Category: Music Reviews

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

Cassius Releases Ibifornia 6/24

Cassius have confirmed details of their first album in ten years, Ibifornia, which will be released on June 24th via Interscope / Polydor Records. Two new songs debuting today – “Go Up” (featuring Cat Power & Pharrell Williams) and “The Missing” (featuring Ryan Tedder & Jaw) – are available immediately when pre-ordering the album, alongside the full-length version of their recent surprise track, “Action” featuring Mike D; which premiered as Annie Mac‘s Hottest Record in the World on Radio 1. 

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Posted on: March 31, 2016 Posted by: Sargeant Comments: 0

Alicia Rae – Sweet Melody EP

Sweet Melody starts with a very happy and hopeful type of pop music. The interaction between the instrumental and vocal side of Alicia Rae’s new EP is delightful, with each part pushing the other into brilliance.

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Posted on: March 30, 2016 Posted by: Sargeant Comments: 0

New Mayans – Crimes

Universe is a deliberate track, showcasing the skills of the vocals, drums, and guitars of the band. While each of the elements works well on their own, they create a haunting set of melodies that will resound loudly with listeners long after this current EP spins to a close. Hints of new wave and 90s alternative can be discerned here, all while New Mayans forge boldly forth with their own…

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

Loren Smith – “Break Free (The Late Night Mix)”

Loren Smith has made a special track that touches upon R&B and the beat poet style to make for something tremendously special. The inclusion of Jeremiah Blue laying down poetry alongside the tender keys of Smith establish this single as wholly different from efforts currently on radio rotation . The harmonies that Loren weaves into the first half of “Break Free” will imprint themselves deep into the minds and hearts of listeners, while…

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Posted on: March 22, 2016 Posted by: Sargeant Comments: 0

One of Us – Deadlines and Zombie Nights

Deadlines and Zombie Nights is a full-length release from Waterloo, Iowa’s One of Us. The album begins with I Need a Pen Name, a track that ultimately sets the stage for what will follow on the disc. One of Us kick things into a high gear with Deadlines and Zombie Nights, a track that takes up the standards of acts like Monster Magnet and Deliverance-era Corrosion of Conformity. Virtuosic guitars and stoner…

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Posted on: March 22, 2016 Posted by: Sargeant Comments: 0

Pockets – Ten Different Names

The style of rock that is created by Pockets ties together psychedelic, Iggy Pop meets Velvet Underground NYC rock, and Brit-pop in a cohesive package. A multi-layered approach to the band’s latest single Ten Different Names is enough to make listeners stand up and take note. Echoing guitars, bold vocals, and perfectly punctual drums make for something that stands up to repeat listens. The production laid down by John Tomaino…

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Posted on: March 22, 2016 Posted by: Sargeant Comments: 0

eM – In Your Eyes

In Your Eyes, eM’s latest single, is a true multimedia experience that expands beyond the recorded word. The single bridges the gap between pop, R&B and dance music to create something wholly unique. The rich blend of instrumental and vocal elements makes for a fulfilling track. This depth of scope ensures that fans will have to spin the single a number of times before hearing everything that eM has inserted…

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Posted on: March 22, 2016 Posted by: Sargeant Comments: 0

Dalicia La Fleur – Mad World

Mad World is the latest single from Atlanta’s Dalicia La Fleur; the cut blends together funk, disco, R&B, and pop styles into an intense track that will have listeners getting on the dance floor. While La Fleur’s vocals are front and center for this single, other highlights on Mad World are the larger than life bass line and the interplay between the distinct elements on the song. An extended instrumental interlude acts…

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Posted on: March 22, 2016 Posted by: Sargeant Comments: 0

Erik Odsell – Searching For Lost Boys Island

Waiting For The Snowfall is a slow and emotionally intense track that builds into something beautiful. Erik’s vocals cover a tremendous amount of ground, highlighted at all the right points through a perfectly-produced arrangement.

