Where Are We’s “Not My President” is a hard track to pin down. The haunting vocals laid down here by Indee are haunting, while the atmospheric sound of WAW’s instrumentation effortlessly move through indie-rock and ambient music. Hints of Interpol, Muse, and even the spiriti of Subdivisions-era Rush can be picked up here. The track is surprisingly deep, meaning that fans will have to play Not My President multiple times…
Rocky Athas’s “Dictator” is a track that ties together hard rock, honky tonk, and even hints of country rock. Building off of the tradition of performers like Stevie Ray Vaughan, Rocky Athas is able to create a crisp arrangement that is authentic and tremendously affecting. The guitar work is fantastic, while the drums and bass are vital in providing an unparalleled depth to each section of this single. With considerable replay…
Xavier Toscano’s “Never Wanna Leave” is a track that deftly blends together pop, rock, and EDM in a fashion that his latest single could easily garner airplay on a wide variety of stations. Of particular note during this cut has to be the strong, emphatic beat that is interlaced throughout. A more delicate piano line allows for the track’s tempo to ebb and flow; the production of Never Wanna Leave…
On their new single “Goodbye Again”, Philadelphia’s The Soft Spots create a fuzzy sort of indie rock that links together The Smiths, The Cure, and adds their own unique take through the presence of a synth and guitar-heavy backdrop. The heavenly vocals provide the perfect counterpoint to the insistent drum beat and sizzling guitar work that comprise the backdrop for the song. Distinct movements within Goodbye Again keep listener interest…
Olive’s “Senseless” is a wonderful chiaroscuro of the light, higher octaves achieved by Olive’s vocals and the darker, more resonating sound presented by the drums, bass, guitars, and the rest of the song’s instrumentation. Together they make for a timeless track, one that is able to feel current and contemporary while taking a goodly amount from 1960s pop and rock performers. Listeners will love the dynamic of the vocals and…
J U S T P R O C E S S’ “I Already Know” (which features Joannie Jimenez) is a chill effort that continues to show more of itself each and every time a listeners plays it. The dichotomy between electronic and human pushes each to an entirely higher plateau, while the resulting track takes on hints of trip-hop, R&B, and electronic genres. With a bit of jungle and trap…
Sophie Simmons’s “Black Mirror” is bar-none the best introduction we’ve had to a modern performer. There is such an honest and heartfelt sound that is cultivated during this single. Hints of pop, EDM, and indie are weaved to make something absolutely beautiful. Simmons’s vocals do more than just tell a story; each line sung during Black Mirror adds considerably to the overall instrumentation of the effort. Moving between the stanzas…
Sleep Machine’s new single “Mother” announces that this talented Los Angeles based duo of Alisha Zalkin and Dan Kalisher is ready to up their game to another level with one of the best invocations of bluesy heart-bearing soul rock you’ll hear in recent memory. There’s a supreme artistic confidence making this song move forward that’s born from having something individual to say while still commanding enough skill and understanding of…
The do it all aspect of King Errisson’s talents has played an enormous role in bringing him together with some of the most formidable figures in musical history. He’s contributed songs to projects from artists as diverse as Neil Diamond and The Temptations while performing with Diamond since 1976, enjoying a successful run as a spotlit performer with The Incredible Bongo Band, and work with other titans such as Diana…
Obscene, the second EP release from New Jersey’s The Gray Vines, features five blistering tunes with clarity of focus and assurance you don’t often hear in a young unit. Fronted by lead guitarist and singer Jake Hoffman, he’s joined by a powerhouse rhythm section of bassist Casey O’Connell and drummer Jordan Bowen, but they aren’t afraid to bring alternative sounds into their typically rock oriented mix. There are suggestions of…
Tom Eure’s sixth solo album The Coin, the Prayer & the Crow is a thirteen song outing that finds this North Carolina headquartered singer/songwriter and master musician working at the peak of his composing and performing powers. It’s a mix of largely vocal numbers peppered with a handful of instrumentals that gives the release a distinct character from the bevy of yearly slate of albums in this style. It bears…
Enrico Fernando’s Red Black Red project debuts with Resettlement, an eight track first effort that makes clear this New Jersey based songwriter and multi-instrumentalist demands serious and widespread attention. The songwriting is inspired in large measure by issues close to Fernando’s heart and his labors on making the release reality reflect his intimacy with the subject matter. You hear that intimacy in even the most brash, abrasive moments on Resettlement.…
“Knowledge” is an early contender for best rock single of 2018 and continues the rapid ascent of the Los Angeles’ Dynamos. The five member unit is fronted by one of the best singers, regardless of gender, to emerge from rock music in quite some. Nadia E., however, fronts an equally capable musical outfit as this single clearly illustrates. The two guitar monster of Jacob Mayeda and Carlos Barrera provide plenty…
White Lies is a very traditional track that needs little more than strings and a set of vocals. The track is able to take up folk, Irish, and the a “mature” sound to the vocals in a very cohesive format. White Lies showcases Michael’s ability to include disparate elements into a cohesive entity. The instrumental / vocal dichotomy pushes each into an entirely higher plateau. As a result, the track…
Angela Aikins’s “Love is the Answer” is a powerful debut single that will immediately tattoo its melodies deep into the minds and hearts of listeners. The beat hits fans deep in the cockles of their hearts, while Aikins’ tremendous range will capture fans’ attentions. The backing beat is surprisingly deep and detailed here; after a few spin (or three), one would best be served by hearing every twist and turn that…
Safaree’s “NFL” is a hard-hitting track in the vein of mid-oughts NYC rappers. Hints of Cam’ron and Jim Jones can be picked up here, but Safaree’s flow during NFL is all his own. The backing beat is straight-forward and to the point; a bit of strings and a set of percussive noises are coupled with booming bass to make this a track that will bury its bars deep into the…
Sarah Ragsdale’s “Paranoia” begins with little more than Sarah’s vocals, a piano, and drums. With these elements, Ragsdale is able to draw upon the rich musical traditions of 1960s pop and refresh it in such a way that today’s listeners will hang onto each word. The deliberate sound of Paranoia ensures that more is done with less; this track is wonderfully effecting in the same sort of way as a…
Kevin Tiah’s “Who We Want To Be” calls back to the late 1990s / early 2000s with this hard rock-infused track. On Who We Want To Be, Tiah is able to blend together supersonic vocals, splashy drums, and intense vocals in a fashion that draws upon POD, Linkin Park, and Skillet. The boroding style of this single hammers listeners over their head, while an immaculate production allows each note to…
Deen Anthony’s “Over You” is a powerful EDM track that will get listeners out on the dance floor. The subject matter is something that all can understand – the impact that certain people can have on your life while the insistent tempo and vocal contributions of Dylan Russell add a tremendously touching and personal side to the single. The harmonies of Russell do well with the sweeping synths of Deen…
Dwight & Nicole’s “Hi-Lo” is an eclectic song that draws upon the guitar work of Stevie Ray Vaughn, blues rock, and the 1990s modern troubadour style of performers like Chris Isaak. The honky tonk approach of the guitars and drums set Hi-Lo from the rest of current country and rock tracks. Listeners will be introduced to something new and exciting with this effort, which is made all the strong through an…