The slow jam “Summer Breeze” might not have the same punch that a lot of its tracklist predecessors do in the new album Sampati from 148, but this just might be the main reason why it works so well as the closer for this debut LP from the acclaimed hip-hop duo. “Summer Breeze” brings us full circle from where we begin in the viral single “Topeka Vibe,” and while it doesn’t hit…
Most rock musicians who embrace the art of overdrive end up using distortion as something to hide behind. That isn’t the case with Vuola, and in his new record Alouv, he uses this crucial element of tonal augmentation to make his emotions even clearer to the audience. His skills are brought to the spotlight in tracks like “Vapaa Uljas Onnen Lapsi Aaamun” and “Omana Omala Ogana Odati Ojoda,” and at the…
Dici’s “Do What I Can” has a fun, laid-back sound that soars on its heartbeat-esque backing beat and keys that feel like an homage to all of that mid-oughts backpack rap. The heartfelt lyrics presented here by Dici are able to speak to anyone that has fallen in love. It is this tender take that imparts Do What I Can with an earnestness that far outpaces what other performers showcase…
Andrew Reed & The Liberation’s “Don’t Say Goodbye” immediately tattoos itself into the hearts of listeners. Whether it be on-point drums or sizzling guitar work, the band starts things off in an unparalleled way. With vocals that draw inspiration from Tom Petty, Don’t Say Goodbye is able to appease those fans of 1980s and 1990s rock as much as the song speaks to current music fans. With a production that…
The High Plains Drifters go back into the crates a bit with their latest single, “The One That Got Away”. The song draws from new wave music with expertly-sequenced synth lines and a thick, ropy bass line that fills the bottom of the track. The charismatic vocals that rest upon the top of the track are the bow that tie together these different effort. The bridge that The High Plains…
Harper Starling’s “Affair With Myself” is a banger. The song is able to refresh the pop sound of late-era Madonna and Britney Spears to make a dance/pop blend that will get listeners out on the dance floor. Strong vocals are lifted up through NRG-inspired synths, wile Affair With Myself has enough momentum to keep listeners firmluy on the edges of their seats. Starling is able to end her latest single…
Meresha “Trouble” has a slinky sound that will immediately draw in listeners. The presence of guitar distortion and a bit of modem-contributed fuzz provides a wall between the halves of Trouble. This bit of an interlude allows Meresha the ability to weave rap-tinged lyrics (e.g. Beyonce, Alicia Keys) into the mix. What results in Trouble is an effort that could easily hang on pop radio while having a thoughtful approach…
G Wildin’s “Mission” calls back to the 1990s and 2000s. The overlal flow achieved here is influenced by Too Short and early Jadakiss, while the song’s producion links together the laid-back flow of 1990s-Cali with just a hint of the J Dilla style popularized in the early 2000s. Taken all together, these decisions make Mission into one of those rap tracks that is completely reverent to the performers that preceded…
Baker Grace’s “Shake The Earth” starts out in a very deliberate fashion. With vocals drawing deeply upon the tradition of Stevie Nicks, Rufus Wainwright and The Cardigans, the song is able to incorporate light amounts of percussion and guitars to make a complex backing. The song decidedly fits into the singer-songwriter style but has so much to provide listeners in subsequent plays. Shake The Earth is the rare example of…
Following The Sun, the new track from SUPER-Hi and NEEKA, has a hooky sound that will keep listeners’ toes tapping. There are nods to pop and dance music here, meaning that the single will garner attention from ample playlists and DJs alike. The beautiful vocals that issue forth during Following The Sun will stick with listeners long after the track ceases to play. With a beat that acts as the…
Reuben Brock’s new effort “Black Horse Through Hell” draws inspiration from performers like Warren Zevon and Tom Petty with its tremendously complex and compelling arrangements. The thoughtful guitar work provides a bit of wind-swept country to listeners while Brock’s voice lays out the song’s narrative. The smart repetition of the titular animal has the effect of taking fans on their own equestrian journey (obviously, through one’s mind’s eye). The video…
Pep Rally’s “Turn The Radio Up” ends up being one of the most fascinating songs we’ve heard this month. The band is able to adopt hints of math-rock and pop-punk without pigeonholing themselves in either style. The dreamy vox listeners will find here seemingly call back to the late 1990s, but there’s a vibrancy here that makes them gel nicely with modern pop-rock performances. The guitar/drum-heavy bridge that links together…
Albert Cummings’ new single “Need Somebody” builds upon the proud Americana tradition of performers like Huey Lewis and the News and Bruce Hornsby all while incorporating a fair bit of late-1990s country to the mix. Need Somebody incorporates a fair bit of psychedelic-infused guitar work to stand boldly alongside Cummings’s assertive vox. Turning everything up to 11, it’s no surprise that Cummings is able to turn Need Somebody into an…
Belle VEX’s “Mirror” is an compelling track that builds upon the tradition of performers like Ryan Cabrera and the New Radicals all while infusing the effort with a current and contemporary sound. This ensures that Mirror can easily slot onto pop radio and playlist rotation just as much as it will speak to fans of earlier singer-songwriter styles. The sheer amount of charisma that Bella VEX incorporates into the body…
Sp8ce Owl’s “70s Somewhere” links together the funk of Parliament Funkadelic with the Zapp Band and Jean-Michel Jarre to make a tremendously catchy track. The sparing utilization of vocals during 70s Somewhere ensures that listeners take note whenever they are present. With chops necessary to bring listeners onto the dance floor, Sp8ce Owl’s name will be the talk of the town whenever their latest single makes it onto DJ’s playlist.…
LA Laura Paris’s “Kissing Boys” is an homage to 1990s dance music. Deliberate and insistent synth lines make the track bump while LA Laura Paris’ vocals lie out leisurely on the top of the track. The range that she hits during this single is considerable, continuing to keep listeners firmly planted on the edges of their seats as the single continues on. Moving to a more instrumental-heavy section at the…
Makes My Blood Dance’s “Together Apart” refreshes the goth-metal of the early 200s with nods to CKY and Cradle of Filth. There’s a slinkiness to their latest track Together Apart that will appease fans of Korn and Static-X. The song never lets up with furious guitar work, splashy drums and haunting vocals. We’ve been fortunate enough to review Makes My Blood Dance in the past and each time, the band…
Azucar, the latest track from The Roughhousers, has a hint of 1960s rock tied in with early Dolly Parton. A thoughtful guitar interlude splits the track nicely, allowing Grey’s vocals to tattoo themselves deeply into listeners’ minds and hearts. There’s an attention paid to the track’s vocals and instrumentation that will appease even the most wizened of music fans, all while the song’s subject material can eagerly be picked up…
The Roughhousers’s “Princess Mike” is a wonderful callback to the 1960s, with a powerful narrative and an overall sound inspired by Nancy Sinatra and Melanie. The arrangement here is deliberate with each note contributing to the story that Grey [Delisle] tells here. A bit of surf-inspired guitar (contributed by Eddie Clendening) here, a bicycle bell there, and a whole heck of bluegrass/C&W arrangement placed in the song’s final 30 seconds…
Colin Peterik’s “Michiana” is a track that easily shines among the 1970s easy listening standards. The beautiful vocals play on top on a backing instrumentation that is taut as all get out. With a bit of funk and soul incorporated into the song’s body, Peterik has ensured that his song will stand up to repeat plays well into the year. The dynamism of the arrangements is impressive; the guitars, drums,…