Rod Melancon is able to create a smart sort of indie rock with his latest single “Perry” that builds off of a framework that utilizes hints of early Goo Goo Dolls, Tom Petty, Bruce Springsteen, and The Replacements. Strong guitar work and a dusty set of vocals make for something that works.
Joanna Wallfisch’s Moons of Jupiter is a tender track, linking together a playful piano line with a dreamy set of vocals. The single is given further depth through the contributions of the The Sacconi String Quartet. While Moons of Jupiter is an effort that draws heavily on classical compositions, what results with the single is something that could easily find its way onto pop stations. Unlike many other poppy efforts, there is…
Fake Life starts with a deep and dark beat that calls comparisons to gangster music, 50 Cent, and Rick Ross singles. The energy brought the cut by Majestic’s vocals is reminiscent of artists like Tech N9ne and Brotha Lynch Hung. A bit of screwed and chopped lyrics provide further variety to the track, while the intensity of Majestic’s vocals keep the replay value of the song high.
“Wish” by the Ultra Violent Rays is an effort that ties together oughts-alternative with bits of The Waitresses and Siouxsie and the Banshees. The electronic tinge that is present here creates a organic-electronic dichotomy, making for a track that will kick around listeners’ heads long after Wish ceases to play.
Purplehed’s Feel the Passion is a mid-tempo track that has a tremendous upswing as one gets into the chorus. The lighter elements are part of a chiaroscuro that is completed with an authoritative percussion line that is threaded through the cut.
Loose is a scintillating alt-rock track that shines by virtue of a taut instrumentation and a set of vocals that link together the styles of Gwen Stefani and Bjork. Smoke Season is able to have a number of distinct threads running through the entirety of the track, but is ultimately talented enough to make everything work together in perfect harmony.
AV Super Sunshine’s “Baby Goodbye” is a slinky, Compton-meets-trip hop track. The track has a powerful beat that will tattoo its melodies deep into the mind of listeners. The inclusion of the female vocals into the mix at points adds further depth to the composition.
It’s been 36 years since the release of “Kings of the Wild Frontier,” Adam Ant’s comeback album after Malcolm McLaren lured away his entire backing band for his latest project Bow Wow Wow, and the sound is still revolutionary. It was the album that introduced the drum-heavy Brundi Beat to pop music listeners in the US, Europe and beyond and would come to best define Ant’s sound for the next…
Stars at Night is a passionate pop-rock track that succeeds through Bennett’s emotive vocals and an instrumentation that provides highlighting at all the right points. The overall track is elegant in its design; drums, guitars, and Bennett’s vocals combine to tattoo a harmony deep into listeners’ minds. Nothing Without You continues to showcase the same raw emotion initially heard in Stars at Night. This single builds upon emotive rock, pop,…
Bucky Hayes and the Commonwealth begin their 100 Miles to Macon with I’ll Leave The Light On, a high-energy Southern-infused rock track. The arrangement shines due to vibrant vocals, sizzling guitar lines, and splashy drums that keep time impeccably. The slight grit of Hayes’ voice adds further complexity to an already deep introductory effort.
Crashland, Michael Todd’s latest album, is an eclectic album that succeeds upon Todd’s desire to craft something special. A different set of influences make their appearances known with each track, meaning that hints of Neil Diamond, John Mellencamp, James Taylor and Johnny Cash can all be discerned over the course of the release.
Unchained is the fourth album by Tara O’Brien. The release begins with Holiday Love, a tremendously dense and detailed composition that has O’Brien weave a narrative as alluring as that created by any vocal-heavy artist. The tender piano compositions that comprise the effort will immediately pique listeners’ interests, keeping them on the edges of their seats. On Cloud 9 is a track that stands up to repeat listening.
Leave It All Behind is the initial track from Miles East’s Ghosts of Hope. The track is tender, touching, and succeeds based on the dynamic that is created between the Spartan instrumentation and soft-spoken vocals. A yin to Leave It All Behind’s yang is The Hard Part. The track comes together to provide listeners with an alternative rock approach that touches upon The Wallflowers and Fuel.
Fly is an energetic rock track that shines through nods to the B-52s and powerful, angular rock like Franz Ferdinand and The Stranglers. The taut arrangements present during this single will tattoo themselves deeply into the minds of listeners.
Ramonda Hammer begin their latest album Whatever That Means with a stellar introduction to the band. The alternative rock presented here refreshes the sound of acts like Bif Naked and The Anniversary. Sizzling guitar works perfectly with supersonic vocals to ensure that listeners are on the edges of their seats as they move into If, Then. The slower and more contemplative tack taken by Ramonda Hammer here allows listeners to see…
Yes, that’s the band name and no, I have no idea about the meaning or origin of the quirky moniker. But 2/3 Goat does play an impressive mix of folk and Americana on Let it Rise (the New York-based band has dubbed their sound metrobilly).
Beth Macari’s Voodoo is a rich, funky track that is able to reach a high plateau with Beth’s vocals. The sultry, slightly smoky sound of Macari during this track is reminiscent of Sheryl Crow, Pink, and even an earlier sixties tradition (Shirley Bassey) of singing.
Purplehed’s Burn Like the Sun is a distinct pop track that touches upon a wide variety of styles to make something catchy as all get out. There are hints of U2, Maroon 5, OneRepublic along with enough of an electronic tinge to keep EDM fans happy.
3@Sea’s Venus (composed by Terry Manning) is a track is a little bit Bond, a little bit big band, and is sublimely catchy. The track is able to tell a detailed story over the course of its five-minute run time. The constituent elements of the track are able to shine alone or as a cohesive unit.
Armada Named Sound have just released a video for their latest single, NY. The blend of female vocals and immersive electronic instrumentation are unique and distinctive from pop or EDM-charting music. The song pulls from the halcyon days of the late eighties and early nineties, all while promoting a current and contemporary sort of sound.