From the striking tone beneath its title track to the more aggressive melody of the climax of “My Sweetheart,” the movement of the music is always playing an important part in telling us a story in the new EP from Phoenix-based Dorsten, To the River. It’s fairly common to try and pull different elements together within a mix to generate a vibe to match lyricism, but I would be lying if I…
Memory Lane is the third full-length release from Steve Wilson’s skilled bluegrass project Wilson Banjo Co. Wilson has built a reputation as one of the genre’s most formidable talents as a bandleader, producer, songwriter, and engineer for numerous recordings. He’s played alongside top-tier talents such as Deeper Shade of Blue, Dale Ann Bradley, Kim Robins, and Jesse Brock, among others. Wilson Banjo Co. enjoys two critically acclaimed prior releases titled Spirits in…
The sick guitar line that starts out My Baby is something to behold. The call-and-response that starts up a few seconds later is the perfect next step for Duprai Marcel. Adding bass and insistent drums to the mix further hammers home the inimitable melodies deep into a listener’s soul. Every performer executes their role perfectly, making for one of the most cohesive songs we’ve delved into this spring. There’s a…
Somebody is the latest track from Karen Atkins, coming forth in a poppy style that contains some smart instrumental arrangements. The track comes out as something decidedly different from the rest of the music currently choking up the radio charts, a welcome change from the average. The song has hints of pop, world music, EDM, and folk. No two moments of Somebody sound the same, a fact that keeps the…
The Infamous HER’s “Make You Mine” builds off of the framework of performers like The Breeders and The Cardigans. The charismatic vocals bring me back to Ray of Light-era Madonna, albeit done with a much more organic style than Madge. The single’s chorus will bury itself deep into the minds and hearts of listeners, while the slinky bass line that plays at the bottom end of the track keeps things funky.…
Rough Sex is the new single from Cheflodezzy, representing a strong step forward for the performer. From the single’s onset, fans will be hit with an intense backing beat, supreme confidence in the lyrical content, and a back-and-forth between the lead and Marcy Chin’s feature. This is a booming, engrossing effort that will get fans out on the dance floor. Reggae, drill and rap have never sounded as good as…
Hands On Me has one of the hookiest choruses that we’ve heard so far this year. On the track, Mike Teezy is able to infuse traditional gospel with smooth, silky vocals in the vein of a Trey Songz or Jason Derulo. The production of Hands on Me ensures that each beat contributes to a cohesive and coherent effort, all wrapping up a very faithful and honest subject material. The addition…
With a sturdy foundation from the beat, bd Gottfried’s “Live, Fight & Die” kicks into gear on the back of a memorable string melody that is as glowing as it is effervescent. The rhythm is relaxed, but there’s an underlying sense of urgency in the music pouring out of our speakers so seamlessly. In this colorful, guitar-powered release, texture and tonality are as important as lush lyricism and a sensational…
Mi Festa has rapid-fire flow with a bit of party-infused backing beat. What results in this track is something that will get people on the dance floor while having their attention drawn in entirely to what is being presented here. The trio of Nemesis, Niclasz, and Rapsodika provides further depth to the effort, keeping things just as fresh during Mi Fiesta’s final seconds as it was when the song began.…
Half of You, the latest track from Rob Eberle, builds upon the vocal tradition of performers like Rufus Wainwright and Leonard Cohen. The single gradually brings in percussive eleemnts and keys to further ramp up the emotional intensity. The ample highlighting given to both Rob’s vox and the accompanying instrumentation ensures that both elements are able to shine alone or as parts of a much greater whole. Half of You…
