Category: Music Reviews

Posted on: October 25, 2017 Posted by: James Comments: 0

Alvvays “Dreams Tonite”

Alvvays’ “Dreams Tonite” is a dreamy, trippy sort of track that blends together the synthpop of The Waitresses with the female-led pop of the 1970s. A bit of the synthwave sound blends in with an earler, almost psychedelic sort of sound. Alvvays come out with a wholly unique sound during their Dreams Tonight; the vocals and instrumentation take turns switching back and forth between narrative and harmony duties. I feel that…

Posted on: October 25, 2017 Posted by: James Comments: 0

Mba Shakoor “Our DJ Love and Remembrance”

Mba Shakoor’s “Our DJ Love and Remembrance” is a heartfelt song in the vein of classics like Master P’s I Miss My Homies or Wiz Khalifa’s See You Again. Mba Shakoor’s vocal style has hints of I-20, Mystikal, and the aforementioned Master P. There is a bit of grit that works well alongside the smoothed-out and chorus infused backdrop for the single. For anyone that has ever lost someone, Love…

Posted on: October 25, 2017 Posted by: James Comments: 0

DuShane Band “Alabama Rain”

DuShane Band’s “Alabama Rain” is a track that speaks well to the 1990s and 2000s style of country while having all the larger than life sounds of the current wave of country artists. The huge sound of the vocals during Alabama Rain will cause heads to turn; the DuShane Band here is able to call back to an earlier musical tradition that is headed up by performers like John Mellencamp.…

Posted on: October 25, 2017 Posted by: James Comments: 0

The Gore Boyz “Kisses For The Road”

The Gore Boyz’ “Kisses For The Road” will immediately draw listeners in with a bouncy backing beat. The three-part vocals that issue forth are a refreshed version of boy bands like The Jackson 5. Heavenly vocals, a bit of swagger, and a downright rosy sound to the composition make it easy for the Kisses For The Road single to bounce around listeners’ minds for months afterwards. Each part of The…

Posted on: October 25, 2017 Posted by: James Comments: 0

Harp Samuels “Fire” and “Secrets”

Harp Samuels’ “Fire” is a beautiful song. Dreamy vocals and a folk-infused style create a very close and cozy sound for listeners. The presence of clapping further brings fans into a mind set that Samuels is performing in a coffee shop or other intimate place. As the track gradually increases in volume and tempo, fans will become converts to the Samuels cause. Secrets is a much slower track than Fire,…

Posted on: October 25, 2017 Posted by: James Comments: 0

Ben Lorentzen “Lay Down In The Dark”

Ben Lorentzen’s “Lay Down In The Dark” is an expansive indie track that builds off of the work of The Tea Party and Muse. The thoughtful instrumentation is reminiscent of performers like Pulp and The Verve Pipe. The tight production present at the three-minute mark makes this effort feel as if it would be a James Bond theme. There is an epic sound to Lay Down In The Dark that…

Posted on: October 25, 2017 Posted by: James Comments: 1

The NaveBlues “Sitting On Top Of The World”

The NaveBlues’ “Sitting On Top Of The World” is a powerful, impassioned take on the Doc Watson classic. Little more is needed during this performance than a set of vocals and a piano. Together, these two elements combine to make something tremendously effecting. When the harmonica enters into the fray, everything is ratcheted up to ten. The ferocity and emotional content of the track is impressive – all parts here…

Posted on: October 25, 2017 Posted by: James Comments: 0

Alex Cuba “Piedad de Mi”

Alex Cuba’s “Piedad de Mi” is a touching mid-tempo track that showcases Alex’s narrative ability as well as his ability to add considerably to the overall harmonies of the track. This vocal-heavy track stands out as wholly unique from the rest of the pop fare being played on the radio. The timeless sound of Alex Cuba on Piedad de Mi ensures that fans of a wide swath of sunny, poppy…

Posted on: October 25, 2017 Posted by: James Comments: 0

The Dice “Streetlights”

The Dice’s “Streetlights” is a power-punk track that calls forth comparisons to MxPx, Mest, and Good Charlotte. Hard-hitting drums, a chorus that will have listeners singing along, and a punchy set of guitars make Streetlights tremendously catchy. The vocals are able to bring on hints of Matchbox 20 and Fuel into the mix; The Dice are able to make something new and fresh while drawing to a good degree on…

Posted on: October 25, 2017 Posted by: James Comments: 0

Brian Mackey “Underwater”

Brian Mackey’s “Underwater” is a tremendously honest and effecting track that needs little more than Brian’s vocals and hints of piano and a guitar. Taken together, these elements make for an effort that can be appreciated by anyone that has held out unrequited love. The gradual increase in the single’s tempo allows for a more full sound to take over; the rising and falling action of this single is nothing…

Posted on: October 24, 2017 Posted by: John B. Moore Comments: 0

Willie Nelson and the Boys – Willie’s Stash Vol. 2

It’s been about six months since Willie Nelson last put out a record (a near eternity in Nelson time), so of course he’s got another one ready to release. Keeping in theme the first offering of “Willie’s Secret Stash” (a collection of duets with his older sister Bobbie), “Vol. 2” finds Nelson teaming up with his sons Micah and Lukas, both solid singers in their own right.

