Category: Music Reviews

Posted on: August 29, 2024 Posted by: Kim Muncie Comments: 0

Heart of Pine Release New Music

Athens, Georgia has been known as a hub for great music over several decades. Heart of Pine continues that tradition with their high-powered fusion of a handful of rootsy genres and keen, often quite fun, songwriting that never loses its freshness. Their second full-length collection Southern Soul Revival hits the streets as the band is nearing their 10th anniversary and should solidify their standing as one of the best musical acts working…

Posted on: July 31, 2024 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0

Karson City Rebels “Let’s Party”

The Karson City Rebels have released their new single, Let’s Party. This traditional rock track will make fans out of anyone that’s ever popped on a .38 Special or BTO track. The assertive guitars work well, as do the splashy drums and insistent vocals. With a chorus that will get one cheering along after their first listen to the track, Let’s Party feels like a song that will be blaring…

Posted on: July 31, 2024 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0

Kerlyne Liberus – You’re Good To Me

The sheer vocal range of Kerlyne Liberus on her new track, a cover of You’re Good To Me, is amazing. The backing instrumentation provides a hand up at points, but the overall sound of the track is guided to the heavens by Kerlyne’s voice more than anything. The bit of backing vocals that poke through at points during this single ensures that the resulting track impacts listeners greatly. The song’s…

Posted on: July 31, 2024 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 1

Porter Block “Groove Goin’ On”

On Groove Goin’ On, Porter Block is able to link together funk, soul, and pop-rock to create an earworm that is nigh-impossible to remove. With vocals that are part Huey Lewis, part Jakob Dylan, Peter builds up a call-and-response chorus that assuredly will get flans out on the dance floor. The production of Groove Goin’ On is crisp, giving each instrument ample opportunity to shine alone while contributing to a…

Posted on: July 31, 2024 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0

The Formalist “A=N”

A=N is an engrossing track that provides listeners a ton to consider as the effort proceeds. The song links together new wave, goth, and Boy George-styled pop into an engrossing and alluring composition. The charisma and passion of the single’s vox are countered well through the sweeping sounds of the backing instrumentation. A=N is given ample time to rise and fall, with each section shifting and changing the overall feeling…

Posted on: July 25, 2024 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 1

Ron Brunk “I’m Really Special”

I’m Really Special is a hard track to pin down. While there’s pop and rock influences present her eto a large degree, Ron incorporates nods to traditional country and Yacht rock styles even as the titular phrase is showcased through the eclectic array of approaches adopted here. As was the case with another of his newer compositions Give Yourself To The Lord, the personal faith held by Ron is on…

Posted on: July 25, 2024 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0

Petit Biscuit “Cruel Heart”

Petit Biscuit has made the feel-good track of the late summer with their Cruel Heart. The song effortlessly straddles the line between R&B and EDM. An insistent beat and sweeping synths create a backdrop upon which some seriously smooth vocals are able to shine. Fans of The Weeknd, Daft Punk or Galantis will adore what the act is doing here on Cruel Heart. The ethereal, echoey sound of the bridge…

Posted on: July 25, 2024 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0

Ron Brunk “Give Yourself To The Lord”

Give Yourself To The Lord is a hopeful, bouncy sounding track recently released by Ron Brunk. The song itself draws inspiration from the pop-rock of the 1960s and the earliest CCM artists. The guitar solo during “Give Yourself”‘s bridge adds a bit of momentum as listeners round the corner. By including taut instrumentation as a cradle to the inspirational messages included in this song, Brunk ensures that fans will be…

Posted on: July 25, 2024 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0

Rick Trevino “The Ride”

Rick Trevino’s “The Ride” builds upon 1990s country performers like Garth Brook and Alan Jackson. The song is immaculately-arranged, with each piano and guitar line contributing to something that is considerably greater than the sum of its constituent parts. The paired vocals that are added into the mix during the song’s chorus add further complexity and depth to The Ride. What’s most surprising to us is that Trevino et al…

Posted on: July 25, 2024 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0

Kenilworth Katrina “Fashionably Late”

Kenilworth Katrina’s “Fashionably Late” is one of the most interesting tracks we’ve heard so far this year. First up, KK’s lyrical style boldly stands out among all of the rappers currently plying their trade. Secondly, there’s a front-and-center approach to Kenilworth Katrina’s vox that is supported by the backing beat, which stays firmly hands off excepting the chirps that peek their way through every once in a while. KK couples…

Posted on: July 25, 2024 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0

Dave Luv “Stunna”

