Cat Thompson’s inexorable rise into the heights of pop stardom makes another surge with the release of her latest single “Be Mine”. It’s a spectacular follow up to her previous single “All I Need” and positions the Australian born vocalist and songwriter for a 2018 run promising to bring her closer than ever towards achieving the global recognition and success she deserves and craves. Her multi-cultural frame of reference imbues…
If you like alternative rock that takes steep jumps to pop rock and slightly Americana edges, than the Doug McCurry & The Verticals II album will be a wonderful addition to your musical library. Of the 10 tracks on this gem, nearly all of them contain solid lyrical arrangements; pop friendly vocals and handy guitar work. Giving a definite nod to late 90s era rock, Charlotte, North Carolina’s McCurry elevates…
“Soul Man of the East” from Iranian group, BANAFSH is just a start to bridging the western world to the eastern world. Never mind the past, the preconceived biases and notions that the Middle East is in the Dark Ages. BANAFSH, a self-described “electronic world fusion ambient” band takes little time reminding listeners just how alike we really are.
Becky Buller and her band of many, return with Crêpe Paper Heart, the new CD produced and engineered by Stephen Mougin on the Dark Shadow Recording label. Originally from St. James, Minnesota, Buller is a very gifted award- winning bluegrass singer, songwriter, guitar and fiddle player with a writing history including names such as The Infamous Stringdusters. The CD was recorded along with an award-winning line-up of guests, including Grammy…
Ghosts of lost lovers and dreams dashed litter a broken trail from motel, to roadhouse, to Rocky Mountains and beyond. This is what the cold night holds in store for us that on Lord Nelson’s first studio album Through the Night. American and British fans alike will find solace in the blistering blend of rhythmic blues rock to behold here. Their reputation on the road these last few years has…
On first listen, you’d be hard pressed to give a specific year that Oberon Rose put together “Tell Me About It.” The band’s specifically unique brand of psychedelic-tinged pop music brings to mind everyone from Big Star and Badfinger to Wings and The Posies, a decidedly timeless sound. Elsewhere on the record, on tracks like “No Stranger,” they play garage rock in the vein of The Flammin’ Groovies or The…
Tigo B’s “Where You Come From” is a vocal-heavy blend of R&B and rap styles, with nods to Tyga and Drake present. The addition of DJ Luke Nasty as a feature to this single adds further variety to the song. A bright production ensures that the synths and percussive elements highlight Tigo B’s vocals throughout the single. We’re excited with the tongue-twisting lyrical flow that can be picked up during…
Mouse On Tha Track & Level’s “I Bet You Won’t” is an infectious rap track that links together Soulja Boi, Boosie, and Three 6 Mafia in a fashion that will get listeners out on the dance floor. With nods to the late nineties New Orleans rap and bounce scenes sprinkled throughout, I Bet You Won’t is funky, fast-paced, and absolutely pops. The distinct rap flow weaves itself masterfully through I…
Elia’s “The Question” is a fascinating effort. The unique vocal styles pull double duty in that they are a cornerstone of the song’s harmony while providing the narrative for the song. The guitars and drums on The Question put this nominally into the rock genre but the effort is so much more than that. Rising and falling, with a momentum that picks up at all the right points, The Question…
Raquel Aurilia’s “Pretty Roses” is a somber and touching track that deftly blends together alternative, singer-songwriter, and country styles into a unique approach. Raquel’s vocals do more than lay out the narrative for the single, they add considerably to the overall harmony achieved by the guitars and drums. Listeners would do well to play Pretty Roses multiple times to focus on each part as there is ample depth to be…
No Alarms’ “Amateur Telephony” is a track that calls back to the vocals of Robert Smith (The Cure), the emotive guitar work of The Police, and the driving bass and progression of Fugazi or Mission to Burma. The blending together of new wave and 1st-wave emo make this track pop, as does the angularity of the instrumentation here. No Alarms put a strong foot forward and make a track in…
Alex Sparrow has just released a trio of songs this spring. On She’s Crazy But She’s Mine, Sparrow is able to call back to the halycon days of 1990s pop stars like Ricky Martin and N*Sync. There’s a hint of current pop styles (Maroon 5) here, but the bit of a smirk that permeates this track will gain Sparrow a number of fans alone. Got Me Good has a bit…
The BUNNIES’ “The Problem With Link Think” is a jangly rock track that ties together the late-era psychedelic rock with the angular sound of Franz Ferdinand and Bloc Party. The video for The Problem With Link Think is animated wonderfully, feeling like a melange of Adventure Time and Steven Universe. The masterful dynamic enacted between the inimitable vocals, storytelling drum lines and an epic set of guitars make this single…
Kate Faust’s “Trouble” is a powerful pop track that builds off the tradition of performers like Halsey and Taylor Swift. A dark, instrumentation creates a perfect backdrop for Kate’s vocals. When this instrumentation recedes (around the 2:30 mark), Faust’s vocal range is able to shine. The chiaroscuro utilized here makes for a track that absolutely shines among the mass of other pop tracks littering the landscape. Kate Faust makes an…
Dhruv Visvanath’s “Wild” gradually opens up like a flower. Dreamy vocals are brought into the mix next, with a style that draws upon the singer-songwriter style of the 1970s with the modern alternative stylings (e.g. Death Cab for Cutie) of the early oughts. With vocal harmonies kicking in nicely at the 2:15 mark, Wild is given a nice boost to its momentum that is further highlighted through the presence of stings…
Dr. Snizz’s “Stand Tall” is a haunting track that blends equal amounts of dance, R&B, and reggae music in a fashion that works equally well on EDM playlists as it would on traditional island charts. The wide breadth of styles that are presented on Stand Tall may seem daunting, but Dr. Snizz’s inimitable style makes sure that the resulting effort is polished and very compelling.
Acting Natural’s “Nicole” is a soft piece of alternative / indie rock. Vocals and bass dominate during this single, while the lyrics are tremendously engaging. The jangly sound of the guitars and the splashier drums are reminiscent of mid-1990s indie music, tinged with just a hint of 1960s British pop-rock. What differentiates Acting Natural from the rest of the pack has to be the complex time signatures and orchestral sections…
Liz Kennedy’s “Everyone Knows How It Goes” is a touching effort. The wizened vocals laid down by Liz are given a funky, jazzy, and folksy spin. The arrangements are surprisingly dense, requiring numerous plays before listeners will hear every dynamic imparted upon the recording. The vocal dynamic between Liz and Taj Mahal may be tour favorite part of this single; the ability for them to work together while telling two…
The Hills and the Rivers’ new single “The Fool” is an eclectic effort that deftly ties together indie, singer-songwriting, and folk music in an alluring fashion. Dual vocals provide ample depth to the composition, while the arrangements on The Fool feel as if they are drawing on a much earlier musical tradition. The dynamic between the strings and the vocals pushes each piece to a higher plateau. The track is…
“Zombie” is a touching tribute to the late Dolores O’Riordan (The Cranberries). What Bad Wolves do here is keep the tremendous emotional content of the original performance while adding a heavier sound and more intense instrumentation. The band is able to make the track their own, with the supersonic vocals laid down providing further depth to the martial-influence drumss and soaring guitar work. A bit of a growl provides a further…