Posted on: October 24, 2017 Posted by: John B. Moore Comments: 0

Chris Barron – Angels & One-Armed Jugglers (CD)

It takes less than a minute into Chris Barron’s latest album before you recognize where you’ve heard that voice before. Twenty-five years ago, The Spin Doctors were inescapable. You couldn’t turn on the radio, the TV or even go to the movies without hearing “Two Princes,” “Little Miss Can’t Be Wrong” or “Jimmy Olson’s Blues.” The jam band-lite songs connected with fans instantly and just as easily elicited vitriol from…

Posted on: October 24, 2017 Posted by: James Comments: 0

Sonic Radiation – Dyon

What Sonic Radiation does on his latest track Dyon is immediately get listeners out on the dance floor. The track is able to tell a pretty deep and detailed story without needing anything in the way of vocals. While there are a number of distinct things that are occurring at each and every second of the track, Sonic Radiation is able to corral every disparate sound into a complex and ultimately…

Posted on: October 24, 2017 Posted by: James Comments: 0

Liquid Lunch – Sketches 2 Seed

On Sketches 2 Seed, Liquid Lunch create a unique sort of style. The laid back lounge approach of the CD’s first track All She Wants showcases the vocal power of Michele, while the instrumentation is fairly Spartan and adds to the overall composition in all of the right places. Can’t Live There has a timeless sort of sound. Liquid Lunch bring a number of distinct elements to the fore with this effort.…

Posted on: October 24, 2017 Posted by: James Comments: 0

Left Arm Tan – El Camino

Left Arm Tan’s El Camino ties together a wide array of styles even from its introductory moments. There are hints of desert rock and alternative that will immediately hit listeners. A strong vocal side is matched with talented instrumentation to allow Left Arm Tan ample opportunity to create their own brand of country music. The multiple part harmonies and emotive guitar lines make this effort something that could easily be…

Posted on: October 23, 2017 Posted by: John B. Moore Comments: 0

NRBQ – Happy Talk (CD)

50 years together and NRBQ are still not showing any signs of wear. This latest 5 song EP, a mix of covers and new originals, comes not long of Omnivore put out the band’s career-spanning five-CD box set.

Posted on: October 23, 2017 Posted by: James Comments: 0

Tritonal – Good Thing ft. Laurell

Tritonal’s Good Thing is a nice laid-back sort of track. Laurell’s vocals establish a hopeful sound that has just a hint of weariness to it. It is this reality that adds a further level of complexity to the track; while Laurell is confident that she will be a good thing, there is always a sense at the periphery that she (or her significant other) will not ultimately match up. Tritonal’s…

Posted on: October 23, 2017 Posted by: James Comments: 0

Airy Jeanine – Everywhere (Animated Video)

Here at NeuFutur, we typically focus on the musical side of things. I feel that this may be a bit shortsighted when there is an interesting video that is crafted alongside a stand-out song, and that is precisely what we see with Airy Jeanine’s animated video for Everywhere. The video showcases an approximation of Airy performing on a stage with a number of distinct movements and sweeping crowd shorts. The…

Posted on: October 23, 2017 Posted by: James Comments: 0

Barry Rock “Closer”

Barry Rock’s “Closer” is an effort that calls back to the pop and rock style of the late 1970s and early 1980s. Hints of Billy Joel and Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes can be heard during this track. Bits of guitars blend with a sizzling bit of horns. The back and forth feels like a couple talking. The heavenly vocals of Rock during Closer are sedate and tell a tremendous…

Posted on: October 23, 2017 Posted by: James Comments: 0

CHARACULA “Mummy Dance”

CHARACULA’s “Mummy Dance” is a metal / goth element that is built on smart guitars, on-point drums, and a supersonic set of vocals that stand boldly above the fray. With a bit of gristle and growl, Mummy Dance is a track that will interest a wide array of listeners. Heavenly vocals represent the middle point for Mummy Dance, establishing that the second part of the single will be considerably different…