Category: Music Reviews

Posted on: December 14, 2017 Posted by: Sargeant Comments: 0

Alex Stanilla – WEN

Alex Stanilla creates a unique sound during his latest release, the 4-track EP WEN. Lehehiah builds off of the synth-pop of the mid eighties, with hints of Depeche Mode and Yaz influences present. Taking hints from industrial and gothic genres, this first song is a tremendous introduction to the performer.

Posted on: December 13, 2017 Posted by: Sargeant Comments: 0

Elena Andujar – Flamenco in Time

Elena Andujar begins her new album Flamenco in Time with Fever. The track builds upon the dance of the 1980s and the R&B of the 1990s, establishing Andujar as an unique and exciting performer. The emphatic vocal / instrumental dynamic that leads listeners into the two-minute mark keeps the momentum high as more introspective and world music-styled approach. There are just so many things that are occurring at any one moment…

Posted on: December 13, 2017 Posted by: Sargeant Comments: 0

Garrett – “Never Too Late”

Never Too Late is a solid rock track from Canada’s Garrett. The track is able to link together the heavier styles of mid-1990s Ozzy Osbourne with the more introspective hair rock of acts like Enuff Z’nuff. The vocal harmonies, thoughtful guitar work, and splashy drums unite to make a catchy track.

Posted on: December 13, 2017 Posted by: Sargeant Comments: 0

King in the Belly – Magic Town

King in the Belly’s latest single Magic Town is a funky sort of 1970s-infused rock music that draws upon the blues rock of The Rolling Stones with the vocal charisma of Frank Zappa. Emphatic guitar lines and ropy bass lines unite to create a robust, lush backdrop for the lyrics.

Posted on: December 13, 2017 Posted by: Sargeant Comments: 0

Matt LeGrand – What Christmas Means To Me

Matt LeGrand’s soulful cover of the Stevie Wonder classic What Christmas Means To Me further showcases Matt’s ability as a performer. The robust piano and bass line that plays at the bottom of the track further increases the replay value of LeGrand’s latest, while the inclusion of additional voices at points during What Christmas Means To Me provides a robustness to the composition that ensures that it will stay fresh…

Posted on: December 13, 2017 Posted by: Sargeant Comments: 1

AWOLNATION – Passion

Passion is a supremely confident track, ensuring that AWOLNATION can come forth with a considerably different approach from their last few singles. There are hints of The Killers and the same frenetic energy crafted in the late-nineties by acts like The Offspring. The falsetto of the vocals make for a nice counterpoint to the crunchy, intense tempo achieved by the drums and guitars. Together, these elements combine to make for a…

Posted on: December 13, 2017 Posted by: Sargeant Comments: 0

DYK “The Procrastinator”

DYK creates a retro-sounding rock track with their latest single “The Procrastinator”. This single links together mid-eighties Genesis, Velvet Revolver, and Saliva into a funky, intense, and ultimately taut sound. The charismatic vocals will draw fans in while the slinkiness of the bass lines and additional synths provide a reason for fans to stay. The Procrastinator is surprisingly deep; listeners will continue to find new twists and turns each time…

Posted on: December 12, 2017 Posted by: Sargeant Comments: 0

Monique Barry – Open Road

Monique Barry’s Open Road is a powerfully-sang effort that blends together traditional vocal-heavy compositions with a hint of classical and more modern (e.g. U2, Mumford & Sons) style. This unique sound makes for an expansive and engrossing effort. Fans will need to play Open Road numerous times before hearing every twist and turn that Barry has included here. We were particularly impressed at the range that Monique reaches during this…

Posted on: December 12, 2017 Posted by: Sargeant Comments: 1

Alexa Friedman “Meant To Be”

Alexa Friedman’s Meant to Be is a track that fills me with hope. Friedman puts her own indelible mark on the single with a voice that captures the low and high ends equally well.  The track takes a bold new direction at the three-minute mark; this shift differentiates itself from the rest of Meant To Be and ensures that when Alexa’s vocals kick back in, they are given a whole…

Posted on: December 12, 2017 Posted by: Sargeant Comments: 0

Myles Marcus “Crazy”

Myles Marcus’ “Crazy” is a touching track that builds up momentum nicely from its first note. The track is able to work equally well in the pop and EDM traditions. With a gradually increasing tempo, Crazy ensures that fans will be sitting on the edges of their seats. Marcus’ vocals are supersonic and are able to both impart a certain sort of emotional intensity while contributing well to the overall…

Posted on: December 12, 2017 Posted by: Sargeant Comments: 0

Five Drexler “Smokers Section (Where It At)”

Five Drexler’s “Smokers Section (Where It At)” is a catchy rap track. The rapid-fire delivery of Five Drexler’s flow is highlighted by a backing beat that draws upon the mid-2000s NYC scene, Hypnotize Minds, and trap producers. 