Stunna has a nice flow tro it that will have listeners’ bouncing their heads even after their first exposure to the single. THe dreamy backing instrumentation to Stunna glues together the main body of lyrics with the radio-ready chorus that comes up shortly after. Dave Luv’s latest is something that builds upon the performer’s discography nicely while having enough to it that fans will bump the song well into the…

Posted on: July 7, 2024 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0

Wolfgang Hildebrandt “In My Eyes” 

In My Eyes, the latest single from Wolfgang Hildebrandt, is a truly timeless effort that will draw in a wide array of listeners. The song brings in hints of easy listening, country and western, and pop while Wolfgang is able to imprint the song with his own unique take on things. The guitar solo/bridge separating the two halves of In My Eyes refreshes listeners’ palettes while giving the little bit…

Posted on: July 7, 2024 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0

Uncle Ryano “Twerkin’ With A Twang” 

Uncle Ryano’s Twerkin’ With A Twang is an effort that will have lisatreners singing along after their first experience with the single. The song perfectly blends together Zach Bryan and Kid Rock into an electronic-infused, boot-stomping sort of track. The production of Twerkin’ With A Twang ensures that each guitar, drum, and vocal is able to shine alone or contribute to a greater whole. We’re excited to hear more from…

Posted on: June 28, 2024 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0

Denise Marsa “Don’t Count Yourself Out Yet (Until Dawn Remix)” 

Denise Marsa has released a new single, Don’t Count Yourself Out Yet. The track refreshes the late-disco sound to make a track that stands out boldly from the rest of the fare cluttering up EDM charts. The booming beats and guitars that comprise the song’s backing beat provide Denise’s vocals with highlighting at all the right places. The Until Dawn remix ensures that fans are smacked upside their head with…

Posted on: June 28, 2024 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0

LightlongLife “I Got Lost” 

I Got Lost is an amazing effort from LightlongLife, as it is able to showcase a unique style from the performer while building it out of the frameworks of numerous genres. This eclectic approach pays off tremendously on this single. Listeners will be able to hear emo, Deep Elm-styled rock, and Owl City-styled synths. Ths resulting track is engrossing and will stand up to repeat plays. Listeners will hear different…

Posted on: June 28, 2024 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0

Craymo “One Love One World (We Are One)”

One Love One World (We Are One) is the latest effort from Orlando, Florida’s Craymo. The track blends together Latin music with electronic dance styles, showcasing a catchy chorus and a positive message. Craymo’s able to create a timeless sound that will have something for virtually anyone that is listening in. Drawing things to a close before the three-minute mark, Craymo is able to emphatically end this track. The video…

Posted on: June 28, 2024 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0

Blacq Prodigal & Adverage Joe feat. The Unit “Made A Way”

Made A Way starts out with deep, intense bars in the vein of a Black Rob or Mystikal. The smoothed-out vox that follow this refresh the 1990s R&B of performers like Jodeci and Boys II Men. The song’s timeless nature will still speak to modern listeners due to the quality of each constituent part as well as the impressive production that builds up all elements of the track. Touching upon…

Posted on: June 28, 2024 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0

Pep Rally “Clubbing on the Moon (Staring at the Sun)”

“Clubbing on the Moon (Staring at the Sun)” is the latest cut from Pep Rally, who imbues the single with an early-200s alt-pop sound. The clean sound crafted during this single means that listeners will be able to discern each riff and drum hit over the course of the song’s run time. The back and forth between the pair of vocals keeps things bouncing until Pep Rally closes things up.…

Posted on: June 27, 2024 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0

Milky Chance “Naked And Alive”

Naked and Alive is the latest single from Milky Chance. The song is a slinky piece of alt-pop that will have listeners singing along after the first play. There’s taut instrumentation, charismatic vocals, and a beat that punctuates the track at all the right places. Fans of Interpol and Muse will be able to find shelter here, as Milky Chance carries the standards of 2000s indie quite well here. Naked…

Posted on: June 27, 2024 Posted by: James McQuiston Comments: 0

Roy Pitluk “Put A Tiger In My Tank” 

Roy Pitluk has released his first video, with his Dylan-esque Put A Tiger In My Tank. The track itself is not complex, allowing Roy’s vocals to weave a story as the acoustic guitar sets up a timeless backing beat upon which the lyrics can reside. Hints of Johnny Cash and Elvis can be located along with hints of Miles Davis scattered throughout. The ability of Roy to deftly move between…