2020 has provided us with an interesting crossroads for the punk movement in both the United States and abroad. There’s still a lot to rebel against socially, politically, culturally and financially, but more than any of that, there’s a lot to fight within the construct of the mainstream pop/rock model itself – which is precisely what singer/songwriter Warbler BC is getting at in his new record One. Equal parts a collection…
On Peace Will Come, Teddy Wender is able to immediately draw attention with his calming, surf and blues-infused instrumentation. Taking nods from performers like Huey Lewis and B.B. King, Wender is able to call forward to a hopeful future that is miles away from the current situation we find ourselves. With a secondary set of vocals lifting Teddy’s vocals up to a higher plateau, the song is able to draw…
After just a few spins of the song “Lillian” and you feel like you’ve found a new friend, a new confidant in Jeremy Parsons. He gives the impression that he’s the type of guy that is easy to strike up a conversation with, sitting next to him on a subway train, or standing behind him in line at the grocery store. He’s the type of artist that can spit out…
American Sunset is a touching track about the downfall of America. There’s a bit of a chiaroscuro between the soulful guitar work and the starkness of the lyrics that Sudano puts forth here. The vocals build upon the folk-rock tradition and carry the same gravitas of an early Bob Dylan or Phil Ochs. The urging of Bruce to bring us back to the halcyon days of the 20th century is…
On Bang Bang, McNally Waters create a song that is eminently familiar but completely unique. There are nods to swing, country & western, and blues weaved throughout with even hints of jazz present. The combined vocals are so catchy here; listeners will be falling over themselves to capture each and every word. The band’s able to make a composition that ferries along the vocals in the most delectable way possible.…
Hidden Beams call back to the work of Momus and Peter Murphy (Bauhaus) with their latest effort, the semi-titular Hidden. Dreamy vocals do double duty in providing listeners with lyrical and musical content. It is these harmonies laid down here that work so well with the rich guitar, bass, and drum lines that comprise the backing instrumentation. Of particular note here has to be the intricate drum work, which add…
Adaleigh (Run Away), the new effort from Sharon Hendrix, has a little bit of something for everyone. There are bits of 1990s performers like Madonna present in Sharon’s voice, hints of late 1990s / early 2000s dance music, and a bit of the strong narrative elements of Broadway musicals. The message that Hendrix weaves through here is one that is confident and strong, something that will stick with fans long…
Opposites Attract is an absolutely sunny effort from Paris Bennett. In a period of time where all the grey clouds seem to be piling up, the considerable vocal range achieved by Paris and the twinkling keys and clap track unite to make something simply beautiful. The keys inserted in as a counter for Bennett’s vocals push the song to an entirely higher plateau; the track is ultimately able to have…
System Machine come forth with some sick guitar licks on their new single, In Dust We Trust. The supersonic vocals laid out here match well with the hints of synths that play towards the top of the track. What results is one of the most successful blends of metal and industrial music outside KMFDM and Fear Factor. In Dust We Trust is hooky enough to ensure that it garners airplay…
WAVES has an echoing, ethereal sort of sound to it that picks pieces of musical styles as diverse as David Byrne, Bauhaus, and Stabbing Westward in the creation of an utterly unique approach. The instrumentation threatens to take over the track just as the vocals snap to form and hammer the track to a more contemplative break. While the song concludes well before the four minute mark, the song will…
The video for Glorybots’ Radiate is the perfect match for the track’s mid-2000s-influenced approach. With nods to the chugging sound of a Coal Chamber or a Deftones, the band acts as the perfect counterpoint for the Thom Yorke-meets-311 styling of the vocals. The story that Radiate’s video intimates to listeners – a story of love and passion, married to some truly otherworldly visuals – will have fans firmly planted on…
I Love Being Black is a powerful ode from Jonathan Lykes that is able to shine with just the slightest trappings of production. The song, coming from Lykes’ heart, blends charismatic vocals with a stunning acoustic guitar line. The presence of additional vocals to Jonathan’s main line ensures that I Love Being Black will resound loudly with fans long after it ceases to play. The song’s message of pride showcases…
Jake Winstrom initially built his name fronting and writing songs for the band Tenderhooks but his second solo album, Circles, brings a higher level of ambition to bear. There are pop inclinations rife throughout the album’s nine songs, even the more guitar-dominated tracks, outside the box instrumentations adorns some, and an engaging poetic twist further strengthening each song’s character. Circles is rich with idiosyncratic yet revealing turns of phrases, jolting imagery, and a…
With a hip-thrusting groove to lead the way alongside a muddy guitar riff straight off of classic punk vinyl, Jupiter in Velvet’s “Dimestore Suave” rips through the silence ready to pulverize just about anything that comes between its beat and the audience. There’s an aggression to this song, and really all five that you’ll find in the tracklist of the new record Punk Goes the Velvet, that makes the urgency of…
Dirt Yard Street – by Clay Harper, is what you might call an easy listening masterpiece of sorts, with a folk-based style and reality-based theme that flows at it goes. The background of Harper is impressive and reads like a “who’s who” of artists he has worked with and been associated with or produced. This is just a testament of the artist himself and where he’s been, and these songs…
Tisha Hunter has a retro vibe going on with her new single, Right Now. With some smart instruction recalling funk and soul styles of the 1970s and early 1980s, Hunter is able to draw in listeners by the boatload. Uupon this instrumentation, Tisha is able to urge fans find their faith and approach their creator. The resulting track is smart, catchy, and hits on all cylinders. The dynamic that is…
Overcome has a light and dairy sound to it as hints of pop, R&B, and reggae work to create something absolutely infectious. T-Klassip’s vox here exude charisma and provide fans with a positive sound. The presence of Eedris Abdulkareem to the mix provides listeners with a nice shift to the overall atmosphere of the track. Kevin Boy’s bars towards the end of the single ground the composition and showcase how…
AV Super Sunshine has incorporated a stripped-down sort of reggae-infused rock with their Baby Goodbye 2020. The dreamy vocals that come up to prominence during the song’s chorus showcase the band’s ability to stop and turn on a dime. The dynamism of AV Super Sunshine is fantastic; there’s nary a breath lost as the band whips in hints of the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Jane’s Addiction into their output…
Redemption begins with keys and smartly spat-out vox. The narrative quality of Big Lou during this effort is miles beyond the typical track gaining popular attention. The presence of the impassioned female voice during Redemption’s chorus provides nice differentiation between each stanza of Big Lou’s content. The insane speed which Big Lou achieves during his new single places him alongside rap royalty like Twista and Eminem. Putting his city on…
Bunkin is a supremely confident track that showcases GS11’s swagger. With an assertive rap flows that build upon the work of performers like Rick Ross and I-20, Bunkin’ will be an easy inclusion on urban radio stations and playlists. Dreamy synths blend with punchy percussion to make for a backing beat that is truly larger than life. Taking these two sides together, GS11’s Bunkin ends up being the most memorable…