Even is a stellar pop / R&B track that works well in whatever context one incorporates it. There are bits and pieces of a Jason Derulo, Sean Kingston, and even Chris Brown that can be heard here. The instrumentation that comprises the backing beat on Even has the cold crispness of 1980s synthpop as well as the dynamism of modern EDM. Even is an effort that needs space to breathe…
(I’m Spending) Hanukkah In Santa Monica is an effort that has all of the spirit of 20th century brass bands and Americana singles. Deborah Silver and The Count Basie Orchestra are immaculate in their output here. While the vocals have their time in the sun, it is the constituent elements of the band that provide bright spots to the composition. (I’m Spending) Hanukkah In Santa Monica is an effort that…
Aquila’s cover of the Van Halen classic Eruption is a complete reinvention of the original. There a bit more in the way of gravitas, a bit more echo, and there’s something that feels heavy and intense at all points here. Each note is spot-on, but there’s just so much of Aquila’s own skill bleeding through that the track feels almost as if it is her own. There’s a vitality that…
Man, there’s nothing more engrossing than the flow that GoodGuyDavid1 drops on his latest track, Baby. With a dreamy-meets-drill backing instrumentation, Baby is able to shine. The repetition of the single’s title further firms up the composition. The patter of GoodGuyDavid1 is a bit Outkast, a bit Chance the Rapper, and chock full of his own inimitable approach to things. The song is decisively deep, ensuring that listeners have to…
Freekstar’s “Bulletproof” is an electronic-infused pop-punk track that whips in hints of Bif Naked, Atom and His Package, and The Red Hot Valentines into the modern era. The assertive vocals of the main body of Bulletproof immediately sets listeners on a journey, while the bit of guitar fuzz that peeks throughi is reminiscent of earlyoughts emo like The Appleseed Cast. This is a serious bop, and the video (embedded below)…
On Letter 2 My Folks, Young Hitta is able to blend together hard-hitting lyrics with a glistening, ethereal sort of backing beat. Together, these elements are able to make a cohesive effort that stands alongside modern rappers’ content with the greatest of ease. We’ve not had the chance to check out Young Hitta previously, but the work he puts in to Letter 2 My Folks stands on the shoulders of…
Where I Got My Fire, the latest single from Jeremy Gravely, showcases tremendous musical ability from its onset. Carefully-crafted guitar work will invoke considerable emotion before Jeremy’s dulcet vocals enter into the equation. Keeping the memory alive of his grandfather, Gravely is able to allow listeners to walk a mile in his boots. The track gradually gains momentum, before settling into a modern pop-country style that feels destined for high…
Artax Games, 3D point & click adventure, A Rite From the Stars: Remaster Edition is available now on Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series, PS4 and PS5! A Rite From the Stars: Remaster Edition is an adventure puzzle game that follows the journey from childhood innocence into the adult world, when a young boy embarks on his tribe’s sacred rite of passage rituals. Step into the shoes of Kirm, a…
On their new single Lone Wolf, Social Gravy is able to blend the stoner-rock of acts like Kyuss and early Sugar Ray with a more radio-friendly rock (Franz Ferninand, Pulp). Assertive guitar lines are the perfect counterpoint for the charismatic lead vocals. The fuzz and distortion acts as a blanket to unite each part of the track, while a sizzling guitar solo is enough to keep listeners’ interest high as…
Amanda the Adventurer 2 is a deceptively unsettling horror game that masterfully blends nostalgic visuals with a creeping sense of dread. We had been hooked after we saw a number of gaming Youtube channel starts their playthrough of the first Amanda the Adventurer game. The first entry into the franchise was initially released on Steam in April 2023. The game has since expanded to various platforms, while the latest entry…
It’s been a while since I was excited for a wrestling title. I played a few back in the 2000s and 2010s, but I would be lying if I didn’t say I had butterflies in my stomach when I downloaded the first video game release by All ELite Wrestling, Fight Forever. The roster is chock-full of legends (Chris Jericho, CM Punk), up and coming stars (“Jungle Boy” Jack Perry, Wardlow),…
Sluggers recently provided us with a generous package of their cannabis products for review; we were excited to check out the wide variety of products that the company produces. One of the first things that stood out was the packaging for the company’s Juiced 5-packs. They come in a sleek, small metal tin, which is not only aesthetically pleasing but also highly functional. To access the contents, you have to…
Every once in a while, a game comes along that transcends its medium. It stops being just a pastime and instead becomes a testament to ingenuity, persistence, and the human spirit. Q-Less, the crossword solitaire game from 80-something-year-old inventor and TikTok savant Tom Sturdevant, is one such game. This isn’t Sturdevant’s first foray into the world of games—he’s been crafting brainy diversions for decades, including the wildly successful Blockbuster Movie…
Don’t Forget Me is a haunting, ethereal track from Me And My Nightmare. The song is able to tie in late-1990s goth to the overall dance/pop styling that dominant the track. Shifting between vocal-heavy to instrumental sections, Don’t Forget Me is the sort of track that is dynamic enough to remain fresh through multiple plays. The vocals set leisurely on top of the synth sequences and the drums, imbuing Don’t…
Strong synth lines are immediately presented to listeners on May Fall’s new single, Plan D. Hints of Nine Inch Nails (particularly Pretty Hate Machine) can be picked up here. The emphatic beat that punctuates this song gradually moves into a funkier, Chromeo meets Zapp Band sort of sound for Plan D’s chorus. By incorporating new wave, funk, and even emo into the brew, May Fall’s output here shines due to…
On Wrong, Hudson Thames starts things in a very sedate fashion. Gradually increasing the tempo, Thames is able to create something absolutely resonant to a wide array of fans. The level of charisma that is presented during Wrong is hard to quantify, but it puts him into the same strata as James Bay or George Ezra. Gradually incorporating drums and strings into the mix, Hudson Thames makes the second half…
On the remix to Greater Than Infinity, Makenzie Reilly’s vox absolutely soar above the track. When the vocals step back, the tremendous arrangements by Coffeeshop are given one’s full attention. The two elements play well together, with the bright EDM fare of Coffeeshop both calling back to the highwater 2010s mark of the genre while Reilly’s voice operates at a level that one could easily imagine be placed on playlists…
Club Mirage is the latest effort from ViennaCC, a shuffling blend of rock, new wave, and dance music that always defies genre conventions. At the top of the track, ViennaCC’s vocals punctuate things in an emphatic way. The vocals cede territory at points to allow different instruments time in the spot. The numerous layers that comprise Club Mirage at any point are a boon for fans, as they will have…
Yafania’s “Don’t You Want To Be With Me?” is a high-energy track that deftly stradles the line between pop and rock. There are hints of performers like Avril Lavigne, Natalie Cole, and Ashlee Simpson here. The thoughtful guitar work that plays at the bottom of “Don’t You Want To Be With Me?” ensures that Yafania has something to build off of. A quicker tempo during the single’s second half adds…
It’s Not Your Life is MattO’s latest single. This acoustic track needs little more to it than MattO’s vox and guitar. MattO’s inspirations are on his sleeve, with nods to Michael Stipe and Bob Dylan shining through the brightest. If you listen closely, a bit of John Denver and Jimmy Buffett can be discerned. It’s Not Your Life is so honest and touching, a single that showcases a chapter from…