Rolling out of the speakers with an angelic ease that is indebted as much to Hollywood glam as it is the bucolic balladry of an old school Nashville, the vocal harmony in Wild Fire’s “Rolling With the Stones” is reason enough to pick up this new track from the acclaimed crossover duo this summer. Blending country with strong pop aesthetics and a talent for conjuring up powerful hooks out of…
Different is a trap track that blends together a taut lyrical flow with a different take on the genre. By blending together real world experiences with a revelatory moment, Pastor Jamaal is able to reach out to others that may be going through the same sort of problems. During Different, he is able to create an effort that is robust as anything a Lil Uzi Vert or a 2 Chainz…
Changing Your Story has some power and fury behind it. Carr is in rare form, hitting highs and lows while weaving a story of praise. Her backing band is on top of their game, creating an instrumental backdrop that deserves to be focused on just as much as Jekalyn’s story of praise. The ability of said band to stop on a dime and move into a wholly different sound is…
Give It To Me Baby showcases some of the most touching and sensual vox that we’ve ever heard from Trav Torch. The range that he hits during this new cut places him alongside the who’s who of R&B, whether it be a Jodeci or Brian McKnight. Smart use of the titular statement will tattoo the single’s melodies deep into the heart’s of anyone listening in. The narrative quality of Trav…
On Power Of The Lightside, Makes My Blood Dance build upon the tradition of Avenged Sevenfold, My Chemical Romance, and HiM to make a track that has serious rock chops while some seriously catchy vox. The hardcore-inspired breakdowns that are weaved into opportune times provide further variation for this track. With the ability to change to orchestral metal to gritty glam, MMBD is able to reach fans of a wide…
One by One (Little Things) is the initial effort on PK and the In-Betweens’ recently-released EP, A Lifetime of Almost. Taut playing, charismatic vocals, and a dynamic sound that continues to impress even after multiple plays, this first single builds off of the tradition of 1990s rock and college radio. Hints of Live and Our Lady Peace be heard here. The secondary vocals provide further depth to the composition; listeners…
On Don’t Say, Brandon Hutcheson is able to immediately draw listeners in with emotive and sultry instrumentation. When his vocals kick in, the song gains a fullness that would work perfectly on pop rotation / playlists. The song builds upon the traditions of performers like Trey Songz and early Chris Brown with hints of Justin Timberlake and Justin Bieber. The subtle nod to EDM producers in the song’s backdrop add…
Thought-provoking, Algorhythm’s Slipping effortlessly floats through psychedelic, progressive, and 1970s easy listening and jazz modes. The tautness of the act’s compositions unites these disparate elements. With a bit of electronic haze imbued upon the vocals, Algorhythm is able to seamlessly link together instrumental and vocal sides. The rising movement that marks the 2:35 mark of the track ushers in hints of Santana, Zappa, and Pink Floyd. While Slipping does reach…
Subtle in size but shapely enough to create an ominous rhythm beneath the surface of its stealthy verses, “No Be Mouth,” the new single from JTK (and featuring Tunji), doesn’t hold back from laying heavy grooves on us inside of a rather minimalistic packaging this summer. Swaggering but uninfluenced by the arrogant attitudes that have poisoned some of hip-hop’s most promising young voices, JTK is an efficiency king in this…
Modern rock tracks never sounded this good – Las Vegas’ Sprockets grip on fast guitars and great lyrics in their new EP Self Made. Taking the energy from the streets and dazzle of the Vegas Strip and transfusing reverb into a fun rock vibe, Sprockets’ gamble pays off in all four tracks. Making up the band Sprockets are Brodie Knight (vocals, guitar), Dave Schwaller (bass guitar, vocals), Jesse Magana (lead…
A tidal wave of beautifully overdriven riffage comes crashing into a vocal harmony as delicate as a strand of silk in one track, while another features glowing kaleidoscopic melodies that ride atop a smooth beat as though they were always meant to be joined in sonic matrimony. As indebted to the storm rock of Pelican as it is the vulnerability of Unknown Pleasures, The Brothers Union’s Pain and the Opposite is scarcely dull and consistently…
In his new 2-song EP, Too Bright to Fade Away, troubadour Reed Waddle experiments with elements of easygoing folk/rock and indie pop to forge a fantastic pair of ballads more than worth your time this summer. Both the title track in Too Bright to Fade Away and its counterpart in “Bells of Brooklyn” borrow a lot from the Bakersfield sound of the 1970’s, as well as a dose of tempered, Neil Young-style poeticisms,…
On Sixteenth Summer, Liam Mogan is able to imbue each beat with a charisma that is hard to deny. While the track straddles the line between pop and country, there’s enough of a nod made here to EDM and even rock to jazz up the widest possible swath of fans. The bit of hope and carefree living that is discussed during the single is replicated perfectly by the backing instrumentation.…
RiSE, the latest single from Nadia Vaeh, immediately showcases tremendous vocal talent. The scintillating backing instrumentation links together synth, sequenced drums, and a booming sound that lends a lot to the deep end of the composition. With nature sounds (a “bird chirp” sample) included here, Vaeh is able to make a fulfilling effort that continues to showcase new twists and turns even multiple plays in. The presence of Hazel Rose’s…
Blushing with a wintry melodicism that feels surprisingly appropriate this June, Paul Mark & the Van Dorens’ “December at the P.O.” has an aching compositional integrity that essentially comes standard on the album Gravity, currently out everywhere quality indie music is sold and streamed. Armed with Mark’s trademark poetry and a glowing piano as sterling as that of “I Spin When You Grin,” “December at the P.O.” is rightly the closing…
One of the most shocking revelations about the misunderstood thriller The Hunt is just how many right wing influencers, including the president, likely contributed to the movie’s sabotaged release, painting it as an example of “Liberal Hollywood” showing their contempt for Trump supporters by having them hunted for sport and calling it “[r]acist at the highest level”. The movie was also pulled in deference to mass shootings in Dayton and…
During New World, Normal Machine (David Cohen and Amanda Silvera) are able to blend together a dark, industrial sound – imagine KMFDM mixed with Orgy – with supersonic pop-themed vocals. Building off of the sound of Willa Ford and Kittie, Amanda’s vox are able to reach tremendous highs and rich lows. A distortion-laced guitar interacts with splashy drums to establish a grim and gritty backdrop. New World’s combination of voice…
In their new single, titled “Come As You Are,” Mad River deliver an unquestionably uplifting listen devoid of any over the top theatrics that separate true hits from fleeting trends. From the get-go, there isn’t a speck of pessimism to be sifted through in these lyrics – Mad River have a lot to get off their collective chest, but of all their emissions, negativity influences none of them. There’s a…
During Lemonade, Good Fella Uno is able to lay out some seriously soulful lyrics. These bars are given further highlighting through a laid-back production that deftly repeats a bit of guitar strum. Marrying the guitar line with booming bass beats, this backdrop provides the perfect counterpoint for GFU’s unmatched voice. The track has just a bit of world-weariness to showcase that the performer has lived all of the perils and…
The first few seconds of Kamilah Shani’s Certified have some of the most rapid-fire deliveries this side of Busta Rhymes or Twista. There’re other influences that bubble up to the surface on this single, as well; hints of Trina and Nicki Minaj can be discerned here. Shani is able to separate herself from the vast mass of rappers due to a crisp patois and tounge-twisting lines that will trip up…