from the earliest segments of the release. Transit of Venus has a bit of 1970s lounge and Carpenters intertwined with Kate’s hopeful voice. The…
What Love Is, the first single on Doc City’s Welcome to Doc City has an absolutely timeless feel. There’s a fair amount of lounge, a bit of jazz, and all the passion and charisma that one could conceivably desire. It’s not just the vocals here; each element that contributes to the composition has their own immense sound that resounds loudly. When You Are Near shifts up things a bit. The…
Sprockets, the introductory track from Globus’ new album Cinematica, acts as a set-piece for the tracks that are to follow. Peace In Our Time has the act build up a dramatic, dark cityscape that represents the perfect backdrop for the sensual, charismatic vocals that are laid down soon after. The momentum of PIOT gradually increases to a break-neck piece; Globus will have listeners firmly on the edges of their seats…
Driving, stripped-down rock music begins Baba Jenkins’ new single, Touro de Lide. The guitar work builds upon the sizzling style of a Slash, while there’s a hooky and pulsating beat that is contributed here by the bass and drums. Alongside with the eclectic vocal work, these elements touch upon acts as diverse as Tom Morello, Audioslave, and Blue Oyster Cult. Touro de Lide is a rare example of a song…
Dontae Peeps’ new single “Ordinary Love” shines not only from Dontae’s vocals but also the luxurious instrumentation that plays in the background. The booming percussion provides highlighting to his sultry and sexy lyrics while the back and forth between the vocals and arrangements pushes each into a higher plateau. There’s a deceptively deep sound that is cultivated through Ordinary Love, ensuring that listeners will be able to play the song multiple…
First off, the flow that issues forth on That’s That Girl is amazing. There’s an absolutely timeless lyrical performance that will immediately tattoo the new effort from Madoa Sankara & Sudan 6ix. There’s a whole lot of 1990s NYC rap that can be heard here, but the luxurious beat that plays in the back imbues the effort with a timeless veneer. The bit of echo that is placed on Sankara’s…
Ninebay Jakub’s “Found Love” has a touching message that is highlighted with booming bass and delicate strings. The vocals pull double duty in telling a story as well as bolstering the backing instrumentation. The production is vocal-forward but there’s a nice nod back to the work of J Dilla here. Found Love is an effort that can easily make it onto modern pop rotation while having enough depth to hold…
On “Let’s Party”, Kool & The Gang are able to create a track that will get listeners on the dance floor while staying true to their traditional style. The arrangements lay out luxuriously on the composition while the distinct lyrics are able to touch upon the work of genre colleagues like The Black Eyed Peas and Chromeo. Tying together the past to the present ensures that Let’s Party will have…
On Royalty, The Cofields are able to immediately draw attention to their track. There’s a huge beat that start things out before the hard-nosed rap flow of Calvin takes a focal point on the song. The production of the track is immaculate; each beat, sample, and arrangement is meticulously designed for the greatest impact. Keeping things at a high energy here is Kimberly, who is able to match the ground-shaking…