Category: Music Reviews

Posted on: May 3, 2016 Posted by: Sargeant Comments: 0

Charlie Funk “Give Me A Groove” EP Review

Give Me A Groove is an eclectic track that will immediately get up people on the dance store. Hints of funk, soul, and dance all vie for dominance. A sizzling guitar line ties the disparate elements together, establishing high momentum as listeners move into Sexy Cutie. Sexy Cutie builds on a timeless base (hints of Isaac Hayes and James Brown) while establishing a dense instrumentation replete with horns and ropy…

Posted on: May 2, 2016 Posted by: Sargeant Comments: 0

Ronjo V “Ronjoism”

Ronjo V’s Ronjoism starts with Un-Friend, an impassioned piece of indie-rock that sparkles with the careful dynamic established by the vocals, guitars, and piano. A bit of fuzz links together these disparate elements, giving the track a timeless feel that will appease fans of alternative from the 1990s, oughts, and current. The progression of the track imbues the effort with considerable catchiness, ensuring that listeners will eagerly devour the opening…

Posted on: May 2, 2016 Posted by: Sargeant Comments: 0

Jim Wellman “Dawn to Dusk” CD Review

Dawn to Dusk begins with Lucy, an effort that links together jazz and funk into a chill package; Judy La Rose’s vocals will immediately tattoo themselves deep into the psyche of listeners. Lewontin Campbell is an extraordinarily complex track that will require listeners multiple listens to fully understand. While there is a very easy-listening, lounge-meets-soul sound that plays at the top level of the composition, there are so many elements…

Posted on: May 1, 2016 Posted by: Sargeant Comments: 0

The Magic Lightnin’ Boys are “Stealin’ Thunder”

Bones immediately sets the stage for the rest of Stealin’ Thunder. This blues feels sunbaked and straight from the bayou. Soulful vocals, intelligent instrumentation, and a band that is working as a cohesive unit immediately will draw together fans of rock, country, and blues-rock. 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, and…

Posted on: April 29, 2016 Posted by: Sargeant Comments: 0

Ray Goren – “Save My Soul” EP

Stop refreshes The Tubes, Van Halen, and Thin Lizzy into a chunky, funky, second coming of blues-rock bands. By pulling in other approaches (listeners can hear hints of progressive rock and acts as wide-reaching as The Black Crowes, Jane’s Addiction, and Alice in Chains), Goren is able to ensure that listeners on firmly on the edges of their seats through the entirety of the Save My Soul EP. The titular…

Posted on: April 29, 2016 Posted by: Sargeant Comments: 0

Athena – Ready for the Sun Part 1 CD Review

You Bring Me Luck is a perfectly-polished bit of pop that has a timeless feel to it; Athena is able to showcase tremendous amounts of personality with a backing instrumentation that is that the top of their game. Everything to Me has hints of alternative rock interspersed through it, with Athena’s vocals pulling double duty in both weaving the narrative as well as contributing to the lush instrumentation of the…

Posted on: April 29, 2016 Posted by: Sargeant Comments: 0

Oziris Spore CD Review

Space is the opening effort on Oziris’ Spore and it will immediately draw listeners in through otherworldly percussion. This initial arrangement will tattoo itself melodies deep into listeners’ minds, while a clap track provides the counterpoint for the inimitable flow of Oziris. 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, and gaming culture…

Posted on: April 29, 2016 Posted by: John B. Moore Comments: 0

New Madrid – magnetkingmagnetqueen (CD)

They may be less than two years removed from their last record, Sunswimmer, but the Athens, GA band New Madrid have grown substantially confidant in that time. Their latest, magnetkingmagnetqueen, is a far more ambitious record, more experimental and it works – most of the time. The vocals may get a little lost in the swirl of guitars, (especially on a song like the sonically brutal “Shades”) but the fact…

Posted on: April 29, 2016 Posted by: Sargeant Comments: 1

Sometimes Julie – Bright Side of the Line

Bright Side of the Line is the latest release from San Diego’s Sometimes Julie; the album starts out with the polished and catchy introduction, Emily. The track does a tremendous job at inviting listeners in, while the disc’s second effort, the titular Bright Side of the Line, is an impressive effort. The impassioned vocals link up with sizzling guitar work and on-point drumming to make for something that will stick…

Posted on: April 28, 2016 Posted by: Sargeant Comments: 0

Heiress to Atlas – Bullet

Bullet, the latest effort from Heiress to Atlas includes bits of Icona Pop and La Roux. The rich vocals provide a theme for the track as well as unite with the percussion and synths to create something that will tattoo its melodies deep into the psyche of listeners. The slight separation between the time signatures of the instrumentation and the vocals keeps things interesting from the beginning to the end.…