Posted on: December 12, 2017 Posted by: Sargeant Comments: 0

Shane Palko “Staring Out The Window”

Shane Palko’s Staring Out The Window is a telling piece of indie rock. Emotive guitar work, wide-reaching strings and a dreamy set of vocals join together to immediately draw in listeners. The narrative presented to fans during Staring out The Window is engrossing, matching well the richness of the instrumentation. Pegged at the four-minute mark, Palko’s latest single feels much larger – there’s a depth to this cut that few…

Posted on: December 12, 2017 Posted by: Sargeant Comments: 0

Oro Ft. China Fox – Escape

Oro’s latest single Escape features China Fox; a powerful arrangement rises and swells to keep listeners on the edges of their seats, while fans will be impressed with the sheer vocal range that is achieved by Fox. Taken together, what one will hear in Escape is an effort that touches upon EDM, pop, and singer-songwriter styles. It is this eclectic sound that distinguishes Oro from the rest of the performers…

Posted on: December 12, 2017 Posted by: Sargeant Comments: 0

Dick Van Dyke & Jane Lynch “We’re Going Caroling”

Today, we were excited to hear a holiday single, “We’re Going Caroling” from two timeless comedians – Dick Van Dyke and Jane Lynch. The duo is able to craft a track that will work equally well no matter whether one loves the standards from the 1960s, 1980s, or today.

Posted on: December 12, 2017 Posted by: Sargeant Comments: 0

Laust Sonne – X-mas Morning

Laust Sonne’s ode to the holiday seasoning, X-mas Morning adds just enough in the way of festiveness to keep fans focused on in to the tremendous instrumentation and earnest sound crafted by the performers. We’re in love with the vocals – they are so smooth and proper – while the sweeping instrumentation is something that will stick with listeners long after the effort ceases to play. 

Posted on: December 12, 2017 Posted by: Sargeant Comments: 0

Beaux Cheveux “Free Love”

Beaux Cheveux’s “Free Love” is an interesting composition that effortlessly move through electronic, indie rock, and slinky nineties alternative music.  The track’s alluring vocals match well with a crunchy election section and a sizzling guitar line that is interlaced through the cut. Free Love is funky, engrossing, and will keep fans interested from the first note all the way until the final gasp from Beaux Cheveux. While Free Love exceeds…

Posted on: December 12, 2017 Posted by: Sargeant Comments: 1

Imaní Scott “Throwing Glitter”

Imaní Scott’s “Throwing Glitter” is a fun and funky R&B track that brings in hints of EDM music to make for a wholly different track that what is typically present on radio rotation.

Posted on: December 10, 2017 Posted by: Sargeant Comments: 0

Collins and Streiss – Free

Collins and Streiss’ Free is a powerful rock track that builds off of the AOR / rock sound of acts like Foreigner, Queen, and Journey. There are a number of distinct sections to Free that listeners will have to unfold on subsequent listens. With rising and falling actions, Collins and Streiss ensure that fans will be on the edges of their seats. A powerful narrative quality ties everything together with…

Posted on: December 10, 2017 Posted by: Sargeant Comments: 0

Peter Adole – My God You Good

Peter Adole’s My God You Good is a hopeful sort of track that is built off of a bouncy instrumentation that unites electronic and vocal elements. The track will find fans in anyone that likes Akon, Omi, Nico & Vinz, or T-Pain. The faith espoused in My God You Good will firm up the beliefs of anyone that may be a bit down.

Posted on: December 10, 2017 Posted by: Sargeant Comments: 1

Idealism – Virgo Alive

Idealism’s Virgo Alive is a funky, jazzy track that builds off of the work of the early nineties for inspiration. The sultry sound of the track is perfect for slow dancing, while the percussion and synths are able to highlight the dual vocals that go back and forth.