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Posted on: March 21, 2016 Posted by: Sargeant Comments: 0

Robert Nix “Once in a Blue Moon”

Won’t Go With The Flow is the first track on Robert Nix’s latest release, Once in a Blue Moon. The track ties together the sounds of acts like The Cure, Psychedelic Furs and Depeche Mode. There is a complexity to the composition here that ensures that listeners will be able to pick out new twists and turns each time they play the single. The intricate instrumentation is a common thread that…

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Posted on: March 20, 2016 Posted by: Sargeant Comments: 0

Downton Abbey Season 6 Blu-Ray Set

The stories told in the previous series of Downton Abbey have kept viewers on each side of the pond eagerly anticipating what will happen in the final series of the show, season 6. The episodes here have been shown over the course of the last quarter of last year, keeping the same high level of quality that other episodes have tempered viewers to expect. This time around a number of…

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

KenWord – The Underground

The Underground is a track that immediately hits listeners with a complex lyrical flow, matched with a production that links together the mid-oughts New York sound with just enough J. Dilla and Dr. Dre to keep things interesting. KenWord’s style allows for hard-hitting bars all while an erudite word choice separates KenWord from the rest of the pack. The flute sample provides highlighting to the lyrics on The Underground; the…

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

Luis DH – Run Away (Hometown)

Barcelona’s Luis DH creates a retro-infused track in his latest, Run Away (Hometown) that inserts and infectious bass line into darkly emotive vocals. Hints of New Wave and the Minneapolis scene of the early eighties can be picked up here. Luis DH is able to make this track incredibly catchy, with enough complexity to make the effort stand up to multiple spins. A bright and sunny instrumentation ensures that listeners…

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

Airi Mori – City of Dreams

City of Dreams is an atmospheric track that has enough in the way of intensity to immediately catch the minds and hearts of listeners. The sheer depth of the composition is such that listeners will spin the effort a number of times before hearing every twist and turn that has been included here. A blend of Mariah Carey, Portishead, and Bjork makes this a wholly different single than anything else…

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Posted on: March 13, 2016 Posted by: Sargeant Comments: 0

Scott Smith Sum of Life CD Review

The Sum of Life showcases contemplative and deep guitar work, with Smith’s output influenced by folk, Americana, and singer-songwriter styles. The richness of this introductory composition is enough to invite listeners in, while songs like Blues Guitar Slinger change up the status quo by creating a Bayou-based bit of rock. A strong set of vocals provide the perfect counterpoint for the sizzling guitar work that is weaved through the track.

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Posted on: March 13, 2016 Posted by: Sargeant Comments: 0

Jon Pattie – Pieces

Jon Pattie is able to create something special when it comes to his “Pieces” single, taken from the The Home Inside My Head EP. This effort showcases a twinkling instrumentation and a richly emotive set of vocals. Taken together, these elements create a dreamy pop track that builds into a fuzzier sort of indie rock. The rising actions and otherworldly sound of the penultimate seconds of Pieces provide great gravitas…

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Posted on: March 11, 2016 Posted by: Sargeant Comments: 0

Raman Diamond – Brand It On Me Single Review

Brand It On Me is a R&B infused effort that has Diamond tattoo his vocal melodies deep into the minds and hearts of listeners. Hints of Ne*yo and Akon can be heard here, but the backing instrumentation is the most surprising effort here. 80s synths, smart sequencing, and a bit of an edge makes this into an effort that would do well in dance clubs and raunchy rap bars alike.

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Posted on: March 11, 2016 Posted by: Sargeant Comments: 0

Todd Apfel – Reflections EP Review

A Beach And You is a sunny testament to true love. The distinct elements of the tracks combine to create something utterly special; Apfel intersperses his vocals with intricately-sequenced keys. By ensconcing considerable depth in a poppy introduction, Apfel is able to go into further complexity in subsequent songs. Comin Home To You builds upon the same wistful remembrance of A Beach And You; the dual duty done by Apfel…

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Posted on: March 11, 2016 Posted by: Sargeant Comments: 0

Dead Air Republic With Extreme Prejudice CD Review

Ottawa’s Dead Air Republic creates a heavy, hard, and sludgy form of metal that will assault listeners from the beginning until the ending of their new release, With Extreme Prejudice Just Another Bullet is the first cut off of their latest, taking up the standards of Corrosion of Conformity, Arrested Sevenfold, and ratchets it up to ten. Taking turns in the spotlight, the constituent members of Dead Air Republic create…

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

Pontus – IV EP Review

New York’s Pontus starts off his latest release, the IV EP, in a very challenging way. He has front-loaded Ten, a ten-minute composition, requiring listeners to immediately strap in and experience his unique form of progressive metal. The song weaves intricate arrangements that will keep listeners on the edges of their seats; challenging popular conceptions about time signatures or complex arrays of instrumental interaction, IV’s beginning tells a tremendous story…

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