Skeleton is the latest effort from California’s Jasmine Crowe, and the track does tremendously in blending together pop, indie, and EDM into a hard-hitting track. The harmonies of Crowe during Skeleton are fantastic, ensuring that listeners will be singing along after a few listens. Where many tracks merely use instrumentation as a backdrop for the vocals, there is a robustness to the arrangement here that pushes Crowe’s voice to the…
Mike Gale has opened the flood gates. ‘Slows to Go’ marks the third album in two years for Co-Pilgrim’s front man, not to mention two solo efforts he has already released this year. But far from a sloppy, thrown together effort, the latest from the UK Indie pop band is a surprisingly expansive set of dreamy pop that skirts the line between low-fi and clean, airy pop.
Leave it to a Canadian to come out with one of the year’s best alt country albums. On ‘Things That Can’t be Undone,’ Alberta native Corb Lund has managed to streamline his sound over the past two decades,
Now is a straightforward rock track that sizzles with passion and intensity. The band is able to create something that is confident and strong even as the act takes their own tack on psychedelic, Brit-pop and alternative music. Live Without Warning is a tender track that is provided further depth through the wide range of guitar sounds that issue forth. Whether it is a soft and sedate side or something…
Over the course of the last year, we have been fortunate to sit down with Dena and give her last album, Lullabies, a review.
Sasha Leonov has just finished up recording sessions in London, completing work on his latest single, “Seek Out Your Happiness”. An upbeat and energetic track. Seek Out Your Happiness provides listeners with a Leonov that is more mature and showcases considerably different influences than were present during his two most recent albums, Skies Change and Towards Mirages.
It’s not clear yet whether Aloke, a new group featuring Grouplove singer Christian Zucconi, is a one-off side project or a full-fledged band with a future beyond this debut. But, if Zucconi opts for the latter, Aloke could give Grouplove a run for its money.
The instrumental dynamic that is created at the beginning of the current New Mayans single Universe sets the stage for a haunting set of vocals.
Nashaat Salman begins his Universal Melodies, Vol. 1 with Summer Night Joy , a track that builds off of the classical (Spanish) guitar tradition. With overtures made to the grandiose dance music of the late seventies, Salman is able to create a light and airy composition with this initial effort that will immediately draw in listeners to this EP. The goodwill created by Summer Night Joy is continued with the…
Dreamer on the Run is the first track on Nemo James’ The Minstrel, and this emotive, intense track is built off of the singer-songwriter tradition. Hints of James Taylor and Neil Young can be heard here, while the guitar provides a further fleshing out of the narrative weaved by Nemo’s voice. The titular track on The Minstrel balances the instrumental and lyrical sides of the composition perfectly. While the effort…
The Mantles paradoxically take somewhat tired musical genres and give them their own spin to make them fresh again. Walking that line is something many bands try to do, without success. With blends of new wave, neo-folk and other classic musical tones, singer Michael Oliveras wears his influences not just on his sleeve, but boldly emblazoned across his shirt.
Jump Out of the World is the first introduction that listeners will have to London’s Noisemate, and the band is able to create something that bridges the gap between punk, rock, and alt-rock. The insistence of the vocals and spot-on guitars and drums make for a track that is ready for radio rotation. Each side of Noisemate – the lyrics, instrumentation, and production – makes for something that will bounce…
You Wanna Make Me Fly (I Know You Belong To A Dream) is a track that possesses a retrospective sound that seems perfectly ensconced in the 1980s. To keep things current and contemporary, there are hints present here of EDM; the uniting element here has to be Nick Festari’s inimitable vocals.
It’s Over (featuring Stiffler) is a track that skillfully blends trap, rap, and an R&B hook that showcases that Coraezy Hitz comes forth in a unique and eclectic fashion. Hints of Tech N9ne, Hopsin, and Tyler The Creator can be discerned here, but the sharp and pointed flow during this track is uniquely Coraezy Hitz’s own. With hints of Drake and Bun B playing at the periphery of the track,…
Water District create hopeful, sunny indie music with hints of emotive rock present during their new single, Dear California. The track succeeds upon skillful guitar work, a chunky bass, and alluring vocals that will bury themselves deep into the minds and hearts of listeners.
The pop style of Paperplane Pursuit during their latest single Feel Good blends together a wide array of styles, from One Direction to Chromeo and Ca$h Ca$h. The catchy vocals and punchy drums here tattoo their melodies deep into listeners’ minds. A cohesive unity between the instrumentation and vocals here turns this cut into a must-listen.
Ed Accura has released a number of albums over the last 12 years, and continually refreshes his style with each additional release. Accura creates a unique style of rap and hip-hop with his latest single Bittersweet News Update.
Loren Smith has created a new single in Always Remember that skillfully blends together pop, musicals, and the gospel tradition to make something beautiful. There is little more to Always Remember than Loren’s vocals and a piano, but the richness of the composition will stick with listeners long after the track has ceased to play.
The Clash’s English Civil War begins the release, Steve Lieberman’s latest and immediately hits listeners with a wall of fuzz and distortion. There is an insistence to this composition that sets the stage for the rest of the album. Lieberman’s cover of Echo & The Bunnymen’s Crystal Days allows for more of a psychedelic and new wave sound to make it into the track, with a rising and falling action…
Ron Holm and Jannie Nelson are Trinadora, and start out their new release Trinadora Sounds with a Cajun-styled effort, Like The Waters Of A Bayou. The dual vocals take on a wide variety of styles, with hints of bluegrass, traditional country, and 1970s pop. The sheer range of Trinadora on this album is considerable, with Café On The Square possessing a very metropolitan sound; Jannie’s vocals builds upon the work…