Posted on: April 28, 2016 Posted by: Sargeant Comments: 0

Beckwith – Can’t Stop Loving You

Can’t Stop Loving You, the latest single by London’s Beckwith, is a touching composition that soars due to strong vocals and a production that does tremendous work utilizing instrumentation, vocals, and the space in-between them. Touches and improves upon the framework of artists like Ed Sheeran and John Mayer, with hints of an earlier alt-rock tradition (Counting Crows, Soul Asylum) that are peppered through the single. With Can’t Stop Loving…

Posted on: April 20, 2016 Posted by: John B. Moore Comments: 1

Linton + Stewart / The Aislers Set 7”

  Emotional Response has been churning out a slew of great 7”s lately, spotlighted some impressive, but oft overlooked indie pop and power pop bands. The three-song split from Linton + Stewart and The Aislers Set is more proof that their streak continues. John B. Moorewww.neufutur.com

Posted on: April 18, 2016 Posted by: Sargeant Comments: 0

Tiffin’s Alternate Ending

Alternate Ending is an act from Tiffin, Ohio that is actively working on the creation of their new album. We had a few minutes to talk with Matt (guitars), Jake (bass and vocals), Dustin (lead vocals), and Jayson (drums) and get a brief insight into a band that is ready to break it big. SargeantJohn Sargeant, writing on NeuFutur as Sargeant, is the founder and editor-in-chief of NeuFutur Magazine, where…

Posted on: April 15, 2016 Posted by: David Rangel Comments: 0

Aloha – Little Windows Cut Right Through

“Signal Drift,” the first song on Aloha’s new record (out 6 May 2016) is arguably the most futuristic-sounding song, this side of the year 2050. The sonically quirky instrumentation create an automated piece of efficient pop perfection one would expect to hear over loudspeakers in a Jetson’s-era shopping mall. If sounds had hues, this would be bright technicolor. While the record is a huge overall nod to prog rock, there…

Posted on: April 11, 2016 Posted by: John B. Moore Comments: 0

MODOC – Automatic And Voluntary

Thanks to a little help from current go-to producer Brendan Benson, Nashville’s MODOC (by way of Indiana) have put together their best album yet. Following up last year’s live record and 2013’s decent self-titled debut, both hinted at greater things and the payoff is definitely all over “Automatic And Voluntary.” John B. Moorewww.neufutur.com

Posted on: April 11, 2016 Posted by: John B. Moore Comments: 0

Rosu Lup – Is Anything Real

For the past few years, Philadelphia has been making a name for itself by churning out unpretentious punk rock, from Beach Slang and The Menzingers to Cayetana and Sheer Mag; it’s hard to escape distorted guitars in the City of Brotherly Love. Despite sharing a zip code with these bands, the four-piece Rosu Lup have opted for a very non-punk rock sound. John B. Moorewww.neufutur.com

Posted on: April 10, 2016 Posted by: Sargeant Comments: 0

Pontus Releases “Felix” Video

Pontus released his video for Felix at the end of March. Taking a different tack to the visual element, Pontus has decided to showcase the incredible depth and complexity of the constituent guitar work. Quick shots do well to keep an eye on the featured instrument during the composition, while close-up shots of the guitar riffs are essential to hammer home every lick that is laid down. Giving each side…

Posted on: April 10, 2016 Posted by: Sargeant Comments: 0

Fall (E​.​P​.​) by Zero-Eq

Erase comes forth with a sultry and dark sound that will tattoo its melodies deep into the minds and hearts of anyone that listens in. Hints of The Tea Party, Placebo, and Nine Each Nails can all be discerned with this introductory track. Never Let You In immediately hits listeners with catchy harmonies and vocals that will strike at a listener’s core. The distortion that weaves its way through the…

Posted on: April 9, 2016 Posted by: Sargeant Comments: 0

Sayama – Yoga Meditations: A Musical Journey

Light of Dawning is the first track on Sayama’s Yoga Meditations, and it creates a soundscape that immediately treads the border between timeless flute work and atmospheric recreations, a chiaroscuro of light and dark elements. Contemplating Prasada showcases Sayama’s steady hand. There are a number of different movements that are contained within this nine-minute composition but they all contribute to a cohesive and unified effort. SargeantJohn Sargeant, writing on NeuFutur…