“Make It Be” is a Lo-Fi/Power Pop dream team mash up. The album pairs lo-fi legend R. Stevie Moore, who has played on hundreds of albums going back to 1969, with Jason Falkner, who aside from his solo work is best known for the brilliant and short-lived early ‘90s Power Pop band Jellyfish. John B. Moorewww.neufutur.com
There is something heartening about a kid raised in the ‘90s who doesn’t immediately track to the obvious pop punk or neo-emo clichés in making music. Ron Gallo’s New West Records debut (and second solo album), draws in from a deep well of garage rockers, psychedelic pop and classic punk and just about everything in between. The fuzz-laden guitar riffs on the first few songs sound like them came out…
Soles Of Passion’s “Turned It All Around” is a musically intense track that is interspersed with Trump sound bites. The track is able to tie together psychedelic, alternative, and progressive rock. We are big fans of the dichotomy established between the softer, dreamier vocals and the punctual, on point drums, bass, and guitars that create the backdrop for the act. SargeantJohn Sargeant, writing on NeuFutur as Sargeant, is the founder…
Cara-Mel’s current mixtape, Racial Profile, begins with Music Diary. This track is hard-hitting, with a particularly evil sounding backing beat setting the stage for the rest of the release. Cara-Mel is able to tie together influences including Lil Kim, T.I., and MC Lyte. The repetition used for the chorus ensures that listeners will be sitting on the edges of their seats. SargeantJohn Sargeant, writing on NeuFutur as Sargeant, is the founder…
AV Super Sunshine’s Spider Wedding is a progressive rock track in the vein of Jethro Tull or Pendragon. The band intelligently uses silence to provide considerable highlighting to the contemplative arrangements and rich vocals interspersed here. I see Spider Wedding as a track in the mold of a massive high fantasy tome. The guitar that rises and falls during this single adds an additional level of depth to an already-heady…
Los Angeles based Folk singer Les Bohem recently released his latest recording, Moved To Duarte, it’s quite immersive with 21 tracks. Each track provides a look into Les’ soul as he sings, this album is a lyrical confessional. My personal favorite from the recording is “When We Used To Get High”. Les’ voice is melodic and persistent; the lyrics are full of meaning and soul. When Les sings it’s reminiscent…
Tasha Michelle’s Letter of Appreciation is a powerful single in the R&B and gospel traditions. This unique single effortlessly adopts bits and bobs of myriad styles. We were impressed with the vocal range of Tasha Michelle; the twin sides of vocals and instrumentation can be enjoyed separately or together. There is just so much that is bubbling under the surface of Letter of Appreciation, ensuring that listeners will have to delve…
EMELINE’s “Angel” is a pop track that pulls bits of Fiona Apple, Taylor Swift, and Megan Trainor. Breaking free from the numerous female performers out now, EMELINE is able to both tell a cogent narrative as well as further the over harmony of the instrumentation. Nods to rock and R&B are interspersed through Angel, making for a musically distinct effort that stands out boldly from the pack. The production on…
Owen’s “Settled Down” showcases a band that has built a distinct sound over the years. The single is emotionally intense with a layered approach. The fuzz of the guitars, complex drum lines, and passionate vocals make for a track that stands up to repeat play. The ability of Owen to go forth and change the tempo of Settled Down is impressive; the rising action that the band places here is…
My Demons Galore create a hooky track in “Empty Bottles” that stands up to a number of spins. The rapid shifts of My Demons Galore during the single is reminiscent of acts like My Chemical Romance and AFI. The simultaneous attack of the instrumentation and the emotive vocals are enough to keep the momentum high from the first note until the concluding seconds of Empty Bottles. SargeantJohn Sargeant, writing on…
Emily Zuzik is able to link together performers as diverse as Sheryl Crow and Stevie Nicks with her latest track “Alone”. There are so many things for listeners to delve into when they play Alone; the story that is told here is incredibly deep and detailed. The tautness of the instrumentation during Alone will have fans digging deep to hear the different interplay between instruments, while the insistent beat makes it…
SPiN’s “Dig Your Own Grave” a gritty and dirty sounding rock track that takes up both the sound of 1970s Detroit and of oughts British rock (including Jet here) to make for something unique. The bold strokes that SPiN creates here, the supersonic vocals that are present on the track, and the stadium rock-infused drums makes this into one of the few legitimate rock singles we have heard this year.…
Jeff Rosenstock’s “Pash Rash” is a high-energy alternative / punk sound that has the warmth and emotion of The Descendants and The Appleseed Cast. Hints of The Red Hot Valentines can be heard in the emotive sound and warmth of the guitars, which threaten to take over the track. When the music drops out and Jeff’s vocals are given highlighting, listeners will be locked in for the last bit of fury. Pash…
John Paciga’s “Tickling the Ivories” blends equal parts Billy Joel, Ben Folds, and The Rocket Summer into a bouncy, poppy track. The infectious melodies that Paciga crafts here will tattoo themselves onto the hearts of fans. A bit of guitar provide a grittier counter-point to the angelic sound of Paciga’s vox. The punchy drums add the final piece to the puzzle; Tickling the Ivories is a fun track. Paciga is…
Ricky Lee’s “Looking For America” is a country track that builds off of the style of early nineties performers like Brooks and Dunn, Alan Jackson, and Travis Tritt. Soulful singing, intense instrumentation, and a story that will keep fans on the edges of their seats. SargeantJohn Sargeant, writing on NeuFutur as Sargeant, is the founder and editor-in-chief of NeuFutur Magazine, where he has covered independent music, PC hardware, consumer tech,…
The Roy Orbison special “Black & White Night” was a must-see by rock fans of all ilk when it first aired on Cinemax in 1988. The star-crammed supergroup special has long since been hijacked by PBS stations across the country looking for an attention-grabber during pledge season, but the appeal is just as strong as when it first aired 30-years ago, (the special was recorded live in LA in 1987,…
Con’s Free Dreams is the rare example of a rap track that is able to have a down and dirty street rap sound while having a much more enlightened subject matter. The flows of Con and his feature Mvstermind are more than capable to keep listeners firmly on the edges of their seats. SargeantJohn Sargeant, writing on NeuFutur as Sargeant, is the founder and editor-in-chief of NeuFutur Magazine, where he…
Papa Pretty’s Let It Go showcases a unique flow from the rapper with a smart trap sound to the arrangement that keeps the energy high throughout the cut. Hints of distorted, J.Money meets T-Pain vocals do well to add further depth to Let It Go. Papa Pretty’s vocals cut through the track and give this single a wholly distinct sound from other efforts on the chart. Fans of Future, Two…
Connor Byers’ Like Oh is a catchy rap track that comes forth with a radio-friendly sound in the style of a Sean Kingston or a Jason Derulo. The back and forth between Byers’ vocals and the robust backing beat makes for a track that is catchy while having enough in the way of substance to withstand a number of spins. SargeantJohn Sargeant, writing on NeuFutur as Sargeant, is the founder…
Public Access T.V.’s “Evil Disco” is a track that looks back to the days of the Talking Heads and The Cars. Secondary vocals play in the background, while the guitar / drum dynamic that is placed through Evil Disco will tattoo a melody deep into the minds and hearts of listeners. SargeantJohn Sargeant, writing on NeuFutur as Sargeant, is the founder and editor-in-chief of NeuFutur Magazine, where he has covered…